I'm calling you cute

They were at the Grand Pearl, an exclusive restaurant overlooking the river.

Ying Yue had only come here once before with Fei Huangjin and several executives for a lunch meeting. Back then, she had admired the view of the river at daylight. But tonight, the river was lit up with rows of lamps and the small boats that were fishing along the river. The lights gave an impression of stars on the water.

The food was delicious. The wine was good. The man she was with the most sought-after bachelor of S city. Life was indeed funny sometimes.

Fei Huangjin glanced at her while she ate. "You look really stunning today."

"That's the second time you've said that tonight." She smirked, taking a sip of her wine. Using her spoon, Ying Yue checked the reflection of the man a few tables behind her. Judging by the way he was trying to observe them discreetly, it was yet another one following her. How many were there now?

Fei Huangjin sighed. It might not have been obvious to others, but her actions didn't escape him at all. "I was going to ask you about it some other day, but there seems to be five men who have been tailing you since we've left Fei International headquarters." He looked at her expectantly.

It didn't escape her that he had said "tailing you" instead of "tailing us." He really did know more than he let on. Ying Yue didn't seem fazed and ate her salmon with a smile. "What else have you noticed?"

He raised a brow. Was this woman really going to let him say it? "I presume two of those men are sent to protect you and the rest are from Jade Circle."

Wiping the corners of her lips with the table napkin, she stopped eating and elegantly set aside her utensils. She set her elbows on the table and held her hands together, placing her chin on them. Her smile didn't falter, not even a little bit.

Ying Yue thought he hadn't noticed a thing, but all this time he'd been keeping track of the people following her. It seems she underestimated the man. However… "There seems to be one other man you're missing out on."

Fei Huangjin leaned in closer, looking deep into her caramel-colored eyes, his confident demeanor unchanged. "That one behind you is my own man. And he's not following you. He's following them."

She chuckled, her eyes crinkling in amusement. She should've known he also had his people around them. Monster Fei seems to be fitting to be the head of Dragon Club, after all. "Tell me, do you think Jade Circle will touch me now that I'm with you?"

"Is that the reason why you're dating me?" His eyes became cold and he slanted his head at her.

Ying Yue knew he was shooting daggers at her, challenging her to tell him her answer. Her smile didn't budge and she leaned in until her face was only a few inches from his. She could feel the warmth of his breath from where she was. "Partly. I can't deny you're cute though."

"You're calling me cute?" Fei Huangjin's voice was almost a growl and his brows furrowed. Usually, when he gave that look to anyone else, they'd be intimidated by him. But here was Ying Yue, still smiling happily in front of him like he gave her a lollipop instead.

She gave him a teasing look. "Yes, I'm calling you cute."

Fei Huangjin got quite taken aback by her choice of words. Cute? No one has ever dared to call him such a thing. There was no part of him that could be called with that word.

He scoffed. For the first time in his life, he found himself speechless. He took in her smile and pursed his lips in slight annoyance. For someone as pretty as her, he really wondered why she didn't become a model instead of a spy agent.

Ying Yue leaned even closer, "Would you like to run away with me right now, Huangjin?"

He raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Run away?"

She nodded and laughed. "Maybe we could lose the men."

"In your heels?"

She glanced at her four-inch strappy heels. The heels were thick and could probably stand a little running. "Why not?"

Fei Huangjin glanced at their plates. They were already halfway through the meal. It was a shame they wouldn't be able to finish it. "Well," he held out a hand, "want to go for a walk?"

Ying Yue flashed him a dazzling smile and placed her hand in his. "Absolutely."