Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Chapter 323 The Charming Painter 24

Liu Chengyan folded the report again, put it back in the brown paper bag, and locked it in the deepest drawer of his desk.

He walked slowly to the window and silently watched Liu Yunshu as she painted.

After looking at him for a while, he finally spoke: "Niannian, would you mind bringing up a cup of hot milk for your brother?"

Hearing the sounds from upstairs, Liu Yunshu paused, her pen still, and looked up towards the study, calling out, "Yes, brother!"

Liu Chengyan sat back in his leather chair, turned on his computer, and saw Jiang Chi's physical data and future career plans.

Liu Yunshu quickly brought over a glass of warm milk. A thin layer of condensation formed on the glass, making her fingertips appear even whiter.

As she pushed open the door, her skirt swept across the carpet, carrying a faint scent of gardenias, as sweet as her own fragrance.

"Brother, the milk is ready." She gently placed the cup on the corner of the desk and prepared to turn and walk towards the door.

"Yun Shu, wait a moment."

Liu Chengyan called out to her, his voice as gentle as ever.

"Here is some information about Jiang Chi; you might be interested in taking a look."

Liu Yunshu stopped in her tracks, turned around, a relaxed smile still lingering on her face, and a hint of bewildered curiosity in her eyes.

"A-Chi's information? How did you get this, brother?"

Liu Yunshu obediently walked to the desk and leaned down to look at the glowing screen.

"Is this really Achi's physical fitness report and career plan? It's so detailed..."

She gasped softly, leaning forward unconsciously to examine the screen more closely.

She was so engrossed in watching that she was completely unaware that she had stepped into an invisible cage.

Liu Chengyan's arm had been raised from the armrest of the seat at some point.

With a natural yet highly controlled gesture, he gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

His chin rested lightly on the top of her soft hair, his breath filling the air with the fragrance of her hair.

His fingertips lightly caressed the fabric of her clothes at her waist, a spot of skin that must have been touched in the same way by someone else last night.

"Look,"

His voice was gentle and soft, falling on her ear like a feather gently tickling her.

"Jiang Chi's physical fitness report shows a high endurance score and strong explosive power; he's a promising talent."

Liu Yunshu's attention was entirely focused on the screen, oblivious to the undercurrent in his tone, his soft voice tinged with pride:

"Yes, Achi is very good. He is always very serious during training."

As she spoke, her fingertip lightly tapped Jiang Chi's sprint results on the screen, her eyes sparkling with admiration for her lover.

Liu Chengyan lowered his eyes to look at her long eyelashes, at the faint shadows cast by their curls, and his Adam's apple bobbed violently.

He reached out and placed his hand on the back of her hand. The burning heat of his fingertips startled Liu Yunshu, causing her to tremble slightly.

"An athlete's career is too short, and injuries are the biggest hidden danger."

He changed the subject, his tone revealing a hint of barely perceptible regret.

"What if he 'accidentally' suffers some kind of incurable injury or illness? What will we do then?"

Liu Yunshu's fingertips froze on the screen, the radiance on her face gradually faded, and a layer of bewilderment clouded her watery almond eyes.

"What do you mean? What do you mean by 'accidentally'?"

"It doesn't mean anything."

He chuckled softly, his chin brushing against the top of her soft hair, his tone as calm as if he were stating something utterly ordinary.

"For athletes, bumps and bruises are common during training."

"A single accidental muscle strain or a sudden collision could ruin a lifetime of career."

"If Yunshu cooperates... he will go far in good health and without any major setbacks... who knows..."

Liu Yunshu suddenly looked up and met Liu Chengyan's unfathomable eyes.

There were undercurrents surging within, which she couldn't understand; beneath the gentle exterior lay a chilling desire for control.

next second.

Her legs went weak, and she collapsed into his arms.

Her eyes glistened with moisture, and a charming blush rose at the corners.

"W-What are you going to do!"

Liu Chengyan tightened his arms, holding the limp woman firmly in his embrace, a hint of desire flashing in his eyes.

"You...it's obvious, isn't it?"

He lowered his head, his lips almost brushing against her reddened earlobe, his voice as gentle as honey laced with poison:

"As long as you stay obediently by my side, I promise your Ah Chi will have smooth sailing and be safe and sound."

Liu Yunshu trembled all over, her eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Like a little rabbit trapped by a hunter, her voice trembled with tears: "How could you do this... I'm yours..."

"Shh-"

Liu Chengyan gently pressed his fingertips against her trembling lips, stopping her from finishing her sentence, a cold warning flashing in his eyes.

"Don't say those two words, I... can't stand hearing that right now."

His fingertips gently caressed her lips until they glistened with moisture.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Niannian, Chengyan, are you inside?"

It was Shen Wan's voice.

"what!"

Liu Yunshu stared at him in disbelief. How...how dare he! Daring to be here...

Liu Chengyan, however, ignored her fear and even curled his lips into a faint, almost cruel smile.

He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, his voice filled with the satisfied satisfaction of having achieved his goal:

"Shh, be a good girl. You don't want Mommy to worry, you don't want her to see you like this, right?"

"She finally found you. She'd be heartbroken if she knew you were 'unhappy'."

He narrowed his eyes, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead. "Sweetie, relax, don't be nervous."

Liu Yunshu's sobs were forced back into her throat, and the tears in her eyes were about to fall, but she bit her lip tightly, not daring to let them fall.

Her body was still trembling slightly, like a fledgling bird soaked by a storm, even her breathing was timid and trembling.

Liu Chengyan reached out and tidied her messy hair, then pulled her closer to him.

Make sure that from the doorway, all you'll see is a brother and sister snuggling together intimately looking at documents.

"Mom, we're here."

He responded loudly, his voice so gentle that it showed no sign of anything amiss, and even carried a hint of a smile.

"I'm talking to Yun Shu about Jiang Chi's training plan."

Shen Wan pushed the door open and came in. Seeing the two of them standing close together, she didn't think much of it and just smiled and teased, "This child, she just knows how to stick to her brother."

"By the way, I just heard Niannian call out, what's wrong?"

Liu Chengyan looked up first, raised his hand and ruffled Liu Yunshu's hair, the gesture as natural as their countless intimate gestures on ordinary days.

"It's nothing."

His voice was clear and bright, with a hint of helpless indulgence.

"When this girl saw Jiang Chi's training data, she felt that the intensity was too high and she was so worried about him that her eyes welled up with tears. She accidentally bumped her arm just now and let out a spoiled whimper."

As he spoke, he casually pinched Liu Yunshu's arm, the force of his fingertips carrying a hint of warning.

Liu Yunshu froze, tears welling up in her eyes.

She could only bite her lip and force a nod, her voice thick with nasal tone, her soft, sweet voice filled with grievance:

"Yes...yes, Mom, I just think Achi's training is too hard..."

She lowered her eyes, not daring to look Shen Wan in the eye.

Her long eyelashes were wet and stuck to her eyelids, like a little rabbit that had been wronged but dared not utter a sound.

Shen Wan, as expected, didn't suspect anything. She walked over, affectionately patted her head, and sighed with a smile:

"You're too soft-hearted, kid. Athletes always work hard; it's all about perseverance."

She then looked at Liu Chengyan, her tone carrying a hint of admonition:

"Don't keep using these statistics to scare her. Young girls are sensitive and prone to overthinking."

"Okay, Mom."

Liu Chengyan responded, a faint smile flashing in his eyes. He hugged the person in his arms tighter, moved slightly, and spoke with increasing tenderness.

"I just wanted to reassure her that Jiang Chi has a good foundation, and as long as we follow the plan, nothing will happen."

Liu Yunshu quickly lowered her head, gripping the edge of the table tightly with both hands, swallowing back the sobs that were rising in her throat.

Shen Wan gave a few more instructions, saying that there was soup simmering in the kitchen and that they should come down to drink it later, before turning and leaving the study.

The moment the door closed gently, Liu Yunshu's tense body suddenly collapsed.

She collapsed into his arms, tilting her head back and staring blankly at the ceiling.

Tears fell drop by drop, landing on the back of his hand, which was scalding hot.

Liu Chengyan lowered his head, his fingertips gently caressing her lips. "Try it? Your taste."

"I don't!"

Liu Yunshu abruptly turned her face away, her stomach churning, and a strong feeling of nausea rising in her throat.

She covered her mouth and leaned against the edge of the desk, retching violently, but nothing came out; only tears and cold sweat streamed down her face.

"Doesn't it taste very good?"

He leaned close to her ear, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear it, filled with a venomous tenderness.

"If we listen to you, we'll all be happy, won't we?"

Liu Yunshu trembled all over, but couldn't say a word, and could only let her tears flow freely.

Outside the window, a sudden gust of wind arose, whipping up withered branches and fallen leaves that violently lashed against the glass, making a crackling sound.

It was like the prelude to a sudden downpour, or the oppressive drumbeat that heralded the silent, cruel "agreement" in the study.

After a long while, with a satisfied smile on his face, he slowly released her.

"Have you cried enough?"

His voice was still very soft, with a hint of hoarseness and pity after the affair.

"If you keep crying, your eyes will get swollen."

Liu Yunshu sobbed, turning her head away from him, her long eyelashes trembling wetly, like butterfly wings dampened by rain.

Her shoulders were still trembling slightly, and her voice was thick with a nasal tone: "How...how could you do this to me..."

Liu Chengyan chuckled softly, gently pinching her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to turn her head and look at him.

His gaze fell on the corners of her reddened eyes, and on the red marks on her lips from biting too hard.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"I'm just giving you a choice, Yunshu."

He leaned closer to her, his voice as gentle as a lover's whisper, yet every word was chilling:

"Choose me, and Jiang Chi will have a smooth and safe journey. Choose him..."

He paused deliberately, watching her face turn deathly pale, watching the fear slowly creep into her eyes, before continuing slowly:

"I can't guarantee that some 'accidents' won't suddenly happen on his training field."

Liu Yunshu's body trembled violently, as if all her strength had been drained away, and she even forgot to cry.

She stared blankly at him, at the unfathomable darkness in his eyes.

She finally realized that he wasn't discussing it with her; he was pressuring her.

She was forced to make a cruel choice between her lover's future and her own freedom.