Exposed, Yu Jingxi’s face turned ugly. “The Yu Family has deep roots. The old men on the Board of Directors all follow Father’s arrangements. You think I don’t want to end this quickly?”
“Don’t make excuses for your cowardice.”
In this family, love was the cheapest thing of all.
Yu Jingxi claimed again and again that he loved her, but aside from that perverted possessiveness driving him, he never dared to protect her in front of Yu Shengnian.
Even his most beloved little sister—hospitalized after Yu Shengnian’s brutal beating—he still abandoned her for the sake of business interests.
What love?
What vows?
All nothing but lies told by those who wanted but could not have.
Yu Ni sat on the bed, her heart unable to calm down for a long time.
Tonight, Yu Shengnian had begun to harbor improper thoughts about her.
And Yu Jingxi had repeatedly displayed his overpowering possessiveness.
The time she had left was running out.
This Luanxing Bay project was her opportunity. She had to find a way to use Mu Qianjue to find a way out.
Fortunately, the father and son of the Yu Family were too swamped with this collaboration to bother her these past three days.
Yu Ni’s hand was actually fine.
The design concepts were all carved into her mind. Completing the design drafts would take her no more than a few hours.
On the morning of the third day, once Yu Jingxi confirmed the design drafts were finished, he immediately took Yu Ni to Zai Shui Yi Fang.
Zai Shui Yi Fang was built on a mountain.
It took an hour’s drive from the Yu Family residence just to reach the foot of the mountain.
Then, onto the winding mountain road, they drove up and around for over half an hour before finally arriving at the top.
Yu Ni rarely sat in a car for so long. After all the jolting, the motion sickness left her nauseous and retching.
“Are you okay?”
Yu Jingxi handed her a glass of water.
Having finished vomiting, Yu Ni’s face was pale, the loose strands of hair at her forehead damp with sweat.
She took the water and drank a few sips, then looked up to see the majestic Luajin Villa standing tall ahead, like a castle.
A dozen or so bodyguards in black stood guard at the main gate. The spectacle made it seem as though a revered king lived inside—one who alone could grant passage.
Yu Jingxi stepped forward to explain their purpose.
One of the bodyguards stopped him. “The Crown Prince will only see Second Miss Yu. Yu, please wait outside.”
Unable to enter, Yu Jingxi told Yu Ni to contact him at any time if anything happened.
He even lowered his voice. “Don’t let any other man touch you.”
Yu Ni was escorted into the villa by the bodyguards. Grand and imposing on the outside, the interior was even more luxurious and opulent.
Upon entering, one could see a scenic pond.
The artificial rockery was crafted with lifelike precision, its unique design blending European elegance, Western romance, and traditional garden style—a seemingly contradictory design that nonetheless exuded nobility.
The pond was stocked with expensive koi of every color.
Most eye-catching of all was a white lotus at the center of the pond, its core shimmering with blue light.
Getting closer, she was utterly astonished.
The blue light was actually emanating from a night pearl.
Yu Ni knew that the Mu Family of the capital was the wealthiest family in the world—cloaked in power, with assets piled like mountains. But this was the first time she had ever seen someone place a priceless night pearl in a scenic pond.
Just how confident were they in their security system to dare such audacity?
“Second Miss Yu, the Crown Prince is on the second floor.”
The bodyguard led her to the entrance of the main building and pointed upstairs.
Yu Ni walked straight into the hall. The luxury and grandeur before her eyes left her marveling at just how wealthy the villa’s owner must be.
Everywhere were private collections by famous masters.
Even the carpet beneath her feet was made of rare craftsmanship and materials—clearly no ordinary item at a glance.
But in the corner of the hall, there was an empty spot.
Surrounded by so many antiques, it stood out conspicuously.
Yu Ni thought that placing a sculpture here would perfectly make up for the living room’s flaw.
“Second Miss Yu seems very interested in my antiques.”
A deep, magnetic male voice came from above her head.
Yu Ni looked up.
She met a pair of dark, unfathomable eyes, like a leopard lurking in the night, fixed on its prey, ready to pounce and crush it at any moment.
Yu Ni smiled. “If I’m interested, can I just carry one off?”
“Bold, aren’t you. Come up.”
Mu Qianjue was wearing a robe, its sash loose, his damp hair still dripping.
He lacked the cold, imperious air of a few days ago, and instead carried a lazy, domestic ease.
It was clear he had just showered.
Yu Ni went up the stairs, her heels clicking against the smooth, polished steps.
The moment she reached the top, Mu Qianjue pinned her hand against the railing. “You’re not like this in front of others.”
“And what am I like?”
Yu Ni was forced to lean back.
The position was extremely dangerous—with the slightest force from Mu Qianjue, she would absolutely topple over the railing and fall.
Yet she wore a smile on her face, as if unafraid of life or death.
“Everyone praises you for being so well-behaved.”
Yu Ni blinked. “And you?”
Mu Qianjue tilted her chin up and leaned close to her ear, uttering a single word.
Yu Ni wasn’t angry—she even laughed. “That’s right, I am faking it.”
“How honest of you.”
With that, Yu Ni pulled the design drafts from her bag. “Good girls don’t lie.”
Mu Qianjue took them and glanced over, immediately captivated by the exquisite, extraordinary designs.
That night, after hearing Yu Ni lay out all her ideas, he had been anticipating the finished work.
He hadn’t expected the complete design drafts to be even more stunning than he had imagined.
But soon, he set the drafts down and lit a cigarette right in front of her. “Not bad work.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
Mu Qianjue paused mid-drag. “Your sincerity isn’t enough.”
“What sincerity does the Crown Prince want?”
With that, she grabbed his collar and, mimicking his earlier move, pressed him against the railing. “Like this?”
The cigarette still between his lips, white smoke curling slowly, he stared at her in disbelief. “Heh. Interesting.”
With that, he removed the cigarette, cupped the back of Yu Ni’s head, and kissed her.
The thick, acrid smoke seared into her lungs, and Yu Ni frowned slightly.
But she didn’t push him away—she bit him, neither lightly nor heavily.
Like a flirtatious provocation, Mu Qianjue scooped her up around the waist.
And kissed her even more fiercely.
When the kiss ended, Yu Ni pressed a hand to her chest, coughing and laughing.
Her small face flushed pink, her hazy, intoxicated eyes no longer held their earlier docility—they revealed a wildness, hard to tame.
Just like that night.
As if asking him why he’d stopped.
Mu Qianjue tugged at his collar and turned toward the study. “Come in.”
Damn it!
He’d lost control for just a moment.
The design drafts were crushed in his grip.
Yu Ni glanced at the crumpled drafts on the floor and gave a silent scoff in her heart.
Even after things had gone that far, he had still managed to hold himself back.
This man was even harder to get close to than she’d expected.