Zhao shut the door slowly after Meilin left, her perfume still lingering in the air like a spell.
He stared at the spot where she had stood.
His hand reached up and brushed the collar of his shirt — the same place where her fingers had touched. It was barely anything. Just skin against skin.
But it burned.
The Next Day
Zhao found himself checking his phone every few minutes.
No texts.
No calls.
He didn't know what he was expecting. Maybe an invite. A thank you. A joke.
But nothing came.
Instead, he ran into her again outside the university cafe.
She was sitting alone at an outdoor table, wearing a light trench coat and sunglasses. She looked like someone from a drama—elegant, untouchable. Yet when she saw him, she smiled.
A slow, calculated smile.
"Good morning, professor," she said as he walked over.
"You don't even go to my class," he replied with a chuckle.
"Doesn't mean I can't study you," she said with a teasing tilt of her head.
Zhao felt heat rush to his ears again. She motioned toward the empty chair.
"Sit. I'm bored. And you're the only guy who doesn't drool when I talk."
He hesitated but then obeyed.
"You're dangerous," he said softly.
She took a sip of her iced latte. "That's what makes me interesting."
He stared at her.
> This girl… she's not just mysterious. She's hiding something.
But instead of questioning her, he said, "Dinner. My place. Again."
She raised a brow. "You're asking me out?"
"Yes," Zhao said without looking away. "But I already know you'll say yes."
Her lips parted—surprised, impressed.
> Not bad, she thought. He's learning.
"7 PM," she agreed, standing up. "Don't bore me this time."
She walked off, swaying slightly. He watched her go, completely unaware of the trap she was luring him into.
---
Same Time — Elsewhere in the City
Ryu Xian wasn't sitting still.
He was already on the move.
His black car pulled up outside the Chen Corporation's private intelligence firm, and a tall, sharply dressed man stepped into the elevator.
> "Find everything on Zhao," Ryu ordered his assistant earlier.
"His family. His history. His bank accounts. I want it all."
He wasn't the type to wait and watch while someone stole what was his.
Even if she wasn't really his.
Yet.
---
Evening — Zhao's Apartment
Zhao had gone above and beyond this time.
He lit actual candles. Cooked again—this time with less panic. Played a soft playlist in the background. Everything was quiet, almost romantic.
Ding-dong.
He opened the door… and Meilin stood there like a dream.
Black dress. Heels. Hair tied up in a loose bun. Her lips were stained with a rich red, and her eyes sparkled like they knew all his secrets.
"I told you not to bore me," she said, stepping inside.
"You'll be the judge of that."
They ate quietly at first. She asked about his favorite books. He asked about her dreams. She lied effortlessly. He believed every word.
After dinner, they moved to the couch. She sat close—too close.
Her fingers played with the collar of his shirt again.
"Still scared of me?" she whispered.
Zhao's heart thudded. "A little."
She smirked. "Good."
She leaned in… close enough that he could feel her breath.
But just as their lips almost met—she pulled back.
"Not yet," she said softly. "Let's not ruin the tension."
Zhao let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "You're evil."
"I know."
---
Meanwhile — Outside the Apartment
In a sleek black car parked on the opposite street, Ryu Xian stared through the tinted window.
His jaw tightened as he watched the silhouettes inside.
He couldn't see everything… but he could feel it.
The tension. The chemistry. The danger.
He didn't know what game Meilin was playing.
But he was done watching.
Next time… he'd enter the game himself.
---