The distance between them suddenly closed.
Close enough to see her own reflection in his eyes.
Like prey being watched, Jiang Qingli sensed danger and shrank back a little, but she still couldn't escape his pervasive presence.
Jiang Qingli lowered her head to look at the flowers, avoiding his gaze. "...I never said you couldn't."
As soon as she spoke, she heard a low chuckle.
"Do you like them?"
He placed the flowers in her arms. His long, slender fingers gently arranged the leaves beneath the delicate petals. Fresh water droplets clung to his pale skin, making it look like one of those hand-focused videos you see online.
Jiang Qingli glanced at him for only a moment before looking away, a muffled sound escaping her throat. "Mm."
"'Mm'? What does that mean?" Xie Youchen mimicked her.
He took a step back, but his gaze remained fixed on her. "Do you like them or not?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was insistent, demanding an answer she couldn't evade.
