Chapter 5 — Contract of Possession

Even his breathing grew ragged, his chest heaving violently in rhythm with each deep, heavy gasp.

"...You certainly have quite the nerve, don't you?"

His voice was slightly raspy.

"That is true. So, how about it?" I pressed on.

"I suppose I underestimated you."

He tilted his head slightly.

"Exactly. So, what's your final answer?" I nodded like a pecking chick.

Phong Da turned his face completely away, revealing a sharply chiseled, breathtaking profile. He closed his eyes. "Change how you address me." Realizing he had softened, I beamed. "Hubby~"

"Hmm."

He had agreed! Instantly, I lowered my head and planted a firm kiss on his cheek—then, swinging my hand back, I slapped him!

12

Before leaving for work, I considered giving Phong Da some rent money, but he refused. When I suggested finding another place to live, he replied that he had plenty of other villas I could stay in. He allowed me to enjoy his body and catered to every demand, asking only that I call him "hubby" in return. Not only that, he frequently showered me with gifts and cared for me in every conceivable way, yet remained utterly silent about it. Was this really the same man who had once coldly laid down dozens of rules just to keep me from clinging to him?

Over the weekend, Phong Da came crawling back to me of his own accord. I grabbed his tie and dragged him into the study. Just as he lifted me onto the desk, I pushed him away. A look of confusion flickered in Phong Da's eyes. I tugged on his tie and asked slowly, "Phong Da, are you courting me?"

The man fell silent for a few seconds, locking his gaze directly onto mine.

"Isn't it obvious?"

I kicked off my slippers, lightly nudged his thigh with my foot, crossed my arms, and lifted my chin a fraction.

"Fine then."

"But you have to accept my rules."

"Let's try this out and see how it goes."

That evening, I borrowed Phong Da's laptop and typed out every single clause I had ever dreamed up in my head. Afterward, I forced him to sign a completely unequal contract. Well, unequal for him, that is.

[Clause 1: Must be present whenever summoned; devotion must be earnest and enthusiastic.]

He executed this clause exceptionally well. Whenever I sent a text, he materialized by my side within seconds. But what infuriated me was that he always appeared before me looking far too dangerously seductive. Even more infuriating was that I couldn't resist him; before my brain could even process a thought, my arms would already be wrapped around his neck. It was hard to tell who was devouring whom, but since I was the one making the rules, I could naturally stop whenever I pleased.

"It seems my performance satisfied you greatly."

Phong Da propped his hand beside me, his breathing still not entirely steady. I turned my head away. "Not at all, it was far from impressive. I have no idea where you pulled that erroneous conclusion from..."

"And yet your eyes—"

I clamped my hand over his mouth, my arrogant demeanor a stark contrast to my previous obedient persona.

"Words that should be spoken versus words that shouldn't—surely you understand the difference?"

The man nodded. Just as I started to withdraw my hand, he pressed a gentle kiss against my palm. In that fleeting second, a shiver raced through my entire body. Unaccustomed to this unfamiliar tenderness from Phong Da, I instinctively slapped him again. ...It was very light! I honestly didn't mean to! But Phong Da simply gazed at me in silence before sweeping me up into his arms and carrying me straight into the bathroom. I stared fixedly at him the entire way, searching his face for the slightest trace of anger. There was none.

13

Good heavens, this man literally had no boundaries! Among the rules I had drafted, two were of paramount importance: [Clause 10: The right to add, remove, or modify contract terms belongs exclusively to Hua Zhao Ying.] [Clause 11: The final right of interpretation also belongs exclusively to Hua Zhao Ying.] These were undeniably tyrannical clauses! Yet not only did he agree instantly, he executed them with absolute devotion, never once objecting no matter how many arbitrary changes I made later on.

After nearly two months, Phong Da followed the rules so rigorously that I began to suspect he was actually enjoying it. Catching me staring at him, he removed his coat and sat down beside me. With complete naturalness, he straightened my crossed legs and rested them across his lap, then began massaging my calves. If not for his usual calm and collected expression, I would have suspected someone had completely replaced the person inside that body.

"What are you looking at?"

Phong Da asked without lifting his head, a hint of tenderness softening his typically deep, icy gaze.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "From now on, wherever I look, you are not allowed to ask."

The corners of his lips twitched upward. "Understood."

See? Lately, this was precisely the kind of attitude Phong Da had. It genuinely made me suspect that if I were to dance on top of his head, his only concern would be whether his hair might scratch my feet. At this rate, I was going to become utterly spoiled. So, it was about time to put an end to it.

But... before calling it quits, I decided to pull off one final stunt.

Abruptly, I pulled my legs back. Predictably, Phong Da looked up at me.

"The inspection period has officially concluded."

I hugged my knees and announced calmly.

"I see. And what are the results?"

I smiled faintly. "Actually, I'm quite satisfied..."

Phong Da narrowed his eyes slightly. "But?"

"But..."

"Before the official verdict came out, I've already set my sights on someone else, so... my apologies."

The words had barely left my lips when my wrist was seized in a tight grip and yanked backward. Phong Da leaned in close, his brow furrowed deeply.

"Are you playing games with me?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Before I could say another word, my lips were captured in a kiss. I expected it to linger, but it ceased in less than a minute, leaving me with a lingering sense of emptiness. Phong Da's fingertips brushed lightly across my lips.

"I was the one in the wrong before. I was the one who bullied you."

"Hua Zhao Ying, I am sorry."

It was a remarkably solemn apology. Phong Da had always been aloof and distant, yet at this moment, the tips of his ears were burning bright red. In the original contract, I had undoubtedly drawn the short straw. But once the roles reversed, I had made him taste repayment a thousandfold. Even so, this kind of childish retaliation suddenly lost all its appeal. Moreover... What genuinely brought me joy was the man himself.

I tilted my head, feeling a bit awkward, and let out a soft "Hmph."

Phong Da pulled me closer, wrapping his arms securely around me and pressing a light kiss to my forehead.

"Then, do I have the honor of becoming your boyfriend?"

I pushed him away instantly. "Keep dreaming!" I glared at him, though my eyes inevitably drifted toward the broad chest straining against his shirt. When did he get so built? They were getting bigger by the day!

"Really not even a chance?"

Phong Da pressed on. I don't know what happened, but in the blink of an eye, the top button of his shirt popped open. Damn it.

"Even a boyfriend requires an evaluation period."

Phong Da leaned in closer still. His massive chest pressed right against me.

"You can draft a set of boyfriend evaluation rules. And after we officially start dating, we can establish relationship rules as well... how does that sound?"

Wow. Who knew this man was just as smooth with his words as he was with his physique? I could no longer hold my ground and pressed both hands firmly against his chest. "Fine, fine, I'll write them tomorrow."

"Then tonight, shouldn't we—"

I cut him off. "What are you thinking? Carry me to the bedroom already."

"Oh, and I want to establish our very first rule right now: No doubting me, and absolute obedience to my commands."

The man tasked with enforcing the rules smiled.

"As you command."