Shen Nanci’s words vanished.
Her body leaned forward, her chin forced upward.
Her face tilted up.
Li Hengyan’s hand cupped the back of Shen Nanci’s head, and his lips unexpectedly covered hers in a kiss.
Her voice was swallowed whole.
“Mmm…”
Shen Nanci had never imagined there would be a day like this—on her own sofa, she was like a trapped little sparrow.
Forcibly kissed by a domineering man.
And after deeply kissing her, he imitated a woodpecker.
She was the tree.
Like catching insects, he pecked her lips again and again.
Shen Nanci had a good memory and was a very diligent, competent secretary.
She roughly counted.
Li Hengyan pecked her lips a total of fifty-two times.
Shen Nanci’s neck was stiff from tilting up.
Perhaps Li Hengyan had gotten carried away with his antics, as he suddenly reversed their positions.
Shen Nanci lay on the sofa, her black hair splayed out.
Li Hengyan braced his hands on the sofa, looming over her, encircling Shen Nanci.
The man’s eyes were slightly red.
Shen Nanci: “…” Crying?
Why was he crying?
Shen Nanci was bewildered, instinctively reflecting on her own faults.
Was she too heavy? Had she sat on Li Hengyan’s lap earlier and crushed him to tears?
That couldn’t be.
She deeply doubted herself—did she have that much strength?
This wasn’t the first time Shen Nanci had seen Li Hengyan’s inexplicably red eyes. He seemed… deeply sad?
Why?
What could make him instantly sad enough to redden his eyes?
Shen Nanci didn’t dare push him away or run.
Her tone was somewhat puzzled and gentle, “Li Hengyan, are you crying?”
Shen Nanci’s voice was considerate, comforting him with understanding, “You look like you’re holding it in and suffering. Why don’t you just cry it out? I promise I won’t laugh at you.”
Li Hengyan remained silent.
They stared at each other for a moment.
After waiting a while and seeing that Li Hengyan wasn’t crying, Shen Nanci felt her own tears were about to burst out!
Shen Nanci stayed calm, telling herself not to panic, and advised, “Li Hengyan, are you under too much pressure? How about… I accompany you to see a doctor?”
Li Hengyan’s feelings of sadness vanished without a trace.
He was so infuriated by his secretary that he wanted to grind his teeth.
Li Hengyan narrowed his eyes coldly, released his hands, and pressed his solid body down.
Tight against Shen Nanci.
But he controlled his strength just enough not to actually hurt her.
Shen Nanci froze, startled by the sudden movement.
Her tongue felt tangled, making her speech falter.
Li Hengyan didn’t do anything excessive, just let his gaze wander.
He looked over Shen Nanci in his arms.
Seriously, carefully.
Observing her intently.
Li Hengyan realized that his CiCi was truly beautiful—her eyes, nose, mouth, all exquisitely lovely.
Every feature of her face was pleasing.
Truly crafted to his heart’s desire.
Thinking back to the earlier rumors, the gossip about him and Su Qingnuan was everywhere, ambiguous and unclear.
He hadn’t bothered to address it.
Even within the company, it was rumored that Secretary Shen only held her position as the CEO’s office secretary because she somewhat resembled Su Qingnuan, earning the CEO’s favor.
It was assumed she relied on her looks, but in reality, she was just a substitute.
“CiCi, where do you resemble Su Qingnuan?”
“You and her—you don’t resemble her at all. In terms of this face, you are a thousand, ten thousand times more beautiful than her. She simply can’t compare to you.”
Li Hengyan’s sudden words left Shen Nanci utterly confused.
She couldn’t keep up with Li Hengyan’s train of thought at all.
Shen Nanci even wondered if Li Hengyan was just sweet-talking her, trying to deceive her.
Su Qingnuan was the eldest daughter of the Su family, raised in a honeyed jar, cherished and doted upon.
Yet she, the third daughter of the Shen family, was an outcast.
Born with sin.
How could she ever compare to Su Qingnuan?
Shen Nanci’s heart suddenly ached.
She wanted to ask, between Shen Nanci and Su Qingnuan, who do you think is more deserving of love?
But her throat felt heavy, as if filled with sand.
The words wouldn’t come out.
Suddenly, a shadow fell before her eyes.
It was Li Hengyan’s lips, landing on Shen Nanci’s eyelids.
A gentle kiss, light as a feather.
It touched the very depths of her heart.
Shen Nanci’s eyelashes trembled violently, and so did her heart.
Like a stone thrown heavily into calm water, sending ripples spreading far and wide.
Li Hengyan’s gaze was tender and doting, his hand gently caressing Shen Nanci’s cheek as if she were a precious treasure.
“In the past, present, future, and forever, I will never love Su Qingnuan. The one I love has always been you.”
“I’ve never had any feelings for her.”
“I used the wrong approach before. That was my mistake.”
“CiCi, I’m sorry.”
Shen Nanci didn’t understand Li Hengyan’s sudden change in attitude.
She could only assume it was because he had taken her body last night.
And that, too, while she was unconscious.
Shen Nanci’s face flushed with heat. She turned her head away and said awkwardly, “Get up. I still have a lot of questions for you. Give me an answer.”
She was afraid that if things continued like this, they might really cross a line.
Shen Nanci certainly didn’t want to act out something indescribable on the living room sofa.
Although Shen Nanci admitted she loved Li Hengyan.
But sleeping with him…
Forget it!
At least while sober, she was unwilling and unaccepting.
After just one night together, Li Hengyan had fallen for her and claimed to love her? Shen Nanci didn’t believe it for a second.
Even if ghosts believed it, she wouldn’t.
But one thing was certain.
Li Hengyan was definitely lying.
No feelings for Su Qingnuan? Who would believe that?
If he didn’t like Su Qingnuan, why would he have promoted her so fervently?
The two of them sat facing each other on the sofa.
Staring each other down.
Shen Nanci was just thinking about how to ask her questions when her stomach suddenly let out a loud growl.
Immediately after, she heard Li Hengyan’s low chuckle.
Shen Nanci: “…” How embarrassing.
Li Hengyan had originally planned to take Shen Nanci out for a meal to properly celebrate her belated birthday, ending with a birthday cake.
But fearing CiCi might be hungry, he changed his mind.
Three minutes later, the cake was brought up.
Under Shen Nanci’s complicated gaze, Li Hengyan unwrapped the gift box.
Inside was an exquisite pink cake.
Shaped like a little princess.
Li Hengyan held a small candle and asked, “Do you want to make a wish?”
To be honest, Shen Nanci was a little moved. She hadn’t expected Li Hengyan to personally buy her a birthday cake.
But…
Shen Nanci said, “My birthday was yesterday. It’s already passed.”
Her tone was calm.
Suppressing his heartache, Li Hengyan said, “Then no wishes. From now on, all your wishes will be fulfilled by someone. Eat first if you’re hungry, just to fill your stomach.”
Not dwelling on Li Hengyan’s words.
Shen Nanci asked, “Why is it a pink cake?”
Had Li Hengyan even investigated her preferences this thoroughly? That’s terrifying.
What was he planning?
It wasn’t a pleasant surprise—more like a shock.
This wasn’t normal, none of it was normal!
Something must have gone wrong somewhere!
It felt like a dream.
Shen Nanci secretly pinched the back of her hand. Ouch, that hurt!
Li Hengyan didn’t notice. He picked up a knife, cut a small slice of cake, and handed it to Shen Nanci.
Shen Nanci didn’t refuse. After saying “thank you,” she began to eat.
While eating, she noticed a resentful gaze and looked up to meet Li Hengyan’s eyes, hearing him say.
“CiCi, eating alone without sharing with me?”
Shen Nanci was puzzled, “You like sweets?”
Since when did Shen Nanci not know that her icy-faced CEO had started enjoying sweets?
Li Hengyan put down the knife, staring at the cream smeared at the corner of Shen Nanci’s mouth like prey.
He asked, “Is it good?”
Shen Nanci nodded, “Quite sweet.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Hengyan walked over to Shen Nanci, hooked his arm around her soft waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
He didn’t mind the cake staining his clothes.
“Let me taste if CiCi is lying.”
Li Hengyan lowered his head, kissed Shen Nanci’s lips, and savored the sweetness of the cake, lingering by her mouth.
“Mmm, very sweet.”
It was unclear whether he was referring to the cake or Shen Nanci.
Pushing aside Shen Nanci’s arm, Li Hengyan took the cake and fork from her hand and placed them on the nearby table.
Li Hengyan turned back.
Without giving Shen Nanci a chance to react, he gripped her waist, lifted her, and placed her on the empty space of the table beside the cake.
He scooped a bit of cake cream with his finger and tasted it.
“CiCi, be good.”
“You’re eating too slowly. Let me feed you the cake.”
In an instant, Li Hengyan leaned down.
The man’s kiss descended with overwhelming dominance, stealing Shen Nanci’s breath away.