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At that moment, Xin Ling’s scalp went numb.
As she felt the man’s body gradually pressing closer, his burning lips seemed to fall against the side of her neck, trailing upward.
A faint, elusive touch, mingled with his breath, dyed the patch of her skin into a shimmering crimson.
It was beautiful, like a red plum blossom blooming on a winter branch, only to be beaten down by the wind and snow, fluttering helplessly onto the cold ground.
“What exactly do you want?”
Xin Ling shut her eyes, her voice carrying both fear and a helpless struggle she could not shake.
Sensing the girl’s trembling body beneath his palm, Lu Jinzhi leisurely lifted his head, his gaze fixed on her.
“I heard from Lu Qinghe that you want to replace your fiancé with me.”
“No.”
If she swapped him in, how could she complete her task?
Her immediate refusal caught Lu Jinzhi off guard. He let out a low chuckle, his mocking tone flowing slowly.
“Truly difficult for you, isn’t it? After sleeping with someone else, you’re still hung up on that little fiancé of yours, who does nothing but wallow among women.”
“What, aren’t you afraid that once he finds out you’ve been with another man, he won’t want you anymore?”
“Don’t tell him…”
The words struck her like a cat’s tail being stepped on. Panic surged in her bright eyes as she frantically grabbed his hand.
She shook her head desperately, pleading with her expression. “Please, don’t say it.”
“Please me?”
Lu Jinzhi raised a brow, his fingertip brushing the corner of her eye. His tone was gentle yet malicious.
“If you want to beg me, you’ll have to show some sincerity.”
“Just a few words won’t do. Otherwise, I can’t promise whose mouth he might hear it from next.”
“Tell me, am I right?”
“…Mm.”
The girl’s soft reply slipped out. Her delicate face grew even redder than before, burning fiercely, shamed beyond measure.
Biting her lip, after a long struggle, she finally raised her trembling hand, fingertips brushing his chest and slowly climbing upward.
She leaned in, nervously planting a light kiss on his lips.
Then, she immediately lowered her head, her voice quivering. “Is that enough?”
Her movements were clumsy, like someone uninitiated. Every part of her body was soft, filled with a sweet fragrance, like honey-wrapped sugar—utterly irresistible.
With a warm, fragrant girl in his arms, Lu Jinzhi was no Liu Xiahui; he would not sit upright and remain untouched.
“Of course…” He curled his lips meaningfully, the words falling as if to grant her hope. But just as light was about to ignite in her eyes, he continued.
“Not nearly enough.”
Xin Ling looked up in disbelief, but in the next instant, when her gaze met the predatory glint in his eyes, her limbs weakened, and she tried to escape.
He caught her, pinching her chin and pressing his lips against hers.
“If you want me to keep this secret…”
“You can—but you’ll have to make me satisfied.”
…
Xin Ling was kissed into a haze, and just as air returned to her lungs, the sound of a wrapper tearing reached her ears.
He had even prepared this…
Her thoughts scattered, her mind clouded.
Her slender jade fingers clenched tightly into the bedsheets, her fingertips flushing pink. Amid the ambiguity, a large hand seized her wrist, their fingers intertwining and sinking into the sheets.
Creak.
In the ancient manor-style corridor, a door opened.
First out was a man in a peaked-lapel, double-breasted black vest, paired with a crisp white shirt and matching suit trousers, his long legs straight and firm.
The man wore gold-rimmed glasses. His demeanor was calm and refined as he casually glanced inside.
“The hall is empty. You can come out now.”
“…”
After some hesitation, a fluffy little head poked out from behind him.
Xin Ling had just taken a step to leave when her wrist was suddenly seized.
“Don’t forget our agreement, Miss Xin Ling. Remember—you come whenever I call.”
“…Got it.”
Xin Ling glared at him in frustration, yanked her hand free, and turned on her heel.
Even as she walked away, her thoughts churned.
Not long ago, under his intimidation, she had been forced into his bed—
And it wasn’t even a paid arrangement, but free, at his beck and call!
The more she thought about it, the more suffocated she felt.
Her waist ached, her back throbbed, and her legs were weak…
This man was utterly shameless in bed, yet once dressed, he looked every bit the composed, ascetic heir to the Lu family.
How could anyone believe they were the same person?
Truly…
A wolf in gentleman’s clothing.
A hypocrite.
A beast in human attire.
Her slender back was straight, her pale neck and behind her ear still marked with the trace he had left.
So delicate, so frail—seemingly within his grasp. Yet she remained stubborn, fixated only on her playboy fiancé who changed girlfriends like clothes.
And why not him?
Watching her quicken her steps as though fleeing a venomous snake, Lu Jinzhi arched his brow and sneered.
So what if she refused? So what if she resisted? He could always use his methods to seize her, replacing her fiancé with himself.
Thankfully, the corridors were empty. Xin Ling returned to her room safely and exhaled deeply.
By all logic, her room was nowhere near Lu Jinzhi’s. How had she ended up on his turf after drinking last night?
Knock, knock—
Her thoughts broke off. She rose to answer the door.
“Aunt Ling, why are you here?”
At the door stood the housekeeper who had served the Lu family for decades. She was close to Xin Ling’s father and had looked after Xin Ling as well.
“Well? Did it work out last night?”
Closing the door behind her, Aunt Ling lowered her voice like a conspirator in a drama plotting against the heroine.
“What do you mean, Auntie?”
Xin Ling blinked, momentarily lost.
“My goodness, how forgetful can you be…”
The woman scolded gently before explaining, “You were drunk yesterday. I personally brought you to the young master’s room and only left after I saw you knock on his door.”
“What did you just say…?!”
๑ᵒᯅᵒ๑
So she hadn’t stumbled there on her own?
But wait—
The one she’d slept with… was Lu Jinzhi!