Beauty Like Jade

Faced with her suggestive gesture, Lin Yuan instinctively reached out, ready to take the tissue and wipe his own mouth.

But when he raised his hand, Zhang Ziyi smoothly pushed forward, placing both the tissue and her hand into Lin Yuan's palm.

Before Lin Yuan could react, she tucked the tissue into his hand.

As she withdrew her soft little hand, her jade-like fingers seemed to brush across his palm, sending ripples through Lin Yuan's heart.

"Shy? Then wipe it yourself." Her smile was like a blooming flower, brimming with charm.

What a temptress—and one who knew exactly how to tease men.

Lin Yuan pretended to wipe his already clean mouth with the tissue, concealing his fluster.

Only after he put the tissue down did Zhang Ziyi spread her arms. "It's been so long. How about a hug?"

Looking at her graceful, alluring figure and her cool yet seductive face, his masculine instincts urged him forward to savor the sweetness of her embrace.

But Lin Yuan's mind was exceptionally clear at that moment.

He and Zhang Ziyi had always gotten along quite well. While filming "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," they had played lovers in the film and had shared plenty of private interactions outside work.

Zhang Ziyi was twenty-one this year, three years older than him, at the peak of a woman's blossoming youth.

From their previous interactions, Lin Yuan knew that she saw him more as an attractive younger man.

Though she had been affectionate and attentive toward him, she had always maintained a measure of restraint, keeping a small but insurmountable distance between them.

The attraction between men and women made her unable to resist getting close to him.

But his youth and inexperience also meant that the pragmatic, calculating her would never truly choose him.

Women in the entertainment industry could only admire the strong. A handsome but immature younger man was fine to look at, but he was no suitable match.

Yet during this meeting, her attitude toward Lin Yuan had clearly changed.

That was hardly surprising. Over the past two months, Lin Yuan's career had soared, showing tremendous momentum.

In Zhang Ziyi's eyes, Lin Yuan was no longer that boy without connections or resources, someone who needed her care.

He had become a promising prospect with tremendous investment value.

Her mindset had changed to taking the initiative and firmly securing Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan had noticed this shift in her long ago, which was why he had carefully kept his distance before.

For instance, on this trip to Hong Kong Island, Zhang Ziyi had originally bought him a first-class ticket.

But Lin Yuan had claimed that he had already bought one himself. He would rather fly to Hong Kong Island in economy on his own ticket.

"My arms are getting sore from holding them up. You're not being a gentleman at all," Zhang Ziyi said coquettishly when Lin Yuan gave no response.

Young, beautiful women had that privilege. Most men found them difficult to refuse.

Lin Yuan shook his head and smiled. "I arrived very late last night, so I didn't shower. I smell bad, so I shouldn't offend such a beauty."

Zhang Ziyi stared straight at him. "What does that matter? When you were covered in sweat and pressed tightly against me, did I ever complain?"

Lin Yuan found himself completely unable to handle that.

She was referring to those two passionate scenes in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." They had been filmed in the northwestern Gobi Desert, where there had been no conditions for washing up.

Even when both of them were dusty and drenched in sweat, they still had to complete the filming seriously.

That had long since passed, but now that she had brought it up herself, the implication could not have been clearer.

Looking at Zhang Ziyi's flawless, rosy face, as lovely as a peach blossom, Lin Yuan did not know how to refuse her for a moment.

"Pfft..."

Just then, Zhang Ziyi unexpectedly burst out laughing.

She stomped her foot in frustration. "I messed it up. I just can't be that shameless. This style really doesn't suit me... I can't even seduce a man. I'm so mad..."

Zhang Ziyi's face, both pure and alluring yet tinged with strength, now looked a little more adorable.

Lin Yuan said sincerely, "Sister Ziyi, I respect you very much, and I value our friendship..."

Although he had no intention of getting together with Zhang Ziyi, he did not dislike her in the slightest. Instead, he felt deeply grateful toward her.

She was a little calculating, but so what?

In this circle of fame and profit, aside from your parents, who did not have a little self-interest?

Whether it was taking care of him during the filming of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or helping connect him with people some time ago, her care for Lin Yuan had been sincere.

"Am I not pretty?" Zhang Ziyi sensed Lin Yuan's rejection, but she still asked unwillingly.

Of course she was pretty. How could he lie with his eyes open? But this was not a matter of whether she was pretty or not.

"Sister Ziyi, does your beauty need my validation? But we really aren't suited for each other."

"Since I'm so pretty, can't we just have some fun even if we aren't suited for each other? I won't make you take responsibility!"

"Because of love, we love; there's no need to be generous with feelings. No one needs to give me a beautiful era—I want you now!" Before Lin Yuan could answer, the alarm rang again.

It was eight o'clock. The alarm reminded them that it was time to head to the production set.

But those damned lyrics only made the atmosphere more awkward...

A faint mist had already appeared in Zhang Ziyi's eyes, yet she stubbornly kept staring at Lin Yuan, waiting for an answer.

Sincerity was always the best way for people to connect with one another.

Lin Yuan said earnestly, "Sister Ziyi, I truly cherish the fate that allowed us to meet. I sincerely hope we can remain friends for life.

"I can't frivolously impose my desires on you, nor do I want a momentary pleasure to turn us into strangers forever."

"Do you hate me?"

"In my heart, you've always been a gentle older sister, someone as close and dear as family. How could I possibly hate you?"

At Lin Yuan's words, Zhang Ziyi's eyes reddened, and she looked as though she was about to cry.

But she was Zhang Ziyi, not some delicate little girl.

After quite a while, she finally composed herself and revealed a wronged smile.

"You bad man, you're so cruel! Fine, I'll give up. From today on, I'll only see you as my little brother. It's settled—we'll be siblings for life!"

Lin Yuan smiled. "Sister, we will never let each other down."

"Then can we hug now?"

Zhang Ziyi opened her arms again.

This time, Lin Yuan stepped forward on his own and gently drew her into his arms.

Lin Yuan held her lightly, but Zhang Ziyi fiercely wrapped her arms around him, as if she wanted to meld herself into his body.

"Don't move. Just this once."

Hearing that, Lin Yuan stopped moving and let her hold him tightly.

Only after a long while did Zhang Ziyi release him. Pouting, she punched him lightly. "You clearly showered last night. How could you possibly smell bad?"

Lin Yuan merely smiled and did not answer.

Zhang Ziyi's expression had also returned to normal. She smiled and said, "Come on, little brother. Your sister will drive you to the set."

"Okay!"

As Lin Yuan sat in the front passenger seat on the way to the set,

he felt a trace of disappointment.

Today, he and Zhang Ziyi had become sworn siblings. That counted as an intimate relationship, didn't it?

She had type A blood, and she was also a non-type-B girl as required by the system.

Yet no system notification had appeared to indicate that the mission was complete.

That meant his attempt to exploit a loophole had failed.

Only by truly establishing an intimate romantic relationship with a member of the opposite sex could the mission be considered complete.

That damned system really did not leave a single loophole!