Eye of Insight

Ethan boarded the plane with Grant, still feeling nauseated from their last meal. Fortunately, his seat was far from Grant's, which offered him some relief. And as if fate had decided to throw him a bone, the person seated next to him turned out to be an absolute stunner—a young woman, no older than seventeen or eighteen, with delicate features and an air of quiet elegance.

She wore a sophisticated purple dress that perfectly complemented her fair, almost porcelain-like skin. But what truly set her apart was the striking red beauty mark at the center of her forehead, a feature that elevated her from merely beautiful to utterly mesmerizing.

Yet, despite her breathtaking appearance, Ethan found himself unable to muster the courage to strike up a conversation. It wasn't that he was shy—or gay, for that matter—but something about her presence felt distant, untouchable. She was like a rare violet lotus, meant to be admired from afar.

By the time their plane landed at Kunming Airport around 3 PM, Ethan had barely exchanged a word with her. The moment they disembarked, a short, stocky man in a garish outfit came rushing toward them. He was in his early forties, with sun-darkened skin, and grinned so broadly at Mr. Grant that he looked like an overcooked bulldog.

"Mr. Grant! It's been too long. You haven't aged a day!" the man greeted enthusiastically, shaking Grant's hand with both of his.

Grant smiled. "Good to see you again, Mr. Dexter. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you this time."

Dexter—one of the more well-known jade traders in Tengchong—waved dismissively. "Trouble? Nonsense! You're my honored guest. While you're in my territory, you'll eat, drink, and enjoy yourself. Leave the jade business to me. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Grant chuckled. "That won't do. I came here for the thrill of the gamble. If I let you handle everything, I might as well have stayed home."

Dexter laughed heartily. "Fair enough. But today, you're following my plans—I insist on giving you a proper welcome."

Their group of five left the airport and climbed into a silver stretch Hummer that Dexter had arranged. The ride took them straight to the Lakeview Grand Hotel, where three luxurious suites had already been reserved, each offering a breathtaking view of Dianchi Lake and the distant Xishan Mountains.

After freshening up with a quick shower, Ethan joined Grant and Dexter for dinner. The spread was a feast of local delicacies—steamed pot chicken, Yiliang roast duck, matsutake mushrooms, and the famous crossing-the-bridge rice noodles—all paired with traditional bamboo-tube rice wine.

Ethan, uninterested in the business chatter between Grant and Dexter, focused solely on the food. He devoured plate after plate and even downed three tubes of rice wine, his face turning as red as a baboon's backside. His gluttony sent Grant into a fit of laughter.

Dexter, who had never met Ethan before, quickly gathered from Grant's attitude that the two shared a close bond. He treated Ethan with the same warmth, making sure his cup was never empty.

By the time Ethan had eaten his fill, he leaned back with a satisfied sigh and patted his stomach. "You guys keep talking. I'm going for a walk."

Grant raised a brow. "Want me to come with you?"

"Hell no," Ethan scoffed. "I'm just taking a stroll. Who knows? I might even run into a bit of romance. You coming along would ruin my chances."

Grant snorted. "Fine, fine. Just don't forget your room key."

Ethan waved the key in his hand as he walked out of the hotel.

Truthfully, he wasn't just going for a walk—he was also trying to avoid what he suspected would be an evening of debauchery between Grant and Dexter. Instead, he preferred a quiet night by the lake, taking in the sights.

Dianchi Lake, also known as Kunming Lake, stretched vast and boundless before him. The air carried the faint scent of fish, a testament to the rich aquatic life below. Along the embankment, willows swayed gently in the evening breeze, their long tendrils brushing the water's surface.

Ethan strolled aimlessly along the riverside, letting the humid wind cool his wine-warmed skin. The setting sun cast a golden-red glow over the rippling waters, the reflections shimmering like molten fire. It was peaceful, serene—

Until someone crashed into him.

A figure slammed into his chest, sending a burst of floral fragrance into his nose, momentarily drowning out the scent of the lake. Before he could even react, soft lips pressed against his.

Ethan's mind went blank.

His first kiss—stolen, just like that.

His eyes widened in shock, locking onto the face of the woman who had just kissed him. That unmistakable red beauty mark on her forehead sent a jolt through him.

It was her.

The girl from the plane.

"Focus," she murmured, her voice cold yet tinged with barely concealed urgency. She pressed herself closer, using his body to shield her face from view.

Focus?

Ethan would have laughed at the absurdity if he weren't so busy recovering from the shock. Not only had he been ambushed with a kiss, but now he was being scolded for not paying attention?

Well, if focus was what she wanted—then focus she would get.

A competitive fire sparked in Ethan's chest, fueled by the sting to his pride. He wasn't about to let her have the upper hand. His instincts kicked in, and without hesitation, he deepened the kiss. His tongue teased against her lips before slipping past her teeth, seeking, exploring, challenging.

His hands moved on their own, skimming over the curves of her body before slipping beneath the folds of her dress. He felt the warmth of her skin, the softness of her form, the way her breath hitched ever so slightly.

Now, it was her turn to widen her eyes.

Yet, she didn't push him away. She couldn't.

Not when she had been the one to start this.

Not when, out of the corner of her eye, she could see them—the five men in black sprinting toward the embankment.

The leader was easy to spot: a scarred brute whose jagged mark ran from his forehead down to his jaw.

They were armed. Their bulging waists told her as much.

But they hadn't noticed her—not yet.

Not while she was tangled in the arms of a man who had no idea what kind of danger he had just kissed his way into.