Jiang Lijin’s warning didn’t reach Xu Jingran at all.
In the end, she only loosened her teeth, but her burning breath still spilled against his chest.
Holding the restless girl in his arms, he strode quickly toward the side entrance of the castle.
The heavy suit jacket wrapped Xu Jingran tightly from head to toe. Only a section of her wet calf was exposed, clinging to the crook of his arm—pale and dazzling under the moonlight.
Her soft whimpers were muffled through the fabric, and through his shirt she unconsciously rubbed against his firm chest.
Jiang Lijin tightened his hold on the girl in a princess carry. “Behave.”
The side door opened silently and closed again the moment he slipped inside.
He didn’t slow down, intending to head straight for the staircase leading to the upper private floors.
As he rounded the first corner, he ran directly into a few nobles who were chatting.
They were dressed luxuriously, each wearing an exquisite banquet mask.
“No idea where those little mice ran off to. Bai Zhenxi is so furious she’s practically coughing up blood. Hahaha.”
“Won’t this offend Young Master Lu Ran?”
“What does that have to do with us? We didn’t do anything. We’re just enjoying the show.”
“There are quite a few attractive special-admission students this year—boys and girls. Bai Zhenxi didn’t even spare Liu Ruan.”
“Wow, that’s really vicious. I wouldn’t dare offend Young Master Lu Ran. And Xu Jingran is really beautiful. If I had that kind of status, I’d like her too.”
“Shut up before Young Master Lu Ran hears you. He’ll use you as a punching bag.”
The air suddenly froze.
They all turned in unison to look at the silver fox mask on Jiang Lijin’s face and swallowed nervously.
Their gazes shifted downward, landing on the petite girl in his arms. Only her fair calves were visible.
The silver bells around her ankles chimed softly.
This was…
They were too shocked to speak.
Was this Vice President Jiang Lijin or Jiang Si?
The two of them wore identical masks, looked identical, and had the same build. No one could tell them apart.
But whoever it was, this was shocking.
They were personally carrying a girl in from outside.
And holding her so tightly.
In a princess carry.
“Young Master Jiang, who is the one in your arms?”
A girl in a champagne-colored gown couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.
Which girl had received Young Master Jiang’s favor?
Jiang Lijin paused slightly. Beneath the silver mask, his thin lips pressed into an arrogant straight line.
He didn’t look down at the person in his arms. Instead, he tightened his hold, letting the hem of his suit fully cover even that exposed pale calf.
Xu Jingran seemed disturbed by the voices. She shifted uneasily, her cheek brushing against his chest through his shirt, causing his muscles to tense almost imperceptibly.
The spot she had bitten earlier was brushed again.
“It’s none of your business.”
His tone was distant and cold. He offered no explanation and didn’t stop, walking straight past them.
The remaining few exchanged meaningful looks.
Only after he left did they begin whispering excitedly.
“Usually both Jiang Si and Jiang Lijin are extremely arrogant. They look down on everyone. And I heard Jiang Lijin even has a cleanliness obsession. I didn’t expect him to play this wildly today.”
“Who could it be? There are only so many special-admission students in the game. I really want to know…”
“Could it be Liu Ruan?”
“No way. I think that was Jiang Si just now. Jiang Lijin wouldn’t casually touch a woman.”
“This is huge news!”
Jiang Lijin carried Xu Jingran quickly up the spiral staircase covered in dark carpeting.
The body in his arms was frighteningly hot. Even through her soaked dress and his shirt, the heat burned against his skin.
Her breathing grew more and more uneven. Her soft murmurs carried a hint of tears. Her damp, warm lips unconsciously searched for exposed skin, brushing several times against his neck and jaw…
Jiang Lijin rarely found himself in such a disgraceful state.
Just as he stepped onto the second-floor landing, hurried footsteps came from the opposite corridor.
“Lijin!”
Jiang Lijin’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and he stopped walking.
Lu Ran strode quickly toward him, wearing a black-and-gold lion mask. His tone was clearly anxious.
He glanced at Jiang Lijin, then his gaze fell on the tightly suit-wrapped figure in his arms that was still moving faintly. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes, but he immediately asked impatiently,
“Lijin, have you seen Ranran? Xu Jingran!”
Lu Ran spoke quickly and urgently. “I’ve been looking for her. It was too chaotic just now…”
He was worried Xu Jingran might have been hurt.
It was supposed to be a simple hide-and-seek game between him and his girlfriend.
Who knew this group would turn it into such a mess?
So annoying!
Lu Ran ran a hand through his hair, his violet-gray eyes suppressing the anger of not being able to find her.
Lu Ran waited for Jiang Lijin’s answer.
But Jiang Lijin remained silent.
In his arms, Xu Jingran heard the familiar voice. Her struggling paused slightly, and she tilted her head ever so faintly in Lu Ran’s direction.
That tiny movement made Jiang Lijin’s arms tighten instantly.
He squeezed her until she let out a soft hum. The sound was delicate and muffled, swallowed by the fabric of the suit.
Lu Ran frowned and looked at what he was holding.
That was… a person?
Hearing Lu Ran’s question, Jiang Lijin thought he should throw the trouble in his arms back to her rightful boyfriend.
Right now, she was like a puddle of water—whoever stood beside her, she would melt into them.
Kissing… doing what couples do…
She would take the initiative to kiss Lu Ran, cling tightly to him just as she was clinging now…
The thought cut sharply through his mind.
His arms tightened further, locking the soft body in his embrace.
Under the suit, Xu Jingran seemed even more uncomfortable from his grip. Her soft cheek rubbed against his chest as she whimpered like a kitten.
The muffled sound through the fabric made Lu Ran tense.
It really was a person.
Has Jiang Lijin finally fallen for someone?
Jiang Lijin had always been aloof, looking down on everyone. And now he was actually holding a girl in his arms.
Unbelievable.
Lu Ran’s brows furrowed deeper as his gaze swept over the person again. “Lijin? The one in your arms…”
“No,” Jiang Lijin interrupted him. His voice was as arrogant as ever, even tinged with irritation at being disturbed.
“I haven’t seen her.”
He stepped aside, moving past Lu Ran. “I have something to do.”
Lu Ran opened his mouth as if to say more.
But Jiang Lijin was already walking away with the girl in his arms, not looking back, heading straight toward the private elevator.
The heavy carved wooden door closed behind him, shutting out all the noise outside.
Jiang Lijin locked it from the inside.
Click.