Yang Kai followed Hu Mei Er—or so he thought—into the secluded area of Black Wind Trade, where the wooden houses of elite disciples stood. These residences belonged to the most powerful individuals of each faction, and no ordinary martial practitioner dared approach them.
Hu Mei Er, as the Blood Group Head's daughter, naturally had her own residence here. Though her cultivation was not the strongest, her status was unquestionable. The house she led Yang Kai to was grand yet refined, reflecting her noble background. A lingering fragrance of delicate flowers permeated the air as she pushed the door open, gesturing for him to enter.
As soon as Yang Kai stepped inside, the noises of the bustling market faded, replaced by an unsettling silence. He scanned the room—elegantly furnished with a wooden table, two chairs, and a soft bed draped in pink curtains as thin as a cicada's wings. A petite pillow rested atop it, and the lingering scent of a woman filled the air. It was a stark contrast to Su Yan's cold and minimalist abode.
His gaze settled on Hu Mei Er, who stood facing him, her eyes shimmering with an unreadable emotion. Her delicate features were enhanced by a soft blush, making her look even more enchanting. Dressed in a flowing silk robe, her jade-like arms were exposed, while her bare feet peeked from beneath the fabric, her toenails painted a deep purple.
Something about her seemed different suddenly. More… captivating than before. His brows furrowed slightly, but he remained composed.
She lifted a delicate fan, waving it lazily. The embroidery upon it depicted a court lady in a seductive pose, her ample curves accentuated by fine stitchwork. Any other woman would have hidden such an object in embarrassment, yet Hu Mei Er wielded it openly, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Yang Kai's gaze flickered toward the fan before returning to her eyes. "That's quite the bold choice of accessory."
She chuckled, closing it with a flick of her wrist. "Why be shy about beauty?" With that, she moved gracefully to a nearby table, picking up a porcelain teapot. "It's hot outside. Have some tea."
She poured the steaming liquid into a cup and extended it toward him, her fingers brushing his ever so slightly. Yang Kai accepted the cup, his keen senses picking up the faintest hesitation in her actions.
Taking a sip, his expression shifted subtly. "The tea leaves are high-quality—flat, smooth, and emerald green. A rare find."
Her brows arched in amusement. "You know tea?"
"A little," he admitted. "But I wouldn't call myself an expert."
She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hands. "How does the tea compare to me?"
The question was playful, but her voice carried an underlying challenge. Yang Kai met her gaze, unflinching. "Good people are better than good tea."
She laughed softly, her chest rising and falling in a tantalizing rhythm. His eyes flickered down momentarily before she subtly raised her fan, blocking his view. However, in doing so, she once again revealed the scandalous embroidery upon it, forcing him to avert his gaze with the faintest hint of color on his face.
Hu Mei Er—or rather, Hu Jiao Er—smirked. So far, he had remained composed. But she wasn't done yet.
She moved gracefully, pretending to reach for something, but instead, she "accidentally" dropped her fan. Bending down to retrieve it, the fabric of her robe clung tightly to her form, accentuating the curve of her waist and the roundness of her hips. The position was both deliberate and intoxicating.
Yang Kai felt his pulse quicken, but he remained silent, his expression unreadable. However, before he could react further, Hu Jiao Er let out a soft, startled cry and lost her balance, falling directly into his arms.
Instinctively, he caught her, their bodies pressed together. His grip tightened slightly around her waist as the sudden warmth of her body seeped through his clothing.
For a brief moment, neither moved. Her delicate hands rested on his chest, her breath warm against his neck. Then, as if by some unseen force, they stumbled backward together—falling onto the bed.
Hu Jiao Er was on top. Yang Kai beneath her.
The room was still.
She lifted her head slowly, her eyes gleaming with something deeper than mere amusement. A mix of challenge, curiosity, and something else—something far more dangerous.
Yang Kai's hands remained on her waist, his grip neither too firm nor too loose. He met her gaze, searching, questioning.
"Well," she murmured, her lips just inches from his, "it seems I've fallen into your arms. What do you plan to do about it?"
Yang Kai smirked. "That depends. Was it really an accident?"
She chuckled, shifting slightly, her movement deliberate. "Perhaps it was fate."
Hidden behind an invisible barrier, the real Hu Mei Er fumed, pounding against the unseen force keeping her trapped. "Shameless! Older sister, you're too despicable!"
But no matter how much she struggled, her voice couldn't reach beyond the enchanted veil. And so, she could only watch in frustration as her older sister toyed with the man she had taken an interest in.
Unaware of the hidden spectator, Yang Kai continued watching Hu Jiao Er with calm scrutiny. Though she had been testing him from the moment they entered the house, he had already sensed something was amiss. Now, with her pressed against him, the truth became evident.
This was not Hu Mei Er.
"Yang…..." A strange voice shouted out from Hu Jiao Er's mouth. She was currently too embarrassed to show her face, she had never imagined that she would ever make this type of voice.
"En?" Yang Kai lifted his head to see Hu Jiao Er's pair of watery and beautiful eyes staring down at him, her face flushed scarlet.
"Do you want to… do some other things?" Hu Jiao Er tightly clenched her ruby lips, proceeding to commence her final attack!
If Yang Kai immediately replied in agreement, she would be able to discard all her current emotions and retreat. Then she wouldn't be merciless to Yang Kai!
Would he agree? Hu Jiao Er was nervous, hoping that he would agree so she could be free, but on the other hand, she also wanted him to refuse—to prove that her younger sister didn't misread him and that she had mistaken him! This nervousness and struggle caused her to be extremely indecisive inside.
Even Hu Jiao Er was worried, so how could the confined Hu Mei Er not be worried? She had ceased all useless shouts and was closely looking at Yang Kai, unsure what response he would give in the end.
Yang Kai looked straight at Hu Jiao Er, intentionally shifting his posture as she held her breath, afraid that he would say the word "Okay."
"Lady," Yang Kai muttered.
"En?" Hu Jiao Er, nervous, disregarded his choice of address.
Yang Kai suddenly smirked, his tone turning sharp and unwavering. "What I want to tell you is… I don't play games I can't win."
Before she could react, he moved like a shadow, his strength and speed overwhelming. In a flash, their positions reversed—Hu Jiao Er found herself beneath him, her back pressed against the soft bed, her breath hitching in surprise. Yang Kai's firm grip pinned her wrists beside her head, his face hovering dangerously close.
Her heart pounded. His dark eyes held hers, an unspoken challenge flickering within them.
"You should be careful," he murmured, his voice a husky whisper. "Playing with fire can get you burned."