Chapter 5: "If You’re Beautiful, Can’t I Look?"

Though relieved, the man's actions had bruised her pride. Her face darkened. "Why did you stop hitting me?"

"Because it'd hurt me to hurt you."

Wu Xiao bit her vermilion lip. "You'd rather face ten years in prison than prove your innocence?"

"Only a fool wants jail. But I won't play their game. Let the law decide… though I doubt it will. Never mind."

Before Wu Xiao could respond, an officer entered and whispered urgently. Her eyes flickered with surprise toward Ye Chenghuan before she hurried out.

Minutes later, the officer returned. "Follow me."

Ye found himself back in the chief's office. Wu Xiao stood conversing with a sharply dressed man—suit immaculate, briefcase underarm, thick rimless glasses framing a polite but unfamiliar face.

"You're free to go," Wu Xiao said tersely.

Ye eyed the stranger. "I'm not leaving."

"Why?!" Her eyes widened.

"I don't know him. I don't like owing debts—especially personal ones."

The man bowed slightly, smile calibrated. "Someone's waited outside for hours."

Ye frowned. "Who?"

"Best see for yourself."

He turned to Wu Xiao. "Really free?"

She snorted.

"Hope we meet again—somewhere nicer. And your skin's… distractingly soft." He ducked her glare and exited.

Outside, a silver BMW convertible gleamed. Behind the wheel sat a woman like a wild lily—pale yet striking.

Her face turned. A perfect oval, smaller than his palm, as if drawn from a classical painting. Eyes large and liquid, holding galaxies of unspoken words. A nose blending delicate beauty with masculine resolve. Lips like translucent rubies, hair a waterfall of midnight silk cascading over slender shoulders.

Her presence radiated cool serenity, as if she bloomed alone in some silent valley, untouched by staring eyes.

Ye's brows knotted. He recognized her—the shock now rivaled last night's chaos.

"Get in." She donned sunglasses.

Settling into buttery leather, Ye breathed, "Thanks for bailing me out. Why this morning you…"

The V12 roared as her foot spasmed on the accelerator. Seatbelted, she stayed anchored; Ye smashed into the dash.

Rubbing his forehead, he swallowed anger. This woman's more dangerous than the police chief, he thought. Escaped the tiger's den only to land in a dragon's lair.

The BMW sliced through Longdu's steel canyons, light strobe-flashing across Ye's face. Her scent—jasmine and something indefinable—wrapped around him. Against his will, his gaze traced her silhouette: hair cascading over a white blouse tucked into a coffee pencil skirt, curves threatening to burst free. Black stockings sheathed endless legs, their line broken by the tantalizing gap between skirt and knee.

Memories of last night's tangled sheets flickered—

SCREECH!

The car halted violently. She shot him an arctic glare. "What are you staring at?"

"If you're beautiful, can't I look?"

"No."

Her delicate features clashed with the steel in her voice. "Where are we going?"

No answer. After serpentine turns, they stopped before a teahouse named Drunken Moon.

Inside, tranquility reigned. Redwood furniture, lacquered screens, bonsai whispering serenity. A qipao-clad waitress approached. "Your order, sir and madam?"

Ye scowled at the menu. "$500 for flower tea? Highway robbery!"

"Our leaves grow at 2,000 meters—pesticide-free, organic…"

"Tap water then. No ice, no sugar."

"Unavailable."

"Longjing," the woman cut in, shooting him a withering look.

Jade-hued tea steamed in porcelain cups. She cradled hers but didn't drink.

"Your name?"

"Ye Chenghuan. Distinguished security professional. And yours…?"

"Lin Peishan."

He leaned forward earnestly. "About last night—"

"Silence!" Her shout made him slosh tea. She pressed a hand to her chest, pain flickering across her face.

They sat in charged quiet—her staring out the window, him draining the teapot. "More water!"

"Another pot," Lin ordered.

Refreshments arrived. Ye devoured pastries; Lin watched with disdain. How could I—a crown jewel—be bound to this… creature?

That cursed night—the stress, the bar, the liquor blurring lines. She loathed herself. Loathed him.

Ye read her turmoil. "Last night… we're adults. We face consequences."

"Speak."

"No apology suffices. I'll do anything to make amends. I'm unworthy to marry you, but…"

She lifted exhausted eyes. "Anything?"

"Anything."

"Then marry me."

Tea sprayed. "What?"

Lin's porcelain cheeks flushed. "Marry. Me."

Ye lit a cigarette, smoke curling like his thoughts. "Do you love me?"

"No."

"Why?"

"No choice."

His laugh was bitter. "For someone like you, this is charity."

Her composure cracked. "Are you mocking me? The violated begging her defiler… pathetic, right?"

"On the contrary. Few would have your courage."

His candor startled her. This unpolished guard spoke with unexpected depth.