Chapter 007: Still Say You Don't Like Me?

Jiang Yao hadn't dreamed in many years. The instincts that kept her alive had long since locked away every sweet dream and nightmare in the deepest corner of her mind.

But now, that person had been released.

It was as if a floodgate had opened—her nightmares could no longer be contained.

In her dream, she had become a doll, torn to shreds by that person. She screamed and screamed, but no one could hear her.

In her dream, her mother wept endlessly, until she finally left Jiang Yao all alone, never once looking back.

"Don't go, don't go," she sobbed, pleading.

But in the end, the world left her utterly alone.

Outside the dream, He Yunqing tried to pull his hand free, but Jiang Yao only clung tighter, wrapping her arms around his entire arm as she murmured, "Don't go, I promise I'll be good from now on."

A buzzing sound—her phone vibrating.

Jiang Yao's brow furrowed more deeply. Half-awake, she groped about for her phone as she opened her eyes.

He Yunqing seized the opportunity to slip his hand away and quickly left the dressing room.

Jiang Yao rubbed her eyes and glanced around, seeing nothing out of the ordinary, but a faint, cool scent of cedar lingered in the air.

Absentmindedly, she lifted her hand to her nose and sniffed. The scent was unfamiliar but strangely familiar.

"Yao, good news! A director told me I have a lot of potential and invited me to his room on the third floor of the hotel after this ends to talk things over," Ye Yiyi said excitedly on the phone. "There's still a while before it's over. If you're sleepy, you don't have to wait for me."

"Ye Yiyi, how old are you this year?" Jiang Yao pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Huh? I'm twenty-three, why?"

"You're twenty-three already, how can you still be so naive?" Jiang Yao sighed. "It's the middle of the night and someone asks you to their hotel room to 'talk'? Even if it really is just talking, didn't you feel the least bit suspicious when you heard that?"

"Oh, it'll be fine!" Ye Yiyi replied, unconcerned. "Anyway, the director's here. I have to go!"

"Wait, hey—"

The call ended, replaced by the cold, mechanical beeps of the line.

Jiang Yao started pulling at her hair again, convinced she would one day go bald thanks to Ye Yiyi and her antics.

There was no way she could leave first. She had to keep an eye out for her clueless friend.

At half past eleven, the banquet finally ended.

Jiang Yao immediately texted Ye Yiyi, asking where she was.

"I just went into the room with the director, don't worry!" came the reply, complete with a cute emoji.

"Which room? I'll wait for you outside."

"If you're really worried, I’ll crack the door a bit. If anything seems off, you can rush in," Ye Yiyi replied.

Jiang Yao thought that was a good idea, grabbed her bag, and headed straight for the third floor.

There were quite a few rooms on the third floor. After walking about ten meters, Jiang Yao finally spotted a door left slightly ajar.

She crept closer and listened carefully, but heard nothing from inside.

"Yao, I told the director about you. He said you can come in too," Ye Yiyi texted again.

Even better.

Jiang Yao straightened her back, politely knocked twice, then pushed the door open and closed it behind her.

But the room was empty—not a soul in sight.

"Yiyi? Ye Yiyi?" she called tentatively.

After three seconds, Jiang Yao realized she must have entered the wrong room.

She apologized to the empty air and was about to leave when footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by the sound of the lock turning.

Her mind went blank with panic. If she were caught inside, no amount of explaining would clear her name.

In that instant, she made a split-second decision and dashed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

She’d wait until the coast was clear and then slip out unnoticed.

The main door clicked open.

Jiang Yao pressed her ear to the bathroom door, listening intently.

She heard someone enter, their steady footsteps muffled by the carpet, then the rustle of a coat being removed, and even the sound of a glass of water being poured.

Then—the person began walking directly toward the bathroom.

Cold sweat broke out all over Jiang Yao as she braced herself against the door.

Outside, the man pressed his large hand to the handle and pushed. The door didn't budge. He tried again—still nothing.

"The bathroom door seems to be jammed. Could you send someone to take a look?" she heard the man call the front desk.

Jiang Yao paused. Why did that voice sound so familiar?

There was no time to think. The moment hotel staff arrived, she’d be exposed for sure. Spinning around, she made another rash decision.

The bathtub was already filled with hot water, petals floating on the surface.

With nowhere else to hide, she steeled herself and slipped into the tub.

Oh, Jiang Yao, you should have just walked out. How did you let yourself get cornered like this? One misstep, and now every step is wrong. She cursed herself inwardly and tugged at her hair in frustration.

Outside, the man tried the bathroom door again.

Without her weight against it, the door opened easily.

Jiang Yao held her breath beneath the water, but she couldn't last long. She surfaced quietly for air, stealing a glance at the man.

What she saw made her heart freeze.

The tall, well-built man wore a loose white robe, the belt casually knotted, exuding a careless yet powerful grace.

His face, when expressionless, appeared cool and distant—utterly unapproachable.

There was no mistaking it. This was the same man she'd beaten up in the alley last night.

She was doomed. Regret flooded her.

If it had been someone else, she might have tried to explain, but with him—

He’d accuse her of stalking him again.

He’d even said he’d call the police if it happened a second time.

Despairing, Jiang Yao ducked back under the water.

The faint sound of water caught He Yunqing’s attention. He frowned slightly and walked toward the tub.

Closer and closer.

Jiang Yao couldn't tell if the pounding she heard was his footsteps or her own heartbeat.

Nor could she tell if her dizziness was from the awkward situation or simply holding her breath too long.

Finally, as the man reached the tub, she could hold it no longer. She sat up abruptly, sending a spray of water over him.

"I'm sorry, but I can explain."

Her face flushed bright red as she wiped water from her cheeks.

For once, the unflappable He Yunqing was caught off guard, taking a step back and staring at her in disbelief.

She was soaked to the skin, her dark hair plastered to her head, looking every bit the drowned kitten, her cheeks as red as apples.

Composing himself, the man let out a low, teasing chuckle. "And you still say you're not interested in me?"