Chapter 62: Love as Fragile as Glass

Many people yearn for a love as pure as crystal—clear and flawless, without the slightest imperfection; yet, far more possess a love like glass—just as transparent, but easily shattered.

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At the very moment their gazes met, with emotions poised to burst forth, an abrupt interruption from the outside world startled them like frightened snails, retreating swiftly into their own emotional shells.

The dishes from the kitchen arrived quickly; soon, the table was full. Each poured the complexity of their feelings from the previous moment into the pleasures of food and wine.

“I can’t eat anymore…” Xue Zuining put down her chopsticks and burped contentedly. If at first she'd devoured her meal to silence the turmoil within, now she was genuinely captivated by the feast before her.

Her greedy eyes lingered on the untouched plate of honey-glazed lotus root, filled with regret that the “yam soup” had taken up most of her stomach.

“Are you full?” Lu Huaining seemed to have forgotten the earlier incident, watching her with amusement as she gazed longingly at the food, unable to part with it yet powerless to continue. The phrase “a beauty worth feasting upon” came irresistibly to mind. Throughout the meal, he'd barely touched his own chopsticks, but his spirits were buoyant.

Xue Zuining pouted and nodded, her eyes still fixed on the tempting honey-glazed lotus root.

“Lu Huaining, you did this on purpose. You tricked me into eating cake first, and then…” And now, here she was!

Lu Huaining chuckled, pushing the lotus root toward her. “Try it. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Xue Zuining clutched her swirling stomach, grumbling, “It’s all that misleading ‘yam soup’s’ fault. Clearly made with wild pheasant broth and simmered to perfection with premium shark fin, how dare it call itself ‘yam soup’?” She scooped a thick piece of shark fin from the remaining broth with a porcelain spoon, shaking her head in disappointment before her gaze shifted to the pitifully disguised roasted sweet potato. “This one's even more deceptive—a humble sweet potato filled with blood bird’s nest drizzled in mullet roe sauce. Truly worthy of condemnation!”

“Such a foodie!” he remarked bluntly.

Just as Lu Huaining thought Xue Zuining had given up on the honey-glazed lotus root, he caught her slyly picking up her chopsticks and launching a swift attack on the lotus slices. Her ruby lips gently bit into the syrupy treat.

“Ah… I regret it now. I should have started with this…” Xue Zuining blinked ruefully. “Can I have it packed to go?”

Lu Huaining walked over, intending to wipe the syrup from her lips with a napkin. But under the warm, golden light, her understated lips seemed to possess a fatal allure. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but when his cool lips brushed hers, time itself appeared to freeze, caught in the gaze they shared.

Mm, sweet!

“We’ll come back another time.” Lu Huaining ended the kiss that caught her off guard, ruffling her hair. She sprang away like a startled bird.

“Alright! The birthday celebration is over…” Xue Zuining avoided his seemingly calm gaze, her anxious eyes fixed on her tangled fingers. “I should go back.”

Lu Huaining seemed accustomed to her deliberate distance. His eagle-like eyes swept over her, then he turned to descend the stairs. Xue Zuining followed anxiously, wanting to remind him not to drive after drinking, but ultimately slipped silently into the car, unable to voice her concern as his eyes blurred with the effects of alcohol.

By the time they returned to the hotel, it was nearly one in the morning.

Before swiping her room card, she lingered at the door handle. “Lu Huaining, good night!” She admitted, in her own way, she was banishing this tempestuous tyrant from her life.

Beep! The door opened.

As she stepped inside, barely one foot past the threshold, she was suddenly seized from behind by a cold, unexpected embrace that thrust her forward.

The door was instantly hooked shut by the man’s leather shoe.

While kissing her deeply, he pinned her firmly against the door, as if she were a delicate but helpless butterfly specimen. In the darkness, she fought desperately for breath, only to feel the sharp pain in her back.

“Xue Zuining, your night is over. Mine has just begun.” He whispered in her ear, gently declaring his claim.

Xue Zuining watched the fire ignite in his eyes. It seemed, as the clock hand crossed the midnight boundary, he had reverted to being Lu Huaining again. For her, there were only two choices: to accept, or to be forced to accept.

The darkness heightened every sense. She was powerless to preserve her dignity, surrendering to his actions as they stripped away her defenses one by one. In that moment, she felt like a fish stranded on the sand, struggling to escape the cruel verdict of fate. But he clasped her hands behind her back, forcing her to surrender to his relentless pleasure—his delight, her torment.

“Don’t run!” He seemed to laugh. “Feel with your heart. You’ll enjoy it…”

She hated his presumptuous generosity, her sharp nails digging into his fists. As his movements grew more fervent, she erupted like a dormant volcano, pouring out her rage. “Get away… I didn’t call for a gigolo!”

Suddenly, everything stopped. The silence was terrifying…