Volume One, Chapter 130: Brother Jinmo, I’m Yours Now.

On a winter night outdoors, Xu Zhi clenched her hand into a fist inside her coat pocket, her palm unexpectedly sweating.

She had actually said it.

She had been weighing these words from afternoon until evening. Yang Xue’s remarks had somewhat provoked her; she knew how sensitive the name Liang Mu Zhi was to Liang Jin Mo.

Since childhood, he had always lived in the shadow of Liang Mu Zhi. Before her engagement to Liang Mu Zhi, during their meeting in his room, his words had lingered in her mind.

He had asked her, “He’s had everything since he was young, even you belong to him… why?”

He didn’t know how much that had pained her at the time.

Mutual love was indeed hard to come by. This time, she didn’t want to leave herself any escape route. Proposing herself was her resolution.

Yet…

More than half a minute passed, and Liang Jin Mo remained silent.

Xu Zhi’s heart grew uneasy, but she refused to take back her words. She truly wanted to marry him.

This wasn’t like the engagement, where she had hastily dragged him along to avoid gossip. These were words she had carefully considered.

A passerby walked by, and Xu Zhi felt a chill wash over her, causing her to shiver.

Her heart seemed to grow cold as well. She lowered her head. “It’s nothing… don’t rush to answer. You can think it over. I know deciding to marry is difficult.”

She didn’t say forget it—only that he should consider it. Though eager for an answer, she could only hand over the decision and initiative to him.

Looking up, she was about to say, “Let’s go back,” when Liang Jin Mo finally spoke: “Did you have to say this on the road?”

His deep black eyes fixed on her, emotions unreadable.

Xu Zhi was stunned.

She didn’t understand. “What’s wrong with saying it on the road?”

Liang Jin Mo averted his gaze, his Adam’s apple moving as he looked back at her. “It’s cold outside. Let’s talk when we get back.”

Her mind spun.

If he was going to accept, he could have just said yes. Why say they’d talk later? Was he going to refuse?

Only refusal required lengthy explanations; acceptance was just a few words. The more she thought about it, the more she felt this was likely.

Her head buzzed, a jumble of thoughts swirling, leaving only one idea: it was over—Liang Jin Mo was going to reject her proposal.

This was probably the only time in her life she would ever propose to a man. She had never dared to consider such a thing before; now that she had done it, she was going to be rejected.

She didn’t know how to face rejection, especially his. She was afraid.

Unexpectedly cold to his rebuff, her instinct was to flee, but Liang Jin Mo’s pace was quick.

Reaching the hotel lobby, she suddenly said, “I… I want to go to the supermarket to buy something.”

Liang Jin Mo replied, “What do you need? I’ll call the hotel to have it delivered.”

Xu Zhi tried to find an excuse, but the man reached out, decisively took her hand, and led her into the hotel.

Her mind went blank. Pulled into the elevator, a sense of dread gnawed at her. What would she say if he rejected her…

Embarrassment was one thing, but the pain would be worse.

The elevator stopped, and he led her out, still holding her hand. At the door to the room, she instinctively resisted.

Once inside, he would surely say no.

Liang Jin Mo released her hand, used the room card to open the door, then looked back at Xu Zhi standing outside.

Her feet were rooted to the spot; she showed no intention of entering, her head bowed, lacking her usual spirit—so different from when she had proposed.

Her mind waged war, uncertain whether to step inside. But if she didn’t, what excuse could she offer?

As she hesitated, her wrist was suddenly gripped, catching her off guard as the man pulled her in.

He drew her straight into his embrace and closed the door behind them.

Xu Zhi was dazed. Before she could react, he pressed her against the door and lowered his head to kiss her.

The kiss was fierce and overwhelming. Xu Zhi momentarily forgot to breathe as her lips and tongue were claimed. Her heartbeat raced wildly, trapped between the man’s firm chest and the door. Instinctively, she reached out, clutching the lapel of his coat.

Her legs weakened. His kiss was so deep and stirring it left her dizzy; she clung to him to avoid slipping.

The man seemed to read her mind, his arms tightening around her waist, supporting her.

He briefly parted from her lips, their breaths mingling in a chaotic rhythm.

Xu Zhi gasped, her lips flushed and moist, eyes clouded as if badly bullied, looking at him in bewilderment. “Why did you suddenly…”

He lifted her up and placed her on top of the wardrobe, his voice husky: “Don’t say things like that on the road anymore.”

Xu Zhi instinctively uttered, “What?”

“I can’t help myself.” With that, in their mismatched positions, he kissed her again.

She felt lightheaded from his kisses, sensing his rising passion. His cool hand soon slipped beneath her clothes.

Startled, she snapped back to reality and firmly pressed his hand down.

His hand hovered uncertainly, caught at her chest.

Blushing, she panted, “Are you… saying yes?”

She was always earnest, needing clarity.

He slightly raised his head, their eyes locking. Darkness swirled in his gaze, yet it was filled with unwavering focus.

In that gaze, Xu Zhi felt as if she might sink into a bottomless black pool.

One of his hands rose, and she felt his palm press firmly against her carotid artery, fingers curling over her throat.

“This time it was your choice. I won’t leave you any way out,” his voice remained low and hoarse. “If you betray me again… I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Xu Zhi lifted her hand to cover his, fearless. She even leaned forward, pressing her fragile, almost breakable neck more tightly into his palm.

“You don’t have to leave me any way out… I won’t leave any for myself either. Jin Mo, I’m yours now.”