9. The Date

“Actually, if you have something to do, you can go ahead. I’ll just wander nearby—I won’t get lost.” Ruan Li looked up at the tall man; she could barely reach his chest.

From her vantage point, the first thing to catch her eye was that undeniably prominent chest, leaving her unsure whether to feel embarrassed or to pretend she noticed nothing.

On his slender neck, the most striking feature was the sharply defined jawline.

Zhe Ye rarely smiled—not even a forced curl of his lips.

He lowered his head to look at Ruan Li, who was craning her neck to meet his gaze. His ash-gray eyes curved slightly, and his rich voice slipped from the corner of his mouth: “I’m not busy. I can accompany you.”

He thought for a moment and added, “I’m off today.”

“Wherever you want to go, I can come with you.”

Zhe Ye figured most females liked shopping malls. Although he found it somewhat dull, accompanying his mate was a duty he ought to fulfill.

“Alright, but I haven’t decided where to go. Do you have any recommendations?”

“There’s a mall nearby. Want to check it out?”

Seeing Ruan Li nod, Zhe Ye tapped his smart interface a few times. A blue light swept across the empty space before them, sketching out the shape of a silver-gray flying vehicle.

A craft roughly the size of two small cars parked right in front of them, its door automatically opening.

Ruan Li couldn’t hide her surprise, though she quickly composed herself.

“This is a modified smart interface that integrates the spatial hub with the system. So you only need to operate it through the interface to open the vehicle,” Zhe Ye explained.

They were in a residential area, with a few flying vehicles occasionally passing overhead.

Yet Ruan Li could tell this one was different—the metallic texture and unique design clearly set it apart from ordinary crafts.

“After you,” Zhe Ye bowed slightly, lowering his head as he spoke.

Ruan Li followed him inside. The interior consisted of a lounge area and a cockpit.

Zhe Ye moved to the cockpit, tapping the screen a few times. Once the door closed, the craft began to move slowly.

She felt the gentle sway and instinctively steadied herself against the wall. The takeoff and travel speed were moderate, allowing her to adapt easily.

“Would you like something to drink? Juice or soda?” Zhe Ye took two bottles from the mini-fridge in the lounge.

“Juice is fine.”

Ruan Li accepted the bottle Zhe Ye opened and took a few small sips.

“You seem a bit nervous. Are you dissatisfied with me?” Zhe Ye sat on the small sofa opposite her, stretching out his long legs.

Ruan Li looked up at him, hesitating before answering, “No dissatisfaction. Maybe just a little nervous.”

Despite how familiar his face was, why did she feel slightly awkward?

Suddenly, Zhe Ye rose and stepped closer, his handsome face looming just inches from hers. The closeness was enough that a careless moment might lead to an unintended intimate contact.

Their breaths mingled; the confined space’s temperature rose sharply.

His ash-gray pupils transformed into wild, beast-like eyes, fierce and commanding, locking her in place.

Ruan Li half expected the wolf before her to open its jaws and devour her.

His thick eyelashes cast shadows beneath his eyes, the haze of ambiguity and allure deepening.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

The distracting vibration didn’t stop. Zhe Ye frowned, glancing at the source of the persistent disturbance on his smart interface.

Reluctantly, the aggressive man stepped back, and Ruan Li instinctively exhaled in relief.

The call connected, projecting the image of a handsome young man with a mischievous smile.

Zhe Ye furrowed his brow, his tone impatient: “Speak up if it’s important.”

“Hey, Ye-ge, how was your nightlife last night? Your mate looked so beautiful, I’m really jealous.” The youth’s envy was blatant, caught in the phase of fascination and longing for females that every male beast goes through.

Zhe Ye’s gaze flickered to Ruan Li’s shy face, a smile deepening in his eyes, though his expression remained cold as he murmured, “She’s very obedient.”

Jealous and envious, the youth shouted, and more faces appeared behind him, all clamoring, “Ye-ge, tell us more!”

Zhe Ye noticed Ruan Li’s blush growing deeper. Clearing his throat, he said sternly, “Don’t say anything inappropriate—she’s right here.”

Ruan Li’s moist eyes lifted quickly to meet his, only to catch the sparkle of amusement there. She looked away reflexively, heat flooding her cheeks like a wave after wave of scorching fire.

The youths on the other end couldn’t see Ruan Li but knew better than to continue. They exchanged a few parting words and hung up swiftly.

“They’re just kids. Don’t mind them,” Zhe Ye explained.

Ruan Li’s voice was muffled, and she dared not meet his gaze. Her face must have been burning like an ember; she only hoped Zhe Ye hadn’t noticed.

“Who are they?”

Zhe Ye took in the sight of the embarrassed little female before him. Her slender legs were nervously crossed, hands gripping the sides of the sofa, her delicate fingertips sinking into the fabric. Anxiety flickered across her porcelain face, her moist eyes like budding peach blossoms, the faint rosy tint at the corners adding to her charm.

His Adam’s apple moved involuntarily.

He loosened his collar, feeling the shirt tighten uncomfortably, and unbuttoned the top two buttons.

“They’re members of my squad, the Luminous Squad, part of the Imperial Army. Usually, if there’s a beast rampage or an insect tide, things get busy, but I’ve accumulated years of leave, so I won’t lack time to be with you.” The man recited his job details as if reporting, leaving nothing out for Ruan Li.

The Empire?

She had thought there was only one country in this world. But then again, it was obvious there couldn’t be just one. She needed to hurry and learn the rough circumstances of this world.

The memories within Ruan Li’s body were vague, offering her little aid.

The flying vehicle autopiloted them to the largest mall on Planet A.

The cabin door slowly opened, and Zhe Ye strode out first, reaching out to steady her at the threshold.

Ruan Li felt stiff—she wasn’t used to such close physical contact.

Moreover, the man’s body temperature was higher than hers. Whenever he touched her, it felt as if her own temperature rose in response.

After stepping out, she discreetly withdrew her hand.

“Where shall we go?” She glanced around, trying to appear busy.

Zhe Ye felt the cool softness slip from his hand, a hint of disappointment stirring in his chest. One hand slid into his pocket. “I rarely come to malls. Just follow me.”