C14 He Didn't Care about Her Liking

For the price of five bushels of rice, Leh Jiu was successfully persuaded by Lu Xing to go upstairs.

She located Si Nanzhi in the study.

His back was to the door, and on the desk lay the candy he had taken, which he was intently observing. Leh Jiu's eyes sparkled at the sight.

Si Nanzhi became aware of her presence the moment Leh Jiu appeared in the doorway.

Unlike Lu Xing, whose steps were silent, Leh Jiu's shoes dragged across the floor. It was as if she was a child wearing shoes for the first time, not yet accustomed to them.

Hearing the sound of someone approaching, Si Nanzhi instantly closed his eyes. It was only after shutting them that he realized something was amiss.

Why had he closed his eyes?

Having done so, he decided not to open them again.

There was a soft patter of footsteps.

Leh Jiu entered the study and made her way directly to Si Nanzhi.

Circling around to stand before him, she noticed that Si Nanzhi's eyes remained shut.

"Nanzhi."

Her sweet, melodious voice filled the study.

Si Nanzhi kept his eyes closed, unmoving.

Leh Jiu leaned in slightly, strands of her hair cascading onto his chest. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a glow on her luminous black eyes that were reflected in his strikingly handsome face.

Si Nanzhi's breathing was so even, he seemed to be asleep.

Seconds later, Leh Jiu fluttered her hand in front of his face and murmured softly, "Nanzhi, are you asleep?"

His eyelids hid the fierceness in his eyes, and his tousled hair fell casually across his forehead. In this moment, Si Nanzhi seemed less stern and more relaxed and carefree.

Close enough to feel her breath, every word Leh Jiu spoke caressed his face, filling his nostrils with her subtle scent.

Sensing her bending closer, her breath on his lips, Si Nanzhi felt a surge of unnamed anticipation...

But the shadow halted abruptly, and the next second, Si Nanzhi heard her low, grumbling mutter.

"With such a seductive face, it's no wonder women throw themselves at you."

Wealthy and handsome—who wouldn't be attracted?

"..."

Was she insinuating that he was a flirt?

The shadow vanished before her eyes, and soon after, a rustling sound reached her ears, clearly emanating from the direction of the desk.

She remembered the items he had discarded there.

So, she wasn't here to appease him, but to steal candy?

What a sly move!

Leh Jiu eyed the candies with longing.

With such a large bag of candies, even if a dozen were missing, he probably wouldn't notice.

She sneaked a peek at Si Nanzhi, who appeared to be deep in slumber. Like a thief, Leh Jiu stealthily slipped candies into her pocket.

Absorbed in her candy-filling mission, Leh Jiu failed to notice that Si Nanzhi's eyes were already open, watching her silently.

"What are you doing?"

Si Nanzhi's chilling voice descended upon her.

Startled, Leh Jiu jumped, and her body shuddered.

The candies scattered across the floor.

He was supposed to be asleep!

Slowly turning her head to meet his piercing gaze, Leh Jiu felt as if the room's temperature had plummeted.

Her eyes darted about before she flashed a grin, showcasing the dimple beneath her left lip, and sweetly called out, "Nanzhi!"

Did she really think acting cute would work?

Si Nanzhi, eyeing her bulging pockets, asked with a half-smile, "Take it out."

She had pilfered half the bag of candy.

Did she take him for a fool?

Leh Jiu covered her pocket with her hand, feigning ignorance, "What?"

"Do you want me to strip you of your clothes?"

Si Nanzhi's gaze was deep and coercive.

Unwavering in her act, Leh Jiu looked up with eyes wide and innocent, abruptly shifting the conversation, "Nanzhi, Mr. Lu mentioned you have a stomach ailment. You know, stomach issues often stem from not eating. You really shouldn't skip meals."

She delivered a lengthy speech, but Si Nanzhi only caught three words.

Mr. Lu?

When had she become so close to Lu Xing?

Suddenly, Si Nanzhi felt a genuine pang in his stomach.

Leh Jiu went on, "Ms. Chen had the chef prepare your favorite Drunken Crab. Shall we go have some?"

Aware of his stomach issues, she still encouraged him to eat crab. Was she hoping his stomach ailment would miraculously heal?

"Nanzhi, let's head downstairs for dinner," Leh Jiu said, her face beaming with smiles as she grasped Si Nanzhi's wrist, attempting to lead him out of the study.

Si Nanzhi's eyes shifted from her face to her delicate, pale wrist, his gaze intensifying before he abruptly pulled back, causing Leh Jiu to stumble.

Before she could regain her balance, Si Nanzhi tightened his grip around her waist, and in the next instant, lifted her onto the desk.

Leh Jiu let out a startled cry.

With her legs forced apart, Si Nanzhi positioned himself between them. One hand braced her side while the other tilted her chin upward, his dark eyes capturing Leh Jiu's look of surprise.

Why should he bother arguing with someone like Leh Jiu, who had lost her memories? What did it matter whether she liked him or not? Being favored by an intriguing toy would only be a nuisance when it came time to discard it.

With this thought, Si Nanzhi's attention settled on Leh Jiu's lush, rosy lips. Clearing the brooding look from his face, he flashed a roguish smile.

"I am quite hungry," he declared.

Leh Jiu's eyes widened in alarm. Why did she feel like she was about to be consumed by a ravenous wolf at any moment?

As Si Nanzhi's thumb caressed her lips back and forth, his smile held a deeper meaning. "However, I think I'll start with dessert before the main course."

As his words trailed off, Si Nanzhi's slender lips captured Leh Jiu's in a swift motion.