Chapter 28: Close Your Eyes

The delicate beauty let out an uncertain “Oh,” her voice trembling slightly. “Pei… Pei Heng…”

In her panic, she couldn’t even maintain her usual composed address of “Mr. Pei.”

Her beautiful eyes shimmered with unshed tears, long lashes quivering like a frightened bird. Her soft, misty voice carried a pleading tone that made one’s heart ache.

“Pei Heng, can you stay with me?”

The man gave her a deep look, his chiseled jaw tightening, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed.

He heard his own voice emerge, carefully masked with gentlemanly restraint.

“Wouldn’t that be too forward, Yaoyao?”

“No, no!”

Her voice wavered with a hint of desperation.

“Mr. Pei, please help me…”

—

The moment her back pressed against his broad chest, Jiang Yaoyao finally found the sense of security she had been yearning for.

She nestled into Pei Heng’s embrace like a fledgling seeking warmth, whispering her fears softly.

“Pei Heng, don’t you think this is too high? It feels like we’re two meters off the ground. If I’m not careful, I might fall… I’m a little scared…”

As soon as she finished speaking, a large hand wrapped firmly around her waist.

Under normal circumstances, such an intimate gesture would make her blush and feel self-conscious. But at this moment, all she felt was an overwhelming sense of safety.

The doe-eyed beauty obediently allowed the man to hold her.

If only Pei Heng could hold her even tighter.

The white horse that had been lazily strolling suddenly quickened its pace, its strides becoming longer and faster.

Its head lifted high, releasing sharp neighs, and even its movements became more erratic.

Jiang Yaoyao instinctively curled further into Pei Heng’s embrace.

Still not close enough.

What if it started running and threw her off?

She hesitated before shifting back slightly…

A muffled grunt came from behind her.

Jiang Yaoyao paused, perking up her ears to listen, but no other sound followed.

She was about to move again when she suddenly felt the arm around her waist tighten.

A husky voice, carrying a hint of something indescribable, sounded in her ear.

“Yaoyao.”

The delicate beauty tilted her head in innocent confusion.

But from this angle, she couldn’t see Pei Heng’s eyes—only hear his voice, now even lower.

“Don’t move.”

Jiang Yaoyao froze.

Realization dawned on her, and her face instantly flushed red. She wished she could disappear into thin air.

She tried to inch forward again, but perhaps her movement was too abrupt—her white horse suddenly let out a startled cry and bolted forward.

It moved so fast that Jiang Yaoyao had no time to react.

The violent jolts nearly threw her off the saddle.

Her heart pounded as she gripped the reins tightly, but the more tense she became, the harder she pulled—causing the horse to run even faster.

The fierce wind stung her eyes, blurring her vision. She didn’t dare loosen her grip, only blinking rapidly to clear her sight.

As if things couldn’t get worse, a tiny insect suddenly flew straight into her eye.

A sharp sting spread through her eye, the discomfort bringing a fresh wave of tears. She instinctively released one hand from the reins to rub her eye.

But whatever she did only seemed to further startle the horse. Perhaps it was the tightened reins, or maybe her posture had shifted—either way, the animal reared up violently, sending her airborne.

A sudden feeling of weightlessness overtook her, her body completely losing balance.

In the next instant, a strong arm firmly wrapped around her waist, pulling her back.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ve got you.”

His steady voice was so reassuring that she almost believed everything would be fine.

“Did something get into your eye?”

His tone remained unhurried, calm.

“Close your eyes, Yaoyao.”

Jiang Yaoyao obediently shut her eyes.

“Let go of the reins with both hands.”

“What happens next might scare you a little, but trust me—it’ll be over soon.”

Before she could react, she felt herself suddenly being flipped upside down.

The strong arm that had been holding her waist lifted her effortlessly, turning her in midair.

The next second, that familiar, comforting hand landed securely on her back.

His embrace was firm—so tight, it felt like he wanted to fuse her into his very bones.

Jiang Yaoyao’s small face was now pressed against Pei Heng’s chest. She squeezed her eyes shut, her trembling lashes betraying her unease.

Her slender arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if she wanted to embed herself into him.

Amidst her ragged breathing, she felt something cool brush against her ear. A wave of warmth followed as his breath caressed her skin.

“Trust me, Yaoyao.”

“You’ll be safe soon. Nothing will happen to you.”

“Hold on to me.”

Jiang Yaoyao clung to him even tighter, barely daring to breathe.

Her eye still stung, and the horse was running wildly.

Yet when Pei Heng’s voice sounded again, her heart settled slightly.

Pei Heng had that kind of presence.

As long as he was there, everything felt manageable.

Whatever he did, he always seemed in control.

Wherever he was, there was no need to worry.

Even just hearing his voice was enough to bring comfort.

She kept her eyes shut the entire time, her head never lifting—so she didn’t see the rigid line of Pei Heng’s lips.

He looked utterly different from his usual calm and composed self.

By all accounts, Pei Heng had tamed this horse long ago. It should not have gone wild like this.

Someone must have tampered with it.

The real question was—who had the audacity to do such a thing?

Another sharp neigh rang out as the horse raised its front hooves high, leaping over a fence and dashing out of the designated riding area.

A distant emergency bell rang, and the stable hands rushed toward them.

But it was too late.

This horse was an elite breed, chosen from thousands. It had exceptional speed and endurance.

Within moments, it had disappeared from sight.

But Pei Heng was still on its back!

Mr. Pei must not be harmed!

Several stable hands and personal bodyguards scattered in different directions, searching urgently.

By now, they had long left the designated track. The horse’s madness only intensified, and even Jiang Yaoyao, with her eyes shut, could sense something was wrong.

More than once, it attempted to throw them off.

If not for Pei Heng’s firm grip on both the reins and her waist, Jiang Yaoyao would have been thrown off already.

“Don’t look, Yaoyao.”

“Close your eyes.”

Pei Heng’s voice remained steady and composed.

Jiang Yaoyao clung to him, her arms trembling.

A sharp whinny pierced the air.

Something warm splattered onto her face.

She didn’t know how long had passed, but the horse finally began to slow.

Seizing the opportunity, Pei Heng swung his long legs over, holding her securely as he leaped off.

He shielded her head against his chest, protecting her completely.

The moment they hit the ground, a dull thud echoed.

Jiang Yaoyao gasped, sucking in a sharp breath.

Yet, aside from the initial fear of falling, she felt no pain—no discomfort anywhere.

Before she could even lift herself up, the man beneath her had already pulled her back into his arms.

His cool voice, tinged with uncharacteristic tension, murmured near her ear.

“Yaoyao.”

Jiang Yaoyao quickly lifted her head.

Just as she raised her helmet, a large hand cupped her cheek.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Pei Heng’s handsome, untroubled face suddenly filled Jiang Yaoyao’s vision. The little beauty, whose eyes were still misty with tears, stood frozen in place.

His sharply sculpted, handsome features were just as they had always been.

Except now, beneath his deep, narrow phoenix eyes, two drops of crimson blood clung to his skin.

Pei Heng’s complexion was cold and pale, his pupils dark and profound. The blood on his face, as red as cinnabar, added a touch of eerie danger to his striking appearance.

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

His long brows knitted together tightly, and an unhidden concern filled his deep, black eyes. His normally cold voice carried an unusual urgency.

“Did I scare you, Yaoyao?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Yaoyao—”

The large hand cupping the soft, delicate face trembled slightly. A shadowy, unreadable emotion flickered in Pei Heng’s gaze. His voice was tinged with pain as he murmured the name he had kept buried in his heart.

“Baby?”

The little beauty, whose eyes were still damp, finally reacted. She reached out with her delicate fingers and gently wiped the area beneath Pei Heng’s eye.

The thick droplet of blood smeared, spreading into a vivid crimson streak.

Pei Heng’s fingers paused, his half-lowered eyes shifting downward to his leg.

Blood had splattered onto his thigh, soaking into the black fabric, leaving behind a dark, ominous stain.

The heavy scent of blood clung to the air.

Lowering his gaze slightly, he noticed his other hand, hovering above the grass—completely drenched in blood.

Drip. Drip.

Thick, dark blood trickled down, pooling beneath him.

Pei Heng’s expression flickered for a moment. Then, without a word, he shifted his hand behind his back.

He didn’t want his little fairy to see him like this.

His Yaoyao should always be clean, untouched by the filth of this world.

She should be protected inside an ivory tower.

—

“As long as you’re okay.”

Pei Heng forced a reassuring smile, but before he could finish speaking, the smile froze on his face.

The little beauty, who had kept her long lashes lowered, pressed her red lips together. She reached out and grabbed the arm he had hidden behind him.

The sensation was like a delicate needle prick.

Not painful, but it set off alarms in his mind.

Pei Heng’s body stiffened as he tried to divert the topic.

“What’s wrong, Yaoyao? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

The little beauty bit her rosy lips, lifting her tear-soaked lashes. Her damp, shimmering eyes gazed at him directly.

Her voice was soft, yet heavy with unshed tears.

“Let me see.”

Pei Heng fell silent. “There’s nothing to see.”

But though her voice was gentle, her attitude was firm.

“Give it to me.”

Her watery eyes shimmered with tears, as if she had been deeply wronged.

And how could Pei Heng ever bear to see her feeling wronged?

His heart clenched at the sight of her.

His Yaoyao had always been afraid of him…

The fingers hidden behind his back curled into his palm, the slippery blood seeping between them.

Pei Heng let out a quiet sigh, about to reluctantly extend his hand when, unexpectedly, she lunged forward, knocking him to the ground.

Caught off guard, he was completely pushed down.

That delicate, beautiful face was suddenly inches away from his. In her wide apricot eyes, he saw nothing but surprise.

And then—

Soft, petal-like lips brushed against his chin.

Pei Heng’s entire body froze, stiff as a board.

He could clearly feel how incredibly soft the lips he had longed for were.

Even more clearly, he felt something even softer pressing tightly against his chest.

Their eyes met, both filled with equal shock.

Jiang Yaoyao hadn’t expected to be so reckless!

She had only wanted to see Pei Heng’s hand.

She hadn’t planned on pinning him down!

In a split second, like she had been burned by a spark, Jiang Yaoyao scrambled off of Pei Heng in a flurry of panic.

Thank goodness…

Thank goodness she had only accidentally touched his chin.

The villainous overlord’s first kiss was still intact.

Jiang Yaoyao instinctively wiped her mouth.

As she did, she glanced up—

The usually ruthless and menacing villain now seemed…

A little aggrieved??

Like a chaste noblewoman who had just been taken advantage of by a rogue, only to see the scoundrel wipe his mouth afterward, utterly heartless…

Jiang Yaoyao suddenly felt guilty.

She hurriedly apologized, obediently whispering, “Sorry,” while reaching out to wipe Pei Heng’s chin with the back of her hand.

After that, she dutifully helped him up.

Pei Heng sighed helplessly.

He simply let her do as she pleased.

Once she had pulled him upright, she didn’t forget her original intent. Wrapping both hands around his arm, she pulled his injured hand forward.

At just one glance, Jiang Yaoyao’s brows furrowed deeply.

His slender fingers looked as if they had been soaked in blood, the crimson staining even the crevices beneath his nails. The sharp, metallic scent of blood was overpowering and unpleasant.

The sight of his blood-covered hand was even worse.

Sinister.

Unrestrained.

Violent.

Pei Heng’s fingers curled slightly as he secretly observed Jiang Yaoyao’s expression. He spoke in a low voice, trying to explain himself.

“Today was a special case.”

“Yaoyao, I’m not actually like this. Normally, I would never—”

The little beauty didn’t even lift her lashes. She simply pulled a tissue from her pocket and gently began wiping his bloody hand. Her voice was soft and calm.

“I know what kind of person you are.”

From the moment she entered this world, she knew what kind of person Pei Heng was.

She had long ago decided—to cherish her life and stay far away from him.

But somehow…

Fate always seemed to entangle them together.

She didn’t understand why Pei Heng had confessed to her.

But—

He had saved her, again and again.

Jiang Yaoyao’s thick lashes fluttered as she carefully wiped the blood from his hand. The tissue alone wasn’t enough to fully clean it, but at least his hand wasn’t still bleeding.

Thankfully.

She sighed in relief.

Thankfully, Pei Heng hadn’t been hurt himself.

If he had been…

Her delicate lashes trembled slightly. Then, she heard the man’s voice, filled with curiosity.

“Yaoyao… are you worried about me?”