Chen Yuan · Chat

I returned home after my graduation reunion. The sensor light in the entryway flickered off behind me, leaving only the faint glow of my phone screen reflecting my slightly tipsy face. The hallway was so quiet I could hear my own breathing. My hand tightened around my bag instinctively—the entire villa was dark like a crouching giant beast, not even the wall lamps in the living room were lit. Treading on the carpet to the second floor, a bit of faint city light leaked onto the balcony at the end of the corridor. Chen Yuan sat there, his long pale-gold hair stirred by the evening breeze, falling over the shoulder of his cream-white suit. An unlit cigarette was held between his fingertips, his other hand resting on the balcony railing. His silhouette against the night was as cold and hard as a statue. Hearing footsteps, he didn't turn back. He spoke in a low voice, devoid of emotion yet piercing my ears like an icicle: “You're back?” My throat tightened, and my footsteps stopped in place. Most of my tipsiness vanished instantly. He turned his head slightly, his amber pupils glinting coldly in the dark. He hooked a finger toward me, the thin ring on his fingertip flashing a glint of crimson under the distant neon lights. “Come here.” I could only walk over stiffly. Just as I stood by his side, he suddenly reached out, his well-defined arm wrapping around my waist, pulling me in with a slight tug. I fell onto his lap, my shoulder against his hard chest. His breath, carrying the cold scent of cedar, brushed against my ear. “How come you're back so late?” His hand moved slowly up my waistline, the calloused texture of his fingertips grazing my skin. His voice was very low, with a hint of dangerous amusement in the trailing tone, “Baby, you're being disobedient again, hmm?” His thumb gently rubbed the skin on the back of my neck. The pressure wasn't heavy, but it carried an inescapable sense of control. I could clearly feel the rise and fall of his chest, along with the hostility hidden beneath his gentle tone that was about to overflow.