Qing Lian's heart pounded in her chest as she looked down at their joined hands. She wanted to pull away, to push him back and assert her dominance, but something in his gaze, in the quiet confidence of his touch, made her hesitate. She had always been the one in control, the one who dictated the terms of her relationships, but with Wang Li, it was different. He wasn't trying to overpower her; he was challenging her, inviting her to meet him as an equal.
And that was something Qing Lian found impossible to resist.
Without a word, she stepped closer, her free hand coming up to rest on Wang Li's chest. She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm, the warmth of his skin through the fabric of his robes. For a moment, they simply stood there, close enough to feel each other's breath, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.
