Chapter 67 Preserving Warmth

"Ah..." Wu Yan's face fell. So, she already belonged to someone else. His gaze settled on Lu Yuxiu, carefully sizing him up.

The man before him was tall and lean, dressed all in understated black. A mask covered half his face, and the brim of his cap shadowed those dark, elusive eyes, lending him an air of utter mystery.

Seeming to sense his scrutiny, Lu Yuxiu turned and met his gaze head-on, his aura overwhelming. Wu Yan found himself awestruck, and suddenly, he realized the man looked oddly familiar.

Frowning slightly in thought, Wu Yan hesitantly pointed a finger at Lu Yuxiu, "You look a lot like that..."

Lin Xi and Wen Jin exchanged alarmed glances. In a flash, Lin Xi stepped in front of Lu Yuxiu, smiling awkwardly at Wu Yan as she said, "Hotpot guy, since there's nothing else, we'll be on our way now. Goodbye!"

If Lu Yuxiu were recognized, it would be a problem. She quickly seized his hand and dragged him toward the street's exit.

Wu Yan was caught off guard, unable to react. "Hey! Goddess, don't go! Come inside and have hotpot—let's at least be friends, it's on me!"

Wen Jin, bringing up the rear, couldn't help but laugh to herself. This guy was actually pretty amusing.

She waved as well, "Goodbye, hotpot guy."

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In the end, they didn't manage to have their late-night meal. Back at the hotel, Wen Jin returned to her own room, while Lu Yuxiu silently followed Lin Xi into hers.

"Hey?" Lin Xi turned, amused, folding her arms and regarding him with cool composure. "Sir, isn't it a bit inappropriate to follow a girl into her room in the middle of the night?"

Lu Yuxiu ignored her teasing, calmly pulling her down to sit beside him on the sofa.

With his mask and hat removed, his soft short hair fell over his forehead, his nose perfectly sculpted, his eyes dark and deep.

He reached out, took her left hand in his, and placed it on his thigh, lips pursed in silence.

Lin Xi sensed his mood was off. Wrinkling her nose, she clung to his arm and asked, "What's wrong? You're not still upset about earlier, are you?"

Lu Yuxiu glanced at her, then averted his gaze.

Undeterred, Lin Xi stroked his hair and coaxed gently, "Oh, don't be jealous. I made it clear to that guy just now—I already have a boyfriend. He's no threat to you."

The soft light bathed his profile, perhaps making him seem gentler than usual.

Lin Xi rested her chin on her hand, recalling what fans online always said about him:

"Lu Yuxiu is like a flower on a high mountain—too perfect, too unattainable. Ordinary folk like us can only look up to him. That cold, ascetic male lead persona is so rare in real life. He's bound to be forever alone; no one could ever win him over."

She'd laughed when she first read those comments. Was that a compliment or a jab?

Lu Yuxiu, in reality, was calm and detached. She never would have guessed he'd been infatuated with her since childhood, nor that in private, he was nothing like his public image—a boy who thought of her constantly, who clung to her, who couldn't bear to let her go.

Did she really have such power? To win over this so-called "forever alone" god?

Lost in thought, Lin Xi leaned in close, her skin pale and delicate as snow.

Lu Yuxiu still held her hand tightly, his gaze lowered, studying her intently. In those deep eyes flickered something conflicted, almost guilty...

"Baby." At last, he took a deep breath and spoke.

"Hmm?" Lin Xi blinked, returning to herself, her eyes bright as galaxies.

He gently caressed her cheek, pinching it lightly, his voice low and serious. "Are you uncomfortable with the way things are between us now?"

She was confused, looking at him in bewilderment. "Why would you say that?"

"I'm a terrible boyfriend." He frowned, seeming troubled, lips pressed together. "I thought I was doing well, but I'm too possessive, too jealous without reason. I overthink things, cling to you, lack a sense of security, and push you too hard..."

Hearing his sincere words, Lin Xi found herself both exasperated and moved. Her heart ached with tenderness. She hadn't realized how much he dwelled on these things—he was more sensitive than she was.

After he finished, watching her anxiously for any sign of discontent, she dove into his embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and burying her face in the hollow of his collarbone. With her, all his temper, his edges, his coldness seemed to melt away.

"Baby?" He held her carefully, his voice trembling just a little.

"Yuxiu." Her voice was muffled against his chest but carried a rare certainty. "You're the best boyfriend anyone could hope for—gentle and thoughtful, you remember my stomach troubles, my favorite snacks. I love to eat and play, and you indulge my every whim, even joining in things you've never tried before..."

Her lips moved in a soft, tender murmur.

"You prepare surprises for me, notice every little detail—even things I ignore, you treasure and protect. You even learned to cook just for me; I know all this."

She raised her eyes to him, luminous and clear. "As for being possessive and clingy, I actually like it—it just means you care and don't want to lose me."

"And I feel the same. If a girl tried to get close to you, I'd be upset too. So don't worry. As long as we trust and love each other, that's enough!"

She smiled, sweetly, her joy shining through. In her eyes and heart, there was no one but him.

Lu Yuxiu listened to the little figure in his arms, her words brushing his heart like feathers.

He seemed lost for a long moment, eyes closed, head bowed, emotions swirling beneath.

These words, this person—he had searched and yearned for years to hear and to have them.

All the secret hopes and dreams he had harbored came true in this instant, yet it still felt unreal.

Lu Yuxiu squeezed his eyes shut, hands trembling despite himself. He leaned forward, slipped his arms beneath her legs, and lifted her onto his lap, cradling her close.

Startled, Lin Xi gasped, instinctively hooking her arms around his neck. He wrapped an arm around her waist, his lips brushing her ear, his breath hot against her skin, sending a shiver through her.

He pressed a reverent kiss to her forehead, his voice gentle yet solemn as he whispered, "Thank you, my love."

Lin Xi smiled warmly, cupping his face in her hands. His gaze was soft and tender, shattering any trace of his usual aloofness.

Her eyes curved into crescents, radiant and captivating. Lowering her head, she nuzzled her delicate nose against his, and they gazed at each other, laughter sparkling in their eyes.

Suddenly, his gaze deepened, locking onto her, a wild light glinting in the darkness—like a beast poised to hunt.

His eyes dropped to her parted, pale pink lips, and his heart pounded at the memory of their tempting softness.

Lin Xi, oblivious to the change in his mood, sat on his lap, swinging her legs in innocent delight, until she felt his grip on her waist tighten, and only then did she sense something was amiss.

When she looked up, his eyes were dangerously dark.

She silently cursed—he was losing control!

She tried to scramble off his lap, but was stopped by his sudden, pained groan. She froze, realizing something hard was pressing against her thigh, radiating heat. There was no mistaking what that meant. She was so shocked she held her breath, not daring to move.

He buried his face in her neck, breathing in her scent, and in a hoarse, strained voice, said, "Don't move."

Then, locking his arms around her, he swept her into a fierce, bruising kiss, claiming her lips and tangling their tongues together. His actions were rough, driven by unchecked desire.

Lin Xi's mind went blank, heat surging through her from head to toe.

Through half-closed eyes, she saw the way he was lost in her, his pupils dilating with longing.

He ravaged her lips, his hands roaming her waist, fingers toying with her belt, sending shivers through her. A burning flush crept up her cheeks, her heart thundering in her chest.

Their posture was dangerously intimate, bordering on the indecent...

As she endured his fervent kisses, she tried to press her hands against his chest to stop him. His kisses were urgent and commanding, brooking no resistance—like a beast intent on devouring her.

Her breath was stolen, leaving her dizzy and embarrassed.

Taking advantage of a brief pause for air, Lin Xi clung to his restless hand on her back, gasping softly, "Yuxiu..."

Her voice brought him back from the edge, though his eyes were still clouded with desire. He buried his face in her collarbone, breathing heavily.

A gentle, unfamiliar warmth filled the room.

Lin Xi dared not move, feeling him still hard against her.

After a moment, he looked up, eyes glazed with a red haze, captivating in their intensity.

He gazed down at her, their faces so close their breath mingled. In a low, tender voice, he whispered, "I lost control."

His hot breath caressed her ear, making her melt in his arms, her body limp and helpless.

With a gentle, night-kissed smile, he caressed her cheek, and she had no strength left to resist. This man was impossible!

"You're so mean!" she protested weakly, pounding his chest with her small fist in feigned anger.

"This is a normal reaction for a man with his woman," he replied with disarming frankness, sounding almost proud.

Once again, a flush crept over her cheeks, and she cast him a shy, reproachful look.

He held her, a lazy smile curving his lips, utterly enchanted by the girl in his arms—impossible to resist.