Chapter 17: Haven't You Had Enough of Holding Me?

Lu Yao felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, dizziness washing over her! This Ye Zemao truly never gave her mind a moment's respite.

Faced with the strange look from Qiao Wan'er, she could only smile and nod, mocking herself, "My life lacks a bit of sweetness, so I love eating sweets."

Qiao Wan'er laughed in response, "I didn't expect Miss Lu to be so humorous."

When she laughed, her eyes curved like crescent moons, sharp as sickles, making Lu Yao's head ache.

This meal was hard for Lu Yao to swallow. Although Ye Zehong had specially prepared her favorite dishes, every time Ye Zemao personally placed food in her bowl, Ye Zehong's cold, sharp gaze swept over her, making her feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

What choked her most was Qiao Wan'er's gentle act of feeding Ye Zehong, and Ye Zehong did not refuse.

Lu Yao wanted nothing more than to blind herself and walk away.

Especially when Ye Zehong held his wine glass, savoring the red wine at leisure—it brought back memories of their three years together, maintaining a secret affair, filled with intimacy and love.

He liked to pour a glass of red wine before everything began, tasting it slowly just as he did now, then feeding her the remaining wine with a kiss.

Every time, without fail, always enjoying it...

Lu Yao bit her lip to keep herself clear-headed. He had a fiancée now; she shouldn't linger in the past.

After dinner, Ye Zemao suggested a walk in the back garden to aid digestion.

Four people walked in pairs, one group ahead, one behind.

Lu Yao watched Qiao Wan'er clinging to Ye Zehong's arm with intimate affection, feeling utterly uninterested, unable to appreciate the beautiful scenery around her.

Summer was the season of blooming lotuses.

Ye Zemao insisted on going down to the lake to pick blooming lotuses and lotus buds to amuse her.

Qiao Wan'er pretended to envy her, saying, "Miss Lu, you really are lucky. If only Zehong cared for me half as much as his third brother does for you... but, alas, it's not worth mentioning."

Lu Yao stood by the lake, forcing a smile.

To her, every word Qiao Wan'er spoke sounded envious, but each sentence seemed to boast.

Women, after all, would never openly admit their misfortune or that they chose the wrong man.

Ye Zemao, upon returning to shore, immediately presented the lotuses and buds he had picked to Lu Yao, kneeling on one knee, speaking with heartfelt sincerity, "Lu Yao, from the very first moment I saw you, I thought you were as pure and elegant as a lotus."

Lu Yao smiled awkwardly.

She had to admire Ye Zemao's performance as a passionate gentleman—it was truly convincing.

She reached out to take the lotus, but just as her fingers touched the stem, a man with long, messy hair and ragged clothes suddenly appeared out of nowhere, shoving Lu Yao aside and snatching the lotus first.

His tone was fierce as he shouted, "No one can defile my lotus!"

Lu Yao, caught off guard, fell backward toward the lotus pond, her arms flailing helplessly. She wore a light-colored chiffon dress; if she fell into the water, her injury would surely be exposed.

Qiao Wan'er's lips curled in a smile, ready to watch her embarrassment.

Ye Zemao reached out, attempting to grab her, but was too late.

Lu Yao had expected to fall into the water and become a drenched mess, but instead, she landed against a solid, warm chest.

A familiar scent drifted to her nose.

Ye Zehong supported her back with one hand, while her delicate hands hung around his neck.

Their eyes met, and memories of their former closeness flashed before them.

Lu Yao's cheeks quietly flushed, her heart pounding wildly.

Qiao Wan'er witnessed the scene, anger flaring, gritting her teeth as she said, "Miss Lu, haven't you had enough hugs yet?"