He Yuzhou confessed?
Cen Yingshuang was utterly confused, her face a mask of bewilderment. Her first thought was that He Yuzhou must have a girl he liked in mind, and that they had arranged to meet here for dinner.
But He Yuzhou approached her deliberately and unhurriedly, the corners of his lips slightly raised, his eyelashes lowered, eyes fixed on her.
The waiter’s hand gripped the door handle, and the corridor lights outside dimmed gradually through the narrowing gap, until the door was shut tight.
He Yuzhou’s tall and broad figure closed the distance between them, visually blocking out the door completely.
Cen Yingshuang’s heart skipped a beat as realization dawned. She suddenly stood up, staring at him in shock and disbelief, speechless for a long moment.
She stood, her soft skirt cascading down like a waterfall, perfectly displaying her exquisite figure.
The shoulder-baring design revealed her slender neck, and as He Yuzhou had expected, her collarbones were beautifully defined.
Looking closely, one could see her delicate shoulders trembling slightly.
Her lively eyes had lost their usual brightness and luster, replaced only by astonishment and panic as she stared at him, seemingly trying to confirm something.
“The skirt suits you well.”
He Yuzhou’s gaze shamelessly dropped from her face, clearly appraising her, yet without any offense — if anything, a faint hint of impending conquest.
Beyond that, there was only admiration.
“Very beautiful.”
Skirt…
Mentioning the skirt suddenly triggered a flash of insight in Cen Yingshuang’s mind, recalling what he said on WeChat earlier today…
“Yu—Yuzhou ge…”
Her voice was barely a whisper, as soft as a buzzing fly, almost inaudible.
“You said, I wear the clothes I like to meet the person I… like…”
She pretended to be clueless, trying to hint at him indirectly that she had someone she liked.
“Mm.” He Yuzhou still looked indifferent, calm and unhurried.
He nodded, approving her statement, but his response was expressed in a different way.
“So why don’t you try liking me?”
Cen Yingshuang’s heart sank abruptly, her delicate brows knitting together.
She felt this was utterly ridiculous, completely beyond her understanding.
She took a deep breath, struggling to calm the complex storm of emotions inside.
“But… Yuzhou ge, you said I’m the same age as your sister.”
She deliberately emphasized “Yuzhou ge” to remind him how absurd this was.
He has a sister, right? How could he… how could he possibly…
He Yuzhou’s face remained calm and unreadable, unmoved.
He didn’t rush to answer but continued to close in on her step by step, unhurried and patient, like a hunter patiently watching his prey make its final, futile struggles within a carefully laid trap.
The crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the private dining room was unlit, with only the wall lamps and flickering candelabra on the table providing a warm, hazy glow.
But he was so tall that as he slowly approached, his broad, upright figure cast a shadow over her, like an endless darkness swallowing the last bit of light.
Though the room was well-heated, an inexplicable chill crept up from her feet, crawling through her limbs and bones.
She truly was like that helpless, trapped little prey, sensing danger as He Yuzhou advanced, instinctively retreating to put distance between them.
He Yuzhou’s usual style was casual and laid-back; wearing silver-rimmed glasses, he exuded a gentle and refined aura.
Having spent time with him these few times, she understood his personality was likewise easygoing and approachable, without any airs.
His eyes were soft and long, always carrying a faint smile.
His tender gaze made anyone look like the focus of his attention.
At this moment, his eyes still held a smile and undivided focus, but beneath that was an overwhelming, sky-darkening aggressiveness.
Sharp, dominant, and relentless.
Finally, He Yuzhou spoke, enunciating each word with emphasis, “But you’re not my sister.”
“Yuzhou ge, don’t joke like this anymore!”
Cen Yingshuang was so lost she didn’t know where she was, feigning mild anger.
Remembering how he always joked with her, she still held onto a sliver of hope.
How she wished he would say, “I’m just teasing you.”
But he remained silent.
Like a hammer weighing a thousand pounds crashing onto her head, she felt dizzy and utterly disbelieving.
It was real.
He had just confessed, though never uttering “I like you” outright.
But his words “you’re not my sister” were straightforward and honest.
More powerful than a direct confession.
At this moment, he had laid all his cards on the table, completely tearing through the thin veil between them.
She kept retreating until the chair behind her blocked her way.
Her calf suddenly collided with the chair’s corner, sharp pain shooting through her.
Half her leg went numb as if injected with anesthesia.
Her legs weakened, nearly causing her to lose balance, and she hastily grabbed the chair back for support.
Cen Yingshuang gritted her teeth against the pain and managed to stand upright.
She knew no matter what she said, nothing could be changed now.
All she could give was the standard answer:
“Yuzhou ge… even if you don’t see me as your sister, I really only see you as a brother. Nothing more… You know, in my heart… I have…”
“What are you doing?!”
Her tone suddenly sharpened, a startled shout.
Because as she spoke, He Yuzhou unexpectedly crouched down before her.
He half-knelt in front of her, one hand lifting the edge of her skirt.
It caught Cen Yingshuang completely off guard.
She froze for half a second, instinctively trying to step back, but her calf was covered by a scorching heat — his palm.
His hand was large, easily enclosing her entire calf.
His palm was burning hot, pressing against her skin as if it might melt it.
Every finger was strong, gripping her leg firmly so she couldn’t move at all.
“Wh-what… are you doing?”
Cen Yingshuang’s voice trembled.
“Still want to bump into me?”
He Yuzhou replied lightly.
Her leg was trapped under his palm, unable to move.
But his hand didn’t move recklessly.
When she obediently stopped resisting, he released his grip.
He just lifted a bit of her skirt, exposing a little of her calf.
Even crouching, he was tall, and the pressure remained.
She could feel his gaze fixed on her calf.
With his usual intense focus, but his tone still casual and teasing: “Starting to be afraid of me?”
As if saying something amusing.
Cen Yingshuang swallowed repeatedly, forcing herself to stay calm.
“N-no… I’m not.”
He gave a faint, ambiguous chuckle.
After a few seconds, his piercing gaze finally moved away from her calf.
He lowered her skirt edge and slowly stood up again.
His tall figure loomed over her once more, bringing an even heavier sense of pressure.
Her legs had been shaking so badly just now, yet she still tried to play tough.
“Legs okay? Be careful.”
His voice was gentle, that familiar softness she knew — but at this moment, it felt alien.
They were too close.
Cen Yingshuang could smell the familiar scent of his perfume — the aquatic fragrance.
She never got dizzy from aquatic fragrance before; she actually liked the perfume she endorsed.
But now, the scent hit her nose like a wave of dizziness, making the air feel thin.
As if subconsciously, she had already linked this scent with He Yuzhou’s presence.
She couldn’t help but move slightly to the side.
Her emotions tangled like threads.
Had He Yuzhou just wanted to check if her leg was hurt?
“You only start to be wary of me now,”
She silently shifted to create distance.
He seemed to be playing a game.
She moved a step; he followed closely, his voice dropping lower, mysterious and dangerous in its coaxing, “Isn’t it a little too late?”
She lowered her head, afraid to meet his gaze.
His breath pursued her relentlessly, making her think of a snake flicking its tongue.
Before attacking, it was always patient, observing its surroundings, marking its territory, and claiming everything within as its own.
She didn’t know if she was an intruder in his territory now, or… a creature he already owned.
Only one thing was clear — he was fiercely aggressive.
Something she had never sensed in him before — a powerful aura capable of devouring life whole.
She suddenly realized that perhaps their previous encounters hadn’t been the real He Yuzhou.
The man before her now was the true He Yuzhou.
Never the easygoing neighborly big brother, but a mature, calculating man.
A chill ran down Cen Yingshuang’s spine; she was terrified.
Backing away repeatedly.
She dared not stay any longer and staggered forward, “I just remembered, I… I have something to do, I have to go now…”
Her words choked off abruptly.
Because he raised his arm, blocking her way.
Cen Yingshuang held her breath.
“I’m not teasing you anymore.”
His usual relaxed and teasing demeanor returned, wrapped in a playful smile.
The words she had been waiting to hear all evening finally came from his lips.
Cen Yingshuang suddenly turned to look at him, as if she could finally breathe again.
So all that just now was really just a joke?
Just as she thought this, He Yuzhou said, “Don’t rush off yet. See if you like your birthday gift.”
He opened the exquisitely carved wooden box he had been holding.
The box was clearly custom-made, with two compartments.
One held a pearl necklace; the other held a white shell shaped remarkably like a sun.
The pearl necklace had the natural luster of genuine pearls, formed by two strands of pearls, dangling eight huge, teardrop-shaped natural pearls.
The entire necklace was connected by a large old-cut cushion diamond, sparkling brilliantly.
One glance was enough to tell how precious the necklace was.
“I saw it at the auction. At first sight, I thought it would suit you perfectly.”
It indeed suited her.
Seeing the pearls reminded her of the pearl chains wrapped around her waist that day, rising and falling with her breath.
At that time, he had even been jealous of a mere pearl chain.
Then his eyes flicked to her bare neck with a slight click of disapproval.
“I’ll put it on you.”
He reached for the pearl necklace.
Perhaps still shaken by the earlier encounter with He Yuzhou tonight, Cen Yingshuang’s first reaction was to shake her head and dodge, “No, no, no, I don’t need it.”
Realizing her reaction was too strong, she swallowed nervously and forced herself calm, offering a somewhat reasonable excuse:
“It’s not… too precious. I don’t have any important occasions to wear it to.”
“Confessing your feelings isn’t an important occasion?”
He Yuzhou raised an eyebrow.
It was his familiar, teasing tone.
Cen Yingshuang cautiously studied his expression.
The fierce, predatory sharpness from earlier was completely gone.
So He Yuzhou really was joking with her?
That feeling of relief deepened, and her guard slowly lowered.
A cold sweat broke out in waves as her tense nerves finally eased.
Feigning annoyance, she scolded, “Yuzhou ge! Don’t joke like that! It’s not funny! You scared me!”
No sooner had she spoken than her phone rang.
Following the sound, she noticed her mobile phone and handbag were left on the table.
The screen lit up and vibrated.
He Yuzhou also looked over, his height giving him an undeniable advantage.
For example, now.
He immediately saw the caller ID on the phone screen — Yan Li ge.
Cen Yingshuang quickly walked over and picked up the phone.
Unfortunately, her back was to him, so despite his height advantage, he couldn’t see the flicker of disappointment flash in her eyes when she saw the caller ID.
Then she answered the call.
“Hello, Yan Li ge.”
Her voice instantly reverted to the usual sweet and soft tone she was accustomed to.
Not knowing what the other party said, Cen Yingshuang suddenly turned, eyes wide with surprise.
“You’re here?!”
“Where are you now?” She blinked, unbelieving, pursing her lips, “Oh, okay, then I…”
Before she could finish, He Yuzhou snatched the phone from her hand.
Without a word, he abruptly ended the call.
With a loud “bang,” he threw the phone onto the table, along with the wooden box.
“Yuzhou ge, what are you doing?”
Cen Yingshuang was baffled, not understanding his actions, and frowned in dissatisfaction.
She reached to pick up the phone and redial.
This time, her wrist was grabbed.
His palm was as hot as ever, and her wrist was more vulnerable and sensitive.
Cen Yingshuang looked up at him in confusion, then froze again.
They were now extremely close, less than ten centimeters apart.
She strained to look into his eyes.
A pair of ink-black eyes erupted with a storm awakening inside.
Anger, sharpness, and aggressive invasion were surfacing, no longer concealed or hidden, fully exposed within her line of sight.
Cen Yingshuang could feel how angry he was.
Her body instinctively tried to retreat again.
“Yuzhou ge, what’s wrong…?”
But this time, she was pinned against the table behind her, with no way out.
Instead, he advanced again and again.
Until the ten-centimeter gap between them vanished.
Her phone rang again.
Predictably, it was Chen Yanli calling.
Cen Yingshuang was frozen, unable to move.
He lowered his eyes to look down at her, towering over her.
The primal pressure from He Yuzhou was overwhelming.
She didn’t dare breathe too obviously.
He Yuzhou was definitely angry.
She was still sweetly calling Yan Li ge.
Her smile, her voice.
Like that day at the show, all He Yuzhou could sense was sharpness and discord.
He stared at her, the smile returning to his otherwise expressionless face, lips curling slightly.
But now, the smile in Cen Yingshuang’s eyes looked anything but kind.
“Are you really that afraid I like you?”
Her relieved expression when she thought he was joking was clearly imprinted in his eyes.
He squinted, still smiling.
His gaze dropped, fixing on her slightly parted, temptingly criminal lips.
As he spoke, the adam’s apple in his neck rolled slowly.
His voice dropped to a breathy whisper, “If you knew what I’m about to do next, how scared would you be?”