Mo Ran's gaze softened as he swept his hand over his desk, reaching into a drawer and pulling out a red velvet box. The sight of it made Lixue's breath hitch—she knew the shape all too well.
He held it out to her, his eyes never leaving her face. "I couldn't give you this on our wedding day," he began, his voice low but steady. "It wasn't ready then. Finding gems as rare as you takes time. But now that I have it, I want to cherish it. I won't let anyone convert what we have, Lixue. You will always belong to me."
Opening the box, he revealed an exquisitely crafted ring, the delicate diamond shimmering in the light. Slowly, he reached for her hand, his touch surprisingly gentle as he slipped the ring onto her finger, sealing it with a soft kiss. The warmth of his lips against her skin sent an unexpected shiver through her.
His gaze met hers, piercing yet calm. "I know you only see me as a tool to get your revenge," he said, his voice soft but unyielding. "And I don't mind. Use my name as you please. The name Mo Ran will get you whatever—or whoever—you need. Think of it as my gift to you."
Lixue blinked, her heart racing as she processed his words. For all his cold detachment, there was an undeniable sincerity in his eyes, a promise that lay bare beyond mere appearances. She'd assumed he'd be nothing more than an indifferent partner, an obstacle she'd have to navigate around in her quest for revenge. Yet here he was, offering her his power, his influence—perhaps even his protection.
"Thank you… Mo Ran," she replied softly, testing the sound of his name. It felt foreign on her tongue, yet there was a strange comfort in it.
Mo Ran's gaze lingered on Lixue, and then he leaned in closer, closing the small distance between them until she was pressed against the desk, trapped by his presence. His dark eyes held an intensity that made her heart pound, and he seemed to notice her reaction, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is my wife flustered?"
Lixue's cheeks flushed as she looked away, desperately trying to keep her composure. But her mind raced, caught off guard by this unexpected warmth and the teasing glint in his eyes. She'd come here expecting indifference, maybe even cold formality, not… whatever this was.
Mo Ran leaned in even closer, his breath brushing against her ear, and she stiffened, feeling a shiver run down her spine. "You're trembling," he whispered, his voice soft but laced with amusement. "Are you afraid of me, Lixue?"
She forced herself to look at him, trying to summon her usual resolve. "I'm not afraid," she replied, though her voice wavered ever so slightly. "I just didn't expect you to… to be so…"
"So what?" he prompted, his lips inches from her ear now. "So close?" He tilted his head, studying her reaction, and then, to her shock, he leaned in even further and brushed his lips lightly against her ear, his voice a quiet murmur. "Or perhaps… so interested?"
Lixue's heart raced, her face flushed as his words sank in. She wanted to turn away, to create some distance, but Mo Ran seemed to sense her discomfort and only pressed further. His warm breath traced along her ear, and he gave her a soft, almost playful nip at the edge, a gesture that sent an unexpected thrill through her.
"Do you know what you look like right now?" he asked softly, his voice low and intimate. "Like a cornered little rabbit."
Lixue's breath hitched as he drew back slightly, just enough for her to catch her breath, only for him to close the gap once more, his face hovering just beside hers. His hand came up to rest gently on her arm, his thumb tracing small, lazy circles on her skin. She felt trapped, ensnared in his touch, his words, the slow, deliberate way he leaned in until his lips brushed along the edge of her jaw.
"Tell me," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he moved closer, "why do you look so… nervous? Is it because I'm your husband, Lixue?"
His fingers drifted up her arm, leaving a trail of warmth, until his hand rested on her shoulder. He let his thumb glide slowly along her collarbone, his eyes never leaving hers as he watched her reaction with amusement and intrigue.
Lixue swallowed hard, her mind struggling to catch up with the overwhelming sensations. She felt her resolve slipping, her voice barely a whisper as she replied, "I… I'm not nervous…"
He chuckled softly, the sound low and intimate. "Really?" he murmured. His lips grazed along her ear, warm and inviting. "Then why is your heart racing so fast?" His words hung in the air between them, teasing, testing her limits.
"Mo Ran…" she managed, her voice barely audible, her mind hazy with a mix of emotions she couldn't quite name.
He paused, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes, his gaze softening slightly, though the playful gleam remained. "Relax, Lixue," he said, his tone gentler now, though still laced with a hint of teasing. "There's no need to be so formal with me. After all, we're married now. You belong to me."
With a final, lingering glance, he leaned in one last time, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek before finally stepping back, leaving her breathless and dazed.
Lixue practically bolted from Mo Ran's study, her mind racing as she closed the door behind her. She pressed her back against it, willing herself to breathe.
The air in the hallway felt cooler, but the warmth in her cheeks only seemed to intensify. She raised a hand to her face, lightly patting her cheeks in an attempt to calm herself.
Get it together, Lixue, she thought, scolding herself. But every time she remembered his low, teasing voice, the way he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin, she felt her cheeks grow even hotter. It was as if his touch still lingered, making it impossible for her to think straight.
Just then, she heard a voice from down the hall.
"Heavens! Young madam, you look redder than a cherry tomato!"
Lixue jumped, startled. Auntie Feng stood there, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she looked Lixue over. "Did something happen in there?" she asked, a small, knowing smile spreading across her face.
Lixue stammered, trying to find an explanation, her hands waving in a hopeless attempt to seem casual. "No! No, nothing happened, Auntie Feng. It was… just warm in there, that's all."
Auntie Feng chuckled, her gaze warm but full of mischief. "Is that so? Must be a very intense kind of 'warmth,' given how you're blushing up a storm."
Her flustered expression only seemed to amuse Auntie Feng more. "Ah, young love," the older woman said with a sigh. "It's a rare sight to see the young master smile, let alone dote on anyone. I have to say, it does this old heart good to see him look at you like that."
"Auntie Feng!" Lixue protested, but the embarrassment in her tone only made the older woman chuckle.
"Don't worry, dear. I'll keep your secret." Auntie Feng gave her a playful wink. "But if I were you, I wouldn't shy away. Sometimes, a little teasing and closeness can go a long way in making a cold man…warm. He's your husband, after all."