Xie Ning would never delude herself into thinking that Lu Tingyan’s words, “I’ll satisfy you,” meant he intended to do anything with her. After all, earlier that day at the manor, he had made his disgust for her abundantly clear.
So his idea of “satisfying” her was likely to bring in a few men to humiliate her?
The thought alone made Xie Ning’s stomach churn. She began struggling violently, using both her hands and feet, yet she remained completely trapped in his embrace.
She pounded on his chest, only to feel the taut, solid muscle beneath—her efforts were as futile as an egg striking a stone.
The elevator doors closed, cutting off the noise from outside completely, leaving only Xie Ning’s furious curses.
“Lu Tingyan, are you out of your mind? If you hate me so much, why are you holding me this tightly?”
“Did you follow me just to spend our wedding night together? You really are a scheming man.”
Lu Tingyan ignored her, his expression blank as he watched the numbers change on the elevator panel.
Suddenly, he lowered his head and spoke to her in a meaningful tone, “Your struggling feels like flirting to me. Are you sure you want to keep this up?”
Xie Ning’s struggles ceased abruptly. As if struck by a Freezing Spell, she went completely still, staring at Lu Tingyan from an awkward angle.
She had to admit, even from this unflattering perspective, the bastard looked undeniably handsome.
With a soft ding, the elevator doors opened. The quiet hallway sent a shiver down Xie Ning’s spine.
The closer they got to the rooms, the stronger her sense of foreboding grew.
“That man called me earlier to say my friend was drunk. I came to pick her up,” Xie Ning explained, surprisingly uninterrupted this time. “She’s still with him now, and I need to take her to the hospital.”
Lu Tingyan walked toward the room, his voice icy, “Your excuses are truly pathetic.”
“If you don’t believe me, come downstairs with me and see if he’s waiting there with my friend! She’s allergic to alcohol—I have to get her to the hospital! If anything happens to her, you’ll be the one responsible!”
Lu Tingyan’s steps came to an abrupt halt.
He lowered his gaze, his thick lashes casting a heavy shadow under the hallway lights.
His peach-blossom eyes, shrouded in that shadow, appeared deep and unfathomable, like a bottomless abyss.
In an instant, Lu Tingyan’s entire demeanor turned cold and severe, as if his heart had been violently torn apart, stung by certain words.
“You’re afraid something might happen to your friend? You actually care about someone?” Lu Tingyan didn’t sound angry this time, only chillingly calm. “Aren’t you the one responsible for my brother’s death?”
He clenched his jaw, the tension tightening his entire face.
He stopped outside a room at the end of the hallway. The display on the door lit up automatically, scanned his face, and unlocked.
Once inside, Lu Tingyan still didn’t release Xie Ning.
It was a suite. He carried her through the living room into the bedroom and threw her onto the bed before pressing down on top of her.
Seeing his stern face, his deep eyes, and the taut lines of his muscles straining against his black shirt, Xie Ning’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
“Lu Tingyan, are you serious?” Xie Ning’s almond-shaped eyes filled with mockery, her tone calm yet icy. “Didn’t you say earlier today that the sight of me disgusted you? And now you can’t resist me at night? Is this all the endurance you have, Third Young Master Lu?”
Lu Tingyan propped himself up on one elbow, his other hand pinching the bridge of his nose.
Xie Ning lay on her back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "You married me to torment me, not to torment yourself. Why bother with a woman who disgusts you?"
Lu Tingyan's voice was slightly hoarse, yet it sounded even more deep and pleasant. "You do have some self-awareness."
Xie Ning let out a short, sharp laugh. "You flatter me. Not really. If I did, things wouldn't have come to this."
Her tone carried an unmistakable self-mockery and derision, as if she regretted not seeing through his purpose for marrying her earlier.
During high school, Lu Tingyan had certainly heard of Xie Ning.
A transfer student a year below him, her grades were so consistently high that second place couldn't even come close. She was the teacher's favorite, the face of their prestigious school.
While other boys and girls in their adolescence tried every way to dress up, she always wore the same outdated but clean school uniform. Whether giving a speech or delivering an address, she was always confident and assured, never showing a hint of inferiority or timidity.
This was the first time he had heard her speak so self-deprecatingly. Lu Tingyan fell abruptly silent, the anger in his heart slowly dissipating.
At the same time, a few scattered raindrops tapped against the window, growing denser until they turned into a downpour.
The room was well-insulated, but in the sudden stillness, even the faint sound of rain seemed clear.
After a moment, Xie Ning spoke again. "If you'd be so kind, Third Young Master Lu, please step aside. I still need to find my best friend."
Lu Tingyan didn't respond, simply getting up.
He glanced at the woman on the bed—her bright almond-shaped eyes, slightly flushed cheeks, and fair skin that looked even more translucent against the black sheets.
Her thick, curly hair fanned out behind her, spread out boldly.
And the torn red halter dress she wore was like a proud red rose blooming on black soil.
The girl who once only wore a school uniform had now grown into a graceful young woman.
Lu Tingyan knew that during the few months they had been together, due to the vast difference in their family backgrounds, people had mockingly called her "Cinderella."
But at this moment, Lu Tingyan felt she shouldn't be called Cinderella—she should be Princess Cinderella.
Because she looked so noble and beautiful.
As if even the slightest physical contact with her would be a violation, a desecration.
He suddenly remembered the looks full of desire and ill intent that had fallen upon her earlier in the lobby downstairs, under the dim, suggestive lighting.
As a man, he knew exactly what those looks meant.
He also had to admit that Xie Ning, whether in appearance or figure, was captivating enough.
So Lu Tingyan walked over to the internal phone, first calling the guest services to have them send up a set of women's long-sleeved top and pants, then dialing Li Xinglang.
Li Xinglang answered quickly. "Third Brother, where did you go?"
Lu Tingyan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the city lights blurred by the rain curtain. "Do you remember that man from earlier?"
Li Xinglang was confused. "Which one?"
"The one with Xie Ning!"
"Oh, oh, right! I remember! Damn, daring to put horns on my Third Brother—I'd remember him even if he turned to ashes!"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Lu Tingyan felt a headache coming on at the mention of "horns." "Go look for him and see if he's still around. If he's with a drunk girl, help get her to the hospital. The girl has alcohol allergies."
"What? Sister-in-law has alcohol allergies?"
"Can't you understand human language, kid? That's not your sister-in-law!"
On the other end, Li Xinglang laughed like a lovesick goose: "Third Brother, are you admitting that Xie Ning is my sister-in-law?"
Lu Tingyan wearily pinched the bridge of his nose.
Dealing with Xie Ning today had left him more exhausted than pulling a week of overtime shifts.
"Are you sure you want to keep arguing with me?" Lu Tingyan's tone suddenly dropped.
"No, no, no." Although Li Xinglang loved to joke around, he never dragged his feet when it came to getting things done. As soon as Lu Tingyan gave the order, he had already picked up his phone and started searching. "Third Brother, I see that guy. He's still in the booth, and there's no girl with him."
"If there isn't, then go ask. Do I have to teach you that too?"
"Alright, alright, calm down. I'll go ask right now and report back once it's settled!" Li Xinglang said. "Oh, by the way, Third Brother, some paparazzi know you're at Zero Point and are waiting for you downstairs. Be careful when you come down."
The room attendant quickly delivered the clothes, and Lu Tingyan brought them in for Xie Ning.
"I've already arranged for someone to look after your best friend," Lu Tingyan said in a flat tone, as if issuing a notice. "There are paparazzi downstairs, so don't go down today. I don’t want any more negative news spreading tomorrow."
Xie Ning, however, didn’t seem to care. "What negative news could be bigger than the groom being an imposter at the wedding?"
Lu Tingyan looked up at her.
"Oh, there really is," Xie Ning laughed. "The biggest news would be that Third Master Lu got cheated on on his wedding night."
Xie Ning sighed. "Using your scandal to cover up my disgrace seems like a pretty good deal."
"Suit yourself," Lu Tingyan said, pulling out a cigarette case with an air of indifference. "Don’t forget, your best friend is still in my hands."
Xie Ning choked back her words.
With his slender fingers holding a cigarette, he pointed in her direction, his peach-blossom eyes dark and profound. "And you—you’re in my hands. Feel free to make a scene if you dare."