I was resolute, refusing to let Jiang Lun's lips meet mine.

Yet, as the headlights flashed by, my defiance waned, and I surrendered, closing my eyes in resignation.

"What's happening here?"

At the precipice of Jiang Lun's kiss, he was abruptly pulled away, and I stumbled backward into a familiar embrace.

"Who dares interrupt me?"

Jiang Lun's frustration spilled out into the dimly lit space as his anticipated kiss was thwarted.

Upon realizing it was Gong Li'an who intervened, and that I was now safe in his arms, my frustration ebbed away.

"Mr. Gong, you've returned."

Clutching Gong Li'an's shirt, tears streamed down my face, portraying the image of a damsel in distress who had just spotted her knight.

Without making a move to disentangle myself, Gong Li'an didn't push me away but instead challenged Jiang Lun as he reached out again, "What is this?"

As Jiang Lun began his explanation, my cries drowned him out, provoking him to openly rebuke me.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"You said you liked me, didn't you? What's wrong with a kiss after agreeing to be together?"

Burrowing my face into Gong Li'an's chest, my sobs were interspersed with declarations, "I don't like you! I like..."

"Someone like Mr. Gong."

The latter half of my confession was whispered so faintly that only Gong Li'an and I could hear.

I sensed a brief hitch in his breath at my words.

Before I could gauge his reaction, Gong Li'an's grip on my collar pulled me to safety behind him, standing alone against Jiang Lun's tantrum.

"Your conduct is unbecoming of a tutor. Collect today's compensation from the butler and consider your employment terminated," Gong Li'an stated firmly, catching Jiang Lun off guard.

"What, is even this off-limits?"

Gong Li'an offered no reply, merely regarding him with a cold gaze.

From behind Gong Li'an, I allowed a smirk to show, signaling to Jiang Lun that he had fallen into my trap.

Jiang Lun pointed accusingly at me, venom in his eyes, "You're cunning, just you wait!"

Retreating hastily, he hurried back to the estate, likely to lodge a complaint.

Gong Li'an then turned to me, his gaze softened, "I'm sorry."

"I've grown tired of apologies. My attempts to win you over have been met with nothing but apologies."

Stepping back, I looked up at Gong Li'an, fiercely wiping away my tears.

"What are you apologizing for, Mr. Gong? Is it because you can't return my affections, or because you can only stand by as I'm mistreated by your wife?"

Gong Li'an remained silent but moved closer, his hand reaching out to wipe away my tears.

As his fingertips neared my face, I recoiled, treating his touch as though it were a threat. In the dim light, his expression was obscured, his hand hovering before slowly retreating.

It wasn't until the awkward silence grew unbearable, and my indignation peaked, that he finally spoke, his voice a low rumble.