Chapter 66: What Would You Like to Eat?

Ding dong, ding dong...

The sudden sound of the doorbell startled Lu Yao. She was about to walk to the entrance to open the door when Ye Zehong grabbed her wrist. She looked up at him and whispered, "What's wrong?"

Ye Zehong didn't respond. He bypassed her and went to the door, lowering his gaze to the visual doorbell's screen.

Lu Yao followed, and when she saw the group of burly men standing outside her door, she instinctively stepped back. She was just about to speak when he covered her lips.

The next moment, all the lights in the apartment went out.

The men outside grew increasingly agitated as they waited. They raised their fists and pounded furiously on the door, cursing loudly: "You wretched woman, I know you're in there. Get out here now! If you don't come out, I'll set your place on fire!"

"Stop wasting time on her—just pour the gasoline and light it up!"

"Hey, how many years do you get for arson?"

"The money's gone, and there's no way to pay off tens of millions in gambling debts. What does it matter how many years we get? Either way, it's death!"

"I'm not like you; I've got a wife and kids—"

"Enough, just pour it!"

Gasoline seeped from the entrance into the apartment, instantly absorbed by the doormat.

Lu Yao nervously swallowed, her frightened eyes turning to Ye Zehong. She wanted to tell him that they were on the thirty-seventh floor; the fire rescue ladders couldn't reach them directly, and their only escape was through the door. If the entrance caught fire, they'd be burned alive inside.

Ye Zehong said nothing, his gaze cold and unwavering as he watched the screen, a faint sneer curling at his lips.

When the gasoline was poured, the men glanced at each other, none daring to be the first to light the fire. One, growing impatient, kicked the gasoline can over and grumbled, "It's been ages and there's no sign of movement inside. She probably isn't home. Let's go wait for her downstairs at the law office—and call a few social media bloggers. These days, everyone online hates the rich. I bet exposing her will ruin her."

"Good idea, let's go!"

"Yeah, hurry up."

With that, their footsteps faded, growing distant and finally disappearing.

Lu Yao immediately breathed a sigh of relief, unconsciously leaning toward Ye Zehong.

He looked down at her pale arm pressed close to his side, a gentle smile briefly softening his face.

Without hesitation, Lu Yao quickly gathered her essential belongings and headed to Ye Zehong's home.

Stepping into his mansion once again, her mood was entirely different from before.

Ye Zehong led her to a guest room in the corner upstairs, pushing open the door as he spoke, "This room is prepared for you. Take a look and see if anything is missing—later we can go shopping together."

Lu Yao slowly walked into the room, taking in the warm hues of its decor. She realized her earlier assumptions had been rather... She had actually thought he would have her sleep in the master bedroom with him, as he used to. Last time she was here, she hadn't even noticed this room.

"Thank you," Lu Yao said, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Ye Zehong placed her things inside and adjusted the room temperature to twenty-three degrees before turning to her. "What would you like to eat?"

After all the turmoil, Lu Yao had no appetite at all. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

He smiled, his voice rough and deep, "I haven't had lunch yet. Will you join me for a bite?"

That low, magnetic tone seemed to possess a strange power, striking at the tenderest part of her heart.

Lu Yao nodded slightly, biting her lip, certain he was deliberately lowering his voice to charm her.

His dark eyes remained fixed on the movement of her lips, his throat shifting involuntarily as his breathing grew heated.