In this gaudy world, absurdities abound.
Song Man never imagined that while downstairs everyone was discussing the engagement arrangements between the Song and Shen families, upstairs, the male lead of this story was pressing down on her shoulders, his movements so fierce the table was shaking.
“Little uncle…”
She had barely spoken when Song Junyan gripped her chin, tilted it to the side, and pressed his lips to hers.
Their breaths intertwined, and Song Man felt as though the receding tide within her body was suddenly swelling back in.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
Song Man’s heart tightened.
“Hiss.” Song Junyan’s voice was hoarse. “Squeeze lighter—won’t you need it anymore?”
The next instant, a knock came at the door. “Junyan, are you in there?”
It was Shen Zhiyin, Song Junyan’s fiancée.
Song Man’s entire body went rigid. She tried to push Song Junyan away, but he only pressed closer. “She can’t get in.”
Song Man was still terrified, struggling to get off the table, only to find that the man’s hands were braced on either side of her waist, blocking every path of retreat.
Song Man had no choice but to plead in a low voice, “We’ll be found out.”
Song Junyan leaned down and bit her ear. “Then will you still break things off with me?”
What else could she do?
Better to end the pain quickly than to drag it out.
They had been a mistake from the start; she was only trying to put everything back on track.
Song Man knew this in her heart, but her body had turned traitor, and it made her feel that in such a state, she had laid down her arms and armor—how could she possibly negotiate with the enemy?
Song Man suddenly felt deeply wronged.
He was already about to be engaged—why was he still refusing to let her go?
Did he truly intend to keep her as his hidden bird, unseen by the light?
After all these years together, could she not even earn a shred of his respect?
Receiving no response, Song Junyan thrust hard. “Speak.”
Song Man couldn’t help but let out a soft moan.
A brief silence fell outside, quickly followed by louder, more urgent pounding on the door.
“Junyan? Junyan? Are you in there? Open the door!”
Song Man’s face went pale with fear.
Though she was the adopted daughter of the Song family, she had been taken in at just four or five years old, growing up alongside Song Junyan day and night. They shared no blood, yet their bond was closer than blood itself.
If anyone discovered them like this, it would be a catastrophe beyond measure.
She had no choice but to soften. “I won’t anymore. Hurry and…”
Her remaining words were swallowed by the man, and Song Man heard her own heart pounding like a war drum.
It reminded her unavoidably of that time she had a high fever, when he reached out to feel her forehead—scorching, intense, almost burning her heart to ashes.
It was that very time that Song Man realized she had fallen for this little uncle who was seven years her senior.
Upon realizing her feelings, Song Man had loathed herself, despised herself, and later discovered that no matter what she did, she couldn’t change the fact. She could only feel despair, and for the first time, she defied the arrangements of the Song elders, insisting on going abroad to study.
Her thinking had been simple: if the two of them didn’t see each other for a long time, even the most intense, burning feelings would fade.
But Song Junyan had pulled her into his room and demanded harshly why she wanted to go abroad.
The powerful led the way; the wealthy followed behind.
And the Song family was the most powerful among the powerful.
As the youngest son of the Song family, Song Junyan bore none of the decadent airs of a second-generation heir. He was handsome, upright in bearing, and at thirty—an age when others were still struggling to elevate their social standing—he had already ascended to a high position.
A man of such refined and deadly caliber, with eyes sharper than knives, could easily see through the flimsiness of Song Man’s excuse.
Song Man knew she couldn’t hide it, and having had a bit to drink that day, her mind went hot and she confessed everything.
Song Man had expected that after she confessed, Song Junyan would be shocked, would call her a monster. But the next second, he lifted her chin and kissed her fiercely!
Just like now—lips and tongues entwined, nearly suffocating from lack of air.
Everything was utterly turned upside down!
As Song Man was lifted into the air, another set of footsteps sounded outside the door. It was her adoptive mother, Song Junyan’s sister-in-law, Ruan Wenhua.
“What’s wrong?”
Shen Zhiyin: “The door won’t open, but I heard sounds inside. I’m afraid something’s happened to Junyan.”
“Butler Li, open the door with the key.”
A series of footsteps followed.
Click.
Shen Zhiyin pushed the door open.
“Junyan!”