Chapter 54 That's a Kiss Mark
The next morning, sunlight pierced through the gaps in the hotel's heavy curtains, casting a dazzling band of light on the clean carpet.
Ruan Yao woke up in a soft embrace, her head still throbbing from a hangover.
She sat up and looked around.
The spacious presidential suite was quiet and empty; she was all alone.
The suit jacket was gone, the sofa was empty, and the chair he had moved to the bedside was back in its place.
He's really gone.
Last night's bold attempts and those out-of-control moments felt like a bizarre dream.
Ruan Yao hugged the quilt, feeling empty inside.
I can't tell if I feel disappointed or frustrated.
She thought something R-rated would happen last night, but Huo Yanzhi ended up playing Liu Xiahui instead.
Ruan Yao's cheeks flushed red instantly. She pulled the blanket over her head and rolled around on the bed twice.
That's so embarrassing.
She acted recklessly last night; he must think she's a shameless woman.
Can……
She peeked her head out from under the covers again, savoring his indulgence from the previous night.
Huo Yanzhi should not be disliked.
Thinking about it this way, that bit of annoyance turned into a bit of pride.
Ruan Yao kicked off the blanket and ran barefoot into the bathroom.
The warm water washed over my body, washing away the lingering effects of the alcohol.
She stood in front of the mirror, preparing to wash up, but froze when she looked up.
In the mirror, her lips were red and swollen, with a tiny cut on her lower lip that stung slightly when touched.
Ruan Yao was somewhat bewildered.
Did she... drink herself into oblivion and bite herself?
Is your drinking manners just as bad as your alcohol tolerance?
She wore a pained expression, gaining a deeper understanding of her outburst the previous night.
After washing up and changing her clothes, she picked up the handbag that had been carelessly tossed on the sofa the night before.
On the phone screen, there were several missed calls and several unread messages, all from the same person.
Shen Yu.
【Yaoyao, are you home yet?】
Why aren't you replying to my messages? I'm a little worried.
I called you but you didn't answer. Are you okay?
The messages lasted from 11 p.m. last night until 1 a.m.
The relaxed smile on Ruan Yao's face faded.
She crossed out all the notifications and didn't reply to any of them.
Once you've decided to cut ties with something, you can't give him any illusion of lingering attachment.
She didn't want to have anything to do with this person anymore.
After quickly tidying up, Ruan Yao left the hotel and took a taxi directly to the company.
At the foot of the Lexing Island Building.
Ruan Yao bought a cup of coffee and was about to go upstairs when a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.
"Graceful".
Ruan Yao paused, turned around, and saw Shen Yu standing not far away.
He was wearing a well-tailored light gray suit today, and his face still wore that gentle smile, but Ruan Yao inexplicably felt that there was something hidden beneath that smile that made her uncomfortable.
"Brother Shen Yu? What are you doing here?" Ruan Yao asked, somewhat surprised.
Shen Yu strode up to her and looked her up and down.
"Why didn't you come home last night? I called you several times, and then I was worried, so I went to your house. Your aunt and uncle said you were staying out and not coming home."
His tone sounded full of concern, like that of a dutiful older brother.
But Ruan Yao felt extremely uncomfortable listening to this.
“I drank too much last night and stayed at a nearby hotel,” she explained. “My phone was probably on silent, and I was sleeping too soundly to see it.”
Perhaps realizing her tone was a bit cold, Ruan Yao forced a smile and said something polite.
"I just drank too much and didn't want to cause any trouble. It's nothing serious. I'm sorry to have worried Brother Shenyu."
Shen Yu's gaze suddenly fixed on her lips.
The barely noticeable redness and sores in the mirror became exceptionally clear in the morning sunlight.
The last vestige of worry on his face froze instantly, replaced by a somber expression.
"Last night..." Shen Yu's voice was low, tense with an impending storm, "were you with Huo Yanzhi?"
Ruan Yao didn't expect him to ask so bluntly.
That's good, it saves her the trouble of finding excuses to distance herself from the relationship.
"Yes." She nodded frankly without any hesitation. "I was drunk, and Mr. Huo took me to the hotel."
Not wanting to argue with him any longer, she pointed to the building entrance.
"I'm going to be late for work now, I'm going in, bye-bye."
After saying that, Ruan Yao didn't look at him again, turned around and walked into the gate of Lexing Island.
Shen Yu did not chase after him.
He stood there, watching Ruan Yao's resolute departing figure disappear behind the revolving door.
The sunlight fell on him, but it brought no warmth whatsoever.
He slowly raised his hand and touched his lips.
In his mind, the glaring mark on Ruan Yao's lips replayed over and over again.
He wasn't some naive young man who hadn't experienced anything; he knew all too well what that meant.
That's a hickey.
It's a mark left after being kissed passionately.
So, they spent the night at the hotel last night?
Shen Yu's mind went blank.
All the clues connected in his mind, pointing to a conclusion that drove him almost insane.
They went to sleep.
The girl who was always shy and reserved in front of him, whom he carefully protected and who would shy away even when they were close, had actually slept with another man so easily after only knowing Huo Yanzhi for a short time.
He always thought Ruan Yao was innocent, pure, and the white moonlight he cherished.
Even if she's just shy, he's willing to protect her.
But what is it now?
How long have she known Huo Yanzhi?
So, they went to a hotel together and things progressed to this point?
Her innocent and lovely appearance in the past, and the glaring wound on her lip now, were intertwined wildly in his mind, tearing at his last shred of reason.
A surge of acid, a mixture of anger and jealousy stemming from betrayal, erupted from the darkest corner of his heart, instantly corroding all his reason.
He had painstakingly and carefully protected this treasure for so many years, and it was almost within his grasp, but in the blink of an eye, it fell into someone else's arms, and was even branded with that person's mark.
And he was a complete joke.
Huo Yanzhi...
It's Huo Yanzhi again!
Why should I?!
Shen Yu's hands, hanging by his sides, tightened inch by inch, his knuckles turning bluish-white from the force.
The gentle smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a ruthlessness that seeped into his very bones.
He raised his head and looked up at the top of the Lexing Island building. His usually smiling eyes were now filled with jealousy and resentment.
Shen Yu lowered his eyes, concealing the terrifying malice within.
Ruan Yao.
He has been too good to her since she was a child, which is why she has become so disobedient.
He took out his phone and dialed a number.
The call was answered quickly.
"Hello, it's me."
His voice returned to normal.
"I need something, send it to me."
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