Chapter 86 Chapter 084: An Unexpected Kiss

Inside the dance hall, nearly everyone was gracefully moving to the rhythm. The guests were all well-educated, with many having received noble upbringing; for them, dancing was almost a compulsory skill, as familiar as daily bread. Each appeared as if they had undergone professional training. The latest tune, "Shanghai Beach," had many following its lively tempo.

Li Ruo gently took Ye Chen’s hand and instructed, “Your right hand goes around my waist, your left holds my right hand. Yes, just like that!” Ye Chen, nervous and hesitant, could hardly believe Li Ruo was asking him to put his arm around her waist—how could he not take advantage of such an opportunity? Without a second thought, he pulled her close, exerting considerable force. Li Ruo lost her balance immediately, her delicate face tilting forward, falling toward Ye Chen.

“Ah!” Li Ruo cried out, her red lips parted slightly. Ye Chen’s eyes widened as her face came closer. Her soft lips pressed against his lower lip. Ye Chen froze for a moment, then instinctively steadied her lips, his tongue brushed across her smooth, fragrant lips. Li Ruo gasped, her breath fragrant, drawing Ye Chen closer still. His tongue teased at her pearly teeth; Li Ruo was utterly incapacitated, her mind blank, surrendering herself to his kiss.

Ye Chen seized her delicate tongue, greedily savoring her sweet nectar. The sudden pain jolted Li Ruo from her stupor; her eyes snapped open, and she quickly broke free from Ye Chen’s grasp, decisively retreating out of his reach.

“You… you scoundrel!” Li Ruo stared at Ye Chen in shock—the bastard had stolen her first kiss, utterly unforgivable. Ye Chen snapped out of his reverie, stammering, “Ah, Ms. Li… I’m so sorry!”

“Get back to dancing!” Li Ruo hissed in a low, angry voice. This rogue had taken advantage of her in such a moment—she longed to kick him away, but with so many guests present, it would cause trouble if anyone saw. Luckily, the lights were dim, and everyone was immersed in the dance, so almost no one witnessed Ye Chen’s kiss.

“Alright, alright!” Ye Chen nodded hurriedly, imitating those around him, trying to blend in, though his mind replayed the events—how intoxicating it was: warm, moist, slippery, her little tongue, truly a delight. Wicked thoughts flashed through his mind as his gaze lingered on Li Ruo’s lips, a masterpiece sculpted by God, cherry-like, neither too thin nor too thick, perfectly proportioned.

“Ow, you idiot, you stepped on me!” Li Ruo exclaimed.

“Ah, sorry, sorry!” Ye Chen apologized, waving his hands. Li Ruo snorted, “Focus, will you? Stop staring at me!”

“Alright, alright!” Ye Chen nodded again.

He then began to concentrate, following Li Ruo’s lead, learning the dance. The key was in the steps—following the music, then in the movements and expression. Ye Chen caught on quickly; at first, he stepped on Li Ruo’s feet, at least five times during one song, making her mutter in pain, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. She limped from the soreness—Ye Chen was heavy, and each step left her bruised.

“Ms. Li, I’m truly sorry. Let me massage your feet later,” Ye Chen said awkwardly.

“As if I’d want you to!” Li Ruo, tears brimming in her eyes, pouted as she sat alone on the sofa. Her foot was swollen—Ye Chen had no sense of restraint, putting all his weight onto her, causing her intense pain.

When the music ended, everyone returned to the lounge area, resuming their conversations. Some continued dancing in the dim light, sipping red wine, reveling in the decadent lifestyle. Most were resting; the women clustered together, awaiting invitations, while the men stood in groups, discussing tonight’s wines, the latest business gossip, or debating which woman was the most beautiful. Such topics were perennial favorites, no different from women’s love of designer bags and jewelry.

Zhang Yantong finished a dance, weaving through the crowd with her father, Zhang Kaiguo, who introduced her to the guests one by one. He had come to accept that his daughter should pursue what she loved—he was too old to force her into anything. Since she wanted to be a police officer in Jianghuai City, so be it. Thus, on her twenty-second birthday, he introduced her to local socialites, providing her with connections for security and to help her career.

By chance, Zhang Yantong noticed Ye Chen standing in front of Li Ruo, looking dejected. She froze, glass in hand, and strode toward Li Ruo, a cold gleam in her eyes. Zhang Kaiguo hurried after her.

“Hehe, Tongtong, you surely recognize her—the CEO of Tianya Group!” Zhang Kaiguo smiled, then glanced at Ye Chen, “This is the friend she brought tonight.”

“Of course I know Ms. Li!” Zhang Yantong smiled coldly, her gaze shifting to Ye Chen, who seemed desperate to disappear, “But this gentleman is unfamiliar. I’d have thought Ms. Li’s companions would be from high society—why bring someone like him? Is he a gigolo?”

Her biting words drew shocked looks. Ms. Li and a gigolo—such incongruous figures, it was hard to believe. With Ms. Li’s beauty, why would she need a gigolo? Besides, Ye Chen didn’t look the part. The crowd gathered, watching. Zhang Kaiguo, sensing trouble, whispered urgently to his daughter, “Tongtong, remember, tonight’s guests are all friends.”

“May I ask your name, sir?” Zhang Yantong ignored him.

“Uh… Captain Zhang…” Ye Chen replied awkwardly. A sly smile flickered across Zhang Yantong’s face, “Oh, it’s you! I didn’t recognize you in such luxurious attire, Ye Chen, my apologies!”

Ye Chen grew even more frustrated—this mischievous girl wouldn’t let go.

“Oh, right, Ye Chen, when I invited you this afternoon, didn’t you say you’d made plans with your orphanage mother for dinner tonight?” Zhang Yantong feigned surprise. Ye Chen flushed with embarrassment—she knew he’d lied, yet exposed him on the spot. Still, Ye Chen remained silent; after all, it was he who had deceived her first. Zhang Yantong, pretending to be enlightened, said, “So… Ms. Li is your orphanage mother? That can’t be!”

Laughter erupted all around. Li Ruo seemed unfazed, as if she and Zhang Yantong were two rival sorcerers. Zhang Kaiguo pulled his daughter aside, “Tongtong, mind your manners.”

“Hmph!” Zhang Yantong glared at Ye Chen, smirking, “Ms. Li, Mr. Ye, enjoy yourselves—I won’t intrude further.” With that, she turned on her heel and left. Zhang Kaiguo hastened to apologize to Li Ruo and Ye Chen, then chased after his daughter.

Back in her room, Zhang Yantong sat on the sofa, tears streaming down her cheeks. The grievances in her heart multiplied, like bees drawn to nectar. She hugged a pillow, muttering angrily, “Idiot, idiot, you bastard, how dare you lie to me, how dare you deceive me! I hate you!”

“Ha ha…” Zhang Kaiguo observed his daughter, then entered and sat beside her. He smiled, “It seems our Tongtong is in love.”

“I am not!” Zhang Yantong denied immediately.

“How could you not be, and with that young man just now!” Zhang Kaiguo laughed heartily.

“Dad, you’re ridiculous. I don’t like him at all—he’s a playboy!” She glared at her father, “I don’t like him one bit, I can’t stand him—he’s a liar, an idiot…”

“Ha ha… the more you protest, the more I believe it!” Zhang Kaiguo laughed louder.

“Hmph, think what you want—I don’t care for him. I wish he’d drop dead right now!” Zhang Yantong gritted her teeth. That bastard had lied to her, met another woman behind her back, and even came to her birthday party with her, deceiving her about dining with his mother. The more she thought, the angrier she became, finally flinging the pillow across the room.

“My dear, if you like someone, go after him!” Zhang Kaiguo grinned, “I think he’s a promising young man. Ms. Li is beautiful, but my daughter is no less. With your intelligence, I’m sure you’ll succeed!”

“Really?” Zhang Yantong paused.

“Absolutely!” Zhang Kaiguo nodded, “Look at you—spokesperson for the Jianghuai police. That’s no small feat.”

“Hmph!” Zhang Yantong pouted, like a little girl, though only in front of her father did she reveal such a side. She clung to his arm, “Dad, honestly, this man is truly strange…”

She went on to describe Ye Chen as she saw him—a man unafraid of danger, who had saved her life several times. His personality and many qualities made her want to understand him more deeply…

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