By referring to himself as “Yuli,” Xie Yuli lowered himself to the position of a junior.
He humbled himself completely.
As if placing himself one rank beneath her, looking up at her and admitting his mistake while sincerely asking for his future wife’s forgiveness.
What had he just called her?
Madam?
Madam?!
Shen Bingci’s face instantly turned crimson.
She struggled even harder to pull away.
“W-What did you call me?!”
“Don’t call me that!”
“L-Let go! Let go already…”
Xie Yuli gently pulled her closer.
White flowers swayed outside the window.
Her flushed face glowed with life.
He found himself drawn toward that warmth, greedily savoring her fragrance.
She looked unexpectedly beautiful when she blushed.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Madam, I truly know I was wrong.”
His apology was sincere.
“If you refuse to forgive me, then I’ll remain like this, asking for your mercy.”
For Shen Bingci, however, this was torture.
She looked ready to cry.
“Fine, fine, I know.”
“You remembered.”
“I forgive you now.”
“So let go.”
Once she calmed down, she knew this wasn’t entirely his fault.
Her performance had been kept secret.
How could he have known?
What truly upset her was that he had gone to see another woman.
And brought her flowers.
“I don’t want to hear her name anymore.”
Shen Bingci huffed while rubbing her wrist.
Just hearing Wen Shengyue’s name irritated her.
A name so unpleasant didn’t deserve to come from such an elegant voice.
“Understood.”
Xie Yuli frowned slightly.
He hadn’t used much strength.
At least, not intentionally.
Yet she genuinely seemed uncomfortable.
Looking down, he noticed faint red marks around her wrist.
Marks left by him.
His eyes paused.
Was her skin always this delicate?
Or were all women like this?
His fingers gently brushed the redness.
Then he leaned down and softly blew on the irritated skin.
“Does it still hurt?”
The action startled Shen Bingci even more.
The warm breath brushed against her skin like a feather.
An uncontrollable heat spread through her body.
“…It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Please let go.”
Xie Yuli prepared to release her.
Then, unexpectedly, he noticed a tiny pink mole on one of her fingers.
Something in his chest tightened.
Before he could stop himself, he lowered his head.
Holding her hand carefully, he placed a gentle kiss beside the tiny mark.
His lips touched her skin briefly.
Cool.
Soft.
When he lifted his gaze, the sharpness in his eyes had softened.
“Miss Shen.”
“I’ll be more careful next time.”
“I’ll use less strength with you.”
Shen Bingci’s mind went completely blank.
Why did that sentence sound so strange?!
Half an hour later.
A one-of-a-kind Maybach worth hundreds of millions sat parked in Xie Yuli’s private villa garage.
Soon it sped toward a private shooting range in Beijing.
Beside it stood an exclusive golf course.
Quiet.
Luxurious.
And owned by the Wen family.
Today, Xie Yuli was here at Wen Guanfu’s invitation.
The Xie and Wen families were discussing a long-term cooperation project in the European market.
One of the main reasons for his trip to Beijing.
Yan Ting pressed the elevator button for him.
Today, Xie Yuli wore a black tailored suit chosen by his stylist.
A red rose brooch adorned his chest.
His eyes were lowered as he absentmindedly turned a pigeon-blood ruby ring around his finger.
His profile remained cold and unreadable.
Xie Yuli had always been a man of few words.
Disciplined.
Polite.
Reserved.
Most of the time, he simply stayed silent.
Like a pine tree.
Like still water.
Impossible to read.
Impossible to provoke.
Yan Ting suddenly remembered the expression on his boss’s face after learning Shen Bingci had performed that day.
The slight contraction of his pupils.
The frozen look.
He had probably been nervous.
For the first time ever.
Even when Xie Yuli had seized control of the Xie Corporation from his father.
Even when enemies from every direction had joined forces against him.
Even then, Yan Ting had never seen that expression.
Could it have been panic?
He wasn’t sure.
The word barely seemed to exist in Xie Yuli’s vocabulary.
But one thing was obvious.
He cared deeply about Miss Shen.
The elevator neared the top floor.
Yan Ting hesitated.
“President Xie…”
“Will today’s meeting with the Wen family… perhaps be inappropriate?”
Xie Yuli glanced up lazily.
“We’re discussing business.”
“What’s inappropriate about that?”
Yan Ting decided he had better tell him.
“I received news earlier.”
“Miss Wen Shengyue will also be attending today.”
Xie Yuli immediately frowned.
His gaze landed on Yan Ting.
Clearly displeased.
Yan Ting surrendered instantly.
“I thought the same.”
“But this is a business meeting…”
“And…”
“Speak.”
Xie Yuli’s patience thinned.
Yan Ting swallowed.
“The Zhuang family will be here as well.”
“Zhuang Haiyan is attending.”
“And so is his sister.”
“Miss Zhuang Zhenying.”
“Miss Shen’s best friend.”
“…”
Silence.
Yan Ting could only sigh inwardly.
If Zhuang Zhenying saw President Xie standing beside Wen Shengyue—
Then Shen Bingci would definitely hear about it.
And after what happened at the theater…
That thought alone felt dangerous.
“I understand.”
Xie Yuli’s expression remained calm.
The elevator doors opened.
The shooting range stretched before them.
Wen Guanfu approached immediately with a broad smile.
“President Xie!”
“Long time no see!”
“Still as impressive as ever!”
Beside him stood Zhuang Haiyan in a white suit.
“President Xie.”
“I’ve heard much about you.”
“We finally meet.”
Xie Yuli shook hands with both men.
Then Wen Guanfu introduced his younger sister.
“This is my sister, Shengyue.”
“You’ve met before.”
“Right?”
Wen Shengyue wore a beautiful white dress.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Xie Yuli nodded politely.
“Miss Wen.”
“Hello.”
Nearby, Zhuang Zhenying folded her arms and watched the scene with a knowing smile.
Yan Ting immediately broke into a cold sweat.
She was definitely here to keep an eye on someone’s fiancé.
Wen Guanfu continued cheerfully.
“My sister couldn’t stop praising you after your last visit.”
“She said you’re talented, elegant, and admirable.”
“She hopes to become friends with you.”
The words sounded casual.
The intention behind them was not.
Xie Yuli narrowed his eyes.
Then answered without hesitation.
“I appreciate Miss Wen’s kindness.”
“Being friends is fine.”
“But I hope it remains only that.”
The implication was crystal clear.
Wen Guanfu’s smile faded.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
Xie Yuli smiled lightly.
Calm.
Direct.
And impossible to misunderstand.
“Because…”
“Xie already has a fiancée.”