C6 You Made Me Wait for a Long Time!

Qiao Yiyi paused, her anxiety mounting. She wasn't naive enough to believe that Mr. Mo and Zinuo had left to set her free. Yet, this seemed like the perfect chance to escape. If not now, when would she ever get another opportunity?

She had visited this stark white space just over an hour ago. With a bit of luck, she might recall the way out. But after a short sprint, she halted, deflated. Disorientation had set in; she was lost.

No matter, she thought. The place was vast; she could hide first and then devise a plan.

Pushing open a heavy wooden door, she found herself in stark contrast to the sterile white she had left behind. The room was dim and tranquil, the dim light casting a gossamer veil over everything, shadows dancing at the edges of her vision.

Qiao Yiyi tiptoed through the expansive room, enveloped in silence, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

Then, she froze. Five meters away stood a tall, intricately carved Chinese screen, its surface a dance of intertwined clouds and dragons in mid-flight, the craftsmanship so detailed it seemed to come alive.

It wasn't the beauty of the screen that stopped her, nor the oddity of finding such a traditional piece in a westernized setting. Behind the screen sat a figure.

Most of his body was obscured, but through the latticework, Qiao Yiyi could make out the deep blue of his attire and the glint of silver buttons under the light.

She had encountered him several times that day, but none of those moments had filled her with the dread she felt now. She held her breath, motionless, hoping he hadn't noticed her so she could slip away unnoticed.

But her fleeting hope lasted barely three seconds before the man's chilly voice filled the room.

"You've kept me waiting."

Qiao Yiyi's mouth went dry. Was he speaking to her? Waiting for her? But why?

Uncertain, she remained rooted to the spot.

"Come here," the man's voice cut through the stillness, tinged with impatience.

Qiao Yiyi clenched her eyes shut, then snapped them open. If confrontation was inevitable, so be it. What could he possibly do to her?

She strode toward him, feigning surprise. "What a coincidence, running into you again. But it seems I've lost my way once more. Could you lead me out?"

The man lounged in a large chair, exuding a sense of languor. When he lifted his gaze, Qiao Yiyi was taken aback.

His face was bare, unmasked, and strikingly handsome as he looked at her. In the dim light, his features appeared soft and gentle. His neatly trimmed short hair framed his face, his dark eyebrows were sharp, and his eyes were as clear as a lake under the night sky, deep yet glimmering with a subtle sheen. His nose was straight, and his lips were finely shaped. His beauty was like that of ice and snow, as if he had stepped right out of a comic book.

Qiao Yiyi's heart skipped a beat. My goodness, she thought, could there really be such a handsome man in the world?

Despite the man's chilly gaze, she found herself blushing and instinctively lowered her head.

Noticing the awe in her eyes, he displayed a hint of disdain and said coldly, "Step back two paces."

Uh? Qiao Yiyi looked up at him briefly, then dutifully retreated two steps.

The man settled into a more comfortable pose, propping his chin with one hand. His icy stare swept over her like a scanner, taking in every detail from head to toe.

Under his prolonged scrutiny, Qiao Yiyi's heart raced. She wasn't one to swoon easily, but being watched by such captivating eyes was thrilling.

"Why did you lie to me?" he suddenly asked.

Qiao Yiyi, momentarily flustered, felt her cheeks grow hotter. She stammered, "Well, I..." She struggled to find an answer, realizing she shouldn't have given him her real name. Yet, had she known he possessed such looks, she wouldn't have lied.

"Is it a habit? Habitually lying?"

"No, not at all," Qiao Yiyi quickly countered. She may not have been a paragon of virtue, but she generally disliked lying.