Inside the cruise ship—
Shangguan Yu tilted his head toward Rong Yi and asked, “Are you alright from earlier?”
Rong Yi shook her head, indicating she was fine.
“If I hadn’t seen you coming over earlier, I was about to throw wine at him.”
Shangguan Yu chuckled, “It’s better for women to be gentler…” He paused, then added, “But someone like Zhao Da really deserves to be drenched!”
A smile curled at the corners of her lips, Rong Yi’s captivating fox-like eyes slightly curved, with faint starlight shimmering in their depths.
Speaking of which, she and Shangguan Yu had met at a fashion show, where she wore haute couture and made her appearance as the finale.
But just before going on stage, the straps of her high heels unexpectedly snapped. With no other choice, she had to walk barefoot. Fortunately, the theme of that show was “Freedom,” and her barefoot act actually earned her much praise on the runway.
As it happened, Shangguan Yu was the organizer of that show. Impressed by her composure in the face of crisis, he took notice of her and invited Rong Yi to participate in a major show for the fashion brand under the Shangguan Group.
Over time, the two gradually became familiar. Shangguan Yu greatly admired Rong Yi, and he became one of her few friends in the industry.
It was getting late, and the jewelry exhibition was about to begin. Shangguan Yu still needed to check the final details to avoid any mishaps.
Glancing at his wristwatch, he said, “The jewelry exhibition is starting soon. I need to take one last look backstage. Feel free to wander around on your own for now.”
Rong Yi waved her hand dismissively, saying nonchalantly, “It’s fine, go ahead with your work. Don’t worry about me.”
After Shangguan Yu left, Rong Yi immersed herself in social interactions.
Regardless of Rong Yi’s status in the international modeling world, she was herself a highly skilled model with impeccable professional abilities. Every runway show she collaborated on ended with praise for her.
So, in such settings, there were quite a few brands and partners seeking her out. She could only throw herself into the embrace of work, experiencing both pain and joy…
After taking photos with fellow artists in the industry, Rong Yi finally found a moment to rest. She made her way to the lower deck of the cruise ship, a leisure area provided for guests, offering buffets, pastries, and coffee.
Whenever she felt fatigued from work, she would reward herself with some sweets. She didn’t dare eat too much, just enough to satisfy her cravings. After all, her profession didn’t allow her to indulge freely. Every time she ate, she would have to spend two hours at the gym afterward.
Setting down the champagne glass in her hand, her fair and slender fingers gently picked up a pair of tongs. Rong Yi’s eyes wandered aimlessly as she scanned the options.
After browsing for two minutes, she finally spotted something she loved—an exquisitely crafted strawberry cupcake.
But there was only one left.
Without hesitation, Rong Yi aimed the tongs straight for that cupcake.
Just as she was about to pick it up, another pair of tongs suddenly appeared, “stealing her treasure” right from under her nose!
Her delicate eyelashes fluttered slightly. Though inwardly furious, Rong Yi maintained her composure on the surface and raised her head to see who had “snatched food from the tiger’s mouth”…
Rong Yi didn’t know how to describe this feeling. She was a true connoisseur of beauty, fond of all things aesthetically pleasing, including people.
The man before her perfectly aligned with Rong Yi’s aesthetic and romantic preferences in every way.
He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, standing at least 185 centimeters tall. His deep, refined features held a hint of untamed wildness that couldn’t be concealed.
He wore a custom-made black suit casually, left unbuttoned. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing glimpses of his honey-toned skin…
Rong Yi swallowed silently, though there was no actual saliva in her mouth. This man was so sexy—she really liked him!
She admitted she was a bit of a hypocrite when it came to appearances.
Was it because the heavens knew she had been single her whole life, and after 27 years of solitude, they decided to bestow such an exceptional man upon her?
Gu Ye lazily lifted his eyelids, meeting Rong Yi’s gaze with an air of indifference. He was clearly aware that he had taken the last cupcake they both wanted.
Alluring, sensual, with a pair of strikingly beautiful fox-like eyes.
This was Gu Ye’s first impression of Rong Yi.
After a moment’s hesitation under Rong Yi’s infatuated gaze, Gu Ye politely asked, “Do you want the cupcake?”
Rong Yi glanced at the cupcake in his hand, then back at his face.
Unable to resist, she nodded sheepishly, ultimately succumbing to the temptation of the dessert.
What a pity.
Gu Ye had a sweet tooth—a surprising contrast to his appearance, which suggested he wouldn’t be fond of desserts. Yet, unexpectedly, he loved them dearly.
Reluctantly, Gu Ye offered the last cupcake to her, extending the tongs in her direction.
Rong Yi lowered her gaze to the cupcake before her and reached out to take it.
After giving the cupcake to Rong Yi, Gu Ye lost interest in having dessert. He placed the tongs back on the rack and prepared to leave.
Rong Yi’s captivating eyes flickered with hesitation. She bit her red lips and asked coyly, “Hey…”
Gu Ye paused and turned back, looking at her with confusion.
Then he heard her soft, sweet voice say, “How about… we share it?”
She was someone who loved to share, and given how handsome he was, she was more than willing to give him half.
Almost as if bewitched, Gu Ye agreed, “Sure.”
It wasn’t as if Gu Ye couldn’t live without this one cupcake, but not getting what he wanted left him feeling a bit unsettled.
Later, when Gu Ye recalled this day, he thought… he must have been under some kind of spell.
After saying those words, Rong Yi bit her lower lip, wondering how she could say such a thing to a man she had just met. It was far too forward…
But what surprised her most was that he had agreed.
Rong Yi looked up at him in astonishment, though her hands moved obediently, immediately dividing the cupcake in half.
She extended her fair, jade-like arm and handed him half of the cupcake. “Here you go…”
As Gu Ye took it, his fingertips lightly brushed against Rong Yi’s cool fingers.
Unlike hers, his fingers were warm, sending a subtle thrill through her heart.
Holding the half of the strawberry cupcake, Gu Ye said calmly, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
After Gu Ye left, he took the elevator inside the cruise ship to the third floor.
He took a bite of the cupcake—it tasted good.
A moment later, as he took out a wet wipe from his pocket to clean his hands, he caught a faint scent of roses on his fingers.
It definitely wasn’t from the cupcake. The only explanation was that it came from the beautiful, alluring woman.
Gently rubbing his fingertips, a faint smile touched the corners of his eyes…