Chapter Three: A Waist Held in a Gentle Grasp, Desire Awakening

Upon hearing the man’s refusal, Jiang Shiyi raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes brimming with a soft, seductive charm. A gust of evening breeze caught her, pressing her thin clothing against her lithe, curvaceous figure and radiating an aura of delicate allure.

This sight reminded Huo Yixun of how he had rescued her from the water just yesterday—the feel of that slender waist that could be spanned by a pair of hands—and his breathing tightened instinctively.

"Oh? But it’s dark now, and I live in the neighboring Changle Village. I thought since I ran into Director Huo, you might be able to help see me home."

Jiang Shiyi’s tone was helpless, feigning genuine fear. In reality, she was quietly observing his expression. Moonlight dappled his sharp features, emphasizing a cold, unapproachable indifference. Jiang Shiyi felt that, perhaps, she hadn’t managed to stir him yet. But she had come too far; to back down now would mean losing her life, so she had to grit her teeth and push forward.

She quickly adjusted her mindset, putting on a look of pathetic vulnerability. With such a delicate, beautiful face, she could easily deceive any man with a bit of acting. She had always been adept at using her advantages.

"Director Huo..."

Just as Jiang Shiyi prepared to launch another offensive, Huo Yixun turned away, acting as if she didn't exist. Watching his retreating back, Jiang Shiyi stamped her foot in frustration, a stream of silent curses running through her mind.

Before she could plot her next move, a tall figure suddenly appeared before her. Jiang Shiyi looked up, dazed, and met a face fixed in an extremely honest and simple smile. She searched her memory for a moment before identifying him.

The original owner of this body was vibrant and stunning, with a figure that was truly top-tier—hardly a girl in the surrounding ten miles could compare to her. Her name was widely known, and there were few young men who didn't harbor feelings for her. The man before her was one such person, having shamelessly pestered her for years.

Seeing her staring at him, the man’s sun-darkened cheeks turned a faint shade of red.

"Sister Shiyi, I heard from Uncle Jiang that you hadn't come home yet. I was worried, so I came specially to take you back."

Jiang Shiyi instinctively wanted to refuse, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of that other figure lingering nearby. This time, she decided to change tactics.

After a half-second pause, she quickly shifted her expression and gave Zhang Jian a sweet smile. "I'm so sorry to trouble you to pick me up so late."

"Huh? You got a new car?"

Zhang Jian was flattered. He glanced at the brand-new Alto behind him, then shyly scratched the back of his head, stuttering, "As... as long as you don't mind, Sister Shiyi, I'm more than happy to... pick you up from work every day."

At this moment, Huo Yixun, standing not far away, glanced at the gleaming new car before his gaze drifted involuntarily toward Jiang Shiyi. The evening breeze ruffled her long hair; as she tucked a strand behind her ear, her slightly upturned brows held a touch of unintended mischief. Her delicate, coquettish posture made her look like a moonlit sprite, captivating and soul-stirring.

Sensing his gaze, Jiang Shiyi curved her lips into a smile and continued to speak to the "tool" beside her: "Oh? That would be such a bother for you."

Zhang Jian was beaming with excitement, far too distracted to notice anyone else. "No bother at all, not a bother in the least."

Jiang Shiyi curled her lips, counting down the last three seconds in her heart.

Three, two, one...

Huo Yixun lowered his eyelids, his voice devoid of emotion, sounding exceptionally cold in the night air.

"Lead the way."

The moonlight illuminated the man's sturdy frame, making the badge on his combat uniform appear icy and indifferent. Jiang Shiyi withdrew her peripheral vision, a triumphant smile blooming on her pretty face.

She then said to Zhang Jian with a cool, indifferent expression, "You can go now. Someone else is taking me."

Zhang Jian froze. "But..."

"I appreciate your kindness, but I don't need it."

Jiang Shiyi didn't waste any more time on him; she tossed her head and walked away. Her multi-stage plan ready, she brushed past the discarded tool and quickly caught up to Huo Yixun’s stride.

On the way, Huo Yixun maintained a distance of exactly two meters. Jiang Shiyi tried to think of a conversation starter while glancing at him sideways. She realized he remained completely unmoved by the presence of a beautiful woman by his side.

Jiang Shiyi blinked, lifted her chin to showcase her pitifully beautiful face, and offered a smile as delicate as a painting. She broke the frozen atmosphere. "Director Huo."

Huo Yixun kept walking, his strides long and steady, as if he hadn't heard a word. Seeing his indifference, Jiang Shiyi cursed him silently once more.

What a block of dead wood!

Since that approach didn't work, she immediately began brainstorming her next move. Changle Village was only about two kilometers away; she didn't have much time and had to make the most of this rare opportunity to be alone with him. Judging by the zero-point rating the system gave their last encounter, this man’s willpower was exceptionally strong.

Jiang Shiyi decided she needed to be even more proactive.

Just then, a large yellow dog suddenly bolted from a cornfield and began barking ferociously at her. Almost simultaneously, Jiang Shiyi shrieked in terror and, with lightning speed, dove into Huo Yixun’s arms, her hands instinctively wrapping tightly around his firm, powerful waist.

"Help me!"

The girl’s warm breath spilled across his chest, and her soft curves pressed and rubbed against him, fueling a growing fire. She was shivering with genuine fear, her legs turned to jelly; had she not been clinging to his sturdy waist, she would have collapsed to the ground.

Once the dog was chased away, Jiang Shiyi let out a sigh of relief. As her rationality returned, she realized just how intimate their position was—they were practically pressed together! She hadn't anticipated the dog, but it was a fortunate turn of events that had allowed them another close-range encounter.

"How long do you intend to keep holding on?"

The man's voice had become low and hoarse, his tone unexpectedly sexy and resonant. Jiang Shiyi naturally sensed the shift. With a subtle upward curve of her lips, she released him, stepping back just a fraction.

"I’m sorry, I didn't mean to. I was bitten by a dog when I was little, so I’m just terrified of them."

She immediately put on a look of nervous unease, her fingers twisting the corner of her shirt while she darted glances at him.

Huo Yixun’s eyes rested on her face. The moonlight shimmered in her bright, crystalline pupils, revealing a trace of the cunning hidden deep within. His gaze was icy, filled with an unreadable, intense scrutiny—a cold, ascetic demeanor that was strangely hypnotic.

Then, he withdrew his gaze with indifference.

But just as Jiang Shiyi looked away, the man’s jaw tightened, struggling to hide the restless desire flickering in his eyes.