Chapter 4: Itch

But no matter how impressive Shen Liangyan was, it had nothing to do with her. She was a realist through and through.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in, closing the gap between their lips, but stopped just a centimeter from his nose. She could feel his breath suddenly turn hot and heavy.

Just as he was about to close the distance and kiss her, Xu Yu abruptly drew back, her waist pressing against the smooth curve of the round table. One hand still rested on his neck, while the other slipped beneath the hem of his shirt.

Shen Liangyan’s eyes, usually bright with mischief, darkened intensely, his brows knitting slightly. Xu Yu’s lips curled in a slight smile, a sweet dimple appearing on her cheek.

She leaned close to his ear again, her soft, jet-black hair brushing teasingly against him. Shen Liangyan felt a tickle at the edge of his ear.

Xu Yu blew a gentle breath into his ear.

“Xu Yu.” His dark eyes gleamed, the candlelight burning in the corner of the inn casting a glow that accentuated the veins pulsing at his temple—an oddly seductive sight.

His deep, husky voice was laced with restraint. “Don’t tempt me.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Though his eyes were still intense with desire, he forced it down, prying her hand from around his neck and removing the other that had been misbehaving beneath his shirt.

He pushed Xu Yu away, putting a safe distance between them.

So he was suddenly playing the gentleman? She supposed it made sense—he was likely wary of Wen Han next door.

Shen Liangyan was always inventive in bed. Under him, she could rarely keep from making noise. She was no exception.

Tonight, though, she hadn’t really intended for things to go further—her body was still aching from the afternoon’s escapade.

She’d only wanted to tease him, to let beauty cloud his judgment, and then negotiate her terms; once she got what she wanted, she’d slip away.

Seeing her attempt fail, Xu Yu slid off his lap and let out a lazy yawn.

Just as she was about to step away, he caught her by the waist and sat her on the table.

“Didn’t I satisfy you this morning?” he murmured, his lips brushing her nose. A subtle current ran from that point of contact through her entire body, and his words sent a flush from her cheeks all the way to her ears.

His dark eyes studied her. For a moment, he mistook her dissatisfaction for disappointment.

“I was satisfied,” she replied, though she was still a little disgruntled. Satisfied? Wasn’t he the one being indulged? Every time, he was like a wolf who could never get enough.

Their eyes met—his gaze almost devouring.

Xu Yu shoved at him half-heartedly, but his gaze remained intense, as if this time he truly meant it.

Yet he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Not tonight.”

Xu Yu swallowed, trying to play it off. “I was just teasing you.”

Glancing around, she grabbed the bag of ginger candies, her hands fidgeting for lack of anything better to do.

She pouted, feigning complaint. “You acquired such a huge plot of land, and this is all the gift you give me?”

Shen Liangyan could see right through her schemes. He caught her smooth, bare leg beneath the cotton dress and pulled her into his arms.

“Running short on money again?”

Xu Yu gave a coy hum. “You haven’t paid for this morning yet.”

He responded with a soft scoff.

Then, through the loose silk fabric, he pinched her chest, his tone teasing, “Shameless.”

“I didn’t bring much with me this time. I’ll give it to you at the celebration banquet in Qingcheng. Make sure you bring Shen Yue along.”

Xu Yu stifled a groan.

He bit softly at the hollow of her collarbone. It didn’t hurt, but the tingling made her toes curl.

At last, his rough fingers slipped beneath her dress, tracing her smooth, fair back, lingering for a moment before he let her go.

Xu Yu’s face was flushed, her breathing unsteady.

Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with longing, her lips glistening, bitten red by her own teeth.

By contrast, Shen Liangyan seemed utterly composed—as if the earlier heat and confusion had never happened.

Xu Yu watched his retreating figure, a wave of defeat washing over her. Her skills at seduction seemed to have waned; instead, she’d ended up the one set ablaze by Shen Liangyan.

Would she really end up being the one paying him?

She stood by the window for a long time, mulling it over. It seemed impossible.

She would never have enough money in this life to keep a man like Shen Liangyan.

*

Shen Liangyan left Xu Yu’s room and went straight to the third floor.

His room was dark, but the window was open, so it wasn’t pitch black. Moonlight spilled in, revealing a figure seated at the table—Shen Yue.

“The partnership meeting ended at eight. Uncle, you returned to the inn at nine. Now it’s half past nine.”

Shen Yue arched his brow, the corners of his phoenix eyes lifting. Though he was smiling, his tone was unmistakably accusatory.

“Spent half an hour with Xiao Han. What, wasn’t that enough?” Shen Liangyan’s lips curled in a provocative smile. “Little Yue, not sleeping and waiting here for me in the middle of the night—what do you imagine I’ve been up to?”

Shen Yue’s smile was meaningful, but his eyes had lost all warmth. “You and Xiao Han seem so close. Why didn’t you stay the night?”

There was a hint of challenge in his tone.

Shen Liangyan gave a faint smirk. “That seems to be a private matter between me and Xiao Han. Are you that curious, Little Yue?”

“You and Xu Yu are so close. Yet I haven’t seen you visit her room.”

Shen Liangyan’s smile deepened, half mocking. “Or is there trouble in paradise?”