Hu Xiaotian knew his physical reaction had exposed his secret to Baobao. He had only two choices now: kill her to eliminate future trouble, or persuade her to keep his secret willingly. The former should be easy; the latter would probably be extremely difficult. With the dagger pressed against her alluring skin, he hesitated.
Baobao's starry eyes were half-lidded, her breath fragrant as orchids. "Are you thinking of killing me to silence me?" she asked softly.
Hu Xiaotian smiled without answering.
Watching his smile, Baobao felt a chill run through her. Never would she have imagined that Hu Xiaotian was a false eunuch. The secrets he harbored were no less significant than her own, and she had discovered one that meant life or death to him. To protect it, he would certainly have no qualms about killing her. Baobao now had two choices herself: kill Hu Xiaotian, or persuade him that she could be trusted. "Could you really bear to?" she asked in a sweet, delicate voice.
"Yes!" Hu Xiaotian pushed the dagger a little farther forward. Its sharp edge pierced her tender skin, and a trickle of blood ran down it. Red against white created a beauty that was startling to behold.
It would indeed be a pity to kill such an exquisite beauty with his own blade. But although beauty mattered, his life mattered more. Besides, his secret concerned not only his own survival but also the safety of his parents, relatives, and friends. At that thought, Hu Xiaotian hardened his heart.
Their skin touched, yet there was none of the tenderness or intoxicating pleasure that melted the bones. All Baobao felt was a chilling murderous intent. "Many people know I came to see you," she whispered. "If I disappear, you won't be able to explain it away."