It wasn’t a light peck, but a fierce, overwhelming kiss that captured her lips.
Forceful and domineering.
Invading, conquering.
…
When the kiss ended, Shen Nanci was already dazed and disoriented. The girl leaned obediently against Li Hengyan’s chest, trying to steady her racing heartbeat.
Her eyes were moist.
She was breathing softly.
Fortunately, there was a partition in front of the car, so the driver couldn’t see what was happening in the back seat. But not seeing didn’t mean the driver couldn’t hear.
The thought that the driver might hear those ambiguous sounds made Shen Nanci blush crimson.
She sat up from Li Hengyan’s embrace, trying to get off his lap.
Li Hengyan held her tightly, refusing to let go.
“Isn’t sitting on my lap more comfortable than a cushion?”
His overwhelming possessiveness was truly unmatched.
“Li Hengyan, can’t you be a bit more gentlemanly and restrained? Stop kissing me so recklessly, regardless of the situation. Weren’t you cold and distant toward me before? Didn’t you hate me?”
“What’s going on with you now? Did I cast a spell on you or feed you some love potion?”
The key was, she hadn’t done anything.
Heavens, earth.
Who could give her an explanation, clear up her confusion?
Li Hengyan raised an eyebrow. “Gentlemanly and restrained?”
Sorry, not his style.
The man picked up a strand of Shen Nanci’s hair, sniffed it, and automatically ignored the question he couldn’t answer.
“CiCi, be my girlfriend, hmm?”
Shen Nanci didn’t know how to respond.
It was too fast. In just one day, her life had become surreal and bewildering.
She needed to set this topic aside for now and think it through carefully. Her mind was a mess.
“By the way, Li Hengyan, who did you call earlier to meet you at the hotel? Was it… Su Qingnuan?”
Li Hengyan replied, “No.”
He didn’t say who it was, keeping it mysterious. “You’ll find out soon.”
They were already on their way to the hotel.
Li Hengyan’s expression returned to its usual cold and serious demeanor.
He silently reflected on the past, on the despicable things he had done to hurt CiCi, both in this lifetime and the previous one.
He would make up for it all.
Protect her.
Never let her feel sad or suffer even the slightest harm again. He wanted her to live a happy and joyful life in this lifetime.
Never to shed tears or feel sorrow.
He loved her.
He would give her the best of everything, with all his might.
Shen Nanci barely touched the ground from the moment she stepped out of the car.
When they reached the luxurious suite on the top floor of the hotel, Li Hengyan carried her inside after scanning his face to unlock the door, only setting her down on the sofa.
The way he did it made Shen Nanci feel as if…
She had lost the use of her legs.
Li Hengyan leaned over, one hand braced on the sofa, and asked in a low voice, “Are you thirsty?”
Remembering the kiss in the car, Shen Nanci’s cheeks flushed hot, and she couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Li Hengyan.
She averted her gaze, focusing on the furniture in the room.
“I’m not thirsty.”
“Hmm.”
Li Hengyan acknowledged her response and had just straightened up when someone began pounding fiercely on the door.
The visitor was aggressive.
Shen Nanci couldn’t help but feel as if she and Li Hengyan were…
Having an affair.
And the legitimate wife had come to catch them in the act.
Shen Nanci stood up, smoothing her hair. “I’ll go to the bathroom for a moment.”
She left the room.
Only after Shen Nanci was out of sight did Li Hengyan go to open the door.
Outside stood Li Yanxi, her face dark with anger.
“Brother, why didn’t you answer my calls?”
“Was it you who did something to Su Bao?”
Su Bao was Su Qingnuan.
Li Yanxi, the pampered young lady, was Su Qingnuan’s die-hard fan.
It was also the most loyal fan support club for Su Qingnuan.
Seeing Li Hengyan’s cold and indifferent expression, and taking his silence as tacit agreement, Li Yanxi was utterly confused, angry, and furious.
“Brother! Why would you do this!”
“Why did you have Su Bao blacklisted? What’s the reason? What did she do wrong for you to treat her so cruelly? Brother, don’t you love Su Bao? How could you…”
Li Hengyan coldly interrupted, “Li Yanxi!”
The man’s gaze grew even colder. “Who told you I love that woman? And when did I ever say it was me who did it?”
Li Yanxi didn’t react immediately, stunned.
After a long moment, she exclaimed in surprise, “It wasn’t you who blacklisted her?”
Li Hengyan neither confirmed nor denied it. He simply turned around and walked expressionlessly into the house.
Li Yanxi followed him inside.
Still seething with anger, she pressed, “It really wasn’t you? Brother, besides you, who else would dare to touch my Su Bao?”
Li Hengyan sat on the sofa, glancing at Li Yanxi indifferently.
The man’s thin lips uttered a few words, “Focus on studying your design. Don’t waste your time being some kind of brainless fan.”
Li Yanxi felt utterly attacked!
Who was he calling brainless?
Li Hengyan lowered his head to fiddle with the watch on his wrist. Seeing his cold, indifferent, and unconcerned demeanor, Li Yanxi grew even more confused.
That was Su Qingnuan, after all.
What kind of attitude was this from her brother?
And he wasn’t the least bit worried or anxious.
Li Yanxi opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, she was interrupted by a voice at the door.
It was Li Hengyan’s subordinate, Ying Lin.
“Master Li, Miss Li.”
After respectfully addressing them, Ying Lin got straight to the point, “Master Li, Miss Cheng is waiting for you.”
Li Hengyan looked up. “Understood.”
Ying Lin withdrew, closing the door behind him as he left.
Li Yanxi asked Li Hengyan, “What Miss Cheng? Which Miss Cheng? Brother, I don’t understand you anymore. Why would you kick someone when they’re down, replace Su Bao as the female lead, and with a newcomer at that…”
Her words trailed off abruptly.
Li Yanxi suddenly remembered, raising her voice, “Miss Cheng, Cheng Yuqiao? Brother, what do you mean? Don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to Cheng Yuqiao!”
Li Hengyan’s eyes turned cold and stern. “Who allowed you to shout in front of me? If you have nothing important to say, get out!”
Li Yanxi’s temper flared, and she stomped her foot. “Brother!”
Li Hengyan said, “I won’t repeat myself.”
The man sat on the sofa with a cold and aloof demeanor, exuding a powerful aura and an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
“Li Yanxi, either leave on your own.”
“Or I’ll call the bodyguards.”
Knowing her brother’s temperament, if she angered him, this man was capable of anything.
But that was always directed at outsiders.
In the past, Li Hengyan had never treated her this way.
Li Yanxi bit her lip, confused and stunned.
And deeply unwilling to accept it.
“Brother, what’s wrong with you? This is so strange…”
“Li Yanxi, if you want to make a scene, go home. I have matters to attend to. Get out. As my sister, I’ll remind you—don’t make me say it a third time!”
The man on the sofa grew even colder and more stern.
Li Yanxi felt a bit afraid and didn’t dare to act recklessly anymore.
Angrily, she turned and left.
The door slammed shut with a loud bang.
Just from the sound, it was clear the young lady was furious.
Inside the bathroom, the soundproofing was excellent.
But it didn’t prevent Shen Nanci from overhearing the conversation between the siblings outside.
Hadn’t Li Hengyan always doted on Li Yanxi?
He was quite fierce.
How unusual.
Shen Nanci looked at herself in the mirror, wondering when she should go out.
What if the anger in Li Hengyan’s heart hasn’t subsided yet and spills over onto her?
But, what does it have to do with her anyway?
After drying her hands and opening the door, Shen Nanci went out.
She didn’t see Li Hengyan in the living room.
Huh, where did he go?