"Which is it? Speak!"
It was incredibly hard for her to utter out, yet he was unwilling to let her avoid the question, forcing her to say those words.
Ye Chenxing felt like she was about to faint, her half-lowered eyelashes trembling under his demanding gaze. Her clear pupils were filled with unshed tears, making her look even more innocent, like a frightened small animal.
She looked back at Gu Shaocheng with those innocent and helpless eyes, and opened her mouth slightly, unable to say anything. But she couldn't keep silent either. So, she quietly said, almost whispering, "I won't sell."
"Are you sure, you won't sell?"
Gu Shaocheng asked her in a dangerous tone. Ye Chenxing met his gaze, she nodded her head firmly.
"Given your current situation, you can't even support yourself. If you come with me, the life I can give you is beyond your imagination. In the future, wealth and luxury will be yours. Are you still sure you won't sell? Think carefully, Chenxing, then answer me."
Her heart sank further, and she shook her head violently. "I won't sell, really, I won't. Please, find someone else."
She didn't want to be that kind of woman. Even if she was suffering and helpless, she didn't want to be that kind of woman. She couldn't shame her parents in heaven, nor could she make them sad for her in another world.
"Very well."
To Gu Shaocheng's delight, she looked frightened. He smiled contentedly, "I never buy women."
"Is that really true?"
"Do I look like a profligate son?"
Ye Chenxing took a deep breath: "Then can you let me go?"
"No."
"But you just said you won't buy me."
"Yes, I indeed have no intention to buy you." He suddenly stepped forward, scooped her up lightly, and placed her on his lap. Their proximity made Chenxing even more nervous, but she couldn't break free. She could only stare at his features, close enough to touch, and feel his firm yet gentle embrace.
Why did she have the illusion of being tenderly embraced when she was forced to sit on him?
How strange...
It was, somewhat shameless.
Ye Chenxing bit her lip, trying to suppress the anxiety in her heart and that feeling of warmth that she couldn't voice.
Why did this man, who resembled a king, rescue her from imminent imprisonment like a hero bathed in golden light? What did he plan to do now?
The past few minutes felt like a dream to her.
Even if it was a dream, it was too dangerous. Each step felt like walking on the edge of a cliff, leaving her in suspense about what awaited her the next second.
Dealing with this extraordinary man was challenging, let alone understanding him, which matched what she had analyzed from his appearance.
She had seen many romance dramas and was not interested in hero-rescuing-damsel scenes anymore. Therefore, at this moment, she felt truly apprehensive and bewildered.
His lips were only millimeters away from hers, so close that they would kiss if they merely opened their mouths. Heat surged to Ye Chenxing's head, scalding hot. She wanted to back away, but the arm behind her didn't allow for even a millimeter of retreat.
"Why is your face so red?" Gu Shaocheng asked in his relaxed and playful tone.
"…"
"What are you thinking about that made your face turn that red?"
Her head felt hotter, and even her ears started to burn.
"You... you let me go..."