The man's towering frame loomed over her, casting a shadow that carried an oppressive weight, tinged with barely perceptible danger. Yu Li looked up at him, lips parting to speak when his thumb suddenly pressed against her mouth.

Her lips were soft, like they'd been painted with delicate rouge. Bo Jingmo's eyes darkened as he leaned in to inhale the fragrance at her neck. "No need to answer."

He wanted to hear a refusal yet feared any other response. Because aside from when she deceived him, Yu Li had never said anything pleasant to him.

Better to pretend ignorance—to delude himself a little longer.

Bo Jingmo slowly lowered his head until his lips brushed hers. "Baby, may I kiss you?"

Yu Li shot him a sidelong glance and chuckled lowly. "Bo Jingmo, if you keep waiting, there'll be nothing left." With that, she grabbed his collar and pulled him into a kiss, swallowing any further words between their lips.

The man's eyes curved into crescents as he instantly took control, parting her lips and pulling her onto his lap. "Good," he murmured before capturing her mouth again.

His kiss carried tender affection, like an inescapable net wrapping tightly around her. By the time she realized, there was no breaking free.

Trapped in his embrace, Yu Li grew breathless from the intensity. She pushed against his shoulders, signaling for a pause, and leaned dizzily against him with half-lidded eyes. Since when did he kiss so well? She was practically lightheaded.

But soon, something felt wrong.

The scenery outside the window blurred into double images. Squinting, she gripped the wrist of the hand gently patting her back and forced a smirk through her drowsiness. "What's this? Lulling me to sleep?"

Bo Jingmo's chest vibrated with quiet laughter against her. "Just sleep it off," his deep, magnetic voice whispered by her ear.

When she woke, everything would be over.

Once her breathing steadied into sleep, Bo Jingmo turned to study her peaceful face. His gaze softened as he tenderly tucked stray hairs behind her ear before pressing a kiss to each closed eyelid.

Scooping her up securely, he carried her to the office's adjoining restroom and tucked her into bed. Yet instead of leaving, he braced himself over her, transfixed by her sleeping features.

Would Lili be angry when she woke?

—Probably.

He knew. But there was no other way. Only like this, with her firmly within his sight, could he be at ease.

Bo Jingmo bent down to nuzzle her earlobe. "Lili," he whispered, "I'll treat you well. Better than anyone ever could—"

Then his peripheral vision caught the lingering love bite beneath her collar. His blood turned to ice, as if doused from head to toe.

His expression darkened instantly, a murderous aura swirling around him. With chilling calm, he traced the mark on her shoulder before suddenly curling his lips into a humorless smile.

"Truly... a dead man walking."

A knock at the door interrupted him. After straightening her collar and stealing one last kiss, Bo Jingmo shrugged on his white coat and stepped out.

Yu Yu stood anxiously outside, fingers clenched around documents. Her eyes kept darting toward that room—the memories from that night still vivid, the metallic scent of blood clinging to her senses. Just thinking about it made her tremble.

She'd never have come up here if not for knowing Yu Li was on the fifth floor too.

The door opened. When she met the director's glacial stare, her legs nearly gave out. "D-Director," she stammered, thrusting the files forward, "the documents you requested, and those questions you—"

"Inside." His cool interruption came as he adjusted his cufflinks and tossed a lunchbox into the trash.

"R-right." Yu Yu scurried in after him, only to freeze mid-step when she saw the empty couch. Where was Yu Li? Why wasn't she here?

"See something interesting?"

Yu Yu jolted at his voice. "N-nothing! Director, I'll just leave these here—" She practically threw the files onto his desk like they were burning her hands.

Bo Jingmo lounged elegantly on the sofa, long legs crossed, flipping through pages without comment. Only when Yu Yu reached the door did he speak: "Last night. You made Yu Li switch shifts with Dai Liu?"

Yu Yu's heart lurched. Gripping the doorframe, she stared at the floor. "I did, but—wasn't that agreed long ago? Since Yu Li's here, this shift was always hers."

The director kept reading, as if his question had been idle chatter. The only sound was rustling paper.

Finally, he set the documents aside. His obsidian eyes were impassive, sharp jawline exuding icy detachment. "You're coming with me to the fourth floor."

Yu Yu blanched, already shaking her head when he continued:

"Or resign immediately."

"...Resign?" Just over a shift swap?

"Choose now." His tone brooked no argument. "Stay or go."

Yu Yu clenched her fists. This made no sense—why punish her for Yu Li's responsibility? The hospital needed her! What about her patients?

"Your patients aren't your concern." His voice could've frozen hell. "I'm not waiting. No answer means you choose the second option."

Yu Yu realized she'd spoken aloud. Her expression twisted. She couldn't leave—not with her brother still on the fourth floor!

As the office door shut behind them, Yu Li's eyes fluttered open in the dark restroom. She exhaled heavily.