The usually gentle person who never raised her voice suddenly became fierce, raising her hand to slap him.
—Slap.
The sound of the slap was exceptionally loud, even echoing in the spacious room.
Qi Rui was caught off guard, his face turned sideways by the blow. His jawline was elegant, and he was utterly stunned.
He looked thin and frail, but his hand had quite some strength.
In his entire life, no one had dared to slap Qi Rui’s face. He was even a bit bewildered. He turned his head, looking at Shen Yue, and said incredulously, "You hit me?"
His expression was as gloomy and terrifying as the sky before a heavy rain, scarily so.
"You dare to hit me?"
This was the first time Shen Yue had seen the young man display such a dark expression, as if he would strangle her in the next second.
Shen Yue had only slapped him because what Qi Rui had said was truly unbearable, and she had acted out of extreme anger.
To be honest, this was also the first time Shen Yue had ever hit anyone.
She was introverted and gentle by nature, never raising her voice at others. She was always mild-mannered and incredibly patient, possessing infinite tolerance as long as her bottom line wasn't crossed.
Perhaps the young man was just acting on impulse; he might come to his senses after calming down.
This was also what Shen Yue hoped for, as she hadn't expected things to develop in this direction. It had caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn't know how to resolve the situation.
After all, this was her first time facing something like this.
Seeing the young man’s appearance, Shen Yue’s eyelashes trembled. Her usually indifferent eyes softened again, "Qi Rui, I'm teaching you."
Qi Rui’s eyes widened in anger, fury surging in his chest. His face flushed and then turned ashen.
"Who needs you to teach me? Who do you think you are?"
The girl didn't get angry and had no words to retort, as she truly couldn't teach Qi Rui anything. Qi Rui wasn't wrong, but she just wanted him to be rational.
She wasn't... that kind of casual person.
Seeing the girl remain silent, Qi Rui felt a little displeased.
However, looking at the slightly swollen skin around the girl's eyes, his heart softened. This was his first time compromising.
He cupped Shen Yue’s face, staring intently into her dark, moist eyes, his voice deep and gentle, "You don't dislike it either, do you? Why do you still refuse me?"
It couldn't be said that she disliked him, but it certainly wasn't love either.
She didn't know how to express it. If she spoke the truth, the young man would surely explode with anger. Shen Yue didn't want to strain their relationship so much. His personality was such that he was indecisive and hesitant.
With her face held in place, Shen Yue had no choice but to meet his gaze. Her sight was locked onto Qi Rui; she couldn't escape.
Faced with Qi Rui’s unmasked, fervent, and direct gaze, Shen Yue couldn't pretend not to see it. She felt it shouldn't be this way, but she couldn't voice it.
As an emotionally inexperienced girl, she was completely unable to handle the handsome and forthright Qi Rui before her.
Shen Yue couldn't play games with Qi Rui.
"Qi Rui..." The girl's long, thick eyelashes trembled slightly. Her lips moved, and she lowered her head, avoiding Qi Rui’s gaze, "It’s not possible..."
Being rejected time and time again, Qi Rui became unhappy. He was basically never refused before because of his prominent family background; he had been doted on since childhood and was always the center of attention.
But what about this Shen Yue?
Not only did she slap him, but she had also rejected him so many times. Qi Rui grew impatient, his gaze dark as he looked at the girl.
The girl had a gentle appearance, devoid of any aggression. Her face was pure and fair, and at this moment, her lips were as red as if she had applied rouge, vibrant and red.
Her eyelashes trembled, looking fragile and innocent.
As if she could be bullied however one pleased.
Qi Rui still pulled Shen Yue into his arms, his voice involuntarily softening, "Why can't it be? Am I not good enough? Don't you like me?"
The young man’s shoulders were broad and provided a great sense of security. His height and long legs made it seem as if the bed was too small for him.
Qi Rui was good, good in every way, except perhaps for his slightly volatile temper.
But it was precisely because he was so good that Shen Yue found herself in a difficult position.
It wasn't that she didn't like him, but she dared not like him.
Qi Rui was a "Crown Prince" from the capital; he would eventually return to his affluent life, and this place couldn't accommodate such a distinguished guest.
Shen Yue was very clear-headed; perhaps this was just a fleeting whim of the young master.
The girl slightly wriggled free from his embrace. She pursed her slightly swollen lips. Her pupils were very dark, without a trace of impurity, like two pure glass spheres. "This isn't right, Qi Rui. What do you take me for?"
Qi Rui froze, appearing somewhat lost.
Shen Yue waited, but receiving no answer, she tried to leave.
Qi Rui grabbed her, not letting go.
The young man’s palm was large, dry, and held considerable strength. Shen Yue couldn't break free.
"Let go," Shen Yue had to speak up.
Qi Rui's expression changed slightly. He half-closed his eyes, concealing the emotions fluctuating within them. "What if I say I like you?"
Shen Yue's pupils trembled.
She almost couldn't believe Qi Rui would say such a thing. Honestly, Shen Yue didn't even think this person understood what liking someone meant.
But he just wanted to kiss her, hence these words. Beyond that, would there be any other emotions?
Shen Yue couldn't figure it out.
Faced with such a confession, Shen Yue was at a loss.
The girl’s eye color was very deep, like a tranquil lake. Her facial features were soft and clean, her brows and eyes gentle and unadorned, only her lips were a vibrant, bright red.
Her voice was even a little shaky.
"Qi Rui." The tips of her pale ears turned red. She tried hard to maintain a serious expression on her face, "Don't make jokes like this."
Shen Yue wished even more that this was truly a joke.
Qi Rui did not like to joke. He lowered his head, his eyes dark, a vast expanse of blackness that seemed somewhat eerie. "I'm not joking."
The young man was handsome, with perfect features and a high-bridged nose. No one could bear to refuse him.
As if it wasn't enough, he emphasized again.
"I just like you."
I like kissing you.
Facing Qi Rui's earnest expression, Shen Yue pursed her lips.
Her eyelashes were trembling, her eyes darting away.
Qi Rui’s ear tips flushed, his face fierce. He glared at her, menacing and wild, his unruly nature surfacing again. "What do you say? Do you like me or not?"
Shen Yue was starting to sweat, feeling unable to face Qi Rui like this. She desperately wanted to leave.
As she tried to move, she was yanked back fiercely.
"Why are you leaving?" Qi Rui was both angry and anxious, with a hint of grievance. "Give me an answer!"
This was his first time confessing his feelings to someone. While he appeared calm on the surface, his fingers were so tense they were almost cramping.
Who knew why he was so nervous?