Chapter 2 - No, I Have Class Tomorrow 

Jiang Yi woke up the next morning nestled in a warm embrace, the absurd events of the previous night flooding back in an instant. While Zhong Lin still slept, she carefully slipped out of his arms and tiptoed out of the room. She practically flew back to her own room, shutting and locking the door behind her. Leaning against the door, she took deep, gasping breaths, her heart pounding.

It was still early, and she didn't want to risk running into Zhong Lin downstairs, so she dove back into bed. She intended to simply lie there and let time pass, but soon drifted back to sleep.

When she woke again, it was already eleven in the morning. She’d never slept in so late. Assuming Zhong Lin would already be gone from the villa, she went downstairs without a second thought.

To her surprise, he was sitting on the living room sofa!

The moment she saw his back, Jiang Yi froze, her muscles tensing. Her mind raced, trying to formulate a plan. Last night, Zhong Lin had been drinking. Perhaps he’d only acted so out of character because he was drunk. Maybe he didn't remember. She just had to pretend nothing had happened.

As he turned to look at her, she forced a casual, "Morning," then added nervously, "Aren't you… going to work today?" 

Zhong Lin noticed the panic in her eyes, a flicker of amusement in his own. He set down his tablet. "It's Saturday."

"Oh…" Jiang Yi replied, relieved. She quickly made her way to the dining room.

The servants began setting the table. Shortly after, Zhong Lin took his usual seat at the head of the table, two spaces away from Jiang Yi. While not particularly close, his presence was immediately felt. The moment he sat down, Jiang Yi tensed, hyper-aware of him, every cell in her body on high alert.

However, he remained silent and composed, showing no excessive familiarity. His gaze lacked the intensity and possessiveness of the night before.

Jiang Yi breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps last night truly had been a momentary lapse.

With that thought, the rest of the day passed much more easily.

Until the following evening.

Zhong Lin knocked on her door. "What are you doing?"

Jiang Yi took half a step back, her hand still on the doorknob, a defensive posture. "I'm… I'm studying."

"Studying," Zhong Lin repeated, his voice soft and gentle. But as his gaze fell on her hand gripping the doorknob and then slowly traveled up to her face, the atmosphere shifted, becoming charged with a dangerous energy.

Jiang Yi didn't smell alcohol, yet Zhong Lin was beginning to exude the same predatory aura as that night.

Her grip on the doorknob tightened.

In the next instant, his hand covered hers, a searing heat radiating from his touch straight to her heart.

Startled, she instantly released the doorknob, pulling her hand back.

Her reaction was so swift that his hand, barely brushing her arm, slipped away before he could grasp it.

The girl nervously tucked her hand behind her back, a delicate blush coloring her cheeks.

Zhong Lin's Adam's apple bobbed as he fought to control the rising heat in his core. He cupped her face, his thumb stroking her cheek. "Bring your books and study in my room."

Jiang Yi looked up at him, her eyes filled with silent refusal. He lowered his head, capturing her lips in a brief kiss. Then, looking into her startled eyes, he added, "Or should I come to yours?"

The refusal in her eyes faded, her defensive posture softening, signaling her surrender.