Chapter 138: Are You Dissatisfied with My Service?
Bai Zhi felt she was in a strange state. The furry tail in her hands gave her a sliver of security.
But that sense of security didn’t last long.
Because his tail coiled around her entire body, wrapping her completely in its fur until not a single gap remained.
Leaving no space between the two of them, either.
Bai Zhi hadn’t expected they could do it in such a position. As it became unbearable, she desperately wanted to grab onto something, but it felt as if she couldn’t grasp anything at all.
Again and again.
Bai Zhi panted, her body sticky all over. Her limbs felt weak as jelly, and she couldn’t help but think, ’Next time, maybe we should just go to the spirit sea instead. My spiritual power increases so much more, and it’s not nearly as exhausting...’
When it was over, Hu Yan carried Bai Zhi into the bathroom to wash her clean.
Bai Zhi couldn’t resist reaching out a wicked hand to give him an indignant pinch. ’Aren’t you supposed to be the one who gets tired? Why does he seem completely fine?!’
’After so many times last night, he can still go again this morning. Just what kind of ’monsters’ are the Beastmen here!’
Hu Yan reached out and caught her mischievous hand, holding it in his palm. "Am I to blame for not serving you well enough?" he asked, a hint of feigned puzzlement in his voice.
Bai Zhi shot him an annoyed glare.
But her glare clearly held no threat. With her eyes shimmering with passion and glistening with moisture, her attempt to look angry only added to her allure.
Hu Yan continued as if talking to himself, "It seems that’s indeed the case. Then I’ll just have to start all over again."
He had just extended a hand when Bai Zhi leaped straight out of the bathtub, waving her hands frantically and stammering, "N-No, that’s not necessary! It was great."
However, when her vision cleared, she realized Hu Yan was holding a towel. ’Was he just planning to dry me off?’
He tilted his head up slightly, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at her. But Bai Zhi clearly saw the teasing glint in his eyes.
As if an idea had just struck her, Bai Zhi suddenly raised an eyebrow. "You haven’t washed up yet, have you? Need my help?"
He probably hadn’t expected her to suddenly turn the tables on him, so Hu Yan was momentarily stunned when he heard her question.
But he recovered quickly. Standing up, he opened his arms wide and said gently, "Then I’ll have to trouble you, my lady."
Bai Zhi glanced at him, then reached out and turned on the showerhead, letting the water spray over his body. Her gaze followed the path of the streaming water.
Unlike the last time she’d accidentally seen him, this time Bai Zhi didn’t just look—she reached out and traced a finger across his skin. She’d wanted to do this last time.
Pectorals, abs, V-lines...
Bit by bit.
A touch here, a caress there. A little pinch, a gentle rub.
Bai Zhi heard the breathing from above her grow heavier, and his scorching gaze felt as if it were physically branding her, inch by inch.
Bai Zhi felt it, but she pretended not to notice. A slight smile curved her lips as she intentionally fanned the flames.
Just as Hu Yan reached out to pull her into his arms and continue, Bai Zhi suddenly looked up, planted a quick kiss on his lips, and flashed him a brilliant smile. Then she slipped out of his grasp, grabbed a bathrobe, and dashed out of the bathroom at top speed.
Hu Yan reached out to grab her, but Bai Zhi had already anticipated his move and dodged. He was left standing alone in the bathroom, turning his head to look at the one who had started a fire and run.
Bai Zhi had already slipped on the bathrobe. Seeing Hu Yan’s dark, scorching eyes filled with desire, she made a funny face at him from outside the bathroom.
Hu Yan pretended he was about to come out and catch her, and a startled Bai Zhi immediately bolted.
Watching her timid retreat, an unconscious, doting smile appeared on Hu Yan’s face.
’If I didn’t have things to do in a bit, there’s no way she would have escaped so easily.’
Bai Zhi hid in the walk-in closet and peeked her head out, only to find that Hu Yan hadn’t chased her at all. He had just been trying to scare her.
She turned back into the closet to pick out an outfit. After she finished changing and turned around, she found Hu Yan standing at the doorway, already dressed. She had no idea how long he’d been watching.
Bai Zhi walked up to him, did a little spin, and asked, "What do you think? Do I look sharp and clean-cut?"
Hu Yan didn’t say anything. He walked over to her collection of accessories, picked out a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, took the sunglasses off her head, and put the new pair on her. After a careful look, he said, "Beautiful."
Bai Zhi turned to study herself in the mirror. The sharp look now had an added touch of mature composure. She hadn’t expected the glasses she’d grabbed on a whim would pair so well with her outfit.
Hu Yan straightened her hair a bit and said, "I told Zelda about the investment. We need to go and sign the contract today. He might bring a few people with him."
Bai Zhi nodded. "Don’t we need to go through a few rounds of negotiations?"
Hu Yan explained, "The only thing left to discuss is the equity stake. All they want is a larger share. You just have to remember that our absolute bottom line is forty-five percent."
She nodded, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. She couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Hu Yan placed his hands on her arms, lowered his head slightly to gaze at her, and asked, "Nervous?"
Bai Zhi didn’t hide it, nodding. "A little."
Hu Yan thought for a moment. "If you’re nervous, we can just have him come to our home. Being in a familiar environment might help ease the tension."
Bai Zhi considered it, then shook her head, trying to calm her nerves. "Never mind. Let’s stick to the arranged location."
’We’re the ones asking for the partnership, asking for a piece of the pie. It doesn’t feel right to make them come to our turf.’
Seeing that she had more or less calmed down, Hu Yan reassured her, "Don’t be nervous. I’ll be with you today. It’s just a formality."
Bai Zhi gave a slight nod. "Mm."
The two of them left the room and went downstairs.
Bai Zhi didn’t have much of an appetite right then, so she suggested they leave first to avoid making the others wait.
"No rush," Hu Yan said calmly. "Nothing is more important than eating."
He then had breakfast served.
Yue Junxiao asked curiously, "My lady, you’re dressed so... beautifully today. Where are we going in a bit?"
Bai Zhi announced with an air of authority, "To a negotiation."
After she said it, she felt something was off. She shot a sharp glance at him. "Do I not normally look beautiful?"
Yue Junxiao immediately sat up straight. "You do, you do! You just seem different today, but I can’t quite put my finger on how."
Yan Yichen thought for a moment and said, "You have a certain aura about you. It’s different from usual."
Yue Junxiao nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
Hearing this, Sang Mo also looked over at Bai Zhi. His gaze paused on her glasses for a second, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Bai Zhi threw out a deadly question. "So, do you like the me of today, or the usual me?"
The two of them said in unison, "We like both."
The key thing was, both of them answered with such sincerity that there wasn’t the slightest hint of just trying to placate her.
Hearing their words, the last bit of nervousness Bai Zhi felt was soothed away by their sweet talk.