Chapter 8: Darling, You Lied to Me First

Panic instantly seized Xu Anhao at that moment.

She didn’t dare look again, even forgetting the lingering ache in her wrist as she turned and rushed toward the Manor’s exit. Her high heels tapped out frantic clicks on the stone pavement, the dress hem tangling around her legs and tightening her steps. The brief courage she’d mustered when splashing You Rui had now completely transformed into an urgent need to escape.

She just wanted to get away quickly—far from this man, far from this reunion that had caught her completely off guard.

Only when she neared the Manor’s main gate did she dare steal a glance back. In the shadows of the second floor, that figure remained standing in the same spot, as if he’d anticipated her flight all along, not even bothering to change his posture.

That single glance intensified her panic. She quickened her pace, nearly stumbling as she rushed toward the entrance.

But just as she reached the Manor’s lace iron gate, a deep voice sounded from behind her: “Miss Xu, Mr. Lu requests your presence.”

Xu Anhao’s steps halted abruptly.

She turned to see a bodyguard in a black suit standing behind her, his posture ramrod straight. His tone was polite yet carried an unyielding firmness, and even his gesture of extending a hand to guide the way conveyed “no room for negotiation.”

Clutching her skirt tightly, Xu Anhao knew escape was impossible.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Passing through the bustling pool area and ascending the spiral staircase, they eventually stopped before a heavy solid wood door. When the door opened, warm yellow wall lamps illuminated the room, with the shimmering pool lights visible through the window and the faint aroma of whiskey drifting in the air.

Lu Shiyan sat in a single armchair by the window, holding a glass of liquor between his fingers, condensation beading on its surface.

He lifted his gaze to her, his tone carrying a casual sense of control: “Come here. Care for a drink?”

Xu Anhao tightened her grip on her skirt and took half a step back, her voice tense. “I don’t drink.”

“No matter,” Lu Shiyan swirled his glass, the liquid tracing a shallow arc against its sides. “It’s not strong. Just taste.”

He rose and walked toward her, his pace unhurried yet leaving her no space to retreat.

He offered the glass to her, his fingertips brushing against the back of her hand with a slight chill. “Try it?”

Xu Anhao stared at the glass, hesitating for a long moment.

Under his gaze, words of refusal stuck in her throat, and she eventually reached out to take it.

Mimicking his manner, she took a small sip.

The spicy liquid slid down her throat like a burning flame, making her frown deeply. Just as she was about to hand the glass back, a wave of dizziness suddenly washed over her.

The scene before her began to sway, her body going limp as if all strength had drained away. She braced herself against a nearby table to barely remain standing.

Her eyes, filled with panic and grievance, met Lu Shiyan’s. “You tricked me…”

Instead of taking the glass she offered back, Lu Shiyan reached out and grasped her wrist, pulling her gently but firmly into his embrace.

His arms were solid and powerful, securely encircling her waist, leaving her no chance to break free.

He lowered his head close to her ear, his breath carrying the rich scent of whiskey, brushing against her earlobe and sending shivers through her entire body:

“Darling, you lied to me first.”

Xu Anhao parted her lips, her mind foggy and confused, unable to form a response.

Before she could react, Lu Shiyan’s kiss suddenly descended. At first, it held a hint of testing, his lips gently grazing hers as if confirming something.

Gradually, his movements grew more urgent, turning and parting her lips to transfer the rich aroma of whiskey and his own warmth into her mouth.

Her body stiffened instantly, then was enveloped by an even stronger dizziness, leaving her without the strength to resist. All she could do was clutch tightly at the hem of his shirt.

His hand slowly traveled up along the curve of her waist, fingertips burning with heat as they gently hooked onto the strap of her dress.

With little effort, the lotus-pink strap slid down her arm and fell to the floor, revealing a expanse of pale skin.

Instinctively, she tried to pull away, but he held her even tighter against him.

His kisses trailed from her lips to the hollow of her neck, scattering light kisses across her collarbone.

The sensation was both ticklish and scorching, making her tremble slightly.

“What you owe me has to be repaid.”

His voice brushed against her skin, carrying a searing heat as he guided her by the waist toward the bed.

When the soft velvet bedding caught her body, Xu Anhao’s drunkenness deepened.

Lu Shiyan’s outline grew somewhat blurry before her eyes, yet his warmth and scent remained strikingly vivid.

As Lu Shiyan moved over her, she didn’t retreat this time. Instead, she instinctively curled closer into his embrace, burying her face in the crook of his neck, her breath hot with the scent of alcohol.

At this moment, Xu Anhao felt every nerve in her body softening into liquid under his touch.

After a long while, the sound of breathing in the room gradually steadied.

Xu Anhao leaned against the headboard, a thin blanket covering her body that still carried the faint Fir fragrance from Lu Shiyan.

Lu Shiyan sat beside her, holding an unlit cigarette between his fingers, suddenly asking: “Are you that short on money?”

Xu Anhao’s body stiffened momentarily, but she remained silent.

Her mother’s ongoing rehabilitation treatments, next month’s rent each reminder of her financial struggles weighed heavily on her.

Watching her reaction, Lu Shiyan let out a soft chuckle.

He reached out and ruffled her hair, the scent of Fir brushing over her with the motion, his tone casually confident:

“I can give you everything you want. Money, or anything else.”His words fell like stones into still water, but when Xu Anhao looked up at him, her eyes held no expectation, only a clear stubbornness: “Then let me go home.”

Lu Shiyan’s movements paused, then he chuckled lowly, his laughter carrying both amusement and a barely detectable resignation.

He leaned closer, gently pinching her chin with his fingertips, his gaze intense: “Do you know who I am? Xu Anhao shook her head, her expression completely calm.

She didn’t care who he was.

Seeing the calmness in her eyes, Lu Shiyan’s smile deepened.

Releasing her chin, he traced his fingers along her cheek: “It’s fine. You’ll find out eventually.”

He didn’t press her further, instead drawing her closer into his embrace, letting her rest against his shoulder.

“Sleep a while longer. I’ll take you back at dawn.”