252: Chapter 252 What are you planning to do now!

The night grew deep.

A blanket of silence fell over the Shelter, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects.

Moonlight flowed like water, spilling through the window and casting a silver-white glow across the floor.

Murong Xueer lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Scenes from the day played repeatedly in her mind.

The domineering way Lin Yuan had wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

The ambiguity when the tip of his nose lightly grazed her neck.

And the provocation when he tilted her chin up, his thumb caressing her lips...

Every scene was like a brand, deeply etched into her mind.

Murong Xueer squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish those images from her head.

But the more she tried to forget, the clearer that man's figure became.

His gaze, his voice, the scent of him...

Her heart beat faster and faster, and she couldn't stop it at all.

Murong Xueer turned over irritably, her gaze falling on the moonlight outside the window.

The silvery moonlight fell on her exquisite profile, outlining it with a faint halo.

Her hand rose unconsciously, gently touching her own waist.

There, it felt as if the warmth of Lin Yuan's arm still lingered.

Powerful, searing, domineering...

That feeling of being tightly confined in his embrace made her feel both ashamed and...

She suddenly sat up and shook her head vigorously.

This man was clearly a rogue!

He took liberties with her when she was off guard and even said things like "I really like the scent on you"...

At the thought of this, her face turned red again.

Murong Xueer hugged her knees and buried her face between her legs.

From childhood to now, she had seen countless suitors.

Those men either displayed their strength before her, tried to please her with sweet talk, or used resources to win her over.

She had never felt anything for anyone.

But Lin Yuan...

He didn't try to please her, didn't use pretty words, and was even overbearingly domineering.

Yet it was such a person who made her lose sleep for the first time.

She buried her face in the pillow and let out a muffled sigh.

The family's mission wasn't finished yet; she couldn't lose her composure over a man.

But that man's figure was simply impossible to shake off.

After an unknown amount of time, Murong Xueer finally gave up on trying to sleep.

She sat up from the bed, threw on a coat, and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, and the stars were scattered like dots.

The Shelter was peaceful, with only the occasional sound of the patrol's footsteps.

Since she couldn't sleep, she might as well go for a walk.

Murong Xueer pushed open the door and stepped into the corridor.

The corridor late at night was empty, with only the night lights on the walls emitting a faint glow.

Murong Xueer walked slowly along the corridor, her footsteps light, making almost no sound.

The night wind was very cool, making her feel a bit more sober as it blew against her.

Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

Murong Xueer's footsteps came to a sudden halt, her heart rate instantly accelerating.

It was Lin Yuan.

He was wearing a black nightgown, standing with his hands behind his back by the window in the corridor.

The moonlight fell on his handsome face, outlining it with a faint silver edge.

That calm and composed posture made it seem as if he had known she would come.

Their eyes met.

Murong Xueer's heart beat like a drum, and her mind went blank.

She wanted to turn and leave, but her legs felt as if they were nailed to the ground, completely unable to move.

"Can't sleep?"

Lin Yuan's voice came from ahead, deep and magnetic.

Murong Xueer didn't answer, only staring at him quietly.

Under the moonlight, her cheeks flushed slightly, and a complex light flickered in her cold, beautiful eyes.

Seeing her like this, a playful smile curled on Lin Yuan's lips.

He took a step and walked toward her.

With every step he took, Murong Xueer's heart beat a bit faster.

Finally, he arrived in front of her.

The distance between them was less than half a meter.

Murong Xueer could clearly feel the aura from him, as well as the light in his deep eyes.

"Missed me?"

Lin Yuan's voice carried a hint of teasing.

Murong Xueer's cheeks instantly turned crimson.

"Who... who missed you!"

She retorted subconsciously, her voice trembling slightly:

"I just couldn't sleep and came out for some fresh air!"

"Is that so?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, the smile on his lips becoming more brilliant:

"Then why did your face turn red the moment you saw me?"

Murong Xueer's heart skipped a beat.

She subconsciously wanted to turn and flee, but as soon as she turned, her wrist was grabbed by Lin Yuan.

"Let go of me!"

She struggled to break free, but Lin Yuan's hand was like an iron pincer, firmly locking her wrist.

"Don't run."

Lin Yuan's voice came from behind her, deep and seductive:

"Since you can't sleep, stay and chat with me."

"I don't want to!"

Murong Xueer's voice carried a hint of panic:

"Let go of me!"

"I won't."

Lin Yuan gave a light chuckle and pulled hard, drawing her into his embrace.

Murong Xueer's back bumped against his chest, and that familiar warmth returned.

That feeling of being tightly confined caused her heart rate to instantly accelerate to the limit.

"You... what do you want to do now?"

Her voice trembled, yet she couldn't break free from Lin Yuan's restraint no matter how she tried.

"Nothing."

Lin Yuan's chin rested lightly on her shoulder, his warm breath fanning her ear:

"I just wanted to look at you up close."

"Look at what!"

Murong Xueer said in shame and annoyance:

"You rogue!"

"Rogue?"

Lin Yuan chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness:

"I haven't even done anything to you yet, and you're calling me a rogue?"

"How about I do something roguish so you can call me that for a reason?"

Murong Xueer's body suddenly stiffened.

"You... you wouldn't dare!"

"What wouldn't I dare?"

Lin Yuan's voice was deep and seductive:

"On my territory, I do whatever I want."

As he spoke, his arms tightened, pulling Murong Xueer even closer into his embrace.

The tip of his nose once again lightly grazed her fair neck as he took a deep breath.

"The scent on you really smells good."

Murong Xueer's face was so red it looked as if it would drip blood.

She wanted to retort, to struggle, to use her Superpower to attack this insolent man.

But for some reason, her body completely refused to obey her.

She could only allow Lin Yuan to hold her, feeling his warmth and scent.

"Murong Xueer."

Lin Yuan's voice suddenly became serious:

"I know you're observing me, and I know you're wary of me."

"But I want to tell you—"

His arms tightened slightly, his voice deep and sincere:

"I, Lin Yuan, never mistreat my own women."

"Whether you believe it or not, I will prove it to you with my actions."

Murong Xueer's heart suddenly trembled.

She heard an absolute sincerity in Lin Yuan's voice.

It wasn't an act, but a promise from the heart.

"You..."

She wanted to say something, but the words reached her lips and she swallowed them back down.

Lin Yuan said nothing more, only holding her quietly.

The moonlight spilled over the two of them, sketching an ambiguous scene.

After an unknown amount of time, Lin Yuan finally let go.

"Go back to sleep."

His voice returned to its usual indifference:

"There is still much to do tomorrow."

Murong Xueer turned around and looked at Lin Yuan's face.

Under the moonlight, his expression was calm, showing no emotion.

But she knew that those words just now were his true feelings.

"I..."

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she only whispered:

"Goodnight."

With that, she turned and left, her figure vanishing at the end of the corridor.

Lin Yuan watched her departing back, a faint smile curling on his lips.

"Run all you want."

He said softly, a confident light flashing in his eyes:

"You can't get away anyway."

Back in her room, Murong Xueer leaned against the door, her heart beating like a drum.