Chapter 83: The First Kiss

Chu Bing shook her head vigorously, retreating several steps to maintain a safe distance from Li Yuxi.

“Why are you avoiding me? I won’t harm you,” Li Yuxi’s pair of alluring, peach blossom eyes shimmered as he deliberately advanced toward Chu Bing, savoring the panic on her face.

Realizing his twisted amusement, Chu Bing inwardly cursed, but kept her vigilance outwardly.

“Relax, little beauty. I won’t touch you now. After all, you’re my elder brother’s beloved,” Li Yuxi’s lips curved into a sly smile as he looked Chu Bing over with ill intent. “My brother never lets women near him. Yet he’s brought you everywhere, which shows how infatuated he is with you.”

He pinched Chu Bing’s face, lowering his voice to a chuckle, “I must take a good look at what exactly caught the attention of my icy brother.”

Chu Bing turned her head away, feeling uneasy as Li Yuxi’s breath brushed over her skin.

She struggled twice and slipped away from his grasp, darting to the other side of the room.

Li Yuxi didn’t pursue her.

He rubbed his fingers, a trace of puzzlement on his face.

Why did this Red Sleeve’s face feel… so stiff?

Human skin is elastic and warm; the face he just touched felt… unlike a real person.

His expression shifted slightly as a possibility suddenly surfaced in his mind.

Chu Bing watched his increasingly strange gaze for a while, unable to suppress her curiosity. “What are you planning?”

Li Yuxi’s eyes flickered, then he laughed suddenly, “I just remembered I’ve been too harsh with you. That’s not good. What if Miss Red Sleeve becomes my sister-in-law in the future?”

Sister-in-law?

Before Chu Bing could react, Li Yuxi turned and called out to the maids outside the courtyard, “Miss Red Sleeve has traveled far and must be exhausted. Why aren’t you helping her bathe?”

Bathe?

Chu Bing stared, dumbfounded. What trick was Li Yuxi playing now?

She hurried to refuse, “Thank you for your kindness, but I—”

The maids had already carried in the bath barrel, giving her no opportunity to object.

Chu Bing silently swallowed her words.

If it’s bathing, so be it. She’d deal with whatever came.

The maids deftly arranged the bath barrel, filled it with steaming water, and tossed in a handful of rose petals.

Chu Bing quietly glanced at Li Yuxi, who remained motionless.

“…Why haven’t you left?” Suspicion colored her gaze; was this man intending to watch her bathe?

Li Yuxi’s lips curved, his tone calm, “Of course. As the host, how could I abandon my guest?”

Chu Bing was speechless, scrutinizing him again and again, only to confirm that he truly meant what he said—he really planned to stand there and watch her bathe!

What a pervert!

Clutching her clothes tightly, Chu Bing retreated, “I belong to the young master. If you dare act indecently, he won’t let you off!”

Li Yuxi smiled, showing eight teeth, feigning innocence, “It’s just as well—I’ll check for any flaws. Saves my brother from trouble if you’re defective.”

What kind of reasoning was that!

Infuriated, Chu Bing grabbed the nearest vase and hurled it at Li Yuxi.

He dodged with a tilt of his head, delighted by the surprise. With a light step, he flew to Chu Bing’s side, wrapping an arm around her waist and bringing her to the bath barrel.

Caught off guard, Chu Bing landed in the bath barrel.

When she realized what had happened and tried to get out, her soaked clothes clung to her body… If she went out like this, it would be as if she wore nothing at all.

Her face stiff, she sat back down in the bath barrel, her eyes glaring at Li Yuxi.

Li Yuxi grinned triumphantly, again reaching to touch Chu Bing’s face, “Tsk tsk, so pretty—a lotus rising from clear water. My clueless brother is so lucky.”

Chu Bing tried to break free, but this time Li Yuxi used some inner strength, making escape impossible.

The maids standing aside watched as Li Yuxi focused entirely on Chu Bing, jealousy flashing across their faces.

Chu Bing noticed their displeasure, and wished she could shout her grievance—she hadn’t done anything!

“This face… is quite intriguing,” Li Yuxi suddenly leaned in, voice hushed.

They were so close she could see herself reflected in his eyes.

To outsiders, it looked as if Li Yuxi was about to kiss her.

“Bang.”

A maid’s tray fell to the floor.

Chu Bing snapped back to herself, pushing Li Yuxi away with all her might.

Li Yuxi straightened, his gaze coolly sweeping over the maids.

“Get out.”

“Yes… yes…” The maids hurriedly lowered their heads and left, closing the door behind them.

Now, only Chu Bing and Li Yuxi remained in the room.

Chu Bing was frightened, retreating constantly until her back pressed against the bath barrel. “Li Yuxi, stay away!”

Li Yuxi raised his eyebrows, and with a flash, stood before Chu Bing.

“Why are you afraid of me?”

Chu Bing looked at his breathtakingly beautiful face, only feeling dread—what a lunatic.

She gritted her teeth, her wide eyes fixed on him, “Li Yuxi, I am your brother’s beloved—”

Chu Bing forced herself to stay calm, unhesitatingly invoking Li Mohan as her shield.

Li Yuxi’s smile deepened, “So what? My brother isn’t here right now.”

His gaze was full of malice as he suddenly pressed Chu Bing against the edge of the bath barrel.

“Let me go!” Chu Bing struggled desperately.

Li Yuxi pinned her wrists above her head, his gaze lingering on her chattering red lips, suddenly feeling his heartbeat slip out of control.

Unconsciously, he leaned in and kissed her lips.

Chu Bing—

Her face flushed wildly, tears of rage threatening to spill. This was her first kiss!

She pushed Li Yuxi with all her strength, disregarding the risk of exposure, using inner strength to shove him far away.

Li Yuxi was flung violently into a shelf.

He stood, clutching his chest, seeing Chu Bing already out of the bath barrel.

Chu Bing was furious; Li Yuxi’s teasing had been bad enough, but now he’d actually dared to kiss her—unforgivable!

Her gaze fell on the sword hanging at Li Yuxi’s waist. She rushed over, and before he could react, drew the sword and slashed it ruthlessly at his neck!

Today, she’d make this scoundrel pay!

“Clang!”

The sword traced a cold arc through the air, straight at Li Yuxi.

He was startled, dodging backward repeatedly.

Chu Bing, like a woman possessed, spared no mercy; the sword in her hand carried a chilling momentum, as if she’d only be satisfied by his death.

“Hiss.” The sword narrowly grazed Li Yuxi’s shoulder, tearing through his clothes.

His expression finally changed.