CHAPTER FIFTEEN — A FACE FAR TOO THICK
Tang Kexin could not see through this man — and that was precisely what made him dangerous. Nangong Yi was the sort who acted entirely according to his own whims, and she could not predict what he might do next. If he suddenly tugged back her sleeve and saw her shoulder…?
Even with the wound concealed beneath layers of fabric, she doubted anything could escape his eyes.
She still did not know whether he was the man from that night.
But she knew one thing with absolute certainty:
If he was that man, and if he discovered the mark on her left shoulder, she would likely turn to dust on the spot.
"That's… not ideal," she said, forcing her voice into something steady. "The mountain road is far too steep. I fear I may not… grasp the scale properly."
She looked up at him with wide, earnest eyes — and spoke with such solemn seriousness that the ambiguous implication of her words became even more scandalous.
Nangong Yi's hand paused.
His enchanting eyes flickered.
The smile that usually lingered at the corners of his lips froze.
For a heartbeat, even he looked startled.
The mountain road is too steep… she might not grasp the scale?
Is this truly something a young lady should say? And with such sincerity?
This woman…
He found her increasingly fascinating.
"Then, Lady Tang," he murmured, lips curving into a brilliant, star‑bright smile, "shall we try again once we reach the bottom of the mountain?"
Tang Kexin nearly choked.
When did I ever say we would try again?
This man could twist any sentence into whatever suited him. She was discovering — painfully — that no matter what she said, she would never gain the upper hand.
For the first time in her life, she was being thoroughly, utterly suppressed.
She made a decision.
From this moment on, she would not speak.
No matter what he said, no matter what he did — she would ignore him.
But before she could put her plan into action, Nangong Yi suddenly lifted her arm.
The bruise Mu Shaoyi had left on her wrist was stark and ugly.
"Does it hurt?" he asked.
His gaze darkened, though his voice remained smooth and pleasant — so pleasant that it was impossible to tell what he was truly feeling.
Tang Kexin's heart jolted.
She had no idea what he intended.
And when he softened his tone like this, it was enough to make flowers wilt and willows bend.
"It hurts," she admitted before she could stop herself.
Her bones had nearly been crushed. How could it not hurt?
Nangong Yi blinked — then let out a sudden, unrestrained laugh.
Tang Kexin's heart sank.
I'm in pain… and he finds it amusing?
She said nothing.
He seemed in an excellent mood, and for once, he did not press her further. He simply leaned back against the carriage wall, smiling faintly as he watched her.
Which, frankly, was worse.
Thankfully, the mountain path was not long. Before she could suffocate under his gaze, the carriage reached the foot of the mountain.
"Now that we've left the mountain," she began carefully, "the Mayor may—"
"Ah," he interrupted, leaning in with a voice far too casual, "are you reminding me that the… inconvenient matter from the mountain path can now continue?"
Tang Kexin stared at him.
She had no words.
None at all.
She exhaled slowly. Then again.
She needed to think of a way to rid herself of him.
"What is it?" he asked lightly. "Thinking of escaping?"
Her head snapped up.
"Why don't we make it interesting?" he continued, lips curling into a teasing smile. "If you manage to escape me for even a single day…"
He paused, letting the silence stretch.
"…then I shall temporarily stop trying."
Tang Kexin clenched her fists.
She understood perfectly well what he meant.
At this moment, she did not want to escape — she wanted to hit him.
But with her current strength, she would sooner break her own hand than harm him. So she endured.
"Mayor," she said tightly, "this is my way home."
The implication was clear:
Once she reached home, she would naturally be rid of him.
There would be no need to run.
Surely he would not follow her into her own residence.
But his next sentence struck her like a bolt of lightning.