Although a part of her felt relieved, his refusal to strike her still dealt a heavy blow to her pride.

She frowned and said through gritted teeth, “Why didn’t you hit me?”

“I was afraid… I’d feel bad if I hurt you.”

Wu Xiao bit her cherry lips and said coldly, “So you’d rather risk ten years in prison than prove your innocence?”

“Only a fool wants to go to jail. But I don’t like proving myself that way. Do what you must. I believe the law will bring justice. If not…” He paused, then sighed. “Forget it. We’ll see when the time comes.”

She still wanted to speak, but the door opened and a police officer came in, whispering something to her. Wu Xiao’s expression changed slightly. She gave Ye Chenghuan a strange glance before hurrying out with the officer.

A while later, the same officer returned. “Come with me.”

Ye Chenghuan followed him back to the chief’s office, where Wu Xiao was speaking with a man who looked rather familiar with her.

“You made bail,” Wu Xiao said coolly when she saw him. “You’re free to go.”

Ye Chenghuan raised an eyebrow at the man. Well-dressed in a suit, carrying a briefcase, and wearing frameless glasses, he looked polite and refined—but Ye didn’t recognize him.

“I’m not going,” Ye said flatly.

“What? Why not?” Wu Xiao stared at him in disbelief.

“I don’t know him. Why should I leave with a stranger? I don’t like owing people, especially favors.”

The man gave a slight bow. “Someone has been waiting for you outside for a long time.”

Must be a mistake.

Ye Chenghuan looked puzzled. “Who?”

The man spread his hands. “Sorry, I wasn’t authorized to say. You’ll have to see for yourself.”

He turned to Wu Xiao. “So I really can go?”

She let out a soft but reluctant hum.

“I hope we meet again… just not here.” He smirked. “By the way, you’ve got great skin.”

Before she could react, he was already out the door.

—

Outside, a sleek silver BMW convertible waited at the curb. In the driver’s seat sat a woman as elegant as a wild lily.

When she turned her head, Ye Chenghuan’s breath caught.

Her face was the very image of classical beauty—an oval face no bigger than his palm, straight nose, bright eyes filled with watery emotion, delicate lips tinged with a ruby hue, and a cascade of dark, silky hair that fell just right over her shoulders.

Sitting there, she seemed to radiate a quiet grace, like a lily blooming in solitude, untouched by the bustling world around her.

Ye Chenghuan’s brows furrowed again. He recognized her. And the shock this time rivaled what he’d felt just hours ago.

“Get in,” the woman said coolly, slipping on her sunglasses.

Seated on the butter-smooth leather, Ye finally settled down. “Thanks for bailing me out. But… why did you—”

VROOM!

The V12 engine roared as she floored the gas. With no seatbelt, Ye Chenghuan was slammed into the door handle by the sudden acceleration. He winced, rubbing his forehead, but said nothing.

This woman… might be even more dangerous than the police chief. Out of the tiger’s den and straight into the wolf’s mouth—what fate awaited him now?

—

As the car glided through the bustling cityscape, Ye found himself stealing glances at her. He was a normal guy, after all. And sitting next to a woman like her, who wouldn’t look?

The scent of her hair lingered in the air. Her white blouse hugged her curves, tucked into a tight coffee-colored skirt that accentuated her figure. Black stockings wrapped around long, shapely legs, disappearing into a snug waist. Just a glimpse of her fair arm sparked endless daydreams.

His mind wandered back to the fuzzy memories of last night… and his heart skipped.

SCREEECH!

She slammed the brakes.

Her icy gaze pierced him. “What are you looking at?”

“Can’t a guy admire beauty?” he said innocently.

“No, you can’t.”

She was beautiful, but also incredibly bossy.

Ye shrugged. “Where are you taking me, anyway?”

She said nothing and started driving again. After a while, they stopped in front of a teahouse with elegant wooden eaves: Drunken Moon Teahouse.

—

Inside was tranquil, filled with faint tea fragrance. Antique furnishings, potted flowers, and quiet elegance created a peaceful atmosphere far from the city’s noise.

The woman walked straight to a window booth, and Ye sat across from her.

A graceful waitress in a qipao approached. “Would you like something to drink?”

Ye skimmed the menu and frowned. “500 yuan for a pot of flower tea? That’s robbery.”

The waitress smiled. “Our teas are picked from 2,000-meter elevations, all organic and pesticide-free. 500 yuan for your health—isn’t that worth it?”

Ye rolled his eyes. “I’ll just have hot water. No ice. No sugar.”

“Sorry, we don’t serve that.”

“What do you use to brew your tea then?”

“Still, no plain water.”

“Fine, one pot of Longjing,” the woman interrupted.

Soon, pale green tea was poured into white porcelain cups, the color and aroma perfectly matched.

She held the cup but didn’t drink. After a long silence, she asked, “What’s your name?”

“Ye Chenghuan.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a proud security guard,” he said with a grin. “And you, miss…?”

“Lin Peishan.”

Ye’s smile faded. “Miss Lin, about last night… I’m sorry—”

“Shut up!” she snapped.

Startled, Ye’s hand shook and tea splashed everywhere. Seeing her clutch her chest, brows knitted, he felt a strange pang in his heart.

The two sat in silence. Lin Peishan stared out the window; Ye poured tea after tea, trying to fill the emptiness in his stomach. He raised his cup again only to realize—he’d finished the whole pot.

“Waitress, more hot water.”

“Another pot,” Lin Peishan said before the waitress could respond.

This time, snacks came too. Finally—food.

Ye happily devoured the pastries. Lin Peishan watched him, her heart sour. Why did she, a woman with status and talent, have to be entangled with such a common man?

That night, she’d broken down from long-held pressure and gone drinking—how else would something like that happen? She hated herself. Hated him even more.

Ye Chenghuan could tell she was conflicted. It was time to be honest.

“About last night… Miss Lin, please don’t be angry. Hear me out. We’re adults. What’s done is done—we have to face it.”

“Go ahead,” she said flatly.

“I know an apology isn’t enough. I want to make it up to you—whatever I can do. I know someone like me doesn’t deserve to marry someone like you. I don’t expect that. But if there’s anything I can do, just say the word.”

Lin Peishan slowly looked up, brushing hair from her face. Her voice was faint. “Anything I ask, you’ll do?”

He nodded.

“I want you to marry me.”

Ye Chenghuan had just taken a sip of tea and nearly spit it out.

“What did you say?!”

She gave him a resentful look. For someone like her to lower herself and say such words in public—it was humiliating. Her snow-white face flushed red.

“I said—I want you to marry me.”

Ye lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, letting the nicotine numb him for a moment.

“Miss Lin… do you love me?”

“No.”

“Then why marry me?”

“Because I have no choice,” she said through clenched teeth.

“I think for a woman like you, this is just pity… or charity.”

Her face paled.

Because of that mistake, she, the proud Lin Peishan, had to bow to a man like him. Only she knew what that cost her.

Her eyes reddened. “Are you mocking me? After ruining me, I have to beg you to marry me. You must think I’m pathetic.”

“On the contrary,” Ye said quietly. “I think you’re incredibly brave. It takes courage for a woman like you to say that. Not many could.”

His sincerity moved her.

She’d expected him to be vulgar, shallow, and crude. But somehow, this little security guard had surprised her with something… deeper.