Is that enough? Give me a hug.

Every word Ye Mian uttered was beyond Jiang Chen’s expectations.

Yet the feeling surged into his heart with familiar intensity, as if he were drowning in mire, only to be hauled out by a gentle hand.

He tightened his grip on the string of prayer beads, straightened his posture, wanting to tell the girl not to give money to a man so easily—even if it was a joke, it was far too easy to be fooled.

But before he could finish, the girl suddenly stepped forward. Her delicate fingers covered his eyes, nestling into his embrace, her other hand resting on his shoulder with perfect restraint.

Her voice, soft and clear, trembled as it brushed his ear. “If it’s enough, let me hold you. If it’s not, I’ve already held you; I’ll make up for it later.”

His vision was obscured by her fingers, and he could only glance at strands of her hair through the slits.

A faint, sweet scent lingered at his nose.

He froze, one hand braced against the sofa, preventing them both from tumbling over.

His rational mind held him back—seducing such a wonderful girl was outrageous.

Yet his hand hovered in midair, unable to lower it.

The warmth of her palm crashed into his chest, and Jiang Chen’s gentle heart seemed to melt. His steady gaze fractured, bit by bit.

The gesture of resistance faltered.

He closed his eyes.

He was hypocritical enough, a beast whose words and heart were at odds, greedily longing for this moment, letting the girl manipulate him while remaining rigid.

The wind spilling in from the door grew languid. Ye Mian’s chin rested lightly on his shoulder, and that tiny, almost negligible mischief was realized—the world seemed to brighten.

Those two minutes felt as if two centuries had passed.

Not until Ye Mian’s hand grew tired from covering his eyes did she pull it back.

Sensing the sudden light before him, Jiang Chen slowly opened his eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke softly, “Ye Mian, get up.”

His voice came with an innate allure, a slight hoarseness that teased the senses.

Ye Mian’s heart thudded wildly. She obediently shifted away, but when his sharp profile was clearly revealed, she blinked.

She told herself it was enough.

She had already embraced him.

This man in front of her was formidable.

If she pushed any further, she might not be able to pay the price.

But her heartbeat did not agree. His face was so handsome, and even as he was held, he remained indifferent and ascetic, as if nothing had happened.

It was almost infuriating.

Guided by an impulse, she leaned toward Jiang Chen’s ear and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Just a touch, light as a dragonfly skimming water, her rosy lips barely brushed him.

Before he could react, the hand on his shoulder snapped back.

Like a successful thief, Ye Mian retreated, heart pounding, opening the door and fleeing without looking back.

She was apologizing frantically as she escaped.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I’ll pay for that kiss later, don’t worry, I won’t freeload.”

The wind seemed to halt; the room fell silent, air unmoving.

Outside, the faint rain sang, and inside the temperature was low.

After feeling the softness on his cheek, a burning heat followed.

He heard the girl’s words and the door closing, unable to stop her.

He closed his eyes, his expression unchanged but his heart in turmoil.

It was impossible to say who was more disheveled.

He wondered if transitioning from a poor boy to… a gigolo counted as a leap in class.

In any case, the girl was bold beyond belief.

The beads turned in his palm, the wood clicking, veins surfacing on the back of his quietly clenched hand.

At that moment, he wished there was a Buddha in this world—

Someone who could control his heart, surging like a tide.

Night deepened.

The corridor was quiet. Despite the bathrobe covering her body like a well-designed gown, Ye Mian still felt embarrassed.

Finding her room number on the keycard, she fumbled to open the door, turned on the lights, and carefully shut and locked the door behind her.

With no one watching, she finally breathed out.

She kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her face and staring at the ceiling.

A crystal chandelier scattered a thousand beams, wind dancing tiny lights across the wall.

Absurd.

She felt she ought to change her name.

Why call herself Ye Mian!

Ye the Bold would be more fitting.

Daring to steal a kiss from Jiang Chen, she was shamelessly audacious!

But… Jiang Chen didn’t refuse.

With her slender arms and legs, if Jiang Chen wanted to push her away, he could have done so easily.

As she thought, her lips curled unconsciously, suppressing the wild joy in her heart, and she walked lightly into the bathroom.

The bathroom was just like Jiang Chen’s: a vast countertop, a mirror ringed with light that made her look spirited and beautiful, and beside it, a bouquet of camellias.

It was the second time she’d seen such lovely camellias.

She bent to admire them for a while before raising her eyes to the mirror.

The blush on her cheeks had not faded since the beginning.

Her eyes were slightly red from nervousness.

Combined with the bathrobe she wore, she looked soft, with a hint of sensuality.

After washing up, she had calmed a little.

Then she realized she had fled too hastily.

Her bag and clothes were still in Jiang Chen’s room.

But…

Her legs dangled over the sofa, and cowardice crept in.

To go knock on Jiang Chen’s door now for her clothes? She couldn’t.

Who knew if Jiang Chen would be angry once he processed everything?

After all… she’d been brazen, treating him like a male model.

After some thought, she decided to sleep it off.

She lay in the wide, soft bed, her mind gradually emptying.

Despite the wind and rain outside, she still felt the day had been wonderful, so good it felt a shame to waste.

Nine o’clock the next morning.

Sunlight poured in, dazzling and intense, infiltrating every corner.

Yet it could not penetrate the heavy curtains and dark hotel room.

Ye Mian’s breathing was steady, as if she hadn’t slept so well in ages and was reluctant to wake.

Groggily, she heard someone knock on the door from outside.

She opened her eyes in a haze, darkness making her unsure of her surroundings.

Barefoot, she walked to the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

A cold voice rang out.

Ye Mian’s sleepiness vanished, her breath stilled, and only one thought filled her mind.

She was doomed. The boss had come to settle accounts.

After a moment’s deliberation, Ye Mian smoothed her hair and cautiously opened the door.

Light from the corridor streamed in.

Jiang Chen stood outside, a hint of a smile on his face, warmer than usual, his eyes curving at the corners—

Ye Mian was certain he was up to no good.

Sure enough, he leaned in, lowering himself to meet her gaze, his voice deep and soft at her ear: “I brought your clothes and bag. Is the after-sales service satisfactory?”

Ye Mian blushed and stayed silent.

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(End of chapter)