Roses in Flames

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Ye Yuntang looked at Xiao Lin in disbelief, and for a moment thought there was something wrong with her ears.

Why would he suddenly say that he likes her?

Xiao Lin's deep black eyes remained fixed on Ye Yuntang's face. Seeing the surprise flash in her eyes, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is it such an unbelievable thing that I like you?"

Ye Yuntang pursed her lips tightly. "You don't seem like someone who falls in love easily."

Xiao Lin nodded, neither confirming nor denying, "I do not fall in love easily. To be precise, my feelings for you were love at first sight."

Ye Yuntang was even more surprised.

The performance on stage began, and it was a bit noisy. Xiao Lin moved a few steps closer to Ye Yuntang and said in a low, husky voice, "That night at the bar wasn't the first time I saw you."

Ye Yuntang blinked her beautiful eyes. "When was the last time you saw me?"

Xiao Lin was lost in memories. "A year ago, at the Municipal Bureau's commendation ceremony, you attended. I saw you backstage. You were talking to someone, and your smile was particularly bright. Later, we even went on stage together to receive an award, but you didn't look at me once."

Ye Yuntang did indeed attend the commendation ceremony a year ago.

At that time, her relationship with Fu Shili was still good, and she was unaware of Bai Chuwei's existence. Therefore, she did not pay attention to any other men besides Fu Shili.

Seeing Ye Yuntang's expression, Xiao Lin's deep eyes dimmed slightly. "Back then, in your eyes, I was probably just a transparent person."

Ye Yuntang chuckled. "So, that night at the bar, you deliberately told me you weren't interested?"

Xiao Lin gave a low hum, "But I still couldn't resist your teasing, and you succeeded."

Ye Yuntang glared at him, annoyed. "I've discovered you're quite the actor. After I was transferred to your unit, you pretended not to know me. When I tried to flirt with you again, you were so cold to me."

A faint smile played on Xiao Lin's handsome face. "You deny everything once you put on a skirt. Who knows when you'll get tired of it and kick me aside again?"

Ye Yuntang, "..."

Seeing that she didn't speak, Xiao Lin also remained silent for a moment.

His tall frame drew closer to her, his broad shoulders almost touching hers. "And you, how do you feel about me? Is it really just a fling?"

The auditorium seating area was dimly lit. Ye Yuntang turned her head to look at the man standing close to her. His dark eyes were unfathomable, like two whirlpools that wanted to suck her in.

The moment their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.

Her slender white fingers, resting on her knees, tightened slightly. "I think I do have some feelings for you. To be honest, when I saw you taking Bai Chuwei to the hospital last time, I felt a little sad. That's when I realized that my feelings for you were no longer just physical attraction. I felt that if I continued like this, I would fall for you. That's why I wanted to keep my distance from you."

Xiao Lin guessed that her sudden suggestion to stop arguing with him was because of his taking Bai Chuwei to the hospital.

But unexpectedly, she also developed a slight liking and affection for him.

Ye Yuntang lowered her long eyelashes, concealing the emotions in her eyes. "You know, I haven't been divorced for long, and I haven't completely gotten over the shadow of my previous failed marriage. I originally only wanted to have sex without getting emotionally involved, to enjoy the pleasure of the moment. I think it would be very disadvantageous if I got emotionally involved."

She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to manage the relationship well, and that she would end up in a complete mess with no way out.

Hearing Ye Yuntang open up, Xiao Lin nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand your concerns. The fact that you're afraid to let yourself fall for me means I haven't done enough, and it also means we haven't known each other long enough to understand each other deeply enough."

As he said this, his gaze towards her deepened, becoming increasingly intense and determined. "But once I've decided on someone, it's for life. I will never be fickle or have an extramarital affair."

Ye Yuntang's heart skipped a beat. After exchanging a few seconds of eye contact with Xiao Lin, she said, "You're right. I may not know you well enough, which is why I don't dare to give my heart away completely."

Xiao Lin could understand Ye Yuntang's concerns.

Her struggle and inner conflict stemmed from her growing affection for him.

If she didn't care, she wouldn't have to worry too much. With her seductive skills, if she wanted to play along with him, he would definitely take the bait.

But when she realized something was wrong, she stopped in time.

This also shows that her true nature is kind and good.

"Give me a chance to pursue you and let you get to know me gradually, okay?"

Before Ye Yuntang could say anything, she heard him say sincerely, "If you still feel it's not suitable during this process, you can call a halt at any time. I will never blur the lines between public and private matters or confront you head-on."

His words were not coercive at all, but rather full of sincerity, respect, and understanding.

A warm current seemed to flow through Ye Yuntang's heart, and her tense emotions relaxed a little.

A bright, radiant smile finally appeared on her face. "If in the end I still can't agree to your request, don't you feel like you've lost out?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin's thin lips curved slightly, and he chuckled softly, "What's there to lose? A woman as beautiful and capable as you should enjoy the right to be pursued. After your divorce, there are no shortage of people around you who are interested in you. Yan Xu wanted to pursue you right in front of me, and Shen Yan also looked at you with affection. You should get used to being pursued."

"Your ex-husband regrets it now and wants to get back together with you, but you didn't even give him a chance. Yet I have the opportunity to pursue you. Isn't that an honor for me?"

Ye Yuntang's heart was like a lake where a pebble had been thrown in, creating ripples.

"Captain Xiao, I never expected you, who are usually so cold, to be so eloquent. Did you secretly go somewhere to learn some tricks of the trade?"

Xiao Lin's thin lips curled slightly, revealing a self-deprecating smile. "If I don't express my feelings now, we'll only drift further apart. I don't want to miss this opportunity."

"As expected of the criminal investigation captain, he's a true negotiator."

She had to admit that she was somewhat moved by what he said.

She extended her slender white finger towards him, a hint of playfulness hidden in her bright smile. "Alright, seeing how sincere Captain Xiao is, I'll give you a chance to pursue me! You'd better perform well and not disappoint me."

Xiao Lin grasped Ye Yuntang's fingers back, looking into her bright and beautiful eyes. He tightened his grip on her fingers little by little, "Okay, I will definitely try my best."

Perhaps because the two of them had been acting like strangers lately, when their hands were clasped together this time, a tingling, numb sensation suddenly came over them.

Ye Yuntang's heart skipped a beat.

She tried to pull her finger back, but Xiao Lin held on tightly. He took out a bracelet and put it on her wrist.

"Don't give this back to me. It's yours now that I'm giving it to you."