Volume 1 Chapter 18: Take It Slow
I’m going to be devoured…
Facing Li Xuzhou’s dangerous gaze, Ruan Yu could clearly sense his intense emotions.
The look he gave her could hardly be described as innocent.
The usually dignified and refined man had shed his disguise, revealing the desires hidden deep within. His confident demeanor carried a hint of nonchalance. When the corners of his lips curved upward, a faint crease appeared on the side of his face. His eyelashes were long, and his eyes held only her…
Ruan Yu was captivated, unable to resist leaning forward. Her fingers brushed against his cheek—the sharp lines of his face almost searing her skin. Just this alone filled her with overwhelming joy. Ruan Yu craved this warmth.
Kiss me, let us fall together into the abyss of desire.
Ruan Yu’s eyes flickered, her lips slightly pouting as she issued a silent invitation.
Neither spoke, yet in each other’s minds, they had already exchanged countless explicit and straightforward words.
A hidden tension surged between them, tempting them to drown in it forever—or perhaps, to take it one step further.
Just a little more, and Ruan Yu would be able to kiss his thin lips. She could already feel the heat radiating from his body, nearly trembling from the intensity of his presence.
Just as they were about to kiss, Li Xuzhou turned his face away, causing Ruan Yu’s lips to meet empty air.
Before Ruan Yu could even feel angry, she felt a gentle bite on her palm. The man’s teeth lightly grazed the soft, tender skin, leaving a clear bite mark—a patch of red on her pale palm.
“Hiss…” Ruan Yu’s eyes grew slightly moist as she naturally began to act spoiled. “It hurts.”
His tongue replaced his teeth, soothing the faint, tingling pain in her palm.
Ruan Yu’s theoretical experience far exceeded her practical experience. With a touch of naivety, she thought this was the beginning of their descent, her heart filled with anticipation. But Li Xuzhou released her, took a wet wipe, and slowly cleaned her palm before patting her head.
“Sleep.”
?
That’s it?
She looked at him suspiciously. Li Xuzhou found it somewhat amusing. “Are you still scared now?”
Ruan Yu had long forgotten the persona she had adopted earlier. Hearing Li Xuzhou’s teasing, her face flushed bright red, and she muttered defiantly, “I’ll be scared if you don’t kiss me.”
After hearing her words, the hand on her head applied a bit more pressure, tousling her hair into a mess. “Why do you want to kiss?”
Too embarrassed to admit she craved his body, she bit her lower lip and remained silent for a long time.
Li Xuzhou reached out and gently brushed her lips. “You’ve bitten your lips red.” Ruan Yu opened her mouth and gnawed on his finger instead, still unwilling to give up on her plan.
Li Xuzhou lightly twisted his finger, teasing the audacious girl before him until her eyes grew teary and a hint of fear appeared.
“Ruan Yu, what kind of relationship do you want us to have?”
He remained in a kneeling position, his question carrying a formal tone.
Ruan Yu bit her finger, her words muffled. “Bed partners?”
She longed to possess Li Xuzhou, but only in bed. She had never imagined spending the rest of her life with anyone. A physical relationship was the closest thing she could envision.
Wasn’t intertwining bodies a form of possession?
As for anything further—an emotional relationship… she hadn’t considered it.
Her luck had never been good. Abandoned at an orphanage as a child, adopted by Ruan Zhen and Lu Yuan as a bargaining chip at six, imprisoned since eighteen… How could she dare to hope for more?
Li Xuzhou tucked the blanket tightly around her and lowered the air conditioning temperature. The cool air always made it easier to sleep peacefully.
“We can take it slow, Ruan Yu, don’t be afraid.”
The moment Li Xuzhou realized Ruan Yu also had feelings for him, his first reaction was joy—something he couldn’t hide.
Then he forced himself to sober up. It wasn’t the right time yet.
Li Xuzhou was already twenty-nine. He could easily let himself and Ruan Yu drown in desire, even mold her into a doll who only looked at him, keeping her in the Li Residence or one of his other properties, where she wouldn’t have to think about anything and just wait for him to return each day.
But how could he bear to do that?
He would only help Ruan Yu reach broader horizons, not confine her to this bed.
When the time came for her to have the right to choose, when she was no longer controlled by the “medication,” he would properly teach her about matters between lovers.
He hoped she would still be as spirited then as she was now.
Ruan Yu woke up the next day, having slept unusually well through the night. Strangely, her heart was filled with a sense of security, free from the pressure to move forward and without the flashbacks of nightmares from the past three years.
It seemed taking things slowly was indeed a good idea.
【#Jin Mu Contract Termination# Jin Mu’s company announced the termination of their collaboration. Insiders revealed it was due to Jin Mu’s chaotic private life.】
【#Jin Mu Account Deleted#】
Early in the morning, news of Jin Mu deleting his account spread like wildfire online. Netizens buzzed with discussion, and many fans couldn’t accept it, posting appeals for Jin Mu’s return.
At the same time, several women exposed scandals about Jin Mu, including dating multiple people simultaneously, domestic violence, emotional manipulation, and relying on wealthy women for support. Public opinion shifted almost instantly.
One netizen, unaware that Jin Mu had deleted his account, commented under the scandal posts: 【Who is this guy? How can someone so disgusting become an influencer? Can he just get off the internet and stop bothering people?】
Someone replied below: 【Don’t worry, sis, he’s already been dealt with.】
【You’re a bit late with the criticism, sis. He’s already been kicked out hahahahaha】
Yuan Lele leaned back on the sofa. “How boring. News about such a scumbag can still dominate the trending list.” She and Guan Man had received news about Jin Mu last night and rushed back early this morning. Chen Zi was still busy at work and asked her to bring snacks for Ruan Yu.
Ruan Yu opened a pack and took small bites. Yuan Lele snatched a piece, then pulled out a pink Swiss Army knife. “Carry this with you. Press this round button for an electric shock, and the triangular button releases the blade—steady, accurate, and sharp.”
“This was a collaboration between Chen Zi’s company and Hello Kitty last year. I bought two boxes to give to friends and still have plenty left.” Yuan Lele took another one from her bag and handed it to Guan Man.
After thanking her, Guan Man huddled with Ruan Yu to examine it.
Yuan Lele leaned in too, pursing her lips. “That Jin Mu’s eyes were too murky. He had a bad face, always sneaking glances at people like a thief. So disgusting.”
Ruan Yu laughed. “Do they study face-reading in England too?”
Guan Man put the Swiss Army knife in her bag and spoke up. “He gave me his business card once and complimented my perfume. I found it disgusting and threw the card away. I meant to mention it to you all, but with finals week, I got too busy and forgot.”
“He’s like a sunflower that squeezes oil out of itself.” Yuan Lele took another bite of the snack Ruan Yu was holding, shuddering with disgust. Suddenly, she remembered something. “Li Xuzhou’s methods are ruthless. I heard Jin Mu was thrown onto a fishing boat.”
Ruan Yu explained on behalf of Li Xuzhou, “No, Mr. Li only said he sent him abroad.”
Guan Man patted her head, “Silly girl.” Li Xuzhou is worried that you might be afraid of him.