"Then I shall take my leave," Tang Qing said. A faint smile graced her lips. "Well, bye."
Zilong returned the gesture, his smile warm and sincere. "Bye."
With a nod, Tang Qing turned and approached the company's entrance. Just as she rounded the corner, a familiar scent - a subtle, woody perfume - filled her senses. Before she could react, a hand reached out from the shadows of the rear corridor, grasping her arm and pulling her into the secluded alcove.
"Yanyan? What happened?" Tang Qing demanded, keeping her back turned to the intruder.
Yan gently pushed Tang Qing's hair aside and pressed his lips to her neck. "Let me go first, and then let's talk." Tang Qing felt a little scared. She didn't know what he wanted to do, but she could sense that something was off with his emotions.
"If we do it here, will you feel it?" Yan Yan opened the buttons of Tang Qing's shirt and slowly brought his lips close to her chest. The warmth of his breath made Tang Qing's breathing unconsciously quicken.
"Don't..." Tang Qing's hand stopped the movement of Yan Yan's mouth, "Don't make me angry again!" Yan looked at Tang Qing, but his eyes were empty and lifeless.
Yan Yan grabbed Tang Qing's hands and pinned them above her head, continuing his actions, from kissing to biting, leaving marks on Tang Qing's chest as if she were the only thing that belonged to him. He noticed his hands gradually wandering downward, seemingly preparing to go further.
"No, Yan Yan..." Tang Qing's voice was fearful, and tears unconsciously fell onto Yan Yan's cheeks. Yan Yan stopped his movements and kissed Tang Qing. The kiss was urgent. "I'm sorry... I was just... jealous of him... Qing Qing... I just... I'm sorry..." Yan Yan's words were unclear: "I didn't mean to..."
Yan Yan reached out and embraced Tang Qing, sucking the tears from the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry, Qing Qing." Yan was lost in thought as he straightened the buttons on Tang Qing's clothes.
At that moment, Tang Qing seemed to have lost her soul; tears fell unconsciously, her expression was a little dazed, and she was probably too afraid to speak.
Yan Yan carefully lifted Tang Qing into his arms, cradling her protectively. "Qing Qing, I'm so sorry," he murmured, his voice strained with remorse. "I never meant to frighten you like this."
At that moment, Special Assistant Zhang approached, his expression concerned. "Sir, what's happening here?" he asked cautiously, aware of the delicate nature of the situation.
Yan Yan turned to Zhang, his grip on Tang Qing tightening. "Take the others away for now," he instructed, his voice low. "I need to get Qing Qing somewhere private so we can talk."
Zhang nodded, quickly stepping in to disperse the gathering crowd, who were whispering among themselves, speculating about the identity of the person Yan Yan was holding.
"Who do you think that is?" one murmured, eyes wide.
"Wow, Yan has a boyfriend? Why didn't we know about this?"
Zhang worked efficiently to move the bystanders along, ensuring Yan Yan and Tang Qing had the necessary privacy.
Yan hurried to the elevator; Tang Qing cradled protectively in his arms. As they rode up, he gently brushed his hand along her back, trying to soothe her. "Qing Qing, I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice laced with anguish. "I don't know what came over me. I just... I get so jealous when I see other men looking at you. I can't stand the thought of sharing you."
Tang Qing remained silent, her body tense with fear and uncertainty. She wanted to understand Yan Yan's outburst, but she also needed to feel safe and respected.
As the elevator doors opened, Yan Yan quickly ushered Tang Qing into a private room.
"Qingqing, can you forgive me?" Yanyan asked, squatting before Tang Qing as she sat in his office chair. "You are going too far."
As soon as Tang Qing spoke, tears fell unconsciously. Various emotions, such as grievance, fear, and anger, spread in her mind. "It's my fault. Can Qingqing forgive me?" Yanyan asked again.
"I just want to leave now; please let me go!" Tang Qing said, her voice trembling.
"Qingqing, you know this is impossible," Yan replied resolutely.
"You haven't changed at all from before. I don't think I will ever fall in love with you, no matter what," Tang Qing shouted, feeling increasingly broken as she realized Yan Yan would not let her go.
"Qing Qing has a day off this afternoon; let's stay here," Yan said, his voice growing colder. He then lifted Tang Qing off the chair and placed her on his lap, hugging her tightly.
The misunderstanding between the two seems to be escalating, with higher tensions.
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At twilight, Yanyan leaned against the balcony railing, the breeze playing with the loose strands of his hair. His classic DQE dark blue shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the reverse sleeve design that showcased his toned arms. The fading light cast a soft glow on the faint hickey just above his collarbone, a testament to recent passion.
A slender menthol cigarette burned in his hand, its smoke curling upward like a secret whispered into the evening air. His expression remained hidden, veiled by the rising mist.
Behind the smoke, a face both handsome and enigmatic emerged. Blue eyes held a hint of frost, a chill that unsettled anyone who dared to meet his gaze.
Meanwhile, in the dimly lit studio, Tang Qing sat on the edge of the bed, her torn shirt and skirt clinging to her trembling form. Her back was turned to Yan Yan, but the tension in the room was palpable. The air crackled with unspoken words, jealousy, and desire.
Yan Yan's icy facade concealed a smoldering intensity. As the storm of desire receded, the allure that clung to him intensified, leaving those who glimpsed it spellbound—a dangerous magnetism that defied reason. Tang Qing, her trembling form a stark contrast, felt the pull of his enigmatic heat, caught in a web of emotions too complex to unravel.