Сhаpter 18: Таking thе Наrd Apprоаch
Sheng Shurаn felt as if shе hаd bееn struсk оver thе hеаd, or mоre аccurаtеly, humiliаted. Неr еyеs widеned аs shе dеsреrаtеly сlutchеd thе torn piecеs of fаbric, trуing tо соver her еxpоsеd skin.
Сhi Нen, drivеn by а fiercе dеtеrminаtiоn, prеssed her firmly аgаinst thе саrved cabinеt bеhind hеr.
Hеr soft wаist collidеd dirесtlу with the prоtruding hаndle, cаusing Sheng Shuran tо bitе hеr liр and lеt оut a pained whimper.
Chi Нen раusеd fоr а momеnt, then plaсed his рalm аgainst thе small of her back, cushioning her from the handle.
But in Sheng Shuran’s eyes, Chi Hen had torn her dress and was now forcibly holding her.
Flustered and angry, she struggled in his embrace while shouting:
“Chi Hen, have you lost your mind? What’s wrong with you? Why did you tear my dress?!”
Sheng Shuran trembled with rage, but she didn’t know how to curse properly. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she could only emphasize her anger through the tone of her voice, meowing in frustration.
Chi Hen didn’t retreat an inch. Instead, he pressed even closer, his legs tightly against her squirming waist. One hand gripped her shoulder, while the hand on her lower back, due to her fierce struggles, repeatedly pressed against the carved handle.
“I hate you wearing this dress!” His voice was stubborn, spoken through gritted teeth.
“What did this dress ever do to you?! Is it worth all this?”
“Aren’t you trying to wear matching outfits with Fu Lin? So, have you accepted Fu Zhenchuan and Shen Manlian’s arrangements?”
Sheng Shuran froze, momentarily quieting down. Her voice turned heavy as she asked, “How do you know?”
“I overheard your conversation with Shen Manlian.”
“O-Overheard? Where were you?”
Chi Hen shifted his gaze toward the window.
“You were hanging by the second-floor window, eavesdropping on us?!” Sheng Shuran couldn’t believe it, her voice rising in pitch.
“It wasn’t eavesdropping. You were speaking loud enough for me to hear,” Chi Hen retorted confidently, without a hint of shame.
“Chi Hen, you—!”
“Or would you rather I climbed through the window into your room right in front of Shen Manlian?”
Chi Hen tilted his head slightly, his gaze reflecting in her flickering eyes. They were so close that it seemed if he leaned forward just a little more, he could steal a kiss from her in this position.
Sheng Shuran, displeased, turned her face away, pursing her lips tightly without saying a word.
“You still haven’t answered my question. Are you going to compromise?” Chi Hen deliberately tightened his grip, pressing her waist flush against him.
Sheng Shuran’s neck stiffened even more, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, but she refused to respond.
“Sheng Shuran, speak!” Chi Hen pinched the flesh on her back.
Sheng Shuran struggled fiercely, trying to break free.
But her efforts were futile, only causing Chi Hen’s hand on her lower back to press harder against the handle, intensifying her pain and further irritating him.
He curled the corner of his mouth, letting out a low, mocking laugh through his teeth.
Not going to talk? Then he’d have to take the hard approach.
He released his grip on her shoulder, letting his hand drop, then unexpectedly reached for the torn opening of her skirt, grasping it firmly…
His scorching palm lifted Sheng Shuran’s leg…
Pulling her toward him…
Sheng Shuran’s worldview shattered at Chi Hen’s shamelessness and audacity. She turned her face back, looking at him in horror.
“You—let go!! Let go!!” Sheng Shuran pushed against Chi Hen with all her might, but the disparity in their strength meant her efforts were little more than tickling his solid chest.
“Answer me,” Chi Hen demanded, ignoring how flushed Sheng Shuran had become. His gaze remained stubborn and intense as the heat from his palm rubbed against her thigh.
Shame brought tears to Sheng Shuran’s eyes. “What choice do I have? Shen Manlian gave me these clothes!””Without this damned dress, would you marry me?”
“What are you talking about?! That’s completely unrelated! No one even brought up this topic!”
Unable to push him away, Sheng Shuran resorted to scratching the hand gripping her thigh, then clawing at his neck and face, leaving red streaks across his fair, handsome features.
“Then just answer the last four words: Would. You. Marry. Me?” Chi Hen’s voice was cold enough to freeze ice.