“Her name is not inscribed before the Buddha, but in my palm burns a lamp for her.”
The world says Mrs. Pei is destined for a noble yet solitary fate, meant to spend her life beside a dim lamp and ancient Buddha. But I will defy heaven’s will—I refuse to let the bright moon shine upon a lonely light.
——Pei Yanzhou
2025/11/30
Yushui Bay Villa.
Shu Hua sat at the edge of a bed large enough to fit five or six people, dressed in a white lace-trimmed nightgown. Her fingertips were icy cold.
Everything she knew about her nominal husband—the helmsman of the Pei business empire, Pei Yanzhou—came from financial magazines and rumors: ruthless in his methods, indifferent to women, a living king of hell in the business world.
But one important thing—he was incredibly handsome.
*Click—*
The door opened. A man carrying the cool scent of alcohol stepped in. He was extremely tall, broad-shouldered with long legs. A simple black shirt on him exuded an overwhelming aura. His face was devastatingly handsome, expressionless. When those deep eyes landed on her, Shu Hua instinctively shrank back.
Pei Yanzhou crossed the room in a few strides and stood before her, looking down at her from above. His gaze swept over her slightly trembling lashes—trembling from nervousness—and then… the full curve beneath the neckline of her nightgown. His eyes darkened almost imperceptibly.
“I…”
Summoning her courage, Shu Hua lifted her pure yet alluring little face. Her voice was so soft it seemed it could drip with sweetness.
“Mr. Pei, I’ll be very obedient. I won’t cause you any trouble.”
It was the best form of self-protection she could think of.
Pei Yanzhou bent down, his slender fingers tilting her chin upward. The warmth of his fingertips made her shiver.
“Obedient?” he repeated softly, his deep, mellow voice laced with amusement. “In what way?”
Her heart pounded like a drum. As his handsome face drew closer, she instinctively closed her eyes. The kiss she anticipated never came. Instead, his scorching breath brushed against her ear, sending a tremor through her body.
“Remember what you said.”
Before her racing heart could calm from his playful warning, he spoke again—this time in a tone that brooked no refusal.
“Stand up.”
She blinked, her thick curled lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Confusion filled her upturned face.
But he had told her to stand, and she didn’t dare disobey.
Obediently, she pressed her hands against the soft mattress and rose. The hem of her white lace nightgown swayed slightly with the movement, outlining her slender yet softly curved legs.
She had barely steadied herself when Pei Yanzhou suddenly bent down.
The next second, the world spun.
He had lifted her entirely off the ground.
Out of instinct, the moment he picked her up, she wrapped her legs around his firm waist. Her slender arms clung tightly around his neck, like a startled koala hanging onto him.
“M-Mr. Pei?” Her voice trembled, pitched higher in fright.
He seemed to let out a low chuckle. One large hand firmly supported her hips to keep her from slipping, and just like that, he carried her a few steps to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window in the bedroom.
The night view of Yushui Bay glittered brilliantly beyond the glass wall.
Then, lowering his arms slightly, he placed her onto the cool marble window ledge.
Her back stiffened instantly.
It was the second floor—not extremely high, but looking down, the garden lights below seemed like distant stars. A fall from here would mean severe injury at best.
Pei Yanzhou’s hands gripped her waist tightly, securing her in that dangerous yet heart-racing position. He leaned closer, his handsome face inches from hers, his deep eyes especially imposing in the night.
“Afraid of falling?” he asked, voice low with a trace of teasing.
She nodded frantically, her face pale. Her voice was soft and trembling, almost tearful.
“Yes…”
Her arms tightened around his neck as she buried herself against him, whining softly like she was about to cry.
“Y-you won’t let me fall… right?”
Instead of answering, he countered, “What do you think?”
She looked up at the sharp line of his jaw and Adam’s apple so close to her. After hesitating, she ventured timidly, “Y-you… won’t?”
“Why?” He seemed genuinely interested in her answer.
Her mind went blank. Survival instinct kicked in, and she blurted out nonsense:
“B-because Mr. Pei is a good person!” Yes, that’s right—handing out a “good person” card randomly is the way to go! Stabilize him first!
“A good person?” Pei Yanzhou let out a scoff, as if he had just heard something utterly ridiculous. The hand around her waist tightened slightly. Through the thin fabric of her nightgown, his fingertips could clearly feel the softness of her slim waist and the tension in her rigid back.
He lowered his gaze to look at her.
Under the light, the girl’s skin was so fair it seemed almost translucent. From nervousness, the corners of her eyes were tinged red. Her long lashes were damp, giving her an innocent look laced with unconscious allure.
And yet, paired with her current state—terrified to the point of nearly fainting, yet still forcing herself to stay composed and flatter him—her claim that he was a “good person” made him pause.
Suddenly, he felt this girl was being a little too obedient.
He could clearly feel that the patch of skin pressed against his chest had broken out in tiny goosebumps from fear.
Her body was more honest than her mouth.
“You said you’d be obedient?” he changed the subject, his voice low and husky.
Shu Hua nodded frantically, like a chick pecking at rice.
Pei Yanzhou’s gaze fell to her slightly parted cherry lips, glistening with moisture. His eyes darkened.
“Then do you know how to kiss?” he asked bluntly.
“Huh?” Shu Hua froze completely, her brain crashing on the spot.
W-what kind of sudden question was that?
She shook her head in panic, then thought that seemed wrong and hurriedly nodded instead. In the end, she didn’t even know what she was doing. Her small face flushed so red it looked ready to drip blood.
Amused by her chaotic reaction, Pei Yanzhou arched a brow. “You’re shaking your head and nodding at the same time—what does that mean?”
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, on the verge of tears. “I-I don’t know how… b-but I’ve watched it on TV. Does that count?”
She had never even dated before. Her first kiss was still perfectly intact—how would she know how to kiss!
“Watched it on TV?” Pei Yanzhou repeated, a flicker of laughter passing through his eyes. Then, in a coaxing, seductive tone, he commanded, “Then come kiss me now.”
He paused, adding in a voice that sounded almost like temptation, “I’ll teach you.”
Shu Hua’s heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to burst out of her chest.
Kiss him?
Right now?
In this half-suspended position?
Wasn’t that a little… thrilling?
She looked at his face—sharp, cold lines yet perfectly sculpted. His deep eyes were fixed intently on her, as though whirlpools swirled within them, ready to pull her in.
The scent of cedarwood mixed with faint tobacco wrapped tightly around her.
Her mind was a complete mess.
But… he said he would teach her.
And besides, he was so handsome, with a body so good it was hard to look away… It didn’t seem like she would be at a loss here.
Maybe she was even… getting the better deal?
The absurd thought took root—and she really was tempted.
Taking a deep breath as if making a major decision, she closed her eyes and gathered her courage, leaning toward his cool, thin lips.
However, just a second before their lips touched, her small nose suddenly wrinkled. She paused.
Opening her eyes, she asked softly, “Did you smoke?”
Reading Notes:
1. Female lead is 23, male lead is 30. Both are each other’s first.
2. The female lead is doted on by everyone. She’s timid yet loves to flirt, attracted to the male lead’s looks at first sight. She’s been pampered and well-protected since childhood, inexperienced with the world, so she habitually acts cute and knows how to use her advantages.
3. A brainless Mary Sue, no-angst sweet romance. Not a strong female lead story. She’s delicate; he’s powerful. Enter with caution if that’s not your taste.
4. The male lead is physically drawn to the female lead, has strong desire, understands her little quirks, and deliberately teases her (only her).
5. The female lead is like a soft, fragrant little cupcake—using the gentlest face to say the fiercest words. Beautiful, sweet-voiced, timid yet brave! Also a little rich lady.
6. Both leads were initially attracted by looks. What began as a family-arranged marriage gradually turns into mutual sincerity as they grow closer.