Chapter 29: The Devil's Embrace

Su Jin had been caught in her own bed.

She had no idea how long she'd been out, but when she woke up, she found herself lying stark naked on a luxurious hospital bed. Doctors and nurses were in the middle of their rounds, and Su Jin was exposed to the world, completely vulnerable.

But it wasn't just her who woke up at that moment. A nurse's shrill scream echoed down the hall. It wasn't just the unconscious Su Jin who stirred; her scream drew a crowd of curious onlookers—patients, nurses, everyone came rushing over to see what was happening.

The gossip quickly spread, reaching the ears of Lou Yuqing, who had also heard the rumors. The luxury suite at the end of the hallway had just been taken over by a new patient. Word had it that he was very handsome and clearly wealthy, given that only the very well-off could afford such a room. The nurses had spoken of him in low whispers—he was popular with everyone and had charmed them with his easy demeanor. But things had taken an unexpected turn when news of an affair surfaced, and the man disappeared as mysteriously as he had arrived.

Su Jin's name had been erased from the hospital's records. No one knew where she went after that. Her existence was like a forgotten whisper in the wind.

"Give him the money, shut him up, and send him to America. Then this whole thing will be over," Lou Yuqing said as she walked into the room, just as Lo Xian finished hanging up the phone.

"Lo Xian, I brought you some porridge," Lou Yuqing said, holding up the container.

"You made it yourself?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Mhm. I thought you might want something light to help your stomach."

Her voice was soft, but there was a certain steadiness to it. Lou Yuqing wasn't someone who sought thrills. She preferred peace, a quiet, comfortable life. If she were to be honest with herself, she was content in her own little shell, hiding from the complexities of the world and simply enjoying her life with Lo Xian. She had accepted this as her reality, convincing herself that things were fine as long as she kept the peace.

But she knew that, deep down, she was fooling herself. She couldn't ignore the tension that lingered beneath the surface. She had complied with Lo Xian—becoming the obedient wife, the calm partner he wanted. Yet, underneath the surface, there was always that layer of resistance, that defiance in her heart. She couldn't ignore it forever.

If she remained in her "safe" zone, everything would continue to be fine. But if she ever felt cornered, like last time, she would retreat into herself, closing off all contact and isolating herself completely. Lo Xian, of course, would not tolerate this. He would force his way back in, even if she locked herself away like a stubborn log.

Lo Xian, noticing the subtle shift in her mood, smiled. He wrapped his arm around Lou Yuqing's waist and pulled her closer, his eyes glinting with a peculiar warmth. "Thanks. But I need you to feed me."

She blushed, not surprised. It had always been her job to feed him, ever since he had been injured. She scooped a spoonful of porridge from the bowl and blew on it before holding it out to him.

"You have to be careful. It's still hot," she said softly, watching him intently.

Lo Xian, his gaze never leaving her face, took the spoon from her, and before she could react, he lifted her chin and tilted her face toward his. With a look that left no room for protest, he kissed her, transferring the porridge from his mouth to hers.

Lou Yuqing froze in shock, her face burning. Lo Xian smiled against her lips before pulling away slightly, his eyes full of possessive heat. "Swallow it. If you don't, I'll make sure you get a proper lesson on how to feed me."

She gulped, her breath caught in her throat. "What are you doing?" she whispered, embarrassed.

"Teaching you," Lo Xian said with a smirk. "I'm showing you how it's done. I need you to learn how to take care of me. If you haven't figured it out yet, don't worry. I'll teach you. Over and over again, until you get it right."

Lou Yuqing was left speechless, her face burning with the heat of his words. She didn't know how to respond, especially with his intense gaze locked on her. She knew he was toying with her, pushing her buttons just to see how far he could go.

Lo Xian's eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "Still haven't learned, huh? Let's try again."

His teasing tone made her want to shrink away, but she knew better than to defy him. She took the spoon and slowly fed herself, trying to ignore the tension building in the air between them. As she leaned in, her heart raced, every inch of her body aware of his presence, of his hands, his lips.

The moment their lips touched again, it was like the world slowed down. It was the first time she had kissed him so deliberately, so fully. And in that instant, her world seemed to implode. The intensity of the kiss, the heat, the feeling of being wanted—it was like an electric shock, one she couldn't escape.

A few days later, Lo Xian was discharged from the hospital. Dressed in a tailored suit, he walked with the kind of quiet authority and elegance that seemed to demand attention. His posture was perfect, his every movement exuding control. Yet, in his arms, Lou Yuqing was like a fragile doll, held close to him, her head resting on his chest as she slept peacefully, unaware of the journey ahead of her.

Their car ride to the villa was quiet, save for the occasional shift of gears. But for the driver, it was anything but calm. His eyes darted to the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Lo Xian's tender, almost obsessive gaze. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned his eyes back to the road, trying not to dwell on what he had seen.

At the villa, Lo Xian gently lifted Lou Yuqing out of the car, his movements tender, yet possessive. He carried her into the house, where the soft lighting made the whole place feel like a dream. He laid her down on their bed, her hair cascading around her like dark waves.

To him, she was his angel—beautiful, pure, and perfect. But in his heart, the darkness was growing. He could feel the urge to cage her, to lock her away, to keep her to himself. He didn't care about morality or right and wrong; all that mattered was that she never left him. No one else could touch her. She was his, and his alone.

If Lou Yuqing ever woke up, she would see the raw hunger in his eyes. But it wouldn't matter. He would make sure she stayed, locked in his world, forever.

"Don't ever leave me, baby," he murmured, brushing her hair from her face. "I'll spoil you, love you, treasure you. But if you try to run away, I'll show you who I really am. And I won't let you go."

The room was warm, the air thick with unspoken promises.

Lo Xian began undressing her slowly, his hands gentle but deliberate, knowing this moment would be another mark in the chain that bound her to him. He wasn't just taking care of her—he was marking her as his, body and soul.

And Su Jin, now Lou Yuqing, had no idea that she was already deep within the grip of the devil. Her love for him would become her addiction, and the price she would pay for his affection was one she would never be able to escape. Even when she saw the monster he truly was, it would be too late. He wouldn't let go.