Chapter 35: Verbal Thanks Are Not Accepted

Just as he stepped out of the private room, Si Yuchuan’s phone rang.

He had barely answered when Uncle Liu’s anxious voice came through:
"Mr. Si, your whereabouts have been leaked. There are reporters at the front door, the back door, and the garage of the club. I’ll throw them off at the back entrance; please stay inside for now."

Si Yuchuan gave a calm acknowledgment. Yun Chuxia asked hurriedly, "Did something happen?"

Si Yuchuan frowned, his expression darkening. "Uncle Liu says the front is swarming with reporters. We need to leave through the back."

Knowing he had always been low-profile and preferred to avoid the media, Yun Chuxia felt a sudden surge of nervousness and quickened her pace to keep up with him.

The live stream comments flashed:
【Wait, what???】
【Am I hearing things, or is Uncle hearing things?】

Yun Chuxia felt a bit confused, but just as she was about to look closer, she was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.

Si Yuchuan unbuttoned his suit jacket and pressed Yun Chuxia’s face against his chest.
"Don't move, unless you want the reporters to get a picture of your face."

The cool, woody scent of cedar carried a reassuring strength. Yun Chuxia dared not move, muffling her voice against him:
"Am I causing you trouble?"

"It’s fine," the low, magnetic voice drawled in her ear:
"Hold onto me tightly."

The comments section scrolled rapidly:
【He’s definitely a calculating man, right?】
【He’s deliberately making the supporting actress hold him.】
【He actually wants the reporters to see them, doesn't he?】
【Old men are just so deep and scheming.】
【Nonsense, our Uncle isn't old, he just has a higher seniority.】
……

Unfortunately, with her entire face pressed against Si Yuchuan, Yun Chuxia could only see his black shirt and missed the comments.

She felt deeply apologetic; if Si Yuchuan hadn't rushed over to help her out of a predicament, he likely wouldn't have been discovered by the press.

Si Yuchuan was tall and broad; with one sweep of his long arm, he pulled Yun Chuxia tightly into his embrace. Unable to see where she was going, she stumbled a few times, and before long, several lipstick marks had accidentally been left on his shirt.

Si Yuchuan let out a low chuckle.
"Don’t be so impatient, Madam. I’ll let you kiss me all you want once we get home."

Yun Chuxia’s earlobes turned bright red with shame. Si Yuchuan’s long, slender fingers brushed against them, wondering if they tasted like cherries.

Si Yuchuan shielded her as they walked out the door, his keen ears already picking up the sound of camera shutters.

Yun Chuxia grew even more nervous. She didn't dare lift her head, her hands gripping his waist. She could feel the solid, firm texture beneath her palms—the result of years of strict self-discipline.

Her fingertips twitched, and she accidentally grazed him twice.

Si Yuchuan’s throat bobbed, but he remained silent for the moment.

When Uncle Liu saw them approaching, his eyes widened:
What is going on? Did I not make myself clear?

Surprised as he was, he immediately stepped out to open the car door, helping them both inside.

The Cullinan sped away. Yun Chuxia didn't know when it would be safe to look up, so she dared not move.

Si Yuchuan sat in a relaxed posture, leaning back lazily, his hand absentmindedly stroking Yun Chuxia’s soft hair.

So obedient.

Yun Chuxia peeked out from his arms and asked in a whisper:
"Have the reporters left?"

Si Yuchuan replied with a tone of feigned helplessness:
"They’re chasing the car."

Uncle Liu glanced into the rearview mirror and fell into deep contemplation.

Chasing the car?
There’s no one behind us, sir.

Terrified, Yun Chuxia immediately buried her head back into his chest. Her ink-black hair brushed against Si Yuchuan’s throat as she moved, tickling him. His eyes darkened, and his large hand tightened around her slender waist.

A wave of numbness surged from her waist, and Yun Chuxia’s heart began to race.

Perhaps it was the lack of oxygen from being pressed so close, but her breathing felt unsteady.

"Thank you, for today."

Si Yuchuan’s hot breath fell against her fair, swan-like neck:
"I don't accept verbal thanks."