Volume One, Chapter 49 "You don't know how to breathe?" he asked.

The room was quiet, yet from her spot by the window, she could faintly hear the distant, muffled honking of cars on the street below. The sound seemed to come from another world, and Xu Zhi stared wide-eyed, unable to collect her thoughts.

A warm, moist sensation pressed against her lips, a gentle sucking followed by a playful bite. Suddenly, Xu Zhi snapped back to herself, instinctively raising her hand to push against the man's chest, only for him to catch her wrist in one swift motion.

He broke away from her lips, his deep, dark eyes locking onto hers as he spoke in a rough, husky voice, "Scared now?"

Xu Zhi was at a loss for words, her cheeks blazing. "You… you… how could you…"

Their foreheads touched, noses nearly brushing, their breaths mingling in the charged air. The man’s presence was overwhelming, and she felt as though she might suffocate. The gentle scent of wood that clung to him now carried a dangerous edge, like a beast on the verge of breaking free.

Liang Jinmo gave her no answer. He narrowed his eyes, studying her as if weighing some silent thought. After a brief pause, he finally spoke. "Too late."

Xu Zhi hadn't yet grasped what he meant by "too late" before he leaned in, grasped her chin, and kissed her again. She tried to lean back, but he pinned her into the corner of the sofa, leaving her nowhere to escape.

Gone was the gentle tenderness from her dreams; this time, the man pried open her lips, plunging deep, his kiss fierce and unrelenting. The bitter tang of beer spread between their lips and tongues. Her breath was stolen entirely, her mind blanking out, every fiber of her being overtaken by him. Her body went limp, her resistance growing weaker and weaker.

She wanted to run, but even her tingling tongue had nowhere to hide, forced to tangle with his. Time became meaningless. When Liang Jinmo finally paused, his lips still pressed softly against hers, their breaths entwined, his pupils reflected her flushed face and shy, helpless eyes.

"Don't know how to breathe?" he asked.

Her lips were wet, Xu Zhi gasping weakly, her heart threatening to burst from her chest. "You…"

Her words trailed off. She realized she was trembling.

Liang Jinmo noticed it too. She shivered beneath him, unable to control herself, her hand clutching his shirt, fingers shaking.

He brushed her chin with his finger, his tone teasing, "So sensitive?"

Xu Zhi had never seen him like this—cocky, almost mischievous. She found herself dazed, unable to react, her gaze wide and glistening like a startled deer. Her lips were swollen and glistening with the sheen he’d left behind.

Like this, she was even more alluring in his eyes than when she’d deliberately tried to get close.

He lowered his head and kissed her again, nibbling gently at her lips.

This kiss was much softer, sending tingles through Xu Zhi’s body, as if she were floating on a cloud. She didn’t know if all kisses felt like this—her only knowledge came from television dramas and romance novels.

The kiss moved from shallow to deep, then back again, stretching on as if it would last a lifetime. Xu Zhi didn’t know when she’d forgotten to resist—only when the man finally stopped and asked, "Still want to tease me?"

She snapped back to reality, realizing what had just happened. Her face grew even redder, her composure in tatters; she was as meek as a quail, shaking her head at once.

Liang Jinmo didn’t move away. His hand circled her soft waist, fingers hooking lightly under the hem of her shirt. Xu Zhi felt a chill, then a ticklish warmth as his fingers traced circles on her bare skin. His voice was even deeper than usual. "If you provoke me again, it won’t end at this."

What more could he possibly do? Xu Zhi stared at him in frightened alarm.

Liang Jinmo seemed in good spirits as he finally got up, the edge of his mouth lifting in a faint smile.

Xu Zhi sat up, still hunched and wary. Her shirt was disheveled, and she hurried to smooth it out, sneaking a glance at the man beside her.

He was drinking, as if nothing had happened.

Her heart still hadn’t calmed, and she didn’t dare look at him. Strangely, she thought she ought to be angry, but she wasn’t. She was only nervous—so nervous she thought she might die.

She was so mortified that she found it hard even to look at him.

Wait, wasn’t it normal to kiss only after starting a relationship? Why had he kissed her all of a sudden? She remembered what Xu Heping had said: Men prefer daring women. Had she just been so forward that even someone as restrained as him couldn’t help himself?

…That thought was a bit self-indulgent.

She curled up in the corner of the sofa, her mind wandering in all directions, until at last she buried her face in her hands and muttered, "Why… why did you suddenly kiss me?"

Liang Jinmo glanced at her, seeing her cover her face as if she couldn’t bear to look at him. He didn’t answer her question, only said, decisive and unyielding, "Ask again and I’ll kiss you again."

Xu Zhi fell silent, cowed, not daring to ask any more.

That kiss had scattered all her tangled thoughts, leaving only one: him.

Liang Jinmo finished his beer, stood, and brought over the meal he’d ordered for her. It was still warm. He set it on the round table and said, "Eat."

Xu Zhi was a little afraid of him now, so she obediently lowered her head and ate in silence. She needed something to do—otherwise she’d just keep thinking about that kiss.

No… it was useless.

She was eating, but her mind was still stuck on that kiss.

The strength of his body pressed against hers, the searing heat of his skin… It was maddening; she felt as if she were about to burst into flames.

When the meal was done, she bowed her head to clear the table, gathering up the beer can that had rolled to the floor. But the beer had soaked into the carpet, its scent lingering—a constant reminder of everything that had just happened.

Then she retreated to the farthest corner of the room—the one diagonally opposite from him, as far away as possible.

Liang Jinmo was in no hurry. He sent a few messages on his phone, and when he was done, he stood and walked toward the door.

Xu Zhi was right by the door, and seeing him approach, she panicked. "Don’t—don’t come any closer, or I’ll—I’ll…"

She hadn’t even finished her threat when he was already standing in front of her.

"Hotel or villa?" he asked calmly, as if nothing had happened. Xu Zhi was confused, feeling as though she was the only one out of sorts.

There was no way she dared go off with him alone, so she quickly replied, "I’ll stay here with Yang Xue… there are two beds."

Liang Jinmo reached out to open the door. Before leaving, he cast her one last look. "Don’t play dumb. You were right—I’ve wanted to kiss you since noon. But…" He paused, his tone meaningful. "The opportunity—was yours to give."

He stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Xu Zhi stood behind the door, completely frozen, then finally came to herself, wishing she could run out and hit him.

She flung herself onto the bed, burying her face in the covers, nearly suffocating before she finally surfaced for air.

It was over… and all she could think about was that kiss.

How could he be so calm? Did he kiss girls often? The thought made her miserable—this had been her first kiss, and it had happened in such a confusing way.

She’d always imagined her first kiss would be gentle, a mere brush of lips. But Liang Jinmo’s kiss was intense, full of desire. He seemed so aloof and distant, but in that moment, it was as if he’d become someone else entirely.

A door away, Liang Jinmo paused at the end of the hallway.

He had, in fact… gone the wrong way. He should have headed for the elevator—the hotel had a room ready for him upstairs.

But so be it. He took a deep breath and lit a cigarette.

Xu Zhi had completely thrown him off his stride, but…

As his lips touched the cigarette, he hesitated for a moment, unconsciously licking his lips, and thought to himself that it had all been worth it.