Chapter 37: Captivated

“Do you believe that Qin Yanzhou would say such nice things about me?”

Shen Muyan shook her head, decisively rejecting the idea. “I don’t believe it.”

Her voice was soft, her lips stained with red wine, making her look even more alluring. Her gaze, initially focused, shifted subtly to the opposite side.

Qin Yanzhou prided himself on his self-control. After all, he had never been someone easily swayed by women. He found most of them too calculating and tiresome, lacking any genuine interest in him.

He certainly lacked the kind of woman who could match Shen Muyan’s social standing.

Yet, he found himself involuntarily drawn to her, captivated by some inexplicable magic.

As they chatted, the young woman continued to sip her wine, her glass emptying quickly. She was both talkative and charming.

“Don’t get drunk.”

“Just believe a nice guy for once.”

Qin Yanzhou’s voice was like a melody rising in the air. Shen Muyan turned her head, her eyes curved like crescents, the corners slightly lifted, a mix of innocence and allure.

“You’re a good gentleman.”

“I wouldn’t take advantage of you.”

He said it with a touch of irony, even mocking himself.

He was a gentleman, for now. But later, he couldn’t guarantee it.

He had never acted improperly before, but with a beautiful woman so unguarded and dependent on him, especially when she was already slightly tipsy, he couldn’t be sure.

Half the bottle of wine was gone, and she was getting drunk. He didn’t stop her.

The young woman leaned lazily against the back of the sofa, her pillow crumpled in her arms, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. The wine flowed freely, but she only tilted her head back, not spilling a drop.

“Remember, no matter how low the alcohol content, you can only drink half a glass.” Qin Yanzhou, for once, was patient enough to give her this reminder.

“Mhm.” She nodded obediently, her eyes sparkling, but she was already slightly unclear-headed.

The night was thick and sticky, reflecting the bustling city of Shanghai. The bright lights and lively atmosphere were worlds apart from the cozy warmth they shared.

A porcelain cup brushed against Shen Muyan’s cheek, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow. She was very still, her eyes following Qin Yanzhou’s every move.

There was half a glass of wine left. It dripped down.

He didn’t use the wine glass. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his throat dry. He drained the glass in one gulp.

The alcohol content was quite high, making him feel a bit dizzy. The sound of the bottle hitting the coffee table was jarring. Qin Yanzhou thought to himself, “What goes around comes around.”

“Qin Xian.”

The young woman smiled, her voice soft as silk. Her skin was soft and her waist slender, boneless as she leaned against the sofa, like a newly transformed spirit, both pure and alluring.

This time, she called him “brother,” which calmed him down. A pearl hairpin in her hair loosened slightly and fell out.

“Brother.”

And soon, she was calling him “brother” again, her voice a gentle whisper.

“My head feels so dizzy.”

Her eyes were clear, but her demeanor was not.

“Hug me.”

Her arms stretched out, reaching for Qin Yanzhou. He had to catch her, or she would have bumped her head.

In that instant, time seemed to stop.

She was soft and warm in his arms, her weight pressing against him, like an electric current coursing through his body.

His hand rested on her lower back, soft and slender, alluringly curved. He could feel the faint scent of her perfume, a delicate floral fragrance.

He couldn’t help but hold her a little tighter, letting her lean against his chest.

He had to admit, he wasn’t a gentleman after all.

He was captivated.

Her slender legs were slightly bent, her posture graceful and alluring, making him want to protect her.

Nestled in his embrace, she rubbed against his chest, seeking a more comfortable position, oblivious to the turmoil she was causing.

He indulged her, letting her get drunk.

He had to take responsibility.

“Ha,” Qin Yanzhou felt a strange tingling sensation. He was conflicted, torn between treating her as a naive girl and… harboring other intentions.

Half an hour later.

He held her in his arms and opened the door. Ning Qing, ever vigilant, was immediately alerted, but the man never relinquished his hold, carrying her straight towards the elevator, ignoring her protests.

Shen Muyan was quiet and still.

“Qin Xian.” Ning Qing was still in the elevator, trying to stop him.

He held her close, ignoring her.

“Qin Xian.”

“Silver Bay.”

“Okay.” Lu Lin dared not delay, taking advantage of the off-peak hours to avoid traffic.

Shen Muyan was docile in his arms, the effects of the alcohol taking hold, and she didn’t resist.

They arrived at Silver Bay an hour later.

Ning Qing knew that Shen Muyan was clingy when she was drunk, but she had never thought she would cling to Qin Yanzhou like this. In his arms, she was like a kitten, snuggling against him, muttering in her sleep, occasionally humming softly.

He followed her upstairs to her room.

The room was decorated in a French romantic style, with creamy walls and soft lighting. The arched doorways and flowing curtains created a dreamy atmosphere, just like her personality.

He gently placed her on the bed, and she instinctively snuggled into the soft blankets.

Ning Qing knelt down to take off her shoes, keeping a watchful eye on Qin Yanzhou, afraid that her sister would be taken advantage of.

This was a scene she had never imagined. When she first came to Shanghai, Old Mr. Shen had already warned her to keep her sister away from Qin Yanzhou, telling her that it was easy for her sister to be taken advantage of if she played around.

Qin Yanzhou didn’t stay long. Seeing Shen Muyan sleeping peacefully, he left quietly.

He left the villa, his thoughts swirling. He had never expected this.