Hearts in Turmoil

Chapter 4: Calculated Seduction

Ethan Li was quite tall, standing well above Lily Zhao, who was around 167 cm (about 5'6") and had to look up at him. This made his gaze seem even colder as he looked down at her.

Lily thought, if he didn't say anything, he'd truly be an ice-cold beauty. But when he did speak, his tone was soft and polite, which made him seem even more attractive.

"Dr. Li, I really do miss you," she said, looking up at him with a warm, friendly gaze.

Ethan's lips curled slightly as his hand slid from her chin down her back, wrapping around her waist in a suggestive manner. "Do you miss me, or do you miss sleeping with me?"

The quickest way to get a relationship between a man and a woman going was through that kind of intimacy.

Lily leant into his embrace, making it look like they couldn't be separated. She said quietly, 'Both.'

She was from the South, and her voice was soft and gentle. Now, approaching him with ulterior motives, she seemed like a delicate little white lotus.

Ethan knew she had her sights set on something – maybe climbing the social ladder, maybe money. But he didn't mind someone so keen to offer him a free lunch. Ethan was a little distracted, so he asked, "Which hotel do you prefer?"

Lily took a moment to think, her expression troubled. "I'm afraid I have to accompany my student today. I'm afraid I don't have the time.

Ethan looked a little regretful. "Then come to the hospital tomorrow."

"Okay," Lily agreed, pausing for a moment before leaning in to kiss him on the lips. "Dr. Li, I'll see you tomorrow."

She'd planned it all out. Ethan couldn't do anything today because he had a student to accompany. She had to keep him interested – things that were too easily obtained weren't valued. Otherwise, she wouldn't get anything out of it.

Once Lily had gone, Ethan's expression showed no trace of regret.

He made his way to the cafeteria.

Daniel Jiang looked a bit strange. "Did you see Lily today?" She was at the hospital with her student, and the way she walked in that outfit was pretty out there.

Ethan looked at him.

"When you were with her from behind, it must have felt pretty good, right?"

"I don't remember," Ethan said as he carried his tray to the table. “I’ll note it next time and let you know.”

Daniel stopped suddenly. "There's going to be a next time?"

Ethan didn't respond, and didn't offer any explanation.

"Are you going to get hooked on her?" Daniel's expression changed.

Ethan replied casually, "The s*x was nothing special, but her face is still pretty decent."

"Ethan, I've got some advice for you. The closer you get to her, the less likely you'll be able to reconcile with that girl you were with abroad. "You've been together for so many years – don't let anger get in the way."

Ethan's voice became more detached. "I bet she's slept with more men than I have."

"Are you trying to get back at that girl you were with abroad?" Daniel enquired. "She's so possessive, she'd probably be furious. She came to talk to me just this morning. Do you think she was there to see me? "It was pretty obvious she was trying to get information about you."

"She was the one who wanted to end things. What are the chances she'll want to get back together? Ethan said, in a flat tone.

Daniel was at a loss for words, but he wasn't surprised. After all, that girl had been spoiled by Ethan. And who exactly was Ethan? He was a golden boy, practically born with the world at his feet, who wouldn't hesitate to kneel and put on her shoes.

But no matter how much trouble she'd caused before, she'd never mentioned breaking up.

This was the first time this had happened.

Lily arrived at the hospital as scheduled the following day.

Ethan was seeing patients at the moment. She sat on a bench outside his office, right in front of the door. As he was talking to a patient, he looked up and saw her in the corner of his eye.

She was wearing a black dress, which made her skin look even paler. She sat up straight, like a well-bred lady, and gave him a shy smile. Shy, but on her face, it looked suggestive. People passing by couldn't help but steal a second glance at her. Inside, Ethan felt no reaction at all. To be honest, her act wasn't convincing – it came across as forced. At least it didn't captivate him like the night she drunkenly teased him.