Seducing Him - Chapter 45

Lu Lan, a woman who enjoys the simple pleasures of life, arranging flowers in a small courtyard. She’s accompanied by Luo Lin, and their interaction is described as extremely harmonious. This idyllic scene is interrupted by Lu Lan’s inquiry about her son, Lu Jin, and Ci Yiyang, who haven’t come down for breakfast yet.

Unbeknownst to them, Ci Yiyang is standing on the staircase, watching the scene with a pained expression. The sight of her father and Lu Lan triggers a memory of her own mother, who also loved flowers. Overwhelmed, she turns to Lu Jin, who has just appeared behind her. She leans into his chest, feigning dizziness, and asks him to carry her. Lu Jin subtly observes the scene outside before lifting her and taking her to a sofa in the living room.

Lu Lan spots the two coming downstairs and jokes about them finally waking up. Luo Lin notices Lu Jin and Ci Yiyang’s closeness, which strikes him as oddly intimate. Lu Lan, however, remains oblivious. She comes inside, places the flowers on the coffee table, and tries to get Ci Yiyang to eat. Ci Yiyang declines, stating she needs to pack. Luo Lin insists, but Lu Jin intervenes, claiming that he and Ci Yiyang had planned to eat out.

Ci Yiyang then makes a pointed remark, asking her father if he also thinks food from outside is unclean, creating an awkward atmosphere. Lu Lan steps in to ease the tension, and Luo Lin, taking the opportunity to leave, heads to the dining room. Lu Lan gives Lu Jin a meaningful look, but he chooses to stay with Ci Yiyang. When Lu Jin suggests they go eat out, Ci Yiyang changes her mind and decides to eat at home. Lu Jin agrees to wait for her.

After Lu Jin leaves, Lu Lan sits with Ci Yiyang and opens up about the situation. She asks if Ci Yiyang is against her marrying her father. Ci Yiyang admits she is. Lu Lan, while expressing understanding, explains that she needs a husband and sees Luo Lin as the best choice. She promises to make it up to Ci Yiyang. Ci Yiyang accepts this with a calm demeanor, then heads to the dining room.

In the dining room, Lu Jin is waiting for Ci Yiyang. He pours her a glass of water and watches her intently as she drinks. Ci Yiyang, feeling uncomfortable, finishes quickly and excuses herself to go upstairs. After she leaves, Lu Lan calls Lu Jin over. She questions him about why he didn’t tell her that he and Ci Yiyang had met before. Lu Jin feigns disinterest, claiming he forgot. Lu Lan, seeing his nonchalant attitude, concludes that she must have been overthinking things. She tells him to treat Ci Yiyang well, to which he calmly agrees, and then he also goes upstairs.

A Symbolic Climax

In the afternoon, Luo Lin and Lu Lan leave for Hechuan ahead of them, while Ci Yiyang waits to leave later to avoid them. Only Lu Jin is downstairs. He offers to carry her luggage, which he notes is surprisingly heavy. Ci Yiyang explains she brought a lot of things. She notices his colder tone but attributes it to his own feelings about his mother’s marriage.

In the car, the two sit apart. Ci Yiyang puts on her headphones and drifts off. She is vaguely aware of something touching her forehead and then being cradled in Lu Jin’s arms. He holds her close, his face buried in her neck. The driver, Wang Shu, is startled by the sight and is told to drive faster. A divider is lowered, giving them privacy. Wang Shu breathes a sigh of relief, knowing of his master’s possessive nature.

They arrive at an old courtyard. Luo Lin and Lu Lan are already there, discussing plans to remodel the space. They mention cutting down a fruit tree and replacing it with something else. This seemingly small detail sends Ci Yiyang into a rage. The tree was planted by her mother, a symbol of her legacy. She rushes in, her eyes red with anger, and confronts Luo Lin. “This is my mother’s tree! Did she give you permission to decide if it lives or dies?”

Luo Lin is taken aback and tries to scold her, but Lu Lan intercedes. Lu Lan tries to explain that the idea was hers, but Ci Yiyang cuts her off, saying, “My mother didn’t give it to you.” This prompts Luo Lin to angrily yell, “Ci Yiyang, you’re going too far!”

The tension in the courtyard is palpable. Lu Jin arrives, seemingly unaware of the drama, and calmly asks which floor his room is on. Luo Lin’s tone softens when he speaks to Lu Jin, who then asks Ci Yiyang if she wants to go upstairs. She agrees, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. As they walk away, she can still hear the soft voices of Luo Lin and Lu Lan, and the nausea returns.

Unable to handle her emotions, Ci Yiyang takes Lu Jin’s hand and leads him straight into her room’s bathroom. She turns on all the faucets to full blast, then with a sudden force, pushes him into the bathtub. He lands with a splash, his clothes soaked. Ci Yiyang stands over him, her face emotionless, and gives a chilling command: “Take your clothes off.”