She stood there, her eyes darting around, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of her clothes, her heart filled with turmoil.

Soon, Li Tianyi noticed her hesitation. He knew that Xu Lan's situation was a trial given to him by Lin Yuan, but also an opportunity.

His actions became increasingly daring, as he removed his clothes piece by piece. With each piece he took off, Xu Lan's face grew paler.

Her heart was pounding like a drum, and Lin Yuan's words kept echoing in her mind, but her body seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move.

When Li Tianyi was left with only one piece of clothing, Xu Lan suddenly came to her senses. She pressed down hard on Li Tianyi's hand, her voice trembling, "No... don't continue."

Li Tianyi stopped what he was doing, but quickly regained his composure.

“Miss Xu Lan, if you are unwilling, you can say so directly. I will not force you.”

Xu Lan's face flushed instantly. She bit her lip, her heart filled with shame and indignation.

She felt that her feelings for Lin Yuan were those of a brother and sister, and she knew that Lin Yuan was a troublemaker.

But does Li Tianyi even respect me?

She took a deep breath, trying to appear calm: "Li Tianyi, what are your thoughts about me?"

Li Tianyi, however, seemed not to hear her words, and expressionlessly got up to wrap her in the blanket.

"Alright, Miss Xu, you must be tired! If you don't need any more service, I'll head out now."

He walked to the door, reached for the doorknob, but found the door was locked.

"What's going on?" Li Tianyi frowned, turned to look at Xu Lan, his eyes full of doubt.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Yuan's cheerful voice came from outside the door.

"Li Tianyi, you better behave yourself! Xia Qingxue is alone in the villa, I have to go back quickly. Sun Xinyi, come with me."

Xu Lan's heart sank when she heard Lin Yuan's voice.

Lin Yuan deliberately left Li Tianyi here, giving her a chance.

It's clear that Lin Yuan has always treated her like a younger sister.

The fact that I had developed feelings for Li Tianyi...

Haha, Brother Lin Yuan, that's really funny.

It turns out that Brother Lin Yuan had seen through it all along.

What a pity, Li Tianyi, such a loyal bodyguard...

He never reciprocated her feelings.

Lin Yuan's voice faded into the distance, finally punctuated by the sound of a door slamming shut.

Xu Lan stood rooted to the spot, her heart pounding like a drum.

Now, all we can do is wait for Li Tianyi to make a statement.

Xu Lan suddenly raised her head, her eyes flashing with an indomitable light, stubborn and determined.

"Li Tianyi, don't think I'll easily back down and admit defeat."

Her voice trembled slightly, yet carried an undeniable strength, "I...I admit, I like you, but you've never even looked at me properly."

Upon hearing this, Li Tianyi's body trembled slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before he quickly regained his composure.

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Oh? You like me? Then tell me, what exactly do you like about me?"

A silence filled the air, and complex emotions surged like a tide in the depths of Li Tianyi's eyes.

Xu Lan's eyes instantly welled up with tears, which silently slid down her cheeks. She choked back sobs, her voice barely a whisper: "Li Tianyi, I like you, I really like you. Even... even if Lin Yuan..."

At this point, her words came to an abrupt halt, as if she had too much emotion and bitterness to express.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still.

She didn't know how Li Tianyi would react, but she knew she had to seize this opportunity, even if it was just once.

Li Tianyi stood there, stunned, his eyes filled with shock.

He never imagined that Xu Lan would be so bold as to kiss him first.

His mind went blank, his body stiffened, and he was completely off guard.

Xu Lan's kiss was light, tinged with a tremor and shyness.

She could feel that Li Tianyi's lips were slightly cold, and he was obviously startled by this sudden action.

But she did not back down; she simply closed her eyes tightly, pouring all her emotions into that moment.

A few seconds later, Xu Lan slowly released Li Tianyi, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and unease as she awaited his reaction.

A complex expression flashed across Li Tianyi's face. The astonishment in his eyes slowly melted into a gentle smile. His lips parted slightly, but he seemed to be held back by some invisible force, unable to find the right words to express his feelings at this moment.

"I...I like you."

Xu Lan's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet it contained an undeniable determination.

At this moment, she revealed all her vulnerability and courage to Li Tianyi without reservation.

Li Tianyi remained silent for a moment, a struggle of indecision flashing in his eyes, like a candle flame flickering in the night, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

He slowly lowered his eyes, gently took Xu Lan's hand, and said in a low, tender voice, "Xu Lan, I... I don't know how to respond to you. I always thought you were just..."

He paused, seemingly searching for the most suitable word to fill the sudden emotional void.

A faint hint of disappointment flashed across Xu Lan's eyes, but it was gone in an instant. Then she resolutely raised her head, her eyes flashing with unyielding stubbornness.

"Li Tianyi,"

Her voice was gentle yet firm, “I did not embark on this path because of Lin Yuan’s arrangement. My feelings for you stem from the initial attraction I felt when we first met; they are very pure. I only wish that you can understand that my feelings are without any falsehood.”

Li Tianyi's gaze softened as he was touched by an invisible force. He exhaled softly, trying his best to digest the weight of Xu Lan's words.

His heart was in turmoil; he had never expected that Xu Lan's feelings would be so deep and passionate.

In her world, she plays such a different role.

He had always regarded her as an important person, but he had never seen the garden in her heart that bloomed only for her.

At this moment, this sudden confession filled him with complex emotions and a struggle to make a choice.

“Xu Lan, you’re very good, really very good. But give me some time.” Li Tianyi’s voice was low and serious. “I need time to sort out my feelings.”

Xu Lan nodded.

"I will wait for you."