C33 They Liked You

Gazing upon Shaang Sizhan's face, one that could captivate any soul, Shi Qian was suddenly flooded with the memory of him sleeping next to her that morning.

It was undeniably enchanting.

No, what was she even thinking?

Shi Qian closed her eyes, realizing just how flustered she had become.

No, it was Shaang Sizhan who was bewitchingly irresistible.

Upon returning to Monarch Garden and stepping inside the villa, Shi Qian promptly said, "Master Zhan, I'm heading upstairs first."

With that, she attempted to dash upstairs.

But she was no match for Shaang Sizhan's speed. His arm had already encircled her slender waist, holding her close.

Shi Qian looked up at him, her gaze filled with confusion.

Shaang Sizhan's piercing eyes met hers as he spoke with a slight parting of his lips, "Why the rush?"

Shi Qian, snapping back to reality, chuckled awkwardly, "I'm not rushing. I was just on my way upstairs." She paused, then added, "By the way, the game is set for a shake-up. Players have already reached the Level 10 map, so I'm planning to introduce a new map in the next couple of days."

Shaang Sizhan tilted his head down, bringing his striking face closer to hers, "Really? It seems to me like you're avoiding me."

"Not at all, you're overthinking it. Why would I need to avoid you?"

Shaang Sizhan's lips curled into a mischievous smile, his tone laced with innuendo, "Because we slept together last night."

Shi Qian was speechless.

Their conversation was dangerously prone to being misconstrued.

"But... it's not like we were drunk, and we didn't..."

Before she could finish, Shaang Sizhan cut her off, "You were the one who was drunk, not me."

Shi Qian fell silent again.

He wasn't drunk!

Then what about the mark on her neck?

Shaang Sizhan's captivating gaze held hers as he intuited her doubt and solemnly confessed, "I did it intentionally. I deliberately slept next to you, deliberately kissed you, and yes, I kissed you for quite some time."

Shi Qian stared at Shaang Sizhan, utterly taken aback.

She had never expected him to admit to such things so candidly.

And he had kissed her for a long time!

After a moment of stunned silence, Shi Qian murmured, "Master Zhan... you..."

"I like you," Shaang Sizhan said directly.

Shi Qian was speechless.

After a moment of shock, she blurted out, "Master Zhan, did you suddenly move me to Monarch Garden and keep me from getting too close to Jiang Ci because you're jealous?"

Shaang Sizhan was silent.

He was taken aback that she would bring up Jiang Ci at a time like this. Shaang Sizhan's eyes narrowed, a sharp edge creeping into his voice, tinged with a hint of danger. "If I were really jealous, the situation would be far from simple."

Indeed, he had transferred Shi Qian to Monarch Garden because he didn't want her too close to Jiang Ci. Maybe Shi Qian didn't harbor those feelings for Jiang Ci, but Jiang Ci's gaze held too much emotion when he looked at her. Therefore, Shaang Sizhan had severed their path of daily companionship at university.

Of course, there was another, more significant reason—a reason he couldn't let Shi Qian discover. The girl he cherished above all else was not to be saddened by anyone.

Although Shaang Sizhan hadn't given a straight answer, Shi Qian was certain her abrupt transfer from C University to Monarch Garden was due to Shaang Sizhan's displeasure with her closeness to Jiang Ci. He liked her and saw Jiang Ci as a potential rival in love.

Noticing her prolonged silence, Shaang Sizhan asked, "Why are you not speaking?"

After a moment of contemplation, Shi Qian spoke slowly, "Master Zhan, I know I imposed on you initially, and I'm truly grateful you took me in, but I..."

"No buts!" Shaang Sizhan cut her off. "Qian, you understand me. Once I've made up my mind, it won't change. So, whatever you say can't alter my decision."

"What... decision?"

Shaang Sizhan looked at her intently. "I want you."

His voice was earnest and commanding.