Yueying froze under the pressure of Lu Quing's lips. Her eyes fluttered, her breath hitched and the room seemed to be on fire. She could hear nothing but the thud of her heart, beating wildly in her chest, she feared he might hear it . His kiss wasn't hungry—it was slow, deep, and deliberate. As if he had waited years to do this with her but she was his EMPLOYEE.
Yueying's lips responded timidly, betraying the flurry of emotions erupting inside her. She wasn't supposed to react like this, No—she wasn't supposed to let her boss kiss her especially as she just came out of a very chaotic relationship. This was totally wrong. Yet, her body didn't move from that position. Instead, she tilted her head, allowing him fuller access to her mouth. The fire between them ignited with massive speed.
But just as quickly as it began, Lu Quing pulled back. His brows were furrowed. He looked away, as though angry with himself. "I shouldn't have done that."
Yueying stood there, speechless. Her lips still tingled. She clutched her arm, she felt humiliated and embarrassed. What was she then _ a kissing puppet?
"I'll go," she said, in a voice lower than a whisper but she was sure he heard her. Lu Quing didn't stop her at all, he acted like she was a gust of wind.
As Yueying returned to her room, her fingers brushed over her lips. " What the hell is wrong with you yueying ? Her emotions was in a mess. She had already been through enough chaos in relationship—now this? And to think she was slowly falling for Lu Quing, her boss.
--------------------------------------
THE NEXT MORNING
The sun rose behind the clouds. The morning breeze brushed through the open windows of the villa.
Yueying couldn't sleep. Her eyes were red, not from crying, but from tossing and turning. Gu Ni barged in with her usual morning energu bringing in breakfast for yueying.
"You didn't sleep, did you?" she asked, sitting cross-legged on Yueying's bed.
Yueying gave her a look. "You know, I don't plan on explaining much."
Gu Ni tilted her head. "So… what exactly happened between you and our icy boss last night?"
Yueying turned crimson. " We kissed, Nini"
"WHAT?!" Gu Ni dropped her toast. They mostly eat together in yueying's room.
"Lower your voice!" Yueying said with a flushed face .
"Oh my god. I thought I was dreaming when I saw you walking out of his room like a ghost. So he finally made a move, yayyyyy" Gu Ni grinned mischievously.
"It's not like that!". Yueying threw a pillow at her as she sat up to take a toast.
Gu Ni dodged easily. "Oh, it is like that. And don't even pretend you didn't like it." Gu No said as she rolled her eyes.
Yueying turned her face away. Silence answered the accusation. Yeah_ it was clear, she sure was in love with Lu Quing.
" But what got your mood low" Gu Ni asked with concern.
" He didn't acknowledge it. He acted like it was nothing to him like I was just some random puppet" Yueying said in a low voice.
Gu Ni sighed outwardly. She didn't know what to advice her right now. Their boss was really unpredictable most times.
---
MANOQUIN VILLA
"Boss, there is a movement in the north sector. They're not retreating anymore," Ta Ming reported, standing at attention.
Lu Quing leaned back in his chair, fingers crossed together. He hadn't spoken to Yueying since the kiss. His mind had been scattered.
"Who's leading them?" he asked.
"Shen Li." Ta Ming's voice dropped to a dangerous tone.
Lu Quing's eyes darkened. "Prepare a team. Tonight, we cut off the snake's head."
" Yes sir "Ta Ming said, he did notice his boss seem to be in a very cloudy mood. He prayed for the victims of his boss' wrath silently. He had to go do his work fast and efficiently unless he would be among the victims. He sighed inwardly.
---
BACK AT THE VILLA
Yueying was in the backyard, watering the small plants she'd started growing. It calmed her. Dirt on her hands was easier to handle than the chaos in her life.
Gu Ni stepped out with a curious expression.
"There's a black car parked out front." she said.
"Whose is it?" Yueying asked, wiping her hands.
"I don't know, but the guy stepped out looking like a Korean drama villain." she said with sharp gaze.
" Who let him in? Lu Quing would be furious if he founds out.
They both turned to see a man with shoulder-length brown hair and a dangerous smirk walking towards them in a long stride.
"Is Miss Yueying in?" the man asked smoothly, adjusting the gold rimmed glasses he had on.
"I'm Yueying," Yueying said in a cautious tone.
He tilted his head. "I knew it. Still as stunning as the last time."
Yueying frowned. "Have we met somewhere else?"
The man's smile faded. "Of course you wouldn't remember. We met only briefly… the day you bumped into me outside the supermarket."
Her eyes widened.
"Lin Fan, my name " he added.
"Why are you here?" Yueying's voice was cautious.
"To warn you," Lin Fan said. "You're entangled in something far more than you realize, even devils flee from him. And he," he paused, "Lu Quing... he's not who you think he is ."
Before she could speak, Lu Quing's voice cut through the air.
"She knows enough." He had arrived without a sound, his presence domineering. His steps slow but deliberate.
Lin Fan stepped back. "She deserves the truth."
"This isn't your business," Lu Quing said coldly. His eyes like daggers like it could pierce Lin Fan all over.
"Tell her about the Red Crescent Gang. Tell her what happened in Shanghai," Lin Fan retorted.
Yueying's head snapped toward Lu Quing.
Lu Quing's eyes didn't flinch. "Go back to whatever hole you crawled out from now." He had a commanding force. Even Yueying wanted to crawl out, she wasn't used to such strong presence.
"I'll be back," Lin Fan warned, then turned and left.
Yueying stood frozen. "Wh–what's the Red Crescent Gang?"
Lu Quing sighed, his jaw tight. "That was from my past, don't dig into it. Stay out ." He said in a sharp tone.
"Why not?" she snapped. "Is it related to what happened last night? Or why there wereso many masked men trying to kill you?"
Gu Ni emerged from the shadows. "Yueying… you shouldn't push. Go back inside your room". Yueying felt Gu Ni was acting strange. Everytime it came to anything related to fights or rest Gu Ni's aura changes.
But Yueying's eyes were burning. "No. I deserve answers. My life could be in danger "
Lu Quing looked into her hazel eyes. "You want the truth? Then prepare yourself."
---
THAT NIGHT
Yueying sat alone on the rooftop. Her mind wouldn't stay clear.
Lu Quing joined her without a word. They sat in silence for a while before he spoke.
"When I was younger, my father was killed. Not by strangers—but by people he trusted."
Yueying stared at him.
"I inherited everything—money, enemies, and the Red Crescent Gang." He looked at her directly. "I was their leader… until I turned against them."
"Why?" she asked.
"They started trafficking girls. Children. I couldn't stay silent."
Yueying's heart clenched.
"That's why I've been hunted. That's why I can't afford weaknesses."
"Am I… a weakness?" she asked. Her heart skipped a bit anticipating his reply.
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned to face her fully.
"You've turned my life upside down, Yueying."
She bit her lip. "Is that a good thing?"
Lu Quing pulled her closer, his face few inches from her. "It's the most dangerous thing that's happened to me in years sweetheart." Yueying couldn't hear any other thing accept his voice and her heartbeat.
And just like that, he kissed her again—this time harder, like he couldn't hold back any longer, like he wanted to devour her.
This time, Yueying kissed him back with equal passion and ferocity.
---
SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK
A man in a white velvet suit leaned against the wall, holding a glass of wine. On the table in front of him were photos—of Yueying, Gu Ni, and Lu Quing.
"She's the key," the man muttered. "And when I take her… Lu Quing will come crawling like a kid." He chuckled.
He tossed the photo of Lu Quing into the fire after squeezing it into a ball, his eyes fell on Yueying's photo.
" You deserve better pretty lady " he smirked.
The game had only just begun.