Chapter 026: Did You Enjoy the Game Just Now?

The car was about to crash into Jiang Yao.

In that split second, a tall figure suddenly sprang forward, moving with such effortless agility that he swept Jiang Yao into his arms.

She was held tightly against his chest as the two of them rolled several meters along the ground, narrowly evading the car’s second “attack.”

Gasping for breath, Jiang Yao finally saw the face of her rescuer.

His features were sculpted, each line and angle exquisitely defined; his eyes, though cold, held a subtle warmth.

He Yunqing.

But the car, relentless, turned its headlights once more toward them, speeding in their direction.

He Yunqing’s brows lifted, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes. He frowned, then decisively pulled Jiang Yao close and rolled with her toward the surface of Lake Fojing.

The thin layer of ice shattered under the force of their bodies.

The winter lake was bone-chilling. Sinking into the water, Jiang Yao felt a frigid cold like the grip of an ancient glacier, seeping in from every direction, freezing her limbs until all she wanted was to curl into herself.

He Yunqing held her tightly, never letting go.

Seeing her distress, he pressed his lips toward hers, intent on sharing his breath with her.

Jiang Yao steadied herself and, realizing his intention, turned her head away, gently evading his mouth. She covered her own lips, shaking her head at him.

He Yunqing’s brow furrowed slightly. With a large hand, he brushed her hand aside, pointing first at his lips, then at hers.

But Jiang Yao took the opportunity to push him away, then pointed one finger upward, indicating her desire to surface.

He Yunqing’s expression grew stern. He leaned forward, arms slicing through the water, and reached out to seize the collar at the back of her coat, pulling her up toward the surface.

Two heads broke through the ice on Lake Fojing.

The car that had just tried to run them down had vanished without a trace.

Drenched to the skin, they dragged themselves ashore, collapsing at the lake’s edge, gasping for air.

The cold wind bit mercilessly, making their soaked clothes even heavier and more frigid.

Jiang Yao’s face had turned as white as paper. Shivering, she huddled in on herself, rubbing her arms desperately for warmth.

He Yunqing, though equally soaked, bore not a trace of disarray. His hair dripped with water, droplets clinging to his face. His shirt, loosened by their struggle, revealed the contours of his firm chest, which rose and fell with each breath, lending him an air of wild elegance.

He wiped his face with a broad hand and, noticing how Jiang Yao trembled from the cold, asked, “Are you alright?”

Jiang Yao, shaken and feeling as though she’d just survived a disaster, turned to look at him without speaking.

“How are you?” He Yunqing moved closer, his voice raised in concern. He reached for his coat to wrap around her, then realized it was as wet as hers. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, rubbing her body vigorously to bring back warmth.

Instinctively, Jiang Yao shrank away, struggling to escape his grasp.

She dreaded this kind of physical contact, these broken boundaries that always brought back memories of that venomous man when she was fifteen…

“Is this really the time for modesty?” He Yunqing’s voice was stern, a blend of reprimand and exasperation.

Jiang Yao shook her head. At last, she looked at him and said her first words: “I’m alright.”

He helped her to her feet, casting her a sidelong glance. “Why didn’t you let me share my breath with you?”

This woman, usually so gentle, could be unbelievably stubborn when she chose.

Jiang Yao shivered. “I can swim.”

She had learned many years ago and could hold her breath underwater without difficulty. It was just the shock of the cold that had gotten to her.

Not only could she swim, but she drove well, and had even spent two years at a boxing gym. In the end, though, she had to admit she had no talent for boxing and gave it up.

All of this was in preparation for the day she saw that man walk free.

She was determined, at the very least, to defend herself. But now, faced with real danger, she realized she still needed someone else to save her…

Fear and frustration welled up inside Jiang Yao.

“Aren’t you going to ask what happened today?” After a long, silent walk, Jiang Yao finally spoke, her voice muffled.

“If I ask, will you even answer?” He Yunqing replied with a question of his own.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together, uncertain what to say.

There were no cameras by the lake. Even if someone wanted to investigate, it would be difficult to find any clues.

But Jiang Yao knew—apart from that man, there was no one else.

He Yunqing led her to a nearby hotel and booked a room. Too many people at the hospital knew him; returning there would only stir up more trouble.

In the hotel room, Jiang Yao took a bath, wrapped herself in a robe.

Lately, it seemed fate was playing tricks on her, always finding herself alone with He Yunqing…

He Yunqing sat on the sofa, gently toweling his hair dry.

A sudden vibration broke the silence—the phone on the table.

Jiang Yao’s phone.

He Yunqing glanced at it indifferently. It was an unfamiliar number.

He ignored it, continuing to dry his hair.

The call rang out, then ended.

A moment later, another vibration—this time, a message: “Did you enjoy the little game just now?”

He Yunqing’s gaze settled on the message. His clear eyes grew unreadable, shadows flickering beneath their surface.

The bathroom door opened with a click.

Jiang Yao emerged, saw her phone screen alight, and hurried over, her anxiety plain to He Yunqing.

He pressed his lips into a thin line, feigning nonchalance. “You had a call.”

“Oh, you didn’t answer, did you?” she asked nervously, checking her phone.

She had just seen the message when her phone vibrated again.

Glancing at He Yunqing, Jiang Yao bit her lip, turned away, and stepped aside to answer.

A man’s malicious laughter sounded on the other end.

“Did you like the game just now?”

Jiang Yao gripped her phone tightly, her voice low. “For what you just did, I could call the police.”

“Oh? Then why haven’t they come for me? Ah, no evidence, is that it?” The man’s laughter grew even more arrogant.

“As long as you’ve done it, there will be evidence,” Jiang Yao replied firmly.

“Don’t make baseless accusations. I haven’t done anything,” the man sneered, his tone suddenly turning sinister. “Who was that man with you just now?”

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but glance back at He Yunqing on the sofa.

He was gazing out the window, his finger tapping a rhythmic beat on the coffee table. The soft glow of the setting sun cast its light over him, almost unbearably beautiful.

He existed in a world that was not hers, separated by layers she could not cross…