Chapter 5 – Si Tiantian, She’s His

Li Hanye stood watching as the Bentley disappeared at the end of the road, the surrounding noise seeming to fade with it.

He retracted his gaze, and the usual icy sharpness in his deep-set eyes was replaced by an unusual intensity.

Turning around, he addressed Lin Ke, who was waiting nearby. His voice was lower than usual, a little rougher: “Let’s go.”

Lin Ke quickly arranged for the car. The Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled away smoothly. Inside the dimly lit vehicle, the atmosphere was heavy with the silence of the man in the back seat. Li Hanye leaned against the seat, his fingertips tapping absentmindedly against his knee.

“Lin Ke,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

“Yes, sir?” Lin Ke turned slightly from the front seat, answering with respectful alertness.

“Look into her.” Li Hanye’s command was as concise as always, but the unmistakable tone of authority made Lin Ke stiffen instinctively.

He instantly understood who “her” referred to. For Master Han to take such an interest—it was probably a first.

“Yes, sir,” Lin Ke responded immediately, his mind already racing through plans.

—

On the other side of town, Si Tiantian had the driver take Gu Yazhi home first.

In the car, Gu Yazhi glanced over at Si Tiantian, who was rubbing her ankle with a slight frown on her face. Concerned, she asked, “Tiantian, are you sure your foot’s okay? It looked like a pretty bad sprain.”

Si Tiantian’s voice was soft and sweet: “It’s fine. It’s just a little swollen right now. I’ll ice it when I get home.”

Gu Yazhi still wasn’t reassured. “Make sure you treat it properly when you get back. Don’t take it lightly. Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, no, go home. Don’t make your parents worry.”

Si Tiantian gently pushed her. “My brother’s home. He’ll take care of me.”

Only then did Gu Yazhi finally relent. After repeating a few more reminders, she got out of the car.

—

When Si Tiantian arrived at the Si family villa, she was about to quietly limp back to her room when a warm yet anxious voice called out from the living room.

“Si Tiantian, what happened to your foot?!”

She looked up to see Si Lü in casual homewear. Over 180 cm tall, with sharp brows and clear eyes, he now wore a deeply furrowed brow. In a few long strides, he was at her side, steadying her without giving her a chance to protest. His voice was full of obvious worry and frustration.

He was a classic overprotective brother—Si Tiantian was his precious little sister, the apple of his eye.

“Gege…” Si Tiantian immediately put on a pitiful expression, trying to play it down. “I’m fine. I just tripped and twisted it a little on the way home.” Her voice was soft and syrupy, full of the usual charm she used when acting spoiled.

“Just tripped?”

Si Lü raised an eyebrow. He knew his little sister too well—those shifty eyes meant she was definitely hiding something.

“Where did it happen? Who were you with? How bad is it? Let me see.”

He fired off questions like bullets, not giving her any chance to escape.

Si Tiantian was a little overwhelmed by her brother’s interrogative stance. Her eyes darted around nervously.

“Well… it was just at a classmate’s birthday dinner. I wore a new pair of heels I wasn’t used to, and I didn’t watch my step going down the stairs…”

As she spoke, she discreetly studied Si Lü’s expression.

He squatted down to examine her foot. It had clearly already been treated.

He carefully inspected the slight swelling and redness. Seeing that the injury wasn’t serious and didn’t affect the bone, he finally let out a small breath of relief.

He didn’t press her for more details about the gathering, but the look in his deep eyes darkened slightly. Clearly, he didn’t completely buy her story.

He helped Si Tiantian over to the soft sofa in the living room and gently seated her down. Then, turning to the butler, he instructed, “Uncle Wang, bring an ice pack.”

Watching her brother move so swiftly and efficiently, Si Tiantian’s eyes filled with warmth. She couldn’t help but smile and threw her arms around him playfully. “Gege, you’re the best! The best brother in the whole world!”

Si Lü was instantly disarmed by her flattery. He smiled softly and gently patted her head.

—

Top floor of Li Corporation, President’s Office.

Lin Ke had always been known for his astonishing efficiency. In just one night, a thick stack of detailed information was neatly laid out on the dark rosewood desk in front of Li Hanye.

“Sir, here’s the information you asked for,” Lin Ke said respectfully, standing to the side.

Li Hanye reached out and picked it up, flipping it open.

The first page was a formal ID photo of a girl.

In the picture, Si Tiantian wore a soft smile that curled naturally at the corners of her lips. Her brows arched sweetly, her face fresh and bare of makeup, yet so breathtakingly beautiful that it made one pause.

There was a strange and rare blend of purity and allure in her features—an unmistakable magnetism.

Li Hanye’s gaze lingered, his eyes seemingly glued to the image. His finger pads lightly traced the edge of the photo, absorbing the cool texture of the paper.

Si Tiantian—the little princess of the Si family in Jing City. The only daughter of her generation. She had been kidnapped as a child by enemies of the Si family and was thus tightly protected ever since, seldom appearing in public.

Nineteen years old, currently studying in the Chinese Department at Jinghua University, second year. Widely acknowledged on campus as a goddess. No boyfriend. The report also included a few candid snapshots—one of her glancing back beneath a ginkgo tree, one of her quietly reading in the library. Each one lively and full of spirit.

“So it is the Si family,” Li Hanye murmured. His voice carried little emotion, but his gaze grew even deeper and darker.

He recalled the first time they met—her eyes were slightly red with pain, yet she still stared at him stubbornly, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Those clear, misty eyes were like invisible hooks, subtly scratching at his heart, again and again. The lake of his heart—silent for 26 years—had finally stirred with ripples of something called losing control.

He slowly closed the dossier, the corner of his lips curling faintly. It was an almost imperceptible arc, yet it brimmed with dominance and possession.

Si Tiantian.

He tasted her name on the tip of his tongue. It sparked a shiver, like a faint electric current.

His.

The thought filled him with a strange, inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

—

The night was deep, the air thick with mist.

In the haze of sleep, the world faded away—except for the vivid image of Si Tiantian.

She was still in that pale silk spaghetti-strap dress, one porcelain foot slightly raised. The swelling around her ankle stood out starkly, pricking at his eyes like a thorn.

Uncontrollably, he walked toward her. His broad palm wrapped around that delicate foot.

Her skin was warm and smooth, carrying a faint, sweet scent unique to young girls. It spread from his palm straight into his chest.

He lowered his head, fingertips brushing softly against the tender skin of her ankle, feeling the light tremble beneath his touch.

“Don’t…” Si Tiantian’s voice was tinged with tears as she tried to pull her foot back. Her watery eyes flashed with embarrassment, a hint of frustration, and an almost imperceptible panic as she stared at him.

That look—like a startled deer—was filled with defiance and vulnerability. Like a feather, it brushed again and again at the very center of his heart.

But instead of letting go, he gripped her ankle even tighter—firm, yet not enough to cause her pain.

In his dream, he was bolder than in real life. More direct. More possessive.