Volume One, Chapter 22: Fondness for Little Puppies

“Mu Shaozhou.”
Yumo instinctively uttered the name of the man before her.

Mu Shaozhou’s gaze swept over the man standing beside Yumo like a blade, cold and sharp as if tempered in ice, startling both men into a shiver.

His thin lips pressed together, silent, yet his presence was overwhelming, a force of icy arrogance that brooked no resistance.

Time seemed to slow.

The two men withdrew their hands from Yumo’s, trembling slightly as they stepped back.

There was no helping it—the man before them radiated an innate aura of dominance, utterly overpowering, leaving no room for defiance.

Freed from their grasp, Yumo tidied her hair.

Chu Xirui emerged from the private room.

“Yumo, if you’re not satisfied with these two, we can swap them out. They have the cool and aloof type, or the refined but dangerous ones. We’ll keep changing until you’re happy—I’ll find you a cool, aloof one, like the young master…”

She hadn’t finished her words when her eyes fell on the tall man standing opposite Yumo.

The rest of her sentence died in her throat.

Most of her drunkenness evaporated.

Yumo cast a sidelong glance at the stunned Chu Xirui.

Facing Mu Shaozhou, she felt a bit awkward.

But then she reminded herself that she barely knew Mu Shaozhou.

Her choices had nothing to do with him.

At most, he’d think she was a woman of dubious taste.

Chu Xirui covered her mouth and made a hasty excuse.

“I need to throw up—I can’t hold it anymore.”

As she left, she took the two men with her.

Leaving Yumo alone with Mu Shaozhou.

The corridor’s cold, white light stretched their shadows long across the floor.

Yumo edged closer to the side, making room for Mu Shaozhou to pass.

On the bridge of his nose, the dark golden mask glittered under the lights like scattered diamond dust.

Seeing him unmoving, Yumo decided to leave.

A slender hand grasped her delicate wrist.

Yumo turned her face, her alluring almond eyes meeting Mu Shaozhou’s, her features painted with elegance.

Her thick lashes cast a shadow beneath her eyes under the light, fluttering for a moment.

“Is there something you want?”

Mu Shaozhou’s words stuck in his throat.

His sensual Adam’s apple bobbed.

He pressed his lips together, his voice low and deep.

“No… nothing.”

With that, he released her wrist.

Yumo nodded to him, then turned to fetch Chu Xirui.

She drove her home before heading to her lover’s apartment.

Upon entering, the place was empty. She was about to call him when a beeping sounded from the door.

Yumo walked over, and in the next instant was swept into a warm embrace.

The scent of familiar wood filled her nose.

She smiled, lifting her pale, graceful arms to wrap around his neck.

Her body was lifted as he hugged her tightly.

Yumo hooked her legs around his strong waist.

Mu Shaozhou carried her to the bed, laying her down gently.

He began to undress her, his movements rougher than usual.

Yumo sensed immediately that something was amiss.

“You…” What’s wrong?

Before she could finish, his lips pressed against the curve of her body.

Unlike his usual slow, careful caresses, he tugged a little violently.

It drew a gasp from her, laced with breathless surprise.

Amidst the tangled breaths,

Mu Shaozhou buried his face against her, speaking quietly,

His tone held a hint of grievance.

“Yumo, you don’t like the cold and aloof type—you like the puppy kind?”

The memory of those two men at Blue Ting filled him with sour jealousy.

Was that really her taste?

He murmured,

“You used to say you liked men like me. You fickle woman…”

Yumo’s mind was blank, incapable of thought.

Her silence only fueled his fervor.

All she could do was endure helplessly.

A soft moan escaped her lips.

—

Two hours later.

Yumo emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered.

Her phone showed over a dozen missed calls.

All from Manager Yao at the pharmaceutical factory.

She called back.

“Manager Yao, what’s the matter?”

“Yumo, Chairman Huang asked me to check if you could bring the young master to tonight’s celebration dinner. The news is everywhere—people say you and the young master are extremely close. If you ask, he’ll surely attend.”

Yumo lifted her eyelids, lazily sitting on the bed, rubbing her still aching waist.

Her brows arched slightly as she spoke, her tone indifferent.

“I’m not particularly familiar with him—not as you all imagine.”

“Yumo, please do us this favor—it won’t cost you anything, and it’s for the factory.”

Yumo got up, took out the evening gown she planned to wear, and laid it on the bed.

It was a red dress, vibrant as she was, graceful and dazzling.

“I’m sorry, I really can’t do it.”

She’d only met Mu Shaozhou twice.

But she always felt he possessed an intense… possessiveness toward her.

Yumo shook her head. Better to avoid such a man.

Manager Yao tried to persuade her further.

Yumo hung up.

She slipped into the red dress and stood before the mirror.

Mu Shaozhou entered, carrying a plate of pastries.

Yumo glanced up.

Honey Cloud Cakes.

How did he know she liked Honey Cloud Cakes?

They were the signature pastry from Honey Cloud House, the most famous shop in the city.

Soft and crumbly, infused with honey, delightfully fragrant.

She had to queue for ages to buy them each time.

Yumo reached for a cake.

Mu Shaozhou stopped her, his pale fingers pinching a piece and bringing it to her lips.

Yumo paused for half a second, then opened her mouth, taking in both the cake and his fingertips.

Her tongue swept over, drawing the pastry into her mouth.

Mu Shaozhou’s fingers trembled; a jolt of pleasure shot straight to his mind.

Yumo noticed the faint blush on his ear tips and covered her mouth with a quiet laugh.

Her lover was still adorable.

With just a little teasing, he lost control—she was utterly enamored.

Mu Shaozhou steadied himself, lifting his hand with composure.

He brought his fingertips to his lips, gently sucking them.

His eyes, dark as stars, met Yumo’s smiling gaze.

That look, soul-stirring, seemed to pierce through her chest straight to her heart.

Yumo froze.

A rush of hot blood surged within her.

Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip, a delicate flush blooming on her cheeks.

Such a seductive fox she had stumbled upon—

She both loved and loathed him.

One day, she’d surely be ruined by his charm.

Mu Shaozhou spoke, his husky voice invading her ears.

On his pale face, a touch of red lips moved softly.

“Are you going out?”

“Mm.”

Yumo casually swept up her long hair, securing it with a butterfly-shaped hairpin.

She turned to look at her lover.

He was dressed in soft, gray silk pajamas, the fabric outlining his tall, elegant frame perfectly.

Unable to resist, she reached out and boldly ran her hand over him.

“I’m attending a competitor’s celebration tonight.”

“I’m coming too—as your escort.”

Mu Shaozhou caught her wandering hand.

If she kept touching him like this, he couldn’t guarantee he’d keep his composure.

His fingertips gently traced her delicate palm.

His voice carried a hint of playful pleading.

“May I?”