Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Let's translate this vivid scene into a context more familiar to a Western audience.

Picture this: Leda and York, caught in the gaze not only of each other but also of the watchful eyes of their friends.

Katrina, with a playful tone, nudged Melba, "Look at those lovebirds, aren't they the sweetest?"

Melba, equally amused, replied, "I've never seen the young master take such an initiative with any girl before."

"Is Leda just any girl, though? Regardless of her background, her upbringing is top-notch. The kid's finally done something right."

"The young master knows what he's doing, never misses the mark when it truly counts."

"If he can keep going with Leda, I'd die happy in my sleep.'

"Huh? Does the young master look a bit off to you?"

"

"Does he?" Katrina squinted, taking a closer look. "You might be onto something... And does Leda seem a bit stiff to you?"

Despite being so close, something seemed amiss...

Downstairs, York whispered, "Don't move, my mom's getting suspicious."

"How long has your mom been here?" Leda asked.

"She's been lurking since before you took that call."

This just made Leda even more nervous.

Katrina, curious, asked, "Why the silence after such a tight hug?"

Leda heard every word, clear as day.

Since she was a responsible person, she knew she had to deal with the situation herself.

She looked at York firmly, murmuring, "Kiss me."

York felt his heart start to race.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

His Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze deepening, becoming an abyss filled with swirling mysteries.

The next second, he assertively wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pressing his lips to hers in a dominant, undeniable manner. Leda was taken aback.

Their kiss was intense, a tangle of lips and tongues.

"Whoa! They're kissing! Melba, let's give them some space, don't wanna make the kids uncomfortable."

"Absolutely."

Katrina walked away.

*Snap!*

York was baffled, "What was that for? Why'd you hit me?"

Leda, her legs weak, retorted, "Why'd you actually kiss me?"Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

She hadn't slapped him, just pushed his face away.

"It was your idea," he defended.

Leda, through gritted teeth, said, "I meant for us to pretend!"

"My mom's too sharp, she wouldn't have bought it if we didn't make it look real. York added, "Besides, kissing you is hardly a loss for me. You know how many girls out there would kill for a kiss from me?"

Leda, feigning amusement, replied, "Funny, because there's a long line of guys waiting to kiss me too."

"You-" He was effectively silenced.

After a pause, he murmured, "Are they better kissers than me?"

Leda scoffed, "You're average. I've had better."

York was stunned.

Katrina's voice echoed from upstairs, "Leda, are you done resting? It's time for our beauty regimen—" "Right, coming!"

As she was about to head upstairs, she realized her phone was still on the couch and turned back for it.

She had just abruptly hung up on York, leaving him possibly feeling anxious and hurt. The least she could do was send a message, right?

But York was quicker, snatching the phone from her grasp.

"What are you doing? Give it here."

"Why are you on your phone when you should be enjoying the beauty treatment? What if you get too distracted and say something you

She couldn't argue with that.

Leda went upstairs, leaving York staring at the phone, his jaw clenched tight.

In the morning, Roseanne left for school, casting a glance towards the neighboring house...