Chapter 8: Inside the Apartment

On the top floor of the Ramon Apartments in the Bay Area, four sides of cantilevered vertical glass offered an unobstructed view of the mountains and sea.

This was the ultimate, ruthless enclave for the wealthiest elites of Qinggang City. The rooftop featured a forest sky garden and a private swimming pool, with a dedicated elevator that led directly into the residence.

Xie Bo took her to his private apartment.

Usually, he entertained guests or held parties at his villa in the Deer Mountain District, so few knew he had another residence here.

The Ramon Apartments were his sanctuary, a place rarely intruded upon.

Undoubtedly, this was the safest place.

Lin Yiwei sat anxiously on the edge of a soft leather sofa, hugging her knees and gazing out the massive floor-to-ceiling window that framed the expansive sea view.

In the distance, the bay was dotted with twinkling fishing lights. The towering buildings on the opposite shore reflected on the shimmering waves, like a neon-lit postcard of the city.

This was the harbor district—land here was worth its weight in gold.

At this height, even a lifetime’s savings wouldn’t buy her a single square meter.

At this moment, she felt like a startled cat, curled up on the plush sofa, trembling violently.

Those few minutes spent with Chi Xicheng would haunt her forever.

Especially the items on the tray… each one sent chills down her spine.

Xie Bo stood by the window, eyes narrowing as he looked at her, a cold smirk playing at his lips—

“You thought you were a little wildcat, but turns out you’re just a rabbit, scared out of your wits after one meeting.”

Lin Yiwei picked up a cup from the coffee table and took a long gulp to soothe the dryness in her throat. “Why are you here?”

“What do you think?”

Xie Bo had checked on Chi Xicheng and learned that the woman he’d been searching for recently was Lin Yiwei. He sent people to shadow her secretly and arrived just in time tonight.

Even if she couldn’t escape on her own, he would storm into the private room and take her away intact, not letting a single strand of hair be touched by Chi Xicheng.

He looked down at her, his dark eyes icy cold.

His marked prey was not allowed to carry the scent of another man—not even a trace.

“Yiwei, you had choices before. But after crossing Chi Xicheng, unfortunately, you have none now.”

Only Xie Bo could bring her out of Chi Xicheng’s arrogant grasp unscathed.

Lin Yiwei was painfully aware of this.

Her fists clenched tightly under her sleeves, knuckles turning white. She gritted her teeth and said, “I never asked you to save me.”

“Listen to you, so ungrateful.” Xie Bo’s long fingers lifted her chin. “So you actually want to play those disgusting, twisted games with Chi Xicheng.”

At the thought of the things on that tray, Lin Yiwei shuddered uncontrollably.

“Xie Bo, how far do you think you can go? You’re all the same breed.”

“Yes, but the only difference is, I won’t let you suffer…”

His fingertips traced her face lightly. “On the contrary, I’ll bring you pleasure. Didn’t you already experience that before?”

The memory of that night flushed her cheeks with warmth.

In the dead of night, she had secretly thought of him.

After all, that night was unforgettable—her most exquisite moment of joy.

Even so, Lin Yiwei could not agree.

Lin Xie was her ultimate goal.

Until she uncovered the truth behind her brother’s disappearance, she had to stay by Chi Xiyu’s side and never betray her.

Lin Yiwei put on her slippers and stood up to leave.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I don’t need it. I can protect myself.”

Xie Bo had never met such a stubborn woman—unyielding like a foul rock by the roadside. Yet, he couldn’t push her away with a single kick.

Just as she was about to leave, Xie Bo grabbed her wrist fiercely, pulling her back into his embrace, restraining her, his voice low and commanding—

“Think carefully. Chi Xicheng might be waiting downstairs.”

Lin Yiwei felt the man’s strong arms blocking her path, his hot breath brushing her ear, burning unbearably.

She couldn’t help but recall that night again.

That night, he was so obedient and gentle before her.

Perhaps he only pretended to be docile for fun, letting her do as she pleased.

Truly, the Oscar for best actor belonged to him.

“Lin Yiwei, just because I didn’t lose my temper at you doesn’t mean I’m a good man.”

She fought to steady her trembling voice and said, “But you have more principles than Chi Xicheng.”

So, he would never truly force her or coerce her with power.

Eventually, the girl left the Ramon Apartments.

Xie Bo vented his frustration with a kick, toppling a valuable plaster bust beside him. Watching the shattered pieces, he laughed with lingering amusement.

Damn, this was truly entertaining.

…

Lin Yiwei stepped out of the Ramon Apartments lobby and suddenly saw several cars speeding in, parking beside the garden path inside the complex.

Chi Xicheng got out and strode toward the Ramon Apartments.

He had really come looking for her!

Lin Yiwei’s face went pale with fright. She backed away hurriedly and dashed toward the elevator, pressing every button frantically.

With a ding, the elevator doors opened.

She rushed in and pressed Xie Bo’s floor, only to find it required a card scan or facial recognition.

She wasn’t a resident and couldn’t access any floors.

Footsteps drew nearer. Lin Yiwei heard Chi Xicheng’s and Yun Hui’s voices—

“Who’s that man with her? How dare he steal my woman?”

“I didn’t see clearly. Just saw the car enter Ramon Apartments,” Yun Hui said. “Anyone who lives here is either filthy rich or influential in Qinggang City. That girl actually knows someone that powerful.”

Chi Xicheng’s face darkened menacingly. Anyone bold enough to snatch a person right under his nose had some skill or guts.

“Go check the underground garage. I saw a Rolls-Royce.”

“The elevator’s here, Boss Chi. This way.”

Panicking, Lin Yiwei fled the elevator, hoping to slip out while they were unguarded, still clinging to a thread of hope.

At the crucial moment, another elevator door slowly opened.

The next second, someone grabbed her wrist with an unyielding force, pulling her into an embrace and into the elevator.

The doors began to close as Chi Xicheng and his men arrived.

Lin Yiwei’s heart nearly stopped.

She gasped for breath, shaken, and turned to see Xie Bo’s cold, expressionless face.

His sharp jawline was accentuated by the overhead light, his features strikingly chiseled.

He lowered his gaze to her, eyes filled with mockery and teasing.

Lin Yiwei knew he was laughing at her helplessness—though she claimed she could handle things herself and didn’t need his help, she kept getting rescued by him again and again.

With a ding, the elevator arrived at his floor. Xie Bo lifted her like a chick and carried her into the bedroom, roughly tossing her onto the bed.

Snapping back to reality, Lin Yiwei saw a deep gray, king-sized bed. The room bore traces of his life—

Racing trophies lined the glass wall cabinets, an unfinished cartoon dog painting sat on an easel by the window, a desk cluttered with novels and racing magazines…

This was Xie Bo’s life and studies, a side of him rarely seen by others.

His truest self.

Strangely, though she should have been scared, Lin Yiwei didn’t feel so anymore.

Especially looking at that slightly clumsy sketch of a dog.

He had quite a few interests…

…

After releasing her hand, Xie Bo grabbed a pillow off the bed. As he turned to leave, he looked back at her—

“You’ll sleep here tonight. Nothing will happen. Rest easy.”

“Why do you keep saving me?”

Xie Bo sneered coldly and closed the door. “Once you’re with me, you can’t be with anyone else.”

…

Lin Yiwei was like a kitten in a new environment, quietly staying still for a while before cautiously exploring her surroundings.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she relaxed slightly.

She sniffed her clothes—still lingering with the pungent incense from the club.

She wanted to shower.

Noticing a bathroom in the room, she opened the door to find an enormous curved sunken bathtub, minimalist and spotless without a single stray hair.

She saw a used razor blade by the mirror cabinet.

Clearly, this was his private bathroom, and she dared not use it.

She crept out of the room and noticed the living room was empty and dimly lit, with only a thin strip of warm lighting along the curtain box.

Light spilled from the gym across the hall. Lin Yiwei approached and peeked through the door crack to see Xie Bo hanging from the pull-up bar, doing crunches.

He wore a black tank top, sweat tracing the contours of his sculpted, toned skin. His muscles flowed seamlessly, the tank top unable to fully cover his defined chest and abs.

Spotting her upside-down face, he dropped from the bar, wiped sweat from his neck with a towel, the wet patch on his chest prominent.

“Need something?” He opened a bottle of water, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed, radiating raw masculinity.

“I want to use the public bathroom to take a shower. Is that okay?” Lin Yiwei asked in a coaxing tone. “I don’t want to dirty your bed.”

“There’s a bathroom in the room.”

“But that’s your private one. I’d prefer to use the public bathroom.”

“Why, are you offended by mine?” He tossed the empty bottle aside, brushing past her to leave the room.

“No, that’s not it.” She hurried after him, cautiously explaining, “I’m afraid you might mind. Some people don’t like their personal things used. I’d rather ask first.”

Xie Bo could see from her cautiousness how precarious her life was—living on edge, always wary.

She hadn’t lived well.

Since the first day he met her, he sensed it.

No, not just not well—terribly so.

“Everything in the room is yours to use,” Xie Bo said with a teasing tone, “including me. Haven’t you already used me?”

“Thank you!”

Lin Yiwei darted back to the room, locked the door, and went to the bathroom.

Soon after, the man knocked on the door.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, heart pounding.

“Open up.”

“Can you wait a moment?”

“This door uses fingerprint recognition. I’m coming in.”

“Xie Bo, no!!!”

He opened the door to find her wrapped in a gray towel, damp hair falling over her shoulders, fair skin glistening with droplets flowing down…

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and mild anger. “I said wait a moment!”

Xie Bo casually tossed a white shirt onto her and murmured playfully—

“Consider this your pajamas.”