Chapter 14
The kiss was soft at first, a tentative brushing of lips that felt like a quiet sigh of relief after a long storm. Lin Mian’s eyes fluttered shut, his hands clutching the expensive fabric of Lu Chen’s shirt as if he were a drowning man clinging to his only lifeline.
But Lu Chen was not a man who took things lightly.
As soon as he registered the sweet, intoxicating reality of Lin Mian’s lips against his, a low, guttural growl vibrated deep within his chest. The restraint he had fiercely maintained for years-the agonizing patience of watching Lin Mian from a safe distance-shattered into absolute dust.
Lu Chen’s large hand moved instantly to the back of Lin Mian’s neck, his fingers tangling into the soft, dark strands of hair, angling his head to deepen the kiss. His other arm wound around Lin Mian’s waist, pulling the younger boy completely over the center console and directly into his lap.
Lin Mian gasped at the sudden, breathtaking dominance, allowing Lu Chen to claim his mouth completely. The kiss turned deep, burning, and desperately possessive. It tasted of unspoken promises, of a love so fierce it bordered on madness, and a profound, grounding warmth that finally chased away the lingering chill of Shao Ting’s threatening text message.
When Lu Chen finally broke the kiss, his forehead rested against Lin Mian’s, both of them breathing heavily in the dim, shadowed luxury of the Maybach. Lu Chen’s eyes were a stormy, dark abyss, flashing with a raw hunger that made Lin Mian’s knees turn to jelly.
“If you kiss me like that, Xiao Mian,” Lu Chen whispered, his voice incredibly raspy as his thumb stroked Lin Mian’s swollen, reddened lips, “I will never let you out of this car. I will lock you away where no one else can ever look at you.”
Lin Mian let out a soft, breathless laugh, his cheeks burning a radiant crimson. Instead of being frightened by the intense, borderline obsessive words, he wrapped his arms tighter around Lu Chen’s neck, burying his face into the older man’s shoulder.
“Then lock me away,” Lin Mian murmured softly against his skin. “As long as it’s with you, I don’t care about the rest of the world.”
Lu Chen held him tight, his heart hammering violently against Lin Mian’s chest. For the first time in his life, the untouchable, ruthless CEO felt a terrifying sense of absolute happiness.
By 8:00 PM, the grand ballroom of the Lin estate was resplendent, illuminated by massive crystal chandeliers and filled with the laughter of Shanghai’s high-society elite. Master Lin had invited everyone-prominent business tycoons, government officials, and close family friends-to celebrate the Lin Group’s spectacular victory over Guangshi Real Estate.
When Lin Mian walked down the grand spiral staircase, dressed in a sleek, midnight-blue velvet suit that accentuated his slim waist and pale complexion, the entire room fell into a respectful silence.
The whispers tonight were entirely different from the ones a month ago.
*”Look at him. He doesn’t look like a reckless socialite at all anymore.”*
*”He single-handedly exposed corporate espionage. The Lin family’s future is secure.”*
*”He’s breathtakingly handsome when he’s not throwing tantrums…”*
Lin Mian maintained a polite, elegant smile, nodding gracefully to the guests as he navigated the crowd. He stopped next to his sister, Lin Ran, who was sipping champagne.
“You look beautiful tonight, Xiao Mian,” Lin Ran teased, clinking her glass against his sparkling water. “And I see your ‘shadow’ is already keeping watch.”
Lin Mian followed her gaze toward the VIP lounge section. Standing there, surrounded by older, intimidating billionaires, was Lu Chen. Despite being engaged in a high-level conversation about maritime logistics, Lu Chen’s dark eyes were fixed squarely on Lin Mian across the crowded room, tracking his every movement like a wolf guarding its territory.
Lin Mian’s heart swelled, but before he could reply to his sister, a sudden commotion at the grand entrance of the ballroom drew everyone’s attention.
The heavy oak doors were pushed open by two unfamiliar, imposing men dressed in sharp, identical black suits. The cheerful classical music faltered as a cold, oppressive atmosphere swept into the room.
Stepping through the threshold was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. He wore an immaculate, silver-grey tailored suit, a silk handkerchief neatly tucked into his pocket. He was extraordinarily handsome, but his features possessed a sharp, predatory elegance. His eyes, cold and calculating like a viper, scanned the room before locking onto Lin Mian.
Lin Mian’s breath froze in his throat. The glass of sparkling water slipped from his fingers, shattering loudly against the marble floor.
It was him.
**Shao Ting.**
The international tycoon had not stayed in Hong Kong. He had arrived in Shanghai forty-eight hours earlier than expected.
“Master Lin, forgive my uninvited intrusion,” Shao Ting’s smooth, melodic voice echoed through the silent ballroom, carrying a distinct, velvety Hong Kong accent. He walked forward, his steps slow and deliberate, completely ignoring the tense stares of the security guards.
Shao Ting stopped a few paces away from the Lin family, his lips curling into a deceptive, charming smile. He raised a hand, gesturing to his assistant, who immediately stepped forward carrying an exquisite, antique wooden box.
“I happened to be in Shanghai on business and heard about your youngest son’s brilliant corporate victory,” Shao Ting said, his eyes shifting from Master Lin straight to Lin Mian’s pale face. The look in his eyes was sickeningly dark, filled with a twisted, sadistic amusement.
“As a token of my admiration for the brilliant Young Master Lin,” Shao Ting murmured, his voice dropping into a low, intimate register that made the hairs on Lin Mian’s neck stand up, “I brought a rare, 18th-century gold birdcage as a gift. After all… a beautiful, clever sparrow deserves a fitting place to rest.”
The underlying threat in his words was code, a direct callback to the terrifying text message. Lin Mian’s chest heaved, the traumatic memories of his past life’s destruction threatening to overwhelm his mind.
Before Shao Ting could take another step toward Lin Mian, a towering, dark figure abruptly cut off his line of sight.
Lu Chen stepped directly between them, his massive shoulders completely blocking Lin Mian from Shao Ting’s predatory gaze. The murderous, suffocating aura radiating from Lu Chen was so intense that the nearby guests instinctively scrambled backward, sensing the immediate danger.
Lu Chen stared down at Shao Ting, his jaw rigid, his eyes burning with a lethal, terrifying bloodlust.
“Director Shao,” Lu Chen said, his deep voice sounding like a rumbling thunderstorm before a catastrophic strike. He didn’t look at the antique box; he simply looked at the man who dared to threaten his lover.
“Shanghai is a very dangerous city for outsiders who don’t know their place,” Lu Chen whispered, stepping an inch closer, completely towering over the Hong Kong tycoon. “Take your trash and get out of this house before I ensure you leave this city in a coffin.”
To be continue
