“Mm…mm…mm…” Yu Jiao shook her head like a rattle, “No, no, not like that.”
She rested her hand on Chu Yin’s shoulder, looking him squarely in the eyes. Her eyes were wide and round, and in them, his figure was clearly reflected.
“Prince, take a closer look. What’s different about me today?”
Chu Yin stared at her intently for a moment. Inexplicably, he recalled what the old folks at court had said: a woman beautifies herself for the one she loves.
Could it be that the little white rabbit had changed her makeup today to please him?
He focused even more on her eyes.
“Mm, the eye makeup today is good.” After a pause, he added, “Especially these lashes—they’re long and beautiful, slightly curled, very lively.”
Yu Jiao gritted her teeth. She wore this same makeup every day!
“Especially the lashes?” That was natural! Completely natural!!
Remembering Chunhua’s words, she suppressed the small annoyance in her heart and forced a faint smile, half-heartedly, taking a few deep breaths before squeezing out a few words:
“Prince, look carefully again.”
Hearing this, Chu Yin obediently leaned in, furrowing his brows as he looked more closely.
Got it!
His frown suddenly relaxed. He pinched her eyes lightly, then lazily leaned back in his chair.
“One eyelash has fallen out today.”
He waved his right hand, and sure enough, on his slender, long fingers lay a single long, dark lash.
Yu Jiao clenched her teeth and stared at it, saying bitterly, “Prince, your eyesight is really sharp.”
A smirk curved Chu Yin’s lips. Today, she actually complimented him on his eyes.
Yu Jiao waved her hand, pressing harder on his shoulder, pushing him against the back of the chair. She leaned close, pouting slightly, a little dissatisfied: “But I’m not talking about the eyelash. Prince, look carefully again.”
Chu Yin raised a hand to rub his brow. “What is it you want me to see? Just say it.”
Yu Jiao seemed to wilt. Her head drooped suddenly into his chest, her face buried there. In a muffled, aggrieved voice, she said,
“Prince, you’re so mean. My eyes… they’re clearly full of you, all of you, and you still don’t notice.”
Chu Yin’s expression stiffened. Could it be that what she just said… her eyes were full of him?
Yu Jiao’s head was surprisingly still, pressing quietly against his chest.
Through the layers of clothing, her breath hit him, warm and tingling, stirring him.
There was also a faint scent of orange, drifting everywhere, teasing and enticing.
Her hands drooped limply over his legs, soft and delicate, like a shy little flower.
After a long moment without a reply, Yu Jiao murmured, “Prince, my eyes are all filled with you.”
Chu Yin’s throat tightened. Outwardly calm, inwardly his heart churned. He gave a deep, magnetic hum.
Her head drooped further, nudging into him. In her unseen eyes, she looked so disappointed.
Chunhua had said: if he liked her, he would have said her eyes were full of him; if he didn’t notice, she could tell him directly, and he would respond that his eyes were full of her too.
She had said it twice, but Chu Yin only hummed.
That meant he didn’t like her—but why did it make her feel sad?
Could it be that he hadn’t realized yet?
Chu Yin didn’t know the thoughts running through the girl in his arms. He only wondered why she was so quiet today, not fussing, not asking for the property deeds—he still had a pile of them.
Could it be that she had suddenly grown sensible today, knowing how to stay quiet?
Yu Jiao didn’t give up. Chunhua had said to maintain eye contact for twenty seconds.
“Prince.” Suddenly energized, she raised her head, regaining her fighting spirit, and looked at him.
“Mm.”
Chu Yin responded, keeping eye contact, waiting for her next words.
The girl blinked at him, her eyes sparkling like two pieces of polished agate.
“What is it?”
Yu Jiao pursed her lips, silently counting without a sound.
Chu Yin recalled her earlier sluggish, limp posture and played along. “I see it. Your eyes are full of me.”
Yu Jiao’s mouth curved downward slightly, disappointed.
Chu Yin couldn’t figure out what was going on with this rabbit today.
Eighteen… nineteen… twenty…
He hadn’t kissed her.
Yu Jiao’s mouth fully turned down. She didn’t know why, just felt so wronged, on the verge of tears.
Chu Yin felt a bit frustrated. Who had upset her today?
Had she been wronged outside?
Recalling today’s duty roster, Ying Feng was supposed to protect her.
Looking at her almost wrinkled-up face, he couldn’t even know how badly she had been wronged.
“Prince, kiss me.” Yu Jiao said stubbornly, staring at him.
Chu Yin, acting on impulse, leaned down and gently kissed her on one eye, then the other.
“Prince, this was your own choice, not because I forced you.”
It was only a matter of prolonged eye contact—Chunhua had said it still counted.
Chu Yin decided to tease her heart a little and let her feel wronged today. He wasn’t doing it out of pity, but because her expression affected his own mood.
“Mm, it was my choice.”
He reached out and lightly brushed her nose. “Satisfied now?”
Yu Jiao finally lifted the corners of her mouth, tilting her face up. “Mm… barely, I guess.”
Chu Yin snorted. Barely? Her courage was growing bolder. He twirled her fingers idly.
Casually, he said, “If you get bullied or wronged outside, just tell me.”
Yu Jiao’s eyes shone brightly, full of hope. “Prince, are you concerned about me?”
Chu Yin snorted arrogantly, “I just don’t want you to lose face for Yan Wang’s Residence.”
Yu Jiao pouted. Did Yan Wang’s Residence even have face left?
“Now that you’re satisfied, it’s time for me to settle a score.” His dark eyes locked on her like a predator.
He lifted her chin with a finger. “Mm?”
Yu Jiao swallowed hard. “Wh… what score? I have no money.”
She tightened her hold around him, which Chu Yin noticed but chose not to call out.
“Snort, money’s not the problem. It’s just that lately a certain little rabbit keeps running off, not returning home. How should I settle this score?”
He hadn’t realized himself that he used the word “return home,” brushing her wrist deliberately.
“Should I lock you in a cage by your legs, or tie your hands and feet to the bed?”
Her slender white wrist was firm in his hand, pulsating with life, much like her—full of energy and mischief.
Her fingers were soft, tips rounded, comfortable to hold.
He wondered what it would feel like if he actually used that leverage.
Yu Jiao’s eyes brightened as if she had a sudden idea. She said charmingly, “Prince, I have a good proposal.”
“Oh? Do tell.” Chu Yin looked down, still focused on playing with her hand.
“Prince, as punishment, I’ll cook for you myself to make up for it.”
Finally, Chu Yin lifted his head, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.