"I..."

Tang Manman hesitated, her expression fraught with conflict, visibly struck by Lin Yu's pointed observation.

The cost of the medicine wasn't merely a few hundred but over eight hundred! For her, that amount was a significant sum, the result of a year's worth of scrimping and saving, nearly all of it had gone towards Lin Yu's medication.

To say she wasn’t pained by this expenditure would be a lie, yet she remained steadfast, not stepping into the room but rather watching him with her soft, peach blossom eyes that held a hint of timidity.

Had Lin Yu been his usual fierce or cold self, she wouldn’t have hesitated to follow him. But confronted with Lin Yu's uncharacteristically gentle demeanor, she genuinely feared him.

Lin Yu noticed Tang Manman’s wariness but had no intention of letting her off easily.

Feeling scared now?

What were you thinking before coming here?

Didn't it occur to you that something unexpected might happen?

This time, you must learn your lesson well,

So you'll think twice before recklessly venturing into places in the future.

After internally chastising Tang Manman, Lin Yu maintained a seemingly cheerful facade and jokingly asked, "Tang Manman, are you refusing to come in because you're scared I might do something to you?"

Caught off guard, Tang Manman visibly flinched before hurriedly denying, "No, that's not it."

"Well, in that case, come in quickly. I'm not going to bite, come on."

Seizing the opportunity Tang Manman's denial provided, Lin Yu persistently urged her inside.

Under Lin Yu’s relentless coaxing, Tang Manman’s resolve quickly crumbled. With reluctance written all over her face, she finally, and hesitatingly, stepped inside.

Observing Tang Manman venture into what he perceived as a den of wolves, Lin Yu’s gaze turned icy.

You're clearly aware of the potential danger yet don't know how to refuse?

Well, then,

This time, you’ll truly learn what happens when you can't decisively say no.

Once Tang Manman was inside, Lin Yu quickly locked the door behind her. The sound of the lock clicking into place caused Tang Manman to visibly flinch, her stance immediately rigid.

Lin Yu, satisfied with her nervous reaction, thought, Let’s see if you dare to enter a ruffian's house again.

Today,

I, Lin Yu,

The paragon of pure love,

Will teach you, Tang Manman, an innocently naïve girl, a lesson you won’t soon forget,

To show you how dangerous this world can be.

"Stop standing, have a seat," Lin Yu gestured towards the untidy bed, signaling Tang Manman to sit.

Rooted in place, Tang Manman didn’t move, prompting Lin Yu to approach and softly tease, "What’s wrong?"

"Want me to carry you over there?"

"Alright then!"

Lin Yu chuckled heartily, opening his arms as if to embrace Tang Manman.

Frightened, Tang Manman quickly darted away, cornering herself between the bed and the wall. With no escape path left, she turned to face Lin Yu, standing defensively in the corner, eyes wary of any sudden moves from him.

Seeing Tang Manman’s endearingly panic-stricken appearance, Lin Yu struggled to suppress his laughter. Adopting a stern facade, he coldly stated, "If you don't want me to carry you, then go sit on the bed yourself."

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"Otherwise, I might have to get rough."

Lin Yu feigned a menacing demeanor as a threat.

The standoff between Tang Manman and Lin Yu grew tense until Tang Manman unexpectedly let out a small chuckle.

"Tang Manman!"

"What are you laughing at?"

Lin Yu was taken aback.

Tang Manman!

Do you realize the predicament you're in?

You're locked in a rogue's home!

Alone with a man, with no way out, your integrity at risk!

And yet, you find humor in this situation?

What were you thinking?

Could it be that beneath your innocent exterior lies a wildly libertine interior?

"Sorry, sorry."

Seeming to realize the absurdity of her laughter under the circumstances, Tang Manman quickly covered her mouth, her eyes betraying a mix of vigilance and fear.

Lin Yu, seeing she still regarded him as a potential threat, decided not to dwell on her brief moment of laughter...

How could he not care!

What kind of decent girl laughs in the face of danger when locked away by a ruffian?

Isn't that the definition of a libertine?

Taking a deep breath to calm down, Lin Yu continued his rogue act without any real intention to scare Tang Manman further, more curious to confirm his suspicion about her true nature.

"Ha ha, you must be thrilled to be here with me, right?"

"Don’t worry, I’m happy too."

"Especially since we’re going to have an even better time soon."

Saying this, Lin Yu mockingly adopted a ruffian’s grin and teasingly raised an eyebrow in Tang Manman's direction.

But then he realized his long hair obscured his face, making the gesture invisible to Tang Manman, prompting him to switch and raise the other eyebrow instead.

After the gesture, Lin Yu contemplating his newly widened field of vision, had an epiphany.

Wait a second!

Where did my blonde hair go?

Was it trimmed while treating my head wound last night?

Doctor, you?

What a saint!!!

Before Lin Yu could revel in the realization, Tang Manman, standing across from him, suddenly burst into giggles.

"Tang Manman!"

"Why?!" Lin Yu was flustered.

Do you even grasp the gravity of your current situation?

You're locked in a rogue's house!

Alone with a man, exitless, your purity on the line!

And yet, you laugh?

Are you claiming you’re not actually a libertine?

For a moment, Lin Yu was too frustrated to breathe properly, especially considering the pure love relationship he’d sought to protect might have been impure from the start.

Utterly unacceptable.

Absolutely, positively, utterly unacceptable!!!

Maybe sensing the shift in atmosphere or perhaps Lin Yu’s angry glare affected her, but Tang Manman's laughter ceased.

Standing up like a child caught in wrongdoing, hands hanging listlessly, she glanced at Lin Yu before lowering her gaze and quietly apologized,

"Sorry."

"What are you laughing at?"

Lin Yu's voice was colder than ever.

"I..."

Tang Manman looked up briefly, then looked down again, murmuring,

"Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you."

"Laugh at me?" Lin Yu's anger momentarily ebbed at this unexpected response, prompting him to question,

"What are you laughing at?"