Chapter Fifty-Two: The Date

As the city lights flickered to life, the last embers of dusk were slowly devoured by the distant horizon where sea and sky met. Night had descended over New York, stripping away the day’s bustle and splendor, leaving behind only a faint, intoxicating decadence beneath the neon haze.

Lilith, swaying in a crimson dress, moved through the crowd with an S-shaped grace, like a solitary flame in the twilight, drawing countless longing gazes from men drawn to her like moths. Yet her beauty was not only fiery and dazzling, but equally perilous. Those greedy eyes lingered hungrily on every inch of her skin, but were held at bay by a trembling fear.

Lilith’s lips curved with subtle satisfaction as she basked in her own audacious allure, a rose ablaze. But not every man was so easily daunted—at least, not the one who called out to her.

“Miss Lilith.”

Just as she was about to reach the edge of the crowd, a mellow, magnetic voice cut through the night, as captivating as a saxophone solo, rich and unforgettable.

Even Lilith could not resist the temptation of that voice. She turned instinctively, catching sight of a tall figure leaning nonchalantly against the far wall. The old-fashioned suit clung to his athletic frame, outlining impeccable lines. His eyes, a luminous shade of brown, glowed like amber in the darkness. His youthfully handsome face was offset by a maturity that seemed at odds with his years, giving the illusion that before her stood not a Chinese boy still in school, but a gentleman from the misty streets of London.

That air of refined English elegance was always an irresistible weapon in America.

As the man drew near, Lilith almost forgot her usual wariness—until those mesmerizing eyes locked with hers at arm’s length.

“It’s you?” she murmured, frowning and turning aside, uncertain whether it was fear or the girlish flutter in her chest that made her react so.

“Good evening, Miss Lilith. Allow me to introduce myself—Shawn Gu. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Gu Zhongyan smiled and extended his hand with easy confidence.

Lilith ignored the offered hand, her brows knitting in displeasure. “I’m sorry, Mr. Gu, but I have no desire to be entangled with church families. Besides, it seems you’re still underage. If you’re looking for flirtation, I think your little girlfriends would be more suitable.”

She stepped back, inclining her head politely. “I have other matters to attend to, so forgive me for not keeping you company. Goodbye.”

“Wait!”

As Lilith turned to leave, Gu Zhongyan darted forward, blocking her path. The sudden movement brought them almost chest to chest, and the heady blend of her perfume and his masculine scent filled their senses.

Lilith was momentarily dazed, forgetting even to push him away. All she could feel was the hot, damp breath at her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Instinctively, her fingers tightened around the lapel of Gu’s suit.

“Forgive me, Miss Lilith, but I sincerely hope you’ll hear me out. Now, would you mind letting go of my suit? It’s getting wrinkled,” he said, his lips brushing her ear as he stepped back, putting a little distance between them.

Lilith snapped to her senses, hastily releasing his suit. Her heart no longer belonged to her; even her mind seemed muddled, as though it were a mass of syrup.

In this state, she didn’t know what to say and simply nodded absently.

A glint of cunning flashed in Gu’s eyes. Clearly, the hastily concocted love potion in his cologne was doing its job.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a more seductive timbre. “Miss Lilith, I don’t know why you’re so wary of church families, but I must stress—I may be Father Langdon’s adopted son, but I’m not a believer. And as you know, I’m Chinese. Father Langdon only took me in to recruit more Chinese for the church. There’s no need to reject me because of the church.”

“As for my age, I don’t think that’s ever truly been an issue, has it?”

With that, Gu stepped closer again, his amber eyes burning with a beastly intensity as he fixed them on hers.

“May I buy you a coffee?”

Thump-thump-thump.

Lilith instinctively clutched her chest, breathless under the heat of his gaze. She had never imagined she would one day feel like a lovesick girl, experiencing something so unfamiliar and exhilarating.

Who could say no to such a handsome, passionate face?

Even as her rational mind blared alarms, Lilith found herself blurting, “Yes!”

The word was out before she could stop it. She regretted her impulsiveness immediately—but when she saw the smile play across Gu’s lips, her heart melted and swept the regret away.

She bit her lip, a trace of struggle flickering in her eyes, drawing a deep breath to steady herself. “Fine. I’ll agree to a date. But I’m past the age for coffee. Maybe I’ll buy you a drink instead—if you can handle it, little one.”

Gu wagged a finger at her teasing challenge. “No, no, no! Never ask a man if he’s up to the task—that’s an insult to my dignity. As for ‘little one’…”

He flashed a meaningful smile, lowering his voice by her ear. “You’ll soon find out I’m not little at all.”

Her cheeks flushed at his words, and she shot him an exasperated glance. “Smooth talker. Follow me, then.”

With that, she sashayed ahead, her hips swaying and heels clicking musically on the pavement.

Gu grinned deeply and hurried after her.

The two wound their way through the bustling heart of Manhattan, finally arriving at a slaughterhouse in a remote corner of the city.

Gu wrinkled his brow at the grimy puddles of blood and the rows of slaughtered pigs hanging in the factory.

“Are you sure you want to drink here?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“What, are you scared now, my ‘big’ darling?” Lilith teased, her sultry eyes glinting with an almost feverish heat.

Gu’s gaze flickered discreetly over the abnormally muscular guards inside the slaughterhouse. Like any headstrong youth, he stiffened his neck and replied, “Scared? You must be joking. Not just a slaughterhouse—even a graveyard or hell itself wouldn’t scare me.”