Meng Shuyao hadn’t been paying attention and had already fed half the packet. She hurriedly stopped. “I won’t feed them anymore.”
She wiped her hands and took an instant camera out of the bag she’d brought with her. “I’ll take a few photos.”
After adjusting the mode, she had only taken one landscape shot when she realized there was no film.
She remembered bringing a spare box. Reaching into her bag, she felt around and found a small box, but failed to grip it properly, and it dropped by Pei Yuzhou’s feet.
He bent down to pick it up. The moment his gaze touched the words on the packaging, his expression stilled. “Yours?”
“Mm, what’s wrong?” Meng Shuyao took it from him, only then seeing clearly that this was not instant camera film.
Her mind went blank for an instant.
No!
Could someone tell her why it was condoms?!
“They’re not mine!” She flung the hot potato away.
Pei Yuzhou leaned against the railing and looked at her calmly.
Meng Shuyao had no way to defend herself. “They’re really not mine.”
Then she remembered. It was the “ex blind box” Mia had bought. Mia had put this thing in her bag and forgotten to take it out.
-
Back in her room, Meng Shuyao collapsed on the sofa as if life held no meaning. She took out her phone and sent Mia a message: “Your ex blind box has ruined me.”
Mia: “Hm? What do you mean?”
Meng Shuyao: “The condoms fell out of my bag and he saw them. Now I can’t explain myself no matter what I say.”
Mia: “Ah?! That dramatic?”
Mia: “If it really won’t work, I’ll go explain it to him.”
Meng Shuyao: “Forget it.”
She attached a resigned emoji.
Mia: “Just what kind of man is this hard to chase? Is he deliberately stringing you along? If it really won’t work, let’s switch to another one.”
Meng Shuyao confessed, “The one you saw at the club last time.”
Mia: “!!!!!! It’s him?”
Meng Shuyao: “Mm.”
Mia: “I suddenly seem to understand. Looks and physique are justice.”
Mia: “Good luck. Wishing you success in taking him down soon.”
Meng Shuyao put down her phone and buried her face in the crook of her arm.
She needed to calm down. For the time being, she didn’t want to face Pei Yuzhou.
That evening, she heard from the staff that there was a hot spring pool in the backyard of the villa where one could soak in an herbal bath, which helped with sleep.
At nine, she changed in her room, sprayed herself with insect repellent, wrapped herself in a bathrobe, and went downstairs.
There were lights all along the way. She followed the stone path forward.
From afar, she saw mist curling over the hot spring pool, the light and shadows hazy.
The pool was built from stones of various shapes, arranged in a pleasingly staggered pattern.
A rich herbal scent surged into her nose.
As she approached the pool, Meng Shuyao was caught off guard by the sight of a figure inside.
She jumped, her heart seeming to stop for several seconds.
By the dim yellow light, she made out who it was.
The man was bare from the waist up, lazily leaning against the pool wall with his eyes closed in rest.
The strong contour of his jawline was smooth and distinct, his neck elongated; beneath the water, the taut lines of his chest muscles could be faintly seen.
Meng Shuyao froze in place. “Mr. Pei?”
The man opened his eyes and turned his head to look over.
Through the water vapor, their gazes collided.
For some reason, the tip of Meng Shuyao’s heart grew hot, and her ears flushed red of their own accord. “Why are you here?”
His arm rested on the edge of the pool, fingertips pressed against his temple, his tone calm and careless. “My backyard.”
“Isn’t this my backyard?” Meng Shuyao looked around, then suddenly understood.
No one had told her that the backyards of the two villas were connected, and that even the hot spring pool was shared.
After what had happened that afternoon, to run into him again now in the hot spring pool—she just wanted to flee immediately.
“Then I’ll go back.”
She picked up her woven rattan tote and turned around. Before she could even take a step, a low voice came from behind her.
“Scared?” His sexy, mellow voice inexplicably carried a trace of ambiguity.
Meng Shuyao drew her foot back and murmured, “I’m not scared.”
Pei Yuzhou raised an eyebrow. “Get in.”
Meng Shuyao’s lashes trembled abruptly, her palms faintly damp.
She pressed her red lips together. After hesitating for a few seconds, she turned back and walked toward the pool entrance.
So be it. Her goal had been to get close to him in the first place.
Pei Yuzhou, however, was a little surprised.
He told her to get in, and she really dared to.
Meng Shuyao stepped onto the stone stairs and slowly entered the pool.
Warm water gradually covered her body, enveloping her completely.
The water level was higher than she had imagined, reaching her chest.
Holding onto the edge, she slowly moved closer to Pei Yuzhou.
“Afraid of water?” His tone was certain.
Meng Shuyao didn’t hide it. “Mm. I almost drowned when I was little.”
When she was less than two meters away from him, she no longer dared to go forward.
Moonlight filtered sparsely through the branches and leaves, floating on the surface of the water, mottled with shadows of trees.
The sound of water filled the quiet atmosphere.
“You don’t dare come over?” the man asked in an unhurried tone.
Meng Shuyao hesitated, her ears already burning beyond reason. “You… are wearing something, right?”
A soft laugh rolled from Pei Yuzhou’s throat. “You’re afraid of that too?”
Meng Shuyao tried to save face. “Can’t I be afraid of offending you?”
Pei Yuzhou stared at her face. “How do you want to offend me?”
Meng Shuyao bit lightly at her lip and lifted her foot, continuing to edge in his direction.
Moving in the water was inconvenient to begin with, and her foot accidentally stepped on a pebble. Her body slid forward uncontrollably, lunging straight toward Pei Yuzhou.
“Ah!”
Along with a short cry, her forehead bumped into the man’s firm, warm chest.
Out of instinct, Meng Shuyao wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
The sensation beneath her palms was pliant yet firm. His body proportions were even better than she had imagined.
His waist was lean, narrow, and powerful.
Pei Yuzhou’s breathing hitched. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his voice dropped several degrees, low and hoarse. “How long do you plan to hold on?”
Meng Shuyao hurriedly let go and retreated two steps, her cheeks crimson. “I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose. I stepped on something just now.”
In the water, she truly had no sense of security. The slightest disturbance could easily startle her.
Pei Yuzhou looked at her flushed, flustered appearance. She was clearly innocent, yet bold enough to act recklessly.
“You’re not lacking in courage.” He reached out and clasped the girl’s waist, pressing her toward himself. With his other hand, he pinched her chin and lifted it. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something to you?”
His scorching breath fell over her, its presence impossible to ignore.
Meng Shuyao’s heartbeat fell completely out of rhythm. She tilted her head up and looked at him. “I…”
Pei Yuzhou lowered his neck, his thin lips very close to the tip of her nose. “I’m no gentleman.”
Meng Shuyao’s fingertips curled, her lashes trembling. “Then the two of us are made for each other. I’m not a good girl either.”
She had played the obedient girl for long enough. She had had enough of following every rule, of being cultured and well-mannered.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Pei Yuzhou’s mouth, his fingertips rubbing back and forth.
The young girl’s skin was delicate and smooth, as if water could be pinched from it.
Meng Shuyao held her breath, her heart tightening inch by inch. She thought he might kiss her at any moment, but what she waited for was him suddenly letting go.
“Fix your clothes.” The man leaned back against the edge and closed his eyes.
At his reminder, Meng Shuyao lowered her head and looked.
At some point, the collar of her bathrobe had come loose, revealing a hint of the curve beneath.
Blushing, she adjusted it and muttered under her breath, “You’re not wearing clothes either.”
Pei Yuzhou lifted his lips. “Then take everything off.”
“…”
Meng Shuyao silently shut her mouth, stealing glances at him from the corner of her eye.
A few drops of water hung from his jaw, sliding down along his neck and disappearing into his well-defined chest.
His chest muscles were full and firm, not like those exaggerated muscle men from the gym. His was just right—one bit more would be too much, one bit less would lack flavor.