The next morning, Ran Weiyi woke in a rare calm. She didn’t open her eyes immediately; her awareness returned before her senses.
The air carried the familiar scent of pinewood from him, along with an almost imperceptible feeling of focused attention.
It was so familiar that even her heartbeat remained steady.
When she opened her eyes, Ye Mochen was already sitting neatly at her bedside, silently watching her.
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, tracing a golden edge along his sharp profile, softening the usual cold hardness of his features.
He was dressed in a custom dark suit, hair meticulously combed, as if about to attend a critical international meeting rather than sitting quietly watching her sleep.
“Good morning,” his deep, husky voice broke the silence.
“Good morning.” Ran Weiyi moved the hand he held in his palm and slowly pushed herself up on the mattress.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she asked, “When did you come?”
“Right after I woke up,” he replied simply, his thumb gently stroking the back of her delicate hand.
[DouDou: Warning! Lie detected! According to last night’s vitals, Ye Mochen only had three hours of deep sleep! To see you first thing, he forcibly moved his body clock two hours earlier. A capitalist exploiting himself for love!]
Ran Weiyi nearly laughed out loud at the report.
She looked at the man in front of her—the same serious figure from earlier—and the image of him yesterday, nuzzling her neck like a giant, seeking comfort, appeared vividly in her mind. The contrast made her heart tingle.
Ye Mochen reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers barely touched her, yet the warmth lingered. “Today, we’re going out.”
Ran Weiyi froze.
Out?
Where? Outside the manor?
In the original story, the heroine had been completely confined in the manor, a caged bird never allowed to step outside.
Ye Mochen’s deep eyes clearly reflected her surprise. He seemed to read her thoughts.
Leaning closer, he lifted her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“Don’t you want to go?”
Seeing her silent, his expression darkened slightly.
“I do,” Ran Weiyi said quickly, wrapping her arms around his neck and tilting her head up to look at him. “Just a bit surprised.”
Her initiative pleased him; Ye Mochen’s stern expression visibly softened.
“As long as you don’t think of leaving me.”
“You can take me wherever you want.”
This was a conditional indulgence, a key attached to golden chains.
She noticed the deep unease hidden in his eyes. He wasn’t granting freedom as a favor—he was giving all he could, in exchange for her promise to stay.
Chen Caiwen had chosen to break free from chains and roll in the mud.
Ran Weiyi chose to hold this key.
She smiled, eyes crescent-shaped. “Okay, I won’t leave you.”
She meant it sincerely.
Ye Mochen stiffened again, but this time it was not caution—it was a momentary fluster. The heavy ink-colored emotion in his gaze softened.
[DouDou: Love value +5! Sister, bravo—your gentle strategy turned the wolfdog into a domestic dog!]
Ran Weiyi chuckled silently.
Domestic dog? Perhaps—but she could see that this fierce, massive animal was beginning to learn how to wag its tail for her.
After washing up, Ye Mochen opened the manor’s lavish wardrobe for her, like entering a luxury boutique.
He followed quietly, standing to the side without urging her, eyes never leaving her figure.
Ran Weiyi scanned the rows of exquisite garments calmly, fingers gliding across hangers, finally stopping at a dress. She picked it up—a black lace fishtail gown—and turned to him.
The light in the wardrobe highlighted his handsome features. He simply watched, eyes deep and unreadable.
“Can I wear this?” she asked.
Ye Mochen’s Adam’s apple moved slightly; he didn’t answer, merely stepped aside to clear the way to the changing area.
Minutes later, she emerged.
Time seemed to freeze for a moment.
Her dress clung to her frame: from delicate collarbones to a slim waist and sculpted hips, every curve perfectly wrapped.
The skirt flared like a black blossom, swaying as she moved.
The pure black made her skin glow like jade, delicate and smooth, almost revealing the faint blue veins beneath. Lace on the neckline and sleeves added mysterious sensuality without losing elegance.
She stood before him, calm, with a hint of inquiry in her gaze.
[DouDou: Male lead’s heart rate spikes to 120! Blood pressure rising! Possessiveness +5! Sister, you’re playing with fire!]
Ye Mochen’s eyes darkened, a mixture of awe and overwhelming possessiveness.
He stepped closer, looming over her, a silent pressure in the air.
His fingers touched her bare shoulder; the warmth made his fingertips tingle.
“Too revealing.”
Finally, he spoke, voice lower and rougher than usual.
“Is it?”
Ran Weiyi leaned in instead of retreating, raising her face to meet his eyes. “But I really like it.”
Her gaze was clear, confident, without a trace of hesitation.
Ye Mochen’s jaw tightened, as if waging an internal battle.
He had promised: as long as she didn’t leave, anything she wanted was allowed.
Now, she only wanted to wear a dress she liked.
To deny her would shatter the trust they had just built.
[DouDou: OMG! His brain is in overdrive, torn between ‘allow her to wear it’ and ‘lock her up for myself’! Sister, the outcome is decided here!]
After a long moment, Ye Mochen relaxed. He leaned toward her ear, his hot breath grazing her skin.
“Wear it.”
He whispered so only she could hear, “But today, don’t leave my side for even a step.”
This was the greatest concession he could make.
Ran Weiyi smiled, eyes sparkling. “Okay.”
Later, in the underground parking lot, Ye Mochen personally opened her car door and naturally took her hand. His palm was warm and dry, firm but gentle.
Ran Weiyi let him hold it, thinking: his “don’t leave my side” really meant exactly that.