Chapter Thirty-Three: To Be Noticed by This Young Master Is a Blessing

Mai Xijun lay sideways on the sofa, letting Shen Yanlie pace around her room.

Yet when Shen Yanlie caught sight of the necklace on her vanity, he froze, standing there for a long time without moving.

Mai Xijun noticed his pause, and something suddenly occurred to her. She endured the pain and got off the sofa.

“That belongs to a friend, not me,” she said, grabbing the necklace and tossing it into a drawer.

Her guilt was obvious at such close range; the man before her was gazing at her, piercing into her soul with a questioning look. His dark eyes were fixed on hers, time seeming to stand still for a moment, then quietly slip away.

“I—I’m hungry. I’ll go make something to eat.” Mai Xijun finally couldn’t bear his intense gaze, which felt as if it would melt her away, leaving nothing behind.

She turned, and with a sharp pain in her waist, as though her bones were splintering, her legs gave out and she nearly collapsed. Shen Yanlie, quick as lightning, reached out and caught her arms.

The pain forced Mai Xijun to close her eyes, her brows knit tightly, teeth clenched, yet she still couldn’t help but gasp in pain.

Shen Yanlie bent down and once again lifted Mai Xijun into his arms, gently placing her on the bed. He then half-knelt beside her, intending to turn her onto her side, but Mai Xijun grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t. I’m fine. I just need to rest. Thank you for helping me again today.” Her eyelids drooped as she spoke, while Shen Yanlie’s hand lingered on her waist.

“When will you finally learn to curb your recklessness? And from now on, don’t pretend to be strong in front of me. You’re already in so much pain—listen to me! Turn over and let me see.” As Shen Yanlie spoke, he was already acting; Mai Xijun could only grit her teeth. But she was wearing a dress—a formal evening gown she hadn’t had time to change out of…

She wanted to refuse, but Shen Yanlie had already found the hidden zipper on her gown and smoothly pulled it down. Her alabaster skin was instantly exposed before him; his Adam’s apple bobbed, but he continued, sliding the dress down to her waist.

Seeing Mai Xijun’s swollen waist, a large bruise marring her skin, he frowned deeply, unable to relax his expression. “You’re a grown woman and still constantly stumbling!”

“Where’s the medicine you brought back last time?” Shen Yanlie asked, glancing around.

Mai Xijun’s apartment wasn’t large—a bedroom and a living room, with a bathroom and kitchen. The walls were covered with diagrams and photographs, likely taken during her travels abroad. The space was simple, yet incredibly warm and bright.

“It’s on the windowsill outside.”

Once Shen Yanlie left, Mai Xijun tugged at her dress to cover herself.

Isn’t it said that injuries take a hundred days to heal? She, a jewelry designer, really didn’t know how to care for herself. Designers are supposed to be meticulous, aren’t they? But she was obviously careless!

It had only been a few days, and things were getting worse.

“Bear it,” Shen Yanlie said as he returned, sitting behind her. The cold liquid spread over her skin, biting to the bone.

“Hiss—pain…” Mai Xijun couldn’t help but cry out, twisting away. Her dress slipped from her chest as she moved.

When Mai Xijun came to her senses, Shen Yanlie had been staring at her softness for quite some time. “You’re trying to tempt me into crime!”

“Ah—scoundrel!” she shrieked, but Shen Yanlie merely clicked his tongue appreciatively. “Nice figure.”

“What?” Did she hear him right? He took advantage and then complimented her? Wasn’t he just showing off?

“Rogue!” Mai Xijun snapped, grabbing her clothes to cover herself, but her bare back had already been exposed to him—so smooth, like the finest silk. He could never get enough of that feeling, just as he couldn’t forget that night in Venice. The corners of his lips curved into a crescent. “I’ve already seen it all.”

Mai Xijun’s bravado instantly diminished; she was tongue-tied, unable to find a retort. Thinking of that day, she just wanted to cover herself up. All those feigned drunken antics would earn her nothing but disdain, but that day she really had gotten drunk, cried her heart out, and things spiraled out of control.

“All right, lie down. What would you like to eat? I’ll cook for you.” Shen Yanlie spoke lightly, then stood, removing his jacket and rolling up his sleeves.

Mai Xijun was stunned—a ‘You can cook?’ nearly escaped her lips. Wasn’t this moving too fast? Was he trying to defy fate?

She’d heard that the Eurasia president was a cold and ruthless man. By her analysis, he couldn’t possibly have fallen for her at first sight, and even if he had, it wouldn’t have happened so quickly. So, judging by her reasoning, this man was plotting something…

“What is it you want? What are you trying to get from me?” Mai Xijun scrutinized Shen Yanlie.

As she expected, his expression darkened. After a moment, he opened his mouth. “I want you.”

“….” Mai Xijun felt she’d walked into a trap, so she obediently closed her lips. Shen Yanlie turned away, a mischievous smile on his face. Mai Xijun muttered under her breath, almost sighing, “Playboy… How did I get tangled up with you?”

But Shen Yanlie’s sharp ears caught it. He turned around, “You have no idea how many women wish I’d take an interest in them. Being noticed by me is your reward for eight lifetimes of good karma!”

When Mai Xijun’s heart skipped and she looked back, Shen Yanlie had already disappeared at the doorway. The motion made her wince, another sharp pain in her body—truly a persistent torment!

Gazing at the recently closed drawer, her mind flashed back to Shen Yanlie’s earlier pause at the necklace. It was a unique piece—likely a global limited edition. Lebao Jewelry’s designer status made it easy for her to recognize it as a couple’s necklace.

And Shen Yanlie, belonging to high society and so worldly, would he see through something? With this thought, Mai Xijun sat up, opened the drawer, took out the necklace, and examined it again. Bracing herself against the bed, enduring the tearing pain in her waist, she crouched down and pulled out a box from under the bed, opened it, and tossed the necklace inside without hesitation.