"Still bitter?"

He was used to taking charge, the instinct of someone in a position of power. His every move carried a domineering force that brooked no resistance.

Only after drawing all the oxygen from her did he pull away. His thumb brushed gently and slowly over the flushed corner of her eye, sweeping away that trace of moisture.

He was so gentle just then, as though handling a fragile, priceless treasure.

Xun Yuan's lashes trembled lightly, the curves of her chest rising and falling with her breathing. Her hair lay tousled over her shoulders, her red slip dress hung half off her body, and her satin shawl had slipped down, loose and barely clinging on.

"Still bitter?"

Zuo Tingyue gazed at her as he asked, tiny flecks of amusement in his eyes.

His husky, low voice reached her ears, striking the barricades deep in her heart, silently clamoring for her to offer up her heart without reservation.

"It isn't bitter this time. What about next time?"

Xun Yuan looked intently at him, her eyes shimmering with moisture. She accepted his coaxing and seemed easy to appease, but in truth, she was finding another way to ask for a promise.

"My fault."

"You won't have to take it next time."

Zuo Tingyue spoke evenly. He understood what she meant and was willing to give her that promise. He had indeed gone too far.

The corners of Xun Yuan's lips lifted into a charming smile, her eyes glimmering. Without another word, she returned to her seat on her own and gathered up her slipping shawl.

She had mastered the art of leaving words hovering on her lips without saying them.

When things reached that point, heavenly thunder met earthly fire; neither could point a finger at the other.

The engine started again. As they passed a roadside trash can, Xun Yuan flicked her wrist and tossed the box of mifepristone tablets neatly inside.

Zuo Tingyue kept his eyes straight ahead, watching the road.

The Bentley stopped outside the courtyard of a private kitchen restaurant, where a waiter stood waiting at the entrance.

Xun Yuan saw him. At this hour before dawn, who could say the crown prince hadn't called ahead?

The secluded courtyard had a rustic, tranquil atmosphere. Warm amber wall lamps wound along the way, and the bluestone path beneath their feet felt solid and timeworn.

Someone emerged from deep within the courtyard and hurried up to Zuo Tingyue. Xun Yuan guessed he was the restaurant's owner.

"It's late, and the roads are slippery in the rain. Why come out at this hour? You could have had someone bring the food to you."

The middle-aged man approached Zuo Tingyue and spoke respectfully, every word and gesture displaying just the right measure of deference and humility.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I brought this young lady over to try your cooking."

Xun Yuan heard Zuo Tingyue say this in his low voice, composed and assured as he spoke, retaining the manners and bearing of a young gentleman from an illustrious family in his dealings with others.

The restaurant owner looked over. Xun Yuan gave him a faint smile and a slight nod, neither distant nor overly familiar.

"Sorry to disturb you so late. Sorry for the trouble."

At Xun Yuan's slightly cool voice, the restaurant owner hastily waved his hands.

"You're too kind."

What a joke. Quite apart from her being someone the crown prince had brought, who would dare call her a bother?

As for the young lady herself, first her beauty had stunned him, and then there was her poised, unhurried grace, an aura that lost nothing even beside the crown prince. Only someone blind would underestimate her.

To have won the favor of the young masters and ladies among Harbor City's powerful families and second-generation elite, he certainly had a discerning eye. He silently committed this young lady's appearance to memory and took note of her.

As they walked farther in, Xun Yuan discovered another world within the courtyard. There were separate little courtyards deeper inside, offering excellent privacy and surroundings. No wonder it met Zuo Tingyue's standards.

After leading them into a private courtyard, the owner instructed someone to serve tea before leaving to make preparations.

The wooden doors and windows were rustic, roses bloomed outside the windows, and farther away, bauhinia blossoms swayed in the curtain of rain. Both the scenery and the beauty were exquisite.

Curious, Xun Yuan asked casually, "Do you come here often?"

Zuo Tingyue's expression was mild. "Occasionally. The scenery here is nice."

"True. With such a vast family enterprise and ten thousand affairs to handle every day, where would Mr. Zuo find the time to come often?"

Xun Yuan curled her lips, teasing him.

Zuo Tingyue smiled and glanced over, his thin lips parting.

"Come here."

Xun Yuan walked over slowly. When she came close, his hand forcefully pulled her into his arms.

"Hiss..."

She made a soft sound. He had yanked her again, making her collide with his solid chest. It really did hurt.

Zuo Tingyue lifted her chin, his fingers sliding over her silky skin. He asked evenly, "Did I do something to you?"

Xun Yuan said, "No."

"Did I hurt you?"

He asked again, his voice as cool and indifferent as ever.

Xun Yuan didn't understand. A trace of confusion showed plainly in her beautiful eyes.

Zuo Tingyue had no intention of clearing it up for her. He merely looked steadily at her.

Belatedly, Xun Yuan realized what he meant. Heat crept over her ears. It was, well, rather embarrassing.

She wasn't particularly thin-skinned, but even she couldn't withstand him asking so straight-faced whether he had hurt her.

The heat spread, her cheeks burning, and shyness colored the eyes meeting his.

"No."

She struggled to squeeze the single word from her red lips, squirming to get out of his arms.

Zuo Tingyue didn't stop her, letting Xun Yuan free herself and sit to one side.

Xun Yuan tucked her hair behind her ear. Once she calmed down, she found it hard to believe he hadn't done that on purpose.

In her view, there was a hint of languor in his features. He looked loose and relaxed, leaning back in his chair in an easy, casual posture that exuded indolence.

With her reason restored, Xun Yuan didn't provoke him again. Neither was talkative. After they finished their meal, Zuo Tingyue drove Xun Yuan back into the city, then drove off.

Back at Repulse Bay, Xun Yuan plugged in her phone and burrowed under the covers to catch up on sleep.

But this time, she clearly didn't sleep as well as before.

In her dream, in a hospital corridor, white and filled with the smell of disinfectant.

She watched helplessly as the illuminated "Surgery in progress" sign went dark.

She heard the doctor's apologetic voice.

"No, that can't be..."

"No!"

Torrential rain came crashing down. The howling wind was bitterly cold, freezing people until their bones ached and their hearts turned cold with them.

"Grab her!"

"Quick, grab her!"

"Force her to hand over the secret!"

"..."

Sweat covered Xun Yuan's forehead. Cold sweat soaked her close-fitting nightdress, her brows knitted tightly on her exposed little face, and her fingers unconsciously clutched the sheet beneath her.

Her eyes flew open, and she gasped for breath.

Once she recovered, she turned on the light, got out of bed, and poured herself a cup of hot water. She sat casually on the carpet, leaning back, her gaze seemingly directed ahead, though her eyes were actually entirely unfocused.

She had remembered what happened back then again.

After all these years, she still didn't know what the secret those people spoke of was.

"Bzz, bzz-"

Her phone vibrated. Xun Yuan looked at the caller ID. It was an overseas number.

She swiped the screen and held the phone to her ear.

"Boss."

Xun Yuan gave a quiet "Mm."

"Things here are more or less taken care of. I can leave to join you at any time."

She pinched the space between her brows, revealing a rare trace of weariness.

"Not for now. Keep a close watch on movements over there, especially his overseas holdings. Wait for my orders."

"Understood, boss."

"...Boss."

The person on the other end hesitated.

Xun Yuan frowned. "Stop hemming and hawing. Say what you have to say."

"Boss, the young miss wants to return to the country to find you."

Xun Yuan's gaze stilled. "Stop her. Don't let her come."

"Understood, boss."

Only after hanging up did Xun Yuan see the messages Yun Tang had sent to her phone.