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Chapter 14 – The Queen Moves First

  TODAY'S TWIST: Ladies' Choice.

  One by one, each female contestant would choose her Eden House partner for the night.

  No games.

  No votes.

  Just a name.

  The men tried not to look tense but Ruoxi could feel it in the air.

  Zeyan was watching her from under his shes.

  Yuren was drinking his coffee a little slower than usual.

  Shixun kept gncing up, then looking away.

  Ruoxi?

  She sat like a queen at brunch. Legs crossed, sungsses on, not a single wrinkle in her linen dress.

  When the host called her name, she stood.

  Slowly.

  Every step toward the front felt deliberate. Teasing. Like a countdown nobody could stop.

  "Shen Ruoxi, who do you choose for Eden House?"

  She looked at each man eyes lingering just long enough to sting. Until her gaze nded on…

  "Li Shixun."

  Gasps. Even he looked stunned.

  Zeyan's jaw clenched. Yuren blinked once, then looked away.

  Shixun stood awkwardly, then followed her with a dazed look.

  ***

  Eden House – Nightfall

  Ruoxi stepped into the vil barefoot, hair tied up loosely, her silk dress whispering over her skin with every move.

  Shixun still hadn't recovered.

  "You chose me," he said, as soon as the door closed.

  She turned to him, one brow raised. "You sound like I committed a crime."

  "No. I just… I thought it would be Zeyan. Or Yuren."

  Ruoxi tilted her head.

  "Exactly why I didn't."

  She poured them wine. "You've been waiting. Watching. Always hovering like a knight outside the castle."

  He took the gss, still confused. "So… this is a reward?"

  She stepped closer, so close her breath touched his neck.

  "No," she whispered, brushing her fingers lightly along his wrist. "This is a warning."

  He ughed, low and nervous. "Warning?"

  Ruoxi smiled, all warmth and danger. "Don't fall for me, Shixun. I flirt because I like to. I tease because I can. But I only mean it… when I stop looking at everyone else."

  He stared at her.

  "And right now?" he asked.

  She clinked her gss against his, sipping. "Right now… I'm still looking."

  ***

  *Confessional Booth – Shen Ruoxi*

  "Shixun's sweet. Easy. Like a breath you didn't realize you were holding."

  A pause.

  "But I don't choose men just because they make me feel safe. I choose the one who makes me feel. Period."

  ***

  *Confessional Booth – Li Shixun*

  "She's too bright. Too fast."

  He looked off-camera.

  "But God, I still want to chase her."

  ***

  Back at the vil, Gu Zeyan sat alone under the terrace lights.

  Yuren joined him silently.

  "You okay?" Yuren asked.

  Zeyan didn't answer for a while.

  Then: "She's making moves."

  Yuren nodded.

  "And you?"

  Zeyan finally looked up, a hard edge in his eyes.

  "I'm done watching."

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