Lu Ziyang seemed oddly fond of revolving doors.
As they stepped into the circular motion, he deliberately kept her from exiting, spinning them around twice as if dancing.
Right in front of the security guard, Yaxi playfully pinched his backside—firm and muscular.
Lu Ziyang froze, his face flushing red, "What are you doing in public?"
He acted shy with her but shot a fierce glare at the security guard, shielding Yaxi protectively so the man couldn't see her face.
"I'm feeling generous today," Yaxi said, grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling him out the door.
Lu Ziyang stumbled, his ear brushing against Yaxi's cool, soft lips.
Then, she pressed a teasing lick with her tongue.
A surge of heat shot up from his tailbone to the back of his head.
Lu Ziyang's heart pounded like a drum.
"You've been such a good boy waiting for me. Let me treat you to dinner. My cooking is exquisite."
Her voice carried a playful edge, igniting a spark within him that burned hotter with every word.
The two of them, perhaps influenced by the peculiar atmosphere of the hospital, paid no heed to how they appeared in the eyes of others.
Li Chongming, carrying a bottle of wine, and Zhou Ye exited shortly after.
At the auction, Zhou Ye had almost secured the "Mermaid's Tear," but a call from Zhou Tao interrupted him, leaving him in a foul mood.
Little did he know he was walking straight into an ambush.
In the lounge were two other guests—his aunt Zhou Qing and his fiancée, Chen Weihang, the only daughter of the Chen family.
Though the marriage arrangement wasn't finalized, Zhou Qing, eager to play matchmaker, had arranged their meeting.
Zhou Qing, Li Chongming, and Chen Weihang engaged in lively conversation, while Zhou Ye sat silently by the wall, his ears weary. He ordered a glass of wine and gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window at the bustling city below, sipping disinterestedly.
Suddenly, he heard a faint clinking sound from the adjacent room.
The hospital prided itself on its soundproofing, designed to protect guests' privacy.
But Zhou Ye's sharp hearing caught the noise nonetheless.
Unintentionally, he overheard fragments of a young girl's trivial confession: "...it's the person I have a crush on... he went bankrupt... got arrested, so I picked him up from the garbage... imprisoned him..."
Zhou Ye took a sip of his wine and chuckled softly to himself: Young, but bold.
Silence fell in the neighboring room, and no more sounds came through.
Unexpectedly, he encountered them again upon leaving.
"That Lu kid looks dumb, but he's got some moves, huh? Already got her?" Li Chongming teased, "Looks like they're heading straight to a hotel. Kids these days are bold."
Both men had seen the pair of high schoolers, entangled in flirtation, leaving moments earlier.
Zhou Ye averted his gaze, his voice as cold as frost: "Immature."