Luring Her into His Embrace: The CEO's Deep Devotion

Chapter 7: A Hunger

The grand villa, known as "The Nine Gardens," was a masterpiece meticulously designed by Yan Chenye himself two years ago—a name oddly at odds with his commanding aura. It was neither majestic nor refined, and Pan Shui had spent many a long hour pondering the significance of the number nine without a satisfying answer. Yet, it was within this villa that his master and Fang Wanru had emerged from the study one day, where Yan Chenye announced his decision to marry her.

Before that moment, everyone assumed that Fang Wanru was just a passing fancy—a beautiful woman impossible to overlook but hardly the type to win his commitment. After all, Yan Chenye’s mother and grandfather had already selected an ideal bride-to-be months prior, who still resided in the Yan family’s ancestral estate. Fang Wanru, however, had shown a very different side that day, casting off her usual gentleness to hold her chin high like a haughty peacock. When a maid had served her water slightly warmer than she preferred, she flung it at the girl’s face, pouting and complaining that the servants failed to recognize her standing as the future Mrs. Yan.

Pan Shui had expected his master to be put off by such a display, for Yan Chenye was notoriously reserved despite his feared reputation in Bin City. But rather than rebuking Fang Wanru, Yan Chenye merely gave a faint frown and instructed Butler Wu to dismiss the maid. It was a glimpse into his master’s unpredictable mind; though he had met Fang Wanru only a few times, rarely even holding her hand, he suddenly wanted to marry her. And from that day on, Pan Shui observed an unexpected transformation in his once stoic master.

Now, Ye Weixi, playing her part, let Yan Chenye lead her into the villa, a hint of embarrassment lingering from the affectionate “darling” that had so unexpectedly rolled off his lips. Inside, Yan Chenye directed Pan Shui to retire before guiding her into the dining room. When her gaze landed on the bountiful spread of dishes, Ye Weixi’s eyes sparkled with renewed brightness, her stomach reminding her of its emptiness.

Yan Chenye pulled out a chair, helping her to sit before taking his own place beside her. “You’ve had a long day without much to eat,” he said in his usual cool tone. “I asked the kitchen to prepare a variety since I wasn’t sure what flavors you prefer.” The simple comment, despite its understatement, touched something deep within Ye Weixi’s heart.

It had been so long since anyone had shown concern for her well-being in such a thoughtful manner, let alone prepared a spread to suit her tastes. Fighting back a wave of unexpected emotion, she forced a casual smile. “Thank you.”

Reaching for a piece of sweet and sour pork, she ate quietly while Yan Chenye observed her in silence, his gaze inexplicably softening as he watched her.

Outside the dining room, Butler Wu’s eyes shone as she witnessed the change in her young master. She had known him since he was a boy, having managed his household for fifteen years. Though she’d heard the rumors about Fang Wanru, the look in her master’s eyes tonight seemed like that of a man smitten. It was a side of him she had never seen before, one she hoped Fang Wanru wouldn’t take for granted. Despite his wealth and status, her young master’s journey had not been as glamorous as it appeared.

Lost in thought, Ye Weixi eventually looked up, realizing only then that she had been the only one eating. Embarrassed, she put down her chopsticks and dabbed her mouth with a napkin, giving Yan Chenye an awkward smile. “Aren’t you going to have some?”

Her cheeks flushed as she realized how absorbed she had been in her meal, forgetting that she ought to have maintained some level of decorum. Yet Yan Chenye remained still, an unchanging, sculpted expression on his face as he continued to watch her. His unwavering gaze made her even more flustered, and just as she considered starting a conversation, she heard his voice, a hushed murmur, “Hmm…”

In truth, his hunger had little to do with the food; from the moment she walked down the aisle in that wedding dress, he knew exactly what he craved…

Silence fell over the room once more as Ye Weixi took a sip of water, unsure where to focus her gaze, her cheeks growing warmer under his intense stare.

“Sir, I’ve prepared a bath for the young mistress,” a maid announced, breaking the tension that had filled the space between them.

Grateful for the interruption, Ye Weixi stood, addressing Yan Chenye in a soft voice, “I’ll go take a bath.”

He nodded, and she quickly followed the maid’s lead.

“This way, young mistress,” the maid said with a polite bow, guiding her across the lounge to a small, luxurious sitting area. In the center stood a glass spiral staircase, its steps twinkling with a dreamlike array of colored lights that glowed through the crystal in the dim evening light.

Admiring the staircase, Ye Weixi exhaled with a smile. *Whoever designed this must have been a woman,* she mused, marveling at how a man as steely as Yan Chenye would enjoy such whimsical decor.

Following the stairs to the second floor, she walked down a corridor lined with artwork, stopping in front of a double-door bedroom as the maid led her to her destination.