Beyond Reach - Novelbike

Due to her parents’ job relocations, Shi Sui had been moving from place to place since her childhood.

She was accustomed to her parents’ busy schedules, used to having dinner at their friends’ homes, and to entertaining herself when alone.

So, when Shi Yue apologetically announced the decision to have her stay with a former family friend until after the Gaokao, she didn’t think much about it and obediently agreed.

Shi Sui thought this time would be no different, with just another aunt and uncle, until she was led by Yan Zecheng into the opulent Yan Family villa.

Meeting Yan Tingli on the staircase, his indifferent glance still stood like a chasm in Shi Sui’s heart to this day.

The vague concept of “class difference” she read about in textbooks had never been as clearly engraved in her mind as in that moment.

That day, Song Jie was also at home to greet her, her demeanor as mild as lukewarm water.

Shi Sui didn’t want to seem uncomfortable.

But being young, she still showed her nervousness, fearing she might see a hint of displeasure on the lady’s face.

As it turned out, she was overthinking.

Yan Zecheng and Song Jie, caught up in their myriad daily affairs, made her arrival feel as insignificant as a dandelion seed gently landing on the ground, stirring no turmoil whatsoever.

And Yan Tingli, who also lived on the third floor, was even busier than her.

On weekdays, he was at school, and weekends were filled with various trainings and competitions.

Most of the time, aside from the housekeeper, there would be no one else around.

Thus, Shi Sui’s tense nerves gradually relaxed, and she adapted to life in the Yan household.

She occasionally felt lonely, but fortunately, she was good at amusing herself.

Although she and Yan Tingli rarely crossed paths, they managed to coexist respectfully.

In the mornings with her hair all tousled, or at night yawning while making milk, or even sometimes dancing joyfully in her nightgown.

He always appeared suddenly, startling her every time.

The only consolation was that Yan Tingli’s reactions were always refined.

He would merely cast a brief glance, as if seeing something unpleasing to the eye, then calmly divert his gaze.

At first, Shi Sui would feel embarrassed.

After numerous occurrences, she became unfazed.

Later on, Shi Sui couldn’t understand why Yan Tingli, who initially seemed to disdain giving her an extra glance, became so eager to sleep with her.

Later, Yan Tingli gave her a response that almost made her want to call the police-

“A single glance, and I’m aroused.”

Why she ended up with Yan Tingli was fundamentally because Shi Sui had drunk too much.

That night, the party consisted of classmates from an art training class, all familiar with each other.

“Eighteen now, you should know your limits with alcohol,” a friend said while bringing a case of beer into the KTV room, “and be more cautious in society to avoid getting tricked.”

“Especially you, Suisui, don’t let anyone deceive you.”

Whether she would get tricked in society, Shi Sui didn’t know.

But that night, Shi Sui ended up tricking herself thoroughly.

A few beers in, the room spun, and she giggled foolishly.

Holding the microphone in the KTV, she shrieked and howled, and eventually ended up crying in her friends’ arms calling for her mom.

The real trouble began when Shi Sui was helped back to the Yan Mansion, and it was Yan Tingli who opened the door, not the usual housekeeper. Shi Sui, oblivious to his somber aura, stared at him blankly, “Wow.”

He looked like a character straight out of a Japanese manga, her drunken mind running wild. For some inexplicable reason, she stood up straight, mimicking the exaggerated gestures of a manga heroine, and saluted him with great ceremony.

Her friend, who had accompanied her home, was surprised, “Suisui, is this your brother?”

Shi Sui continued to giggle foolishly, and before she could process the situation, her arm was suddenly grabbed, and with a strong pull, she was dragged inside, the cool air conditioning hitting her. Yan Tingli must have said something to her friend, because by the time she regained her senses, the door was already closed.

Inside, the house was dark, the lights off, and she stumbled as she was pulled into the elevator. Shi Sui instinctively tried to break free but vaguely remembered that the housekeeper was off duty today, leaving the mansion empty.

In the confined space of the elevator, she felt a sense of safety. Leaning against the wall, she couldn’t help but stare at Yan Tingli, examining his forehead, brow bone, nose, and lips. There was a small mole at the junction of his jaw and neck-irresistibly alluring.

“You’re really good-looking,” she murmured, reaching out to touch his brow bone. Shi Sui had no idea what she was doing, only that she felt she had wanted to do this for a long time.

Yan Tingli dodged slightly, his dark eyes scanning her face inch by inch. In her drunken state, Shi Sui was shameless, her consciousness fuzzy as she pursued him, and he no longer avoided her.

“Be my model,” she said, enamored with the cool touch of his skin, “I’ll definitely paint you beautifully.”

He studied her, a slight curve at the corner of his lips, bending down to ask, “What’s in it for me?”

“What’s in it for you?” Shi Sui giggled, covering her face, “If you agree to be my model, I’d live in a mansion and drive luxury cars for you.”

Yan Tingli’s chest shook, genuinely amused, his pleasant voice teasing her nerves, “Alright, I agree.”

“But only for today,” he raised an eyebrow slightly, “Aren’t you going to seize the moment?”

As the elevator doors opened, she naively led him into the bedroom, slowly setting up her easel. Turning to see him leaning casually against the wall, she asked curiously, “Why aren’t you undressing?”

Yan Tingli’s long lashes lowered, his dark gaze piercing through the warm light, “Undress?”

“Didn’t you agree to be my model?”

He watched her, the corners of his lips twitching, smiling slowly, “You want me to be a nude model?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not happening.”

“Why not?” Shi Sui protested.

“You need to offer something else,” he said, his eyes slowly tracing her skin, his Adam’s apple moving.

In her current state, faced with such a gaze, Shi Sui would have bolted, but drunk as she was, she foolishly pressed on, “What do you want?”

“It’s simple,” Yan Tingli’s dark pupils blinked, as if enticing, as if provoking.

“Come here, kiss me.”

…Shi Sui felt she wasn’t just drunk; she was under a spell. Otherwise, why would she be compelled to step forward, like touching a piece of art, standing on tiptoe?

Breath drew close.

Shi Sui crashed into his dark eyes.

In that instant, a chill ran down the back of her neck.

A prey-like instinct surged to her scalp, freezing her movements, her calves instinctively stepping back.

Yan Tingli remained motionless.

Still the gentleman, his eyes and brows as pure as snow, seemingly devoid of any worldly desires.

Shi Sui doubted her own suspicions, but eventually, courage overcame instinct.

She slowly leaned in towards his attractively shaped lips.

Just a light touch.

But then her lower back was firmly imprisoned, the force so strong it was frightening, causing her to shiver.

“This isn’t a kiss,” his tongue suddenly moved, fiercely plunging in, his Adam’s apple rolling as he thirstily drew in saliva, leaving her dizzy and disoriented, “This is.”

…She was the only one covered in bites that night.

When dawn broke, Shi Sui sobered up, and seeing Yan Tingli sleeping beside her, her mind crashed.

Her memories were fragmented and unclear.

– Vague on how exactly they ended up together, but the joy under the influence and the personal disappointment when Yan Tingli regretfully said they couldn’t proceed without protection were crystal clear.

Shi Sui’s scalp tingled.

Not knowing how to face it, she simply ran away.

Before dawn, she ran downstairs, wandering aimlessly around the villa complex.

Until the sun rose, without her phone and nowhere to go, she could only sneak back as she couldn’t stand the heat.

By then, Shi Sui felt guilty for having forced Yan Tingli, never considering a next time.

Returning was merely a casual enticement, and she foolishly kissed him again.

This night could still be considered an accident, but every subsequent tryst left no room for excuses.

Shi Sui couldn’t deny it.

She coveted Yan Tingli and was sinking into the pleasure he provided.

The final boundary Shi Sui set for this relationship was-never, ever fall in love.

And never let anyone know.

Over the past two years, she blindfolded herself, covered her ears.

Avoided any hints from Yan Tingli as much as possible.

Even sometimes desperately wanting to separate.

At least separating wouldn’t trap her in this turmoil anymore.

“Suisui,” Yan Tingli’s voice pulled her from deeper confusion, his cold laugh, “Next time you pretend not to hear, make your expression more natural; it’ll be more convincing.”

Shi Sui’s eyelashes fluttered.

In just a few words, he had her cornered with no chance of escape.

“We can’t…” Shi Sui could only bow her head, struggling to say those three words, “date.”

“Why?”

“We’re not suitable.”

“Is it the size? It’s quite suitable.”

Shi Sui ignored him, pleadingly said, “Can’t we just keep it like this?”

Her voice was slightly tense, her heartbeat heavy and rapid.

She knew this would upset Yan Tingli.

But it was also the most appropriate response she could think of.

Yan Tingli’s expression was calm, he even bent down to neatly adjust her skirt.

“So it’s like this,” he paused, confirming softly with her, “a secret affair at school?”

He deliberately made it sound ugly.

Shi Sui clenched her teeth, defiantly said, “Yes, I like it this way.”

Yan Tingli scoffed, “Fine, as you wish.”

“Then I’ll kiss you, touch you, anywhere I like at school,” his gaze swept over her disheveled clothes, “as long as-no one knows, right?”

Shi Sui shuddered under his overtly invasive gaze, “No… of course not-”

She was flipped over and pressed against the car window.

Yan Tingli covered her from behind, lifting her chin: “Suisui, look outside.”

Shi Sui was forced against the window, her expression suddenly changing.

-She saw Su Ye.

Su Ye, carrying his briefcase after work, was standing slightly ahead, opening his car door while on the phone.

“Let go of me,” she suddenly struggled violently, “Yan Tingli, you bastard…!”

Yan Tingli covered her mouth from behind.

“Shh.” A kiss fell on her neck as he whispered softly, “We can’t let anyone see this.”

“Otherwise, by tomorrow it will be all over the confession page, and the whole school will know that we,” Yan Tingli paused, “are having an affair in the car.”

Shi Sui didn’t dare to think, using all her strength to struggle, but within reach, all she felt were Yan Tingli’s robust muscles.

Unmoving.

Instead, the car shook slightly, and Su Ye, attracted by the noise, glanced over.

Had Su Ye seen them?

Shi Sui was so frightened that she forgot to breathe.

“Move again,” Yan Tingli whispered in her ear, “and Teacher Su will really think we’re rocking the car.”

Shi Sui swallowed her voice, enduring.

Fortunately, Su Ye just glanced once and then got into his car.

Soon, the sedan drove away.

In the ensuing silence, Yan Tingli suddenly lost interest, retracting his legs and leaning back into his seat. “Forgot to tell you, this car is fitted with privacy film.”

Shi Sui, still in shock, froze there, unable to move until she finally collapsed, slapping him on the jaw, leaving a red mark on his pale skin, “Yan Tingli, can you stop forcing me like this?!”

Yan Tingli did not dodge or flinch.

He just lowered his eyelashes, casting a shadow over his features.

Shi Sui’s fingers twitched, her heart in turmoil.

Only silence remained.

After a long time, Yan Tingli finally reacted slowly.

“Forcing?” He wiped away the mark on his jaw, his face expressionless, “If I were forcing you, you would have been pinned against me the moment you got in the car.”

“Or from two years ago, you should have been locked in a house no one knows about, not wearing a single piece of clothing.”

“Not like now.” His eyes flashed with scorn, suddenly, he stopped speaking.

Always like a dog, craving a bit of elusive love.

Shi Sui waited, but Yan Tingli said no more.

As Su Ye’s car drove away, Yan Tingli expressionlessly opened the car door: “Your task is done.”

He was dismissing her.

They parted on bad terms.

Shi Sui didn’t say a word, straightening her disheveled clothes and picking up her bag to leave: “Then that’s that.”

She didn’t want to deal with Yan Tingli anymore.

Not at all.

She hadn’t even stepped out when suddenly she was pulled back, the car door slamming shut.

Yan Tingli’s face was close.