Chapter 142: A Sigh-Inducing Turn of Events

"Go ahead and hit me." Acknowledging his defeat, the little boy held out his small palm, resigned to his fate.

Lin Nanxun nodded, then blinked as she asked the boy, "Since I didn't hit you for the last round, does that mean I get to hit you twice?"

She had won the first round as well, but the boy had insisted on settling the score all at once after the next round, so by that logic, she was entitled to two strikes.

"Miss Lin, you remember correctly," Zhou Bei, who was watching from the sidelines, nodded in affirmation.

Upon hearing that he was to be hit twice, the boy’s expression grew anxious, his face clearly betraying his fear of pain.

Lin Nanxun reached out happily, ready to strike the small palm before her.

"Please, be quick," the boy urged, trembling slightly as he subconsciously swallowed hard. Adults always hit so hard.

"Okay." Lin Nanxun nodded, reached out, and gave the small palm two quick, gentle taps.

The boy had squeezed his eyes shut in fear, but he felt only the soft touch of her fingers against his skin. Then, the girl’s gentle voice reached his ears.

"All right, let's continue to the next round."

He opened his eyes in surprise, only to be met with the girl’s tender, beautiful smile.

...

On the second floor, Shen Hanzhi finished signing and stamping the agreement.

The middle-aged man stood up and packed away the documents. Just then, his assistant hurried in with a phone, looking rather embarrassed.

"It's a call from your wife, sir. She says if you don't answer, you shouldn't bother going home tonight."

At the assistant’s words, the man's expression shifted. He quickly took the phone and answered, immediately softening his tone to offer apologies and sweet talk.

Watching the man humble himself to appease his wife, a flicker of disdain and pity crossed Shen Hanzhi's eyes. The man before him was a formidable figure in the business world, yet he was now completely swayed by a woman, devoid of any dignity... It was truly pathetic.

Before long, the man finished the call, turned to Shen Hanzhi, and said apologetically, "I had hoped to invite you to dinner, Mr. Shen, but my wife is still upset with me. I have to get home early to take her shopping and to the movies. Please forgive me for this display."

"I'm quite busy these next few days; I have no time for dinner," Shen Hanzhi remarked with an indifferent lift of his brows. He turned and exited the private room, striding toward the first floor.

Downstairs, Lin Nanxun had just finished another round of card games with the boy.

This time, the little boy had won. Lin Nanxun felt no disappointment; she simply followed the rules and held out her palm.

The boy looked down at her fair, delicate hand and found he couldn't bring himself to hit it. "Big sister, boys don't hit girls. I won't hit you," the boy said, looking at her earnestly.

Seeing his hesitation, Lin Nanxun smiled kindly and said softly, "Go ahead, it’s alright."

Seeing her insistence, the boy hesitated for a moment before taking her hand. Instead of striking it, he leaned down and gave it a light kiss.

A soft "smack" echoed, leaving Lin Nanxun momentarily stunned.

At that exact moment, the group descending from the second floor witnessed the entire scene.

Shen Hanzhi’s footsteps faltered, and his handsome face suddenly stiffened.