She nudged Yan Zhao. "Where's Chen Huaixu?"

"Don't know," Yan Zhao replied nonchalantly, throwing down a card. "Probably went back to his room. Too much to drink, maybe."

Yan Zhen fidgeted, recalling his strange mood swings earlier. A flicker of worry, surprising even to herself, sparked within her.

Why would she worry about him?

It must be because he’d taken that bottle of wine for her tonight. And she, being a decent person, naturally felt a pang of concern. It was perfectly reasonable.

Satisfied with this justification, she stood and sought out Lu Jingxuan to ask for another key card to Chen Huaixu's room.

"Hold on, I'll call the manager," Lu Jingxuan slurred, fumbling with his phone until he found the number. He dialed and handed the phone to Yan Zhen.

After a brief conversation, she returned the phone and collected the key card from the manager.

She'd just check on him, make sure he wasn't, you know, dead.

At his door, she knocked twice. No answer. She swiped the card and entered.

She carried a glass of honey water, procured from the manager. If Chen Huaixu questioned her intrusion, she'd say she was simply concerned, afraid he'd succumbed to alcohol poisoning.

A flawless excuse, highlighting her kindness. Yan Zhen was quite pleased with herself.

The room was pitch black and silent. Light from the hallway spilled in, illuminating the entryway where she spotted his phone, likely left there upon his return.

She switched on the lights, closed the door, and traded her shoes for slippers before quietly padding further inside.

Lu Jingxuan had booked everyone luxury suites, ranging from one to three bedrooms. Hers was a one-bedroom; Chen Huaixu's appeared to be a two-bedroom. The layouts were similar, so she easily navigated to the living room and found him on the sofa, head tilted back, an arm raised, his hand covering his eyes. He seemed to be asleep.

Yan Zhen set down the honey water and nudged him. "Dead yet?"

He remained motionless, only the gentle rise and fall of his chest indicating he was breathing.

She sat beside him. A rare, peaceful quiet settled between them. Moments like this had been few and far between since they'd met.

A thought struck her. She leaned closer, examining his lips.

The wound was healed, not a trace of a scar remained. But she remembered the spot. She touched it gently, finally voicing the concern she'd held for a week. "Does it hurt?"

Then, immediately after, she added, "Serves you right. Maybe you'll think twice before biting me again."

He didn't react.

This docile version of Chen Huaixu was a rare treat. Yan Zhen squeezed his cheek, tickled his waist, and played with his fingers. Then, another idea sparked. She went into the bedroom, returning with a pen.

Sitting beside him again, she removed his hand from his eyes.

The warm living room light gently illuminated his face. Closed eyelids concealed his dark, deep-set eyes. The light skimmed his high nose, casting a small shadow.

Yan Zhen studied him, thinking that even if he went bankrupt, he could probably make a decent living off his looks.

She uncapped the pen, hovering the tip near his cheek, considering where to start.

This was a golden opportunity. She'd create a little "art" on his face, snap a photo, and use it as leverage.

Chen Huaixu was clearly image-conscious. With an embarrassing photo in her possession, he’d have to do whatever she wanted.

The idea thrilled her. Growing bolder, she shifted, swinging her legs over his lap and kneeling on either side of him, her torso upright, looking down at him.

"Since you took that drink for me tonight, I'll try not to make you too ugly."

She leaned closer, one hand cupping his cheek, the other holding the pen, poised to mark the alluring mole beneath his eye.

They were so close she could hear the subtle interplay of their breaths. Her soft hair brushed against his cheek, tickling him with every movement.

Holding her breath, she lowered her wrist. Just as the pen was about to touch his skin, his eyelashes fluttered.

Her hand jerked, nearly sending the pen flying. He caught her wrist.

Her eyes met his.

Chen Huaixu was awake.