Chapter 34: Delusions of Affection

He seemed to have been suppressing his emotions for a long time; his voice was hoarse, helpless, yet gentle. Lu Yao’s heart thudded wildly, her face burning scarlet. She looked up at him and found his eyes bloodshot, frighteningly red. Had he remembered some sorrow from the past?

In the three years they’d known each other, this was the first time he had revealed this side of himself to her. She recalled how, at the old family home, Ye Hua had mocked him for not growing up there, and how in the study, he’d accused Ye Yingtang of causing his mother’s early death. It all pointed to a childhood devoid of parental love.

Deep down, he must have yearned for his parents' companionship. Perhaps his antagonism toward his biological father was a defense mechanism—he was afraid of hoping too much and being disappointed by the lack of paternal affection.

Staring into his dark, fathomless eyes, she was overwhelmed by a sudden urge to embrace him and whisper, “I will love you well.” Yet, she lacked the courage to act on it.

They were ex-lovers now. Next month, he would marry Qiao Wan’er, the most sought-after heiress in the capital. She shouldn’t even be here.

His predatory, blood-dark eyes drifted from Lu Yao’s face to the distant sky, the sorrow in their depths vanishing completely.

“I’ll have Xu Wenjie find someone else to handle the prenuptial agreement. From tomorrow on, don’t get involved with any projects linked to the Ye or Qiao families.” His voice was as cold and biting as it had been when they broke up.

Lu Yao was stunned. She realized she had just pitied him out of misplaced affection and couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

“Ye Zehong, you’re so contradictory.” Lu Yao had had enough of his constant mood swings—kissing her when pleased, forcing her to sever all ties with the Ye family when upset. If she wasn’t mad already, he’d drive her insane. “Whether it’s your prenuptial agreement with Qiao Wan’er, the Xunda acquisition, or even the upcoming legal counsel for Ye Corporation—I intend to win them all.”

“With me here, do you really think that’s possible?”

“We’ll see.” Lu Yao set down her wineglass, stood up, and for the first time looked down upon Ye Zehong from a position of strength, turning to leave.

Ye Zehong could tell from her expression that she wasn’t joking. He also knew she was fully capable of achieving her aims.

He put down his wineglass, scooped a handful of water, and splashed it at Lu Yao, a sly smile curving his lips. “Let’s make a bet. Whoever swims to the other side first wins. The loser must grant the winner’s request.”

Lu Yao eyed him with suspicion. What trick was he playing now? It was clear he had the advantage in strength—there was no way she could win this contest.

“Fine, let’s begin,” she replied, kicking off her shoes. She stretched her arms overhead and dove cleanly into the water, kicking and stroking with speed and precision.

Ye Zehong lingered at the pool’s edge, watching the elegant sway of her slender waist as she moved through the water. His body tensed involuntarily. Then, he walked briskly to the far side of the pool.

Just as Lu Yao’s fingertips brushed the wall and she surfaced, she saw Ye Zehong, his clothes bone dry, standing on the bank with a faint smile playing about his lips.

Her temper flared. He’d tricked her! Absolutely shameless!

Enraged, Lu Yao grabbed his ankle and yanked with all her might, pulling him into the pool with a loud splash.

The water quickly stilled. Ye Zehong vanished from sight. As Lu Yao prepared to search for him, she felt a tug on her ankle and was pulled under, swept along to the bottom of the pool. There, she discovered that the floor and walls had been designed to resemble an underwater world.

He held her hand as they swam, like two merfolk meeting in secret. Lu Yao’s cheeks puffed with the effort of holding her breath, turning red. At last, she couldn’t bear it, broke free from Ye Zehong’s grasp, and shot up to the surface, gulping in lungfuls of air.

Perhaps her frantic movements, coupled with the refracted light on the water, made her chest heave in a way that left Ye Zehong parched, his Adam’s apple working as he swallowed.

The water was warm, yet he felt as if he were burning.