Chapter 9: Right Now, I Really Want to Kiss You

Qiao Xi was trapped between the wall and Fu Yancheng’s burning chest, her heart pounding like a drum, her cheeks instantly aflame. Instinctively, she tried to turn her head away from that scorching gaze, but his other hand gently gripped her chin, forcing her to tilt her face up.

Fu Yancheng’s thumb stroked the delicate skin of her jaw, his eyes dark and fathomless, filled with open admiration.

“What should I do?” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, his voice even lower now, thick with a rasping allure. “I find myself almost unwilling to let others see you tonight.”

He leaned in closer. Their noses were nearly touching, their heated breaths mingling.

“Qiao Xi.” He murmured her name like a lover’s whisper, desire surging in his eyes. “Right now…I want to kiss you very much.”

His blatant seduction sent a shiver through her, making her whole body tremble. She pushed him away.

“President Fu…” Qiao Xi’s voice quivered, her gaze flustered and evasive, betraying the turmoil within her.

“It’s time to leave.” Fu Yancheng, though pushed aside, showed no trace of annoyance. He simply stood where he was, his deep gaze still fixed on her burning face, his lips curved in a half-smile.

Then he turned, taking a shoebox from the coat rack nearby.

Inside was a pair of exquisite, silver-white high heels encrusted with tiny diamonds—luxurious at a single glance.

“Put them on.” His tone brooked no argument, yet was laced with patience.

Qiao Xi was even more startled—how could there be more? She instinctively wanted to refuse. “President Fu, really, this is enough. There’s no need, I…”

“Sit,” Fu Yancheng interrupted, gesturing toward the nearby sofa chair.

Stiffly, Qiao Xi sat down, her heart still in chaos.

Just as she bent to put on the shoes herself, Fu Yancheng had already knelt on one knee before her.

The force of that gesture left her breathless. She could see clearly the thick sweep of his eyelashes, the concentrated lines of his profile.

His warm palm naturally wrapped around her slender ankle.

She jolted at the touch, the heat seeping through her thin stockings, making her freeze in place, her cheeks flushed so red they seemed about to bleed.

Fu Yancheng’s movements were smooth and unhurried, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. Carefully, he placed her foot into the luxurious high-heeled shoe, deftly fastening the side buckle with his fingers.

He regarded her with the focus one might give a rare treasure.

When both shoes were on, Fu Yancheng did not rise immediately. Still kneeling on one knee, he looked up at her, his broad hand cradling her delicate ankle, his thumb brushing lightly over her anklebone.

Qiao Xi’s heart pounded wildly, a rush of unfamiliar agitation and panic making it hard even to breathe.

Fu Yancheng gazed at her parted red lips, his Adam’s apple shifting, the darkness in his eyes deepening.

Slowly, he stood, his tall frame once again enveloping her.

“All right,” he said in a low, hoarse voice, gaze burning into hers. “Now, we can leave.”

Qiao Xi stood up almost as if fleeing. She dared not meet Fu Yancheng’s eyes, her face burning, her thoughts a tangled mess.

That strange, fluttering sensation left her utterly at a loss.

For the first time, Qiao Xi became acutely aware that something…had changed.

-

Twenty minutes later, the car pulled up before a resplendent hotel.

The driver opened the door respectfully.

Fu Yancheng stepped out first, his posture straight, his presence commanding. He circled to the other side and opened the door for Qiao Xi, extending his hand like a gentleman.

Qiao Xi looked at his slender, well-defined hand, hesitated, lifted her skirt, and stepped out on her own—deliberately keeping her distance from him.

Fu Yancheng’s gaze darkened, and as soon as she found her footing, he suddenly reached out, seized her wrist, and pulled her slender arm into the crook of his own.

“Link arms,” he commanded, his voice low and authoritative, jaw taut as he stared straight ahead.

Qiao Xi stiffened at his abrupt action. She tried to withdraw her hand, but he only held her tighter, rendering escape impossible.

“President Fu…” she protested softly, her cheeks burning.

“Don’t move.” Fu Yancheng turned his head, his deep gaze sweeping over her crimson face, his voice dropping even lower. “Tonight, you’re my companion.”

He paused, then added, “Be good.”

As they entered the hotel’s ballroom, beneath dazzling lights, Qiao Xi on Fu Yancheng’s arm became the instant focus of the room.

Whispers swelled in waves.

“Who is that by President Fu’s side?”

“Heavens! President Fu actually brought a date?!”

“Who is that girl? I’ve never seen her before!”

Countless eyes turned to Qiao Xi. She had never faced such attention before; her palms grew slick with nervous sweat. Instinctively, she tried to withdraw her hand, but Fu Yancheng only tightened his grip.

Soon, several well-known business leaders approached, drinks in hand.

“President Fu, this is…?” An older gentleman surveyed Qiao Xi with a curious smile.

Fu Yancheng remained composed, a faint curve playing on his lips as his gaze fell on Qiao Xi’s flushed profile. His voice was measured, imbued with lazy magnetism. “Qiao Xi.” He paused, then added languidly, his tone ambiguous, “My…Engineer Qiao. She’s a cosmetics engineer at Fu Group.”

“Engineer Qiao?” another executive raised his brows, clearly surprised by the title.

A flicker of amusement crossed Fu Yancheng’s deep eyes. He leaned slightly closer, his breath hot against Qiao Xi’s ear. “Mmm… tonight, the one responsible for keeping me entertained.”

His suggestive words made Qiao Xi’s cheeks erupt in crimson. She ducked her head abruptly, wishing she could vanish into the floor.

What did he mean, “responsible for keeping him entertained”? The man was absolutely doing it on purpose!

Fu Yancheng watched her mortified state, the smile in his eyes deepening, satisfied with his victory.

He toasted and conversed with the others with ease, but the hand at her waist held her firmly, a silent declaration of possession.

Stiff at his side, Qiao Xi felt the weight of more pointed stares from every direction, and thought this banquet felt more torturous than a battlefield.

Finally, when Fu Yancheng was called aside to speak privately with others, Qiao Xi escaped to the terrace for air, trying to steady her heart after his relentless provocation.

Suddenly—

“Xi Xi?”

A gentle, familiar male voice sounded behind her.

Qiao Xi froze, whipping around.

There stood her ex-boyfriend—Gu Heng’an—dressed in a gray suit, holding a bouquet of her once-favorite roses.

The lights outlined his still-handsome face, his eyes full of heartbreaking tenderness and regret.

“Xi Xi, it really is you…” He stepped forward, his tone cautious. “I searched for a long time and learned you would be here tonight, so…I just wanted to see you.”