Chapter Sixty-Four: Bare Yourself and Let Me Love You

In the rumors circulating outside, Shen Yanlie’s life was nothing short of legendary. He acted with decisive resolve; his ruthless methods were as astonishing as his striking appearance. He would never be moved solely for a woman. His heart, since childhood, had ceased to harbor illusions about many things. Moreover, he had no need for longing—and even less for a woman who might cloud his vision.

Shen Yanlie stepped into the elevator, standing beside Xie Yunting. They looked remarkably well matched. As always, Xie Yunting wore her gentle smile, her arm linked through Shen Yanlie’s. Yet, as ever, his face remained expressionless, cold as ice.

Mai Xijun pushed open the office door, only to find the room empty. An unexplainable pang struck her heart.

On the tea table, a ceramic cup still steamed faintly, making Mai Xijun suddenly realize something. Without a moment’s hesitation, she turned and ran out. But the elevator was already descending; she feared she wouldn’t reach the ground floor in time to stop him. He would truly be gone, leaving only the cold tea behind.

Thinking of this, Mai Xijun turned and dashed toward the emergency stairwell. She forgot what kind of strength or motivation sustained her, but she ran down more than ten flights. By the time she reached the bottom, she was gasping for breath, her legs trembling and barely able to stand as she leaned against the wall. Yet, the lobby was empty—Shen Yanlie was nowhere to be seen.

She was, after all, a step too late.

At that moment, Mai Xijun’s thoughts drifted aimlessly, and tears welled in her eyes despite her efforts. She had come back so abruptly, without understanding her own place, or even what stance she should take.

After so much inner struggle, she had never imagined that if she returned, he might already have left. What was she to do then?

After this, who knew if Paris would ever be an option again? Was there still a chance to salvage things? She didn’t even know where he was now. If he truly wanted to disappear from her sight, she would have no way to find him.

If only she hadn’t given in to her curiosity back then—would she have avoided falling into this deadlock today?

Ding.

With a heavy heart, Mai Xijun felt even her steps weighed down. The elevator chimed, and she slowly turned away, unwilling for anyone to see her so defeated and disheveled.

But before she could fully turn, she glimpsed, out of the corner of her eye, that tall, solid figure—so slender and upright. As always, save for black and white, there was scarcely another color on him.

Mai Xijun froze. In the ashes of her heart, a tiny spark seemed to leap to life. And in the instant their eyes met, that spark blazed anew. Looking at his rebellious, untamed bearing, she hesitated, but her smile grew all the more radiant.

Reflected in Shen Yanlie’s eyes was Mai Xijun’s enchanting, beautiful smile. She straightened her posture, composed and poised, walking toward him with graceful steps.

“Shen Yanlie, from now on, you’re only allowed to be good to me. You must spoil me, indulge me, never lie to me. Every promise you make, you must keep. Every word you say to me must be sincere. You’re not allowed to deceive, blame, or scold me. Care for me. When I make mistakes, you must forgive me. If I’m unhappy, you have to cheer me up. If I’m sad, you must put everything aside and make me happy. You must always see me as the most beautiful. No other woman is allowed to touch you—only me, not even in your dreams. In your heart, there can only be me.”

So it hadn’t been a mere illusion. This woman had truly reappeared in his life. For a brief moment, Shen Yanlie was stunned. Yet, no matter how well he controlled his emotions, the flutter of his lashes and the fleeting softness in his eyes betrayed him—a tenderness impossible to put into words.

Xie Yunting stood rooted, her brows furrowed. She had never imagined that upon her return, his world would truly be turned upside down. She had believed that, after all the love he once gave her, and in all these years never finding someone new, he would still choose her without hesitation.

Yet the night she returned, she waited at home for him all night, and he never came.

“Lie, if you’re my man, you can’t ever hold another woman’s hand.” She called to him softly, and the words sent shivers down her own spine.

It was the first time she’d ever addressed him so intimately. Most of the time, she hadn’t even bothered to give him any title. Even when he’d wanted her to call him that, she never had.

Their eyes locked, and for an instant, the world faded away. Mai Xijun’s lips curled in a smile as she studied Shen Yanlie. Lifting herself onto her tiptoes, she gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “You promised me, didn’t you? That’s why I agreed to let you love me. I will do my best to win you—from this moment on.”

She looked at him with unwavering resolve, her eyes gradually drifting downward to his thin, sensual lips, lingering there as she listened to her own thunderous heartbeat. Her eyelids fell, her gaze growing unfocused, dreamy. Closing her eyes, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

In that moment, Shen Yanlie forgot to say no. For a heartbeat, he even let his eyes drift closed.

Xie Yunting’s eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before her. She had never realized there was such an ambiguous, inextricable bond between them. This woman could be so bold—right in front of Shen Yanlie.

But most of all, when Mai Xijun kissed him, Shen Yanlie did not refuse.

Shen Yanlie—when did you become so passive, to let a woman so easily take hold of you?

Though it was only a brief kiss, Mai Xijun didn’t pull away. She savored the closeness between them, his warm breath brushing her cheek, making her lashes tremble.

She could not abandon him—when near him, her heart’s rhythm was unmistakably thrown into chaos.

Xie Yunting’s fists clenched, eyes brimming with tears, her eyelids flushed red as she inhaled sharply. She withdrew her arm from Shen Yanlie’s, turned, and fled, covering her face.

Shen Yanlie seemed to wake from a dream. As Xie Yunting slipped her hand away, his brows furrowed deeply. He pushed Mai Xijun aside and watched Xie Yunting’s departing figure, his expression as dark as a storm, his gaze sharp and dangerous.

“Mai Xijun, have you made enough of a scene?”

His voice was cold and low, lips barely moving, devoid of any tenderness—so unlike before, almost gritted out between his teeth, the words forcing their way through, betraying nothing on his face.

“Don’t you know whether I’m making a scene?” She arched her brow, meeting his gaze fearlessly.

This woman had always been bold, never hiding anything from him, brazen and unrestrained. Besides confronting him and issuing challenges, she seemed never to have known fear.

The corner of Shen Yanlie’s mouth curled into a wicked, mocking smile. “You want to win me over? Fine. I’ll give you that chance—strip and lie on the bed, let me love you properly.”