19 – Chapter 19
Kidnapping you home just for cuddles?
Duan Yuan massaged the young girl’s belly beside him, his expression utterly content. In over twenty years since birth, he had never experienced a moment as peaceful and settled as today.
This Little Peach was surely sent by heaven to save him—she was meant to be his all along! Now that she had fallen into his hands, he would gladly accept her and would never consider letting her go unless someone stepped over his dead body—and even then, they would need the capability to do so!
The girl was being treated like a kitten—sometimes having her head stroked, other times her chin scratched—completely indulging in his playful teasing. She swayed her head and twisted her neck, thoroughly enjoying it.
The scene was one of serene tranquility, but it was soon disrupted. A knock came from the door: “Young Master?” It was Duan Zheng’s tentative voice.
Back when Second Miss Lin wasn’t in the room, Duan Zheng, as the young master’s personal attendant, had the unique privilege of entering after just one knock—both being men, there was no need for reservations. But now, with Second Miss Lin here, things felt different. The last two times he entered, he had sensed the young master’s subtle displeasure, so this time he dared only to speak from outside the door, fearing he might interrupt something…
“You’d better have a good reason.”
“I—I came to ask if Young Master and Second Miss Lin would like supper?” Duan Zheng replied timidly.
Duan Yuan was pinching A Tao’s cheeks, feeling there wasn’t enough flesh—just a thin layer under his grip. She ought to eat more, he thought. “Yes, have someone prepare it,” he responded.
Ignoring A Tao’s protests, Duan Yuan took her to the dining room again. This time, Wu Ma wasn’t there, but two young maids were serving in the dining room. After setting the table, they quietly stepped aside, standing obediently without a sound.
However, one of them was new and unfamiliar with Duan Yuan’s temperament. Seeing the handsome man cradling a woman she deemed scrawny—flat-chested, no curves, and a face she considered inferior to her own—as if she were a treasure, the maid felt a surge of resentment. She tugged her colleague’s sleeve and whispered, “Some people take advantage of situations? She doesn’t even realize how ugly she is. Only a blind young master would want her—she’s not half as pretty as me… With a little effort, I could become the young mistress, don’t you think?”
Believing no one heard, she even let out a suppressed chuckle, unaware of the misfortune about to befall her.
Duan Yuan’s brow twitched, and he set down his chopsticks. Duan Zheng immediately understood his master’s thoughts. He stepped forward, grabbed the gossiping maid by the collar, and dragged her out. “I’ll handle it. She won’t appear before Young Master again.”
Duan Zheng was no gentleman; his grip was so tight it nearly choked her. Piercing wails echoed from the dining room to the outside. The remaining maid trembled, inwardly marveling at the girl in Duan Yuan’s arms—how could she remain so unfazed?
A Tao acted as if she hadn’t witnessed the scene, staring blankly at the food in front of her with a headache.Duan Yuan continued to focus his attention on A Tao: “If you don’t eat meat, you’ll never grow up.”He’s trying to coax the child again, A Tao ignored him.”
She had no idea how many years she had lived in the Peach Blossom Garden – certainly longer than the man before her.
A Tao remained listless. Sensing the girl in his arms resisting intensely, Duan Yuan finally compromised: “Fine, no meat then. I’ll have someone prepare Flower Honey Water for you.”
Duan Yuan called another maid over and gave some instructions.
Soon, a bowl of sticky substance appeared on the dining table.
“What’s this? This clearly isn’t Flower Honey Water,” A Tao questioned.
“This is Flower Honey Water. Duan Zheng couldn’t find Peach Blossom Honey for now, only Locust Honey was available – this is how it looks.” Before finishing his sentence, Duan Yuan brought the bowl to A Tao’s lips again.
“Alright, I’ll eat it myself.” Having no other choice, A Tao obediently picked up the spoon and began eating scoop by scoop.
Since when does honey come in this solid form? A Tao complained inwardly while slowly finishing the entire bowl.
To her surprise, it actually tasted quite good – sweet and smooth.
A Tao licked the corner of her lips: “Quite fragrant…It seemed she wasn’t so resistant to eating anymore, perhaps because the handsome man’s embrace was too comfortable. So A Tao thought.
But unavoidable matters still needed addressing. The clock hand already pointed to 12 – A Tao had been abducted to Duan Yuan’s home for over three hours now.
Although she quite wanted to stay, she felt there were unfinished matters – she needed to return to the Lin family.
“Duan Yuan?” A Tao looked up.
“Hmm?”
“We’ve hugged, and I’ve eaten. Shouldn’t you send me home now?”
“Heh… Little Peach, do you think I brought you home just for this?” Duan Yuan’s arm around A Tao’s waist tightened further.
Feeling oppressed, A Tao squirmed uncomfortably: “Then what do you want?”
Duan Yuan leaned close to A Tao’s ear: “I want to keep you locked by my side, never letting you go anywhere…”
Using the gentlest voice to speak the most frightening words.
A Tao raised her hand to cup her cheek, as if pondering something.
Seeing her silent, Duan Yuan spoke again: “Scared?”
“No, I’m just thinking about what it would take for you to let me go home first. I’m still young, can’t you wait a bit longer?”
“No. You were the one who provoked me first.”
“How can you be so unreasonable?” At this moment, A Tao remembered her clan’s bad habit – when they liked someone, they’d just kidnap them home, regardless of consequences… Now it seemed this approach had its limitations. Like right now…
So troublesome!
A Tao helplessly turned her head, staring at Duan Yuan’s chin until suddenly inspiration struck. She gave a loud “mwah” kiss on the man’s chin and asked smiling: “How about this?”
Duan Yuan froze momentarily, then rubbed the spot where she’d kissed. Several minutes passed, but that patch of skin still felt hot, the soft lip sensation lingering, continuously swirling in his mind.
His body and spirit were screaming… wanting more.
“You think this is enough?”
Before A Tao could react, the man placed a hand on her cheek, slightly bent down, and aimed directly for her lips…
She only felt a firm pressure on her lips, followed by a cool sensation that made her heart flutter.