Chapter 39

The corners of Lip's mouth gradually curved into a smile.

"Otherwise… what would you do?"

"Otherwise, I'll take you!"

"Ah—"

Jessica suddenly let out a scream and jumped up from her chair because Lip had unexpectedly slapped her on the butt.

Lip's smile widened even further.

"Jessica, I think you've got it wrong. I'm not the type of man who gives in easily. I've got a pretty good appetite—I can chew up even the hardest rice and swallow it down. So, I think what you're suggesting? I just can't do it."

Jessica was both embarrassed and furious. Yet, the unusual sensation made her face flush bright red.

She stormed to a nearby table, pulled a pistol out of the drawer, and aimed it at Lip.

"Lip, I'm going to kill you!" Jessica shouted.

Why does this woman flip moods faster than turning a page? Lip thought to himself.

"One moment, she wants me to be her man; the next, she's ready to kill me. Women are truly unpredictable creatures," Lip muttered aloud before asking, "Why?"

"Since I was a child, no one other than my dad has dared to so much as raise their voice at me. And you—" Jessica's tone turned sharp. "Not only did you hit me, but you hit me there… and then refused me after doing so! I swear, I'm going to kill you!"

"You'd better not try it," Lip said calmly, raising his hands in surrender. "Within seven steps, I'll bet your aim isn't as good as you think."

Jessica's grip tightened on the gun.

"Before you pull that trigger, Jessica, can I make one request?"

"Speak."

"Let's make a bet."

"A bet?"

"Yes. I bet there are no bullets in your gun."

The moment Lip finished speaking, he turned into a blur, lunging toward Jessica.

In a split second, Lip grabbed her throat with one hand and her gun hand with the other. With practiced ease, he flicked the safety off, removed the magazine, and disarmed her entirely.

"You—"

"What about me?"

"I—"

"What am I?" Lip snapped coldly, showing no trace of the earlier playfulness.

"You're insane! Who points a gun at people like this? You've got a serious problem!"

Jessica tried to wriggle free from his grip, but her efforts were futile.

"I'd recommend you stop moving. All it takes is a little more pressure on your throat, and I'll crush your windpipe. You'll suffocate in less than a minute," Lip warned with a chilling tone. "And trust me, your face will look hideous when you die struggling."

Hearing this, Jessica froze, not daring to move a muscle.

Slap!

Lip raised his hand and slapped her again.

"You don't like being hit? Well, I do!" Lip's voice dripped with sarcasm as he applied just enough pressure on her throat to make her breathing labored.

Jessica's face began to redden as she struggled to breathe. Lip eased his grip slightly.

"Jessica, you have two choices now," Lip whispered into her ear. "First, be my woman. Second, die. Choose wisely—you only get one chance."

Jessica's emotions were in turmoil—embarrassment, anger, and a strange sense of excitement all swirled within her.

This man…

Finally, she stammered, "I… I choose… the first one."

"Smart girl."

Lip smirked, raising his hand to deliver another slap.

Jessica's face burned red, but she realized she didn't hate the feeling.

Lip noticed her reaction and thought, Looks like I've got some training to do with this wild one.

Jessica tossed the gun aside, threw her arms around Lip, and murmured, "Lip, you're so domineering and tough… I like it."

Without hesitation, Lip tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply.

After more than ten minutes, Jessica collapsed into Lip's arms, utterly breathless.

"Alright, now that the hugging and kissing are out of the way, let's get down to business," Lip said.

"Hmm~" Jessica's voice was soft, her cheeks glowing with warmth.

"Jessica, what's your Dragon Kingdom name?"

"Wang Yunxi."

"A beautiful name," Lip remarked, stroking her back gently. "Now, tell me about your smuggling operation."

"Huh?" Jessica blinked in confusion. "That's what you want to talk about?"

"Of course. Why else?"

Jessica glared at him, her face still flushed. "Hmph! Am I really so unattractive that you'd rather talk about smuggling?"

"Not at all, Jessica. You're stunning, and I find you incredibly appealing," Lip replied patiently. "But everything has its time and place. For men, career comes first. If a man is strong enough, he can have any woman he wants. Without strength, even the most beautiful woman is out of reach."

Jessica stared at Lip, her eyes shining as though she had discovered something new.

"Lip, how about I take care of you?"

"What?" Lip was caught off guard.

"Just tell me how much money you need!"

Lip couldn't believe his ears. The rich woman he had been searching for before his travels through time was now sitting right in front of him.

"Jessica, are you serious?"

"Of course," Jessica replied with a nod.

"Well, I don't talk for anything less than $100 million a month," Lip said, taking a casual sip of tea.

"Huh?"

Jessica blinked, stunned once again.

"If you can't afford that, don't waste my time."

Jessica pouted. "Fine! I'm going to talk to my dad!"

Lip burst into laughter. "So you're just a little princess after all, running to Daddy for everything."

"Stop laughing, Lip!" Jessica pounded on his chest in frustration, still seated in his arms.

"You're such a tease," Jessica muttered. "Fine, I'll support you from now on. Happy?"

"Good," Lip said, his tone shifting back to seriousness. "Now, let's talk about the smuggling operation."

"Alright," Jessica replied with a resigned sigh.

Jessica began detailing her business, explaining the intricacies of her smuggling operation to Lip.