CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: CAN I PINCH YOUR CHEEK AGAIN?

Being someone from a steadfastly materialistic world, Ruan Li couldn’t help but scream when faced with a sudden encounter of a monstrous face, gripping Zhe Ye’s hand tightly with all her might.

Fortunately, he exercised regularly; otherwise, the sudden pressure from the little female would’ve actually hurt him.

"If you’re scared, you can hide in my arms." The man whispered softly in Ruan Li’s ear, like a lover’s intimate murmur.

Ruan Li turned around and saw Zhe Ye in the darkness.

This holographic movie narrates a story set on a dilapidated Deserted Star.

On the desolate planet, the silver disk-like moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft veil over Zhe Ye’s sharp brows and eyes.

The look he gave her, glancing aside, made her fleetingly think of the moment she held hands with her ex-husband on the street at night.

Facing Zhe Ye, she suddenly felt a bit guilty, averting her gaze, pretending to be deeply engrossed in the play.

"So, this is how the Deserted Star looks..."

The little female spoke as she moved forward, still wanting to secretly slip away from the man’s hand.

The wetter and hotter his palm grew, the guiltier she felt.

By the end of the movie, if Zhe Ye hadn’t persistently held her hand, she might have already sneaked away from him.

Zhe Ye even doubted whether those "most effective guides to pursuing females" on the Star Network were nothing but deceit.

Why, after watching the movie, was the little female not cowering in his arms for kisses and hugs? Instead, she wanted to let go?

"Is the movie over?"

After a silent moment, the man even questioned whether he had performed poorly somewhere, "Yes, it’s over."

"Shall we go home now?"

"The chaos that the prince just caused should have already been dealt with. If you want to go home, we can go now."

After boarding the aircraft, Zhe Ye released her hand to operate it.

Sitting on the sofa, Ruan Li opened the Star Network.

The trending topic about Prince Weize had already been suppressed; she could now only see some entertainment gossip online.

The atmosphere became somewhat strange as they returned home.

"Did I scare you at the cinema just now?" The man frowned, contemplating all his actions today, voicing his suspicions.

"Hmm? Not at all scared."

Zhe Ye lowered his head and looked at her, "Then why did you grow distant after we finished watching the movie?"

Ruan Li, somewhat startled, lifted her head; she hadn’t expected her change in attitude would cause him distress and conflict all along the way.

Reflecting on her callous behavior, Ruan Li felt some guilt toward him, "No, you haven’t done anything wrong."

It’s her problem, always connecting two unrelated people because of a certain angle of resemblance.

It’s unfair to both.

"Did today’s incident upset you?" His smoky gray eyes earnestly sought an answer from her.

Ruan Li hesitantly dodged, "Um, sort of."

"After wandering around all day, I’m nearly exhausted," she appropriately changed the subject, pushing open the front door.

Upon entering, Ruan Li turned to find Zhe Ye standing at the door, frowning, fully alert, and exuding a chilling aura.

"What’s wrong?" Ruan Li asked, puzzled.

"There’s a heavy scent of blood in the house," Zhe Ye explained, and took a step forward to pull the little female behind him, "Be careful, there might be danger."

Beastmen had acute senses; following the scent of blood, Zhe Ye’s steps stopped at the end of the hallway on the second floor.

There was only one room there.

Bai He’s room.

Zhe Ye raised his index finger to his lips, signaling Ruan Li to remain quiet and alert, while he had already taken out firearms from the Space Hub.

"How were your whereabouts discovered?"

A faint voice of anger came from inside the room.

The house’s soundproofing had no issues; it can only be said the person’s emotions within were too intense, the voice possessing great penetrative power.

However, the few vague subsequent sounds Ruan Li couldn’t hear clearly.

Yet she distinctly felt that the angry voice just now seemed strikingly similar to the first sentence she heard upon arriving in this world.

The noise inside the room suddenly ceased, and Zhe Ye’s gaze sharply intensified. He encircled Ruan Li’s waist with one arm, quickly stopping by Ruan Li’s room door, pressing her against the wall, lowering his head close to her neck like swans entwined.

"Don’t move."

The warm, moist breath accompanied by a deep voice blew at her neck, making Ruan Li feel her body seemingly twitch uncontrollably.

Her hands were seized and restrained against the wall by the man, his dominant aggression causing her instinctively to turn her head, trying to avoid the danger, yet the grip on her waist prevented any movement.

"He’s coming out."

As the words fell, there was a click, and Bai He’s room door opened.

The silver-haired, white-eyed man emerged with half caution, half indifference.

Seeing it was Zhe Ye and Ruan Li, the furrow in his brow smoothed, his voice gentle, "Back so soon?"

Zhe Ye raised his head, curling his lips into a smile at the other man.

"Some things required returning home for apologies."

Ruan Li’s entire body stiffened; she always felt that when the man lifted his head just now, something soft brushed across her cheek.

Bai He’s gaze lingered briefly on the shy female and a certain testosterone-filled male Beastman, seemingly judging the truth of his words in his heart, he maintained a reserved attitude yet nodded, "As long as you’re happy."

As Bai He descended the stairs, Zhe Ye released the tantalizingly suggestive posture, looking at a certain female now flushed like steaming vapor, "Seems I need to apologize again."

"Nonetheless, some things are best discussed inside."

Ruan Li, blushing, nodded in confusion.

This time, Zhe Ye didn’t hesitate, gently pinching the soft flesh on her cheek.

Indeed, it was softer than expected.

Seeing the little female’s eyes widen in astonishment, Zhe Ye smiled, "I always thought, when I saw your cheeks at dinner, a squeeze would feel wonderful."

He rubbed his fingertip as if savoring the previous tactile sensation.

With a light laugh: "Hmm, indeed nice."

Ruan Li’s pupils contracted, not expecting anyone could utter words akin to flirting with a serious expression.

"The more I look, the cuter you become. May I pinch again?"

The voice was deep yet not lacking politeness.

Ruan Li shook her head vigorously, "No, no."

She turned away, wanting to evade this increasingly audacious man.

"Let’s go."

"Mm," as Ruan Li intended to head to her bedroom, Zhe Ye reached out to graze her shoulder, drawing her closer, then letting go a few inches before her.

"Your room door isn’t fixed yet; shall we chat in mine?"

Ruan Li met his smoky gray eyes briefly, then hastily looked away, completely forgetting the words she initially wanted to rebut, "Oh, sure."

The big bad wolf successfully coaxed his female head back to the room.

After the door closed, Ruan Li was gently pressed against the back of the door by his hand.