“No…” she gasped, reaching out to press down on the man’s mischievous hand, her voice trembling with tears. “Mr. Duan, how could you…”
“Baby, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Hearing her choked sobs, Duan Yanxing panicked instantly. He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “If you’re not willing, I won’t force you…”
Chi Mu shook her head, her small hand gripping his tightly, refusing to let go.
“I thought you had accepted me. I’m sorry.” Duan Yanxing’s voice carried a hint of hoarseness.
He pulled her closer, using his slender, pale fingers to wipe away her tears, coaxing softly, “Don’t cry.”
Chi Mu’s body stiffened. Her eyelashes were damp, and her gaze toward Duan Yanxing was filled with grievance, her entire being exuding a pitiful vulnerability.
“Did I scare you? I was too impatient. I’m sorry.” Duan Yanxing sighed, his voice tinged with regret and guilt. His thumb brushed over her brows and eyes as he whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I promise I’ll take it slow, give you time, okay…”
Chi Mu bit her lip and nodded, still clutching his arm tightly, unwilling to release her grip.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I promise there won’t be a next time…”
Seeing her delicate body trembling violently, Duan Yanxing regretted his actions. He had been too hasty.
“You… let me go.” Chi Mu’s voice quivered as she spoke, filled with pleading. “I… I want to go home. Now.”
As she said this, she nearly burst into tears.
She was completely bewildered by everything that had just happened. They had only just met, yet he seemed to know her so well, always able to pinpoint her vulnerabilities at the most critical moments, leaving her with no room to fight back.
“I was wrong. Please don’t be angry, okay? Baby, it was my fault. I scared you…” Duan Yanxing murmured soothingly.
His tone was gentle and intimate, as if coaxing a child, and she was the treasure he held in his hands. At her slightest call, he would rush to her side.
Chi Mu nodded through her sobs, her emotions in turmoil.
She didn’t know whether to be relieved that she hadn’t lost her innocence or to feel distressed by this inexplicable sensation. All she knew was that she felt as though he was leading her forward.
“Mr. Duan, please don’t come any closer,” she whispered, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
“Okay, okay. As long as you don’t cry, I won’t touch you.”
He sighed softly, shifting her position and placing her on the bed.
Chi Mu lay on the bed, closing her eyes and trying to steady her breathing, but her body continued to tremble uncontrollably.
What was this all about? They weren’t even together yet.
“I’m sorry, baby. I was too impatient. I thought you had just accepted me…” he apologized softly, his voice laced with regret and guilt.
Chi Mu pursed her lips and turned her head away without responding.
The man knelt by the bedside, raising his hand as if to tousle her hair, but he slowly lowered it again.
“I’m not the kind of person you think I am, Wanwan.”
“I’m sorry. Please don’t cry, okay?”
He explained in a low voice, a flicker of darkness passing through his eyes.
He admitted he was on the verge of losing control. The slow pace was driving him mad, making him want to devour the young girl whole right then and there.
But reason told him he couldn’t. He had to guide her slowly, letting her grow accustomed to his presence.After all, from the moment he decided to win her back, it was destined to require a great deal of effort.
He believed she would slowly fall in love with him.
Chi Mu closed her eyes and remained silent, but in her heart, she felt a little afraid.
Duan Yanxing glanced at her, stood up, took a tissue from the bedside table, and handed it to her, speaking softly, “Here, I won’t touch you, okay?”
Chi Mu looked at him but didn’t reach out to take it.
“Be good, wipe your tears,” Duan Yanxing coaxed her patiently. Seeing her hesitation, he gently dabbed the tissue against her face with his thumb, his voice incredibly tender.
Her skin was already fair and smooth, but now, stained with tears, it appeared even more translucent and delicate, evoking pity.
“Don’t cry anymore, let’s have breakfast together, okay?” Duan Yanxing asked, his deep eyes fixed on her.
Hearing his words, Chi Mu’s eyes couldn’t help but redden again.
She nodded, her voice choked with sobs, “Then… you can’t… do that… You’re too much.”
“If you do that again, I’ll never speak to you again.”
She felt utterly wronged and couldn’t help but voice her grievances.
The young girl thought her words sounded fierce enough, but little did she know her soft, gentle tone carried no threat at all. Instead, it made Duan Yanxing’s body grow a little warmer.
“Okay, I won’t dare. From now on, I’ll listen to everything Wanwan says, alright?” he continued to coax, the look in his eyes impossible to resist.
“Wanwan, are you still willing to give me a chance?”
“Tell me, can you?”
“Baby, is that okay?”
The man asked sincerely.
Chi Mu looked into the man’s eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.
“Then… can I hold Wanwan’s hand?” Duan Yanxing tentatively asked.
His expression was almost reverent, his eyes filled with hope and anxiety.
Chi Mu stared at him blankly, saying nothing.
“Liking you is my business. If you’re unwilling, it’s okay. You don’t need to feel burdened. I just want to treat you well, spoil you, and cherish you. You don’t have to feel obligated to accept me because of this…”
The man’s voice was low and hoarse, as if stating something of great importance.
He took her hand and pressed it against his chest.
“Baby, feel this.”
“If you don’t like it, you can push me away anytime.”
Chi Mu looked at their intertwined hands and the man’s resolute, handsome profile, feeling almost breathless, as if suffocating.
Duan Yanxing… was truly terrifying…
They had only known each other for a short time, yet he could already control her thoughts… even leaving her with no escape.
“Wanwan…” Seeing her lack of response, Duan Yanxing called her name softly, his gaze tender and affectionate.
He lowered his eyes, concealing the intense possessiveness and obsessive thoughts within them.
He was no saint; he needed her comfort too.
But she was still so young and had become even more fragile because of that chip.
She was so obedient, so much so that it made his heart ache.
Thus, to completely possess her, he had to take it step by step.
The reason he had taken this step today was entirely to test the limits of her tolerance.
“Hmm…” she murmured softly, “Give me some time.”
He was slightly taken aback.
Chi Mu looked up at him, her dark, bright eyes clear and captivating.
“I’m… not used to it yet…” she whispered.
A look of pleasant surprise appeared in Duan Yanxing’s eyes. “Wanwan…”Her attitude had already shifted to compromise, and this outcome was better than expected.
Duan Yanxing curved his lips into a smile. “Alright, whatever you want is fine.”
Chi Mu looked at the man before her, her eyes slightly reddened.
She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Just moments ago, she had been desperately resisting him, yet in the blink of an eye, she was already firmly under his control with just a few words.
Chi Mu couldn’t deny this outcome. Perhaps… perhaps she simply couldn’t refuse him.
“Then, can I ask you out this weekend?” Duan Yanxing looked into her eyes, asking earnestly.
Chi Mu stiffened for a moment before raising her gaze to meet the man’s. She replied seriously, “But… our theater troupe has an event this weekend. We’re going camping, and I’ve already promised them.”