---

38. Speed v+++

Chen Shuoyin loved reading supernatural and mystery novels and comics. In high school, she always had a few hidden under her desk. In college, she spent most of her time in the library, often borrowing suspense novels.

Hearing her nonsense, Pei Yu wasn’t surprised. Yet, a part of him wanted to know more—just like the strange and surreal dream he had, bizarre yet tugging at his subconscious desires.

Pei Yu met her gaze, his face brushing against her bright red lips, almost unintentionally. “You only just realized that I like you?”

“Don’t you think you realized it a little too late?”

Chen Shuoyin caught the faint scent of eucalyptus on him, like a warm sun cutting through the cold, dry air—comforting enough to make her linger. She hooked her arms around his neck and let out a soft laugh, though she wasn’t sure why.

“What do you think—” She let her face slide down, burying it in the crook of his neck. “Will I believe you?”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Pei Yu listened to her ever-changing logic and placed a hand on her waist, steadying her.

She bit down on the skin at his neck in frustration, like a little wolf gnawing on its prey, mumbling through her teeth, “You’re just trying to trick me.”

Her messy touches, nibbles, and movements sent Pei Yu’s thoughts spiraling. He pinched her waist lightly in warning.

Chen Shuoyin squirmed and let go of his neck, her fingers returning to the “scene of the crime” to gently stroke the bite mark. “Three years later, you bit me just like this. Consider it returned.”

Her repeated denials had almost put Pei Yu’s doubts to rest, but now he hesitated again.

His physicist friend, who was so obsessed with research that he had entrusted his girlfriend to Pei Yu’s care while heading to the U.S., was working on projects related to wormholes and black holes—scientific studies hinting at the possibility of time travel.

Pei Yu cupped her ear between his fingers, rubbing it absentmindedly. “How do you know about things that will happen in three years? Another prophetic dream?”

Chen Shuoyin, still dazed, leaned against his shoulder and shook her head slightly. “No, I lied about the prophetic dream.”

Pei Yu’s gaze darkened as he processed her words. “Hmm?”

“The film set caught fire. You were filming with Lingdang at the time. To save him, you got trapped in the fire,” she explained, grabbing his arm and flipping it over to roll up his sleeve, revealing an old bite scar on his wrist. “A reporter was injured during the incident. I was on my way to find you when I heard the news that you had burned to death. By the time I arrived, all I saw was your charred body.”

She trembled slightly, her lashes quivering with fear. “And then… I woke up three years later.”

Pei Yu listened to her calm and methodical explanation, his mind drifting back to the day of the fire.

Knowing how scared she was of dogs, he had sent his pet to a boarding kennel beforehand.

That was why he could rush to find her without hesitation.

If what she said was true, then the sudden and unexpected report that disrupted the filming and led to an investigation had been her doing.

Even though she knew about his supposed fate, she had still reached out from the shadows to save him.

A slow smile crept onto Pei Yu’s lips. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he lifted her onto his lap. “Chen Shuoyin.”

Even in broad daylight, he couldn’t get enough of her. “You like me too, don’t you?”

Chen Shuoyin let out a sharp laugh, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke. She propped her hands against his shoulders and met his gaze with clear, shining eyes. “You sound just like—”

“A bad singer forcing their way through a song—ridiculous.”

Her abrupt laughter and self-made metaphor instantly darkened Pei Yu’s face. In the dim light of the car, his expression grew colder, sending a chill down her spine.

“Pei Yu, want me to give you some advice?” Chen Shuoyin’s hand trailed down to his slim waist, her voice airy.

Pei Yu didn’t bother asking. He knew whatever advice she had wouldn’t be good, so he simply stared at her, waiting for her to speak.

The lingering bitterness of alcohol in her stomach made her queasy, but she forced the words out formally, “You and I are not from the same world. I apologize for cursing at you before. After the show, take care of yourself, find someone who truly loves you, and spend your life with them. And if, before that, I ever act out of line and try to take advantage of you, you must push me away—hard. Got it?”

Take advantage.

Pei Yu tilted his head, his sharp gaze locking onto her as he caught a glimpse of the marks she had left on his neck in the rearview mirror.

His throat bobbed as he unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, grabbing her hand and guiding it inside. The rustle of fabric accompanied his deliberate movements. His eyes darkened, thick with unspoken emotion. He let out a deliberate breath.

“What do we do now? You’re taking advantage of me.”

Chen Shuoyin stiffened, feeling his firm, toned muscles beneath her fingertips. His body was warm, every defined line drawing her in. Even the grooves of his abs seemed to hold onto her touch.

Her ears burned, her thoughts slowing down.

Following his lead, she murmured back, her voice soft and dazed, “What do we do?”

“I’ll teach you. How about that?” Pei Yu’s voice was deep, resonating against her ear.

But before she could react, he pulled her hand away, the sudden coolness making her feel empty.

She stared blankly at her palm.

Then, in the next moment, he guided her hand to his chest once more. Her waist, which had been braced against the steering wheel, was now pressed against his firm arm. His hand slid behind her head, pulling her down as he caught her lips in a fierce kiss. “Might as well make the mistake all the way.”

Chen Shuoyin’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden contact. She instinctively tried to seal her lips shut, but it was too late—Pei Yu nibbled at her lower lip, teasing, coaxing her open. His fingers tangled in her soft hair, pressing her head down as a shudder ran through her.

Her teeth ached from the force. He wasn’t the most skilled kisser, but his controlled aggression, his calculated push-and-pull, left her completely unguarded.

Their breaths mingled, the occasional scrape of lips and teeth sending shivers down her spine. She pushed against his chest at first, but soon, her limbs weakened. Oxygen dwindled, leaving her lightheaded.

“Mmh…”

Her fingers slackened, falling to her sides. Pei Yu seized the moment, deepening the kiss. The faint taste of honey lingered between them.

Sensing her shortness of breath, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, both of them panting.

Chen Shuoyin thought he must have lost his mind. As soon as she regained a sliver of clarity, she raised her hand to slap him—only for her wrist to be caught mid-air.

His sharp features were softened by the dim light, but his eyes burned with unreadable intensity.

“If you want to slap me, I won’t stop you,” he murmured, bringing her wrist to his lips. “I’m just afraid your hand will hurt.”

---