The drive back was silent, but the air inside the car was heavy. Ji Yunxi leaned against the window, watching neon lights blur past, while Mo Liancheng's grip on the steering wheel was tight enough to snap it in two.
Finally, when they pulled up to his private villa, he cut the engine and turned to her.
"Do you have a death wish?" His voice was low, controlled, but it vibrated with fury.
Ji Yunxi raised an eyebrow. "Why? Because I picked up a glass?"
"You knew it was drugged," he snapped. His sharp eyes locked onto hers. "And yet you dared play along. What if the waiter hadn't confessed? What if you'd been forced to drink?"
Instead of shrinking back, Ji Yunxi smirked. "But I didn't. I had it under control."
Mo Liancheng leaned closer, his face a mix of storm and fire. "Under control? One misstep and you would've been ruined in front of everyone." His hand shot out, gripping her wrist, not hard, but unyielding. "Don't ever gamble with yourself like that again."
For a moment, Ji Yunxi stared at him. His protectiveness was fierce, almost suffocating, but beneath it was something else—fear. He had truly been afraid of losing her.
Her lips softened into a teasing smile. "You sound like you care."
Mo Liancheng's eyes darkened further. Without another word, he pulled her closer until their foreheads touched. His voice was hoarse, almost a growl. "I care more than you realize."
Ji Yunxi's heart gave an involuntary skip, but she forced herself to stay calm. "That's dangerous, Young Master Mo. You might regret putting your heart on the wrong person."
He chuckled low, releasing her wrist only to cup her chin. "You think I'd ever regret you?"
[System Alert: Favorability +20. Warning: Male Lead affection level approaching critical.]
Ji Yunxi blinked. Critical? What the hell does that mean?
The system chimed again, unhelpfully: [Meaning: he might eat you alive. Host, please prepare yourself.]
She nearly laughed out loud. Instead, she stepped back, breaking free of his hold. "You're too dramatic. I should go rest."
Mo Liancheng let her go, but his gaze lingered like a predator's, patient and unrelenting. "Fine. Rest. But Yunxi… remember this."
His voice lowered to a whisper that sent shivers down her spine.
"No matter what happens, no one—no one—is allowed to touch you. Except me."
Her steps faltered, but she didn't turn back.
Meanwhile, at the Lin family estate, chaos reigned.
Lin Xi's mother slammed a teacup onto the table, shattering porcelain. "Humiliated in front of Mo Liancheng's circle?! Do you know what this means for our family's standing?"
Lin Xi, eyes swollen from crying, clenched her fists. "It was her. Ji Yunxi. She stole everything that should've been mine. I won't let her get away with it."
Her mother's expression turned cold and sharp. "Then take it back. Whatever it takes."
Lin Xi's lips curled into a venomous smile. "Don't worry, Mother. She'll wish she never stepped foot into our world.