Chapter 34: A Glimpse Beyond the Script
Shen Muyan's eyes lingered on her face for a second too long.
"You were about to say something just now," he said quietly, "but stopped. Why?
Lin Chaoxi's fingers curled under the table. The system's warning still echoed in her ears like a judge's hammer.
❝Emotion detected. Mission deviation risk: 21%. Recommendation: disengage immediately.❞
"I just…" She forced a smile. "It's nothing. You wouldn't care anyway."
Shen Muyan leaned back, his gaze darkening with something unreadable. "Try me."
She blinked. The cold CEO persona wasn't supposed to care. Not in this world. Not in this script.
But right now, he looked—vulnerable. Or maybe it was just her heart tricking her.
"I was going to ask…" she paused, "Why did you help me back there? With that investor?"
He tilted his head, and then his lips curled—not into a smirk, but something softer.
"I don't like people bullying what's mine."
Boom.
The system's alert blared louder.
❝Warning: Protagonist emotional entanglement increasing. Recalculate route.❞
She stood up abruptly, pushing her chair back. "I need some air."
Outside, night had fallen. City lights shimmered, but her heart felt heavy.
She wasn't supposed to feel anything. This was all a game. A mission.
But how do you stay heartless… when someone starts reaching into the part of you that still believes in love?
Behind her, footsteps approached. His voice followed.
"Lin Chaoxi," he said from a step behind. "What are you so afraid of?"
She turned, tears stinging her lashes.
"Of losing myself."
🔚（To be continued…）