Chapter 111: No Longer Daring

After the meal, Shangguan Ranyan hunched over, intending to quietly leave while Huang Pu Shenqing was busy in the kitchen. Unexpectedly, as soon as she touched the living room door, a sharp beeping sound rang out, causing her to withdraw her hand in fright.

Huang Pu Shenqing, dressed in a gray casual outfit, emerged from the kitchen and looked meaningfully at the young girl by the door. "Hmm? Trying to leave?"

The girl flashed a charming smile, her curved eyebrows and crescent-shaped eyes brightening. "No, not at all."

The man nodded. "Hmm, then I misjudged."

Shangguan Ranyan obediently walked to the sofa and sat down properly. "Yes, you misjudged. I was just looking for the butler."

"For what?"

"I..."

The man leaned toward her, the scent of fresh mint wafting from his nostrils, mingled with his uniquely masculine aura. Shangguan Ranyan avoided his gaze, unsure how to answer.

The man pressed on. "You what?"

"I... I have to go back. There are still matters waiting for me at the department."

"Fine."

"Hmm?" Shangguan Ranyan looked up at him.

He sat beside her, crossing one leg, his hand languidly resting on the sofa, exuding an untouchable dignity. "Say what you need to say, and then I'll see you out."

As expected, this matter was far from over.

"What do you want me to say?" the girl feigned ignorance.

"What do you think?"

"Alright, I'll tell you, but please don't get angry." She shifted a little, creating some distance between them.

"So this will make me angry," the man said coldly, his voice firm as he stared at her with stern eyes.

Shangguan Ranyan shrugged slightly, feeling the pressure in the air drop sharply. She dared not meet his gaze and began to recount the events of the previous night in a soft, hesitant voice.

"You went to 'An Ting'? And saw those scenes, huh?"

An Ting, the underground bar notorious for its wildness, where the most maddening thing was its signature services.

Anything the customer desired was possible there—bold, extravagant, and decadent.

Shangguan Ranyan kept shifting on the sofa, but it was only so long; no matter how she moved, the man could reach her with just an outstretched hand.

"I... I didn't see anything; Ye Xin was blocking my view," she said.

"So you regret not seeing it?"

"No, I don't," she quickly retorted, raising her voice. In the silent living room, it almost sounded like a temper tantrum.

Immediately, regret washed over her. The man's gaze grew colder, his entire face darkened, and his aura turned even more chilling, colder than an icy blade.

Huang Pu Shenqing pulled out his private phone, his tone as cold as a winter chill, making Shangguan Ranyan uneasy.

"Young master?" The butler answered respectfully on the other end.

"Turn off all the cameras in the villa, including the hidden ones. Everyone must stay at least ten meters from the living room. Anyone who dares approach will be dealt with on the spot."

After issuing the orders, he tossed the phone aside like a beast ready to explode. The pressure in the living room dropped drastically.

Shangguan Ranyan felt the air turn hard and frighteningly cold, making it hard to breathe.

She stood, retreating toward the living room door, hoping to avoid the wrath of the man.

Huang Pu Shenqing was furious to the point of pain in his liver and lungs. If he didn't teach the girl a lesson, would anyone else's body be ogled in the future?

She had recklessly ventured into an underground bar and witnessed such decadent scenes. What if something dangerous happened? What if an accident occurred? Could she imagine how he would feel knowing she was hurt?

The man closed in on her, and she pressed herself against the door, the cold touch making her shudder with fear.

"Ranyan, being so disobedient—what should I do? You actually looked at other men’s bodies, huh?"

"I told you I didn’t!" The girl’s voice was filled with grievance, tears welling in her eyes as she faced his interrogation.

Seeing her pitiful expression, Huang Pu Shenqing felt a pang of sympathy, but to make sure she learned her lesson, what he was about to do had to be done.

He removed his clothes with an elegance and grace that was indescribable, yet no emotion showed in his eyes or face.

"Huang Pu... Huang Pu Shenqing, what are you doing?"

Shangguan Ranyan watched the man take off his shirt, trembling with fear as she pressed against the door, as if it gave her some sense of security.

"To wash your eyes clean, to teach you what you should and shouldn’t look at."

His voice was low as he stripped off his clothes entirely.

Shangguan Ranyan fearfully covered her eyes with her hands, tears uncontrollably spilling over.

"I'm sorry. I won’t look again next time. Please don’t do this, I’m scared, Mr. Huang."

"Good girl, open your eyes and look at me."

"I don’t want to." The girl pressed her hands firmly over her eyes, leaving no gaps.

The man forcefully pulled her hands away, his tone commanding, "Look at me."

Shangguan Ranyan kept her eyes closed, tears streaming down relentlessly. She shook her head desperately, struggling with her hands. "I said I don’t want to. I don’t want to look."

Huang Pu Shenqing’s heart ached seeing her so frightened and tearful. He eased his grip a little and questioned her, "Will you dare to do these things behind my back next time?"

"No, I won’t," she whimpered, eyes still tightly shut.

She didn’t know when Huang Pu Shenqing had become the leader between them.

"Will you dare to go to those places again?"

"No."

"Will you dare to look at other men?"

"No."

"Then open your eyes and look at me."

"I don’t want to." She struggled, tears never ceasing.

"Good girl, open your eyes and look at me. I won’t scare you."

Huang Pu Shenqing leaned against the door, releasing her hand. His bare chest made him appear even taller and more imposing. Though it was the cold autumn season, he felt no chill.

Shangguan Ranyan placed her hand against his chest. Without the barrier of clothing, she seemed to feel the flow of his blood and the powerful beat of his heart, which made her panic and her heart race.

She slowly opened her eyes, long, thick lashes still wet with tears. The moisture made her eyes look even more luminous and pure.

"Mr. Huang?" She dared only to look at his face, afraid to lower her gaze.

"Good girl, remember what you said."