Chapter 2: Is Yaoyao a Little Liar?

A low, deep breath brushed past her ear, its trailing tone curling with lazy amusement.

Dangerous and alluring.

The nervous little beauty pursed her plump, rosy lips, her dense lashes fluttering a few times, radiating fragile helplessness.

This must be a threat!

Jiang Yaoyao quickly glanced at the man with her tearful eyes before lowering her head just as swiftly, narrowly dodging his attempt to pat her on the head.

It’s over, over, over!

He’s going to kill me!

The book said the villainous overlord was hypersensitive and distrustful, his mind full of intricate schemes. Perhaps due to his experiences, he trusted no one.

After the original character’s attempt at seduction and betrayal, no matter how much she explained, he probably wouldn’t believe her.

Maybe he’s playing cat-and-mouse, watching me struggle before my end.

That sharp, gleaming knife would probably stab her in just a few seconds.

She tried inching backward, but Pei Heng’s arm had somehow draped loosely around her waist, effortlessly holding her in place.

No escape. No hiding. Her life was forfeit.

As a wealthy heiress, Jiang Yaoyao had never faced a scene like this. She had been well-protected since childhood and had never experienced anything as life-threatening as being held at knifepoint.

Her hair was lightly brushed, making her whole body stiffen. The taut string in her mind nearly snapped.

She blurted out, “Mr. Pei, I’m not actually Jiang Yaoyao. I—”

His long, pale fingers lightly pressed against her lips, his steady, cool woody scent filling her senses. The little beauty stared blankly at his suddenly enlarged, handsome face and closed her mouth.

“You are Jiang Yaoyao.”

His voice was low, carrying a mesmerizing allure.

“From now on, you are Jiang Yaoyao. Remember that?”

The little beauty instinctively nodded.

The man’s lips curved slightly. For the first time since their meeting, he showed a trace of joy.

“Our Yaoyao, did you come for me?”

His deep, enigmatic black eyes fixed directly on her, fully reflecting her image. His gaze could easily be mistaken for deep affection.

In the dark night, the crystal chandelier cast a warm glow, stretching the autumn night endlessly.

For a moment, as their eyes met, everything else seemed to fade away. The whole world retreated, leaving just the two of them.

After a sigh, the arm around her waist tightened slightly, pressing her head against the villain’s chest.

Pei Heng had recently showered, and his body carried a faint coolness. The neckline of his bathrobe shifted slightly with his movements, revealing bare skin that her palm accidentally touched.

Her cheeks flushed again, and her mind grew even more muddled.

Is there this much foreplay before turning someone into a lantern?

This villainous overlord is… unusually patient.

Was it just her imagination, or did the villain seem a bit gentle at the moment? After holding her briefly, he let her go.

The dagger she had feared so much was put away. Pei Heng pressed a button, his tone returning to its indifferent calm.

“Let them in.”

Jiang Yaoyao’s heart trembled. Her thick lashes fluttered nervously as she glanced toward the door.

“Scared?” The man seemed to read her thoughts.

The little beauty nodded obediently, her tear-filled eyes glistening pitifully.

“Are you going to turn me into a lantern?”

Pei Heng was puzzled and asked gently, “What lantern?”

Jiang Yaoyao couldn’t bring herself to explain. She just shook her head and took a few steps back, putting some distance between them.

Pei Heng stared at her for a moment. A flicker of understanding crossed his eyes.

His little fairy seemed to know him very well.

If the person standing here had been that foolish woman, her reaction would indeed align with his typical approach.

Pei Heng’s eyes curved slightly, hiding his inner darkness. His naturally good looks, coupled with his deliberate pretense, made him appear even more gentle and refined.

Feigning ignorance, he changed the subject:

“Yaoyao likes lanterns? Then let’s buy some tomorrow, okay?”

Jiang Yaoyao shook her head frantically.

Pei Heng, undeterred by her refusal, continued to smile softly at his little fairy.

“Then what does Yaoyao like? Whatever it is, I’ll do my best to get it for you. Okay?”

Watching Pei Heng’s change in demeanor, the little beauty pressed her lips together and gathered her courage to ask:

“Can I really ask for anything I want?”

The man nodded.

Jiang Yaoyao took another breath of courage and shuffled half a step toward the door.

“Mr. Pei, I want to go home.”

Pei Heng’s gaze flickered.

There was a knock on the door. A private bodyguard in uniform stepped in and spoke in a low, gruff voice:

“Sir, you called?”

Pei Heng turned to him, his expression calm once again. “Go have them bring Miss Jiang some late-night snacks.”

The sound of the closing door and retreating footsteps faded, leaving the aloof man looking at the wary little beauty with warmth in his voice.

“Alright, you can go home.”

“Didn’t have a proper dinner, did you? You must be hungry. This hotel is famous for its late-night snacks. Why don’t you try some to fill your stomach before you leave?”

“I’ll take you home after we eat.”

Reassured by the villain’s promise, the little beauty finally felt a little at ease.

She sat on a mustard-yellow sofa, dressed in a white gown. Her fair, delicate skin and ethereal demeanor made her look like a masterpiece crafted by the hands of God.

Pei Heng wasn’t hungry, but he knew Yaoyao was afraid of him. If he didn’t eat, she’d likely suspect the food was tampered with and eat hesitantly, unable to enjoy it.

So, he casually picked up his chopsticks and sampled every dish. The pair of eyes fixed on his mouth didn’t relax until she saw him swallow.

“The bird’s nest soup here is quite good. They use premium ingredients and simmer it gently over low heat, making it fresh and smooth. Would you like to try some, Yaoyao?”

Sitting on the sofa, the little beauty pressed her lips together and nodded.

Her life was in his hands; she had no room to refuse.

The villain sitting across from her watched her with a faint smile, silently observing his “little fairy.”

She seemed like someone crafted perfectly to his tastes—flawless in every way.

Even her eating was delicate and elegant.

She took small, slow bites, holding the enamel spoon with her slender fingers. Her thin, fragile frame leaned against the backdrop of endless darkness, like a radiant little moon that evoked deep pity.

Pei Heng had many questions he wanted to ask—where she came from, what she knew, whether she remembered him…

But his Yaoyao was too guarded. The way she looked at him was like a frightened rabbit, her clear, beautiful eyes brimming with fear.

That gaze melted his ice-cold heart.

There was plenty of time to ask later.

As the clock’s minute hand neared a full circle, the life-on-the-line Jiang Yaoyao finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Pei Heng said he was going to change clothes and would personally take her home.

Jiang Yaoyao exhaled in relief.

Taking her home wasn’t the same as sending her to her doom.

Does this mean she’d be safe after tonight?

In the original story, Jiang Yaoyao was just a minor, expendable supporting character, with little connection to the main plot.

As long as she quietly played her role and stayed away from the protagonists, she should be able to live peacefully.

Her phone buzzed twice in her hand, and a message popped up:

[Wei Changze: What’s taking you so long? Why haven’t you started yet? The reporters are getting impatient!]

A scumbag was a scumbag, even his punctuation was annoying.

Her pale fingers swiped across the screen, intending to block him, but before she could, clear footsteps sounded from the other side of the room.

Jiang Yaoyao looked up, and a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes.

Pei Heng had deep, noble features—phoenix eyes, a high nose, thin lips. His striking appearance was utterly captivating to any beauty enthusiast.

The silver-gray shirt he wore suited him well, complementing his tall, perfectly proportioned frame.

But his powerful aura was oppressive, making even his handsome face feel intimidating.

Yes, he was good-looking. But he was also undeniably insane—not someone she could afford to provoke.

The little beauty, with her red lips and dark hair, quietly looked away.

The crisp footsteps approached, accompanied by the faint, cool woody scent that surrounded her.

The light from a luxury watch on his wrist refracted brightly as he draped a jacket over her shoulders.

Jiang Yaoyao froze.

“It’s cold outside, and the wind is strong,” he said, his voice deep and calm.

Then, taking her wrist, he gently held it in his warm palm.

The heat from his touch spread to her wrist, leaving her slightly numb. The little beauty’s lashes quivered, and her cheeks reddened as she tried to push his hand away.

“Yaoyao,”

Pei Heng called her name, his tone soft and lingering.

“You just said you admired me. Are you a little liar, Yaoyao?”