She bit her lip, letting her blush and shyness spread freely across her snow-white cheeks and jade-like skin. She decisively turned her head slightly and looked at the screen once more, this time deliberately showing Mr. Lu, "I saw it." It was a photo of a young girl—not an adult video screenshot or a glamour shot. The focus was blurry, and the shooting conditions were poor, appearing to be some sort of selfie or candid photo. The girl in the photo seemed to be lying face-up on a bed, dazed or asleep. Although she wasn’t entirely nude, she wore a pair of pink, cute panties, while the rest of her body was completely bare. Under dim yellow lighting with imprecise focus, her face appeared slightly blurred and indistinct, but her skin, her curves, her bone structure, and those two gem-like nipples... Who was this girl? How was it possible that even such an unedited, sloppy candid photo could carry such allure? No wonder the boss was "admiring" it here. She clenched her teeth and snapped back to reality, shifting her gaze away from the screen and turning to face Mr. Lu, only to shyly dodge his gaze, as if trying to escape. Though embarrassed and at a loss for words, her expression carried an apologetic intention: "I’m sorry, boss. I saw something I shouldn’t have." Mr. Lu’s gaze remained as calm as ever, hiding any sign of joy or anger. Still, Li Tong managed to perceive a certain weariness and inner turmoil, as though he carried a trace of worry and indifference. In that moment, it seemed Mr. Lu was no longer the authoritative figure she knew, but rather an ordinary young man struggling for survival in society. "Boss, you look a little tired..." She finally broke the silence. Follow current novels on novelꜰire.net "I am, a little." Mr. Lu nodded. "You’re traveling to the South Sea tomorrow—how about you head home and get some rest? I can handle the work." "It’s fine. I can’t seem to fall asleep anyway," Mr. Lu replied, turning his head. He seemed quite pleased with Li Tong’s suggestion and offered her a gentle, approving smile. Maybe it was just a fleeting surge of hormones. Maybe it was the timing of two people alone on a sleepless night. Maybe it was the rare opportunity in an office devoid of others—the kind of forbidden thrill. Or perhaps Li Tong simply needed an instant of vulnerability, an atmosphere to give herself an excuse, a reason. She didn’t know what she was thinking, nor did she consider the consequences. As she gazed into Mr. Lu’s eyes, a sudden softness and yearning arose within her heart. Without hesitation, she leaned in, closer, and closer still, all while feeling the rhythm of her own breathing as it synced with Mr. Lu’s. Then, with her delicate cherry lips, she took the initiative to kiss the corner of Mr. Lu’s mouth, lightly brushing against the rugged masculinity of his skin. Mr. Lu didn’t stop her. He seemed to accept her advance as natural, guiding her lips and tongue into a passionate exchange. Instantly, she felt her entire body melting away. The fervent entanglement and contact spreading from her tongue rendered her soft and pliable, almost collapsing into Mr. Lu’s arms. Yet her mind urged her to stay in control, reminding her not to lose this opportunity. She extended her arms, boldly reaching around to caress Mr. Lu’s back—intense yet gentle—tracing the contours of his spine as if savoring its shape. Pressing closer, the friction brought her breasts, hidden behind her blouse, bashfully yet resolutely against his chest, teasing, tempting. She wasn’t some promiscuous woman, nor was she purely seeking to be an outlet for Mr. Lu’s physical desires. Though she hoped to gain something in return, she truly held a subtle affection and admiration for him deep within. Despite her overwhelming shyness, she couldn’t afford to miss this chance. She had to do it! Mr. Lu smiled and gently pushed her away. Her face was now flushed as if touched by the evening glow, her eyes misty and brimming with tears from the dizzying whirl of passion. "Xiao Tong, what are you doing?" Mr. Lu asked softly, his gaze lingering as he shamelessly posed the question. Li Tong felt an acute mix of embarrassment and anxiety, almost to the brink of tears. What else could it mean? But she immediately realized that Mr. Lu might have misunderstood her intentions. She absolutely couldn’t allow him to think of her as a woman merely trying to exploit office politics to get close to higher-ups or wealthy heirs. Nor could she let him believe she was a naive girl chasing frivolous dreams of becoming his "girlfriend" or even "Mrs. Shi." Despite the humiliation and even the tinge of self-deprecation it brought, she steadied her gaze on Mr. Lu, bit her lower lip, and whispered softly yet audibly, "I just wanted to help you relax..." "I just wanted to help you relax"—words spoken so tenderly and submissively, yet tinged with a hint of degradation, tinged with a touch of seductive boldness. Li Tong couldn’t wholly believe such statements had escaped her own lips. Even hearing herself say them left her tingling, electrified in an unfamiliar way. "I’m always relaxed... If I sought relaxation through such means, I’d look for the right person," Mr. Lu replied. His gaze stayed fixed on her, seemingly rejecting her, but he made no move to step away. If it had been someone else, in a different setting, Li Tong might’ve been utterly humiliated and furious. To take the initiative , even saying "I wanted to help you relax," only to be turned down—it was almost unbearable. After all, with Li Tong’s looks and aura, countless men would willingly grovel just for the privilege of tasting her allure. Yet he rejected her? Despite her initial frustration, Li Tong could understand; no, this wasn’t a rejection. She could sense it clearly: a peculiar yet undeniable physiological response was stirring within Mr. Lu. He wasn’t rejecting her—he was questioning whether she was the "right person." Though this realization didn’t erase her discomfort, it made her feel a mixture of awkwardness and indignation.