Chapter 97: Chapter 82: The Aloof One’s Dominance

Even a man who was usually cool and self-restrained was no different from any other when he got jealous.

He strode all the way to where Yu Lan had gone, his face cold and stern.

He terrified the researchers who were about to submit their data to Shen Zueran, causing them to freeze in place, not daring to take another step forward.

Meanwhile, Shen Zueran found Yu Lan with almost no effort.

The beautiful young female was standing in the lab, her head bowed as she looked with rapt attention at the data Shen Zueran had just compiled.

He hadn’t lied to her; he really had discovered a new material.

In the past, a discovery like this would have earned Shen Zueran the beautiful female’s admiring, envious, and worshipful gaze. It would have made him feel utterly gratified. His heart would feel as light as a feather, as if floating on air, and pure joy would course through him.

But at this moment...

Shen Zueran’s gaze fell on Yu Lan’s slightly swollen, red lips. It was the mark Li Yucheng had left behind, carrying a sort of unspoken provocation that only other males would understand.

He began to feel tormented, jealous, angry, and resentful.

It was as if...

He no longer wanted to cling to those ethereal praises and compliments.

He was starting to want more—something more delectable, more sweet.

For example...

The beautiful female’s sweet, soft kiss.

Shen Zueran’s figure stood motionless at the laboratory entrance for a long moment.

His tall body cast a shadow across the doorway. His thin lips were pressed into a tight line, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Yu Lan, who had been reading the report, looked up when she heard the noise and was stunned by the sight.

For some reason...

She felt that the Shen Zueran of today was different.

If the Shen Zueran of the past was calm and self-restrained, like a clear spring stream, exuding a subtle warmth around her that made him a comfortable person to be with...

Then the Shen Zueran of this moment had a completely different aura. His entire being radiated a domineering and aggressive energy that warned others not to provoke him.

He was like a drawn sword, sharp and brilliant, daring anyone to come closer.

Yu Lan swallowed and called out softly, "Director, you’re here."

Unexpectedly, her voice seemed to flip some kind of switch within Shen Zueran.

The dark eyes behind his non-prescription glasses curved into a smile, as if to soothe the beautiful female.

But his steps, heading straight for Yu Lan, didn’t pause in the slightest. They were crisp and decisive, and an intense, domineering, and sharp aura washed over her.

This version of Shen Zueran, so completely different from before, sent Yu Lan’s heart into a frantic rhythm. She took a frightened step back.

That single step, like a fleeing prey exciting the ferocity of a Hunter, caused Shen Zueran’s originally calm and unhurried pace to instantly accelerate.

The power of a 3S-level High-level male erupted. In an instant, he was by Yu Lan’s side. One hand wrapped around her slender waist, and he pulled her forcefully, domineeringly, and possessively into his tight embrace.

"Lanlan, don’t you dare reject me."

"I love you."

The moment the words left his lips...

The man’s overwhelming kiss came crashing down on her like a storm.

The male tried to use his fierce actions to mask his inner turmoil.

He used an intimate, scorching kiss to erase the traces another male had left on the beautiful female.

His jealousy and resentment had come on hard and fast.

It was far more than Yu Lan could withstand.

By the time she realized what was happening, her lips were already enveloped in a forceful kiss by the intensely jealous man.

The man was also adept at winning her over. He manifested the antlers on his head and guided Yu Lan’s small hand to rest on them for support.

Yu Lan was truly...

Her mouth was sealed by the man’s thin lips, making it impossible to voice her refusal. Her hand rested on his antlers, and though she wanted to push him away, she didn’t dare.

Her hand was scalded red.

’When had she ever seen a Shen Zueran like this?’

The man who was normally so cool and restrained had become domineering and aggressive.

Her face flushed bright red.

Just then...

The broadcast monitor hanging from the laboratory ceiling flickered. The next second, a cool, clear voice echoed from it.

[The Tenth Military League will be announced tomorrow. First Legion Commander Huo Zhanting and Scientific Research Institute Director Shen Zueran are requested to report to the Imperial Palace for consultation.]

[The Tenth Military League will be announced tomorrow. First Legion Commander Huo Zhanting and Scientific Research Institute Director Shen Zueran are requested to report to the Imperial Palace...]

[The Tenth...]

The announcement echoed throughout the lab. Prodded by Yu Lan’s pushes, Shen Zueran was forced to stop his kiss.

"Di-Director, you should go to the meeting first."

Yu Lan’s rosy lips were now completely swollen from his kisses, pursed into a slight pout. Because he had kissed her so fiercely, the corners of her eyes were red and slightly damp.

’How could a man be such a good kisser?’

Yu Lan turned her face away, refusing to look at Shen Zueran.

The next second...

Shen Zueran’s large hand forcefully tilted her chin, turning her head back to face him.

"Lanlan, you’re not allowed to look away from me."

Shen Zueran’s dark eyes stared intently at Yu Lan as he took the beautiful female’s small hand and placed it on his heaving chest. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

His heart hammered wildly in his chest, letting out a loud THUMP THUMP THUMP.

A hint of wicked charm flashed in the man’s deep-set eyes as he took another step, pressing closer to Yu Lan.

"Lanlan, do you really not like me? Do you feel nothing for me at all?"

"Let me be your mate, okay?"

His scorching breath washed over Yu Lan’s ear.

She was currently trapped in his arms. Before her was his hard, broad chest, the overwhelming scent of his hormones filling the air. Behind her was a high platform in the lab. There was simply nowhere to run.

’How did Shen Zueran suddenly become like this?’

A man who showed up demanding to make their relationship official was incredibly difficult to handle.

If she didn’t give him a clear answer, Shen Zueran remained unmoved, even as the broadcast from overhead continued to urge him to leave.

He just kept his dark eyes wide, staring fixedly at Yu Lan, refusing to back down without a response.

Yu Lan was truly at a loss.

Gritting her teeth, she wrapped her slender, soft arms around the man’s neck, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

It was a silent agreement.

A tremendous wave of joy surged up from the depths of his heart.

"Really? Lanlan, you agreed? Is it true?"

Shen Zueran pressed his forehead against Yu Lan’s.

Their breaths mingled.

An electric, ambiguous atmosphere swirled between them.

As he gazed at her, Shen Zueran couldn’t resist. He quickly leaned in and stole another light peck from her lips, making a soft SMOOCH sound.

"Lanlan."

Shen Zueran’s long fingers lovingly caressed Yu Lan’s beautiful face.

Just as the male, who had suddenly won the female’s approval, was about to once again put his euphoria into words...

A researcher from downstairs, who hadn’t seen Shen Zueran for some time, couldn’t wait any longer and ran up to find him.

"Di-Director, someone from the Imperial Palace is here to pick you up."

"AHH!!!!"

The researcher who had come forward saw the scene, hastily threw his hands over his eyes, and stumbled backward.

"I’m sorry, Director, I didn’t see anything!"

’So the Director and Yu Lan are really together!’

’Does that mean I just interrupted something important?’

’I’m so screwed!’

’The Director isn’t going to hunt me down for this, is he?’

The researcher retreated, worried sick.

Meanwhile, Shen Zueran shot an aggressive glare toward the doorway, a flash of displeasure in his dark eyes.