born

banquet

"I didn't!" I raised my hand to explain, "I just..."

Why not go? A crazy idea suddenly popped into my head!

Could someone be monitoring Lin Jindong? He's so smart, what would he do if he discovered someone was secretly watching his every move?

I lifted my long eyelashes and looked intently at Lin Jindong. In his eyes, I looked pure and innocent, like a tender flower bud, forever delicate and needing the protection of a man like him.

Since that's what he thinks... I'm in a state of confusion right now. All I know is that I want to live, and I want to leave safely with Yu Xu. So I have to rely on these arrogant and proud young people to find out who's been watching me.

"I agreed." Lin Jindong's thin lips curved into a smile.

Back in his car, he drove towards his high-rise apartment building. I hugged my soft coat tightly in the back seat.

Yu Xu said I looked like a fluffy little lamb in this outfit, and I've always liked it.

But now, I feel like a lamb with no control over its own destiny.

My every move is controlled by men I dislike or even fear, leaving me powerless to resist.

The temperature inside the car was very comfortable. I buried my head in my coat, trying to glean a bit of Yu Xu's scent from it, almost as if I were deceiving myself.

He had just washed this coat for me not long ago, and it was hanging in the closet. I had originally planned to wear it with him for Christmas, but as I thought about it, I couldn't hold back my tears, and they started falling again. The coat was quickly soaked with tears.

I didn't even notice when the car stopped. I just looked up through my teary eyes and saw Lin Jindong frowning almost imperceptibly. "Being with me is making you suffer. I might as well take you to Ye Fenglin now."

"..." No. I shook my head, got out of the car, and took the initiative to show weakness. I grabbed his shirt sleeve from behind, and Lin Jindong's gaze lingered on my face for a long time. His eyes concealed a sharp edge.

“Follow me,” he said, his voice deep and resonant, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

I then took a closer look at the apartment in front of me. The facade was classic, the main entrance was not large, and the awning was black. The lobby was directly accessible from the underground parking lot. The double-height design made the space spacious and bright, and the design felt very natural.

Unlike the all-glass-facade apartments where Xie Yong and Ye Fenglin lived, the entire building was low-key and composed.

Lin Jindong's home is on the top floor. He opened the door with his fingerprint, and the voice-activated lights in the entire room automatically turned on, from the entrance hall to the corridor and all the way to the bedroom door. At a glance, the decoration is modern and elegant, mainly in dark gray tones, and the view is very open.

I changed my shoes and looked around carefully. There were still traces of a girl living in the room. Given Lin Jindong's age, it wasn't surprising that he had women he was dating or in contact with.

Some of the furniture and artwork hanging on the walls looked beautiful, with a girlish aesthetic that added a touch of softness to the room, which looked somewhat cold.

"You'll stay here." He led me to the bedroom and opened the door. The style was gentle and understated, with warm-toned off-white floors, milk-colored leather sofas, and a clean, bright atmosphere.

I was a little surprised and asked him, "Where is the person who lives here? Where did she go?"

"You mean Zhi'en?" Lin Jindong leaned against the side, his figure extremely handsome and tall. "She occasionally comes to stay overnight here. Usually, it's just me. But I've prepared quite a few things for her here, you should be able to use them too."

"It's not convenient for me to touch Miss Lin's things," I told him hesitantly.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll buy her new things you’ve used.” He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I suddenly realized that Lin Jindong was also a character the "game" had prepared for Lin Zhi'en. He appeared strong and calm, but he actually cared about Lin Zhi'en. Meanwhile, I was still deluding myself, worrying that Lin Jindong liked me.

Before I could even say thank you, Lin Jindong had already left. I looked around the room with curiosity. The design was very gentle, everything was from high-end brands with exquisite craftsmanship, and there was also a huge walk-in closet and bathroom.

On the dressing table, there are also many high-end cosmetics and makeup products.

The clothes in the walk-in closet are mostly elegant suits or beautifully tailored long dresses, which are very suitable for a gentle and noble rich girl like Lin Zhi'en.

There were only a few clothes hanging in the corner: loose pullover sweatshirts, sports jackets, jeans... and some childish, preppy clothes, which didn't seem to appeal to Lin Zhi'en.

There were also some overly revealing silk nightgowns with only two thin straps, the tags still on, which Lin Zhi'en seemed to have never worn. I hesitated for a moment, not daring to touch the clothes that belonged to Lin Zhi'en, and only took these that she didn't like, barely managing to get through the night.

I took a quick shower and changed into my nightgown. It was very revealing, exposing large areas of my fair skin.

My face flushed slightly. I would only dare to wear such an overly revealing nightgown when playing games with Yu Xu.

Fortunately, no one was in the bedroom. I sat in front of the dressing table, did a quick skincare routine, and then quickly shrunk into the bed covered with a silk-textured quilt.

The room has an automatic temperature control. In the middle of the night, I felt a bit cold and my throat was a little sore, so I subconsciously got out of bed to drink some warm water.

I pushed open the bedroom door, walked down the hallway, found a cup in the semi-open kitchen, filled it with warm water, and turned around to find that the light in the study was still on. It was already past 2 a.m.! I was somewhat surprised and curious.

The study was filled with books, files, and various materials.

The young man sat at a desk by the floor-to-ceiling window, his long legs crossed, his posture relaxed. He looked at the computer in front of him, a cigarette between his fingers, his posture relaxed, and the faint white smoke rose and dispersed with the movement of his Adam's apple, but his sharp black eyes were fixed on the screen.

Looking at that handsome face with its distinct features, and that aloof and unapproachable demeanor, I couldn't help but think, "So, his attitude towards me really is quite patient..."

Lin Jindong was very vigilant. Hearing the noise at the door, he immediately looked up at me.

There was even a deep-seated hostility in his eyes and brows, and a fleeting glimpse of his desire for me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you, it's just that the room is a bit cold." I quickly put down my cup and explained to him.

He was still staring at me, his sharp gaze almost tangible. I saw a nervous and flustered girl reflected in the floor-to-ceiling window of his room. She had long, black hair, snow-white skin with a hint of pink, and was wearing a nightgown with two thin straps hanging from her shoulders.

My face flushed uncontrollably, and feeling an intense urge, I quickly lowered my head and simply told him, "It's too late, you should rest."

I rushed back to the bedroom, relieved. He probably hadn't seen clearly; under Xia's nightgown, there was practically nothing underneath. Right now, I really missed my giant teddy bear at home; at least I could cuddle it while I slept.

I drifted off to sleep, and it felt like my brown teddy bear had returned to my side. It was warm and cozy, and I couldn't help but hug it tightly. That night was very comfortable for me. No one I was afraid of was watching me, and I felt completely enveloped in soft, comfortable blankets, sleeping soundly until dawn.

A little after seven in the morning, I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I did after getting up was to wash up and change out of this nightgown. In the corner of the walk-in closet hung a light blue shirt and a knee-length pleated skirt. I took them, changed, put on stockings, and went to the mirror.

With my long, wavy hair cascading down my shoulders, I took a silk hair tie and tied it up before leaving the bedroom.

A delicious aroma of food wafted over.

The man in the center of the kitchen must have just returned from a morning run. He was still wearing a loose gray sports jacket, with a section of his ankle showing under his sports pants. At first glance, he was tall and upright, slender and graceful, with a great figure. No woman would dislike him.

"You're awake." Lin Jindong looked at me, his expression somewhat lazy.

Before I could respond, he said, "I've made breakfast. I have to go to work. Just leave it there after you finish eating. A housekeeper will come and clean it up."

I nodded and raised my hand to tell him, "I understand, Mr. Lin."

"Mr. Lin?" The man's expression changed; his previous casual banter was gone. He met my gaze for a moment. "You can call me something else..."

"elder brother."

Lin Jindong's tone, like his personality, was assertive, calm, and left no room for argument.

I froze, staring blankly at him. I had thought that Lin Zhi'en was the only sister he truly loved, but then I realized he must have considered Lin Zhi'en as someone he liked to treat me, who was even younger, as his sister. Having a smart prosecutor as a friend wouldn't be bad for me or Yu Xu. After thinking about it, I calmly accepted the title.

I gestured, "Okay... thank you... Brother Lin."

I pulled out a chair and sat down at the table.

A very light breakfast: oatmeal porridge, French toast, chicken sandwich, and fruit salad.

These men at the top of the pyramid are very strict about their physique and diet. Their refrigerators are filled with nothing but mineral water and soda water. They eat only fitness meals for breakfast and dinner, which are vegetarian and bland.

Lin Jindong returned to his room, changed his clothes, and put on a sharp black suit, highlighting his elegant shoulders and neck. @Unlimited great articles, all at Literary City

He called to me, "Xiao Fu, help your brother tie his tie."

I put down my knife and fork, obediently stood up, and took the narrow-brimmed tie from his hand. I stood on tiptoe, which was a bit difficult, as he was very tall.

"Lower your head." I gestured to him, placing my hand on his shoulder.

Lin Jindong leaned down to look at me. The perfume he wore smelled of a cool, bitter lemon scent—cold and mature.

It felt like I was surrounded.

I paused, trying to ignore these things.

The tie slipped under his shirt and was then expertly fastened. The last thing I noticed about him was the Pomellato cufflinks on his shirt sleeve.

"Thank you, Xiao Fu," Lin Jindong whispered in my ear.

I couldn't help but look up, and the man was looking down at me.

"Listen to your brother, and stay away from Ye Fenglin." He left with his final warning.

@Unlimited great articles, all at Literary City

I simply told him I had to go to class today. He smiled and walked out the door. I breathed a slight sigh of relief, and while eating my sandwich, I silently analyzed my behavior from last night until just now. I was weak, pitiful, and also very obedient.

Lin Jindong's desires weren't deeply suppressed; a man of his stature didn't need to act too gentlemanly towards me.

Even if he has feelings for Lin Zhi'en, it doesn't stop him from having some "interest" in me.

From the time I became aware of myself until now, I have never pursued a man, let alone actively flirted with anyone. I don't know if my actions are enough to arouse a man's interest in me. I don't need him to love me; I just need him to maintain this ambiguous relationship with me.

I can hide under his protection and gain a little bit of safety for myself and Yu Xu, until I find the secret of the game's "repeating loop" and the spy hiding in the shadows.

As for attending classes, I wasn't lying.

To make it more believable that I had "fallen in love" with Ye Fenglin, I spent over ten thousand yuan to enroll in a dating tutorial course taught by a YouTuber.

The blogger comes from a small town in California and has a very ordinary background.

After graduating from university, she came to work in the Empire State, initially as an assistant at an auction house.

She first dated a Wall Street venture capitalist to enter high society, then dumped him and started dating the second son of an old money family.

At the same time, he also dated a young entrepreneur who had founded an IT company and graduated from a prestigious university.

With the help of these men, she established her own studio and worked in art appreciation. Currently, she is married to a wealthy man who is decades older than her, and he even has a son.

But those men admired and were infatuated with her, and would occasionally ask her to relive their past romances.

The blogger occasionally shares paid videos on YouTube, teaching people how to attract men. Her success story has inspired many girls from small towns to dream of becoming "Cinderellas," wanting to be like her, successfully transcend social class, and find a devoted, handsome, and wealthy man.

I listened attentively to the lectures, studied diligently, and took notes, preparing to test each of them on Ye Fenglin.

Last night before going to bed, I had a video call with the blogger. When she learned that I was also a student in the art department of a state university, she said that we were very destined to meet, and that she was my senior. She then invited me to attend the art exhibition this morning.

At 10 a.m., in the West District, a beautiful new building stands by the street, with lifelike reliefs bearing the name of the New World Art Museum.

I had already gotten the tickets through the blogger and entered the art museum. The venue was bright and simple, full of artistic atmosphere. The paintings and architecture were clearly carefully selected, combining themes and exuding a strong artistic atmosphere, with beautiful snow mountain roses adorning the walls everywhere.

"Is that Xiao Fu?" I heard a woman's voice behind me, elegant and melodious.

I turned around and there stood a beautiful woman. She wore a Dior dusty pink silk gown, and as she walked, straps wrapped around her slender, white ankles, she wore delicate high heels, had brown curly hair, a very slim and healthy body, and an extremely elegant posture.

As for her appearance, that's not her most attractive feature.

"My name is Gu Yu." The woman reached out her hand to me. "I've been looking at you for a long time. It's rare to see such a beautiful girl."

I pursed my lips, feeling a little embarrassed by such a straightforward compliment.

She slowly walked to my side. "Don't be shy. I can tell whether you're a natural beauty or not with just one glance. Your height, bust shape, waist-to-hip ratio, and the perfect balance of your body and bones can't be achieved simply through exercise and plastic surgery."

The woman spoke in a gentle tone, smiling as she said to me, "Many people dream of going from a small-town girl to a rich city heiress like me, but not everyone has the ability to do it. Fairies help Cinderella win over the prince, but Cinderella has to be pretty enough, right?"

I didn't know how to respond, so Gu Yu smiled and said, "You seem very interested in these things. Why don't I introduce them to you first?"

As Gu Yu introduced the paintings in the exhibition area to me, she asked me curiously, "How far have things progressed with the young master you're pursuing?"

I took out my phone and typed it out to her.

I kissed him, but he has someone he likes, someone who is his equal in social standing and they grew up together. I don't want her to like me back; I just hope he won't drive me away. I want to stay by his side.

"Hahaha." Gu Yu suddenly laughed, his elegant demeanor vanishing, replaced by a more genuine one. "As expected of a man, what he does in his heart and what he holds in his hands are never just one person."

Realizing her lapse in composure, she suppressed her smile, pressed her finger to her lips, and said coldly, "Xiao Fu, if you truly love someone, it's exclusive. If he's kissing you while having someone else in his heart, that's not love."

I remained silent. Gu Yu said, "Okay, I have to tell you. When you're with a man, never show too much enthusiasm. Be hot and cold for a while, then cold and warm for a while, so that he won't lose interest in you too soon. Instead, he'll start to wonder what you're thinking."

Gu Yu was like an older sister to me, and she told me everything she knew.

I couldn't remember, so I simply picked up my notebook and wrote down everything she said. She smiled again and patted my head.

"Honey, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you for ages." A voice came from afar.

I turned around, and behind a group of bodyguards in black suits was a slightly older man.

He has maintained his figure very well, and although his face shows signs of aging, you can still tell from his features that he was very handsome when he was young.

Beside the man was a boy who seemed to be a little younger than me.

This person was dressed casually in such an artistic setting, wearing a black windbreaker and a hat. He was tall and thin with broad shoulders and long legs, and his sneakers were ridiculously expensive.

With a crossbody sports bag slung over his shoulder, he exudes a refreshing youthful vibe.

Gu Yu regained her gentle expression and rushed into the man's arms, her voice full of surprise: "Sir, you brought Xu Ya to support me too? I'm so surprised."

An older man and a younger woman—a couple that is quite common in high society—seems to be more loving than others.

The boy clicked his tongue in disdain.

He looked away in disgust, and our eyes met.

Beneath the brim of his hat, he had a pair of beautifully shaped eyes, like a cat's, yet they exuded a cold and aloof aura. His facial features were smooth yet sharp, his gaze intense, and his presence icy. Just one glance was enough for me to see the look of dislike he was giving me.

"Xu Ya, Xiao Fu is my junior from school. You should spend time with her." Gu Yu's voice came from afar. She took her husband's arm, and the two of them walked into the next exhibition hall. Only the boy and I were left, separated by a great distance.

He was silent for a moment, and I saw his long, thick eyelashes droop slightly.

Xu Ya's slender wrist bones were visible at the cuffs of his coat. His skin was very fair, and his bones were beautifully and perfectly formed. He wore a white wristband on his wrist.

Suddenly I remembered who this person in front of me was.

Last year, the Ivy League basketball finals were held at the state university's basketball court. This game was just as popular as a football or ice hockey game, with a huge crowd. The university had to hire a large number of volunteers to maintain order and keep an eye on the players, including myself.

I'm a volunteer for the Imperial University basketball team. Coincidentally, Xu Ya was a star player who was recruited by the captain from another club not long after he enrolled.

He has the appearance of a model, with clear and three-dimensional facial features and a tall and handsome figure, but he has an amazing talent for basketball. In defense, offense, and teamwork, Imperial University's momentum was unstoppable in the first two quarters because of him.

During the break, I noticed that he looked very pale and his eyes were a bit unfocused. I immediately realized that he was probably lacking energy, and he also liked to make fancy passes like those in street basketball, which put a lot of strain on his wrists.

He was just an eighteen-year-old college freshman, practically a junior. I quickly grabbed a bottle of mineral water and brought it to him.

He looked up at me, and I took off my wristband, which was a bit too big for me, and gave it to him, hoping he would take good care of his body. Even if he doesn't become a professional athlete in the future, his reckless playing style is putting a lot of strain on his body.

Xu Ya accepted it.

Imperial University maintained a commanding lead in the final two quarters.

Xu Ya restrained himself a bit and wasn't as impulsive, but he was undoubtedly the most dazzling player in the entire game. Not only did Imperial University win the game, but he was also the most dazzling new star in this game.

After the game, I sent my real-time location to Yu Xu, waiting for him to pick me up later.

To my surprise, the boy who should have been celebrating the victory with his teammates and alumni appeared silently in front of me. Water droplets streamed down his chin, which was still covered by a bandage. He was only wearing Imperial University's iconic orange and dark blue tracksuit, and his calf muscles were slightly bulging.

"Here you go." His voice was deep and clear as he handed me the bouquet of flowers and the newlyweds' trophy.

I blinked, and just then Yu Xu called my name from behind. I turned around, smiled, and waved to Yu Xu.

"Your boyfriend?" he asked, and I nodded.

The young man's brows furrowed slightly in surprise, but he quickly regained his calm composure, turned around, and left with the words, "I wish you happiness."

In the shadows, out of sight, I saw him throw the bouquet and trophy into the trash can together.

As the memory ended, I was suddenly struck by those dark, fierce eyes, and I still felt somewhat incredulous.

I had only met him once, but in my memory he was taciturn and didn't talk much. However, his obvious dislike surprised me and made me feel a little sad.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want?" Xu Ya suddenly grabbed my wrist, her voice tinged with anger.

I quickly shook my head; I had no idea what the source of the boy's sudden anger was.

Moreover, he was incredibly strong. In just a short while, a red mark appeared on my wrist. His fierce strength seemed to be crushing me.

It hurts so much... Tears welled up in my eyes. Xu Ya's frantic urge to bite me to death seemed to have subsided a bit. He loosened his grip, but he didn't seem to intend to let me go.

"Xu Ya!" Gu Yu's voice and the sound of her high heels came from afar, getting closer and closer. She seemed to see the tense scene and, disregarding the elegant and quiet etiquette of the art museum, hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

The boy then released me with a dark expression.

"Stay away from her," he warned me one last time, then resumed his indifferent demeanor, looked at Gu Yu with cold eyes, and left.

Gu Yu's face showed anxiety.

She watched Xu Ya leave helplessly and apologized to me, "I'm sorry, Xiao Fu. He's my husband's child. Perhaps he can't accept that my husband and I got married, because his attitude has always been very sharp."

I gently bit my lip.

Gu Yu then asked, "Did he hurt you?"

I quietly hid my hand and shook my head with a smile.

Gu Yu felt very apologetic towards me. Before leaving, she even gave me a painting by one of my favorite artists. We added each other as friends before I took a taxi to the hospital.

From the lobby to the ward, I silently counted the cameras I would encounter along the way and memorized their locations. Yu Xu's special care ward was in the middle of the third floor, while Ye Fenglin's was on the second floor. Along the way, there were more than twenty cameras, and my every move was being silently monitored.

I cannot visit Yu Xu without a reason. As for the doctors and nurses at the Imperial Hospital, I don't trust them at all.

I need to figure out a way to sneak up to the third floor without being monitored.

I stood in front of Ye Fenglin's hospital room and felt that it was unusually quiet here today. Could it be that Ye Fenglin had gone out?

I quietly pushed open the door. Outside was a rest area, and as I went further in, I heard strange noises.

"Huff...huff...damn it...don't kiss me." Ye Fenglin's voice had never been so hoarse, as if he had two layers of fire in his heart and body, but also a kind of extremely secretive...

I glanced over and saw his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. His expression seemed to be one of deep concentration, his reason being repeatedly tormented and struggling.

In front of him lay the delicate and pure jasmine flowers I had brought yesterday.

A lump formed in his hand.

Ye Fenglin seemed to be in a dream, yet also seemed to be awake, uttering extremely seductive words, "Your place is so beautiful... Can I kiss it, please..."

I wasn't oblivious; my face flushed red, realizing he was trying to reassure me. I quickly took several steps back and left the ward. I found a bench outside, sat down, and the cold breeze on my face calmed me down.

Lu Qixi and I occasionally discuss these kinds of suggestive topics.

For example, let's objectively compare how we can be happier, or the frequency of our interactions with our boyfriends, and also, when we're not feeling well, our boyfriends should find ways to make themselves happy.

I don't know how Ye Fenglin is doing right now, but I estimated it based on the time it took for Jiang Mingzhuo to arrive, and then I went back to the ward.

He had just come out of the bathroom when he saw me with his uninjured hand, which clenched into a fist. Outside the bathroom door, the maids from the house were putting away his hospital gown and underwear, which were sticky and messy. Fortunately, the maids were quick, and in no time, the room was back to its tidy state.

"Who told you to come in without knocking?" Ye Fenglin's attitude worsened, his face a mixture of shame, anger, and rage as he glared at me. @Unlimited great articles, all at Literary City

I lowered my gaze, took out my phone, and sincerely apologized to him, "I'm sorry... I just wanted to see if you were feeling any better today."

Ye Fenglin's brows furrowed coldly. I followed the instructions taught in the course, slightly raised my eyes, and looked at him innocently.

He bit his lip, his face turning completely red.

"Young Master Ye, may we come in?" A polite knock sounded at the door. Ye Fenglin casually hummed in response. Professionally dressed luxury brand staff pushed in a mobile coat rack, which contained clothes from popular luxury brands.

Among the staff were the store manager and the older women I knew.

They were happy to see me. "Xiao Fu, what are you doing in the hospital? Are you feeling better?"

Feeling a little embarrassed, I quickly picked up my phone and said, "Yes, I'm much better. Thank you for your concern."

"That's good. Don't rush back to the store. Come back when you've recovered," the store manager said to me, which made me feel even more guilty. I told her that I would go back to work at the store as usual next week.

The servant in Ye Fenglin's household coughed lightly.

The store managers then realized what had happened, and I felt a little embarrassed. The clothes included both women's and men's styles, and they had assumed that the customers they were supposed to serve included not only Ye Fenglin but also me.

I quickly shook my head. The shop manager and the other women came to Ye Fenglin's side and picked out a black pinstripe shirt for him, with the collar open.

His hand was injured, so they were very careful when helping him get dressed. A moment later, the stylist entered and began to style his hair, combing it all back to reveal his handsome face with bright eyes and prominent eyebrows. Ye Fenglin's entire face had beautiful, delicate features, especially his slightly upturned eyes, which were very expressive.

Cufflinks, watch, accessories, shoes... everything was prepared to his satisfaction, and Ye Fenglin finally showed the familiar smile I knew. He smiled and said, "Thank you for coming to the hospital to help me. I will have them calculate your salary at three times the normal rate this time."

He has an unpredictable temper, but overall he is not arrogant, easy to get along with, and generous, which makes everyone very satisfied.

Seeing that I was still standing in the corner, Ye Fenglin raised an eyebrow slightly, "Jiang Fu, what about you? Have you chosen your clothes yet?"

I was a little surprised and didn't know what to do, so Ye Fenglin gestured to the store manager and the others to help me choose.

"..." I shook my head frantically, no, no need. I didn't want the store manager and my sister to "serve" me, so I took off my coat, revealing the shirt and skirt underneath. This outfit also belonged to Lin Zhi'en, a light luxury Miu style for young girls. No matter where Ye Fenglin was going tonight, it would be enough.

"Did you dress up specially because you knew I was taking you to Brother Yong's birthday banquet tonight?" Ye Fenglin teased me with a smile.

Of course I don't know.

Moreover, wasn't Xie Yong's birthday just a few days ago? I looked slightly confused, but Ye Fenglin didn't seem to care.

After the store manager and his sister left, he quickly changed his coat. A black Maybach was already parked downstairs for pick-up and drop-off. Ye Fenglin led me into the car.

I would look at him occasionally.

Ye Fenglin was wearing dress pants, and his legs were long. I had seen his private parts earlier; they were very pink and clean, but his size was frighteningly large. At this moment, however, he was behaving himself, just like the noble young master image he always liked to project.

Was he thinking about Lin Zhi'en just now? I couldn't help but wonder.

When I looked away, I felt him looking at me again, especially at my lips.

I couldn't help but raise my hand. Could there be something wrong with my lip gloss today? I thought for a moment. I wore a milk tea apricot lipstick when I left the house. It wasn't very eye-catching, so it shouldn't have smudged...

I couldn't resist taking out my phone, but Ye Fenglin suddenly pressed my hand down and asked me seriously, "What happened to your leg?"

I then looked down and saw the gauze wrapped around it.

"It's nothing, I just tripped and fell while walking," I explained to him on my phone, then smiled.

He paused for a few seconds, then looked away somewhat awkwardly. "I'll have the doctor take another look at you tomorrow."

I hummed in agreement, still feeling a little uneasy. I took out a mirror, and without makeup, I applied lipstick. My eyelashes were already thick and long, so I didn't need any embellishment. I looked in the mirror, twisted out the lipstick, and touched up my lips, making them fuller and pinker, which made me look even more innocent and beautiful.

Out of the corner of my eye in the mirror, I saw Ye Fenglin still looking at me. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his jaw tightened even more.

The car stopped at a building just one block away from the Empire State Building. The area was filled with bars and nightclubs, and the neon lights were dazzling, creating a unique scene.

This place is practically a gathering place for the wealthy second-generation kids of the entire Empire State. In just over ten minutes, I've seen more than a dozen top-of-the-line sports cars that you can only see on social media, as well as those exceptionally stylish young men and women who seem completely unaffected by the cold winter temperature.

Yu Xu's incident occurred at Xie Yong's birthday party. I know there's a pub on the rooftop invested in by Ye Fenglin, which is very expensive and inaccessible to many people. Basically, only a certain circle of people hang out there.

Ye Fenglin and I took the elevator to the top floor. My eyelashes drooped, and I realized that the distance between us seemed to be getting closer and closer.

The elevator was surrounded by mirrors. I turned my head and met Ye Fenglin's gaze.

"Why didn't you kiss me like you did yesterday?" He had a faint smile on his lips, and dressed like a spoiled young master, his eyes were slightly curved, exuding an indescribable hormone.

I remembered what Gu Yu had said: you have to be hot and cold with men to make them more interested. So I simply ignored Ye Fenglin and was about to turn my head away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my chin. I opened my eyes wide in surprise as Ye Fenglin kissed me.

“…!” I gripped his shirt tightly with my fingertips, all the oxygen in my mouth was taken away, and a sob escaped my throat uncontrollably.

Ye Fenglin's eyes were somewhat dark, and his handsome face expanded infinitely in my field of vision. My limbs went numb from the kiss, and my fingers drooped down. Ye Fenglin pulled out a strand of saliva from his lips and looked at me in the flickering light of the elevator. His gaze deepened, and he kissed me heavily again.

Clang.

The elevator had already reached the top floor sometime earlier. Ye Fenglin used his uninjured hand to stop the elevator doors from closing. The doorway faced directly onto the indoor heated swimming pool on the first floor, next to which was a bar. The people sitting there stared wide-eyed at our passionate kiss.

In this way, he stole the show at Xie Yong's birthday banquet the moment he appeared.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jiang Mingzhuo sitting on the sofa by the pool.

He swirled the ice in his wine glass and gave Ye Fenglin, or perhaps it was me, a meaningful smile.