Night enveloped everything in a hazy, warm glow.
The main light in the girl’s room had long been turned off, leaving only a small night lamp by the bedside, casting a soft, blurry halo.
Jing Nian’an had just finished bathing, her body still carrying a faint scent of roses, her soft long hair spread across the pillow.
Curled up under the covers, her almond-shaped eyes were wide open, showing no sign of sleepiness.
Her fingertips unconsciously tugged at the corner of the blanket, her mind filled with the tragic ending she had dreamed for herself.
No…
She had to find a way!
Lost in her chaotic thoughts, the bedroom door suddenly creaked open—!
A tall, slender figure stood at the doorway.
Jing Nian’an instantly closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly, her breathing deliberately drawn out and even.
She pretended to be sound asleep.
The person at the door remained silent for a moment before quietly closing it again.
…Did he leave?
She cautiously opened one eye, confirming no one was there, and let out a long sigh of relief.
But the next second, she turned over restlessly, burying her face in the pillow.
Still, there was one thing she had done well—she had endured. These past few days, she had resisted the urge to cause trouble for Sheng Ran.
Downstairs, by the bar counter.
Wen Zhuo leaned lazily against the bar, his slender fingers holding a glass of amber-colored liquor. His beige loungewear made him appear even gentler.
Under the warm yellow light, his handsome features were bathed in a lazy, warm glow.
Jing Lüyan descended the stairs, his tall figure casting a sharp, cold silhouette under the light.
His gaze was calm and profound, his entire presence like a finely carved statue of cold jade.
Wen Zhuo looked up, his voice low and mellow: “Is the little one asleep?”
Jing Lüyan gave a faint “mm” in response, walked to the bar, and poured himself half a glass of liquor.
His fingertips lightly tapped the rim of the glass, the liquid shimmering with a cold gleam under the light.
Wen Zhuo tilted his head back and finished the last sip of his drink, his Adam’s apple moving slightly, before speaking lazily:
“Why did she sleep so early? I wanted to check her teeth.”
“Tomorrow,” Jing Lüyan replied calmly, his gaze slightly lowered.
Wen Zhuo chuckled softly but said nothing more, only unconsciously rubbing the rim of his glass with his fingertips, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Meanwhile, in the room.
Jing Nian’an suddenly sat bolt upright in bed, her almond eyes sparkling brightly.
She had an idea!
If the female lead couldn’t die, then losing her memory should be possible, right?
Better yet, forgetting her, forgetting the days when she had been ordered around…
The next moment, the girl threw off the covers and jumped out of bed barefoot.
Her pale toes touched the cold floor as she slipped out of the room like a nimble cat.
She first peeked furtively at the neighboring room—Jing Lüyan’s door was tightly shut, and it was quiet inside, as if he was already asleep.
“Good, safe.”
The girl sighed in relief, then tiptoed to Wen Zhuo’s door and gently pushed it open—
“Brother? Wen Zhuo?”
Jing Nian’an called softly, but the room held only a faint scent of cedar, with no one inside.
Could he be in the third-floor laboratory?
She turned and ran upstairs, but the laboratory door was also tightly locked.
“Strange…”
Jing Nian’an felt puzzled, biting her lip as she wandered around and eventually made her way to the first floor.
But as soon as she descended the stairs, she froze in place—
There, by the bar counter, two tall, slender figures sat facing each other.
Jing Lüyan’s slender fingers held a crystal glass, his gaze cold and detached.Wen Zhuo leaned lazily against the counter, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips as he sat with his back to her.
Oh no.
Jing Nian’an turned to run—
But before she could even turn around…
“Come here.”
From behind, the man’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was as cold as ice, freezing her in place instantly.
The girl slowly turned around, head lowered like a kitten caught misbehaving.
Under the weight of those two scorching gazes, she shuffled over reluctantly.
Jing Lüyan’s eyes fell on her bare feet, his brow furrowing slightly before he set down his wine glass and strode toward her.
“Ah!”
Before she could react, Jing Nian’an was swept up into his arms, held firmly around the waist.
The man’s cool, sharp aura enveloped her instantly.
Jing Lüyan carried her back to the barstool, settling her sideways on his lap.
One hand held her waist securely, while the other gripped her chin, forcing her to look up.
“Pretending to be asleep?”
His voice was low, carrying an undeniable pressure.
A warm, large hand wrapped around her cold foot, the heat from his palm making her shiver slightly.
Jing Nian’an’s eyelashes fluttered, unable to meet his eyes, she mumbled a weak excuse, “I… I was just thirsty…”
Wen Zhuo’s lips curved into a smile as he set down his glass.
His slender fingers brushed against the girl’s soft cheek, his thumb gently stroking as his gentle voice exposed her lie:
“Wasn’t there water placed by the bedside?”
Her cheeks flushed under his touch, and she shot him a pouty glare, “Who told you not to be in the room!”
Wen Zhuo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, but before he could speak, Jing Lüyan cut in coldly, “Why were you looking for him?”
The air around her was filled with the mingled scents of the two men—and the faint aroma of wine.
With her back pressed firmly against the warm, solid chest of the man behind her, Jing Nian’an found herself trapped between them, unsure how to respond.
Wen Zhuo suddenly stood up, casting a casual glance at Jing Lüyan as he said, “I’ll go fetch something.”
Jing Nian’an instinctively grabbed the hem of his shirt, her fingers tightening slightly.
Wen Zhuo looked down at her, the smile in his eyes deepening, “Be good, I’ll be back soon.”
But before she could let go, Jing Lüyan’s arm tightened around her, pulling her closer against him.
His voice was unusually cold, “Let go.”
The girl pouted but obediently released her grip.
Wen Zhuo chuckled softly before turning and leaving.
Jing Lüyan’s fingers slowly trailed up to the nape of her neck, gripping her like a disobedient kitten, his tone dangerous:
“What did you need from him? Something you can’t tell me?”