"Are you okay now?"
Lu Jianfeng's voice was low, carrying a hint of concern as he glanced at Liu Meilin.
"Yes… I'm okay now."
She let out a soft sigh.
"Maybe I was just stressed."
Before she could say more, he leaned closer and placed a light peck on her cheek.
Her face flushed instantly.
"Let's get home so you can rest well," he said gently.
"Okay…"
She nodded softly.
Leaning her head against the window, she watched the passing lights blur into streaks. Her thoughts began to drift.
Then suddenly.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I met someone today."
Lu Jianfeng's grip on the steering wheel tightened just a little.
"Who?" he asked.
"An investor," she replied. "He wants to invest in our restaurant."
"Oh?"
His tone was calm, but his eyes briefly flickered toward her.
"So… did you agree?"
"Yes, I did."
A pause.
"I happened to know him."
Lu Jianfeng's brows drew together slightly.
"You know him?"
"Yeah…" She nodded, her tone growing more animated. "He actually transmigrated from the modern world too just like me."
—SCREEECH!
The sudden sharp sound of brakes tearing against the road echoed loudly as the car came to an abrupt stop.
Liu Meilin jerked forward slightly in shock.
"What....what's wrong?!
Why did you stop all of a sudden?"
Lu Jianfeng stared at her.
His expression unreadable.
"…I'm sorry," he said after a moment.
"I was just… surprised."
"Oh…" She blinked, then relaxed a little. "Okay. Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Satisfied, she continued, completely unaware of the shift in his mood.
She began rambling her voice light, her expression bright as she talked about her encounter with the young investor.
The way they spoke, how shocking it felt to meet someone like her again…
Her smile grew more radiant with every word.
The earlier uneasiness she felt had completely disappeared.
But.
Lu Jianfeng said nothing.
His eyes darkened.
His hand gripped the steering wheel so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand stood out sharply.
"You seem… excited to see him," he said slowly.
"Yes, of course!" she replied without hesitation.
The answer came too fast.
Too natural.
"What's his name?" he asked.
"His name?" She tilted her head slightly, then smiled. "Oh....his name is Gu Yichen."
"Gu… Yichen…"
Lu Jianfeng repeated the name under his breath, as if tasting something bitter.
"You even know his name."
"Yes!" she said happily.
"I never thought I'd meet someone like me here.
I'm really very excited… and happy."
The moment those words left her lips.
Everything changed.
Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Ah!"
Before she could react, Lu Jianfeng's other hand came up, holding her firmly in place.
And then.
He kissed her.
It wasn't gentle this time.
It was intense.
Overwhelming.
Possessive.
He kissed her so passionately, greedily claiming her lips, mouth anything his tongue could touch.
As if he was trying to prove something… claim something.
The kiss dragged out for a long time.
Liu Meilin's eyes widened in shock.
"Mmm!"
Her hands instinctively pushed against his chest, struggling to break free.
What's wrong with him?!
Why is he acting like this?!
But Lu Jianfeng didn't stop.
If anything, his hold tightened, his emotions spilling through the kiss jealousy, anger, something deeper… something almost uncontrollable.
Liu Meilin's breathing became uneven.
She couldn't breathe.
She felt like she was suffocating.
Panic rose in her chest.
Desperate, she bit down on his lip.
"Ah!"
Lu Jianfeng finally pulled back with a sharp hiss.
A faint trace of blood appeared on his lips.
He touched it lightly, then wiped it away his gaze never leaving her.
That same intense, devouring look remained.
As if he could swallow her whole.
Liu Meilin leaned back slightly, trying to steady herself, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath.
"What… what's wrong with you?!" she said, her voice shaky.
"Are you trying to kill me? I couldn't breathe!"
Lu Jianfeng didn't answer.
He just stared at her.
Deeply.
Silently.
"Gasp"
A chill ran down her spine.
She shivered under his gaze.
For the first time.
She felt it clearly.
Something about him…
Was different.