Occasionally, he'd forget the pain and give her a pitiful look, saying he wanted her. But a single glare from Niu Shurui would bring him back to reality. His eyelids would droop, his lips would press together, and he'd stand there like a child being punished.

Her once rounded belly had finally flattened, and Ye Li would often touch it regretfully, his face etched with disappointment.

As the days passed, Niu Shurui grew anxious. Her injuries had healed, but there was still no progress in her plan. She knew she couldn't delay any longer.

Running away forcefully wouldn't work. To make Ye Li willingly let her go, she had to know what had happened all those years ago. Otherwise, it would be a temporary fix, and Ye Li, having tasted the forbidden fruit, would continue, creating a vicious cycle.

Niu Shurui knew exactly how to make Ye Li leave the Ye family estate immediately. Since he could no longer impregnate her, the thing he talked about most was marriage. She thought that if she agreed and let him choose the ring himself, he would likely consent.

But saying yes would close off all other avenues. The nature of everything would change. If she tried to break off the engagement afterward, or if Ye Li discovered she was using marriage as a pretext, she would lose all credibility. The situation could even become worse.

So, Niu Shurui couldn't do that. Or rather, as long as there were other options, she couldn't.

"Niuniu? What's wrong? You've been eating so little lately." Ye Li put down his spoon and looked at her with concern.

Niu Shurui shook her head, reaching for the painkillers, but Ye Li grabbed her hand. "You can't take any more, Niuniu. You've already had two doses today… Isn't it better yet? Let me see…"

He put her hand down and reached for her leg.

Niu Shurui recoiled. "Ye Li!"

He became forceful again, holding her leg. "I just want to look… I promise."

Niu Shurui grabbed his hand before it reached her thigh. "My pain receptors are more sensitive than other people's. Have you forgotten?"

He stopped, dejected, resting his head on her thigh, his warm breath ghosting over her skin. "Then what should we do? You can't keep not eating."

Niu Shurui smoothed her skirt. "I want to eat something else."

"What?" Ye Li sat up.

"Do you remember that restaurant downstairs at the treatment center? I want to eat something from there," Niu Shurui said.

"I'll have them make it here." Ye Li started to get up.

Niu Shurui pulled him back. "Each chef there seems to specialize in different dishes. I don't remember what I ordered last time…"

"I remember," he said.

Niu Shurui blinked in surprise. "Then go. Just have the chef who makes that dish come. I don't want anything else."

Ye Li was about to agree, but his expression suddenly changed. He stared at Niu Shurui for a long moment, then slowly crouched in front of her, his voice low and deliberate. "Niuniu, kiss me."

Niu Shurui's eyes narrowed, but she didn't speak.

Ye Li persisted, crawling closer, his voice soft and low. "Kiss me, and I'll go."

His tone was coaxing, inching closer until Niu Shurui had nowhere to retreat. Their lips were barely a centimeter apart, their breaths mingling.

All Niu Shurui had to do was lift her head slightly to grant his wish.

But she kept her head down, seemingly resigned.

Ye Li watched her quietly for a long time, the suspicion in his eyes slowly fading.

After a while, he suddenly closed the distance, capturing her soft lips. He pulled her down, half-straddling her, kissing her deeply before finally releasing her slightly.

Their lips still touching, Ye Li traced her lips with his tongue, his voice muffled and thick. "I'll be right back."

Seeing her surprised expression, he chuckled softly.

As long as it wasn't a ploy, he would fulfill any of her requests. He had promised her that. But the thought of leaving her, even for a short time, filled him with reluctance. He rose slowly, caressing her thighs for a long moment before reluctantly getting out of bed to dress.