Chapter 55: Encountering Yuan Ling, Cornered

Xie Zhi tilted his head and took a sip from the straw that the girl held, his eyes fixed intently on her. Though he always carried a cold and indifferent demeanor, the emotions in his gaze were deep and intense. Xu Jiaojiao felt as if she were on a boat, swaying gently in his presence.

Her face immediately flushed red, and she lowered her head, focusing on her drink. The waiter, who had just arrived with the dishes, was left baffled—weren’t they getting along just fine a moment ago? Had they suddenly argued? People in this era loved to meddle, so after setting down the dishes, he hesitated for a moment before advising, “You should be more patient with the young lady.”

Xie Zhi suddenly chuckled. The beef slices were thinly cut, showcasing excellent knife skills. He placed them into the hot pot, and in less than ten seconds, they were ready.

“Jiaojiao, don’t be shy. Eat more,” he coaxed.

Xu Jiaojiao huffed in response. She prided herself on being well-read—how could she allow herself to get flustered so easily? Shaking off her embarrassment, she grinned brightly.

The moment she bit into the tender beef, coated in rich sauce and accompanied by fresh lettuce, she nearly teared up—it was that delicious. Without hesitation, she tossed some meatballs into the pot and continued eating. Despite her eagerness, her natural elegance prevented her from appearing messy.

Xie Zhi focused on serving her food, only eating himself once she slowed down. However, his gaze lingered on her, full of quiet attentiveness.

Xu Jiaojiao thought to herself that if Xie Zhi were placed in the modern world, he would easily charm countless girls. Just the fact that he was so considerate already put him ahead of 90% of men—let alone his striking looks.

The hot pot restaurant was bustling with life, and under such an atmosphere, Xu Jiaojiao ate a lot. Eventually, feeling too full to continue, she cradled her round belly and finally stopped. When they went to settle the bill, the total was only 8.7 yuan—remarkably affordable given that the entire street was lined with hot pot restaurants.

“Hubby, before we leave, we must come back for another round,” she declared.

“We can come back tomorrow,” Xie Zhi suggested.

“No need. If we eat it every day, it won’t feel as special,” she reasoned.

Too full to move, she didn’t want to retrieve their luggage herself. Xie Zhi originally didn’t want to leave her alone, but seeing her out-of-breath state and considering the lively atmosphere around them, he reluctantly agreed and went to fetch their things.

Xu Jiaojiao sat on a bench outside, sipping self-serve tea. The scene was so picturesque that passersby couldn’t help but pause and admire her.

At that moment, Yuan Ling, feeling overheated from eating, stepped outside. As he did, he spotted a familiar figure—one he had longed for day and night.

The girl he had dreamed of endlessly was now sitting on the bench, occasionally glancing to the side. The bustling hot pot street and the doorway framed her perfectly, as if she were part of a natural, breathtakingly beautiful painting.

His tongue brushed against his teeth as his eyes darkened with possessive obsession. “My little cake, I’ve finally found you.”

Before Xu Jiaojiao could react, she was suddenly grabbed from behind. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, and a hand covered her mouth. Within moments, she was lifted off the ground and swiftly carried into a secluded corner.

Once they were in a quieter spot where voices could be heard clearly, Yuan Ling held her tightly in his arms, burying his head into the crook of her neck. Her scent filled his senses, and he was overcome with pleasure. How could she be so soft, so warm—like the most delicate piece of tofu? His heart melted instantly.

Xu Jiaojiao struggled desperately, kicking and thrashing, but the man’s strength was overwhelming. She could hardly move and could only let out muffled whimpers. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that someone would abduct her in the middle of a crowded hot pot restaurant.

Yuan Ling’s chest was as solid as a steel wall. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t break free. Instead, she exhausted herself, breaking out in a sweat. His voice, familiar yet unnerving, sounded in her ear:

“Don’t move. I just want to smell you. I won’t do anything else.”

Then, he spun her around so that they were face to face. Xu Jiaojiao could clearly see the obsession in his eyes and the dangerous intent behind his actions. Without hesitation, she kicked him as hard as she could.

After several attempts, and with Yuan Ling deliberately loosening his grip, she finally managed to break free. But they were in a dead-end alley—he had her completely cornered, with no way out.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice trembling. The psychological pressure he exerted on her was immense. How unlucky was she to keep running into him in such a big city like Qingcheng?

Yuan Ling smiled gently and took out a beautifully wrapped gift box. He extended it toward her. “Little Cake, this is a perfume for you. Look at what you’re wearing—you should let me buy you something better.”

To him, Xu Jiaojiao was a beautiful but struggling girl, full of determination despite her poverty. But he only cared about her. How could he bear to see her in plain cotton clothes? She should be wearing silk, smooth and luxurious.

Preferably something that would slip right off with the lightest tug.

Recalling the fair skin he had glimpsed before, the thought made Yuan Ling’s breathing grow heavier. His Adam’s apple bobbed with suppressed desire.

Xu Jiaojiao glared at him coldly, her voice sharp. “Let me go.”

“I don’t want to. You’re going to see that bastard again, aren’t you?” Yuan Ling’s eyes reddened, his voice carrying a crazed obsession. “Come home with me, Little Cake. The place you’re staying in is terrible—it pains me to think about it. My home is huge, and it’ll be just the two of us. Isn’t that nice?”

His expression twisted into something both desperate and insane, as if he had fallen into a fevered obsession. He even reached out to touch her. No matter how handsome he was, at this moment, his deranged behavior made him look utterly repulsive.

Xu Jiaojiao was terrified, pressing herself against the wall as if trying to merge into it. She didn’t dare fight back directly—she knew she wouldn’t stand a chance. Instead, she silently prayed that Xie Zhi would find her soon.

Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice trembling as she pleaded, “Please… just let me go.”

Though she had transmigrated into this world, she was still just a young girl. Her real-life experience in dealing with men was lacking—her understanding of danger came mostly from the internet. With Xie Zhi, she had always been the one in control, so she had never faced such a terrifying situation before.

Yuan Ling’s heart pounded as he saw her teary-eyed, vulnerable expression. The sight of her soft, trembling lips and flushed nose made his blood boil.

His breath turned ragged. His long, narrow eyes narrowed dangerously, his naturally upturned lashes giving him an unpredictable, cold aura. Combined with his deranged expression, he looked like a lunatic who had escaped from an asylum.

His gaze was filled with unrestrained desire as he forcefully grabbed her wrist, yanking her toward him.

“Little Cake, I can’t hold back anymore. I want to kiss you.”