Missed a golden opportunity

Yan Rouxi stood comfortably, enjoying the drama unfold as if it were prime-time entertainment. The only thing missing was a box of popcorn. 

Xia Yuqing shot her a desperate look, mouthing, "Help me!"

Yan Rouxi shrugged and shook her head slightly. "You're on your own for this one," she mouthed back, clearly amused.

Xia Yuqing glared daggers at her so-called "friendship." Fine. If no one was going to save her, she'd save herself! She began wiggling and struggling like a fish caught in a net, determined to free herself from Lu Jinchen's arms.

Feeling her squirming, Lu Jinchen's grip tightened. His gaze flicked down at her, unimpressed. "Stop moving."

"Then put me down!" she snapped.

"No. I'm taking you home."

"Who gave you the right—"

"You are injured. Don't move," he interrupted. 

Xia Yuqing huffed. Injured or not, she had no plans of being kidnapped by this man! How dare he pick her up without her consent like she was some damsel in distress? She was an empress and an assassin for heaven's sake! Did this man have no shame?!

"Lu Jinchen put me down this instant!" she demanded, her face flushed red with frustration.

"No."

Xia Yuqing sucked in a deep breath. Fine. If reasoning didn't work, she'd do something else. Suddenly her eyes landed on the TV screen. The female lead was screaming. Frustrated, the male lead put her down. 

Seeing that, her eyes lit up. Perfect!

"If you don't put me down, I'll start screaming like that woman—" she nodded at the screen, "—and let the world know what kind of 'dignified' president you really are!"

Lu Jinchen followed her gaze, and his lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "Go ahead and scream. If you do, I'll handle you the same way the male lead is handling his woman."

Xia Yuqing blinked. What was the male lead doing again? She turned her head and—

Oh.

Oh!!!!!

A full-blown, toe-curling, soul-stealing kiss was playing on the screen. Ahhhhh!!! A kissing scene?! How could they show something so indecent in broad daylight?! So indecent! So shameless! So—so—

Her face turned as red as a cooked lobster.

"You—you hooligan! You pervert!" she screeched, whipping her head back to glare at him.

Lu Jinchen smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Are you going to shut up? Or do you want me to demonstrate?"

Xia Yuqing nearly choked on air. D-Demonstrate?!

Her entire face was about to explode from embarrassment. This man—this devil—he was not serious, was he?! But the way he was staring at her lips, like a wolf eyeing a juicy piece of meat, said otherwise!

With a gasp, she slapped her hands over her mouth, her fingers trembling slightly. "You!!! Where do you think you're looking?! Stop staring, or I'll pluck your eyeballs out! You hear me?!"

Lu Jinchen burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, I hear you."

With that, he carried her toward the door. This time, whether it was because of his shameless threats or because she finally accepted the futility of her resistance, Xia Yuqing stayed still.

This surprised him. 

Was that it? Did she really give up?

Did his kiss threat actually work?!

He wasn't sure if he should feel triumphant or offended. Most women would kill for the chance to kiss him, but this one? The mere thought of it had frightened her into total submission.

"Tsk, ungrateful woman," he muttered, stepping into the elevator.

Xia Yuqing, still in his arms, scowled. "Did you just say something?"

Lu Jinchen smiled innocently. "Not at all."

As the doors closed, he glanced down at her obedient, almost too obedient posture and smirked. "Huh. So you finally understand what's good for you. Smart choice."

Xia Yuqing gritted her teeth. "Don't flatter yourself, I just—"

"Missed a golden opportunity," he cut in.

She frowned. "What?"

His smirk deepened. "You just lost your chance to kiss the most handsome man in the country."

Xia Yuqing stared at him. Then burst into laughter. "Narcissistic much?"

"Just stating facts." He shrugged. "You have no idea how many women would kill for the chance."

"Heh." Her lips curled. "Well, congratulations, Mr. Lu. I am not one of those women." Then, as if just remembering something, she narrowed her eyes. "Also, did you forget about the contract we signed? No romance, no physical intimacy, and absolutely no—"

"Of course, I remember." His eyes twinkled with mischief. "But as a generous husband, if my wife desires it, I wouldn't mind making a small sacrifice."

Xia Yuqing's eyes widened in horror. "Excuse me?! Me? Desiring you?!"

"Yes, desiring me," he nodded slowly. "Don't worry, I will happily sacrifice my beauty to satisfy you."

Xia Yuqing choked. "Satisfy me? As if! I'm pretty sure you wouldn't even be able to—"

Lu Jinchen's eyes darkened slightly as he leaned in, his voice dropping an octave. "Xia Yuqing, are you trying to challenge me? Do you want to test whether I can or not? Trust me, if I wanted to, I could press you against this elevator wall and kiss you until you forget how to talk."

Her breath hitched.

For a fraction of a second, time seemed to freeze. The heat of his body, the quiet hum of the elevator, the way his breath ghosted over her skin—it all felt too close, too overwhelming. A slow, dangerous smirk curled at his lips, and the intensity in his eyes sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine.

Her heart betrayed her, skipping a beat.

Then, as if snapping out of a spell, her face flamed.

"YOU DARE?!" she screeched, her hands lunging toward his neck. "Let's see who wins first—you kissing me or me strangling you!"

Lu Jinchen burst out laughing. "Ah, so violent! Do you want to become a widow so soon?"

"YES!" Xia Yuqing snapped. "It's better than being your wife!"

Lu Jinchen chuckled, clearly amused. At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and he stepped out. There were people already in the lobby, and when they saw a handsome man carrying a beautiful woman in his arms like a princess, they stopped what they were doing and gawked openly. 

Feeling so many gazes falling on her, Xia Yuqing's entire face burned.

AHHHHHHHHH!!!

Where was a hole when you needed one?! She wanted to disappear! How was she supposed to maintain her dignity as an empress like this?! This was beyond embarrassing!!!

And, it was all this shameless man's fault.