The Aloof CEO’s Hidden Temptation - Chapter 13

Fu Chaoying had already finished her meal.

Ye Jiayuan was preparing to return to the study to work, but the moment she turned around, a sudden bolt of lightning illuminated the window. It was followed immediately by a low, rumbling peal of thunder, like the morning bell of a temple echoing through a silent mountain, deafeningly loud.

Ye Jiayuan slowed her pace, seemingly waiting for something.

She walked almost all the way to the study door, yet behind her, there was only silence, as if she were the only person in the entire space.

Involuntarily, Ye Jiayuan turned around. At the far end of the corridor, she saw Fu Chaoying standing as still as a statue, gazing at her fixedly.

For a moment, their eyes met. Ye Jiayuan keenly captured the flash of fear lingering in the girl’s pupils.

A certain soft emotion quietly spread through her heart. Ye Jiayuan stopped her retreat and spoke in a gentle voice: “I have many books in my study.”

As if a spell had been broken, Fu Chaoying managed a pale smile. “Then…”

Ye Jiayuan nodded slightly. “Come in and read whatever you like.”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes lit up, and she quickly walked toward her.

Ye Jiayuan stood at the other end of the hallway, quietly waiting. It was as if, in this manner, she was catching all of the other woman’s anxieties and fears.

The two entered the study one after the other.

The curtains in front of the floor to ceiling windows hadn’t been drawn yet, and Fu Chaoying immediately saw the pitch-black sky outside.

Inside the study, the lights were as bright as day, and the reflection on the glass windows showed their two figures.

Fu Chaoying’s heart stirred. Her gaze inadvertently swept over an oil painting on the wall, and she remarked softly, “It seems you really like this painting, Sister.”

Ye Jiayuan followed her gaze, her tone flat. “The room was too dull. This painting happens to adjust the atmosphere.”

The corners of Fu Chaoying’s lips curled up; she didn’t press further.

She walked to the bookshelf and pulled out a book at random. Turning around, she realized there was only a backless sofa by the window.

“It would be nice if there was a rocking chair,” Fu Chaoying sighed, seemingly to herself.

Ye Jiayuan looked up, shifting her gaze from the computer screen to her. She picked up the phone and made a call: “Yes, bring a new rocking chair over.”

“Sister, you are so good!” Fu Chaoying said in a light tone, her eyes curving into crescents.

Ye Jiayuan watched her for a moment, her voice indifferent: “It’s something I already had. I didn’t like it, so I had someone move it away.”

She didn’t like it.

This sentence caused Fu Chaoying to reflect: it seemed her preferences and Ye Jiayuan’s were worlds apart.

After a long silence, Ye Jiayuan glanced up at her again, only to find she had already lowered her head to read.

Time flowed quietly. The rocking chair had been delivered, and both women were busy with their own tasks.

Fu Chaoying was engrossed in her book until she grew thirsty. As she looked up to go get some water, she noticed that Ye Jiayuan had, at some point, walked over to her side, standing by the floor to ceiling window, gazing out at the night.

The light outlined her elegant profile, making her look both charming and mysterious.

Fu Chaoying stared at her side profile, lost in thought without even realizing it.

Every action and every word Ye Jiayuan spoke seemed to hold deep meaning, yet she never voiced it directly.

“Finished reading?” Ye Jiayuan asked softly, her gaze naturally landing on the girl’s face.

Fu Chaoying snapped back to reality and gave a shallow smile. “Not yet. I want to get a glass of water.”

Fu Chaoying stood up. Despite her slow movements, the rocking chair swayed violently. At the moment she lost her balance, a pair of warm and familiar hands steadying her.

“Sorry, I didn’t stand firmly.” Fu Chaoying gripped the other’s wrist to stand up, but the moment she was steady, she suddenly leaned forward.

Fu Chaoying’s warm, moist breath hit Ye Jiayuan’s skin through her thin shirt. Ye Jiayuan’s breathing hitched momentarily before she heard the girl ask.

“Sister, why do you have such a strong scent of coffee on you?”

Fu Chaoying looked up, searching her eyes as if looking for evidence that she hadn’t rested well.

Ye Jiayuan remained composed: “I accidentally brushed some coffee onto my clothes.”

Fu Chaoying quietly released her hand, her gaze grazing the shirt that barely had a wrinkle. A flash of playfulness crossed her eyes. “Oh, I thought it was because I disturbed your rest last night.”

Ye Jiayuan’s eyes flickered, but she remained silent.

“Are you finished with work?” Fu Chaoying shifted the topic opportunely. “Can you accompany me downstairs to get my clothes?”

Taking an inch and asking for a mile is human instinct.

Ye Jiayuan seemed to have anticipated this. Without much hesitation, she gave a soft “Mm.”

Fu Chaoying went to the dining room for water and handed her a glass as well.

After finishing their drinks, they went downstairs, only to run into the Aunt.

The Aunt had clearly been drinking, but she wasn’t so muddled that she had lost track of time: “How come you’re only coming back now?”

Fu Chaoying explained without missing a beat: “No, I just went to Sister Jiayuan’s place to hang out for a while.”

The Aunt nodded slightly and smiled at Ye Jiayuan. “Thank you, Xiao Yuan, for taking care of our Xiao Ying.”

“It’s nothing.” Ye Jiayuan’s expression was cool, and she didn’t say much more.

After a few pleasantries, the Aunt entered her room.

Fu Chaoying opened her own door, turned around, and looked deeply at Ye Jiayuan.

If Ye Jiayuan were afraid of trouble, she certainly would have taken this opportunity to push her back to the Aunt but she didn’t.

A smile blossomed on Fu Chaoying’s lips. “Sister, wait for me a moment.”

With that, she turned and entered her bedroom.

A familiar scent hit Ye Jiayuan’s nose. She looked around and discovered the rose aromatherapy.

It seemed Fu Chaoying’s tastes were very specific; from her perfume and body wash to her room scents, everything was the fragrance of roses.

A short while later, Fu Chaoying emerged with her nightgown, a pillow, and a small travel bag.

Ye Jiayuan glanced at her and asked casually, “Did you forget something?”

Fu Chaoying understood immediately. She didn’t look down to check her things but simply smiled. “My little bear is still at your place.”

Ye Jiayuan seemed to be pondering something, so Fu Chaoying added quickly: “I only just realized it.”

It sounded like a poor cover-up, yet also perfectly natural.

Ye Jiayuan had no intention of digging deeper and simply walked toward the door.

Coming to Ye Jiayuan’s residence once again, having been escorted the whole way, Fu Chaoying felt as though she had been invited, even though the truth was that she had actively requested to stay.

Ye Jiayuan was almost too good to her, as if she had no bottom line.

Fu Chaoying suddenly wanted to test something.

She naturally placed her pillow and the bear in the same spot as the night before. Ye Jiayuan permitted it.

After washing up, she took the initiative to climb onto the bed first. Ye Jiayuan permitted it.

The other woman consistently allowed all of her behaviors. This indulgence made Fu Chaoying increasingly curious, was Ye Jiayuan truly prepared to grant her every request?

And so, after Ye Jiayuan also lay down in the bed, just as a muffled crack of thunder was about to fall, Fu Chaoying asked her softly.

“Sister, I’m a little scared. Can you hold me?”

This was Fu Chaoying’s first active invitation while they were both fully awake.

The thunder stopped abruptly. Even the lightning outside seemed to hold its breath. It was as if everything were waiting for Ye Jiayuan’s response.