Chapter 154
“You talk too much.” Xu Ke looked at the man with an indescribable sneer.
“Hmph, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit.” The man, provoked by Xu Ke’s expression, didn’t hesitate and swung his fist at Xu Ke. His fist, as big as a pot, aimed straight for Xu Ke’s nose, but before the grin on his face could fully blossom, his fist was caught by a well-defined hand, unable to advance an inch.
“Is that all the strength you have?” Xu Ke glanced at the stunned expression on the man’s face, his mouth slightly curving up, and the disdain in his eyes almost bursting out.
“Don’t get cocky. I was just testing your reflexes. I haven’t even used my strength yet. Once I do, you’re as good as dead.” The man, with a stiff face, refused to admit his incompetence and stubbornly insisted.
“Oh, really? Then by all means, don’t hold back, use your full strength.” Xu Ke said, applying more force, his hand slowly closing tighter, leaving white marks on the man’s fist. His calm demeanor turned into a painful expression.
Even though he gritted his teeth, veins popping on his forehead, and muscles bulging on his arm, he was still unable to escape Xu Ke’s grip, a scene reminiscent of the earlier encounter with Lin Mengyao.
“Didn’t you eat? Why are you so weak?” Xu Ke said flatly.
Though Xu Ke’s voice was clear and gentle, to the man’s ears, it was the whisper of a demon, as if he could hear mocking laughter from others nearby.
The situation had developed to such an extent that he was already in a tight spot. Ignoring the arm that was being restrained, he swung his other arm towards Xu Ke’s face, only to have his fist intercepted in the same way by Xu Ke.
“Why don’t you learn your lesson? Is this the only trick you know?” Xu Ke’s tone slightly rose, his words hitting the man like an invisible slap, making his already flushed face turn even redder and purpler.
“You’re full of shit!” The man spat out, squeezing these words through clenched teeth, and kicked towards Xu Ke’s legs. It was undeniably a dirty move, and even though Lin Mengyao knew Xu Ke wouldn’t be harmed, her heart instinctively tightened. She shouted, “Watch out!”
The man’s kick carried the determination to win, swift and powerful as it stirred a small whirlwind, but Xu Ke’s lips twitched slightly, his eyes coldly fixed on the man’s eyes. As the man’s leg came at him, Xu Ke lifted his leg simultaneously to counter. Xu Ke’s kick seemed light and effortless but carried immense power when it landed.
At first, no one present took Xu Ke’s kick seriously, but the moment Xu Ke’s foot made contact with the man’s leg, a sharp cry rang out.
The confident man was now lying on the ground, clutching his knee and rolling around, his face a mask of unbearable pain, while Xu Ke calmly rolled down his sleeves to the elbow. “Mind your hands and eyes, don’t mess with someone else’s woman.” Xu Ke coldly stated, looking at the man still writhing on the ground.
“Xu Ke, are you alright?” As things settled down, Lin Mengyao approached Xu Ke with a handful of snacks, her eyes filled with concern.
“I’m fine. It’s almost time, let’s go watch the movie.” The ice in Xu Ke’s eyes melted into the warmth of a spring breeze upon seeing Lin Mengyao.
Accepting the items Lin Mengyao carried, the man on the ground ceased to receive any attention from him. The onlookers quickly stepped back, clearing a path for Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao as they headed towards the ticket gate, sending them off with their gazes.
The man Xu Ke had knocked down stopped screaming. Xu Ke’s kick had only caused him pain without injuring any bones. The pain subsided shortly, and the affected area was back to normal. Embarrassed by the amused stares of the crowd, he covered his face and ran away quickly, looking both ridiculous and laughable.
In the cinema, Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao sat close together, watching their first movie together. The sweet aroma of popcorn wafted between them, intoxicating them.
In the darkness of the theater, the movie protagonists raced down Wall Street, outside the screen, Xu Ke held Lin Mengyao’s hand tightly, their fingers interlocking and palms pressing closely together.
“Xu Ke, I want some popcorn.” Lin Mengyao leaned in, whispering softly in Xu Ke’s ear.
Xu Ke glanced at the popcorn bucket between them, his eyes darkening momentarily, his Adam’s apple quickly bobbing, “Alright.” Xu Ke replied softly.
The kiss wasn’t long, nor was it their first, but it was one that nearly led them to lose control. The sweetness of the popcorn exploded on their tongues, the bizarre noises from the movie heroes filling their ears, surrounded by countless, the feeling of being sneaky peaked at the moment their lips met, a tingling sensation spreading from the base of their spines upwards, almost making their scalp tingle.
Even as they separated their lips, that electric sensation lingered at the edge of their consciousness.
“Want more?” Xu Ke licked his lower lip with the tip of his tongue, asking in a deep, alluring tone.
The cello-like melody of his voice flowed into Lin Mengyao’s ears, and Xu Ke clearly saw her ears flushing crimson in an instant, as pink as a ripe strawberry, enticing enough to bite into and taste the sweetness.
“No more.” Lin Mengyao, somewhat flustered, lowered her head, gulping down a big sip of cola to steady her rattled nerves.
“Your ears are really red. What are you nervous about?” Lin Mengyao’s retreat didn’t cause Xu Ke to relent; instead, he pressed harder.
“No, you saw it wrong. Stop talking in my ear, it tickles.” Lin Mengyao lightly pushed Xu Ke, her voice unexpectedly soft, almost as if she was pouting.