Caught by the Man She Shouldn’t Want
732 Words
The sharp bang of shoes being tossed outside echoed through the house.
Su Nian’en bit her lip.
The air conditioning that once felt refreshing now cut into her soaked clothes like icy blades, seeping straight into her bones.
She was used to Song Wan Zhi’s bullying. Years of humiliation had taught her how to endure.
But being trampled on again and again—
It still made something burn helplessly in her chest.
“Why are you standing there like a wooden post?!” Song Wan Zhi’s shrill voice rose sharply. “Get into the kitchen and make yourself useful! What, went abroad for a few years and now you think you’re some pampered princess?!”
“Enough.”
A stern male voice cut in from the staircase.
“Can’t you see we have a guest? You’re embarrassing the family.”
Before Song Wan Zhi could respond, Jiang Yun Fei’s ingratiating tone followed immediately.
“My apologies, Xi Cheng. Please excuse the disturbance.”
Xi Cheng?
In that instant, Su Nian’en finally understood what thunderstruck truly meant.
Han Xi Cheng.
He stood on the staircase beneath the bright lights, dressed in a custom-tailored black Italian suit, tie immaculate, posture straight and commanding. Calm. Refined. Dangerous.
Like a predator wrapped in perfect civility.
His presence alone carried the weight of authority—silent, crushing, impossible to ignore.
From her angle, his already flawless proportions looked even more imposing.
It was hard to look away.
Su Nian’en sucked in a sharp breath.
Her mind screamed a single question.
Why is he here?
Shouldn’t he still be in New York?
Unless—
Before she could finish the thought, Jiang Qing Wan swept in, her face lighting up the moment she saw him.
“Xi Cheng! What a surprise!” She glided up the stairs and hooked her arm through his, pressing far too close. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I was nearby,” Han Xi Cheng replied coolly.
His gaze shifted—unhurried, unreadable—landing on the drenched girl standing below, frozen in place.
Her confused, slightly pale expression made something flicker in his eyes.
“You’re back?” he asked, his voice low.
“Huh…?”
Su Nian’en’s thoughts tangled instantly.
Was the man beside her this morning real?
And if he was—
“What do you mean ‘huh’?” Jiang Qing Wan cut in, smiling sweetly. “How did you come back from New York without telling anyone? You’ve always been too independent. First you wouldn’t live at home in high school, now America—such a liberal place.”
The implication was unmistakable.
Then her gaze flicked to Su Nian’en’s suitcase.
“You must be hungry. Go check the kitchen and find something to eat.”
Concern?
Please.
She was only saying this because Han Xi Cheng had looked at Su Nian’en one second too long.
In this house, Su Nian’en ranked below even the servants.
But she didn’t care.
As long as she could get away from him.
Especially him.
Her instincts screamed danger.
She turned and hurried toward the kitchen, his gaze burning into her back like a brand.
Behind her, Jiang Qing Wan’s laughter floated upstairs, followed by the cheerful chatter of a picture-perfect family.
…
The moment Su Nian’en stepped inside the kitchen, Ah Qing strode over, face cold.
“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and prepare the fruit! What do you expect Master and Mr. Han to eat later?”
Su Nian’en said nothing.
She washed, sliced, arranged—movements smooth from long habit.
Just as she finished, footsteps sounded behind her.
Assuming it was the maid again, she wiped her hands and turned.
“I’m done with the—”
Her voice stopped.
Han Xi Cheng stood there.
The kitchen felt suddenly too small.
Their eyes met.
Her body reacted before her mind did—frozen, instinctively alert, like prey caught in a predator’s sight.
“Mr. Han…”
She lowered her gaze politely and moved to pass him.
A large hand closed around her wrist.
Firm. Unyielding.
In the next second, she was spun around and pressed back against the counter. The cold marble dug into her spine as heat surged in front of her—solid, overwhelming.
His scent enveloped her.
She stiffened completely.
No escape.
No room to breathe.
She was trapped.
- Writer
