In that instant, Xie Guanlan wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
But his expression remained calm and composed, though the slight movement of his Adam’s apple and the faint redness of his ears betrayed his thoughts.
Yin Shuyang was completely focused on his sensual lips, not noticing any other details.
He said, “Your brother is right to consider that.”
“Liar. You clearly said before that if we got married, protecting me would be your responsibility. My brother is afraid I’ll get hurt, so he’s stopping us. You’re also afraid I’ll get hurt, so you’re just locking your heart away.” Yin Shuyang leaned a little closer to him. “Want to give it a try?”
Her fair, delicate hand suddenly reached toward his, her fingertips lightly brushing the back of his hand, tracing random patterns. The tingling sensation from the touch spread all the way to his heart.
Xie Guanlan swallowed imperceptibly, his body unmoving, but his heartbeat racing unusually fast.
In the quiet, bright living room, a man and a woman alone together, with one harboring feelings for the other—the very air around them seemed to grow thick with tension.
He called her name softly, “Yangyang.”
Yin Shuyang responded with a sweet, gentle “Hmm,” her hand sliding up from the back of his, feeling his arm through his shirt. “Want to kiss? If you don’t feel anything for me, I won’t bother you anymore, okay?”
She was going all in!
She really wanted to kiss Xie Guanlan.
Xie Guanlan’s expression remained cold and composed, every cell in his body holding back. “Yangyang, don’t.”
These words—it seemed like he had said them in a dream many days ago, but in the end, he still couldn’t resist her temptation.
“I don’t understand. What do you mean by ‘don’t’? Don’t try, don’t kiss, or don’t make such a promise?” She took off her shoes, knelt on the sofa, and leaned closer and closer to him.
Xie Guanlan carried a faint scent of smoke and alcohol, not strong—probably picked up during dinner that evening.
He was wearing a black shirt, the collar open. From her angle, she could just see his prominent collarbone, incredibly sensual, making her want to take a little bite.
All the restraint Yin Shuyang had built up over the past half-month vanished into thin air at this moment. Even the lesson she had just learned from being confessed to by someone else was completely forgotten.
Perhaps it was because her feelings for Song Qian were different from her feelings for Xie Guanlan.
She felt that Xie Guanlan must have some feelings for her.
She leaned close to Xie Guanlan’s cheek and asked hesitantly, “Can we try?”
Xie Guanlan’s body remained still. He watched as the corners of her eyes flushed with shyness, her gentle gaze turning into a seductive, ambiguous desire—beautiful, charming, and utterly captivating.
Her hands rested on his thighs, and even through his trousers, he could feel the warmth of her palms rising.
They had hugged before. If they kissed now, things would truly become ambiguous.
Yin Shuyang was almost in tears. Why was he looking at her with such cold eyes?
Did he really feel nothing at all?
They had come this far. If she backed down now, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
Mom, Dad, if I fail, when you come to the police station to pick me up, please don’t tell Grandpa and Grandma!
With a determined heart, she leaned in and kissed his cheek, leaving a warm imprint.
Nervous, excited, and exhilarated, her hands were almost trembling.
She had only touched him lightly before pulling away, not even having time to process the sensation.
Xie Guanlan’s eyes flickered, but they still held a light she couldn’t quite decipher.
So Yin Shuyang boldly leaned in again and kissed him, her red lips lingering on his cheek.
So Xie Guanlan’s seemingly indifferent face was actually warm, and the touch was quite pleasant—soft and tender.
“Satisfied now?” Xie Guanlan asked coldly.
Hearing his tone, Yin Shuyang felt instantly remorseful. His clear, resonant voice had turned hoarse with anger, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged as he restrained his fury. Even his neck flushed red with rage.
She couldn’t win this fight—not a chance!
She’d be crushed to pieces in seconds.
Please don’t hit her face!
Yin Shuyang lowered her head. “Go ahead, be angry. Take it out on me. I’m lustful, driven by desire, blinded by passion, obsessed with beauty. I’m delusional, I deserve to die a thousand deaths, I, I… I actually feel pretty good.”
Xie Guanlan truly hadn’t expected Yin Shuyang’s apology to take such a sudden turn, catching him completely off guard.
Just a kiss on the cheek—what could she possibly feel from that?
Xie Guanlan looked at her lowered head, her ears flushed red. Was this how little kittens acted when they made a mistake?
Curling up into herself, yet her hands still rested on his thighs, as if she wished she could bury her head entirely.
He no longer held back, following his instincts. His slender fingers mimicked her earlier gesture, lightly tracing circles on the back of her hand. “Why don’t you ask how I felt?”
Yin Shuyang raised her misty eyes, filled with disbelief, and blinked in confusion. “How did you feel?”
“Not bad.”
For a man with standards as high as Xie Guanlan’s, “not bad” probably meant good, right?
At least she wouldn’t be reported to the police and arrested.
Suppressing the urge to pinch her chin and kiss her himself, Xie Guanlan asked in a husky voice, “Want to try again?”
“Yes!”
If she wouldn’t be treated like a pervert and arrested, there were so many things she wanted to try with Xie Guanlan.
Yin Shuyang directly climbed over the sofa and sat on Xie Guanlan’s lap.
“I’ve wanted to sit on your lap for so long…”
She was still just as bold and passionate.
“Move a little.”
“How?” Xie Guanlan’s hands didn’t know where to place themselves.
He’d never imagined she’d climb over from the sofa to sit on his lap.
In his 25 years of life, this was the first time a woman had ever sat on his lap.
“Just rock a little. I want to swing on your lap like a seesaw.” Yin Shuyang finished speaking, then looked embarrassed. “I’m asking for too much, aren’t I? I’ve crossed a line, right?”
Xie Guanlan didn’t answer, but simply rocked his legs as she wished, the movement gentle. His dark eyes watched as her expression softened, turning shy and delighted.
He still couldn’t bear to see the little kitten look sad. A little kitten should be carefree and happy.
“Having fun?”
“Mhm!” Yin Shuyang’s voice was soft and sweet, filled with happiness.
Xie Guanlan, the aloof, restrained, and untouchable tycoon who dominated the outside world, showed a gentle side only in front of her. Such a stark contrast—how could she not love it, not adore it!
So Xie Guanlan definitely wasn’t indifferent to her.
Yin Shuyang wrapped her right arm around his neck, placed her left hand gently on his chest, and leaned her soft body against him. Now it was time to kiss his lips.
He’d asked earlier.
They could try again.
If kissing felt good~
Yin Shuyang didn’t know why her eyes grew moist or why tears gathered at the corners. Summoning all her courage, she pressed her lips to his.
She’d never kissed anyone before, but just the touch of her lips against his was enough to thrill her beyond words.
Xie Guanlan, usually as cold as an iceberg, now felt scorching hot, like a volcano.
Her eyes were closed, so she couldn’t see his expression, only feeling her lips being gently bitten and then enveloped by his. Her heart sank once more into surrender.