That kiss spiraled completely out of control, and yet, Jun Beiyue never forgot the seductive fragrance still lingering in Ziqing’s body, and he never crossed that final line between them…

It was already early winter, and the night was cool as water.

Jun Beiyue reached out and snatched up the cloak that had fallen aside, wrapping Ziqing tightly in it. His own body still dripping wet, he carried her ashore without a second thought, bare-chested and unconcerned.

His finely honed body, abs clearly defined, was tinged with a flush of red beneath its bronze tone—utterly captivating.

He let the wound on his shoulder, bitten until it bled, go completely unnoticed, not even sparing it a glance. His star-bright eyes gleamed as he gazed at the delicate girl who had fainted in his arms, the corners of his lips curling into a wild, unrestrained smile.

Wickedly, he opened his mouth as if to bite her, but she remained utterly unaware, her face peaceful—peaceful and beautiful.

She was already like this from just that much. If the seductive fragrance were ever fully undone, what kind of surprise would she bring him then?

“Heh heh!”

He smiled broadly, his mood thoroughly pleased, and bit down hard on the spot over her heart, only then satisfied. He lightly touched his toes to the ground and vanished into the distance…

By the time Ziqing woke, it was already close to noon. She was lying in the large bed in the main chamber of the Gu residence.

The room was empty—there was no sign of Jun Beiyue!

Ziqing opened her eyes wide, too distracted even to look for him. The events of the night before, both underwater and above, surfaced unbidden in her mind. She frowned and shook her head, and was about to sit up when a faint ache spread across her chest. She looked down in alarm and found a deep bite mark right over her heart.

At once, the memory of that man’s wickedness and domineering manner from the night before came flooding back, unbidden.

Ziqing sat stiffly on the bed, one hand pressed to her chest, her heart pounding so hard she could barely stand it herself.

Just then, a knock came at the door. It was Shiliang. “Miss, are you awake? His Highness is waiting in the main hall. He says you should come after you’ve eaten.”

Only then did Ziqing come back to her senses. “Is something the matter?”

If only she could foolishly worry about just one thing. Last night had been so wild, so utterly wild… how was she supposed to face him today?

“The Patriarch is about to deal with the Second Miss of the Gu family and her husband,” Shiliang answered.

“Mm, I understand.” Ziqing said flatly, hesitating for a long moment before finally rising to get dressed…

In the main hall, the Patriarch of the Gu family and Madam Gu sat solemnly in the seats of honor. The Patriarch’s face was stern, while Madam Gu’s eyes were red, and she kept sniffling now and then. Jun Beiyue sat alone on the right side, while Gu Meiting sat on the left, wiping her tears just like Madam Gu.

Gu Suying, Jiang Chen, and several hall masters all stood with lowered heads in the center of the room. The room was so silent that even the air seemed to have frozen.

Ziqing arrived late and unhurried, paying no mind to how the others in the room looked at her. From a distance, she spotted Jun Beiyue lazily seated to one side, sipping tea. When he looked her way, she immediately lowered her head and walked over to stand quietly beside him.

Just as she was about to sit down, Jun Beiyue suddenly pulled her over, settling her onto his lap, drawing her against his chest, and murmured, “Still tired?”

“No… not anymore.” Ziqing said softly, her movements not quite stiff, but still, she didn’t dare look at him.

Jun Beiyue seemed entirely at ease, not noticing anything unusual about her. He smoothed her hair and personally handed her a cup of tea.

Given the occasion, with such open affection on display, the Patriarch could hardly say anything about it. He only spoke coldly, “Now that everyone is here, this matter should be settled once and for all!”

As he spoke, he turned to Jun Beiyue. “Beiyue, as for how this matter should be handled… you decide.”

The matter was being handed over to Jun Beiyue to deal with?

Hearing this, Gu Suying couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath of cold air—her father was clearly avoiding the responsibility!

He wanted to deal with this seriously, but couldn’t bear to set aside the bond between father and daughter, so he was handing everything over to Jun Beiyue instead?

She couldn’t help but raise her head. Her cheeks, still swollen and red from before, hadn’t faded even now. She looked at her father’s cold, stern face, looked at her mother silently wiping away tears, and said nothing. Were they really going to be this heartless?