The sunlight spilled across the grand dining hall, casting golden reflections on the gleaming cutlery. Long Shan sat alone at the end of the polished table, dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit, quietly savoring his lunch. His expression was unreadable—composed, focused, the very embodiment of control.
The moment was disrupted by the sound of light footsteps. Xiao Yu emerged from the hallway, her delicate features stiffened with resolve. Though her fever had broken, a storm lingered behind her eyes.
Long Shan looked up. His gaze flicked to her, a shadow of concern darkening his usually impassive eyes. "You're awake," he said. "How are you feeling?"
She didn't respond immediately. Her jaw tightened as she approached. "Why did you do it?" she asked, her voice clipped, eyes burning with accusation.
He raised a brow and returned his attention to his meal. "Do what?"
"You know what I mean," she snapped. "Yesterday... you—" Her voice wavered slightly. "You crossed a line."
Long Shan calmly set down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with calm amusement. "You mean when I made sure you took your medication?" he asked, deliberately cool.
"That wasn't just medication," Xiao Yu retorted, her cheeks flushing with anger and something else—shame. "You... you used your mouth to give me water. That was my first kiss!"
Long Shan let out a short, dismissive scoff. "That wasn't a kiss," he said, tone casual. "It was necessary. You were being stubborn."
Tears shimmered in Xiao Yu's eyes, but she held her ground. "It wasn't yours to take," she whispered.
He looked at her for a long moment before responding, a smirk curling his lips. "If you want to know what a real kiss feels like, I can always demonstrate."
She glared, furious. "Don't bother. I don't kiss old men."
Long Shan's smirk didn't falter. "Good. You're not my type either. I don't waste time with little girls playing adult."
That struck like a slap. Xiao Yu's eyes filled with tears, but she turned sharply on her heel, voice tight with anger. "So be it."
She stormed off, the sound of the slammed door echoing down the corridor. Long Shan chuckled under his breath, the humor in his eyes barely veiling the heat that stirred behind them.
---
Meanwhile, at Viper's Mansion
Yiren lounged on his velvet armchair in the living room, dressed in a sleek charcoal robe, a glass of cognac in hand. He watched the entrance with idle curiosity as Ai—now dressed in a plain maid's uniform—entered stiffly, carrying a tray of juice.
She placed it before him without meeting his eyes.
"This look suits you," Viper teased, swirling his drink. His smirk stretched lazily across his face.
Ai's glare was venomous. "Is there anything else you require, xiansheng?" she asked, voice icy.
"Yeah," he said, leaning forward. "Take a sip."
Suspicion flickered across her face. "You think I poisoned it?"
"I don't trust you," he replied smoothly. "So humor me."
Scowling, Ai took a reluctant sip, her jaw clenched. "Happy now?"
Viper nodded, satisfaction in his eyes. "Ecstatic."
She spun around and stormed out. Viper chuckled, lifting his glass in mock salute to her retreating back.
---
Elsewhere in Jiang Villa
Jiang Lifen sat quietly on the veranda, her eyes clouded with longing as she stared into the distance. Her mother, Jiang Liu Zhihao, joined her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You've been so quiet lately," her mother said. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine," Lifen murmured.
"You've never been good at lying."
Lifen hesitated, then exhaled slowly. "It's about Long Shan," she confessed. "Do you think I'm forcing myself on him?"
Her mother's face softened. "No, sweetheart. Why would you think that?"
"He doesn't call. He doesn't text. I feel like I'm the only one trying. I chase after him like a fool."
Jiang Liu Zhihao pulled her into a side-hug, brushing Lifen's hair gently. "Sometimes men like him don't know how to show they care. But I know this—if he didn't want you near, you wouldn't be. And he has never had a girlfriend, so you have to teach him slowly"
Lifen didn't respond, her heart aching as she blinked back tears. "I just want him to look at me the way I look at him."
---
The Next Day
Meili Jiang arrived at Long Shan's mansion and greeted Xiao Yu with a tight hug. The two girls sat on the veranda under a canopy of hibiscus vines.
"You look better," Meili said, eyeing her friend with relief.
"I'm getting there," Xiao Yu replied with a small smile.
"I missed you at school. It's been so boring without you."
"I missed you too," Xiao Yu said, touched by her friend's honesty.
"I think your illness was from stress," Meili added.
Xiao Yu nodded thoughtfully. "I think so, too."
"Are you going to quit that job now?" Meili asked.
"No," Xiao Yu replied firmly. "I haven't even worked there for a full month. I can't just walk away."
"Just be careful," Meili warned. "You don't owe that man your health."
"I'll be fine," Xiao Yu said, though doubt flickered in her eyes.
"You'll be in school tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Good," Meili said, smiling. "Let's go back inside."
---
At Viper's Restaurant
Viper arrived like a storm in tailored black. His mood was foul, his voice thunderous.
"Where the hell is Xiao Yu?" he barked. "It's been days, and no one thought to tell me?"
The workers stammered apologies, fear plain on their faces.
"If she doesn't return by tomorrow," Vipee growled, "you'll each lose ten percent of your salary for the next two months."
With that, he turned and stalked out. The staff exchanged worried glances, praying silently that Xiao Yu would return before they suffered for it.
Inside his car, Viper sat quietly, his fingers tapping on the steering wheel. He stared at his phone, still no message from her.
What is happening?
For the first time in a long while, concern crept into his eyes.
"I need to get her out of there," he thought.