Shen Nanci guessed what Li Hengyan had put on her. Though she couldn’t see it, she could feel it.
A necklace, with a pendant attached.
Shen Nanci lowered her gaze and saw the pendant.
A blue gemstone.
Shaped like an anti-inflammatory medicine capsule, crystal clear.
It looked ordinary, but in reality, it was so expensive it could buy several cities.
This was no exaggeration.
Shen Nanci had seen this sapphire pendant at an overseas auction.
It wasn’t stunning, but it was highly sought after.
Many prestigious families and nobles competed fiercely for it, yet few had the means or qualifications to truly acquire it.
It was said to be for exhibition and bidding only—a feast for the eyes, but not for sale.
Shen Nanci felt a pang of panic.
Instantly, her neck felt chilly.
“Is this the Dark God’s Blue? It’s too precious, I can’t accept it…”
As she spoke, she tried to take it off, but Li Hengyan pressed her hand down. “It’s a gift for you. CiCi, if you know me, you should understand. Once I, Li Hengyan, give something away, I never take it back, no matter how valuable it is.”
She had heard of forced buying and selling.
But she had never heard of forced gift-giving.
Shen Nanci lifted her chin, frowning slightly. “What if I refuse?”
Li Hengyan leaned in and kissed her lips, a gentle peck.
Then pulled away.
The man was left wanting more, wishing to kiss her red lips deeply, but he didn’t dare to provoke her recklessly.
Li Hengyan said, “A gift calls for a gift in return. I’ve accepted your reciprocation.”
“I just kissed you, so you can accept this with peace of mind. Therefore, this is yours.”
“Whether you want it or not is entirely up to you.”
After speaking, Li Hengyan took a step forward, forcing Shen Nanci to retreat until her back pressed against the railing, leaving her with nowhere to go.
Shen Nanci leaned back.
Beyond the railing was the sea.
In front of her stood Li Hengyan.
The man lowered his head slightly, placing his hands on the railing, trapping her between himself and the railing. The next moment, it felt as though they were about to kiss.
The wind blew, tousling Shen Nanci’s hair.
The girl’s long hair brushed against her cheeks, tangling with the man’s shirt.
Strand by strand, intimately entwined.
Li Hengyan’s features were strikingly handsome, sharp as if carved, captivating at first glance and making hearts flutter and fall.
Li Hengyan’s eyes held Shen Nanci’s reflection.
Similarly, CiCi’s eyes held the image of Li Hengyan with his black hair and dark eyes.
“CiCi.”
The man’s eyes held a hint of a smile as he loosely wrapped his arms around her.
“May I ask, can I hold you?”
Ask?
Hah.
Negotiate?
That didn’t exist.
At least not for Li Hengyan.
Before Shen Nanci could even answer, a force pulled at her waist, and she fell into Li Hengyan’s embrace, tightly locked in his strong arms.
Secured in his embrace.
This time, Li Hengyan didn’t forcefully kiss Shen Nanci.
Instead, he pressed her head against his chest, burying his face in the crook of her neck. His voice carried a sigh, as if pleading with Shen Nanci.
“Don’t leave me again. In this lifetime, I’d rather die than let you go.”
Shen Nanci’s mind went blank.
The clean, crisp scent of the man suddenly made Shen Nanci feel an uncontrollable urge to cry.
Li Hengyan.
This untouchable, noble, and aloof man of the capital—in terms of status and position, he was far beyond her reach.
Let alone having him.
Because of a ridiculous and pitiful transaction, could it be that she had stumbled upon incredible luck, blessed by fate?
Otherwise, how could she possibly deserve
to be treated this way by Li Hengyan.
Shen Nanci’s defenses were lowered at this moment, perhaps due to longing, perhaps because she wanted to take another brave step forward.
She reached out, wanting to embrace Li Hengyan.
Suddenly—
“So it’s Master Li. I was wondering who it could be.”
A man’s cool voice came from behind Li Hengyan, and Shen Nanci’s thoughts vanished without a trace.
Her hand subtly withdrew.
Just from the voice, Li Hengyan knew who it was without turning around.
He released Shen Nanci.
Ignoring the person behind him, Li Hengyan turned his head and called someone over to bring his jacket.
Li Hengyan took the garment and draped it over Shen Nanci before finally turning around, his gaze indifferent and cold as he looked at Zhou Yunzhu.
Zhou Yunzhu was not alone.
Beside him was a woman, more precisely, a female companion.
Not a secretary.
Zhou Yunzhu’s gaze passed over Li Hengyan, trying to see who the woman was that he was so attentively caring for. Before he could get a clear look, Li Hengyan blocked his view.
Li Hengyan said something to Shen Nanci.
CiCi nodded, wrapped in the man’s suit jacket, and left with her head bowed, not clearly revealing her face.
Zhou Yunzhu couldn’t make out her features.
At first glance, she seemed like the newcomer who had replaced Su Qingnuan to secure the female lead role in “Pear Blossom Fall.”
What was her name again?
Ah, right, Cheng Yuqiao.
Fair-skinned and beautiful.
Zhou Yunzhu’s gaze, filled with unclear meaning, withdrew from Shen Nanci’s graceful figure. Just as he turned his head, he heard Li Hengyan’s cold voice, “Take another look, and I won’t mind digging out your eyeballs right now.”
Li Hengyan’s thin lips added two more words.
“Feed them to the dogs.”
Zhou Yunzhu curled his lips, “Li Hengyan, try being human.”
Li Hengyan’s mood had been disrupted. He looked at Zhou Yunzhu, his eyes sharp as knives.
Cold and piercing.
Zhou Yunzhu’s gaze remained calm and composed.
Two men of similar height, equally imposing and of noble status, stood together in the same frame, impossible to ignore.
The surrounding air grew even colder.
Because of these two men.
The woman in the long dress behind Zhou Yunzhu seemed to feel the chill and hugged her arms.
She looked up, her gaze involuntarily drawn to Li Hengyan.
This Li Hengyan.
A rare gem.
Setting aside his status.
His face alone could make many young ladies and socialites in the capital willingly fall at his feet.
Not to mention his immense power.
The two men most desired by women in the capital were Zhou Yunzhu and, the other, Li Hengyan.
Neither of these men was simple.
When ruthless, they were both cold and merciless.
The woman glanced at Li Hengyan several times.
But Li Hengyan didn’t spare her a single look.
Li Hengyan gave a few instructions to someone, then turned to leave, only to be stopped by Zhou Yunzhu.
Li Hengyan said calmly, “A good dog doesn’t block the way.”
Zhou Yunzhu wasn’t provoked. He smiled gently, “Was it your doing, blacklisting Su Qingnuan? What, have you taken a liking to a new favorite?”
This was an interesting remark.
Li Hengyan stuffed his hands into his pockets, his gaze cold and heavy, “When did Su Qingnuan become my old flame? If she’s not an old flame, how can there be talk of a new favorite?”
Zhou Yunzhu raised an eyebrow, “Tsk, Li Hengyan, I thought you were quite devoted to Su Qingnuan. I didn’t expect you to be as heartless as any other man when it suits you.”
Zhou Yunzhu’s words carried no profanity.
But dissecting his remarks, every sentence was an insult to Li Hengyan.
Li Hengyan had no time for idle chatter here.
He wanted to find his CiCi.
Seeing Li Hengyan push past him and leave, Zhou Yunzhu didn’t stop him again.
He said with a smile, “Li Hengyan, treating Qingnuan like this—don’t regret it.”
Li Hengyan didn’t respond.
He didn’t turn his head.
Zhou Yunzhu took out his phone, his smile fading.
He made a call and instructed, “Look into someone. I want all her information.”
“Her name is Cheng Yuqiao.”
When Li Hengyan found Shen Nanci, she was wearing his suit jacket, crouching under a tree.
A tiny figure.
Watching a group of ants moving.
She looked quite serious, like a little girl of a few years old, unbearably adorable—he wanted to pinch her cheeks.
His fingers itched…