Niu Shurui raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. "Why can't I? Isn't acting spoiled a weapon heaven gave women? If others can use it, so can I."

"Is that so?" Ye Li's gaze drifted over her, lingering in certain places before he finally looked away and left.

***

The moment the workday ended, Niu Shurui rushed out of the office and into the elevator down to the parking garage. She fished her car keys from her bag, expertly flipping them between her fingers. As the elevator doors opened and she stepped out, a sharp pain pierced the back of her head. She lost consciousness and collapsed.

Sensation soon returned before full awareness. She could feel someone touching her, not a normal caress, but a slow, deliberate exploration, inch by inch, with just a few fingertips, delicate and repetitive, like savoring a rare delicacy.

This was definitely a p3rverted kidnapper. Niu Shurui braced herself for the shock of her surroundings when she opened her eyes. Instead, she was met with a brightly lit room. Sitting beside her wasn't a stranger, but a face so familiar it couldn't be more so.

Ye Li had already sensed her awakening. Her skin felt different when she was awake, warmer, more pleasant to the touch.

The instant their eyes met, Ye Li felt no fear of being discovered. He almost wanted her to know it was him who had taken her, desperate to see her reaction. The mere thought made his blood run hot.

"You're awake," he said, leaning closer, unwilling to miss a flicker of emotion in Niu Shurui's eyes.

Niu Shurui calmly looked away. "Water."

Ye Li had imagined hundreds of possible responses, but never this—a simple request for water, her voice hoarse.

He couldn't help but want to laugh. He handed her the water he had prepared. The drug's effects still lingered. Niu Shurui tried to lift her hand but found she couldn't.

"Do you need me to feed you?" Ye Li asked.

"Thank you."

"Doctor Shu, you don't need to be so polite." Ye Li brought the glass to her lips, carefully tilting it. He'd never done this before, and some of the water spilled.

Niu Shurui instinctively darted out her tongue to catch the drips, but the glass was still at her lips. The movement only pushed more water out, flowing down her chest and soaking her clothes.

Ye Li reached out to wipe the water from the corner of her mouth, then followed the trail downwards. Whether intentional or not, he didn't use a tissue, only spreading the dampness further.

"That's enough," Niu Shurui said, stopping him. "Ye Li, what are you doing?"

She asked what he was doing, not what he was going to do. The latter would have implied fear; the former, only questioning.

Niu Shurui's composure was remarkable. Anyone else might have been thrown off by her calmness, overcome with shame.

But not Ye Li. He helped her lean back against the headboard, then took one of her hands and slowly caressed it. "See? This is what I'm doing."

Niu Shurui was speechless, taken aback by his actions. After a moment, she asked, "Why are you doing this?"