"Song Qi!" she stopped him abruptly as he opened the door to go in. "We should go home. It won't be good if we get back too late and people worry."
He showed no emotion, his eyes dark. "Come in. I believe you won't want to say it at the doorway."
Looking into his eyes, Shen Jianxi hesitated for a moment before slowly stepping inside.
Her dawdling made Song Qi impatient. He strode forward, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and closed the door with his foot.
This position made Shen Jianxi very uncomfortable. She struggled to get down but was slapped on the behind by Song Qi.
The force wasn't heavy, but it made her freeze.
When he set her down on the ground, blood rushed to her head, making her limbs weak and her head dizzy. She fell onto the bed and before she could react, he pinned her wrists.
"Song Qi?"
She was still somewhat dazed, unsure of what Song Qi intended to do.
Looking down at the person pinned beneath him, the expression in Song Qi's eyes deepened, becoming somewhat chilling. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
He was giving her a chance, an opportunity to confess.
Shen Jianxi's heart skipped a beat. She avoided his gaze. "No, nothing."
"Really?" As he spoke, his long, well-defined fingers played with his shirt buttons.
"Song Qi, what are you trying to say?"
One button,
"Don't do this!"
Two buttons,
"I really don't know what to say."
Three buttons,
"I want to go back!" Her voice was tinged with a sob, carrying a hint of panic.
Song Qi suddenly lowered his head and bit her shoulder. She instinctively hissed in pain.
He only let go when he tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth, his lips dotted with red. He looked down at her from above.
"What happened between you and Song Duanli, do I need to remind you?"
Shen Jianxi's mind flashed with the thought, 'So it was that.' She just didn't know who had told him.
It was unlikely to be Song Duanli; he should know the consequences if he spoke. Xie Shu and Song Qi had always been distant. His target was Xie Shu, so it had to be Xie Shu.
Indeed, her guess last time was correct. Xie Shu had broken up with her because of this...
"What are you thinking about?"
Her chin was lifted by Song Qi, and Shen Jianxi only then realized she had zoned out in front of Song Qi at this moment. "Song Qi, I..."
She wanted to explain, but Song Qi gave her no opportunity. "Thinking about Song Duanli?"
"Heh!" he sneered. "Song Duanli, Xie Shu, Fu Yi."
"Two out of the three men are related to you, aren't they?"
"I went to compete, and you've been quite busy!"
Her wrist twitched, only to be held tighter. She had no choice but to look at him. "It's not what you think, I..."
This situation made her feel very insecure. Everything was exposed to Song Qi's gaze, with no concealment.
"Are you going to say you didn't?"
"Heh! I won't believe a single word you say. I'll check for myself."
With that, he used the tie of her robe to bind her hands to the headboard and pinned her struggling legs.
Shen Jianxi knew that if she said she was forced that day, Song Qi wouldn't make things difficult for her, but...
What would be the point then?
She was so scared her voice trembled. "Don't do this, Song Qi. Calm down."
"Listen to me."
"Shh!" Song Qi placed a finger on her lips. "Don't speak, okay? Otherwise, I'll only get angrier."
She was so frightened that she quickly closed her mouth, afraid of provoking him further. She could only shake her head helplessly, her eyes pleading with him.
Tears of fear trickled down the corners of her eyes and onto the sheets.
But...
Sensing his intention, Shen Jianxi's eyes widened in horror, and she cried out, "No!"
The next second, her lips were sealed.
The matter he had heard from Xie Shu was suddenly confirmed, which made him furious.
77: "Beep! Favorability +10, current Song Qi favorability is 80."
"Target successfully captured!"
"You should know, I won't give you to anyone."
...
Waking up in the early morning, Shen Jianxi found herself still held in his arms. As she stirred, a male voice sounded from above her head. "Awake?"
"You..." As soon as she spoke, she was shocked. Was this her own voice? It was hoarse to this extent.
She cursed Song Qi for being inhuman in her heart and reached out to push him away, only to be startled by the dots on her arm.
"Wait a moment, I'll get you some water."
Song Qi, naked, walked off. Shen Jianxi snuggled into the covers, contemplating her next move.
Currently, both Song Qi and Xie Shu had been successfully captured. Only Song Duanli and Fu Yi remained. Therefore, she absolutely couldn't move out from Song Duanli's place, or she would have no chance to interact with him again. How should she handle things with Song Qi...
"Here." While she was thinking, Song Qi returned with a cup of water and sat on the bed, gently helping her to sit up.
She drank a large cup of water from Song Qi's hand, and Shen Jianxi felt her throat was no longer so dry. "I want to go back."
Although her voice was still hoarse, it was much better than when she first woke up.
"Okay, we'll go home in a while."
She knew that the home Song Qi was referring to was not Song Duanli's place, but where they used to live.
"I want to go back to Song, Duan, Li's place." Fearing Song Qi wouldn't hear clearly, she deliberately spoke the three names slowly and with emphasis.
Song Qi reached out, grabbed the back of her neck, and pulled her close, saying coldly, "What, in a hurry to go back and be intimate with him?"
"You wish!"
"From today onwards, you are not allowed to leave my side for a single step."
"Sure, no problem," Song Qi said, surprised at her easy agreement. Then he heard her continue, "I thought Song Duanli's proposal last time was very good. Don't worry, after I'm with Song Duanli..."
"Damn it!" He stood up, walked a few steps, and then suddenly threw the water cup in his hand heavily onto the ground. "Song Duanli, Song Duanli, all you ever talk about is Song Duanli, isn't it?!"
He turned back and grabbed her shoulders. "I met you first, why did you choose Song Duanli? Why?!"
"Why do you all choose him! Then who... who will choose me?"
Saying this, he sank weakly to the ground, his voice dejected and low, his whole demeanor suddenly listless.
His state made Shen Jianxi pause. She unconsciously softened her tone. "Song Qi, don't be like this. Our relationship will never change."
"I cherish this identity more than a boyfriend."
"Boyfriends can change, but you never will."
"As long as you're willing to be my brother, I will always firmly choose you."
Her voice at this moment sounded light and soft, with a hint of manipulation.
77 listened, almost getting confused. Good heavens, this promise she was making was quite something.