Bai Xi’s cold gaze softened slightly, her brow subtly lifting as she looked at Han Mo before her.
Frankly, this man was not only pure and kind to a fault, but also incredibly bold.
Ever since five years ago, no man dared to approach her when a dagger was in her hand, let alone at such close proximity.
Their eyes met, and an ambiguous atmosphere flowed between them. The purple lamplight in the room cast a soft, tender hue on the man, making her heart flutter for a moment, reminding her of that night in her dream.
But ultimately, she was no ordinary woman. Even though the man before her was undeniably attractive, even bordering on sinful, she remained unfazed.
She vaguely felt she should say something to ease the awkwardness, but couldn't find the right words. In the end, all she could manage were these two sentences: "Sorry, it's a reflex."
Han Mo's eyes flickered slightly beneath his metal-rimmed glasses, and Bai Xi thought she saw a trace of… pity?
She had always been used to being assertive. The people she encountered were either those she needed to deal with or those who trembled in her presence. Yet, Han Mo before her showed no fear. His gaze at her was peculiar, much like a hint of… pity?
But the look was fleeting, as if it had never been there, leading her to believe it was merely an illusion. Perhaps, it was indeed an illusion!
Pity? What was there about her now that warranted pity?
She had already ascended to the pinnacle, powerful enough to protect everything she wished to safeguard. If anyone needed pity, it should be himself.
After all, he had just been brought here by Sun Lili, and now he had almost been injured by her.
Han Mo looked at Bai Xi for a long moment. His clear eyes seemed to hold an unfathomable, thick fog, a suppressed and contained emotion. His low voice softly escaped his thin lips: "Miss, you said 'repay resentment with kindness,' but how do you repay kindness…"
Bai Xi looked at him, wondering why he would suddenly repeat the words she had previously advised him on.
Could it be… a sudden enlightenment?
In that second of her contemplation, Han Mo spoke again: "What about repaying it with oneself?"
The moment he uttered these words, Bai Xi froze, her mind momentarily reeling.
'Repay resentment with kindness, but how do you repay kindness? What about repaying it with oneself?' Was Han Mo's intention… that he wanted to pledge himself to her, to repay her life-saving grace?
For an instant, Bai Xi doubted if she had heard correctly.
Because in her memory, Han Mo was pure, kind, and even a little shy. How could he suddenly say something like this?
Could it be…
Bai Xi's gaze at Han Mo turned cold and sharp: "Were you drugged by her?"
She had previously reviewed the information Shen Mingxun had provided him. The files stated that Sun Lili often drugged men she kidnapped to amuse herself.
The drug, once consumed, could make a man lustful, causing him to focus solely on intimate acts, unable to control or restrain himself. Furthermore, it would temporarily reduce sperm viability, allowing her to enjoy herself without the worry of pregnancy.
However, if used long-term, the drug would gradually deplete the man, eventually leaving him drained, impotent, and completely sterile.
Could Han Mo have been given such a drug by Sun Lili?
If so, what would be the side effects of just one dose? And now… did she need to find a woman for him?
The thought made her frown involuntarily.
Han Mo gradually regained his senses upon seeing Bai Xi’s clear and sharp eyes. He turned his face slightly and said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Miss, I am fine."
There was no one in this world capable of drugging him anymore, unless… he willed it himself.
Moreover, what was that drug to him? To him, Bai Xi herself was far more potent than any such drug.
It was to the extent that he had just spoken his deepest, most suppressed thoughts.
Unfortunately, he couldn't say it like this, nor could he do anything.
He couldn't let her see his true self. He feared he would scare her away, and even more, he feared she would remember the past and come to hate him intensely, never willing to look at him again.
Therefore… he had to be the person she had liked before.
Gentle, elegant, kind…
Bai Xi frowned, looking seriously at his averted face, and asked softly, "Are you really alright?"
Han Mo softly replied, "Mhm."
Bai Xi still harbored some doubts, worried that Han Mo was hiding the fact that he had been drugged due to shyness or embarrassment. She asked again to confirm: "Then why did you suddenly grab me just now?"
If he had been drugged and the effects had momentarily taken over, she might have understood. But he hadn't been drugged. Why would he inexplicably grab her, almost leading to him becoming a victim of her dagger?
Han Mo's eyes were gentle: "I intended to stand up just now, but due to being bound for so long, my body was weak, and I couldn't get up. I reached out, hoping Miss would help me stand, but I didn't expect to pull you down… I am truly sorry. If I offended you in any way, please forgive me, Miss."
After saying this, Han Mo lowered his head slightly, like a young boy who had made a mistake.
Bai Xi looked at the man before her, his seemingly fragile demeanor softening her heart.
So many things had happened today, and Han Mo was just a doctor. He must have been terrified. Coupled with being bound for so long, it was natural for him to be weak: "It's good that you're alright."
Bai Xi finished speaking. Seeing Han Mo still with his head bowed and silent, she began to wonder if she should… comfort him now?
But she had never been good at comforting people. After hesitating for a while, she raised the hand that wasn't holding the dagger and gently patted Han Mo's head, softly saying, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm here!"
As soon as she finished comforting him, she regretted it.
She felt as if she were coaxing a child.
However, Han Mo's body stiffened slightly at her action. The shallow depths of his eyes suddenly deepened, as if some ineffable emotion was surging within them, a sense of danger spreading.
Bai Xi looked at his expression, instinctively becoming wary. Yet, a sense of déjà vu inexplicably surfaced in her mind, causing her muscular reactions to falter.
That look…
Was it from the dream last time? Or perhaps from a long, long time ago…
Just as they were locking eyes, someone suddenly strode in, speaking as they walked: "Miss, the person has been sent to the dark division as per your instructions. All her assets and the establishments under her control will be purged by the end of today…"
Before he could finish speaking, he saw the scene in the room.
The man in the black tight-fitting suit involuntarily widened his eyes and gaped, a look of momentary shock on his face. But he quickly regained his composure, turned around, and mumbled: "Ah, where did Miss go? Since I can't find her, I'll wait by the door. We have the most patience."
As an elite guard of Bai Shen, they were meant to see what they should see, and not see what they shouldn't!
Bai Xi: "..."
She remembered that when she selected her personal bodyguards, she had strictly evaluated their capabilities. How had she not noticed these individuals… so prone to drama back then?