Yu Xi languidly watched the handsome man, who had just settled his luggage, now sitting in the taxi. Dazzling sunlight streamed through the window, catching his chestnut, slightly curly hair, making golden flecks dance.
He noticed her gaze, turned, and offered a soft smile, instantly making the world dim and the sun and moon lose their luster.
"Such a charmer!" she sighed inwardly, yet felt something was off about his eyes; they didn't hold the calculating look he used to have whenever he saw her.
Back when she first arrived in Australia, bored, she had collected information on all the handsome men at the school. Then, she and her roommate would lie on the bed, connecting photos to names. When she held his photo, stars just shone. She felt such beauty surely deserved a unique and elegant name. From the few Chinese names available, she immediately crossed out "Lu Ren Jie."
Her roommate asked why. She scoffed, "That name is utterly vulgar! The homophone easily reads as 'Passerby A.' How could such a noble face have such a common, cannon-fodder name?"
Later, it was confirmed: like a beautiful flower paired with cow dung, the top heartthrob of the economics department indeed had that vulgar name she had dismissed at first glance. That wouldn't have been so bad, but her big-mouthed roommate, trying to flatter the handsome boys at the new student gathering, spilled the beans about her name-pairing antics, providing entertainment for everyone.
That night, Mr. Lu intercepted her on the road. His flirtatious eyes shot out rose thorns. He crossed his arms and squinted at her. "I hear you're quite displeased with my name?"
The desire she'd had to flirt with the handsome man instantly chilled. She quickly explained, "How could I be? Names are given by our parents; how could we be displeased? Ren Jie, Ren Jie, a hero among men! Senior Lu's name is both impressive and profound. It's truly excellent."
"Is that so? Wasn't the nickname 'Passerby A' bestowed by you?"
"Rumor, just rumor! I think it's those foreigners mispronouncing Chinese and distorting the sound."
Lu Ren Jie watched her for a few seconds, then leaned close, flashing an evil smile at her delicate, unadorned face. "It's rare to find a woman who dares to give me a nickname. You're approved to be my thirteenth girlfriend."
She froze for a moment, then chuckled, refusing. "No thanks, I'm not worthy!" She had no desire to become the target of every girl in the school's envy.
"Give me a reason first?"
"That number isn't very smooth." In her hometown, 'thirteen' (十三点, shísāndiǎn) and 'two hundred fifty' (二百五, èrbǎiwǔ) had similar implications of being foolish or an idiot.
"Precisely for that reason, I think only you are suitable for this term," he said with a charming smile.
Yu Xi realized she had been subtly led on by him. She was a new student, a powerful dragon unable to suppress a local snake. She endured it. Too lazy to argue with him, she walked around him and returned to her apartment, missing the faint glint in his beautiful eyes behind her.
The next day, her name was already linked with Lu Ren Jie's, rumored to be his "sweetheart" at first sight. It made her sick! Everywhere she went, people pointed fingers, and she had to endure jealous, venomous glares from girls. In less than half a day, she hid in her dorm, daring not to go out.
Thus, she learned of "Passerby A's" overwhelming influence in the school, the "wonderful" experience of becoming infamous overnight, and that if you provoked that angelic, yet venomous demon of a man, you would feel inexplicably wronged even as you were tormented to death.
She convinced herself that she had stepped on a broom and disturbed a jinx before leaving home, little knowing that this was merely the prelude to her study abroad nightmare.
After that incident, "Passerby A" would periodically appear in her otherwise pleasant life. In public elective classes, when she dozed off, he would appear like a ghost, gently pinching her ear, and amidst the envious glances of the girls around, she could only endure the pain without crying out. In debates, just as she felt victory was within grasp, the opposing debater would use a secretly passed note from him to refute her point, turning the tide. At weekend dances, any handsome man she eyed would be obliterated by his gaze in under three seconds, forcing her to secretly hide in a corner, admiring the beauties from afar without daring to approach...
She could recount such incidents for three days and three nights. Her deep hatred for "Passerby A" truly flowed like the Yellow River, ceaseless, and like... In short, whenever she saw him, her only option was to hide.
Now he had reappeared. Although Shanghai wasn't his territory, she didn't need to be overly afraid, but seeing his face still made her heart tremble. Maintaining distance was the best strategy.
"Where are we headed?" The taxi hadn't even started. She asked on behalf of the driver.
"Where do you live?" Lu Ren Jie countered.
She immediately grew wary. "You can't come to my place." To avoid involving Young Master Gong.
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"Why?"
She was about to concoct an excuse when she saw Gong You Qi and the pink-clad beauty exit the hall through the car window, walking towards Young Master Gong's luxurious Ferrari.
"Who is she?" Yu Xi indicated the beautiful woman outside the window with her eyes, asking again.
Lu Ren Jie glanced, then smiled. "Why do you want to know? What's your relationship with her?"
"I asked you first."
"But you can answer me first."
"Fine, one question each." Yu Xi commanded herself not to get angry and took a deep breath. "You first. Who is she?"
He shrugged. "Her name is Su Ying Ran."
"I asked about her identity!"
"You weren't clear enough, were you? My turn. What's your relationship with her?"
"No relationship!" she retorted, annoyed.
"That's not a good attitude for answering. Otherwise, I won't cooperate with you. Anyway, I'll find out what I want to know," he said casually.
...Alright, she conceded. "I don't know her, but I know the man next to her. Now you answer: Su Ying Ran's identity?" What a graceful and pleasant name.
Lu Ren Jie glanced at the anxious driver who couldn't interject, then gave the name of a hotel apartment. Once the car started, he casually replied, "She's the only daughter of Director Su, who suddenly passed away from illness a few years ago from 'Huan Tai' Trading. She inherited quite a fortune, you could say. If her father hadn't died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage, causing huge losses to the company, 'Di Ya,' the current leader in the trade industry, would still be second in line." He paused, then asked, "Who's the man next to her, and what's your relationship with him?"
"I can only answer one, you know." Yu Xi smiled. "That man is MJ's Vice Director. My turn now. Is Su Ying Ran married?" A young lady of such status must be highly sought after. Could Young Master Gong be interested in a married woman?
"No. MJ's Young Master Gong?" He seemed thoughtful. "What's your relationship with him?"
"He's my boss. Why did Su Ying Ran come back from America?"
"How would I know? What do you do at MJ Company?" MJ manufactures mechanical parts. That's completely unrelated to your major.
"Since you couldn't answer, I'm changing my question. Otherwise, I won't answer either." She played dirty.
Lu Ren Jie's beautiful eyes narrowed. He leaned closer to Yu Xi. "You're really not going to answer?"
Damn it, why did she feel afraid? She gritted her teeth and shamelessly surrendered. "I'm his secretary." Then she remembered Lu Ren Jie seemed to know a lot. Did he also know about Gong You Qi and Su Ying Ran's relationship? She probed, "You know what my boss's relationship with that beautiful Ms. Su is, don't you? Tell me!" She was just one step away from the truth!
"You, a lazy bug like you, go to work?" He thought for a moment. "Are you eyeing his good looks? Still the same old you." He paused again. "Resign early before you make a mistake." His tone held no hint of sarcasm.
He thinks so little of her! Yu Xi ignored his criticism, pressing, "The answer to my question?"
"Questions are over for now." He stretched lazily. They were still far from the city center. "Aren't you tired? Let's take a nap, then have lunch together later."
She was unwilling. "Answer my question first!" Bastard, dangling the most important question in front of her.
"Sleeping, thirteenth girlfriend." He stretched his arms across the back seat, one hand loosely resting on her shoulder.
"Answer, then sleep!" She became stubborn, reaching out to pinch his nose, cutting off his breathing. How could he cut power at such a crucial moment?!
His large hand pulled down her mischievous small one, holding it firmly. He half-opened one eye, smiling enchantingly. "Want to sleep with me?" He pulled his arm in, letting her lean against him.
Yu Xi turned her head to see him already closing his eyes and drifting off. She tried to pull her hand free, but it wouldn't budge. She cursed under her breath a few times. In the cool, gently swaying car, she found it impossible to resist the sleepiness and finally yawned and fell asleep.
The handsome man, once he felt no more movement beside him, gently opened his eyes. He looked at the peaceful sleeping woman on his shoulder, smiled contentedly, and then also fell into a deep sleep.
The car drove smoothly on the highway. The graceful woman gazed out the window, her soft voice saying, "It's changed so much here."
"It has changed quite a bit," Gong You Qi responded softly. "It's been two years, after all." But some things still remained unchanged.
"I didn't expect you to come." He still remembered the date she had casually mentioned two years ago.
Gong You Qi's gaze lowered. "I wasn't sure if you would actually arrive today." Yet, he had still waited at the airport.
"These past two years, have you been well?" Su Ying Ran turned to look at him.
His hand on the steering wheel shifted slightly. He replied softly, "I've been alright." If those seven hundred-plus days could have had less yearning, he thought, he would have been alright.
After a moment's thought, he asked, "Did he not return with you?"
Su Ying Ran paused slightly, then lowered her head and said, "He'll be back next week after he finishes his work."
There was no more conversation.
After two years, had the dust of the past settled, or did their hearts still beat for each other?
Two years ago.
At that time, his father, Gong Kai Qi, having been influenced by his artistic mother for years, had developed a passion for calligraphy and painting. He had long intended to retire and enjoy a life of leisure. However, Gong You Kai stubbornly showed no interest in the family business, choosing instead to open some sort of small gang in the underworld. Gong You Qi had just returned from his studies and was still unfamiliar with company affairs. Thus, Gong Kai Qi had no choice but to remain on the company's board, hoping to train his son before stepping down.
Old Man Gong had also lost interest in business socializing, so he sent his younger son to attend the engagement party of Xue Han, the son of a childhood friend. Gong You Qi wasn't close with Xue Han. Most of the Xue family's assets were in America, with a branch office in Shanghai. Since their relatives were here, the Xue family decided to hold the engagement party here.
Having just entered the business world, attending such banquets was merely a way for him to forge more partnerships. However, he never expected that when Xue Han's fiancée appeared, Gong You Qi would realize that fate had played a cruel joke on him.
The previous night, on his way home, he had stopped to buy water when he noticed an elegantly dressed woman vomiting by the roadside. Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of kindness, he offered her a bottle of water to rinse her mouth. When she looked up to thank him, he suddenly lost his breath. He had never believed in love at first sight, always thinking, like his elder brother, that women were merely for fulfilling physiological needs. Yet, the moment he met her, he personally overturned his own theory. She, too, stared at him blankly, her flushed cheeks looking even more captivating in the night breeze.
Seeing her struggling to walk due to intoxication, he helped her into his car, but drove her back to his own home. After she rested for a while and sobered slightly, she softly told him her story. She was about to be engaged. That night, on a whim, she had gone to a dance hall, wanting to experience a different kind of life she had never known. However, she couldn't hold her liquor and became dizzy and began vomiting midway. In the middle of the night, she insisted on leaving and wouldn't let him escort her. Before he could even ask her name, he watched her get into a taxi and drive away.
His twenty-plus years of budding romance had died before it could even blossom. He never expected to meet her again, only to find her as the leading lady in a white gown at an engagement party. Su Ying Ran was also stunned when she saw him. The joyous clamor of the banquet became a silent, bitter accompaniment to the quiet sorrow in their hearts.
They met one more time later, sitting in a coffee shop, but it was her farewell. Xue Han and Su Ying Ran were childhood sweethearts, but after Xue Han went to America for university, they lost touch. Their two families had occasionally joked about setting them up. After her father died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage, the Su family's vast fortune and their company, "Huan Tai," were on the brink of collapse. To stabilize the company and prevent ambitious takeovers, Mrs. Su and the Xue family agreed to arrange an engagement first to stabilize the situation.
Su Ying Ran was also to be sent to America for further study, so she could eventually take over "Huan Tai" and also develop feelings for Xue Han. Marriages in wealthy families were always beyond one's control. The vague feelings between her and Gong You Qi were never spoken, only regretting that they hadn't met earlier.
Before she left, Gong You Qi asked if she would come back. She said, "I need to study for two years. If possible, I'll return on this day two years from now, ready to take over the company."
At that time, his face was resolute. He simply said three words: "I'll wait for you."
Just those three words. For these two years, her resolve had wavered. She had always maintained a final distance from the gentle and polite Xue Han. And because of those three words, Gong You Qi remembered her return date and had not touched another woman. He had found a contract mistress merely to mislead the media's prying eyes and to conceal the secret in his heart.
Two years had passed. Neither he nor she knew if their reunion could change anything.
It wasn't until they were nearing the Su family home that Gong You Qi spoke again. "Your family will probably hold a welcoming banquet for you, right?"
She smiled faintly and shook her head. "It's just my mom and a nanny at home. I didn't notify anyone else that I was coming back."
He paused in silence. "Then, could we have dinner together tonight?"
"A welcome dinner for me?" She thought for a moment. "How about we go somewhere nice together instead?"
Stepping out of the car, Yu Xi squinted her sleepy eyes at the luxurious hotel apartment. She pouted at Lu Ren Jie. "The charmer's nest is charming too."
He grinned. "The company found it. I've already signed the contract."
"Right, a talented person like you, excellent in your field, and most importantly, a great beauty. Every company must be fighting over you."
"That's right," he said, maintaining his smile.
"Alright, beautiful. Your nest is here. Go get some good sleep." She clapped her hands, ready to leave.
"Lunch together."
"No thanks. I'm going back to sleep. I have to make a guest appearance at Auntie Xin's tonight. I was too busy last time to go."
He stroked his chin. "Isn't that the place you mentioned working at before? I'll come support you tonight."
"Aren't you tired?" She knew she couldn't refuse; once he decided something, it was set in stone.
"Seeing you invigorates me."
Yu Xi bared her teeth. "This isn't your territory anymore. If you dare to trick me, ruin my plans, or cause me trouble, I'll find someone to take you out!"
He patted his chest. "Oh, I'm so scared!"
She rolled her eyes. Why did she feel he was acting even more genuinely than she did? He had real potential to be a gigolo! She thought for a moment and said, "You can come, but you have to agree to a few conditions."
"Speak."
"No causing trouble at the masquerade ball, no taking off your mask, and no calling me by my original name. Don't use that name in Shanghai at all."
"Understood." No big issues there.
Having reached an agreement, she waved her hand. "Then I'll see you tonight. Oh, you'd better call my cell phone an hour beforehand. I'm afraid I won't wake up by then."
"Where do you live? I'll pick you up directly."
She hooked her finger. When he leaned close, she chuckled softly and said, "—It's a secret."
Before he could get angry, she quickly hopped into the taxi, looking at him with a smile. "I won't enter your nest, and you shouldn't know mine either. Eat well, sleep well, Passerby A. A wonderful, crazy night awaits you."
Entering Xin Yue through the back door, Yu Xi found Auntie Xin already waiting in her room. Yu Xi ushered Lu Ren Jie in behind her. "You're the first outsider to see my base of operations for twenty-four years. You're truly honored."
The handsome man flashed a captivating smile. "You gave me your first time. How should I repay you?"
She playfully waved her fist, an idea suddenly sparking in her mind. She smiled charmingly, "It's easy to repay me. Later, on stage, dance for everyone. Your first time will be dedicated to the audience."
"Alright," he agreed generously, surveying the environment where she had grown up. The room was simply furnished: a large dressing table, two wardrobes, and a bed. Only one photo adorned the wall, showing a smiling girl smearing a large dollop of cream on a face identical to her own. His eyebrows twitched slightly, a fleeting gentle smile in his eyes.
After introducing Auntie Xin and Lu Ren Jie, Auntie Xin smiled at the handsome man. "Xi Xi, this one's not bad either."
Yu Xi feigned a shiver, glancing at "Passerby A" and muttering, "Who would dare to get involved with such a jinx? You'd never get ahead in life." She then took out two half-face masks from her makeup box, handing him a male-styled one. "Here, borrow my brother's." Yu Chen had also been dragged by her to make a guest appearance once or twice.
She watched him put it on. His nose and forehead were hidden by the white fox-shaped mask, his curly hair was disheveled, and his bright eyes sparkled through the slender eye slits. His thin lips were slightly upturned, giving him an extraordinary, almost demonic allure.
"Truly a born charmer," she concluded. She then put on her usual vibrant mask, adorned with a circle of feathers. Seeing his tight black shirt and trousers, she thought he looked quite coordinated. "You don't need to change clothes. Go wait in the hall first."
He was very cooperative, following Auntie Xin out first. Only then did Yu Xi open her wardrobe, choosing the gown she would wear tonight.
Gong You Qi was slightly surprised that Su Ying Ran had brought her to Xin Yue. She smiled. "This is the only entertainment venue I visited that year, and I still have some fond memories." He recalled the drunken, flushed-cheeked woman he had met back then and smiled, entering with her. Tonight, no mention of the past, just happiness.
Inside, it wasn't like a typical brightly lit dance hall. The large colored light in the center of the dome wasn't on; only a circle of orange spotlights around the edges provided soft, somewhat ambiguous lighting. The circular stage at the front had a slightly luxurious twilight-themed decor. A seductive woman sang a low, bluesy tune on stage. Heart-shaped blue glass lamps flickered with candlelight on the round tables throughout the hall, as if transporting people back to the intersection of modern reality and old Shanghai, filled with nostalgia and anticipation. Tonight was their regular masquerade ball, so there were more guests than usual, filling every corner.
He ordered a low-alcohol OLD PARR for himself and an orange juice for her.
"Afraid I'll get drunk again?"
He smiled, gazing at the woman he admired in the cool yet warm blue-orange candlelight. He whispered, "Yes, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself." Su Ying Ran shifted slightly, lowering her head to sip her orange juice, but remained silent.
After one song, a sweet young lady came on stage and announced that the bi-weekly masquerade ball would begin in ten minutes. Guests who wished to change costumes could do so in the changing rooms on the left. The lights dimmed, and people swarmed excitedly to change.
"I was wondering why today was different from usual. Turns out it's a masquerade ball! How lively."
Gong You Qi watched her smile and felt a surge of interest himself. "Too bad we didn't bring costumes."
"Just admiring is enough," her eyes shimmered with longing for such a free lifestyle.
He gazed at her profile in the dim light, and a faint, sour feeling welled up in his heart. Could he change her life?
When the lights brightened again, the scene transformed. The dazzling chandelier illuminated a vibrant, colorful world. Guests in various costumes chatted and smiled with each other. The neatly arranged tables were laden with all sorts of delicious food; a high-society masquerade ball was no more splendid than this. But unlike high society, this was relaxed and casual. Guests could spontaneously perform on stage, and participants had a chance to win a VIP card to Xin Yue. Therefore, whenever there was a masquerade ball, guests in various costumes eagerly showcased themselves.
As night deepened, Xin Yue dance hall was filled with merriment, the atmosphere reaching its peak.
When Yu Xi, wearing the familiar feathered half-mask and a fiery red, low-cut, full-skirted gown, stepped onto the stage, almost everyone screamed. The scene instantly became a chaotic frenzy.
"It's Miss Xi Xi, one of Xin Yue's twin beauties!"
"Wow! Miss Xi Xi, who disappeared for over a year, has reappeared!"
"Last time, Miss Chu Chu didn't come either. We thought this masquerade ball would be boring this time, but it's great that Xi Xi is back!"
"Xi Xi! Xi Xi! We miss you!"
...Gong You Qi immediately saw that sultry temptress smiling enchantingly as she emerged from backstage. The spotlight shone on her, like a dazzling star at a concert, and she generously blew sweet, heart-shaped kisses to the crowd. His eyes darkened, his gaze tightly following her figure as it stopped on stage.
She curtsied, holding her skirt, and once the crowd quieted slightly, she said in a sugary voice, "I can't believe you all haven't forgotten me! I'm so touched! To thank everyone, I've specially invited a friend tonight to dance for you as compensation. I hope everyone will frequent Xin Yue more often in the future."
She smiled towards the side of the stage. Sure enough, a gentleman in a tight black outfit with an excellent physique slowly ascended the stage, standing beside her. Their model-like, slender figures, paired with their sexiness, immediately drew a wave of cheers from the audience.
Yu Xi winked at the handsome man, hinting that his "first time" could now be offered. Lu Ren Jie glanced at her. Her outfit indeed gave him a stunning impression just now. Her shiny black hair was curled and cascaded down her back, the thin straps on her shoulders highlighted her delicate collarbones, and the tight bodice of her dress accentuated her perfect, explosive figure, making her look exactly like a seductive Gypsy woman. He felt his heart pound. He smiled faintly and addressed the audience, "Since I was dragged here by Xi Xi, why don't we dance together? Wouldn't everyone enjoy that more?" He'd dance, but only if she joined him.
The audience immediately chimed in, wanting to see the performance of the handsome man and beautiful woman together. Yu Xi's hand, at her side, fiercely pinched his arm behind him. She knew he wouldn't agree so easily; he just wanted to drag her down with him. But she cleared her throat towards the audience, quieting them. "Since everyone is so eager, then Xi Xi will satisfy your request. If you all enjoy it, you must each drink three glasses as a reward for me, how about it?" Heh heh, spend more, Auntie Xin. I'll get back all the losses from last time.
"No problem!" the crowd roared.
She leaned in and asked softly, "What are we dancing?" It had been a long time since she'd moved like this; she wondered if her old waist was still flexible.
Lu Ren Jie, seeing her choose the long-skirted red outfit, thought for a moment, then leaned down and whispered, "Let's dance the one from last Christmas."
That one? Wouldn't it be too difficult? The dance she had choreographed herself back then required long practice with the department's dance prince before she was barely satisfied.
"Can you do it?" He hadn't practiced it.
"Don't underestimate me." He grabbed her hand. As the lights dimmed in preparation, he walked to the edge of the stage and told the DJ girl the song title.
The guests below waited in silence. In a corner, a pair of dark eyes flickered, the gloom within them hidden by the dimness. This gold-digger, does she think the commission he pays isn't enough? She even works part-time here on weekends. It seems necessary to re-examine the terms of the contract.
"How lucky we are tonight! I heard that girl is one of the pillars of this place. I didn't see her last time, but now I can feast my eyes," Su Ying Ran said with a smile.
Gong You Qi saw a circular beam of light suddenly hit the dimly lit stage. When the beautiful pair struck a pose and began to move with the music, he felt an inexplicable discomfort, a tightness in his chest as if a stone had been placed there. That woman, even if she was a mistress he didn't care about, dancing so harmoniously with another man, still struck a blow to his masculine pride.
Everyone held their breath, mesmerized by the powerful dance moves on stage amidst the strong, rhythmic music. This dance was one Yu Xi had spontaneously choreographed, combining tango and Latin dance, which shared some similarities yet were vastly different. Her wide skirt fiercely flew left and right, her movements at times fiery and sexy, at times bold and provocative. She was like a fiery, alluring mermaid, leaping and dancing in the black waves that were Lu Ren Jie, tempting him.
She secretly admired Lu Ren Jie, wondering when he had practiced this dance, and how he could match her so seamlessly. If this dance wasn't performed well, it would turn into a mishmash. Indeed, a charmer's skills should not be underestimated. On the last note, she was supposed to lift her partner's chin, but a mischievous impulse seized her. Her finger hooked upwards, and with a swift whoosh, she snatched off his mask, perfectly in sync with the final cut of the music.
Beneath the mask, his eyes glowed, fixed on her.
The audience was silent for a second, then screams and applause erupted like thunder and lightning throughout the entire dance hall. Seeing the handsome man's true face, everyone was astonished and cried out, asking each other where such a breathtaking beauty came from.
After all the lights came on, the two bowed politely. Yu Xi continued to blow kisses, reminding everyone not to forget to redeem their three glasses of wine, and was then pulled by Lu Ren Jie backstage.
Gong You Qi frowned deeply. Amidst Su Ying Ran's enthusiastic applause, he abruptly stood up, murmuring, "Wait for me." His hand instinctively clenched into a fist, and a chilling aura enveloped him as he turned and walked towards the backstage area.
He couldn't stand it, couldn't stand that woman dancing such a wild, unrestrained dance in front of everyone. And he couldn't stand the way that handsome man had looked at her with such focus, their hands tightly clasped. That final move, the man embracing her slender waist, their eyes locked in a deep gaze, and their bodies pressed so close – it ignited a furious fire within him.
As soon as they reached backstage, Yu Xi immediately clutched her waist, which had been swaying vigorously, her face contorted in a grimace of pain. Lu Ren Jie glanced at her, seemingly ignoring her, and continued to pull her, passing several dancers who were staring at him wide-eyed. He spotted an empty changing room, pushed the door open, and dragged her inside.
"What, what are you doing?" Before she could react, he had pressed her against the wall. The changing room was small. He braced his hands on the wall, kicked his leg back, and the door closed with a bang. His tall frame leaned down, and an unusual glint flickered in his long, flirtatious eyes.
"Hey, you revealed your true face; there's no need to be so angry, right? I just wanted more people to admire you!" She looked at his familiar, frightening gaze, a sign that he was plotting mischief, and couldn't help but tremble, shrinking back, wishing she could disappear into the wall.
His tightly pursed thin lips parted into a slit. "Who said you couldn't take off your mask?"
"That... I just got carried away for a moment..." She, of course, knew the rules of a masquerade ball better than anyone. You couldn't take off your mask until the end to maintain a consistent air of mystery.
"Your momentary impulse is going to cause me a lot of trouble." His face would easily become widely known, and he didn't want to become famous tonight before even starting his new job.
"What do you suggest we do?" he asked, his smile gentle yet wicked.
"Heh heh... you first move aside. Let me catch my breath, then we'll figure something out." She wasn't sure if her heart palpitations had made her forget to breathe or if the cramped space, crowded by him, had run out of air.
Seeing he didn't move, Yu Xi continued her dry laughter, glancing at the door. She reached out, intending to quickly push him away, but her hand had barely touched his chest when it was caught. Her other hand was also instantly pinned against the wall. A stunningly beautiful face drew close, his light, thin lips, through the flamboyant mask, looked directly into her eyes, then lightly lifted, and heavily landed on her two soft, pink, honey-coated lips.