Chapter Eighty-Six I Want You...

Mai Xijun merely watched the scene unfold, saying nothing.

Shen Yanlie parted his lips slightly, exhaling a thread of dark green smoke, then took a deep, fierce drag, his cheeks hollowing. With determined finality, he crushed out the cigarette.

“Come here.” Shen Yanlie crooked his finger, his long legs striding purposefully toward the sofa.

Mai Xijun stood frozen, her tightly pressed lips betraying her hesitation. If she could disregard everything, she would either respond to his provocation or simply ignore him and walk away with pride. But…

“Come here.” Shen Yanlie patted the spot beside him.

The sky had not yet darkened; the room was still bright. Mai Xijun could almost count the bloodshot lines in his eyes. Yet, as she sat beside him, she found herself unable to look at him, instead staring blankly at her toes as if entranced.

Shen Yanlie stretched out his arm, drawing Mai Xijun into his embrace, pressing her close to his burning heart. All she could smell was the heavy scent of tobacco clinging to him, forcing her to hold her breath for a long time until, unable to endure any longer, she pushed him away. “If you’ve slept with another woman, don’t touch me. If you’ve smoked, don’t let me get near you.”

Mai Xijun was fierce, nearly grinding her teeth. She stood abruptly, looked down at Shen Yanlie with disdain. This wasn’t ancient times, but even then, not every woman could accept her man having multiple wives. Though Shen Yanlie, by many accounts, did not belong solely to her—she hardly had the position to demand anything.

Promises were nothing more than the test of time; truth and falsehood could remain hidden for decades. Besides, only lasting love reveals one’s true heart.

“Who told you I slept with another woman?” Shen Yanlie’s tone was cool, but clearly displeased, emphasizing the word “who,” as if determined to confront her.

Why was she so quick to jump to conclusions without any proof? Did she really see him as that sort of man—a libertine? He was a man of considerable self-control, after all, with a military background and special training. How could he lack discipline? True, he was young and full of vigor—but not every beautiful woman could make it into his bed.

Xijun scoffed, circled the sofa, grabbed her bag, and turned to leave.

“Save your energy. Without me, you won’t get out of my house,” Shen Yanlie replied lazily, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Mai Xijun. He lifted his knee and sprawled on the sofa, legs crossed, adjusting the cushion just so.

Really? Was he playing games now? This wasn’t her first time at his house; she’d always been able to leave openly before. Was it possible she couldn’t even open the door now? How strange…

Mai Xijun ignored Shen Yanlie’s “advice,” striding downstairs. Shen Yanlie sighed, seemingly helpless, yawned, and closed his eyes.

Sure enough, five minutes later, as the sound of high heels echoed from below, Shen Yanlie’s lips curled into a subtle smile.

“Hey, I want to go out,” Mai Xijun forced herself to suppress her anger. Ever since she’d met this man, her temper had become increasingly volatile.

She felt she simply couldn’t share a room with him. He was cold, sinister, and cunning—always scheming, always playing tricks. She couldn’t even get out of his house. Getting in was easy, leaving was hard.

She truly was used to poverty—she couldn’t comprehend the ways of the wealthy. Even the door was high-tech, and after searching for ages she couldn’t find any hidden mechanism. She tried everything, but still couldn’t open it, feeling as though she was terribly ignorant and inexperienced.

“Do you think it’s possible?” Shen Yanlie rolled his eyes, lashes fluttering, squinting at Mai Xijun. Hmm. So naïve, so innocent, so adorable. He’d called her here—would he let her leave without a word? Was that likely? Pure thoughts.

Mai Xijun pursed her lips. “Why did you call me over? Don’t tell me it’s just to chat.” Was he really that bored? Did she really think he was a sentimental man, moved by sights and memories, saying things full of emotion? If so, she’d rather be mistaken.

“That’s not out of the question,” Shen Yanlie answered lightly, as if it were only natural.

Xijun snorted, turned her head, trying her best not to look at his face.

For a long moment, neither spoke. The silence in the air was terrifying. Mai Xijun quietly cleared her throat, stretching her neck slightly, testing the waters with a tentative opening. Her eyes blinked rapidly.

“Well…” Mai Xijun lightly pressed her lips, almost believing Shen Yanlie was about to fall asleep again. “I want to ask you for a favor.”

Yanlie uttered a lazy “mm” from his throat, the movement visible only at his Adam’s apple, otherwise remaining as he was.

“Could you help me get someone out of the rehab center?” Mai Xijun tilted her head, carefully watching Shen Yanlie’s expression. Damn, for once this incorrigible man was quiet, but it felt so unnerving, especially since this was the first time she’d asked him for help.

He had said she could come to him for anything, yet she felt uneasy, awkward.

“Oh… Never mind, I’ll think of another way.” Seeing Shen Yanlie silent, Mai Xijun seemed disappointed, but her cheeks quickly flushed with inexplicable heat, turning her face a burning pink.

“I never said you couldn’t. Come sit beside me.” Just as Mai Xijun was about to abandon her hopes, Shen Yanlie’s hand slid down and tapped the spot next to him.

He didn’t open his eyes, but seemed able to perceive her every mood and thought. Mai Xijun always felt Shen Yanlie possessed eyes that could see through her, even when she said nothing. He could effortlessly grasp all her secrets.

Mai Xijun hesitated, then took the first step, slowly sitting beside Shen Yanlie. He seized her wrist, easily pulling her into his arms.

Mai Xijun gasped, pressed against Shen Yanlie’s solid chest. Before she could rise, his hands had already locked her in his embrace.

“Don’t move. Just stay with me.”

A faint, clean fragrance emanated from Mai Xijun, her soft hair brushing against Shen Yanlie’s chin, tickling him, stirring his breath, which gradually grew hurried.

“Bastard. Scoundrel. Every time I try to talk to you, you do this. Let me go!” Mai Xijun struggled, but Shen Yanlie only held her tighter, unwilling to yield.

Within the long, lean body of the man lay boundless strength, effortlessly imprisoning the slender woman in his arms. His large hand pressed down on the back of her head, his lips capturing hers, biting and devouring her soft, red lips as if in punishment.

“Do you know what a scoundrel really is? This is nothing. I’ll make sure you understand what it means—getting into bed is easy, getting out is hard.”

He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, kissing her swollen lips once more, heavy and wild.

Mai Xijun pressed her hands against Shen Yanlie’s chest, pounding, but it was futile. Instead, it only fueled his desire to conquer her. Every move she made was easily suppressed, not leaving a single gap for resistance.

She was kissed until she lost all composure, her head aching, her resistance waning.

In the rush of passion, he taught her how to kiss—not just lips to lips, but tongue and teeth.

Shen Yanlie seemed to have a sudden pang of conscience, realizing she was nearly breathless from his kisses, and reluctantly pulled away from her lips. “These days, aside from you, I haven’t touched any other woman.”

He propped her head with one hand, his quickened breath washing over Mai Xijun’s face, heat swirling between them, making it hard to breathe.

He didn’t know why he needed to explain himself, only that he didn’t want her to misunderstand, didn’t want her to think he’d been with other women. True, he once had agreements with other women, had kept physical relationships, but that was all in the past—before he truly met her.

Mai Xijun’s gaze grew hazy; she found his handsome, alluring face so captivating, her hands unconsciously clutching his shoulders.

“Trust me. I’m not the kind of man who can be lured into bed by mere appearance. Though I don’t mind women with charm and grace.” Shen Yanlie smiled, watching her flushed cheeks, the beautiful delicacy between her brows, as if such tenderness could belong only to her.

“Don’t smoke so much in the future. If you’re feeling bad, stressed, or sad, tell me. I might not solve your problems, but I’ll always be willing to listen.”

As Mai Xijun’s fingers brushed his ear, a jolt ran through Shen Yanlie’s body, a wave of heat passing through his abdomen.

Xijun panicked. “You…”

“A physiological reaction… Your words are very seductive.” Shen Yanlie replied innocently, his calm words nearly infuriating Mai Xijun.

Every time Shen Yanlie sent signals of provocation, Mai Xijun’s first instinct was to escape. But her chances of success were almost zero.

Once more, Shen Yanlie pressed her shoulders down. Those wild lips curved into a beautiful arc, lowering to her ear, nipping at her earlobe, his warm breath sending waves of tingling sensation, making her tremble.

“I want you…”