“……” She stared at him in a daze, unable to react for a long moment.
Gong Ming’s patience had run out. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of wickedness curling at the corners of his cool, thin lips.
Lowering his gaze, he extinguished the cigarette in his hand before gently tracing her lips with his fingers, stroking them softly. “Think it over. You still have time.”
The distance between them was intimate, his breath warm against her face.
Cheng Youyi could feel the scorching heat radiating from the man’s body, along with the pressure of his presence against her.
In such a situation, how could she possibly remain calm? Her heart raced uncontrollably.
“I…” She tried to push him away, but she was firmly trapped in his embrace. All she could do was plead weakly, “Uncle, please let me go. Even if I don’t marry him, that doesn’t mean I’ll… Mmm!”
The rest of her words were swallowed by Gong Ming’s kiss.
Cheng Youyi widened her eyes, struggling in surprise, clearly not expecting him to do this.
The man’s kiss was fierce and intense, as if he wanted to devour her whole, leaving her breathless.
“Mmm…”
Gong Ming pinned her flailing hands behind her back, one hand gripping her slender waist.
“Ugh… no…” Cheng Youyi was forced to tilt her head back, submitting to everything he did.
After what felt like an eternity… the man finally released her.
“I told you, you can think it over. There’s no need to rush your decision.” He leaned against the crook of Cheng Youyi’s neck, his voice low and husky as it whispered into her ear.
These words left Cheng Youyi stunned for a long time. It was simply absurd—he was Gong Qianyu’s uncle.
Could this man really be asking her to become Gong Qianyu’s aunt?
While the thought might sound satisfying, she quickly reconsidered—
Was he insane?! He was a man of the same generation as her father.
Moreover, this was only their second meeting.
Her mind was in a daze, completely unable to make sense of the situation, but she wasn’t foolish.
She couldn’t believe that this man truly wanted to help her break off the engagement out of pure goodwill, nor did she believe that he had fallen in love with her just because of what happened in the car.
“No, thank you, Uncle. I don’t want to trouble you. I can handle breaking off the engagement myself.” After speaking firmly, Cheng Youyi struggled to free herself from the man’s hold. Gong Ming didn’t stop her, allowing her to stumble to her feet.
The sight of the young girl clumsily searching for her belongings didn’t escape his notice—the ambiguous marks on her body, the faint blush on her cheeks—all of it stirred something restless within him.
He had never been a gentleman, nor was he a good man. Since he had taken her, he had no intention of letting her escape.
It was simply a matter of strategy and time.
If she wanted to handle things herself, he wasn’t in a hurry.
He would wait for the day she came back to beg him.
And he believed that day wouldn’t be too far off.
“Uncle, could I trouble you to lend me a piece of clothing?” Cheng Youyi clutched the little evening dress that had long since been torn to shreds, biting her lip as she looked at Gong Ming with pitiful eyes.
Her damp, pleading gaze and the utterly aggrieved expression on her face made her look like a helpless little animal, one that Gong Ming couldn’t bring himself to be angry with.
He lightly tapped his fingers, his deep, dark eyes fixed intently on her.
Under such a gaze, she felt inexplicably guilty, unable to meet his eyes. Instead, she lowered her head, unconsciously tightening her grip on her sleeves.
“The new clothes are in the changing room.” Gong Ming’s voice returned to its usual coldness.
“Th-thank you.” Cheng Youyi breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and hurried into the changing room, putting on the new dress.
A moment later.
After changing into a dress that looked almost identical to the previous one, Cheng Youyi slowly walked out. She lowered her head and approached Gong Ming from behind, looking somewhat uneasy.
“Uncle, I’ll be heading back now. I’ve really troubled you tonight. Although I can’t agree to that matter… if you ever need anything else from me in the future, I will do my utmost to repay your kindness.”
Cheng Youyi spoke with utmost sincerity, blinking her long lashes and appearing completely harmless.
Her words, however, stirred a playful urge in Gong Ming. He turned and moved closer, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her into his embrace. As she stared in shock, he lowered his gaze and said, “If you want to repay me, why not do it again now?”
His voice carried a hint of huskiness as he spoke, and a faint, elusive smile flickered in his eyes.
Hearing this, Cheng Youyi’s face flushed crimson. She stammered, “Th-that’s not possible. I… I refuse.”
This answer was clearly within his expectations.
Gong Ming released her and straightened up. His 191 cm frame loomed over her petite figure, making her appear even smaller.
“Let’s go. I’ll have the driver take you back.” He spoke indifferently before stepping out of the room first.
Cheng Youyi stood dazed for a moment before quickly following with small, hurried steps.
……….
Outside the door, over a dozen men in black suits stood waiting. Each was burly and stern-faced, and the ones at the front seemed to have weapons tucked behind their waists, giving off an intimidating air.
Seeing Gong Ming emerge, they all bowed respectfully. “Mr. Gong.”
Gong Ming waved his hand, signaling them to step aside.
The girl was timid and easily frightened.
Cheng Youyi obediently stood by Gong Ming’s side, walking cautiously, not daring to stray a single step or glance around carelessly.
Sensing her unease, the man’s gaze darkened.
He reached for Cheng Youyi’s small hand, which hung by her side, and enveloped it tightly in his large palm.
“There’s no need to be nervous.”
His deep voice reached Cheng Youyi’s ears. She froze for a moment before pulling her hand out of his grasp.
“Uncle, I’m very grateful for your help, but please don’t do anything that crosses boundaries anymore. It’s not appropriate. Besides, once we step out of this door, it’s unlikely we’ll meet again.” She took a few steps back, bowed slightly, and thanked him once more. Her tone was sincere, yet it seemed she was eager to distance herself from him.
Gong Ming glanced at her, the faint smile in his eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by his usual coldness. He gestured to the driver and the men in black nearby. “Take Miss Cheng home.”
“Yes, Mr. Gong.” Wen Zhuo quickly stepped forward and opened the car door for Cheng Youyi.
Cheng Youyi got in. “Uncle, I’ll take my leave now.”
Her soft, gentle voice sounded just as the car door closed. Gong Ming’s gaze followed the car as it gradually drove away.
He suddenly regretted letting her go so easily.
But… to lure a fish, one must first bait the hook. How could it be caught with just a fishing rod alone?
The next meeting would not be long in coming. He would wait for her to willingly return to him.
And for Gong Ming, that was clearly far more interesting.