Her shoulder hit the door with a muffled thud, the sound echoing down the quiet hallway.

Before she could process what was happening, his heated lips were on hers, his tongue aggressively parting her lips, swirling intensely in her mouth. The powerful, intoxicating sensation made her heart race, her legs weak.

It took her a moment to come to her senses, pushing against his broad shoulders to try and get him to back off.

But the difference in strength between them was too great, and she couldn’t move him even an inch.

Desperately, she bit down on his lower lip, hoping the pain would make him let go.

But the harder she bit, the fiercer his kiss became.

He didn’t care about the metallic taste of blood spreading between them.

All he did was continue to rob her of air, as if starving, taking in her scent with a fervor.

Caught in his almost desperate kiss, Xia Liyang gradually lost her composure, unconsciously drawn to the familiar warmth, scent, and sensation.

Her hands, which had been resisting against his shoulders, slid down, grabbing onto his shirt collar, and finally wrapping around his lean waist.

The evening light streamed through the corridor window.

Their shadows intertwined, stretching and blending into one.

Like a long shot in a film.

Filled with unspeakable passion and tenderness.

Finally, that chaotic and heated kiss came to an end.

Lu Huaicheng slowly straightened his tall body, wiped the blood from his lips, and smiled.

His dark, deep-set eyes, like a deep well, glanced at her, his low voice slightly hoarse, “Your teeth are still as sharp.”

“…” Xia Liyang leaned against the door, her long hair disheveled, her eyes tinged with red.

After catching her breath, she bit her lip, numb from his kiss, and regained her composure, saying, “Lu Huaicheng, are you crazy? Things between us are already over.”

“Oh, so you’re not even using polite language with me anymore?” Lu Huaicheng sneered. “And when did I ever say that things between you and me were over?”

He looked at her with dark eyes, a faint fire burning in their depths.

“But I’m with Mr. Xu now.” She raised her face without fear, her voice cold as she reminded him.

“But your heart isn’t entirely with him, is it?” Lu Huaicheng’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze drifting over her flushed cheeks.

“…Mr. Lu, I suggest you stop indulging in baseless fantasies,” Xia Liyang’s voice was calm, though her gaze wavered a little in guilt.

After all, she had just lost herself in his kiss, her body instinctively responding to him.

“Baseless fantasies?” Lu Huaicheng raised his brow, his slender fingers lifting slightly to straighten his wrinkled shirt, his voice low and mocking, “Do you need me to remind you how you grabbed my collar and kissed me back?”

“…” Xia Liyang tensed, her lips pressed tight in embarrassment.

His gaze was sharp, his tone light, “What you say doesn’t matter, but your body’s reactions don’t lie.”

“…”

Feeling a bit humiliated, Xia Liyang’s lashes fluttered nervously. She forced herself to respond, “But I still prefer Mr. Xu.”

“Because he’s better than me in every way?” Lu Huaicheng’s gaze darkened.

“Mm.” Xia Liyang stubbornly lifted her chin, nodding.

She truly hated herself for being so weak, for being enchanted by a single kiss from him.

Now, she could only cling to this excuse to drive him away.

“Which ways? Is he a better kisser? Better in bed? Go on, tell me.” Lu Huaicheng crossed his hands calmly, his dark eyes swirling with emotion, his presence growing even more intense and intimidating.

Xia Liyang couldn’t help but swallow, turning her face away as she continued to provoke him, “Yes, he kisses better than you, he lasts longer in bed, and he’s younger.”

“…” Lu Huaicheng’s expression darkened instantly.

After a stifling silence, he slowly withdrew his hand from his pocket, grabbed her chin, and forced her to turn her face toward him.

His rough thumb traced the red hickey he’d left on her neck, smirking, “I wonder what Mr. Xu would think if he saw this? If he kicks you out, won’t you end up back with me?”

“…That’s enough.” Xia Liyang, furious and embarrassed, slapped his wrist away, her voice icy, “Don’t flatter yourself, Lu Huaicheng. There are plenty of places I can go, and I’ll never go back to you.”

With that, she turned, unlocked the door, and slammed it shut behind her.

Lu Huaicheng stood there stunned for a moment, glancing down at his wrist where she’d slapped him.

Red marks formed against his pale skin, the stinging pain spreading to his weakening heart.

….

Back inside, Xia Liyang sat on the sofa, calming herself for a long time before changing clothes, tidying her hair, and going out again.

She had always known that Lu Huaicheng wasn’t as gentle and refined as he appeared to be on the outside.

But his true nature beneath that refined facade was even worse than she’d imagined.

She didn’t believe he was pursuing her out of any genuine affection.

His lofty attitude was more like he’d discovered that the bird he’d once owned had flown off without a word and found a new owner.

So he was angry, determined to capture it back.

Otherwise, his pride would be wounded.

If that was the case, she didn’t mind stepping on his pride a few more times.

Let him see how crazy he truly was.

Then let her life return to normal and peace.

However, her remark earlier about Xu Songnian being better than him in every way didn’t seem to affect him much.

Later that evening, while eating hot pot with Song Jinhe at a restaurant, she received a friend request from Lu Huaicheng on WeChat.

Xia Liyang frowned, declining the request with a note: “Weren’t you the one who said you’d never add back someone you’d deleted?”

“Who are you texting? You look upset.” Song Jinhe asked, looking up as she dipped a slice of beef.

“Lu Huaicheng.” Xia Liyang turned off her phone and picked up her chopsticks.

“Didn’t you quit working for him more than two months ago? Why is he still reaching out to you?” Song Jinhe tilted her head, teasingly. “Could it be that he still has feelings for you?”

“Hmph, feelings? More like his ego just can’t handle that I left him,” Xia Liyang scoffed, catching Song Jinhe up on everything that had happened recently.

“Sounds about right.” Song Jinhe nodded thoughtfully. “But he must still have some feelings for you, or he wouldn’t be this upset. Usually, when there are no feelings, people just move on.”

“I couldn’t care less about his ‘feelings.’” Xia Liyang pouted.

“So, you don’t have any feelings for him at all?” Song Jinhe gave her a probing look.

“…No,” Xia Liyang lowered her long lashes.

“No? Then why did you help his mother secure a spot for that clinical research project?” Song Jinhe pressed on.

“At most, it was out of a little guilt,” Xia Liyang replied, picking up a slice of beef roll to cover the hint of guilt on her face.

After her dinner with Song Jinhe, Xia Liyang glanced at her phone again. Following her sarcastic rejection message, Lu Huaicheng hadn’t sent her any more friend requests.

But a few days later, Lu Huaicheng appeared like a ghost in the parking garage below her building.

He wore a casual white T-shirt and loose jeans, leaning against a red Ferrari. His long legs crossed lazily, and his gaze was focused on his phone with an air of nonchalance. He looked like a young heir still in college, with a fresh yet noble aura—completely different from his usual polished, businesslike image.

When Xia Liyang exited the elevator and saw him, she paused for a moment. Once he raised his face, she recognized him, and her steps faltered, tempted to go back into the elevator. But Lu Huaicheng had already noticed her.

“Is it necessary to run away the moment you see me?” he frowned, glancing at her neck. Faint marks from his previous kiss were still visible.

“Did Mr. Xu find out about what happened and tell you to stay away from me?” he asked.

“…” Xia Liyang scoffed, “Not everyone is as paranoid and petty as you.”

“Paranoid? You’re the one hiding something. Otherwise, how did your relationship escalate to living together so quickly?”

“I’m no longer obligated to answer your questions, am I? We have nothing to do with each other anymore,” she replied with a smile.

“…” Lu Huaicheng’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, his lips pressing tighter.

“I need to go meet my professor at school,” she added, quickly heading to her Porsche.

“You used to refuse to let my car drive into campus to avoid attention. Now you’re fine taking such a flashy Porsche—don’t you worry about people talking?” His tone was tinged with jealousy.

“What’s there to worry about? I’m driving my own car.” She shot him a look as she opened her Porsche door.

After a pause, he said, “The Porsche he gave you isn’t worth much. I could give you this Ferrari if you’d like.”

???

Xia Liyang froze, suddenly understanding why he was dressed so youthfully and had brought along a flashy red sports car. He was clearly bothered by her previous remark that Xu Songnian was better in every way!

She shook her head with a mix of amusement and frustration. “Mr. Lu, I have no interest in your Ferrari, nor in having any further connection with you.”

With that, she sat down in her Porsche, closed the door, and fastened her seatbelt.

Lu Huaicheng watched her, his expression darkening as she drove off.

He then sat in his Ferrari, though he didn’t start the engine. Instead, he pulled out his phone and made a call to Lin Shen, ordering in a flat tone, “Look into the registered capital, financial status, and profitability of Xu Songnian’s firm. See if it’s worth acquiring.”