Before Bai Liuyue could react, he was already standing behind her.
His arms wrapped around her shoulders, his palm covering her hand that held the knife.
This posture was far too intimate.
It easily crossed the line of normal social boundaries.
Xie Chengxiao's body heat seeped through the thin satin of her qipao.
"Focus. Place your fingers like this."
He began to guide her hand in hand.
His thumb seemed to inadvertently brush against the web of her hand as he adjusted the silver blade to a slanted angle.
"Alright." Bai Liuyue's almond eyes curved slightly upward.
She could feel his breath from behind washing over her earlobe.
It tickled.
He was a little too close.
His other hand covered hers as she held the fork.
"Don't get distracted. Look here."
He leaned even closer.
His lips practically brushed against the shell of her ear.
Bai Liuyue lowered her head, pretending to be shy.
"Mhm, brother-in-law, I'll pay close attention," she replied.
The blade pressed down, slicing into the rich, juicy beef. The juices seeped from the cut, staining her pale, delicate fingertips.
Looking a bit annoyed, Bai Liuyue let out a soft gasp and immediately lowered her head to suck the juice away.
Xie Chengxiao's deep eyes darkened. He suddenly tightened his grip, forcing her hand down with a firm press.
The blade instantly sliced through the meat fibers.
Cut into a long strip, the side of the beef revealed a light pink marbling.
"Just like that. You did great."
"Understand now?"
His gaze was dark and unreadable.
Bai Liuyue nodded obediently. The soft crown of her hair brushed against his chin, sending a tingling numbness through him.
Xie Chengxiao didn't let go, his palm still pressed against the back of her hand.
He gently nudged the knife and fork forward.
"Try it again."
Bai Liuyue nodded. Just as she applied pressure, perhaps using a bit too much force, the tip of the knife slipped against the plate.
Xie Chengxiao suddenly leaned in, his chest pressing flush against her back once more.
Guiding her hand, the blade finally sliced steadily through the beef.
This time, a drop of juice splattered onto the back of her hand.
"Sorry."
Xie Chengxiao leaned over, lowering his head.
His long eyelashes cast a shadow over his eyes.
His warm breath fell against the back of her hand, leaving a tingling sensation.
At that moment, Bai Liuyue truly felt a wave of panic.
This man... wasn't he pushing his luck a little too far?
"All clean."
The shadow behind her suddenly pulled away as Xie Chengxiao returned to his seat.
His expression was perfectly calm, as if nothing had just happened.
"Keep eating."
Thank goodness.
He had only picked up a napkin and gently wiped it away.
She genuinely thought he was going to...
Lick that drop of juice off.
"Mhm, thank you, brother-in-law. You really are the best teacher!"
A bright, innocent smile bloomed on Bai Liuyue's lips.
Contrasted with the dark undercurrents that had just been surging in Xie Chengxiao's eyes, it made his earlier actions seem rather calculating.
Teacher?
That title didn't sound too bad.
The corners of Young Marshal Xie's lips curled upward into an uncontrollable, faint smile.
The rest of the dinner went very pleasantly.
Just as the two were preparing to get up and leave, the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling suddenly flickered.
"What's going on?"
Right as Bai Liuyue spoke, a crackling burst of electricity echoed out.
In an instant, the entire brightly lit department store was plunged into pitch darkness.
Terrified and panicked screams from other guests rang out from the surrounding private rooms.
The restaurant manager hurriedly dispatched several waiters into the hallway to shout out to the patrons.
"Everyone, please do not panic! An unstable power supply has caused a blackout across the entire building."
"We have already sent someone to report the emergency, and it will be resolved shortly. Please remain safely in your seats."
"This is to avoid any stampedes."
The chaotic and noisy clamor instantly quieted down significantly, and everyone obediently stayed in their seats.
In the darkness, she couldn't see the person across from her.
Bai Liuyue could only call out softly:
"Brother-in-law, the power went out."
"Do you have power outages often in the Northwest?"
But there was no response.
What was going on?
Wasn't Xie Chengxiao acting so proactive and passionate just a moment ago? The lights were out.
What a perfect opportunity.
In these few minutes of darkness, so many things could be done.
"Brother-in-law."
"Young Marshal Xie?"
Bai Liuyue called out again, but there was still no reaction.
This was a bit strange.
She stood up, groping her way toward the seat opposite hers, and reached out to feel the chair.
It was empty.
No one was sitting there.
Where did Xie Chengxiao go? In just a few short seconds, he couldn't have just vanished into thin air.
Could he have been kidnapped by political enemies?
Just as Bai Liuyue's imagination began to run wild, her outstretched hand drifted downward, and she finally touched a furry head and a curled-up body.
No wonder the chair was empty.
Xie Chengxiao had actually curled himself into a ball, hiding under the table right next to his chair.
Moreover, his body was trembling slightly.
Was he afraid of the dark?
Nyctophobia?
Bai Liuyue was just about to withdraw her hand when she realized that he had tightly grabbed onto her palm, clinging to it like a lifeline.
"Okay, I won't leave. It's just that you're grabbing me a bit too tightly, it hurts."
"Let me change positions, alright?"
Bai Liuyue spoke with endless patience, as if coaxing a child, her tone gentle and soothing.
The crushing force of Xie Chengxiao's grip loosened just a fraction.
Taking the opportunity, Bai Liuyue sat down on the floor, her legs tucked neatly to the side. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and said softly:
"Don't be afraid. I'm here. You're not alone."
She then began to softly hum a folk tune from her hometown.
It was sweet and melodious, like a gentle spring breeze sweeping past, smoothing away all his unease.
Xie Chengxiao's breathing was still rapid, but his trembling gradually subsided.
His back was already drenched in cold sweat.
The private room they were in was at the very end of the hallway. It offered the most privacy, but after the power outage, it was also the darkest.
There was hardly a single trace of light.
Bai Liuyue gently patted his back and said:
"Feeling any better? I'm going to open the window now. There should be some moonlight coming in from outside."
She was just about to get up when Xie Chengxiao grabbed her arm.
She truly never expected that the Young Marshal, known to the outside world as a cold and iron-faced man, would have such a staggering contrast in his personality.
Right now, he was as clingy as a large dog, unwilling to let Bai Liuyue leave his side for even a single second.
"Once the window is open, the room won't be so dark, and you'll feel much better."
Bai Liuyue turned her head back around with immense patience.
In the pitch-black darkness, she could feel a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes staring intently at her, their gaze burning hot.
"...To...gether," Xie Chengxiao forced the word out with great difficulty.
"Okay, then we'll go together. I'll hold your hand and lead you there."
As soon as Bai Liuyue finished speaking, the large hand that had been gripping her wrist slid down to her palm, taking her hand completely naturally.
Her palm was warm.
His palm was ice-cold.
Clasped together, the temperature between them gradually began to rise.
Bai Liuyue took two small steps forward, and Xie Chengxiao followed with two small steps of his own.
However, his heavy military boots kept stepping on Bai Liuyue's heels. Hearing her hiss in pain, Xie Chengxiao felt a bit helpless.
"Alright! You are not allowed to follow me this closely!" Bai Liuyue furrowed her brows, turned her head, and told him solemnly.
"Mhm."
Xie Chengxiao nodded.
But less than three seconds later, he stepped on her heel again.
