Under the bright light, the young man’s cold, sharp features appeared even more defined.

Qin Muye’s eyes were dark and gloomy, but his breath was exceptionally hot, tangling with her scent as they mingled in the air.

His large hand gripped her waist, the veins on it stark. His scorching body heat was still shockingly hot even through the thin fabric of her clothes.

Jiang Qingli’s heart suddenly began to pound.

She wanted to shrink away, but her back was against the wall.

There was no escape.

Jiang Qingli bit her lip, left with no choice but to meet his gaze.

"When was I avoiding you?" the girl’s voice was soft, laced with a hint of guilt.

Qin Muye caught the guilt in her eyes and scoffed. "Don’t play dumb."

"You ran the second you saw me." His gray-blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "If you weren’t avoiding me, were you trying to play a game of cat and mouse?"

"I saw you talking to Bai Yiyi and didn’t want to interrupt." Jiang Qingli put on a very considerate act. "You wouldn’t want to be disturbed, would you, Prince?"

Qin Muye sneered. "Wasn’t it because you can’t stand her?"

Jiang Qingli: "..."

’That wasn’t the only reason.’

’Mostly, I just didn’t want to talk to you.’

But since he already knew she hated Bai Yiyi, Jiang Qingli couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore.

"That’s right, I do hate her." Jiang Qingli shrugged. "She’s stolen everything from me since we were kids, so of course I hate her. You two seemed to be having such a great chat. Maybe one day you’ll end up like Chi Yun and the others, becoming her—MMPH, MMPH—"

Before she could finish, a large hand clamped over her mouth.

"You’re comparing me to those five bastards?" Qin Muye glared at her, clearly furious, his voice rising with every word. "Having a great chat with her? For fuck’s sake, you ran off the second you saw me! You didn’t see jack shit! And now you’re here spreading rumors about me!"

Jiang Qingli: "Mmph, mmph..."

The more Qin Muye thought about it, the angrier he got. "I haven’t even settled the score with you about the team-up, and you’re already trying to settle a score with me!"

How dare she compare him to those damn Beast Husbands?!

Growing up, Qin Muye had heard countless vicious insults. After returning to the Imperial Family, the newspapers had written, at a conservative estimate, millions of words maligning him.

But at this moment, Qin Muye felt that all those words combined weren’t as venomous as what Jiang Qingli had said today.

’The "Vicious Female" certainly lives up to her reputation.’

Qin Muye sneered. "We only exchanged three sentences. You, on the other hand, with those—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

’Wait a minute.’

’What business is it of mine if Jiang Qingli talks to those (former) Beast Husbands!’

’This detestable female must be doing it on purpose.’

Qin Muye asked coldly, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Jiang Qingli: "Mmph, mmph..."

She grabbed his wrist, and only then did Qin Muye realize he was still covering her mouth.

The girl’s lips moved, brushing against his palm.

As if pricked by a needle, he snatched his hand back, his breathing tightening.

"You’re unbelievable!" Jiang Qingli shot him a vicious glare and turned to leave.

After a few steps, she doubled back and stomped hard on his foot.

Then, afraid he would grab her in retaliation, she hurried away, the door slamming shut with a BANG.

Qin Muye heard her voice; it sounded like she was asking a sales assistant to help straighten the hem of her clothes.

’The hem... did my hand wrinkle it just now?’

Qin Muye looked down at his own palm.

And saw a crimson lip print.

It was especially glaring under the light.

His palm seemed to recall that soft touch, and the patch of skin with the lip print on it grew hotter and hotter.

Like a brand seared onto a believer by their god.

Bright red, scorching hot, and dazzling.

And yet, it made one want to bow their head and kiss it.

-

After straightening her clothes, Jiang Qingli walked out of the dressing area, looking for Lin Xiyue.

She turned a corner and saw a black-haired man sitting in the lounge area.

He was wearing a black casual shirt, his legs crossed, talking to a sales assistant.

As if sensing her gaze, he turned his head, his pair of golden, vertical pupils locking onto Jiang Qingli.

Jiang Qingli’s foot froze mid-stride.

’Ye Linyuan... what is he doing here?’

’This can’t be happening.’

Jiang Qingli closed her eyes, then opened them again.

Ye Linyuan raised a slight eyebrow at her. Instead of clinging to her as he usually did, he restrained himself and patted the seat beside him.

Jiang Qingli: "..."

’For some reason, she always felt a little intimidated by Ye Linyuan.’

The intimidated Jiang Qingli walked over and sat down next to Ye Linyuan.

The moment she sat, Ye Linyuan grabbed her hand, sliding his fingers between hers and forcibly lacing them together.

"You stink." Ye Linyuan’s golden eyes glinted with a cold light. "Did he touch you?"

’Are all these Beastmen dogs? Can they really smell his scent on me after just a few touches?’

’Is there no such thing as privacy anymore?!’

Slightly annoyed, Jiang Qingli glared at Ye Linyuan and hissed in a low voice, "Since when can you question your female master’s whereabouts? I haven’t even asked you why you’re here!"

The way she furrowed her brow and feigned anger made her look like a small, bristling animal.

The corner of Ye Linyuan’s lips lifted slightly before he pressed them back into a thin line.

"I needed to see you about something," Ye Linyuan said. "I’m injured and need your healing."

As he spoke, he leaned closer, hooking a long finger into his collar and pulling it down slightly.

Following his collar down, Jiang Qingli saw his pale white skin and the messily wrapped bandages around his waist, which were stained with blood.

Her heart leaped. "Didn’t you go to a hospital?" Jiang Qingli asked.

"It was caused by a Superpower. A hospital can’t treat it." Ye Linyuan’s tone was calm and detached. "I need you."

"Well, let me just tell Xiyue..."

"She’s behind you."

Jiang Qingli whipped her head around and saw Lin Xiyue staring at them in shock.

"It’s not..." Jiang Qingli started to raise a hand to explain.

But Ye Linyuan was faster, lifting their intertwined hands.

Lin Xiyue gasped and clutched her chest.

Clearly, the fact that her friend was hooking up with the professor widely acknowledged as the entire academy’s unattainable prize was a massive shock to her.

"I am Jiang Qingli’s Beast Husband," Ye Linyuan stated calmly. "Please keep this a secret."

"O-Okay!" Lin Xiyue answered quickly.

"Jiang Qingli and I have some business to attend to, so we’ll have to leave first," Ye Linyuan said. "Put all of today’s expenses on my account."

Jiang Qingli pulled her hand away, walked over to Lin Xiyue, and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Xiyue. We were supposed to go shopping, but something suddenly came up..."

"It’s fine!" Lin Xiyue’s eyes were sparkling. "We’re seeing each other tonight anyway~ Besides, Professor Ye is being so generous, I can’t be petty, can I~"

’She’s so understanding.’

Jiang Qingli’s heart melted. She only left reluctantly after Ye Linyuan called her name several times.

A few minutes after they left, Lin Xiyue had picked out a few outfits and was about to try them on when a tall young man walked out of the dressing room.

When she realized he had come out of the same dressing room Jiang Qingli had just been in, Lin Xiyue’s brain short-circuited again.

Qin Muye didn’t have time to explain. "Where’s Jiang Qingli?" he asked.

He sniffed the air, and his expression changed abruptly. "That old snake was here too?"

’O-Old snake?’

’Is he talking about Professor Ye?’

Lin Xiyue said meekly, "Um, they had something to do, so they left."

Qin Muye’s expression soured. He muttered a curse and strode away.

Watching his retreating back, Lin Xiyue marveled, "Juggling two beastmen in one day... as expected of you!"

-

Jiang Qingli was led into a flyer by Ye Linyuan.

There was a driver in the front. He raised the partition, creating a private space in the back seat.

"Let me see your injury. How do I heal it..." Jiang Qingli was a little distressed.

’I didn’t get to practice on Qin Muye last night. I don’t know if I can handle this today.’

But she had promised Ye Linyuan she would help heal him, so she couldn’t just ignore it.

While she was worrying, she heard Ye Linyuan say, "First, stabilize your spiritual power."

"How—MMPH—"

Before she could finish her sentence, her lips were sealed.

A few seconds later, Ye Linyuan let go, pulling back a few centimeters. "Like this."

Jiang Qingli’s eyes flew open.

A forked tongue darted out to lick his thin lips. Ye Linyuan’s voice was hoarse. "Close your eyes."

Jiang Qingli tried to negotiate. "Then you have to be gentle with me!"

"Hurry up." Ye Linyuan stared at her lips, clearly no longer listening to what she was saying.

Jiang Qingli: "..."

’Oh, well. The villain’s kissing skills are actually pretty good.’

Jiang Qingli closed her eyes.

Ye Linyuan was very pleased with her obedience. He tilted his head and kissed her.

Footsteps echoed from not far away.

Qin Muye had caught up.

’That reckless fool.’

A flicker of mockery flashed in his golden, vertical pupils as Ye Linyuan lowered the window with one hand.

At the same time, his other hand cupped the back of Jiang Qingli’s head, capturing her lips.

And under Qin Muye’s furious gaze, he deepened the kiss.