Morning sunlight shimmered through the room, slipping past the delicate curtains and dancing across the wrinkled sheets.
Chen Yue slowly awakened, her eyes still half-closed.
And the very first thing that came back to her mind was yesterday.
Wei Ran.
His face so close to hers.
That burning, profound gaze that had nearly consumed her whole.
So close she could still feel his breath… Still see her own reflection within his eyes.
That closeness… That warmth… The memory struck her like lightning.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
No, no, no!
Impossible… She gripped the sheets tightly between her fingers.
I can’t fall in love with a man I barely know… But her heart had been beating differently ever since yesterday.
She could no longer deny it.
Panicked by her own thoughts, she pulled the blanket over her head.
Beneath the covers, the heat became suffocating while her heart pounded wildly against her chest.
Her cheeks burned hotter.
She buried her face into the pillow, desperately trying to calm herself.
Calm down, Chen Yue.
It’s nothing.
Just… just confusion.
No.
She had to pull herself together.
She had to find a way home.
Manchester.
Madame Chang.
My world.
I need to go back.
Still curled beneath the blanket, she took a deep breath before slowly lowering the covers, determined to face reality.
Come on, Chen Yue.
You can do this.
He was standing directly in front of her.
Holding a steaming bowl in his hands.
WHAT?!
Time itself seemed to freeze.
Silence filled the room before tension settled heavily in the air.
How long has he been standing there?!
How long has he been watching me?!
Frozen in place, she felt another wave of heat flood her body.
She immediately lowered her head, pulling her long hair over her face to hide her crimson cheeks.
He stared at her without saying a word, his expression unreadable.
Cold.
Why is he looking at me like that?
“Drink,” he said calmly, extending the bowl toward her.
His voice echoed through the silence, deep and authoritative.
The scent of medicinal herbs spread throughout the room.
She nodded without looking at him, but instead of taking the bowl, she threw aside the blanket and jumped out of bed.
Too quickly.
I need to get out of here.
Right now.
Her legs gave out immediately.
She stumbled forward, nearly falling.
Barely managing to catch herself against the edge of the bed, she froze in embarrassment.
Idiot… “So clumsy…” she muttered under her breath.
She tucked her hair behind her ears, nervously smoothed her robe, then rushed toward the half-open door without thinking.
Run!
Run before you do something even more embarrassing!
She raced down the stairs and burst outside within seconds, breathing heavily.
The cool morning air struck her burning face.
She inhaled deeply, trying to calm the frantic rhythm of her heart.
The garden stretched before her, bathed in golden sunlight.
And the sight rooted her completely in place.
Yesterday, it had looked like a ghostly place swallowed by shadows.
But now, beneath the daylight, it resembled a living paradise.
Flowers still covered in morning dew painted the earth with brilliant colors.
Pink peonies.
Golden chrysanthemums.
White lotus flowers floating atop jade-colored ponds.
Thousands of monarch butterflies fluttered between the blossoms, filling the air with flashes of gold and amber.
Their wings caught the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing dance of colors.
Disheveled and speechless, she stood there completely still, unable to look away.
The wind gently lifted her robe while her hair danced behind her.
For a single moment, she forgot everything.
Forgot Wei Ran.
Forgot her confusion.
Forgot she was trapped.
“It’s… beautiful,” she whispered breathlessly.
A butterfly landed softly on her shoulder, as though welcoming her into this magical world.
But the moment she took another step, someone grabbed her wrist.
She barely had time to turn around.
“You again…” she sighed in disbelief.
It was him.
Why?
Why is he following me everywhere?!
Without saying a word, Wei Ran lifted her effortlessly and threw her over his shoulder.
Wei Ran carried her as though she weighed nothing at all.
She struggled furiously, punching his back and kicking helplessly into the air.
“Put me down!” she shouted angrily.
“Put me down right now!” Her fists pounded against him, but it felt like hitting marble.
He did not react in the slightest.
Too strong.
Too tall.
While she was far too small.
A tiger carrying a mouse.
This is humiliating!
So humiliating!
He carried her into the main dining hall before dropping her unceremoniously onto a chair.
Breathing heavily, she tried to regain her composure.
Quickly running a hand through her hair, she carefully avoided looking at him.
Don’t look at him.
Absolutely don’t look at him.
Wei Ran remained standing for a moment before sitting across from her.
A magnificent feast covered the table.
Glossy lacquered duck coated in caramelized sauce.
Bright stir-fried vegetables.
Steaming clear soup.
Fragrant rice filling the room with its aroma.
Steam still rose from the dishes like delicate mist.
“Eat,” he ordered sharply.
His tone made her flinch.
She stared at him uncertainly.
What if… he’s trying to poison me?
But as though he could read every thought crossing her mind, he calmly picked up his chopsticks and tasted the first bite himself.
He chewed slowly and deliberately before raising his eyes toward her.
“Convinced?” he asked neutrally.
Flushed with embarrassment, she timidly picked up her chopsticks.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
She took a small bite of duck.
Well… at least it’s not poisoned.
The flavor surprised her instantly.
Tender.
Sweet.
Savory.
The meat melted on her tongue while the spices danced across her palate.
But she refused to show any reaction.
I won’t give him that satisfaction.
Silently, he continued watching her with those disturbingly calm eyes.
Then he picked up the chopsticks again and filled her bowl himself with duck and vegetables.
The gesture was… Unexpectedly considerate.
She tried to push the bowl away, but he stopped it with one hand and slid it back toward her.
“Don’t act shy now,” he said with faint amusement in his voice.
“You certainly weren’t shy yesterday.” His words hit her instantly.
Yesterday… He’s talking about the kitchen… when he was so close… Her heart raced wildly as embarrassment transformed into anger.
Red all the way to her ears, she bit her lip to stop herself from snapping back.
How dare he?!
Without another word, Wei Ran poured steaming tea into two cups.
He pushed one toward her.
The golden liquid carried the delicate fragrance of jasmine.
She stared at it for a second.
Then dumped it directly onto the floor.
SPLASH.
The hot liquid scattered across the wood.
Take that!
He didn’t move.
He calmly poured a second cup.
She knocked it over again.
SPLASH.
A third.
Spilled instantly.
I won’t give in!
But when he poured the fourth, something inside him finally snapped.
His gaze darkened.
With a swift movement, he grabbed her hand.
The cup slipped from her fingers and shattered against the floor.
CRASH.
“Let me go!” she cried, her voice breaking.
His grip hurt.
Too strong.
“You’re hurting me!” But he did not release her immediately.
His hand remained firm.
Cold.
Authoritative.
She grimaced while trying to pull free.
Tears of pain and frustration gathered in her eyes.
“Let me go…” she repeated weakly, tears trembling in her voice.
Then suddenly— He released her.
As though he had only just realized what he was doing.
She immediately rubbed her aching wrist, breathing unevenly.
Red marks were already forming across her pale skin.
Monster… Silence filled the room.
Heavy silence.
Filled with tension and unspoken regret.
Then a voice suddenly broke through it.
“Young Master, it is time.” It was Madame Yang.
She had witnessed the entire scene while standing quietly at the doorway.
Wei Ran did not turn around immediately.
For a brief moment, he remained motionless, watching Chen Yue rub her injured wrist.
Something flickered within his eyes.
Regret?
Anger toward himself?
Then he spoke coldly.
“Clean this up.” “And make sure this room is perfect before I return.” Without another glance backward, he walked away slowly.
His long blue robe brushed softly against the floor, carrying with it the scent of frost and storms.
The sound of his footsteps gradually faded down the hallway.
Chen Yue remained seated alone, trembling.
Her fingers still clutched her injured hand.
Her heart beat painfully fast.
But deep within her eyes, a new light appeared.
Anger.
Pride.
Perhaps even defiance.
I am not your prisoner.
I am not your toy.
Wei Ran… I won’t let you control me.
Madame Yang approached gently with a damp cloth in her hand.
“Miss… let me see your hand.” But Chen Yue shook her head and pulled her hand away.
“It’s nothing.
I’m fine.” She stood up slowly, her legs still trembling slightly, and gazed out the window.
Outside, the butterflies continued dancing peacefully within the garden.
But now, the beauty of the place felt empty.
Because even a golden cage… Was still a cage.
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