Gu Ye parted his lips and said, “Women should always prioritize protecting themselves when they’re out.”
Secretly, Rong Yi curled her lips. She knew he was just talking big.
“What Mr. Gu says is true, but since I’m with you now, I don’t have to worry about my safety, right?” Rong Yi leaned slightly toward him, her beautiful eyes sparkling, her voice soft and enchanting.
“Right, how could I bear to let anything happen to you?” Gu Ye murmured with a light laugh.
Rong Yi smiled gently, and an ambiguous, unfamiliar emotion began to spread between them.
Soon, the waiter arrived, pushing a cart of dishes.
There were two servings of American-style grilled ribs, one French-style baked blue cheese lobster, one seafood salad, an American red velvet cake, and a bottle of Romanée-Conti resting in an ice bucket nearby.
After placing the dishes on the table, the waiter said, “Enjoy your meal,” and quietly withdrew.
Gu Ye straightened up and poured wine into Rong Yi’s wine glass.
“Try it.”
Rong Yi lifted the glass with her fair, slender fingers, brought it to her nose to gently inhale the aroma, and then took a small sip.
“It tastes wonderful.”
Gu Ye chuckled lightly, casually swirling the wine in his glass to better release its fragrance.
“The ribs are cooked medium-well. See if they suit your taste.”
Rong Yi picked up her knife and fork, cut a small piece, and placed it in her mouth. The meat was flavorful and cooked just right.
She preferred her meat well-done, and this was exactly to her liking.
“It’s delicious. I like it well-done, and Mr. Gu just happened to get it right~”
Gu Ye took a sip of his red wine, his voice low and gentle. “I’m glad you like it.”
Rong Yi looked up at Gu Ye’s lazy, wine-sipping demeanor and, for some reason, felt herself relaxing as well.
Whenever she was with Gu Ye, she always felt at ease.
Unconsciously, her red lips curved into a beautiful smile, making her flawless, enchanting face even more captivating.
Though Gu Ye appeared to be focused on tasting the wine, his gaze never left Rong Yi.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught her charming smile, and his throat tightened slightly. He asked, “What’s making you so happy?”
Hearing this, Rong Yi didn’t hold back her smile; instead, it grew even brighter.
“Of course, it’s because I’m with you, Mr. Gu.”
Gu Ye lowered his eyes and chuckled softly. “Hah, your words are quite sweet.”
“Of course~” Rong Yi said this with a hint of pride.
She tilted her glass toward Gu Ye, her voice soft and coquettish. “Aren’t you going to clink glasses with me, Mr. Gu~”
Gu Ye naturally wouldn’t refuse her request. His glass met hers with a crisp, pleasant “clink.”
After taking a sip and setting his glass down, Gu Ye inadvertently noticed the watch on Rong Yi’s fair wrist.
Suddenly, Gu Ye’s thin lips curved upward, and he lowered his head, laughing softly.
Rong Yi was momentarily puzzled, unsure why Gu Ye was laughing.
Her red lips parted slightly. “What is it, Mr. Gu? Is there something funny you’re not sharing with me?”
Gu Ye suppressed his smile, his voice lazy and lighthearted. “That’s a nice watch.”
Rong Yi’s face flushed. Her little secret had been exposed. Though she wasn’t exactly embarrassed, she felt a bit shy.
The watch Rong Yi wore on her wrist today was the same model as the one on Gu Ye’s wrist—both from Patek Philippe.
Moreover, the two watches were different colors, making them look like a matching pair for a couple.
Actually, Gu Ye owned many wristwatches, but the one he wore most often was the one on his wrist.
Rong Yi happened to notice this, and when she went out today, she coincidentally saw a watch of the same style in a shop window. After some thought, she put it on her wrist.
Originally, she had intended to secretly indulge herself, but who knew Gu Ye would just say it out loud.
Since she had been discovered, Rong Yi didn’t bother hiding it anymore.
Her voice was lazy and soft, her eyes filled with innocence as she said, “I didn’t expect Mr. Gu to have such good taste. I also think the watch on my wrist looks quite nice.”
“Is that so…”
Gu Ye casually raised his hand to undo the top two buttons of his collar, his movements free and unrestrained.
Watching this scene, Rong Yi swallowed nervously, though there was no actual saliva.
What did this mean? Was he trying to overpower her with his masculine charm just because he couldn’t win the argument?
Yet, she loved it to no end—this was exactly her type.
Afraid she might lose control and pounce on Gu Ye, Rong Yi quickly downed the glass of red wine beside her.
Her swift action made Gu Ye raise an eyebrow in surprise.
“Want more?”
Rong Yi had just put down her glass and hadn’t yet recovered when these words reached her ears.
“Mr. Gu, you’re making me worry about what I said earlier.”
Rong Yi was referring to her earlier remark about not having to worry about her safety when she was with Gu Ye.
Now, it seemed she truly suspected that Gu Ye’s intentions might not be as innocent as they appeared.
Gu Ye said, “Don’t worry, I’m a gentleman.”
Rong Yi looked at him skeptically; she had thought the same before.
Gu Ye couldn’t help but laugh under her gaze. “What’s that look? Don’t you believe me?”
Rong Yi chuckled lightly. “Just teasing you, Mr. Gu. Of course, I trust your character. Something like losing control after drinking could never happen to you.”
Gu Ye curved his lips, deliberately teasing her. “That depends on who the other person is.”
As soon as he said this, Rong Yi froze, and the wine in her hand suddenly lost its appeal.
She looked at him with a resentful gaze, clearly waiting for an explanation.
Gu Ye decided to stop teasing her, even though doing so brought him great pleasure.
“Just kidding.”
Only then did Rong Yi put down her glass, realizing that Gu Ye had just turned the tables on her.
“Mr. Gu really knows how to give as good as he gets.”
Gu Ye smiled thinly and changed the subject. “Do you know how to dance?”
Rong Yi was taken aback by the question. “What kind of dance are you referring to, Mr. Gu?”
She wasn’t very coordinated and only knew how to dance the simplest of steps.
Gu Ye stood up and walked over to her, bending slightly as he extended his hand to her while answering her question.
“Waltz.”
Rong Yi had only ever watched others dance the waltz; she had never learned it herself.
“I have zero dancing skills. I don’t know how to waltz.”
“I’ll teach you.”
Without waiting for her response, Gu Ye took her hand, guiding it to rest on his shoulder while holding her other hand in his.
He placed his hand on her slender waist, pulling her closer to him.
Their bodies instantly drew near, her softness almost pressing against his firm chest.
The sudden closeness made Rong Yi blush, her senses filled with Gu Ye’s scent.
It was like the woody, smoky aroma of burnt timber, carrying a hint of wildness and dark allure—cold, bitter, yet intense and bold, much like Gu Ye himself.
Rong Yi wasn’t petite, but in Gu Ye’s embrace, she seemed so small, stirring a deep sense of possessiveness in anyone who saw them.
Gu Ye was no exception, captivated by the faint yet alluring rose scent emanating from Rong Yi, unable to resist.
His large hand rested on the woman’s waist, feeling the warmth of her lovely body through the thin layer of fabric, wishing he could be as close as possible to her.
When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and magnetic. “Follow my steps, take it slow.”
With that, Gu Ye led Rong Yi into a graceful dance.
Rong Yi was almost forced to follow Gu Ye’s movements, her upper body firmly held in his embrace as she matched his rhythm.
Unable to see the steps beneath her feet, she mostly stumbled along, afraid of stepping on Gu Ye’s toes, taking small, hesitant hops forward or backward.
Perhaps it was the effect of too much red wine, but Rong Yi’s head felt dizzy and muddled. Her beautiful face rested against Gu Ye’s chest, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
Holding the warm, fragrant, and delicate woman in his arms, Gu Ye struggled to control the fiery sensations coursing through his body, feeling as though he had lifted a stone only to drop it on his own foot.