The moment the girl's soft lips touched his, Si Yehan's pupils constricted sharply.
His gaze was darker than ever, as if it could suck one's soul right in.
Bearing the man's scorching stare, Ye Wanwan retreated to a safe distance in time, forcing herself to continue speaking. "A-Actually... I just want to live, study, and fall in love like any ordinary girl... I promise I'll never fight with you again. Don't force me to do things I don't want to, and don't always be so angry and scary, okay? That Gu Yueze—my brain must've been stuck in a door to be hung up on such a scumbag. I've finally come to my senses now. I mean, with your status, position, and looks, Ninth Master—if we can just get along normally, I'm sure I'll grow into a sweet melon someday! Really... sweet melons are delicious. I think you should give them a try. How do you know you won't like them if you don't try, right? Ahem—so, really, can't you give me another chance? I promise I'll work hard to grow well this time, be an upright and upstanding person! Please?"
Ye Wanwan rambled on until her mouth went dry, then waited nervously for the man's reply.
Si Yehan's eyes lingered on the girl's lips, then on her eyes—eyes that were clearly filled with fear, yet still held his gaze stubbornly. He stared for a long, long time.
That look seemed to pierce right through one's soul, sending a chill down the spine.
Ye Wanwan had no idea how much time passed—it felt like centuries—before she finally heard the man's deep voice in her ear. "Fine."
Ye Wanwan froze in place, utterly dumbfounded.
Si Yehan had agreed—he actually agreed?!
"You... you agreed!" Brilliant light suddenly sparkled in Ye Wanwan's eyes. She tentatively asked, "T-Then... can I go back to school?"
Si Yehan looked at the girl's bright, shining eyes, and the arrogant, cold look on his face softened imperceptibly for a moment. "Yes."
Overjoyed, Ye Wanwan threw herself forward and kissed Si Yehan on the cheek. "Thank you!"
This was the first time she'd ever tried talking to Si Yehan properly. She'd been prepared to fail countless times. After all, her school required boarding—allowing her to go back was practically letting her out of the cage.
But she'd succeeded.
Why had she never thought to communicate with him like this in her previous life?
If she'd tried to change things back then, would the outcome have been different...
"I'm going to pack my things now! I'll come back to Jin Garden to take care of the vegetable garden when I have time!" Ye Wanwan bounced excitedly back to her room.
Behind her, Si Yehan watched the direction she'd left in, slowly raising his hand to touch the spot where her lips had just brushed his cheek...
Back in her room.
Ye Wanwan quickly packed up her textbooks and luggage.
She'd actually done it—it felt like a dream!
Just then, her phone rang. The caller ID showed Shen Mengqi.
A sardonic smile tugged at the corner of Ye Wanwan's lips. She lifted the phone and answered. "Hello?"
As soon as the call connected, Shen Mengqi's furious voice blared through the speaker. "Wanwan! Why haven't you been answering my calls? What's wrong with you? Why didn't you leave with Young Master Gu? Do you have any idea how much effort it took me to talk him into it!"
Ye Wanwan's voice was cold and expressionless. "It's hard to explain over the phone. I'll talk to you when I get back to school tomorrow!"
Shen Mengqi's expression changed slightly at that. "Back to school? Umm... didn't Mr. Si give you a hard time? And he's actually letting you go back to school?"
She'd seen Ye Wanwan about to elope with Gu Yueze with her own eyes—how could Si Yehan just let her off the hook so easily?