She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Loyce paused for a moment, the air freezing for a few seconds before she burst out laughing. The midday sun fell on her skin, casting a soft halo that gave her a vibrant, gentle glow. It was a beautiful sight.

Lucian stood frozen, momentarily captivated by her stunning smile.

Loyce picked up the lunch container, turning her fork around to offer him a piece of the “tree root.” She held it to his lips. “Want to try some?”

By the time he snapped back to reality, his mouth had already opened and accepted the food. Instantly, a peculiar taste flooded his senses. His brow furrowed as he felt like he was chewing on a damp, old tree branch, complete with the overwhelming stench of dead fish.

He grimaced, fighting back the urge to gag.

The look of pure revulsion on his face made Loyce giggle. “It’s a special herb, it’s delicious sautéed with beef, don’t you think?”

_ucian pressed a fist to his lips, stifling a cough. “Water… water..”

Seeing his face turn red, Loyce poured him a glass. “Is it really that bad?”

Lucian grabbed the cup and drained it in one go, his Adam’s apple bobbing frantically as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He took a deep breath, his voice raspy. “That is not something humans should eat.”

Loyce tilted her head, her eyes sparkling. She picked up another piece and deliberately dangled it in front of him. “Want another bite?”

Lucian instinctively took a step back. The man who was a titan in the military world was now being cornered by a tiny herb, looking utterly flustered. He stared at Loyce’s mischievous grin and suddenly reached out, grabbing her wrist.

“Since you like it so much…” He pulled her sharply towards him, his other hand planting firmly on the lab bench behind her, trapping her between

Chapter 131

his arms. “Why don’t we share the experience?”

Caught off guard, Loyce stumbled into his embrace, her nose filling with the clean, medicinal scent that clung to him. She looked up and met his gaze, so close now, and saw a dangerous fire flickering in his eyes. The fork clattered to the floor.

Lucian leaned in, his breath ghosting over her lips. “What’s the matter? Scared now?”

A piercing alarm suddenly blared through the lab, startling them both.

Loyce seized the opportunity to slip out from under his arm, the intimate tension shattering instantly. “My cultures are overheating!” she

exclaimed, her voice laced with panic.

She scrambled over to the incubator, her hurried movements looking very

much like a hasty retreat.

Lucian remained where he was, touching his tongue to the inside of his cheek where the strange taste of the herb still lingered. But oddly

enough, he found that… it wasn’t quite so unbearable anymore.

“Loyce,” he said suddenly.

“What?” the young woman replied without turning around.

Lucian slowly adjusted his cufflinks. “I haven’t eaten yet. Pack up, we’re going out.”

“No, thanks. I don’t want to waste this.”

Loyce added, “Besides, I have something to do this afternoon. If you’re hungry, go eat by yourself.”

“What do you have to do?”

She glanced back at him, feeling he was asking too many questions, but answered anyway. “I’m participating in the university’s medical

competition. I’m supposed to be receiving an award today.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “A medical competition? When did you write a paper?”

“I pulled an all–nighter last week to finish it,” Loyce replied nonchalantly, adjusting the temperature of the incubator. “It’s about new findings on neuroregeneration factors.”