This was a rather small hidden room.
It could barely fit a desk and a single bed.
Lin Mo had searched for a while before finally finding the light switch when she returned that night.
If Xie Guanyan hadn’t carelessly left the door open, she might never have discovered it.
Inside, she saw the beautiful man standing frozen in place, blood dripping from his palm.
Lin Mo took a step forward, took his hand, and turned it over.
There it was again—the scar the doctor had said was always being reopened.
The sight of the fresh blood was jarring.
Lin Mo bit the hem of her skirt with one hand, tearing off a strip of fabric.
She gently wrapped it around his palm, tying a neat little bow on the back of his hand.
The blue bow stood out against the pale, veined skin of his hand.
It was both adorable and undeniably sensual.
"This hand is under my protection now. You’re not allowed to hurt it anymore," Lin Mo said, looking up at Xie Guanyan with a stern glare.
Xie Guanyan’s mind went blank for a long moment.
He had imagined countless ways Lin Mo might react—disgust, fear, hatred—but never this.
And that terrified him even more.
His breath hitched as his gaze landed on the computer screen behind her. His voice trembled. "Shanshan, I’m sorry! The surveillance in this room was already here—my friend asked me to install it to monitor my sleep for his research. When you moved in, I should’ve removed it immediately. That’s on me. I just… I wanted to make sure I could prepare breakfast for you on time. I wasn’t watching you every day."
"I admit it—I’m twisted, I’m sick, I’m despicable, I deserve to die. Shanshan, you can yell at me, hit me, do whatever you want. Just…"
His voice broke, the rest of the words choking in his throat.
Did he even have the right to beg her to stay? Did someone like him deserve love?
Lin Mo’s heart softened as she took in the sight of him—his eyes red-rimmed, the tip of his nose flushed.
Truthfully, she wasn’t afraid at all.
If the person she’d loved for eleven years had come back from the dead, she might have done something just as crazy.
And yet, Xie Guanyan had only used the surveillance to time her breakfast.
There was something almost childish about his brand of obsession.
He could have done so much more.
When she didn’t respond, just stared at him with those mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes, Xie Guanyan’s heart pounded wildly.
She was so close, yet she felt impossibly far away.
He needed to say more.
If she had any interest in his body at all, maybe if he pleased her well enough, she’d stay.
Even if she only wanted to use him, that was fine—as long as she stayed.
It took every ounce of his strength to force his voice steady. "And I shouldn’t have taken those photos of you back then. I was too insecure—just a bastard son living in the shadows, scraping by on part-time jobs. I had nothing to offer you. I didn’t dare speak to you, but I wanted to see you whenever I could. I knew we’d never cross paths, so I collected anything I could about you, pretended we were friends. I know it’s no excuse. At the end of the day, I’m just… sick and twisted."
His chest heaved as he spoke, fighting to keep the tears from falling. His long, dark lashes were damp.
Lin Mo had already guessed Xie Guanyan’s silence back then stemmed from insecurity.
Their high school didn’t require uniforms, and while she was a top student, she also loved fashion.
Her clothes and accessories were all designer, with salespeople delivering new pieces straight to her home.
Even after her parents passed, their inheritance and the family business ensured she never wanted for anything.
So she’d never cared for the gifts Gu Jingchuan gave her—or anyone else’s, for that matter.
She didn’t need them. If she wanted something, she could have it effortlessly.
Back then, plenty of guys at school had liked her, but few dared to pursue her. Most knew they didn’t stand a chance.
Only Gu Jingchuan, with his natural confidence, wealthy background, and good looks at the time, had persisted for three whole years.
That afternoon, she’d spent a long time at the temple, even considering that Zhang Meixia’s motive for trying to kill her might not have been just about Gu Jingchuan—but also Xie Guanyan.
Gu Jingchuan and Zhang Meixia must have known Xie Guanyan had feelings for her.
Zhang Meixia hated that Xie Guanyan, despite coming from the slums, was so brilliant. Unable to touch him directly, she’d gone after the person he loved instead.
And she’d nearly succeeded in destroying him.
Xie Guanyan had tried to end his own life multiple times.
Honestly, if Zhang Meixia had confronted her about it, Lin Mo wouldn’t have blamed Xie Guanyan.
Zhang Meixia was the one who was evil. Xie Guanyan had nothing to do with it.
Back then, when Gu Jingchuan first started pursuing her, she’d ignored him completely.
Only when he switched tactics—using food to win her over—did this gluttonous girl finally give him the time of day.
Now, looking back, all those dishes had been made by Xie Guanyan!
No wonder the first time she’d tasted Xie Guanyan’s chicken wontons after transmigrating, the flavor had felt so familiar.
Gu Jingchuan had held something over him, forcing him to help with the pursuit.
Then, during the basketball tournament, he’d kept Xie Guanyan off the court to prevent him from stealing the spotlight—and even injured his leg.
If she ever saw that old bastard Gu Jingchuan again, she’d slap him silly!
Still, you had to hand it to Xie Guanyan—juggling part-time jobs, studying, and secretly photographing her in high school? A true time-management master.
No wonder he’d become a billionaire mogul.
With so many pieces falling into place, Lin Mo felt a sudden clarity.
Xie Guanyan had poured out his heart, yet still, the girl before him remained silent.
He didn’t know what to do. His heart ached as if sliced by a knife, each breath a struggle.
"Shanshan—"
Before he could continue, her sweet voice cut him off.
"What’s with all the rambling? Are we doing this or not?"
Xie Guanyan: "..."
He didn’t understand what she was thinking, but his answer was immediate. "Yes."
He’d accept any kind of relationship, as long as she remained in this world, safe and sound.
At his response, the girl rose onto her toes, aiming for his lips.
Xie Guanyan removed his glasses with one hand, his voice low and rough. "Let me bend down for you."
Their bodies pressed together, the sound of mingling breaths filling the room.
The narrow single bed and cramped space only added to the charged atmosphere.
Wherever Lin Mo looked, she saw photos of herself—as if a thousand versions of her surrounded them.
And all those versions converged into one, lying on the bed, savoring the soft caress of his tongue.
Pleasure shot through her, leaving her scalp tingling.
In the humid, intimate air, his deep, magnetic voice murmured,
"Shanshan, spread your legs a little wider."
The elegant, beautiful man knelt beside the bed, the lines of his suit pants stretching taut.
He served her with utter devotion, every movement deliberate and reverent.
Lin Mo’s fingers tangled in his hair instinctively.
When he lifted his gaze, his lips glistened, his dark eyes clouded with desire.
Half-sitting up, Lin Mo felt her heart hammering wildly.
A boyfriend this handsome, this attentive—and a little twisted? Even hotter.
Time seemed to both race and crawl.
The pain wasn’t as bad as she’d imagined.
Xie Guanyan was gentle, patient—holding back the first time, afraid she couldn’t take it.
They melted into each other, skin against skin, no barriers left between them.
The blue fabric on Xie Guanyan’s left hand was now soaked with blood, his elegant fingers pressing into the delicate curve of her shoulder blade.
The bow on his hand seemed ready to take flight.
The sound of ragged breaths brushed against Lin Mo's ear, feather-light and teasing. She murmured, "Xie Guanyan, is there anything you want to say to me right now?"
The man paused, his deep eyes clouded with desire now flickering with regret and hesitation.
"I'm sorr—"
"I don’t want to hear that," the girl interrupted, her voice sweet and coy.
"I love you."
His words were tender, trembling with emotion.
A radiant smile bloomed on Lin Mo’s lips. "I love you too, Xie Guanyan. Today, tomorrow, and the day after—I’ll always love you."
It felt as if his heart had been dipped in syrup, the sweetness of her words rushing straight to his core. Excitement surged in his gaze.
She didn’t despise him. She still wanted to love him.
Her voice hitched slightly. "Hey… w-wait! I prepared—"
"No need. I’ve had a vasectomy."
Xie Guanyan pulled her closer, as if trying to meld her into his very being.
She was young, vibrant—he wanted her to revel in every pleasure without fear of consequence.
Never again would he let her suffer even the slightest hurt.
