Yun Zhiyi, eager to be done with this, quickly handed the ring back to him. Her soft, fair hand brushed across Li Yuye's palm, leaving the ring behind.
Li Yuye's lips curled slightly. "The gift I gave… you look down on it that much?"
Although his tone was calm, Ye Yuan, sitting nearby, noticed Li Yuye's underlying anger. For him, it was best to stay out of whatever was happening between them, so he sipped his drink in silence.
Ye Yuan had expected some love-filled exchange but instead sensed a building storm. It was quite the spectacle.
Ye Yuan couldn't resist, finally speaking up. "Little beauty, you know, you're the first woman daring enough to refuse him. But do you know? This guy can be scarier than a ghost when he gets mad!"
Yun Zhiyi was already upset; the ring had almost derailed her plans. Tension flared as she shot back without hesitation.
"My name isn't 'little beauty,' it's Yun Zhiyi. And ghosts are just figments; human nature is the real horror. Nothing in this world is scarier than the human heart."
Ye Yuan was almost speechless at her fiery response. "Damn!" He looked at Li Yuye, incredulous. "Your girl is just as fierce as you. I've never been put in my place like this!"
Tonight promised to be interesting; the days ahead even more so.
"Out." Li Yuye's cold, commanding voice cut through the air.
Ye Yuan quickly bolted, realizing who was really supposed to leave. Yun Zhiyi, thinking the order was for her, tried to hurry out, only to be held firmly around the waist. Before she could react, she was swept up and carried back to the couch.
"Yun Zhiyi, why are you in such a hurry to run back?" His low voice carried an edge, his hold tightening around her waist.
She could barely breathe, pain shooting through her. "Why bring him up again?" she whimpered, her voice barely audible.
"Li Yuye, tonight you put me on the spot with Su Shen in that hallway. I went along and let you have your way… Why are you sending me a ring, knowing I'm engaged?" she demanded, her voice trembling with frustration and fear. "Do you really enjoy pushing me like this?"
With an exhausted sigh, Yun Zhiyi stopped struggling as Li Yuye finally loosened his grip.
"Put on the ring," he commanded.