Chapter 7: Playing the Victim
His kisses grew deeper, almost suffocating her. Xie Bo stood nearly six feet two, forcing Lin Yiwei to tilt her head back, her neck aching. He simply cupped the back of her head to support her.
Xie Bo was not a man given to indulgence; in fact, his self-control bordered on terrifying. He had ambitions to fulfill and a passion for his career, and when it came to matters of love and desire, he was typically indifferent—unlike Chi Xicheng, who couldn’t live a minute without a woman.
But after that night, Xie Bo’s mind was consumed by the memory. Whether racing or basketball, nothing could stop the replay running through his thoughts.
He even tried to engage with other girls, but after exchanging no more than a few words, he grew bored. Their scent, voice, tone—it was all wrong. Only she was right.
His craving was primal and overwhelming. Xie Bo was utterly addicted to her.
Lin Yiwei, by contrast, seemed entirely different. Her rational mind quickly detached from the haze of that night, leaving no trace of longing.
They were fundamentally different in this.
But it didn’t matter—Xie Bo never failed to get what he wanted.
He kissed her more recklessly now. The girl, forced to endure, flushed deeply, her breathing erratic.
Tasting her soft lips, a mischievous smile curved his mouth. “You idiot, don’t hold your breath. Breathe through your nose.”
Lin Yiwei managed to steady her breathing, no longer gasping.
When with Xie Bo, time seemed to lose meaning. As he nuzzled close, intimate and tender, he murmured, “Not going to push me away?”
“Do I even have the strength to?” she replied.
“I said I won’t force you.”
The girl said nothing, just gritted her teeth.
Xie Bo laughed. “Yi Yi, you’re so fake.”
From her innocent, harmless eyes, he read the disguise. She was just playing the victim, like a little fox dressed in white rabbit’s fur.
“Don’t forget, whether last time or this, you were the one who took the initiative.”
“I already apologized for the first time.”
“Apologizing to me for something like this? You’re one in a million.”
She pulled the racing suit from her bag and handed it to him, turning to leave, but he caught her wrist.
Xie Bo held her hand firmly, sniffing the garment. “Didn’t wash this for me?”
Lin Yiwei wouldn’t dare. She’d hidden it in her locker, almost getting caught!
“Your clothes are too conspicuous. I can’t hang them in the girls’ dorm. If you want, I’ll find a place off-campus to wash them for you.”
“Okay.”
Xie Bo tossed the clothes back. “Wash them clean and return them.”
She bit her lip, realizing she shouldn’t have been so polite—he was anything but!
Lin Yiwei returned the suit. “Xie Bo, that night... I really... didn’t know it was you. Can I just pay you? Or whatever you want—just say it, as long as you let me go.”
Desperation seeped into her voice.
She truly didn’t want to be entangled with him anymore. But Xie Bo was stubborn by nature. The more she resisted, the more he defied her wishes.
“Listen, are you speaking human words? Paying me? What am I, your pimp?” He mocked her with a sly look.
“Sorry,” she whispered, tears forced out. Wiping them with her sleeve, her pale skin flushed an alluring pink.
She was a master at playing the victim.
Any other man would have been repentant.
But not Xie Bo.
He grabbed her hair, kissing her again, erasing her tears, planting a deep, bruising kiss on her clavicle.
Lin Yiwei gasped in pain, clutching his hand. His forearm was taut, a thin layer of skin stretched over hard muscle—there was nothing for her to hold onto.
“Xie… Xie Bo…”
“Lin Yiwei, I never fail to get what I want, and I hate bargaining. You better be ready.”
As he pulled away, Lin Yiwei suddenly gripped his sleeve. “Aren’t you afraid Chi Xiyu will find out? I heard your families are engaged. Aren’t you scared she’ll know what kind of man you really are? Aren’t you afraid she’ll call off the engagement?”
Xie Bo’s deep eyes locked onto hers, then a playful smile spread across his lips. “Interesting. If soft won’t work, then hard it is.”
With a wicked glint, he cupped her chin. “Yi Yi, I’m so scared.”
“…”
“I’m not joking. Xie Bo, if this gets out, it’ll hurt us both. You’re not Chi Xicheng—you should care about your reputation.”
“You still know Chi Xicheng?”
Xie Bo’s gaze sharpened. “No. His reputation just precedes him—everyone knows it.”
The smile vanished from his eyes, and he tightened his grip. “Baby, stay away from him. Don’t bring trouble to yourself.”
“I know.”
He released her hand and removed her hat.
“What are you doing? Give that back!”
“Are you still in elementary school, wearing this kind of hat?”
Lin Yiwei stepped forward to snatch it, but Xie Bo stepped back, twirling her little yellow dome hat in his hand.
“Give me this hat. I’ll buy you a better one. What brand do you like?”
“Xie Bo, give it back! I don’t want your stuff.”
That hat was from middle school, bought at a street stall during a field trip when Lin Xie told her she looked like a cherry.
Lin Yiwei had worn it since she was little, loving it no matter how childish or tacky others thought it.
Laughter and basketballs echoed down the corridor, approaching.
Glancing at him anxiously, Xie Bo tossed the hat into her bag and zipped it up. “Yi Yi, if we don’t leave now, our relationship won’t be a secret anymore.”
Lin Yiwei bit her lip, knowing the hat was gone for good, and hurried out of the locker room.
Li Du and some friends entered the men’s locker room and found Xie Bo lying on a bench, eyes closed.
“Master Bo, slacking off here. We almost lost the match.”
Xie Bo ignored him.
Seeing the little yellow hat atop his face, Li Du reached to grab it.
“Touch it, and I’ll cut off your hand.”
He quickly withdrew his hand.
“Master Bo, that’s... a girl’s hat?”
“Mind your own business.”
“I’m just looking out for you.” Li Du had never seen him keep anything from a girl. Past gifts were either ripped up or thrown away without a second glance.
Xie Bo removed the hat and opened those seductive peach blossom eyes, pondering. “Check if there’s any new face around Chi Xicheng lately.”
“I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.