Still he played along, he might as well see where this was going to get.
"Give me one good reason, why I should marry you and not Xiao Lian?"
Yunying's lips curved into a slow, confident smile. She leaned in, close enough that her breath brushed against his cheek.
"One reason?" Her voice dropped, low and steady. "Because you'll never be bored with me. I'm not here to cling, to beg, or to play little games like Xu Lian. I'll challenge you. I'll stand beside you. And if you marry me, Qian Jinxing…" she tilted her head, eyes gleaming, "…I'll make your life a lot more interesting..."
Jinxing's brow ticked up, surprise flickering for the briefest second before amusement chased it away.
He let out a brief chuckle, his hand tightening slightly on her waist.
"Such confidence. You're must be insane to think you can make my life interesting…."
Yunying didn't blink. "You doubt me?."
Qian Jinxing's piercing gaze locked onto hers, his eyes glinting with challenge. "What if you fail to keep my interest?" His tone was icy, a deliberate test, as though he expected her to shatter under the weight of his scrutiny.
But Yunying didn't flinch. Instead, she leaned in, her lips curving into a sly smile that hinted at mischief. "If I can't keep your interest.." she purred, her voice low and husky " then I'll raise your blood pressure. At least something will be going up."
The audacity of her response hung in the air, a provocative whisper that dared him to react. For the first time that night, Jinxing's composure cracked, just barely his lips twitching into a surprised smile.
His eyes gleamed with intrigue, the kind of look reserved for something or someone that had just become infinitely more fascinating. "You've got quite the mouth.." he murmured, his arm tightening around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Careful, Miss Xu… that tongue of yours might get you into trouble." The warning was laced with amusement, but beneath it lay a thread of genuine caution.
Jinxing's words hung in the air like smoke, thick and daring, challenging her to respond.
Most women would've retreated by now, intimidated by his dominance.
But Yunying wasn't most women. Her smirk widened, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Then maybe you should test just how much trouble I can be."
Before he could react, she closed the distance between them, her lips brushing against his in a soft, deliberate, and reckless kiss.
For a moment, Jinxing froze, his composure shattered by her audacity.
Then, like a dam breaking, his control snapped, and he deepened the kiss, his hand sliding up her back to press her closer.
The intensity left her breathless.
When they finally broke apart, Yunying's gaze met his, unbothered by the heat in his eyes.
She licked her lips, a subtle smile playing on her mouth. "Looks like I just kept your interest."
Qian Jinxing's low, husky laugh sent shivers down her spine. "Kept it? No, Miss Xu. You just ignited it."
Qian Jinxing stood without warning, scooping Yunying up like she weighed nothing. She squeaked, clutching at his shoulder as he strode toward the door.
"W–what are you doing?!" she hissed.
He didn't even slow his steps. "Miss Xu, let's get hitched."
Her eyes widened. "Now?!"
Jinxing's lips curved, wicked amusement playing across his features. "Why not? You asked for it. I'm a man who likes efficiency."
"Efficiency?! It's the middle of the night!" she protested, wriggling in his hold. "Courthouses don't work twenty-four hours, you maniac!"
"Then we wait until morning.." he said, completely unbothered.
By the time they reached the lower floor, Yunying spotted Suihe at the bar, leaning forward with her tattooed arms on full display, teasing the bartender into a flushed mess.
"Place me down.." Yunying demanded, tugging at Jinxing's collar. "I need to go home with my friend. It's important."
Jinxing finally set her on her feet, though his hand lingered at her waist, grounding her. "Important enough to leave me behind?"
Yunying smirked, brushing off her skirt. "Relax, Mr. Qian. If I'm serious about the marriage,you'll see me in the morning. If not…" she tilted her chin. "…then I suppose you'll have to live with a little regret."
For the first time that night, Qian Jinxing let out a genuine laugh, although it felt quite humourless. "Miss Xu, you're playing with fire."
"So?" Yunying tossed her hair, already walking toward Suihe. "At least it keeps you warm."
Jinxing smiled, complete stiffened by her reply.
Yunying half-dragged, half-carried Suihe out of the bar, her arms aching by the time she got her friend safely home.
After slipping back into her own clothes, she headed to her family's house, the midnight stillness enveloping her as she slipped inside.
As she pushed open her bedroom door, she was met with a mess. The shopping bags she'd brought home earlier were torn open and rifled through, with several pieces missing.
A wicked smile spread across her face.
They took the bait.
She scooped up the bags and padded quietly down the hall, finding a different room.
The room was beautifully decorated, and had everything a room should have.
Plus it was ten times bigger than that shit hole, they called a room.
It was almost laughable how easy it was to step back into what had always been Yunying's.
Collapsing onto the bed, Yunying flipped her phone over in her hand. On the screen, a new contact stared back at her:Qian Jinxing.
Her wicked smile deepened. The Qian Jinxing..the man Xiao Lian had been salivating over, desperately angling for.
Tomorrow, he'd be hers.
If that wasn't the loudest slap across Xiao Lian's face, she didn't know what was.
Yunying licked her lips as she rose to change into her pajamas, humming under her breath.
"And if she thinks I'll stop at just stealing her precious Qian Jinxing? Boy was she wrong."
The thought burned hot in her chest, it was almost intoxicating.
This was only the beginning. Soon she would strip Xiao Lian of everything she'd stolen. Piece by piece. Even the things that had never belonged to her in the first place.