Tang Yushen adored it when she took the initiative to cling to him like this. He tightened his arm around her waist. “Who is it?”
“People from the Xia family.”
Tang Yushen scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the sofa on the rooftop. He grabbed his suit jacket and draped it over her.
Just as he finished covering her, several men rushed in through the rooftop entrance.
Xia Qiaoxi hid beneath the suit jacket, watching him nervously, not daring to even breathe heavily.
Would this work?
Could she remain hidden?
In her twenty-one years of life, Xia Qiaoxi had always been kept under strict control. Tonight was the first time she had been held and kissed by a strange man, and now she was even sitting on his lap.
Tang Yushen picked up his wine glass and took a slow, deliberate sip.
How could he still be drinking at a time like this?
Listening to the commotion, the men were getting closer.
Xia Qiaoxi nervously gripped the suit jacket over her head, afraid it might slip off.
“You…”
Say something!
Otherwise, those men would come right over.
Tang Yushen leaned close to her unhurriedly, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.
Why was he smiling?
They were coming!
Tang Yushen lowered his head and kissed her.
Xia Qiaoxi’s eyes widened in shock.
At such a critical moment, he was kissing her?
He really was a scoundrel who acted on lust!
But she didn’t dare speak, only managing to let out muffled whimpers.
The Xia family subordinates saw the two kissing in the dim yellow light and didn’t approach to disturb them. With a wave of their hands, they prepared to search the nearby corners.
“What kind of people dare to interrupt me?” Tang Yushen licked his lips as if savoring the moment, his dark eyes sweeping over the men before him. His tone turned cold and sharp. “Are your eyes just for decoration?”
“Sorry to disturb your fun, young master. Have you seen a young lady in a green dress with long hair? She’s extremely beautiful.”
Fortunately, the rooftop lighting was dim and tinged with a faint yellow hue, making the hem of her dress appear darker under the light, obscuring its original color.
Yushen’s fingers traced Xia Qiaoxi’s face beneath the suit jacket—soft and tender. “There is a woman here with me, but I’m not sure if she’s the one you’re looking for…”
Xia Qiaoxi: “…”
This scoundrel!
What was he trying to do?
But she didn’t dare move.
The man stood his ground. With the suit jacket covering her, he couldn’t see the woman’s face clearly. However, having worked for the Xia family for some time, he had heard about their strict discipline. It was impossible for Xia Qiaoxi to know any men outside, let alone one who looked as noble as this.
The man replied, “Young master, the woman in your arms might not be her, but could we search the rooftop?”
“No.” Tang Yushen sneered. “You’ve already ruined my mood. Get lost!”
“Young master…”
Before the man could finish his sentence, a man in a black shirt approached from the rooftop entrance.
Xia Qiaoxi was too anxious and flustered to hear what they were saying. All her attention was focused on Tang Yushen in front of her. The hand on her back slipped under the suit jacket, pressing against her through the thin fabric.
That hand moved slowly and deliberately, his fingertips even brushing against the strap of her bra.
He…
This was going too far!
Hearing the footsteps fade away, Xia Qiaoxi removed the suit jacket. “Phew… It’s so hot.”
Xia Qiaoxi’s delicate, pretty face was flushed from holding her breath. The damp corners of her eyes resembled peach blossoms drenched in spring rain—both alluring and beautiful, exuding a delicate charm.
Tang Yushen’s breath hitched at the sight. “Xier…”
Hearing him use that intimate address, Xia Qiaoxi was so startled that she scrambled off his lap and took several steps back.
She warily covered her chest, “What did you call me? This is our first meeting, yet you address me so intimately. How can you be so frivolous and casual?”
Had she encountered a scoundrel who was attracted to her looks?
Tang Yushen stood up and walked toward her. First meeting…
But in his memory, they had met a century ago.
A century ago, she had already married him in splendid attire, becoming his wife.
He called her Xier, called her darling, called her wifey, called her honey…
Even other endearments that couldn’t be spoken aloud, that no one else should hear.
“I’ve said I’ll take responsibility for you, and I will.” Tang Yushen grabbed her wrist, “You just need to agree to one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Agree first.”
Xia Qiaoxi’s wrist ached from his tight grip. She slightly lifted her gaze, “Should I agree to anything you say? Even if you sell me out, should I help you count the money?”
Her eyes reddened, brows tightly furrowed. Though she couldn’t see clearly, she felt all the hairs on her body standing up.
She was wary of him, nervous around him, afraid of him, timid before him, fearful of him.
“Sell you? I wouldn’t trade you for an entire city.” Tang Yushen relaxed his grip slightly and lowered his head, “Promise me you’ll never attempt suicide again.”
In their previous life, she had passed away at just twenty-five. Leaning against his chest, her clothes stained with blood, she had whispered with her dying breath that in their next life they would grow old together, staying by each other’s side forever.
If she died again, she would leave him alone once more. How was he supposed to live through the long years ahead all by himself?
Continue relying on cigarettes and alcohol to barely survive?
The her from their previous life would never have tolerated him harming his lungs and body with drinking and smoking.
Xia Qiaoxi felt the pressure on her wrist ease. His eyes looked so obscure and hard to understand, even somewhat gloomy and dark.
Terrifying.
Xia Qiaoxi felt she should hide, should run, yet a pang of heartache emerged within her.
Despite having never known freedom since childhood, here she was pitying this lofty young master.
Her heart ached with the desire to hold him.
Xia Qiaoxi gently raised her hand and softly patted his arm, “Alright, if you can truly help me resolve my marriage situation, I’ll never attempt suicide again.”
Actually, she hadn’t fully thought it through at the time.
She just felt oppressed, miserable, exhausted—life seemed meaningless, boring, dull, and lonely.
A momentary lapse of judgment.
She hadn’t truly wanted to leave this beautiful world she hadn’t even properly seen.
The world was vast, yet she had only experienced a tiny fraction of it.
“That’s simple.” Tang Yushen took her hand, “It’s cold up here, let’s go down.”
“We’ll be discovered…” Xia Qiaoxi didn’t want to go down.
“We won’t.” Tang Yushen stroked her hair, “From now on, you only need to listen to me. In Jing City, you can walk however you want—I’ll protect you.”
Just who was Tang Yushen?
She knew very little about Jing City’s high society, having rarely even heard the names.
He seemed to possess considerable wealth and power.
What did he want?
Did he want her?
Though she was beautiful, someone of his status must have seen plenty of beauties.
Just a passing fancy.
Tang Yushen brought her to his suite, reluctantly releasing her hand as he restrainedly said, “It’s late today, you should rest early.”
He wanted to sleep beside her, hold her while sleeping, even do something more.
He hadn’t kissed her enough tonight.
Could never kiss her enough.
How many years had it been since he last held her while sleeping?
The lighting in the suite was much brighter than on the rooftop, making Xia Qiaoxi’s face even clearer.
Her red, tear-filled eyes were heartbreaking to see.
Tang Yushen lowered his head and asked, “Or perhaps you can’t sleep alone and need someone to keep you company?”