The words fell, and silence descended upon the air.
Li Qiong Yu looked at her indifferently. Though he made no move, she felt a profound unease.
Wei Qing Ge unconsciously took a step back, stubbornly asking, "Why are you looking at me?"
Seeing her fear, Li Qiong Yu averted his gaze and turned his attention to the pastries on the table.
"You came to see me first thing in the morning without eating, aren't you hungry?"
"Who knows if you've put poison in them?"
Li Qiong Yu's gaze sharpened. He picked up a pastry from the table and ate a small piece from each plate.
Wei Qing Ge watched him, astonished. He detested sweets; why would he eat these cloyingly sweet things?
"Can I eat them now?"
He turned his head to look at her, then seemingly remembered something. He picked up a cup of herbal tea and downed it in one gulp.
Wei Qing Ge pursed her lips, about to say something, when she saw him clutching his forehead in discomfort, sweat beading on his brow, his whole body seeming to be in pain.
Slightly alarmed, she hurried over and chided, "You can't eat these things. Have you forgotten?"
But as soon as the words left her mouth, he suddenly reached out, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her onto his lap.
"You're lying to me again! Let go!" Wei Qing Ge exclaimed, angry.
Li Qiong Yu didn't release her, burying his head in the crook of her neck, his voice tinged with a hint of grievance.
"Qing Ge, I was wrong. Forgive me, won't you?"
Seeing her struggle further, he immediately tightened his grip around her waist, held her head, and forced her to look directly at him.
Enraged, Wei Qing Ge bit down hard on his shoulder. It was firm, making her teeth ache.
"It's my fault, I'll accept any punishment. Can we not break off the engagement?"
His handsome, alluring peach blossom eyes were full of sincerity, but Wei Qing Ge now refused to believe anything he said.
"Li Qiong Yu, stop pretending. You think you can trick me by playing on my soft heart."
Whenever she recalled the past six months, when he feigned playful banter with her while secretly kidnapping, drugging, and manipulating her, all while appearing harmless, she felt a chill of fear.
Having known him for many years, she felt she had never truly known the man before her.
She detested deception the most, especially betrayal by someone she trusted.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she began to struggle with all her might.
"Let go of me—"
Li Qiong Yu's eyes darkened. Taking advantage of her kicking motion, he pushed her down onto the table.
With a clang, plates and bowls fell, making a series of noises.
Wei Qing Ge's eyes reddened slightly, and she glared at him through gritted teeth.
"What are you doing? Let go."
Li Qiong Yu held both her hands high above her head with one hand, while the other moved to her waistband, his lowered eyelids filled with possessive aggression.
He forcibly suppressed the dark thoughts within him and looked down at her.
"Qing Ge, don't even think about breaking off the engagement. I won't agree, and you'll never be able to. You can only marry me obediently."
Seeing that he had finally revealed his true intentions, Wei Qing Ge said sarcastically, "Not going to pretend anymore?"
Li Qiong Yu gave a slight pull at his lips and leaned in towards her. As he drew closer, she could clearly hear her own breathing.
He said in a husky voice, "I can pretend for you my entire life."
Wei Qing Ge looked at him with disgust. "Li Qiong Yu, you scare me, you make me sick. I will not marry you."
"If you don't go to the Prince to cancel the engagement, then we'll live separate lives, a couple in name only."
As soon as she spoke, a chill permeated the surroundings.
Wei Qing Ge could clearly see the terrifying look in his eyes as he gazed at her face—an unprecedented strangeness, a cold indifference, and a trace of sick madness.
Her back shivered inexplicably.
Sensing her fear, Li Qiong Yu softened his gaze.
"Qing Ge, don't say things like that again. I'm really struggling to hold back."
His lips brushed against her cheek, and he whispered into her ear, his voice filled with lingering affection.
Wei Qing Ge couldn't fathom his meaning, only feeling that he had returned to his senses. She began to kick him with her legs.
Her kicks were forceful and painful.
However, Li Qiong Yu seemed impervious to the pain, refusing to let go.
He gently kissed her cheek with his lips, finding it smooth and tender, as delicate as porcelain.
The suppressed desires in his heart seemed to erupt, tearing through the thin veil of pretense.
He began to lick and kiss her, tracing her cheek and provocatively nipping her earlobe.
Wei Qing Ge's entire body went numb and trembled, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
She wanted to curse him out, but as soon as she opened her mouth, a low moan escaped.
Her face instantly flushed crimson.
As if emboldened, Li Qiong Yu efficiently unfastened her skirt, which parted like flowers on both sides, revealing her delicate inner garment.
Wei Qing Ge trembled all over and said in a muffled, exasperated tone, "What are you doing? Are you sick?"
She had never imagined that she, who had come to break off the engagement, would be pinned to the table and treated so outrageously.
Li Qiong Yu knew she disliked it, but he no longer cared. He lowered his head and kissed her.
Wei Qing Ge was overwhelmed by his kiss, her body going numb. The corners of her eyes turned red, her clear, moon-like almond eyes filled with a seductive haze.
He kneaded and squeezed her, his touch rough, making her body tremble violently.
Horrified by her own reaction, she stammered, "What are you doing? Get up quickly."
"Scared already?"
He raised his charming peach blossom eyes, a hint of a smile in them.
Wei Qing Ge was both angry and scared, twisting her waist as she struggled.
Li Qiong Yu kissed her lips and whispered seductively into her ear, "Don't be afraid, I will give you the most exhilarating pleasure."
With that, he released her hands and pressed down on her legs, kissing her.
Wei Qing Ge, unsure of his intentions, opened her mouth to curse him, but the next moment, a tingling sensation shot up her spine to her scalp, making her almost jump up.
Greatly shocked, she kicked and yelled angrily, "You're crazy! You're insane, Li Qiong Yu—"
But he seemed to have developed an addiction, ignoring her struggles and firmly pinning her kicking legs.
Wei Qing Ge's eyes were flushed, her body trembling fearfully.
Her mind was in a daze, tears of fear welling up in her eyes. She kept calling his name and desperately tried to push him away.
However, the warmth from her palms made her retract her hands.
The wind outside blew in gently, and layers of sheer curtains draped down, obscuring the two figures on the table inside the hall.
Wei Qing Ge's throat grew hoarse from cursing, but he didn't release her.
In her daze, she remembered all the things he had done behind her back, and it struck her that he must have done similar things frequently in secret.
You damned scoundrel, taking advantage of the situation.
She suppressed her body's involuntary reactions and cursed out loud, "Your brothels must have been thriving."
Catching the mockery in her words, Li Qiong Yu looked up, licked his lips, and smiled, "Do you like it?"
"No, it's disgusting."
He ignored her gaze and lowered his head, blocking her lips.
Ah—she was going insane.
He was a pervert, and she didn't want to become one too.
Wei Qing Ge dodged and struggled, but she was no match for his strength and was pinned beneath him, being kissed.