Linyue tilted her head, calm on the outside, world spinning a little inside. She wasn't sure why Shu Mingye had suddenly brought this up, out of all things. So she asked carefully, "What if… I don't want to?"
Shu Mingye's gaze dropped to her. His face stayed still, unreadable, but something flickered in his eyes. He spoke slow, each word heavy. "Pie, I'm giving you a chance. Now is the perfect time if you want to leave. If you stay any longer, you won't get this chance again. Do you think I was joking when I said I'd chain you to the bed?"
His tone darkened, deeper, heavy with something that wasn't quite anger. "If you stay here and regret it later, I won't let you go. I'll chain you down and do all the things I've wanted to do to you. Bad things. Even if you hate me. Even if you curse me. I won't let you leave. Never."
Linyue's breath caught. He wasn't teasing. His voice was low and cruel, but there was something buried underneath, like a quiet pain. His eyes burned with possessiveness, fierce and wild, but under all of it was something else. Sadness. A strange, aching fear he couldn't hide.
He was serious. Every word was sharp enough to wound, yet her heart tightened in a way that had nothing to do with fear. She wasn't afraid of him. Not even when he spoke of chains, dark threats, and cold rooms. Not when his voice dipped so low it could make anyone else flinch. Because right now, he was holding her like she might break. Because his hand still rested gently at her waist. Because even when he said "never," it almost sounded like a question. And maybe because she liked him. More than she wanted to admit. More than she had even realized until this moment. Even if she went back to Luyan, she knew she would regret it just as much.
She lifted her hand and touched his cheek, her cold fingers brushing his skin. A faint smile curved her lips. "I'm looking forward to it."
Shu Mingye froze. Her words echoed in his mind, loud and unshakable. For a long moment, he forgot how to breathe. His chest felt too tight, too full, like the sound of her voice had carved something open inside him. Slowly, he lifted his hand and covered hers, his fingers curling around hers with a gentleness that almost felt hesitant.
He stared at her. So many emotions swelled in his chest at once that he could not name a single one. Want. Fear. Tenderness. All tangled together like a storm with no end.
"You will regret it," he said, voice low and rough.
Linyue's smile widened, calm and almost mischievous. "You'll regret it too… keeping me here. How are you so sure you can chain me? I might break the chains. Maybe even the bed. Then you'll have to sleep on the floor."
Shu Mingye's eyes darkened, but he couldn't look away. Her tone was light, teasing. Her eyes still held that quiet brightness, even with her pale face. And her smile… her smile made something painful and fierce bloom in his chest.
Fine. Let them both regret it together. He had already given her a chance.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The faint taste of blood lingered, but her cool sweetness drowned it away, pulling him under. His head spun, his breath unsteady. He deepened the kiss slowly, lingering, then pulled back just enough to see her face.
She was still smiling.
His jaw tightened, and he lowered her gently onto the bed. One hand steadied her at the waist, the other brushed tenderly against her cheek. This time the kiss was deeper, slower, and laced with a quiet desperation. Because she stayed. Because she chose him. Even if the world burned around them, he would not let her go.
Linyue felt herself melt beneath his kiss. Her fingers curled into his shoulders, holding on as her breath grew uneven. She tilted her head, lips moving against his with quiet eagerness she didn't try to hide. The warmth he stirred in her spread fast, curling through her chest until the rest of the world blurred away. But then, his kisses changed. They weren't soft anymore. Not careful. His arms locked tighter around her, pulling her closer, his lips pressing harder, almost hungry. He kissed her like he had finally stopped pretending to be patient.
His hand slid down from her cheek, curling firmly around her waist before moving upward with quiet purpose.
Linyue gasped softly, her eyes snapping open in surprise. Her fingers pressed lightly against his chest—not a shove, not even resistance, just a hesitant pause that carried no real strength.
Shu Mingye didn't stop. His hand continued its slow path, fingers bold yet unhurried, like he already knew she would not push him away.
Her heart stumbled in her chest, caught in an uneven rhythm that left her unsure if it wanted to race or stop completely.
He kissed her again, deep and slow, each movement stealing more of her breath, unraveling her control piece by piece.
A small, sharp sound escaped her before she could stop it. She swore she heard him chuckle, low and wicked, against her lips. Her mind went blank. Completely blank. Her body stiffened for a moment, caught between shock and something else she refused to name. And then she simply… let him. Let him kiss her, touch her, claim her in that quiet, burning way that made her forget how to breathe.
After a long moment, Shu Mingye finally pulled back. His lips, his hands, everything.
Linyue blinked at him, wide-eyed, her cheeks flushed pink and her breathing uneven. Then, with as much dignity as she could muster while half-melted against him, she narrowed her gaze into a glare.
Shu Mingye laughed, entirely too pleased with himself. "Well," he said with a grin that stretched almost ear to ear, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, "you did say you were looking forward to it."
Linyue wanted to throw a pillow at his smug face. Or maybe the entire bed. Unfortunately, she was still lying in his arms, and her limbs stubbornly refused to cooperate. So instead, she turned her head away and muttered, "Shameless."
His grin only deepened, his dark eyes gleaming with dangerous mischief. "I told you," he said lightly, "it's too late to regret it now."
Linyue slowly turned her face back toward him, her cheeks still warm. Her voice came out softer than she intended. "I want to take a bath and change my clothes."
For a moment, Shu Mingye just stared at her, the corner of his mouth twitching as if debating whether to tease her again. Then he let out a quiet sigh that sounded both indulgent and reluctant, and nodded. "Alright."
He scooped her up sideways and carried her straight to the steaming pool beside his chamber. He set her down gently into the warm water.
Linyue frowned, staring down at her now soaking sleeves clinging to her arms. "Thank you," she said flatly. "You can leave now."
Shu Mingye chuckled, his voice low and far too amused. "I need a bath too. I smell like blood." His dark eyes glinted as he added, "Because of you. Take responsibility."
Without hesitation, he stepped straight into the pool beside her, sending water splashing over the edges.
Linyue gasped softly, scooting back a little. "You can do it later."
But of course, he didn't move. Instead, he came closer, the water shifting with every step. And then his hand reached out, fingers brushing toward the tie of her outer robe.
Linyue's hand shot up, gripping his wrist tightly. Her eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?"
He blinked at her with an infuriatingly innocent expression. "Helping you."
"I don't need help."
He grinned. "I'm teaching you, Pie. You should learn more."
Her frown deepened. "Learn how to be shameless?"
Shu Mingye let out a low laugh. "I wouldn't mind if you did."
Before she could argue again, he had already loosened the soaked outer robe and slipped it off her shoulders, tossing it to the side. Linyue's lips parted, ready to scold, but her words caught in her throat when he undid his own robe next. The fabric slid away with deliberate slowness, his movements unhurried as the water rippled gently around them.
Linyue's eyes went wide, and she spun her head away so fast her wet hair clung to her cheek.