Ruthless Romance

Chapter 20: Dislike This?

At that moment, Wen Yan hadn't given it much thought. She had instinctively rushed forward upon seeing him in danger.

She pondered, thinking it must have been to atone for her sins. After all, her father owed his parents two lives...

After a long pause, she opened her mouth and replied, "Repaying a debt."

While this wasn't entirely untrue, Mu Tingchu suddenly stood up, his face even darker than before. He turned and strode out of the hospital room with long steps.

Wen Yan's eyes widened in confusion. Had she angered him again?

But this time, Mu Tingchu returned quickly, carrying toiletries.

Wen Yan soon understood the purpose of these items. She had been in the hospital for several days, and Mu Tingchu had stayed by her side the entire time. Although he remained stern and cold, she felt that something had changed...

Upon returning to the Mu residence, she breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't have to be spoon-fed or supervised in the bathroom anymore...

Under the pretext of recovery, she was confined to the house, unable to attend school. Even her final exams were postponed for a make-up session.

On New Year's Eve, Mu Tingchu returned home early. A bodyguard held an umbrella to shield him from the falling snow. As he entered, he brought with him the scent of winter, which quickly dissipated in the warmth of the house.

Wen Yan was just coming down the stairs. Their eyes met briefly before both hastily looked away.

After Mu Tingchu showered and came downstairs, dinner had already been served in the dining room. Wen Yan sat at the table, lost in thought. Their interactions had been peaceful lately, and she found herself subconsciously trying to preserve this tranquility, carefully measuring her every move. Remembering the unpleasant parting after the school event, she was almost grateful for the accident, believing it had spared her from a potentially worse fate.

The table was laden with nourishing dishes, as it had been for some time. Wen Yan was growing a bit tired of it, but she couldn't deny that her complexion had improved significantly. Staying indoors, away from the sun and wind, had made her skin more delicate. She had always been fair, but now there was a healthy glow to her appearance, making her look almost translucent.

Unbeknownst to her, as she ate with her head down, Mu Tingchu was observing her. He noticed how she had transformed from a frail girl into someone with a hint of womanly charm. A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Mu Tingchu finished his meal first and stood up to go upstairs. "Come to my room when you're done," he instructed.

Wen Yan's hand trembled slightly as she held her spoon. Looking at the half-bowl of soup left, she hesitated before saying, "Aunt Liu, could you please give me another half bowl of rice..."

Aunt Liu, sensing her apprehension, said in a low voice, "Oh, child, why are you so afraid of the young master? He's not going to eat you."

After finishing her meal and waiting for Aunt Liu to clear the table, Wen Yan slowly made her way upstairs.

The door to the master bedroom was ajar. She still knocked before entering.

Mu Tingchu was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, reviewing documents with a cigarette between his fingers. A half-glass of wine sat on a small table nearby.

Wen Yan coughed a few times, bothered by the smoke. He naturally extinguished the cigarette. "Come here," he said.

She approached him cautiously. "Is there... something you need?"

Mu Tingchu put down the documents and suddenly pulled her into his lap. "I have to go abroad on a business trip tomorrow. You're coming with me."

Sitting on his lap, Wen Yan was already flustered. Hearing that he wanted to take her along made her even more nervous. "Your business trip... I... I'd rather not go, if that's okay?"

For the past ten years, her world had been limited to school and home. She had little experience with the outside world and suffered from mild social anxiety. The thought of leaving familiar surroundings and interacting with strangers made her uneasy. Moreover, going with him... she couldn't imagine anything pleasant coming from it.

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Mu Tingchu's breath tickled her cheek as he spoke, adding a hint of intimacy to the atmosphere and making her even more conflicted.

Not wanting to upset him but also really not wanting to go, Wen Yan instinctively adopted a docile tone. "No, thank you. I'll stay home and wait for you."

He seemed pleased with her tone. Gently grasping her chin, he pressed his thin lips against hers.

The kiss caught Wen Yan off guard. Despite their complicated relationship, this level of intimacy was new. She felt a mix of emotions - surprise, confusion, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite name.

As the kiss deepened, Wen Yan found herself responding almost involuntarily. Her inexperience was evident, but there was a tenderness in Mu Tingchu's actions that she had never experienced before.

When they finally parted, both were slightly breathless. Wen Yan's cheeks were flushed, and she couldn't bring herself to meet Mu Tingchu's gaze.

"Are you sure you want to stay behind?" Mu Tingchu asked again, his voice low and husky.

Wen Yan hesitated. The kiss had thrown her into turmoil. Part of her was curious about what might happen if she went with him, but her fear of the unknown still held her back.

"I... I think it's better if I stay," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mu Tingchu studied her face for a moment, then nodded. "As you wish. But remember, Wen Yan, you're under my protection now. Whether here or abroad, you're safe with me."

His words, meant to reassure, only added to Wen Yan's confusion. This gentler side of Mu Tingchu was unfamiliar territory, and she wasn't sure how to navigate it.

As she left his room that night, Wen Yan's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The man who had once seemed so cold and distant was slowly revealing new facets of his personality. She wondered what this meant for their future and whether she was ready for the changes it might bring.

In the quiet of her own room, Wen Yan touched her lips, still feeling the ghost of Mu Tingchu's kiss. Despite her decision to stay behind, she couldn't help but wonder what adventures - or challenges - she might have faced if she had agreed to go with him.

As she drifted off to sleep, Wen Yan's dreams were filled with images of far-off places and the enigmatic man who had become such a central figure in her life. Tomorrow, he would leave for his business trip, and she would be left to ponder the evolving nature of their relationship in his absence.