Ling Yi turned around. “According to the report from the past hour, Miss Wen and a maid were discussing flying a kite.”
Pei Xiao arched a brow. “A kite?”
“Yes.”
As he spoke, Ling Yi took out his phone and checked the latest report from his subordinate. “They’ve now slipped out through the back gate, avoiding the butler’s watch. Should we send someone to stop them?”
“Patch in the footage.”
The man’s voice betrayed no emotion.
“Yes.”
Ling Yi immediately told his subordinate to send out a drone and fly it over Mandao Island.
Pei Xiao opened his tablet and saw the girl running through the flower beds, holding a homemade kite. A middle-aged maid stood off to one side, apparently saying something.
“Zoom in.”
Pei Xiao gave the order.
Ling Yi took control of the drone’s remote system and, following Boss’s instructions, enlarged the image until the maid’s face was clear.
A few dozen seconds later, the man who could read lips slammed one hand down on the keyboard with a loud bang. Fortunately, it was sturdy enough to take no damage.
Pei Xiao stood up and turned toward the window, his face dark with anger.
What did she mean, a wealthy, powerful man wasn’t a suitable match? That damned maid even dared to urge her to find someone else. Did she have a death wish?
“Ling Yi.”
A trace of anger edged the man’s voice. He turned around and pointed at the person on the screen. “Beat that old woman up, then throw her out.”
“Uh… yes.”
Ling Yi replied, and started bringing the drone back to its original altitude.
That brought the girl’s beaming face unexpectedly into view.
“Wait.”
Pei Xiao stopped him, his dark eyes fixed on the screen.
This Little Thing dared to smile so happily when he wasn’t around… What was he, some kind of monster?
“Let her stay.”
Pei Xiao tossed out the three words.
Ling Yi was used to Boss’s mercurial temperament, so he replied without hesitation, “Yes. Should we send someone to take Miss Wen back to the villa?”
That “take her back” was, plainly speaking, a group of people forcing Miss Wen back.
“…”
The man didn’t answer. He seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on that youthful, radiant smile—tender, almost yearning, as if he had lived in darkness all his life and was seeing sunlight for the first time.
After a long moment, he came back to himself and said in a low voice, “No need. Have the people on Mandao Island step up their patrols.”
“Yes.”
As Ling Yi finished speaking, the secretary outside the CEO’s office knocked on the door and reminded him through the glass, “President Pei, everyone’s waiting for you at the senior management meeting this afternoon.”
Pei Xiao ignored her, keeping his eyes on the tablet. “How did the dismissals go?”
“It’s taken care of. We let go everyone who hadn’t seen Miss Wen’s face. The two who had have been placed under strict watch.”
Ling Yi replied.
“Mm.”
Pei Xiao propped the tablet up on his desk, rose from his chair, and headed out.
Behind him, the image of the lively, spirited girl remained frozen on the screen.
…
Night fell.
Wen Yining lay on the bed, staring fixedly at the ceiling, her face full of worry.
Escape Plan 1.0 had officially failed.
Forget people—even a fly couldn’t get off this island.
Every ferry landing and helipad had someone on guard, and they made sure there was no gap in coverage even during shift changes.
Unless she could jump into the sea and swim back across to Jiangcheng, but that was obviously beyond her abilities.
Still… she’d made an unexpected discovery.
Beyond the area where the villa stood, all sorts of Chinese medicinal herbs grew elsewhere on the island. It was practically a treasure trove.
Thinking of this, Wen Yining couldn’t help climbing out of bed. She opened the wardrobe and rummaged through the clothes on the very bottom shelf.
Atractylodes, white peony root, motherwort…
Looking at the “Baby” treasures she’d gathered that day, Wen Yining suddenly felt that there was still hope for her life.
She covered the herbs back up and was just about to turn around when a scorching warmth suddenly pressed against her from behind, wrapping around her waist.
“What are you looking at?”
At his question, Wen Yining shuddered all over. She tried to suppress her fear at being caught and stammered, “You bought so many clothes… I don’t need them…”
“Mm.”
Pei Xiao braced both hands against the wardrobe shelf and bent to press his lips to the side of her neck. He trailed upward, stopping at the curve of her ear. “If I didn’t have to go out during the day, you really wouldn’t.”
“…”
His scorching breath seemed to melt every bone in her body.
A sudden “click” sounded behind her, followed by the rustle of fabric. Wen Yining’s legs went weak with fright.
“Y-you should go take a shower…”
She tried to push him away.
Pei Xiao swept her up and made her straddle his waist. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Together.”
“…”
Wen Yining clenched the edge of her pants.
This man was already making her afraid of nighttime.
Pei Xiao crossed the few steps into the bathroom and began undressing her.
Seeing her go so stiff she might as well have turned to stone, he reached out and lifted her chin. “Why are you so nervous? Didn’t I make you feel good on the boat?”
They’d ruined three sets of bedsheets. He didn’t believe she’d dare lie to him.
“…”
Wen Yining’s face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.
Seeing her reaction, Pei Xiao’s lips curled. He let go of her chin and said, unhurriedly, “Wen Yining, learn to enjoy it.”
“…”
Yeah, right.
Only a beast like him could get into bed with someone without having any feelings for her.
The coolness on her skin spread, and the man’s warm breath replaced her clothes, brushing lightly over her body like a burning flame, gradually setting her alight…
The feeling of losing control of her own body terrified Wen Yining.
Suddenly, she felt a warm gush between her legs.
“Wait.”
She grabbed his hand as it roamed over her.
“What is it?”
Pei Xiao looked at her, entirely at ease, his tone teasing. “You want me?”
“…”
Wen Yining did her best not to slap him. “I think… my period’s started.”
“What’s started?”
Pei Xiao frowned.
“…”
Wen Yining bit her lower lip and silently looked at him.
As if he’d realized what she meant, Pei Xiao reached into her pajama pants.
The next second, the lustful air around him vanished.
Fuck.
Pei Xiao gritted his teeth. “Wen Yining, did you do this on purpose?”
Wen Yining shook her head without hesitation, putting on an expression that said, “You can’t blame me for this,” while secretly rejoicing inside. Her precious Baby herbs had really come through.
All that herbal medicine she’d been drinking like water hadn’t gone to waste.
“…”
Pei Xiao’s face darkened completely. He tossed her a curt, “Get out.”
Then he stepped into the shower.
Wen Yining put her clothes back on and happily went out.
She lifted the covers and climbed into bed.
The sound of running water continued without interruption for a long time, mixed with a few other sounds she didn’t want to hear.
Irritated, Wen Yining pulled the covers over her ears.
Fortunately, the exhaustion from flying kites all afternoon soon swept over her…
…