Luo Yunmian’s face flushed crimson, her eyelashes brushing against Fu Yanchi’s palm, sending tingling sensations through her skin.
His breathing grew heavier as he gazed at her alluring, rosy lips. Just as he was about to lean in, his hand was suddenly swatted away, and his eyes met hers.
Locked in a gaze, both of them froze for a moment.
The first to feel shy was Luo Yunmian. She turned her head away, her back facing Fu Yanchi.
“Go to sleep now.”
Luo Yunmian closed her eyes, trying hard to calm herself, but the ripples in her heart refused to settle.
Suddenly, the bed behind her dipped as someone gently lay down. A sturdy arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her tightly into an embrace.
Her body stiffened, acutely aware of the person lowering his head, resting his chin against the crook of her neck, his warm breath brushing against her skin.
“Can’t sleep, Sister Mianmian?” he paused. “Shall I keep you company?”
Luo Yunmian’s heart trembled, but she remained silent.
She knew full well that she should righteously reject such an intimate gesture from him at this moment.
She should even sternly scold him and tell him to leave the bed.
Yet, in the chilly night, the arm around her waist felt like a warm shield.
She found herself unexpectedly clinging to this warmth.
Her lips twitched slightly, but she didn’t speak. Instead, she closed her eyes once more.
In the Stanley Villa area of Hong Kong Island’s Southern District, every house boasted a sea view.
As soon as Luo Yunmian stepped through the villa’s entrance, she keenly sensed the heavy atmosphere inside.
Her mother, Si Lan, sat upright on the sofa, her expression stern.
“Look at you, a young lady, disappearing for an entire night without a trace. Where on earth did you go? You didn’t even think to call home and let us know you were safe.
Have you considered how it would look if word got out? If your father and I didn’t know your character, we’d think you were sneaking around with another man behind Tingshen’s back.”
Fu Yanchi, who had arrived a minute late to give Luo Yunmian the USB drive, happened to be standing at the villa’s entrance and overheard every word her mother said.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a meaningful smile. It seemed her mother truly hadn’t figured out Sister Mianmian’s true nature.
In everyone’s eyes, she appeared gentle and gracious, but only he knew the stubbornness and pride hidden deep within her bones—she was absolutely someone who would repay every slight.
The thought of her boldly entering his room that night made his heart race uncontrollably.
He took a step forward, wearing a polite smile.
“Hello, Auntie. Actually, Sister Mianmian was with me yesterday. We were busy discussing some matters related to my brother’s company project and got so absorbed that we forgot to inform you. That was entirely my fault.”
“Since Yanchi is here, I feel much more at ease.”
As soon as Si Lan finished speaking, Duan Hua’s voice chimed in, “My Mianmian isn’t the kind of person to do such messy things.”
Fu Yanchi eagerly responded to Luo Yunmian’s grandmother, “Sister Mianmian is the best in the world!”
Luo Yunmian felt her poised and proper young lady image was about to crumble in front of him, as she couldn’t help but want to roll her eyes.
Her grandmother, sitting on the sofa, gestured for Fu Yanchi to take a seat and held his hand, chatting with him more and more animatedly.
“Yanchi is really lovely. If only you weren’t a bit younger, I’d think you and Yunmian would make an even better match.”
Luo Yunmian quickly interrupted their conversation, even switching to Cantonese.
This old lady and this young man were acting as if she didn’t exist at all.
“Grandma, I’m hungry.” Luo Yunmian walked over and, on the other side of Duan Hua, wrapped her arm around hers, acting coquettishly.
“Alright, then let’s ask Aunt Liu to bring out the dishes. We were just waiting for you. Yan Chi, you should stay and eat with us too.”
At the dinner table, Luo Yunmian didn’t spare Fu Yanchi a single glance, but her parents and grandmother enthusiastically served him food.
Fu Yanchi smiled as he glanced at Luo Yunmian, who was burying her head in her meal, her cheeks puffed out adorably.
On the fourth day before the engagement banquet, Shen Xin’er sent a photo—a sparkling diamond ring on her finger. “Miss Luo, is your engagement ring pretty? I originally chose another style, but Tingshen said this one suits you better.”
On the third day before the engagement banquet, Shen Xin’er sent another message as usual: “Miss Luo, Tingshen drank today. Please make him a hangover soup when you get home.”
On the second day before the engagement banquet, Shen Xin’er sent a photo of the wedding suite: “Miss Luo, the bathtub in the bathroom is very comfortable. You should definitely try it next time…”
Every day, Shen Xin’er sent messages like clockwork. Luo Yunmian merely glanced at them without paying much attention.
After all, the grand event was about to arrive.
The engagement banquet was held at The Peninsula Hong Kong, located on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Known as the “Grand Dame of the Far East,” this hotel was also where Fu Tingshen had once promised her that couples who held their engagement banquet here would enjoy everlasting love.
Luo Yunmian was in the fitting room changing into her qipao. The custom-made dress hugged her curves perfectly, but this time, she couldn’t seem to zip up the back.
Hearing movement at the door, Luo Yunmian instinctively assumed it was the makeup artist and didn’t look up.
“Come help me with this.”
The hand was warmer than expected, and the zipper was quickly pulled up. Just as she was about to turn around, the person embraced her from behind.
“Mianmian-jie, you look so beautiful.”
It was actually Fu Yanchi.
Luo Yunmian froze, wanting to turn around, but he stopped her.
Fu Yanchi leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against her neck.
“Mianmian-jie, I regret agreeing to this plan of yours. I really don’t want anyone else to see you like this.”
The bright red qipao, with its lifelike phoenix embroidery on the chest and the high-slit design, added a touch of alluring sensuality to her appearance.
Her dark, slightly curled long hair was pinned up, revealing the elegant lines of her shoulders and neck.
It was a side of her he had never seen before.
This version of Luo Yunmian should have belonged to him. But now, because of his brother…
A flicker of gloom passed through his eyes, but he quickly steadied Luo Yunmian and turned her around, cupping her face with his large hands.
His thumb gently brushed her lips, and the next second, he kissed her.
He was gentle, so gentle it was merely a light touch, as if handling a precious treasure.
Before Luo Yunmian could push him away, he had already pulled back. Fu Yanchi’s eyes were dark and unreadable.
“Don’t be afraid, Mianmian-jie. I’m here.”
A warm current surged in Luo Yunmian’s heart. Fu Yanchi’s words undoubtedly gave her reassurance.
Just then, Fu Tingshen’s knocking sounded from outside the door: “Yunmian, are you ready? May I come in?”
“No.”
Luo Yunmian instinctively spoke out, then pretended nothing had happened and cleared her throat twice. “I’ll be right out.”
She hurried toward the door but was abruptly stopped by Fu Yanchi, who grabbed her wrist.
Fu Yanchi lowered his voice. “Don’t go out like this, or you’ll be found out.”
Luo Yunmian raised an eyebrow. “Found out for what?”
He reached out and smoothed the slight frown on her forehead.
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. But Mianmian-jie, don’t go soft on him.”
Luo Yunmian couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his appearance, raising her hand to pat his before turning and walking out.