6
This was no different from running into a ghost in broad daylight.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on my forehead.
I couldnât make out Xie Huai Yan's expression, nor did I know how much he had overheard.
Right now, I could only bet everything on one chance.
Thinking of this, I moved with the fastest reaction speed I had in my life, instantly putting on a bright, cheerful smile as I pounced toward him.
"Honey, what are you doing here? I was just on the phone with a friend!"
"She played an escape room game today and kept telling me how fun it was to figure out how to get out. It sounded so exciting."
"I want to go with her next time. Can I?"
While I spoke, I clung to his arm, shaking it gently in an attempt to distract him.
In the midst of my hopeful gaze, Xie Huai Yanâs lips slowly curved into a faint smile.
"Is that so?"
"Of course you can go, but thereâs a small condition."
I won the bet!
He actually believed me!
I breathed a silent sigh of relief and smiled as I asked, "What condition?"
Xie Huai Yanâs thin lips parted, and his tone was slow and deliberate.
"Since you like escaping so much, letâs play an escape room game at home first."
"Half an hour. If you can escape from my house, Iâll let you leave."
"Of course," his deep, mysterious eyes swirled with an unreadable emotion. "If you canât escape this time, youâll have to stay with me forever."
The surprise came too suddenly.
As soon as he finished speaking, I jumped up, eagerly hooking our pinky fingers together as if afraid heâd go back on his word the next second.
"Okay! Itâs a deal! No take-backs!"
I said that and turned to run.
It wasnât my fault for being confident.
No matter how big Xie Huai Yanâs house was, it was still just a mansion. How hard could it be to escape?
Half an hour? I could crawl out of here if I had to!
â¦â¦
Half an hour later, I stared at the endless garden in front of me and finally collapsed in despair.
One thought remained in my mindâ
Xie Huai Yan truly lived up to being the ultimate villain. Of course, he wouldnât let anyone leave so easily!
I had always thought his house was just a single villa.
So, the moment I stepped out the front door, I felt like freedom was already waving at me from afar.
Fueled by this thought, I eagerly passed through a giant European-style fountain, a jade-paved plaza, a man-made river, and even an animal training ground, only to finally arrive atâ¦
His garden.
My vision went black.
Even as I collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, I didnât forget to shake my fist angrily at the sky.
Damn rich people. He has so much land, canât he spare me just one piece?
Suddenly, a cold night breeze swept through, and the rustling sound of leaves echoed all around. Strange, misshapen plants swayed in the wind, and even birds let out eerie, sorrowful cries.
I slowly withdrew my fist.
A cold sweat ran down my back, completely chilling me to the bone.
The adrenaline from earlier was gone, and now that Iâd calmed down, I realizedâI was all alone in this massive garden.
The atmosphere was just a little too creepy.
I cautiously began to walk back, not daring to look behind me for fear that something might be following.
But just then, my shoe caught on a bush.
All my attention had been focused behind me, so I wasnât prepared. My body lurched forward.
Crap!
I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the pain of the fall.
But at that moment, a force suddenly grabbed the back of my collar and gave a gentle tugâ
I tumbled straight into someoneâs arms.
This sudden change frightened me out of my wits. I struggled desperately, yelling, "Ahhh! Whatâs grabbing me!? Donât haunt me!"
A soft chuckle rang out.
With ease, the person stilled my struggles and draped a warm coat over me, shielding me from the nightâs cold.
The familiar scent of cedar cologne wafted over me.
I froze immediately.
I opened my eyes and looked up, only to meet Xie Huai Yanâs gaze, smiling faintly.
"You lost."
For some reason, the moment I saw Xie Huai Yan, all the tension in me seemed to dissipate.
Even though Iâd failed to escape, I inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
Pouting, I grumbled, "â¦Can we redo the game? I didnât know your house was this big. Thatâs not fair."
Xie Huai Yan smiled slightly.
"No. Didnât you hook pinkies with me and make a promise? Have you forgotten?"
Under the moonlight, his stunningly handsome face glimmered with an almost surreal beauty, more captivating than the moonlight itself.
My brain short-circuited for a moment.
After a long pause, I turned my head, ears turning red.
"Hmm⦠I forgot."
Xie Huai Yan stared at me, then suddenly laughed softly.
"Your memory is really bad. Let me help you remember it more deeply."
"The price for losing the game isâ"
He laced our fingers together, his grip firm yet gentle, and lowered his head to place a solemn kiss on the back of my hand.
"To stay with me."