16: Chapter 16 That Touch of Purple Scenery

Su Man’s face stiffened at Yin Tianxue’s blunt remark, but surprisingly, she didn't immediately flare up or show embarrassment. Instead, after a brief moment of rigidity, she forced another smile. This smile was different from her previous calculated allure; it carried a sense of understanding, even a hint of playfulness, as if all her blatant testing and flirting had just been a harmless joke.

“Heh... heh... fine, fine, fine. Having a boyfriend really is different; your heart is already elsewhere,” she said in a relaxed, almost teasing tone. As she spoke, she unhurriedly picked up her handbag from the sofa. Her movements as she turned were still swaying and graceful, carrying a deliberate sense of charm.

She walked toward the door with an unhurried pace, the sound of her high heels clicking against the floor in a languid rhythm. Just as she was about to step out and her figure was nearly obscured by the doorframe, she suddenly stopped. She turned her head slightly, her eyes shimmering as she cast a brief but meaningful glance toward the living room—specifically, toward Yu Bo.

That glance no longer held the previous straightforward seduction; instead, it carried a playful, provocative smile that seemed to say, 'I know exactly what you saw.' Simultaneously, using the subtle motion of turning to close the door, she gave her waist a very slight but deliberate twist. Because of this movement, the hem of her already high-slit dress flared upward in an ostentatious arc.

In that fleeting glimpse, a mysterious purple edge was faintly revealed beneath the white dress. The lines were barely visible—an extremely brief exposure, yet one filled with suggestive intent. It was a deliberate, calculating display, so fast it almost seemed like an illusion, yet it had truly happened.

Then, the door was gently pulled shut with a soft 'click.' It wasn't loud, but it seemed to shut out all the ambiguity and provocation.

The living room instantly fell silent, leaving only the perfume in the air—so thick it was almost choking—and the subtle atmosphere lingering between the two of them.

Yin Tianxue’s tense shoulders relaxed as she let out a long sigh, but her brow furrowed even deeper. She turned to look at Yu Bo, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't know where to start. She hadn't seen Su Man’s brief glance and movement clearly before she left, but a woman’s natural intuition allowed her to catch that unusual vibe.

Yu Bo had already withdrawn his gaze before she looked over. His face remained expressionless as he reached out to pull her back to his side, his fingers stroking her arm soothingly.

“She today...” Yin Tianxue leaned into his embrace, her voice muffled and filled with confusion and lingering discomfort. “What exactly was she trying to do? Before... although she was a bit competitive and sometimes spoke without thinking, she was never like this... like this...” She couldn't find the right words to describe Su Man’s almost deliberately frivolous behavior.

“Maybe she was provoked by something, or maybe it’s just pure psychological imbalance,” Yu Bo’s voice was calm, devoid of emotion. “Some people can't stand to see others doing well, especially those close to them. The happier you are, the more she wants to ruin it, to prove that she can get what you have, or... at least get a taste of it.”

Yin Tianxue was silent for a moment before whispering, “She changed a lot after her divorce... but I didn't expect her to become like this.” She looked up at Yu Bo. “Just now... what did you see?”

She asked directly, her gaze locked onto Yu Bo’s eyes.

Meeting her scrutinizing gaze, Yu Bo didn't even twitch an eyebrow as he asked frankly, “What do you mean, what did I see?”

“Liar!” Yin Tianxue immediately called him out, her finger poking his chest. “I saw it all! The slit in her dress was... was like that! You were facing her directly; how could you not have seen? You're being dishonest.”

Yu Bo caught her mischievous finger and gave it a gentle squeeze, a helpless smile appearing in his eyes. “See what? See her deliberately twist like that?”

“Yes! And... and what was under her dress...” Yin Tianxue couldn't finish, her face turning a bit red, but her eyes remained stubbornly fixed on him, demanding an answer.

“Oh, you mean those little purple panties,” Yu Bo’s tone remained flat, as if he were discussing the weather. “The color was quite gaudy, and the design... was hard to describe. Why? Do you think I’d like that style?”

Yin Tianxue was somewhat disarmed by his dismissive attitude, but the jealousy and unease in her heart hadn't fully dissipated. She bit her lip and lowered her voice, with a hint of grievance and probing that she hadn't even noticed herself. “Who knows... don't you men all like that kind of... deliberate flirting?”

Yu Bo finally couldn't help but let out a low laugh. He leaned in close until his nose almost touched hers, his warm breath brushing against her face. “Who told you I like that? Hmm?”

“Isn't it true?” Yin Tianxue turned her face away, muttering softly. “She was being so... obvious just now.”

“And you... you just had a physical reaction.”

These words were like a small pebble thrown into a seemingly calm lake, stirring up layers of hidden ripples.

After Yin Tianxue spoke, her face grew even redder, even her earlobes tinged with a faint pink. She shot a quick glance at Yu Bo’s side and then immediately looked away as if burned, but that one glance was enough for her to confirm—even through the fabric of his clothes, that subtle change was clearly perceptible.

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

The smile on Yu Bo’s face slowly faded. He didn't immediately deny it or offer an explanation; he just looked at her, his gaze becoming deep and complex.

Yin Tianxue felt flustered under his gaze and instinctively wanted to look away, yet she stubbornly straightened her back to meet his eyes. Since the words were out, she wanted an answer.

“You saw?” Yu Bo finally spoke, his voice deeper than before.

“I’m not blind.” Yin Tianxue’s voice carried an imperceptible tremble, whether from anger or grievance.

Yu Bo was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. He grabbed her wrist and guided her hand, gently placing it over his slightly tense...

Yin Tianxue tried to pull her hand back as if she’d been electrocuted, but he held it firmly in place.

“Can you feel it?” Yu Bo looked at her, his gaze honest. “There is a reaction. There still is.”

Yin Tianxue’s face instantly turned so red it looked like it might bleed, her heart drumming in her chest. “You... let go...” she said, both ashamed and annoyed, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Yu Bo didn't let go; instead, he gripped her tighter. His other hand lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes as he said in a low, heavy voice, word by word: