C21 As Long as I'm Interested in It!

Faced with the sudden approach of the man in front of her, Shen Geyao snapped back to reality, startled and stumbling backward until she crashed into the desk with a thud. Pain shot through her back as her waist hit the corner of the desk. She winced, but there was no time to dwell on it; her only thought was to quickly get away from the man before her.

However, even at her best, she couldn't match Liang Chenyu's speed, let alone now when she was feeling a bit weak. Before she could take a single step, he had her pinned against the desk.

"What do you want?" Shen Geyao was completely panicked. This man had the audacity to act out in someone else's company; now, in her own home, he seemed capable of anything.

"Let me go!" She struggled to push him away, but he remained unmoved, a faint, almost teasing smile on his face.

"You can't do this! You have no right to hold me here!"

"In my domain, I have every right, including over you!" he replied.

She was too naive to think she could negotiate on his turf. Shen Geyao was alarmed; she knew this man wielded immense power in Jianghai City's business world. Compared to him, she felt as insignificant as an ant. If he wanted to harm her, it would be as easy as snapping his fingers.

Yet, even the smallest person has dignity!

"Who do you think you are? Let go of me!"

The man smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, you're saying once you're mine, I can do whatever I want with you?"

With that, he suddenly leaned down, his broad chest pressing tightly against her soft body.

"..."

Shen Geyao's face turned ghostly pale. She never imagined her words could be twisted like this! What a jerk!

"Why does it have to be this way?"

What she really wanted to ask was, why target her? She had only accidentally wandered into his hotel room. Was he upset she interrupted something with another woman? But she wasn't the one who drugged him.

In fact, she ended up helping him, even though it was uncomfortable. At least she preserved his dignity. So why was he still targeting her? Was he worried she'd spread rumors and ruin his reputation?

No, that didn't seem right.

Yesterday, in the Galaxy Anime lounge, she vaguely remembered him saying he despised deceit above all else. Could it be... no way.

Her eyes widened in realization.

Was he holding a grudge because she snuck away that night, thinking she deceived him? But if she hadn't escaped, was she supposed to obediently help him 'detox'?

Thinking this, Shen Geyao pursed her lips, trying to reason with him.

"Yeah, I admit it was wrong to deceive you and sneak away. But in that situation, if it were you, you'd run too, right?"

"I wouldn't run."

"You're crazy!" Geyao rolled her eyes and scoffed. This hypothetical scenario didn't hold water, so he could say whatever he wanted. How shameless!

"If someone tried to force me, I wouldn't run. I'd tear them apart!"

Geyao shivered at the chilling intensity in his eyes. That fierce, ruthless look could scare even a grown man, let alone someone like her. Yet, beyond the fear, panic gripped her heart.

At this moment, she felt trapped. Reasoning was futile, and if this continued, she feared her eighteen-year-old self wouldn't make it out unscathed.

"Can I just apologize?"

"Sure."

But before Geyao could breathe a sigh of relief, his next words made her hair stand on end: "Apologize with your body!"

"Hey, hey, wait a minute!"

Terrified, Geyao pushed him away as he started unbuttoning her shirt. "I don't want to apologize like that! I-I'll pay you for emotional damages!"

"Oh, do I look like someone who needs money?"

Hearing this, Geyao's expression turned bitter. In the entire city, who had more money than this jerk? How much could she possibly compensate him?

"Oh, no! Ninth Master, please, I didn't mean to deceive you!"

This is crazy!

His hand had landed on her thigh, lifting the hem of her shirt.

The moment her shirt was lifted, Shen Geyao felt utterly hopeless.

There was nothing underneath—completely bare!

"Ninth Master, listen to me. With your charm, you could just stand by the door and women would flock to you. I'm begging you... please, let me go!"

Shen Geyao made one last attempt to resist, pleading.

She truly couldn't push him away; his arms were like steel. No matter how hard she tried, they wouldn't budge.

His strength was overwhelming; she couldn't move him at all!

"You want me to find another woman?"

Liang Chenyu narrowed his eyes again, and that cold, fierce gaze made Shen Geyao even more anxious.

Whenever he narrowed his eyes, it gave off a particularly dangerous vibe, like a lion eyeing its prey, making her feel uneasy and scared.

"I..." Shen Geyao hesitated, but internally she was thinking:

Isn't it obvious? Of course, I want you to find another woman!

But just as she was about to speak, his stern gaze silenced her, leaving her without the courage to voice her thoughts!

"You are the first woman I've ever been interested in."

His voice was as captivating as ever, but it made Shen Geyao's heart skip a beat in fear. Was he implying that, for now, he had no intention of toying with any other woman besides her? And from the way he spoke, was she supposed to feel honored or proud to be his first?

Shen Geyao felt like crying without tears. Oh, heavens! Spare me! What did I do to deserve getting tangled up with such an arrogant man?

As she stood there, momentarily stunned, Chenyu's hand slipped under her shirt, gently pulling her closer by the waist. Her slender, delicate body pressed tightly against his.

"This is your honor!"

Last night, he was surprised to discover that, although he usually rejected women, he didn't feel the same way about her. Even more startling was the fact that his body not only accepted her but craved her presence!

Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to find out more about her and then visit that small animation company.

But to Shen Geyao, his words were nothing but a cruel joke. She felt anything but honored; she felt downright unlucky!

With all her strength, Shen Geyao pushed against his chest, refusing to let him get any closer, and said coldly:

"I'm afraid I'm just not interested in you."

That was the truth.

Sure, he was incredibly handsome, with a body that could make any woman swoon. But at most, she'd admire him from afar. She'd never lose her head over him, and she certainly wouldn't give herself to a complete stranger. No way, not ever!

"I didn't ask for your opinion. It's enough that I'm interested."

His words were simple yet undeniably assertive and shameless.

Liang Chenyu scooped Shen Geyao up and headed straight for the bed.

"No, don't!"

Pinned down, Shen Geyao was so terrified her heart nearly stopped.

Just before he leaned in, she quickly turned her face away and cried out, "Ninth Master, I—I don't feel well, I'm... I'm really uncomfortable..."

"What's bothering you?" Liang Chenyu's brow furrowed with a hint of irritation, sweat trickling down his forehead, revealing his own struggle to maintain control.

He prided himself on showing more patience with Shen Geyao than with any other woman. Otherwise, he could have easily torn off her clothes and forced himself on her.

For the first time, Shen Geyao detected a rare trace of compassion in this cold man's voice. Her eyes darted as she clutched her stomach, writhing, "I feel so sick, my body... it really hurts."

Chenyu didn't say anything. The woman had indeed been knocked out by the thick smoke and had just come to. It was possible her body hadn't fully recovered yet. He realized he might have been a bit too eager. Chenyu couldn't help but chuckle at himself. He wondered where all his self-discipline from the past few years had gone. Faced with her presence, he felt an irresistible urge—something he'd never experienced in his twenty-something years of life.

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