In recent days, Jiang Ci had been acutely aware that Su Yue’s health hadn’t fully recovered. While he felt a flicker of regret for his lack of self-control, he found it impossible to purge her from his thoughts. Before experiencing her, life had been simple; but once he had tasted that intense, soul-stirring pleasure, how could he not become an addict? How could he not fall deeper into her spell?
Even when he couldn’t indulge in anything elaborate, Jiang Ci never missed a chance to be close or steal an intimate moment. Aside from that first time when he had been driven by impulsive heat, his methods of seducing Su Yue had become dangerously skillful over the time.
The weather today was particularly harsh; it had snowed throughout the night, leaving the world a vast, silent expanse of white.
Su Yue, who was naturally sensitive to the cold, snuggled deeper into Jiang Ci’s chest, refusing to leave the warmth of the covers. However, today was the final day of filming, and she couldn’t afford to take another leave.
“Lie down a little longer?” Sensing her stirring, Jiang Ci tightened his embrace, his arms acting like a warm cage which he had no intention of opening.
“No, we’ll be late.” Su Yue looked up at Jiang Ci who still had his eyes closed; his handsome face was softened by sleep, lacking its usual icy edge and carefree arrogance.
Jiang Ci lazily lifted his eyelids, meeting Su Yue’s dark, clear gaze. Her eyes were bright and slightly moist; he had seen those eyes at their most breathtaking—brimming with tears, nearly spilling over when he pushed her too far—the most alluring sight he had ever beheld.
“Does it still hurt?” His voice was languid, a deep, pleasant rumble that vibrated against her.
Knowing exactly what he was referring to, Su Yue gave an honest shake of her head. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Good.” Jiang Ci’s gaze deepened. He pressed a lingering kiss to her lips before finally releasing her.
Su Yue threw back the blankets and scrambled out of bed, rushing through her morning routine as fast as she could.
“Come here.” When she emerged from the bathroom, Jiang Ci had already dressed. He wore a dark gray turtleneck under a long black trench coat, looking effortless yet undeniably striking.
Su Yue’s eyes lit up seeing him like this . She realized she was a bit of a yannu [颜奴 – Literally a ‘slave to beauty/looks,’ meaning someone who is easily swayed by a handsome face]. Faced with this version of Jiang Ci, she was utterly powerless to resist—not that she wanted to.
She walked over obediently.
“Sit.” Jiang Ci pulled a pair of white sneakers from the wardrobe, adorned with tiny embroidered flowers at the ankles—fresh and cute.
As Su Yue sat on the edge of the bed, Jiang Ci knelt before her, one knee resting on the floor. To her shock, his hand—marked with those rugged scars—gently grasped her ankle and rested her foot upon his knee.
“Ao Ao?” The slight calluses on his fingertips sent a tickle up her leg, and she instinctively tried to pull back.
Jiang Ci’s grip tightened. “Don’t move. I’m putting your socks on.” Her ankles were incredibly slender, appearing almost fragile; the skin on it was so delicate it revealed the faint blue tracery of veins beneath.
Su Yue was stunned. This imposing man, usually so aloof and unrestrained, was kneeling at her feet, head bowed, carefully slipping on her socks. Her heart skipped a beat, as a wave of sweet, soft emotion washing over her. Her pride as a woman felt thoroughly pampered.
Holding her foot in his palm, Jiang Ci studied it. Her insteps were startlingly white, and her small, rounded toes were tinged with a shy pink. He curiously squeezed her entire foot; it was incredibly soft.
“Don’t squeeze it,” Su Yue protested, shifting her foot. It tickled in a strange, intimate way.
Jiang Ci looked up, catching the hidden shyness in her eyes. He licked his lips, deciding not to push her further. He would take it slow. He finished with one foot and moved to the other. To him, Su Yue was exquisite from head to toe, a treasure he cherished to the core.
Meanwhile, a scandal had erupted at the university. Rumors were flying about a third-year student who had become pregnant and sought an abortion. The story grew more sensational by the hour on the campus forum [校园论坛 – A popular digital bulletin board where students gossip anonymously]. Some claimed the girl was a refined, “Class Beauty” type from a wealthy family.
At a restaurant near the school, Jin Mingyuan and Xu Xue were eating.
Jin Mingyuan was torn. Su Yue had explicitly told her that Xu Xue had tried to seduce Jiang Ci, but looking at Xu Xue now, it was hard to believe. Xu Xue had tearfully explained it was all a misunderstanding—that Su Yue was simply overprotective and misread the situation with the earring.
Knowing Xu Xue’s “mosquito-like” timid personality, Jin Mingyuan chose to believe her friend. “It’s okay. Once Yueyue calms down, she’ll realize she was wrong,” Jin Mingyuan comforted her.
“I just hope she isn’t angry anymore,” Xu Xue said softly, playing the martyr.
At the next table, a group of girls began whispering loudly. “Have you seen the forum? The girl who had the abortion… someone just leaked her name. It’s Xu Xue.”
The sound of a glass shattering echoed through the restaurant.
Xu Xue went pale, her cup slipping from her fingers. “Mingyuan… what do I do?” The secret she had buried was now public property. Panic surged through her; if her father found out, he would beat her to death.
“Someone is setting me up!” Xu Xue grabbed Jin Mingyuan’s hand like a drowning woman. “It has to be Su Yue. She’s angry because she thinks I want Jiang Ci, so she’s destroying me!”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Jin Mingyuan scolded, though she was shaken. “Yueyue wouldn’t do something so vicious.”
“Who else knows but us?” Xu Xue stood up abruptly, her voice shrill. “I have to find her. I have to clear this up!”
The atmosphere on the film set was celebratory as the crew prepared to wrap. Su Yue was in the dressing room removing her makeup, her hair falling in soft, glossy waves.
“Sister Yueyue, someone named Xu Xue is outside. She says it’s urgentand want to meet you,” her assistant reported.
Su Yue frowned. She didn’t want to see her, but she eventually walked to the gate. Xu Xue was standing in the snow, her shoulders soaked, her eyes burning with a mix of fear and hatred.
“Su Yue! How could you?” Xu Xue shrieked. “We were friends for years, and you leak my abortion to the whole school? You’re ruthless!”
Su Yue stared at her coldly. The sympathy she once felt was gone. “You say I spread rumors? Where is your evidence?”
“Mingyuan wouldn’t do it, and I wouldn’t do it to myself! It’s you! You’re retaliating because of Jiang Ci!”
“Shut up. Besides the three of us, did you forget your ex-boyfriend, Gu Chengfeng? He knows too.” Su Yue’s tone was indifferent. “I don’t have time for your drama so you better leave quickly.”
“It can’t be him,” Xu Xue stammered.
Just then, a sleek black car pulled up and Jiang Ci stepped out of it, his presence commanding and sharp. Seeing Su Yue, his cold features melted into a smile. “Finished?”
“Yeah. I thought your meeting would run late.” Su Yue leaned into his embrace.
“Meetings aren’t as important as you,” Jiang Ci replied lazily, ignoring the world around them.
The sight of their intimacy made Xu Xue’s eyes redden with resentment. “Yueyue, please… just help me clear the rumors. Don’t ruin me like this.”
“If I wanted to destroy you, I would hit you head-on,” Su Yue said, her chin raised with an effortless Gao Leng [高冷 – A ‘high and cold’ noble arrogance] vibe. “I don’t resort to underhanded tricks like a mouse.”
Jiang Ci watched his “kitten” extend her claws, finding the sight incredibly alluring. He glanced at Xu Xue with pure disdain. “Get out!”
Xu Xue seeing the hatred in ther eyes fled, disheveled and weeping. When she reached the Xu family home, she was shocked to find her father waiting.
Before she could speak, a heavy slap landed across her face.
“You shameful creature!” Mr. Xu roared, his veins bulging. “You’ve ruined my reputation! Pregnancy? An abortion?Now everyone knows about it !”
Xu Xue clutched her burning cheek, her world collapsing.
“You aren’t going back to school,” her father hissed. “Stay hidden at home until this fades. Then, I’ll find someone to marry you off to. Your reputation is trashed, so don’t expect a good match.”
Xu Xue’s face turned deathly pale. Her future, her dreams of Jiang Ci, and her dignity had all vanished in a single afternoon.
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