Cheng Zhinan was truly drunk.

He would never normally do such things.

His grip was firm, teeth leaving faint marks on her skin.

Slender fingers threaded through his soft, thick black hair, feeling his scorching body heat.

Xiang Yuan’s heartbeat quickened relentlessly.

Reason told her she should stop Cheng Zhinan now, yet her throat felt unbearably hoarse, incapable of uttering any protest.

There was something uniquely captivating about Cheng Zhinan when intoxicated.

In his sober state, he would never dare to behave this way in her home.

Not only would he refrain, but if Xiang Yuan ever crossed boundaries, he would adopt a stern demeanor to admonish her.

Now, it was he who had crossed the line.

The more Xiang Yuan tried to evade, the tighter his hands restrained her.

Summer had arrived in City S.

Temperatures were steadily climbing.

The bedroom window stood half-open, allowing sultry summer breezes to sweep inside. A beautiful Azure Swallowtail rested on the windowsill.

Though dressed lightly, Xiang Yuan’s back was already glistening with a thin layer of sweat. Her fair skin flushed pink, dewy with perspiration. She bit her lower lip gently, eyelashes lowered, remaining silent.

Suddenly.

A knock sounded at the door, accompanied by an insistent voice:

“Sis, sis.”

As if snapping back to reality, Xiang Yuan turned her head toward the door.

Cheng Zhinan paused his movements, ignoring the door as he lifted his gaze to study her.

Xiang Yuan pushed him away, breathing heavily, anxious that the person outside might notice something amiss.

The man braced his hands on the bed, his shirt collar unbuttoned, eyes narrowed with a hint of dazed sensuality.

Beneath his eyelids, a faint redness lingered, as if he were suspended between intoxication and awareness.

Xiang Yuan glanced down at the small mole on her waist, now flushed crimson.

She whispered:

“Rest properly for now. Xiang Ming is calling me outside. I’ll go check and be back soon.”

Cheng Zhinan remained silent, his chest heaving intensely.

Xiang Yuan cracked the door open slightly, slipped out quickly, and closed it firmly, careful to shield Cheng Zhinan’s current state from Xiang Ming’s view.

Xiang Ming craned her neck curiously. “How’s brother-in-law doing?”

Xiang Yuan: “He’s had too much to drink and is resting.”

Xiang Ming: “When I came downstairs earlier, Mom and Dad said you’d gone back to your room, so I came to check.”

“During dinner, you seemed distracted, and now you’re seeking me out what’s going on?” Xiang Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Xiang Ming had never been in a relationship; her romantic experience was virtually nonexistent. Besides, she had never kept secrets from her older sister, unable to conceal her thoughts, so she laid everything bare to Xiang Yuan.

“Quick, help me decide how I should reply to him.” Xiang Ming was frantic.

Xiang Yuan skimmed the message. “He’s asking if you have plans on Saturday?”

Xiang Ming: “Should I play hard to get, or should I proactively say I’m free?”

Xiang Yuan: “What’s he inviting you for? A date?”

Xiang Ming: “Of course not. A while ago, I mentioned I didn’t understand something and needed his help. Coincidentally, he knows someone in that field and said he could introduce me.”

Xiang Yuan: “That’s great. Go meet them, and afterward, treat your senior to a meal. That way, you can return the favor.”

Xiang Ming’s eyes lit up. “That’s a perfect excuse.”

Xiang Yuan: “…Do you like him?”

“I actually have quite a good impression of him.” Xiang Yuan pouted and shook Xiang Ming’s arm. “I might need to trouble you frequently during this period. If there are any tricky problems, please help me out.”

“Alright, I understand.” Xiang Yuan responded perfunctorily. “You should go back to your room and rest early. Your brother-in-law drank too much, I need to go back and take care of him.”

“Aren’t you going back tonight?”

“No, we’re not going back.”

After sending Xiang Ming away, Xiang Yuan returned to the bedroom again.

Cheng Zhinan was already lying sideways on the bed, his long legs casually positioned. With his black dress socks still on, even his sleeping posture seemed somewhat suggestive, making it easy for one’s imagination to run wild about him.

Xiang Yuan half-knelt on the bed, looking down at him while patting his cheek. “Cheng Zhinan, are you asleep?”

The man on the bed half-opened his eyes to look at her.

Xiang Yuan began untying his tie with a serious expression. “If you’ve had too much to drink, you should rest properly. How can you sleep with your clothes on?”

Cheng Zhinan frowned slightly and grabbed her mischievous hand.

“What are you doing?” His voice was hoarse.

“Stop moving around, I’m helping you take off your clothes.”

“No need… I can do it myself.”

Xiang Yuan brushed his hand away. “Your parents just said I should take good care of you. What’s wrong with a wife helping her husband undress?”

Cheng Zhinan stopped resisting.

He could tell Xiang Yuan was deliberately causing trouble while he was drunk, so he simply let her be.

He wasn’t completely intoxicated, just had a headache, yet she insisted on making trouble.

Lying on the bed, he let the woman undress him.

His well-defined muscles and pale skin were now directly visible to Xiang Yuan.

Xiang Yuan couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of her lips. While taking advantage of the situation, she still lectured him: “Don’t drink so much in the future. Drinking too much will only make you uncomfortable – the gain isn’t worth the pain.”

Cheng Zhinan pressed his lips together. “I’m not that drunk.”

“Stubborn.” Xiang Yuan scoffed lightly. “You were clearly showing signs of being drunk earlier.”

Cheng Zhinan: “I’m very sober.”

“Yes, yes, you’re very sober.” Xiang Yuan threw his clothes onto the sofa and pulled a thin blanket over him. “Even the ever-capable Doctor Cheng has days like this. It’s quite a rare sight.”

“You seem… quite happy to see me drunk.”

“It’s just that I rarely see you lose your composure. I find it quite interesting.”

Cheng Zhinan closed his eyes and chuckled lightly. “It seems it’s my fault. I should show you more sides of me that you haven’t seen before. Otherwise, why would you find it so novel just to see me drunk?”

Xiang Yuan lay down beside him. “Oh? Are there many sides of you I haven’t seen?”

Cheng Zhinan’s throat moved.

“Perhaps.”

Those hidden, unknown emotions – sometimes even he couldn’t control them himself.

Xiang Yuan lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

“During my student years, I encountered extremely disciplined geniuses like you. They have their own world and don’t like others entering it. Some even have quite reclusive personalities and aren’t good at dealing with people. But you’re very different.”

“How am I different?”

“You appear cold, but sometimes people can feel there’s also a flame inside you. Those who don’t know you well might think you’re an ice block, but those close to you know you’re actually a very considerate and warm person.”

As she spoke, a mischievous smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

“Just like ”

“No matter how cold a man appears, his…”

Before she could finish speaking, Cheng Zhinan grabbed her mischievous hand beneath the blanket.

Xiang Yuan had just reached his thigh area when her hand was caught mid-air.

His dark eyes gazed calmly at her as he intertwined their fingers, locking them together.

“I knew you were up to no good.”

“At first, I thought you were genuinely praising me.”

Xiang Yuan blinked her eyelashes innocently:

“What I said earlier was sincere.”

The vein at Cheng Zhinan’s temple began throbbing again.

He closed his eyes briefly. “Go to sleep.”

Rather than believing her insincere playful remarks, he preferred to actually feel her warmth in his embrace.

During this period after marriage, Cheng Zhinan discovered he had grown accustomed to the sensation of her in his arms.

Her body was soft, like cotton candy, and holding her tightly gave him a peculiar feeling.

That he truly possessed something.

Not illusory material things, praise, or admiration, but what he genuinely wanted.

He enjoyed holding her tightly during intimacy, as if in that moment she belonged solely to him, unable to escape.

Though sometimes Xiang Yuan would protest strongly.

She said it hurt her and made it hard to breathe, asking him to be gentler and give her some space.

Often, Cheng Zhinan would quickly comply, making her more comfortable.

Yet deep down, he knew he was reluctant to let her go, cherishing that warmth and the feeling of holding her tightly.

However, to keep her happy, Cheng Zhinan never showed this side of himself in front of her.

Now, Xiang Yuan was also growing sleepy.

Having spent the entire day out and about, then returning home for a family dinner in the evening, lying in bed made drowsiness creep up on her unnoticed.

She slept for about an hour.

A knock came at the door.

It was You Mei.

She asked softly, “Xiang Yuan, are you asleep?”

Xiang Yuan mumbled drowsily, “Mom, what is it?”

You Mei: “Is Zhinan asleep?”

Xiang Yuan: “Yes, he drank too much and is sleeping.”

You Mei: “Zhinan’s parents just left, saying you should rest well here tonight. Is everything alright with you?”

Xiang Yuan: “Everything’s fine, we’re both asleep. You should rest early too.”

You Mei: “Alright, let me know if anything comes up.”

Xiang Yuan: “I will.”

After that came the sound of You Mei’s fading footsteps.

Xiang Yuan, now somewhat awake, thought about going back to sleep when a pair of hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her into Cheng Zhinan’s embrace.

In her daze, as she was about to ask what was happening, his scorching lips and tongue deftly invaded her mouth, sweeping through without mercy.

In the quiet night, the kiss was both abrupt and intimate.

The sound of their entangled lips and exchanged saliva was unusually loud.

Xiang Yuan was bewildered.

What occasion was today?

Was Cheng Zhinan drunk or sleepwalking?

She really wanted to sleep and instinctively thought to refuse, but the sensation of kissing him wasn’t bad at all.

His naked body was burning hot, making Xiang Yuan’s breathing quicken.

Soon.

The man’s large hands roamed over her body.

Xiang Yuan grew increasingly restless, thinking that since Cheng Zhinan was drunk tonight, it might be okay to do something they shouldn’t.

It didn’t have to be Sunday.

He was drunk, so those unnecessary rules didn’t need to be followed.

But just as Xiang Yuan was being stirred into a frenzy, the man beside her suddenly stilled, becoming exceptionally quiet.

Xiang Yuan widened her eyes and looked at the man beside her.

“Cheng Zhinan?”

“Were you asleep?”

“…”

“…”

A minute later.

Xiang Yuan angrily realized that Cheng Zhinan had actually been sleepwalking earlier.

He was sleeping soundly.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t fall asleep after that.

–

The next day.

You Mei called them downstairs for breakfast.

While getting dressed, Cheng Zhinan noticed Xiang Yuan looked unwell.

As he buttoned his shirt, he asked, “Didn’t rest well last night?”

Xiang Yuan didn’t want to talk to him, dark circles hanging under her eyelids.

During breakfast, Xiang Yuan maintained her dismissive attitude.

You Mei found the atmosphere awkward and cleared her throat, whispering in her ear: “What did Zhinan do to upset you? Why have you been ignoring him all morning?”

Xiang Yuan took a sip of milk. “It’s nothing.”

You Mei: “Be reasonable, don’t throw a tantrum.”

After breakfast, Cheng Zhinan went to work at the hospital.

Xiang Yuan didn’t ask him for a ride home, saying she had some errands to run and needed to buy some things.

Cheng Zhinan nodded, remained silent for a few seconds, then turned and left.

The following days.

Xiang Yuan had been busy preparing for her trip.

On the day of departure, Cheng Zhinan saw her carrying her suitcase ready to leave.

“Let me take you,” he said, taking the suitcase from her.

“No need, my friends are waiting downstairs in the car,” Xiang Yuan took back the suitcase and left a kiss on his cheek. “Doctor Cheng, will you miss me?”

Cheng Zhinan seemed to seriously consider this before slowly nodding. “Yes.”

“Then I’ll come back after my trip,” she said cheerfully, turning to wave at him. “I’m off now.”

Cheng Zhinan: “…Mm.”

Xiang Yuan was genuinely looking forward to this trip.

Having been confined at home for several months under mandatory rest, she had nearly grown moldy from boredom. This outing was the perfect opportunity to breathe some fresh air.

She arrived in City A with her friends.

After dropping her luggage at the hotel, Xiang Yuan headed straight to a restaurant.

Her first action upon arriving at the restaurant was to take photos and send them to Cheng Zhinan.

She hadn’t forgotten her married status.

Voluntary reporting was one of the basic responsibilities of being a wife.

In high spirits, she kept fiddling with her phone, waiting for Cheng Zhinan’s reply.

However.

No response came from the other end.

A companion looked at her curiously. “Waiting for someone’s message?”

Xiang Yuan took a sip of juice to cover up. “Nothing, just checking my phone.”

“Could it be you’re waiting for your husband’s message?”

“…”

“Come on, I advise you to relax while traveling. Don’t keep waiting for men to reply. Look at me – married for years, I’ve long lost faith in men. Men are like this – when their wives aren’t home, they want their own space.”

Xiang Yuan’s lips twitched. “You don’t have a good relationship with your husband?”

“Can’t say it’s bad, but after the novelty of marriage faded, everything became mundane now. We both have our own lives, rarely speaking except when necessary.”

Xiang Yuan raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

She hadn’t fallen to that level yet.

After all, having not been married long, the novelty was still there for her.

And Doctor Cheng wasn’t the type to tire of the old and crave the new – they were unlikely to reach the point of mutual disgust.

Xiang Yuan hadn’t particularly cared about Cheng Zhinan’s response speed initially, but after hearing her companion’s remark, she couldn’t help but pay closer attention, secretly noting the time on her phone.

She thought perhaps Cheng Zhinan was busy.

Given the unique nature of his work, it was perfectly normal for him to miss messages or respond late when he couldn’t check his phone.

However, when evening came and he still hadn’t replied, Xiang Yuan couldn’t help but wonder what exactly was keeping him so occupied.

Finally.

Just as Xiang Yuan returned to her hotel, Cheng Zhinan’s message came through.

CZN: 【Arrived?】

CZN: 【Sorry, I’ve been busy and didn’t see your message earlier.】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【At home?】

CZN: 【Mm.】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【Show me.】

Cheng Zhinan paused briefly, then suddenly realized Xiang Yuan’s behavior seemed like checking up on him.

This was her first time doing something like this.

Since their marriage, they had maintained a very amicable relationship as husband and wife.

This was the first time Xiang Yuan had shown such concern for him.

Most of Cheng Zhinan’s colleagues were older than him. Some married ones would occasionally share experiences about married life, mentioning how their wives would suddenly call during dinners to check on them.

For Cheng Zhinan, this was his first time being checked up on.

He took a photo of Black lying at his feet and sent it to Xiang Yuan.

CZN: 【Is this acceptable?】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【First of all, I’m not checking up on you I’m just concerned about whether you got home safely.】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【^_^】

CZN: 【Mm, I understand.】

Last time when colleagues visited their home, Miao Hao had asked Xiang Yuan to help set him up with a girlfriend. But during games, it became clear he already had quite a few girlfriends.

After they left, Xiang Yuan quietly complained to Cheng Zhinan, saying this colleague seemed honest but had dated so many girls.

Cheng Zhinan simply replied that work was work, and personal life was personal life one shouldn’t equate personal relationships with professional capability.

Xiang Yuan naturally understood. Later, she pestered Cheng Zhinan to share some industry gossip about romantic affairs.

Regarding such topics, Cheng Zhinan remained tight-lipped.

Seeing his reluctance to elaborate, Xiang Yuan could only sternly remind him to maintain proper male virtue and avoid being influenced by those around him.

Cheng Zhinan naturally wouldn’t be corrupted by others.

He had his own principles for handling matters, and no one else’s approach would affect him.

CZN: 【Having fun in City A?】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【It’s only the first day haven’t started properly exploring yet. But this relaxed state feels so long overdue~】

CZN: 【As long as you’re happy. Feel free to use my card while you’re out, and call me promptly if anything comes up.】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【Okay~】

Xiang Yuan spent several consecutive days enjoying herself outside. Sometimes she’d return to the hotel and collapse into sleep immediately, occasionally forgetting to call Cheng Zhinan.

Cheng Zhinan had been very busy lately too, though Xiang Yuan didn’t know exactly with what.

He never sent overly sweet messages online, though he could be unexpectedly affectionate during their occasional meetings.

Among those traveling with her, Li Lu was the closest to Xiang Yuan.

Since their school days, Li Lu had always admired Xiang Yuan’s personality.

Now she was also willing to stick close to Xiang Yuan. After learning that Xiang Yuan’s husband was a doctor at the city hospital, her eyes lit up even more. She mentioned that the orthopedics department at the city hospital was the most authoritative, and sometimes it was particularly difficult to get an appointment. If she ever needed help in the future, she hoped Xiang Yuan could lend a hand.

Xiang Yuan didn’t dare promise for sure that she could help, only saying she would do her best. However, she felt somewhat resistant to Li Lu’s underlying intention to take advantage.

When Li Lu was with her, most of the time was spent complaining about her own husband saying he lacked romance, had gained weight after marriage, and was completely different from before they got married.

Earlier, at a class reunion, Li Lu had seen Xiang Yuan’s husband outside the restaurant.

At that time, Cheng Zhinan had driven over to pick Xiang Yuan up, making a group of classmates around them envious. It turned out the husband she had found was so handsome and outstanding, truly outshining everyone else present.

As for Li Lu’s complaints, Xiang Yuan usually just smiled and let them pass, but she didn’t like absorbing too much negativity. Later, whenever she sensed Li Lu was about to start complaining, she would automatically distance herself.

Li Lu seemed to have noticed Xiang Yuan’s attitude and afterward rarely talked about her husband, instead shifting to chat with her about new and interesting things.

At noon, the group went to eat at a newly opened Cantonese restaurant. Sipping her milk tea, Li Lu said to Xiang Yuan:

“Come with me to A University this afternoon.”

Xiang Yuan: “What for?”

Li Lu: “A University is celebrating its anniversary recently, and there are lots of activities there. My cousin studies there, and I heard there will be many talented young men around. Want to go check it out together?”

Xiang Yuan tilted her head, looking at her with a faint, teasing smile.

Li Lu blushed under her gaze. “Let me be clear, I don’t have any ulterior motives just pure appreciation. I’m a married woman; how could I dare have other thoughts? Besides, even after marriage, it’s only natural to have an appreciative eye.”

Seeing how determined she was, Xiang Yuan had no choice but to agree to accompany her.

Li Lu’s cousin was also a medical student at A University.

He hurried out from the campus to greet Li Lu and Xiang Yuan.

Li Lu introduced with a smile:

“This is my classmate, Xiang Yuan. You can call her sister.”

The cousin was very polite and nodded, saying, “Sister Xiang Yuan.”

Xiang Yuan smiled and nodded back.

Li Lu: “See? Young guys these days are so sweet with their words.”

Xiang Yuan: “Very sweet indeed.”

Li Lu turned to her cousin and asked, “Where are you planning to take us later?”

Her cousin checked the time and mentioned there was a lecture soon, asking if they wanted to go listen.

Xiang Yuan wasn’t particularly interested in such professional talks, but Li Lu’s cousin was clearly excited and strongly recommended they attend, insisting they would gain a lot from it.

He explained that the special guest speaker was a famous figure in the industry young, accomplished, and highly skilled completely his idol. Being able to hear his idol give a lecture was undoubtedly a valuable opportunity.

As he spoke, his expression was devout and earnest.

Li Lu was impressed and turned to Xiang Yuan, “Is this what the world of top students is like?”

Xiang Yuan: “…Probably.”

Li Lu: “Should we go take a look?”

Xiang Yuan hesitated for a few seconds. “Alright.”

When they arrived at the venue, Li Lu grew more enthusiastic and linked arms with Xiang Yuan. “There are quite a lot of people here, all young. It’s been so long since I’ve felt such vibrant youthful energy it’s wonderful.”

Xiang Yuan followed beside Li Lu and randomly took a seat in the back row.

Her cousin had been chatting with a classmate nearby. When he finished talking, he noticed the seat next to Li Lu was already taken.

He asked Xiang Yuan somewhat shyly:

“Sister Xiang Yuan, you don’t mind if I sit next to you, do you?”

Xiang Yuan shook her head: “It’s fine, have a seat.”

Her cousin was indeed a top student – Li Lu had mentioned this before they came.

Only after seeing him today did she realize her words were far from exaggerated.

From the moment they sat down, her cousin had been enthusiastically telling Xiang Yuan about how incredibly impressive the special guest speaker would be.

Xiang Yuan yawned, lazily propping her chin in her hand. “Is he really that remarkable?”

Cousin: “No ordinary person his age could ever reach his position, but he has. He’s definitely going to be a major figure in this field. My professor mentioned him before and couldn’t stop praising him.”

Xiang Yuan: “Then why hasn’t your idol taken the stage yet?”

Cousin: “He’s about to.”

Many students were seated around them, likely all from the same major. Xiang Yuan couldn’t help feeling out of place with her laid-back demeanor.

She knew nothing about medicine or what constituted professionalism her only concern was where to eat after the lecture.

But the surrounding whispers persisted.

Soon.

The large screen at the front lit up.

Soft gasps and cheers erupted around her.

Xiang Yuan looked up toward the screen

Cheng Zhinan.

Attending Orthopedic Surgeon in S City.

First Prize, “Lin Dao-Claw Arsen” Young Medical Award

International Society for Bone and Biomaterials Apex Breakthrough Award

“Osler” Medical Innovation Award

Gold Prize, “Future Science Star”

“Golden Scalpel” International Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Medal

…

…

Each line represented a shining achievement in his illustrious career.

Xiang Yuan had never known about his past accomplishments.

The man who slept beside her every night was even more exceptional than what the elders had described.

And Cheng Zhinan himself had never mentioned any of these professional matters to her.

Soon.

Amid the students’ applause and cheers, the special guest speaker stepped onto the stage.

A strikingly handsome man in a white shirt, tall and long-legged, came into view.

Li Lu was first surprised, then grew suspicious.

The man looked familiar very much like the one who had picked Xiang Yuan up that day.

Realization dawned on Li Lu. She grabbed Xiang Yuan’s arm and asked in shock, “Is that your husband?”

Xiang Yuan stared at the man on stage, bewildered.

When did he arrive in A City?

On stage.

The young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes adjusted the notes in his hand while the audience brimmed with youthful students.

His gaze swept indifferently across the crowd until it landed on someone who stood out in the very last row.

Amid the sea of people, she was particularly conspicuous.

Dressed in a light blue strapless gown, her fair skin accentuated by a delicate diamond bracelet, her aura was entirely different from that of the students around her.

She was looking straight ahead, her eyes meeting his across the room.

Cheng Zhinan’s gaze passed over her without lingering.

Then he noticed the young man beside her.

He seemed to be a student too, occasionally leaning in to whisper to her, appearing quite familiar with her.

Cheng Zhinan averted his eyes, deliberately ignoring that side of the room.

Even as he tried to overlook them, he kept catching glimpses of her chatting and laughing effortlessly with the young man beside her.

Cheng Zhinan pressed his lips together slightly, loosening the cufflink at his wrist, then turned to start the presentation behind him.