With a resounding thud, the man actually knelt down.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, he regained his composure, feeling utterly humiliated.
Just as he was about to rise, a pristine white foot extended towards him, capturing his gaze entirely. A blush crept over his face as his breathing grew heavy and labored.
She pressed the sole of her shoe mercilessly against his face, and yet the man's expression was one of extreme pleasure, his body trembling, eyes glazed with infatuation.
"Get lost."
A profound sense of loss welled up within him.
Not wishing to anger her further, he remained kneeling as he picked up her phone, placed it on the table, and then left dejectedly.
Those who witnessed the scene felt a strange mix of emotions—envy towards the man for his proximity to her, yet disdain for his subservience, but none questioned her right to act as she did.
She, after all, was beyond reproach.
Ji Yan was unaware of what had transpired; he had been fetching meals from the next room. Returning with a tray, he noted the unusual quiet, but attributed it to the early hour and thought little of it.
He carefully prepared her utensils, then sat down to eat.
Jin Huan tasted a few bites but found the meal unappealing. If she were to compare, even the snacks Ji Yan had offered her yesterday were more palatable.
In years past, to coax her to eat, the finest chefs from around the globe were summoned just to cater to her culinary whims, only making her more fastidious over time.
After sampling each dish, she pushed her plate away.
Noticing this, Ji Yan quickly asked, "Is the food not to your liking?"
"Yes, it's not good. You eat it," she replied indifferently, her attention returning to her smartphone.
She was quite entertained by the game Plants vs. Zombies, though she always seemed to be running out of sun.
Ji Yan finished his meal and began eating hers. Just as he was about to swallow a piece of tofu, a notification from her game blared out: "The zombies ate your brain!"
He choked, his face turning beet red.
Jin Huan slid her glass of water toward him. It was an unusually caring gesture for her, and he had to appreciate the effort, given her usual demeanor.
Seated in the hotel lobby waiting for Ji Yan's friends, Jin Huan suddenly spoke, "Don't always wait for a girl to take your hand. You should always be holding mine."
She imparted this piece of advice to her 'temporary charger,' a term she whimsically used for Ji Yan, who seemed unaware of these nuances.
His face flushed, he tightened his grip on her hand, "Okay."
As their friends gradually appeared, the events of the previous day seemed to have shaken everyone a bit. If they hadn't been so tired, they might have taken a plane home already.
Seeing the stunning woman dressed anew and snuggled up in Ji Yan's arms, every man present felt a twinge of jealousy.
They weren't used to eating breakfast, and a few approached to speak with her. Despite her indifference the day before, no one held it against her.
Ji Yan gave them a warning glance, protective like a wolf guarding its territory.
The atmosphere among these freshly graduated, robust young men quickly became tense.
"When are we leaving?" she asked, not to ease the tension but simply out of curiosity. Her question, however, dissipated the building pressure, as everyone turned their attention to her.
"Let's go now. Is there anything special you'd like to eat or drink? I'll get it for you," Wayne offered, his voice softer than it had ever been towards anyone else.
"Weilong," she responded, looking directly at him.
Wayne hadn't expected her to engage, and his excitement was palpable: "Okay, okay, I'll get it for you right now."
His voice trembled as he hurried to the hotel's convenience store to buy Weilong.
Inside, Ji Yan couldn't help feeling uneasy. He couldn't leave, not with everyone eyeing her. Jin Huan's beauty was not just a passive trait but an active, continuous temptation, an addiction for these men.
Wayne returned with the Weilong, which he handed to her. As she chewed, he felt as if his heart were melting.
Together, they walked out.
They had booked the entire first-class cabin of the plane, giving them ample space. Jin Huan sat by the window, Ji Yan beside her, closing the blind to shield her from the glare and asking the flight attendant for a blanket to ensure her comfort.
An hour into the flight, most were asleep except for Ji Yan, who listened to Jin Huan quietly munching on spicy strips.
His heart bubbled with unease.
When he's upset, his orange energy diminishes.
Jin Huan, noticing the change, leaned in and whispered, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
"Not really," he lied, unwilling to admit his pettiness.
"Tell me."
Unable to refuse her, he confessed, "You're eating snacks from someone else."
Oh, he was jealous.
Jin Huan chuckled softly, then leaned in closer, "Would you like to try some?"
"Hmm?"
She placed the spicy strips on the side tray and kissed him gently.
Ji Yan's eyes widened, his breath caught.
Their kiss deepened, his mind blanked out.
Gradually, he immersed himself in the taste of the Weilong, its spice blending with sweetness, his orange glow intensifying. The energy surged into her as she trembled slightly in his embrace, overwhelmed by the sensation.
For a moment, he felt in control.
She half-closed her eyes, unaware of the possessive, intense look in Ji Yan's eyes, his love growing more insistent.
Before he lost control, Ji Yan pulled away and stumbled to the restroom.
Jin Huan opened her eyes, her gaze clearing, devoid of any excess emotion.
Liao Zhenying watched them intensely, her fists clenched.
The more Ji Yan doted on Jin Huan, the more obsessed he became, the deeper Liao Zhenying's jealousy grew.
Jin Huan's allure was aggressively captivating; purity and radiance were extremes that she embodied effortlessly. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, one look from her, and you'd march willingly into peril.
What were charm and gentleness in the face of such overwhelming beauty?
When beauty was absolute, concepts of character became irrelevant.
As they disembarked at Hai City Airport, Jin Huan casually lifted her eyelids, finding the city both familiar and strange.
The sun was bright outside, Ji Yan had already opened an umbrella to shield her from the light.
"Do you live with your parents?"
She asked out of the blue.
"I have a small apartment," he replied.
"Hmm," was all she said, leaving Ji Yan unsure whether she was pleased or not.
"Would you like to live with my parents? How big a house would you like?"
"I prefer not to live with elders. A house not too large, about an acre," she said casually.
Ji Yan paused, an acre being quite substantial for personal living space.
Seeing his puzzled look, she added considerately, "If an acre is too small, two is fine. I just find large spaces tiring."
"Jin Huan, my apartment is a duplex, only about 120 square meters in total. If that's too small, I'll buy something bigger."
"120 square meters?" She was incredulous, used to residences measuring in acres, not so confined.
"I'll buy a house once we get to Hai City," he promised, believing that she deserved more space.
"No need, I've never lived in such a small space; it'll be an experience," she said with a smile, genuine curiosity in her eyes.
This curiosity made Ji Yan feel somewhat awkward, but it was also incredibly endearing.
Holding her hand as they walked, Jin Huan complained of discomfort from her high heels—she was not accustomed to any discomfort in footwear.
Stopping abruptly, she declared, "The shoes are hurting."
Bending down, Ji Yan saw the red marks on her heels and felt terrible for not taking better care of her.
As he tended to her, other men hovered nearby, eager to assist.
Yet, her attention remained fixed on Ji Yan.
He gently unfastened her shoes, wrapped his jacket around her waist for modesty, and offered, "I'll carry you."
With a light step and a pleasant disposition, she leaned into his back.
The sunlight was brilliant, reflecting off the ground through the transparent glass.
In a trash can nearby lay a pair of exquisite, expensive high heels, discarded without a second thought.
Her legs, lightly touched by golden rays, dangled carefreely.
"Ji Yan."
"Yes?"
Her breath, sweet and sultry, whispered in his ear, "Thank you for loving me so much, but remember, you're supposed to."