Chapter 12: The Rival Always Wants to Taste Him Again [12]

Chapter 12: The Rival Always Wants to Taste Him Again "12"

"Shi Mo, if you really must enter into a marriage pact, I am your best choice."

Ye Qi's expression was calm, but only he knew that his palms were already damp with sweat.

When Shi Mo didn't answer, he grew nervous, his heart pounding faster and faster.

Shi Mo let out a low chuckle, his tone lazy and casual: "Ye Qi, who I marry is none of your business, right?"

He paused, eyes downcast, unreadable.

Then, casually, he reached up to straighten Ye Qi's collar. His fingers hooked Ye Qi's tie and yanked him down!

The space between them suddenly closed, their warm breaths intertwining in the air, and an intimate tension hung between them.

Ye Qi stared intently at Shi Mo's lips, his mind full of how soft they were, how they tasted.

His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding even harder.

But all he heard was Shi Mo's teasing whisper in his ear:

"What's the matter? Just because we hooked up once, you think I'm yours?"

Ye Qi's eyes flickered for a moment, but quickly put back on his composed mask as he casually slid an arm around Shi Mo's waist.

"That's not what I meant. I'm just stating the facts. The Yun family is okay, but compared to them, the Ye and Shi families are a better fit."

Shi Mo narrowed his eyes at Ye Qi. The man was speaking so seriously, so proper.

If he hadn't taken the chance to cop a feel at his waist, Shi Mo might have actually bought his act.

The familiar touch at his waist reminded Shi Mo of last night—when he'd tried to pull away, unable to take it anymore, Ye Qi had hooked an arm around his waist and pulled him back again and again.

He tilted his head up, giving Ye Qi a smile, and then, while Ye Qi was distracted, he drove his knee hard into Ye Qi's stomach!

"Mn!"

The sudden pain made Ye Qi grunt, and he instinctively let go.

Shi Mo followed up with another kick, knocking the man to the ground!

Only then did he casually crouch down beside Ye Qi, meeting his eyes with a smile so pure and harmless, looking as innocent as ever.

He patted Ye Qi's cheek and said softly:

"Who's the better match is for me to decide. Ye Qi, you're overstepping your bounds."

"Besides, who said the Ye family is the best fit? I think the Lin family is pretty good too."

Shi Mo completely ignored the cold look spreading across Ye Qi's face.

While straightening Ye Qi's rumpled clothes and retying his tie, he continued:

"Sure, that Lin Ran used to be into you, but these past couple of days, he's lost his mind and decided to chase after me instead."

"But he's not a bad choice either. At least he seems pretty into me right now, right?"

Shi Mo patted Ye Qi's face again, but this time Ye Qi grabbed his wrist abruptly.

Ye Qi's eyes were dark and cold: "So you're choosing him?"

Shi Mo didn't answer. He just pulled his hand free and went back to his hanging chair to soak up the sun.

"You know I'm all about benefits. If the Ye family really outshines the Lin family, then of course, I'm not against considering it."

Shi Mo tilted his head slightly, looking at Ye Qi who had just stood up, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Ye Qi stared at Shi Mo, momentarily dazed.

Shi Mo was beautiful when he smiled—he'd always known that.

Especially now, as he tilted his head, his ink-black hair arcing through the air, swaying in the breeze.

Rose petals carried by the wind drifted past him, a few landing on his head and shoulders.

Sunlight spilled over him, casting a soft glow, making those gorgeous, captivating eyes shimmer.

Ye Qi's breath caught as he watched, his body moving before his mind could catch up.

By the time he realized what he was doing, he'd already taken over a dozen photos of Shi Mo.

Ye Qi: !!!

Ye Qi looked at Shi Mo, then at the phone in his hand, and his face flushed instantly.

This was the first time he'd taken photos of Shi Mo so brazenly, right in front of him.

The thought that Shi Mo didn't like him, and that he'd just taken his picture so brazenly, sent him into a panic.

He clutched his phone tightly, terrified Shi Mo would force him to delete the photos at any second, and without hesitation, he turned and ran.

Ye Qi hurried to a secluded corner and admired the photos on his phone over and over, his gaze filled with undisguised obsession.

After he'd had his fill, he quickly moved the photos into a private album and set one as his wallpaper.

Thinking of Lin Ran, the smile on Ye Qi's face vanished, and his eyes turned cold.

He wouldn't let anyone take Shi Mo away from him!

As Ye Qi turned to leave, Shi Mo smiled and tilted his head, grabbing the little 447 who'd been scattering petals nearby.

"Xiao Qi, you'd better explain why you're tearing off my petals."

Shi Mo was smiling, but his eyes held no warmth.

The little ball of fluff in his hand was still clutching a stack of rose petals to its chest, and his words made it flinch, sending petals tumbling onto him.

Meanwhile, the once-vibrant roses in the flowerpot nearby now stood bare and pitiful.

The last remaining petal could hold on no longer and drifted to the ground.

447 looked at Shi Mo cautiously, tapping its two index fingers together and giving him an awkward grin:

"Xiao Momo... I didn't mean to! I just thought the moment needed some petals, so I grabbed the flowers nearby..."

447's voice grew softer and softer until it was nearly inaudible.

It genuinely believed the atmosphere called for a few falling petals, and it had been right—even Ye Qi, the male lead, had been stunned by the sight.

He really hadn't expected Ye Qi to take photos right in front of Shi Mo without a second thought.

Shi Mo casually slung him over his shoulder and said lazily:

"Forget it, just plant a few more for me when we get back."

447 rolled around happily on his shoulder, [Okayyy~]

Maybe his words got to Ye Qi, or maybe he felt a bit guilty for taking those photos, but either way, Ye Qi didn't stick around at the Shi house for long.

Shi Mo couldn't have cared less. Instead, it was his mother who came to talk to him that evening, hinting around about his relationship with Ye Qi.

Once she confirmed they weren't a thing, she mentioned that Yun Mujin hadn't been back in a while and told him to take her out tomorrow.

Shi Mo said yes right away, then immediately texted Yun Mujin about it.

Yun Mujin: "But I'm supposed to meet an online friend tomorrow. It might be weird if you came along."

Shi Mo: "I have things to do tomorrow too, and you'd just be in the way. So once we're out tomorrow, let's just go our separate ways."

Yun Mujin: "OKK~"

Yun Mujin: "But I'm curious—was that guy who came to see you Ye Qi? Does he have a crush on you?"

Shi Mo narrowed his eyes and quickly replied, "Did he cause you trouble?"

Yun Mujin: "Not really, but he's been dead in my contacts for ages, and suddenly today he messaged me, asking why I came back this time, and saying we're not a good match."

Yun Mujin: "Hehe... but seriously, I think you two make a great couple."

Shi Mo: "Then you should know that he and I don't get along."

Yun Mujin: "Oh~ sworn enemies, I get it~ just tear into each other~"

[Yun Mujin recalled a message]