Chapter Eight

Lan Yingyue closed her eyes and shook her head, mocking herself for being as skittish as a startled bird, scaring herself and refusing to believe what she had seen. When she opened her eyes again, the figure was gone. Yingyue smiled bitterly and walked toward her room.

She swiped her card to enter, feeling dejected as she made her way in the darkness toward the bed.

“Ah!” A shrill cry escaped her lips as she was suddenly pulled into a strong embrace, both of them tumbling onto the bed.

“Surprise!” The seductive voice whispered into her ear, and in her mind, something snapped with a twang. “Dear Lan.” Warm breath caressed her delicate earlobe, sending a shiver through her. She raised her head.

In the darkness, she saw those teasing blue eyes—familiar, yet belonging to someone else, brimming with a wholly different allure.

“Arthur?” Yingyue was stunned. “How did you get in here?”

He released her and switched on the bedside lamp. Yingyue quickly sat up, putting distance between them.

A mischievous smile greeted her. Arthur lounged languidly on the bed, arms propped up, his long legs crossed, watching her with a meaningful gaze and a wicked curve at his lips.

Yingyue glared at him, furious.

“Oh, dear, are you so happy to see me?” he feigned disappointment. “Looks like I should have come looking for you right after landing.” Leaning in, he whispered into her ear, “Isn’t that right, darling—little mama?” With that, he sprawled across the bed in a star shape, ignoring her anger.

“Hey, who said you could sleep in my bed? And you—get out, now!” Yingyue tried to pull him, but her strength was no match.

He furrowed his brows slightly. “So noisy,” he said, and with a sweep of his long arm, drew her into his embrace. Her face was pressed against Arthur’s chest, unable to utter a word of protest, and she couldn’t break free.

The first rays of morning sunlight fell upon their angelic faces. Arthur, that seductive man, seemed tender as a newborn only when asleep, making one’s heart ache for him.

He blinked open his eyes, and a hint of gentleness glimmered in his pure blue gaze as he looked at the girl in his arms. Her little face was full of dissatisfaction, lips pursed adorably. Unable to resist, he bent down and kissed her lips.

Yingyue’s lashes trembled. Arthur’s lips curled into a wicked smile once more. The tenderness from moments before vanished, fleeting as a blossom, carried away by the morning breeze.

“Dear, does my embrace still feel as warm as ever?”

“You—” Yingyue’s cheeks flushed crimson as she struggled to sit up. Arthur propped his head on one hand, lying sideways on the bed, gazing up at her alluring profile. Fresh from sleep, she possessed a lazy beauty that was captivating, yet at this moment she bristled like a little hedgehog, wary of him.

Arthur rose slowly and walked over, leaning in to whisper, “Dear, freshen up—we’ll go for breakfast.” Without waiting for her protest, he strode into the bathroom.

Yingyue turned angrily, but Arthur seemed to float beside her like a ghost. “You can’t escape. Don’t bother struggling,” he said, kissing her forehead. “Stay by my side, like a good girl.”

Furious, Yingyue sat at the edge of the bed, clenching her fists so tightly her nails nearly pierced her palms.

From the bathroom, the sound of running water was accompanied by Arthur’s charming, wicked laughter.

Yingyue turned and saw a golden suitcase standing in the corner, shining as brightly as someone’s hair. Without thinking, she lifted her foot and kicked it hard.

“Hiss—” Oh, that hurt! Tears welled in her eyes as she bit her lip, sneaking a glance toward the bathroom. The sound of water continued unabated.

Phew, it’s fine.

Inside the bathroom, slender, fair fingers spread foam evenly over a well-defined chest. In the mirror, his captivating face was adorned with a suspicious smile.

“Ding dong—” The doorbell rang, startling Yingyue. Who could it be, so early in the morning?

----Author’s Note----

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