At those words, Wen Ying instinctively lifted her gaze toward Gu Qingyu.
The refined and elegant man inclined his head, handed the menu back to the waiter, thanked him politely, and said with a smile, “Sometimes I feel like trying something different.”
As he spoke, his eyes flicked toward her.
Wen Ying’s brow twitched, and she quickly looked away. She knew very well that Gu Qingyu couldn’t handle spicy food.
During that time they had lived together, they had shared many meals, sometimes dining out, sometimes eating at home. Every time, his food was light and mild.
Wen Ying had never understood how someone could avoid spice entirely. Once, she had deliberately taken a bite of an extremely spicy chili, then before he could react, leaned in and kissed him for quite a while, transferring the heat into his mouth until she finally pulled away in satisfaction.
When she lowered her head, she saw that the spice had left the corners of his eyes slightly damp and reddened, his lips beautifully shaped yet faintly swollen, flushed a vivid red.
He looked as though he had been thoroughly ravaged, dangerously alluring.
Unable to resist, Wen Ying leaned in and kissed him again.
That meal had ultimately gone unfinished, because although Gu Qingyu appeared tolerant and gentle, he was in truth petty and vindictive.
He had pulled her into his arms, seated her on his long, firm legs, and kissed her until her entire body went soft. The dining chair had trembled unsteadily for a long, long time…
“If you can’t handle it, don’t force yourself.”
Fu Tingchuan’s voice quickly pulled Wen Ying back to reality. Realizing what she had just been thinking about, she hurriedly snapped out of it, lifted her glass, and drained the warm water in one gulp, only then feeling slightly calmer.
When she looked up, she met Gu Qingyu’s gaze. Behind his glasses, his eyes carried a faint, ambiguous smile as he said meaningfully, “If I can’t eat it, Wen Ying can.”
His words made everyone pause.
Only then did Fu Tingchuan belatedly recall that Wen Ying liked spicy food.
But how did Gu Qingyu know that?
Wen Ying coughed lightly and reached for water again, only to realize her glass was already empty.
Just as she was about to ask the waiter for more, a pale, slender hand placed a glass in front of her.
She took it instinctively, murmured thanks, and drank it in one go.
Fu Tingchuan’s expression grew increasingly strange, his throat moving slightly, yet he found himself at a loss for words.
Xu Yanxi sat nearby, watching the scene unfold with amusement, like someone enjoying a show.
Only after finishing the water did Wen Ying realize something was off. She looked at Gu Qingyu and asked through gritted teeth, “You gave me your water?”
“Don’t worry, I haven’t drunk from it.”
Wen Ying and Fu Tingchuan both let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Fu Tingchuan then asked, “How do you know Wen Ying likes spicy food?”
Gu Qingyu looked mildly surprised. “Did you forget? You told me yourself.”
Fu Tingchuan thought for a moment, unsure if he had ever said such a thing. But since Gu Qingyu claimed he had, perhaps he really had.
After all, Gu Qingyu had an excellent memory.
Though he had said he wanted to try a different taste, after taking one bite he never touched the dishes again. Most of the food ended up being eaten by Wen Ying.
But by then, they had all had some wine and were slightly tipsy, so no one paid much attention.
Wen Ying got up to go to the restroom. As soon as she stepped out of the stall, she saw the handsome man leaning casually against the tiled wall. When he noticed her, he lifted his eyes slightly. Behind his glasses, his gaze was deep and shadowed, yet glimmering faintly.
Startled, Wen Ying glared at him. “What are you doing here?”
She walked to the sink, washed her hands, and touched up her lipstick in the mirror, then reminded him, “People could come in at any moment. If you don’t want to be seen, you’d better leave.”
After putting her lipstick back into her bag, she lowered her head, and suddenly a shadow fell over her. A firm hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace from behind.
A familiar scent instantly enveloped her, overwhelming all her senses.
Wen Ying’s breath hitched as warm breath brushed against her ear. His voice, gentle and low, murmured, “Why didn’t you reply to my message last night?”
“Do you really not miss me at all?”
His tone rose slightly at the end, carrying a faint intoxication from the alcohol, deep and captivating.
Wen Ying turned around, her back pressing against the cool sink as she glanced at him sideways. “Don’t you already have a girlfriend? Why are you looking for me? Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out?”
“Girlfriend?”
As if recalling something, Gu Qingyu let out a low chuckle, amusement evident in his voice.
“Jealous?” he leaned closer, his tone teasing.
Just as Wen Ying was about to get annoyed, he moved even closer, his hand gripping her slender waist and pulling her into his arms as he whispered in her ear, “I’m not close with Miss Xu. It’s not what you think.”
Wen Ying’s heart stirred. She raised her eyes slightly, about to ask if that was true, but then huffed, “Who cares what your relationship is.”
Gu Qingyu looked down at her. Her makeup was light, yet every feature was exquisitely refined. Her lips, freshly coated with lipstick, looked full and inviting. As she puffed her cheeks slightly, she appeared even more delicate and alluring, waiting to be plucked.
Her tone carried a hint of spoiled arrogance, yet it was oddly endearing rather than irritating.
Something stirred in Gu Qingyu’s chest, and he let out a soft laugh.
Wen Ying grew slightly annoyed. “What are you laughing at?”
She reached out to pinch his waist, telling him to let go, but he hissed softly and grabbed her hand. “Don’t move.”
His voice was hoarse, tinged with barely concealed desire.
The hard buckle of his belt pressed against her waist. Wen Ying’s expression changed, her already flushed cheeks turned even redder. She bit her lip and muttered a curse under her breath, trying to pull away. “Don’t you dare do anything.”
But behind her was the sink, leaving her nowhere to retreat. Instead, he pressed her closer, and she could clearly feel his arousal.
“This is a normal physiological reaction. You’re in my arms. If I didn’t feel anything, that would be abnormal.”
His voice was low and rough, his breath heavy against her lips before he leaned in again. “Come to my room tonight?”
Wen Ying felt increasingly overwhelmed, her cheeks burning. “I’m not going.”
“Why not? Do you really not miss me?”
“No.”
“Really not?”
His lips trailed downward inch by inch, his fingers sliding along her waist, slowly lifting the hem of her dark green dress and slipping into forbidden territory.
The words in Wen Ying’s mouth dissolved into a soft, trembling moan.
Her eyes reddened at the corners, and she slapped his back weakly, her voice reduced to a faint breath, “How am I supposed to come to you? Don’t forget I’m staying with my fiancé.”
She deliberately emphasized the word “fiancé,” hoping to make him stop.
Gu Qingyu’s fingers paused. His gaze darkened, the air seeming to freeze with a dangerous tension.
In the mirror, their intimate figures were reflected. His usually gentle face now looked cold and restrained, his sharp jawline tightening under the light.
He removed his glasses, his eyes deep as a bottomless abyss, dangerous yet irresistibly alluring.
A flicker of panic rose in Wen Ying.
Before she could react, he crushed his lips against hers, fierce and consuming, stealing all her breath and leaving her no chance to speak.
Until— “Is anyone in there?”
Fu Tingchuan’s voice came from outside.
By now, Wen Ying had already been lifted onto the sink. Hearing his voice, her body tensed instantly. She hurriedly pulled away and pushed at Gu Qingyu. “Stop it.”
But her body had gone soft from his kisses, her hands weak, her voice soft and trembling, making her resistance only more provocative.
Gu Qingyu quickly restrained her, breathing heavily against her ear, his voice thick with desire. “Don’t move. I won’t touch you.”
“Don’t worry, he can’t get in.”
“Wen Ying, are you there?” came the sound of the doorknob turning.
But the door had been locked from the inside, and Fu Tingchuan couldn’t open it.
Frowning, he felt uneasy. Wen Ying had been in the restroom for quite a while now.
It reminded him of what had happened at the bar last time.
“Answer him,” Gu Qingyu murmured, his fingers stroking her soft hair as he pressed a kiss by her ear.
Wen Ying felt flustered. Though unwilling, she had no choice.
“I’m here!” She raised her voice as much as possible, masking the tremor in it.
“Alright.” Relieved that she hadn’t slipped away again, Fu Tingchuan left.
Not long after, Wen Ying tidied herself and returned to the table.
Fu Tingchuan glanced at her. “Why do your lips look a little swollen?”
Wen Ying quickly covered her mouth. “Spicy food.”
Fortunately, he didn’t think much of it, only reminding her, “Eat less spicy food in the future.”
She nodded. Seeing her so obedient for once, Fu Tingchuan felt a softness in his chest and reached out to hold her hand. “Let’s head back early.”
Beside them, Xu Yanxi quietly observed the faint wrinkles in Wen Ying’s clothes, her interest deepening.
With a smile, she asked, “Where’s Mr. Gu? He’s been gone quite a while, hasn’t he?”
She directed the question at Wen Ying.
Both of them froze briefly. Wen Ying quickly recovered, thinking of the man still in the restroom fixing himself, and averted her gaze. “How would I know? Why are you asking me?”
“I just thought you might’ve run into him on your way back.”
Fu Tingchuan stood up. “Should I go look for him?”
Wen Ying quickly grabbed him. “Why would you do that? It’s embarrassing to go calling someone in the restroom.”
He sat back down obediently. “Alright then.”
By the time the sky had darkened, Gu Qingyu finally returned.
As usual, he wore a faint smile, his eyes calm and upright behind his glasses, his demeanor refined like untouched snow atop a mountain.
“I’ve already settled the bill.”
They were nearly done eating, and with that, he signaled it was time to leave.
Only then did Fu Tingchuan realize that Gu Qingyu had likely gone to pay the bill earlier.
Though he felt Gu Qingyu was overly polite, he had to admit that his actions were always considerate and pleasant.
On the way back to the hotel, Xu Yanxi looped her arm around Wen Ying’s and began whispering to her.
Fu Tingchuan walked behind them, watching their figures with a hint of disappointment.
He had originally wanted to hold Wen Ying’s hand and stroll back together, but now…
At least Gu Qingyu was there with him. Since neither of them could hold their partner’s hand, Fu Tingchuan felt oddly balanced.
Wen Ying felt uncomfortable with Xu Yanxi’s closeness. Aside from elders, she had never been this physically close with another woman, especially not someone she wasn’t particularly close to.
“Xu Yanxi, why do you keep sticking to me? Why don’t you go find your little followers?”
Though she said that, she didn’t push her away.
Xu Yanxi’s smile deepened. “You said it yourself, they’re just followers. Why would I bother with them?”
“Forget that,” she lowered her voice, glancing back before nudging Wen Ying. “Hey, between those two, which one do you like more?”
Wen Ying’s heart skipped a beat. She turned sharply. “What are you talking about?”
Has Xu Yanxi noticed something?
But then she heard her continue, “Who do you think is better, Fu Tingchuan or Gu Qingyu?”
“What do you mean?” Wen Ying asked cautiously.
Xu Yanxi chuckled. “I personally prefer Gu Qingyu’s type.”
It sounded like nothing more than a casual comparison.
Wen Ying relaxed slightly and rolled her eyes. “What does that have to do with me?”
“Xu Yanxi, are we really close enough to share private conversations like this?”
“Why not?”
“Forget it.”
Xu Yanxi steered the topic back again. “Just answer me, who do you think is better?”
Wen Ying couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and shook off her arm. Just as she was about to respond—
Bang!
A sudden sound came from behind, as if someone had fallen.
Wen Ying turned around to look, only to see a woman collapsed right in front of Fu Tingchuan.