Chapter Fourteen: You Have No Choice

The man’s features were as sharp as if carved by a blade, his face exquisitely refined, his figure tall and elegant, reflecting in Mai Xijun’s pupils. Such a man, possessing the height of a dominant presence and the delicate appearance of the submissive, coupled with that magnetic voice—truly a creature of temptation!

Mai Xijun calmed the irritation she’d felt moments earlier and looked at him earnestly. She had always been straightforward, disliking anything messy or drawn out. Perhaps this trait was born from years of living alone, or perhaps it was because she had seen through many things and thus learned to take them lightly.

She could not force Xue Lizan to stay; even if she could, what would it matter? Facing those cracks, could their feelings rekindle? How difficult that would be…

In any case, she no longer wished to entangle herself with He Jingjing and Xue Lizan. As long as they didn’t disturb her life anymore, that was enough. Though there was a trace of reluctance in letting go, she was never one to cling, nor did she wish to become the bothersome, headache-inducing woman others dreaded.

As for the pity and charity others offered her, whether spiritual or emotional, she had no need for them. Never, nowhere.

Those once dazzling temptations had long withered—she had no interest in them anymore. Those sentimental whispers that had faded into silence—she cared little for them now.

Yet, looking at the man before her… she couldn’t help but feel a strange familiarity in his voice, in those handsome features.

“I don’t want anything complicated. I just fancy you. You can choose to become my woman, and I’ll be your best camouflage,” Shen Yanlie spoke softly, his voice neither low nor high, drifting like a ghost, ethereal and unreal.

But the teasing curve of his lips, the blazing fire in his eyes, all spoke of seriousness—as if he meant to force her, to make her nod in surrender.

“Hmph!” Mai Xijun snorted disdainfully, a sound slipping out with the breath from her nose. She felt neither empty nor lonely—why should she play along with him? This man was shameless, surely drowning in his own loneliness!

“Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I do not need anyone to protect me. Goodbye.” With those words, Mai Xijun gathered her fingers and lifted her hand to her brow—a gesture of ‘respect’ to the man before her. Then, with a subtle change of direction, her fingertips pointed at Shen Yanlie, a dashing ‘salute’ to show her gratitude, without lingering a moment longer.

Shen Yanlie watched Mai Xijun’s retreating figure, a faint smile curling at his lips. Her stubbornness clashing with his coldness—who knew if it would be poison fighting poison, or if both would collapse, ending in rupture?

Yet, as Mai Xijun sensed the danger behind her, and just as she twisted the doorknob, her body was spun around, her back slammed against the door with a resounding ‘thud’.

She gasped in pain, her face contorted in a frown, all traces of earlier arrogance vanished.

“Woman, do you know the consequences of angering a man? Either you obediently become mine, or you return what belongs to me. Anything else you desire, I can give you! There is no third option!” He spoke with elegant menace, bending a knee to pin her body, one hand gripping her chin, rubbing it gently—though the pressure grew ever heavier, hurting her.

He had waited so many days for her, instructed his people to monitor the market, yet even as he began investigating her, she had not sold that necklace. What game was she playing? Was she not a jewelry designer—could she not see that it was a luxury item worth millions?

Or perhaps she was waiting for the day to demand a city from him?

Shen Yanlie’s expression was dark and sinister. He was wealthy enough to rival a nation—what was a city to him? If she wanted it, he had promised, and he would deliver. But to keep his necklace for herself—he would not tolerate that any longer.