Every movement and glance filled my mind. Every nerve in my body resisted this unfamiliar intimacy. After a few seconds of endurance, I finally couldn’t suppress it and pushed Yin Zhongtian away. Moved by emotion but restrained by propriety, he left only a brief, light kiss before releasing me.
I let out a huge sigh, opened my eyes, and saw Ye Zhengchen walking over, his sharp gaze fixed on my lips, as if something belonging exclusively to him had been violated.
I licked my cold, numb lips and said to him, “Thank you!” I sincerely thanked him for not punching Yin Zhongtian at that moment. Ye Zhengchen’s clenched fists gradually relaxed.
“It’s almost noon. Let’s have lunch before returning to Nanzhou.”
The task force was conducting cross-location interrogation, and Yin Zhongtian was detained in Lingzhou, about a three-hour drive from Nanzhou. Although I preferred to limit interaction between Yin Zhongtian and Ye Zhengchen, I couldn’t ignore our hunger.
Yin Zhongtian made the decision, saying, “Sounds good.”
I reluctantly expressed gratitude as we walked to the car. Ye Zhengchen, disliking unnecessary pleasantries, simply said, “Get in.”
Noticeable was the white car and its license plate. Yin Zhongtian appeared to recall something, glancing between me and Ye Zhengchen.
I opened the back door. “Let’s sit in the back.”
Ye Zhengchen had once taught me that if the driver isn’t just a driver, a passenger should sit in the front to chat. If all sit in the back, it feels like treating the driver as a taxi driver.
As I prepared to get in, Ye Zhengchen turned back and glared at me, as if to say, “Try sitting in the back with him!”
Embarrassed, I nudged Yin Zhongtian. “You sit in the front.”
Ye Zhengchen drove us to the most luxurious hotel in Lingzhou.
As soon as we entered, the hotel manager approached us with a beaming smile, showing extreme respect towards Ye Zhengchen. He personally ordered dishes for us while delivering a long-winded flattering speech.
From their conversation, I gathered that Ye Zhengchen had hosted lavish banquets for guests here for two consecutive days at high expenses, with guests of distinguished status.
Hearing this, Yin Zhongtian lowered his head, rolled down his shirt sleeves, and adjusted his collar, appearing self-conscious and concerned about others’ opinions. Although he was experienced in social events, he seemed to have lost his confidence, perhaps worn down by days of interrogation or intimidated by Ye Zhengchen’s presence.
After ordering, the manager poured tea for us and left, carefully closing the door.
I adjusted Yin Zhongtian’s collar. “You’ve lost so much weight. The days inside weren’t easy, were they?”
He smiled bitterly, glancing at Ye Zhengchen. “Fortunately, Deputy Commander Ye helped me, so I could get out so quickly.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” Ye Zhengchen said meaningfully, leaning back in his chair. “Bao Bing has already thanked me.”
I was startled, my heart tightening in fear, afraid he might say something shocking. I hurriedly responded, “Yes, I’ve said thank you many times.”
Before Yin Zhongtian could speak, Ye Zhengchen casually interjected, “Bao Bing is too polite, always keeping her distance from me. Actually, if she asks me for help, I would definitely not refuse, with no ulterior motives.”
What does he mean by “too polite” and “no ulterior motives”? Does that mean everything I did in the presidential suite was purely my imagination?
I took a deep breath, suppressing my urge to argue, and forced a smile. “Yes, Ye Staff Officer has always remembered kindness.”
Yin Zhongtian, not understanding our formalities, pulled my hand and asked, “Xiao Bing, have you known Ye Staff Officer for a long time? Why haven’t I heard you mention him before?”
I shifted my body, unsure how to answer.
To be honest, Yin Zhongtian’s question was somewhat embarrassing. He usually says, “I often hear Xiao Bing mention you,” and then secretly asks me how we met.
Noticing my discomfort, Ye Zhengchen took the initiative to answer for me. “We met in Japan and haven’t been in contact for many years. If it weren’t for her seeking my help to save you, she might have forgotten about this senior brother.”
He emphasized “senior brother,” sounding particularly harsh.
Yin Zhongtian’s gaze darkened as he studied Ye Zhengchen, lost in thought. The atmosphere grew strange, prompting me to adjust it with a forced smile. “How could that be? Back then, senior brother and senior sister-in-law were so kind to me. Even if I lost my memory, I would always be grateful.”
Despite my effort, the atmosphere charged. Ye Zhengchen raised his eyebrows, smiling insincerely. “Pity you left so hastily, not giving me a chance for a proper goodbye. I’ve regretted it for so long. I often told your senior sister-in-law: This girl just left without a word; it’s truly heart-wrenching… especially those twenty-nine tutoring fees she owes me.”
Mentioning the tutoring fees made blood rush to my abdomen, which I swallowed forcefully. Ye Zhengchen smiled, adding, “Ask your senior sister-in-law if you don’t believe me.”
I wanted to ask if he had really said such things to Yu Yin, laughing in my dreams. Hearing “senior sister-in-law,” Yin Zhongtian relaxed a bit, looking more spirited. “Xiao Bing, haven’t you paid back the tutoring fees you owe Ye Staff Officer?”
I laughed dryly. “Don’t take it seriously.”
How would Ye Staff Officer remember those tutoring fees? He’s just joking.”
“Yes, just joking,” Ye Zhengchen smiled. “I’m not a petty person. I’m just someone who says what’s on my mind… If you want to pay me back, I don’t mind.”
I rubbed my forehead, squeezing out a smile. “Senior brother, you’ve become more humorous over the years.”
“You’re too kind!”
The dishes had just been served, and after a few rounds of toasting, I was getting a headache.
When Yin Zhongtian went to the restroom, I could finally spit out the blood I’d been holding back. “Ye Zhengchen, what do you want?”
“I don’t want anything…” Ye Zhengchen played with his wine glass. “Why do you distance yourself from me? Admitting I’m your ex-boyfriend won’t disgrace you, right?”
“This is a matter of dignity. If you were in prison, would you want me to find an ex-boyfriend to rescue you?”
Ye Zhengchen sneered. “Don’t say I can’t go to prison. Even if I did, there would be plenty of people to save me, without you sacrificing your body…”
I quickly opened the door to check the hallway, ensuring Yin Zhongtian hadn’t returned.
Just as I sat down, Ye Zhengchen leaned in close. “Tell me honestly: If I were in prison, would you sacrifice yourself to save me?”
“No.”
I was telling the truth. No man could force me to undress except Ye Zhengchen, including Yin Zhongtian.
As for the upcoming wedding night, I never wanted to think about it.
In a daze, Ye Zhengchen whispered in my ear, “I would never allow you to do such a thing!”
His words recalled that passionate scene from days ago – him embracing me, tenderly possessive, desiring.
I confronted the naked possessiveness in his eyes and blurted out the question I’d long wanted to ask, “Then why are you forcing me?”
He laughed with his typical wicked smile, “I’m not forcing you… You wanted it yourself.”
“I wanted it?!”
“Yes, before I could even speak, you had already taken off your clothes. How could I disappoint you?”
“You…!” I was so angry I was speechless.
“Don’t make that unwilling expression,” he lowered his voice, his lips near my ear. “When you were writhing and moaning under me, you didn’t look like this…”
Just as I was about to splash tea on his face, the door lock moved, and Ye Zhengchen immediately sat up straight.
