She watched helplessly as his body drew closer and closer, his features becoming clearer in her vision—so clear that she could see every eyelash distinctly.
Cici's heartbeat suddenly sped up uncontrollably, her mind going completely blank.
Is he... is he going to unbuckle my... seatbelt again?
Cici even forgot to blink, just staring wide-eyed as that impossibly handsome face slowly leaned closer to her.
Is he... could he be thinking of...
Charles Yin slowly reached out, his fingers brushing across her cheek.
Cici could feel the warmth from his fingers, hovering so close yet not quite touching as they slowly grazed past her cheek.
It felt as if the skin on her cheek was touched by his fingers, and yet somehow not.
She couldn't even tell if he'd touched her or not, because that patch of skin was already burning without her realizing it...
What exactly does he want?
Oh my god!
Can you just get it over with?
Cici felt conflicted inside—resistant, yet filled with a strange anticipation.
She didn't even know what she was hoping for. Was she actually wishing he'd go further with her...?
His long fingers suddenly paused behind Cici's ear, whether by accident or on purpose, lightly brushing her earlobe.
Cici's eyes lit up, then dimmed just as quickly, as a jolt of electricity shot from her earlobe through her whole body.
That electric shock left Cici frozen in place, stunned.
Her gaze fell deep into his eyes, as if they held an endless pull.
That pull made it impossible for Cici to look away.
Just as Cici felt herself being drawn into his deep, mesmerizing gaze, he suddenly spoke: "Your earring is crooked."
Earring...
My earring... is crooked...
Crooked...
Cici snapped back to reality!
It was only then that she seemed to finally react, and with a reflex, she jerked her body backward—
But she forgot she was already sitting on the edge of the sofa.
That sudden movement sent her tumbling uncontrollably backward!
It all happened in a split second.
A strong hand instantly caught her slender waist, steadying her.
At the same time, Charles Yin's body leaned forward, and the two of them were practically pressed together.
"Careful." His deep, magnetic voice floated out softly from his throat, so alluring in that moment.
Cici's little dress had an open-back design, and his hand landed right on her bare back.
She could feel his steady, powerful palm on her waist, the warmth radiating from his hand, and the scorching sensation where his skin met hers.
That warmth, combined with the electric jolt from earlier, swept through her senses again, as if all the heat in her body was concentrated in that tiny patch where his palm touched her back.
Cici instinctively tried to look away, but when she did, her gaze landed right on the expanse of skin exposed by his unbuttoned shirt.
Charles Yin's skin was a healthy, wheat-like tan.
It radiated a vibrant glow and a sense of strength.
He'd only undone two buttons, revealing just a small patch of skin, while the rest remained tightly covered.
But that made it even more tempting, making her want to see more.
Cici's heart pounded uncontrollably. She tried to look elsewhere, but her eyes landed on his perfectly sculpted Adam's apple.
Cici had never realized before that a man's Adam's apple could actually be this attractive.
It was full of masculine allure, but not at all overbearing.
Every bit of it was perfectly beautiful.
Cici just stared blankly at Charles Yin's Adam's apple—for a whole minute.
A muffled chuckle, his chest subtly vibrating.
His stunning Adam's apple moved up and down quickly, and that soft, magnetic voice sounded again: "Are you sure you want to keep looking? Of course, my stamina's not a problem."
His suggestive words instantly snapped Cici back to her senses.
She finally realized her current situation—so awkward she could hardly stand it!
But just as Cici regained her composure, a reflexive movement froze them both again—she tried to sit up, only to crash right into Charles Yin's embrace.
She was trying to sit upright, but forgot she was actually lying down.
So when she sat up... she bumped straight into him...
Charles Yin clearly hadn't expected this either. Feeling her warmth in his arms after so long, his hand instinctively tightened around her waist, locking her soft body firmly in his embrace.
He gave a mischievous chuckle, his chest vibrating slightly, and his teasing voice whispered in Cici's ear: "Hmm? So eager to throw yourself into my arms?"
Boom... Cici felt her mind go completely blank...
Right now, her chest was pressed tightly against his, and even the exposed skin of her low-cut dress was pressed against his bare skin.
That strange sense of skin-on-skin familiarity washed over her again.
The unique scent from his body made both of them dazed and entranced for a moment—neither thought to push the other away.
It took Cici several seconds to snap out of it. Flustered, she quickly pushed Charles Yin away.
He followed her lead, sitting up straight, and in the process, helped Cici sit upright too.
The sudden separation left a faint sense of disappointment in both their hearts.
"I... I've rested enough, I... I... I should go back now..." Cici stammered as she got up in a panic, forgetting her original purpose.
But as soon as she took a step, her wrist was grabbed.
"Your shoes aren't on yet." Charles Yin pulled Cici back to the sofa, bent down to pick up her high heels, and carefully cradled her delicate ankle as he slowly put her shoes back on.
His fingers brushed her arch, making Cici's heart skip wildly.
This devil...
He really knows how to torture people...
She's seen female fox spirits before, but never a man who's even more of a fox spirit than they are!
Even though Cici was 165 centimeters tall, her feet were small and delicate, looking especially pretty in high heels.
Cici didn't notice that Charles Yin was watching her feet the whole time. Flustered, she stood up straight and said, "Then I'll be going! I'm leaving..."
She finished the sentence and fled without daring to look back.
Charles Yin watched her retreating figure, his eyes following that delicate, charming silhouette until it disappeared from sight.
"Little mole, you're the only one in this world who can make my heart race. Such a troublesome little mole!" Charles Yin muttered to himself, then his lips curled up and the fighting spirit in his eyes flared. "Cici, our reunion has only just begun. I'll make you remember me, little by little."
After escaping the lounge, Cici finally remembered what she was supposed to do!
Just thinking about how close she'd gotten to him made her cheeks burn.
Turns out her face had been burning this whole time...
Oh no.
She was supposed to negotiate terms with him—so how did it end up like this...
Just as Cici hesitated about whether to go back to the lounge and renegotiate with Charles Yin, she heard steady, confident footsteps behind her.
She turned around and saw Charles Yin had also left the lounge, following in her footsteps.
Charles Yin had already retied his tie, his shirt now covering all the skin below his neck, which somehow made him even more intriguing.
With his absolutely perfect physique, no matter what he wore, he exuded an aura of dominance and elegance.
Cici couldn't help but let her gaze wander again.
Charles Yin paused beside Cici, looked down at her, a teasing glint in his long, narrow eyes: "Hmm? Waiting for me here?"
Cici bit her lip, hesitating to speak.
Charles Yin's lips curled slightly: "Actually, it's not impossible. Working with your company wouldn't be so bad."
Cici's eyes lit up instantly.
Charles Yin suddenly reached out and tidied up her messy hair.
He moved quickly and gently, finishing before Cici could even react.
Cici stood there in a daze, looking up at him.
"How about we make a deal?" Charles Yin pondered for a moment. "I need to go to England in a few days. If you come with me, I'll sign off on the partnership. What do you say?"
"Why me? Your English is great—you don't need a translator," Cici blurted out.
"Because I have a wine cellar in England, and the collection there is finally ready to be opened." Charles Yin chuckled softly. "Do you still drink Lafite? I just got a case of Romanée-Conti. Want to try it with me?"
Cici's mouth dropped open in surprise.
This guy really is...
Romanée-Conti—that's not something you can buy just because you have money!
He actually...
After saying this, Charles Yin turned to leave, but Cici suddenly called out, "Are you serious?"
Charles Yin paused, back facing Cici.
But the smile in his eyes and on his lips already betrayed how happy he was.
"Mm." Charles Yin continued to speak with his back to her, "Tomorrow is the weekend. Any plans?"
Cici answered instinctively, "No plans, really. Just staying home or maybe going out for a walk!"
"Oh, really? Well, I hope you have a great weekend." Charles Yin paused for a moment. "Miss Cici, aren't you coming back to the hall with me? I'm sure everyone's waiting anxiously for us."
Only then did Cici realize, hesitated for a moment, but still reached out and took Charles Yin's arm, returning to the banquet hall with him.
As his date, she had to see it through from beginning to end!
Cici struggled for a moment and whispered, "Fine, I'll go to England with you. But I can't stay too long."
"Oh? Why's that?" Charles Yin asked knowingly.
"I... I have kids!" Cici gritted her teeth. "I can't leave them at home for too long!"
This man was just too dangerous. She absolutely couldn't get too close to him! Who knows when she might lose herself if she's not careful!
Better to say she had kids, so he'd stay far away from her!