Xiang Yuan bit her lower lip tightly, unable to utter the words begging him.

When she had teased him earlier, she had been quite pleased with herself. Now that it was her turn, she understood what it meant to reap what one sowed.

Xiang Yuan tried to muddle through, tugging at his bathrobe. “Don’t be so stingy.”

Seeing her reluctance, Cheng Zhinan said softly:

“Not willing?”

Xiang Yuan: “I…”

“Forget it then.” Cheng Zhinan’s character never involved forcing others. Since Xiang Yuan was unwilling, he wouldn’t press the matter.

Seeing him about to leave, Xiang Yuan grew anxious.

“Who said forget it?”

“I didn’t say no.”

Cheng Zhinan’s bathrobe sleeve remained clutched in her hand. Xiang Yuan rubbed against it repeatedly, her cheeks quietly flushing red where he couldn’t see.

She turned her head away, her voice very soft. “Please…”

Cheng Zhinan slowly moved closer to her.

“Please what?”

“…” Xiang Yuan flushed with anger and embarrassment. “Cheng Zhinan, don’t push your luck!”

This provoked a soft chuckle from the man before her. “What counts as pushing my luck? Like this?”

His fingertips untied her bathrobe belt, the color in his eyes gradually darkening as he interlocked his fingers with hers. “Or like this?”

Although the room temperature was pleasant, she involuntarily shivered.

His slightly calloused fingertips brushed against her skin like an electric current.

They always used protection during their intimate moments, as they had no plans for children yet.

Hearing the sound of a wrapper being torn open, Xiang Yuan suddenly became distracted, thinking of Black waiting at home for someone to care for him. Anxious, she asked:

“You came out, but what about Black?”

Cheng Zhinan paused slightly, frowning.

Being distracted at such a moment was one thing, but actually thinking about Black…

“Because I was on a business trip, your mother took him away,” Cheng Zhinan said gently.

Xiang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

“How could you think of him at a time like this?”

“…It just occurred to me.”

A few seconds later.

Warm fingers pressed against her lips.

“Am I distracting you?”

“…”

Xiang Yuan couldn’t see the expression on his face, only guessing at Cheng Zhinan’s thoughts.

Was he angry because she was distracted at such a moment?

Her lips tingled from the rubbing. Just as she was about to explain, she felt the warm touch of his lips.

Cheng Zhinan kissed her gently, parting her teeth, his voice low and hoarse:

“Help me put it on.”

Xiang Yuan’s eyelashes fluttered violently. “I… I don’t know how.”

Cheng Zhinan grasped her hand. “I’ll teach you.”

The temperature in the room rose increasingly.

Xiang Yuan let out a soft “Mmm,” not daring to make louder sounds.

This place was different from home – hotel soundproofing was always poorer. Besides, Li Lu was staying next door, and Xiang Yuan was afraid of making noises her friend might hear.

Cheng Zhinan should have been his usual silent and reserved self, but today he seemed deliberately contrary. The more she tried not to make sounds, the more he pushed her to vocalize.

Xiang Yuan couldn’t help feeling

Cheng Zhinan had more tricks up his sleeve than before.

Breathing unevenly, she asked him: “Where did you learn that?”

Cheng Zhinan’s voice was rough. “What.”

Xiang Yuan: “I mean… where did you learn this move?”

Cheng Zhinan didn’t answer her question, instead asking: “Do you like it like this?”

Xiang Yuan: “…”

Xiang Yuan seemed to have identified her weakness and stopped asking whether she liked it, instead using concrete actions to breach her defenses.

Xiang Yuan had initially intended to remain silent, but found herself unable to suppress occasional soft moans.

Cheng Zhinan seemed particularly pleased by her sounds, lowering his head to bite her shoulder with some force.

Xiang Yuan cried out in pain, “Cheng Zhinan, are you a dog? Ah, let go.”

Cheng Zhinan looked down at her, “Keep your voice down, or your friend might hear.”

It was then that Xiang Yuan realized he was doing this intentionally.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into her embrace, her eyes narrowing slightly, “Cheng Zhinan, you’ve become quite wicked.”

Cheng Zhinan: “Is that so?”

Xiang Yuan: “I won’t allow you to become wicked in the future.”

Cheng Zhinan: “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Xiang Yuan: “You’ll listen to everything I say?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Everything.”

She leaned close to his ear, “Then if I tell you to… right now… will you listen?”

Cheng Zhinan didn’t respond, continuing instead with what brought her pleasure.

Half an hour later.

Xiang Yuan gasped, “Cheng Zhinan, you lied.”

“…Sorry.”

This man would only offer verbal apologies when he did something that displeased her, never actually changing his behavior.

That night, Xiang Yuan was thoroughly exhausted.

Early the next morning, Cheng Zhinan had matters to attend to and left early to handle his affairs.

He had checked out of his room downstairs specifically to stay in the same room with her.

Li Lu didn’t dare disturb Xiang Yuan too early. It wasn’t until they met in the hotel’s breakfast buffet that she smiled knowingly at Xiang Yuan, “Had a rough night?”

Xiang Yuan: “…”

Li Lu winked at her, “Doctor Cheng has impressive stamina.”

Xiang Yuan’s hand, holding the toast, paused, “You…”

Li Lu was staying in the room next to Xiang Yuan’s and had inevitably heard some faint noises. What surprised her was how late into the night the two had continued.

Any claim of not feeling envious would be false.

Her own husband was only a few years older than Doctor Cheng, yet their intimate moments had already shortened to under ten minutes.

Li Lu rested her chin in her hands, “Youth is wonderful. Your husband must exercise regularly too.”

Xiang Yuan, drinking soy milk from her cup, nearly choked.

She had tried so hard to suppress her sounds last night, never expecting Li Lu would still hear.

Seeing Xiang Yuan’s embarrassment, Li Lu quickly comforted her, “Don’t be shy. We’re all young adults here there’s nothing we can’t discuss openly.”

Xiang Yuan finished the remaining soy milk in one gulp and stood up to leave.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Xiang Yuan had other plans for the day and told Li Lu to make her own arrangements.

It was only later that Li Lu learned Ke Hang had arrived in City A that day.

With Xiang Yuan absent, several high school classmates gathered to chat and share gossip.

It was during their conversation that Li Lu discovered Ke Hang had come to City A.

Originally, when their group had organized this outing, Ke Hang hadn’t planned to join. He was usually busy managing his company and had no time for leisurely trips with them.

Yet the person who had clearly stated he wouldn’t come had suddenly appeared in City A.

Li Lu was particularly curious: “Why would Ke Hang suddenly come to City A? It couldn’t be because Xiang Yuan is here, could it?”

Someone else explained: “Probably not. I heard Ke Hang’s family needed to connect with someone to smooth over some matters, and Xiang Yuan happens to know the right person. She’s probably helping him with that today.”

Li Lu: “Ke Hang’s business is really thriving now.”

“Hahaha, no wonder he doesn’t have time for relationships.”

Li Lu recalled their high school days, when she always felt there was something unusual about the way Ke Hang looked at Xiang Yuan.

“Do you think Ke Hang has been waiting for Xiang Yuan all these years?”

The people around exchanged glances. “That can’t be. Xiang Yuan is already married.”

Li Lu shrugged. “Who knows?”

But during previous gatherings, the two seemed perfectly normal. Ke Hang never dated anyone perhaps he was carrying his secret crush to the grave.

Old classmates loved gossiping when they got together.

Taking advantage of Xiang Yuan’s absence, they chatted for a long time. Eventually, Li Lu felt uneasy and warned them, “Don’t repeat what we discussed today.”

If Xiang Yuan found out, she might cut ties with her.

As Li Lu was about to exit the elevator, she ran into Cheng Zhinan entering it.

They briefly faced each other at the door. Cheng Zhinan, recognizing her as Xiang Yuan’s friend, gave a slight nod in greeting.

Li Lu was always struck by Cheng Zhinan’s looks whenever she saw him.

If this man weren’t a doctor, he could easily outshine top male actors in the entertainment industry. His appearance was truly exceptional no wonder even someone as discerning as Xiang Yuan fell for him at first sight.

Cheng Zhinan: “You’re not with Xiang Yuan?”

Li Lu: “No, she had something to do today and went out. She didn’t join our activity.”

“Went out?” Cheng Zhinan looked down at her. “She’s not at the hotel?”

Li Lu: “I heard Ke Hang came to City A, and the two of them went out to handle some matters.”

Cheng Zhinan was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I see.”

He then entered the elevator.

Li Lu glanced back at Cheng Zhinan, shrugged, and walked away.

The man spoke little and always maintained a subtle distance from others. Even if Li Lu wanted to chat with him more, she couldn’t find a topic.

Evening.

Xiang Yuan had been busy all day. Ke Hang offered to treat her to dinner.

“No, thanks. My husband is also in City A. I need to go back to him.”

“He’s here too?” Ke Hang raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“What?” Ke Hang put one hand in his pocket, teasing. “He doesn’t trust you going out alone?”

“Misunderstanding. He’s here for work.”

Seeing this, Ke Hang didn’t press further. “Alright. Thanks for your help today. I’ll treat you to a meal another time.”

Xiang Yuan got into a car and texted Cheng Zhinan:

【Where are you?】

Ten minutes later.

CZN: 【Out.】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【I’ll be back at the hotel soon. Do you have plans tonight?】

CZN: 【What did you do today?】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【Handled some matters.】

Cheng Zhinan didn’t ask for details, only replying: 【I have a dinner engagement tonight.】

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【With whom?】

CZN: 【People from work.】

Remembering the people from Cheng Zhinan’s dinner yesterday, Xiang Yuan had to abandon her plans for the evening. She had hoped to have a date with him, but he had a last-minute arrangement.

Yesterday in the private room, toward the end of the meal, she vaguely overheard people next door saying they would “properly entertain” Cheng Zhinan today.

Where do men their age go for entertainment?

Though curious, Xiang Yuan felt it inappropriate to ask directly.

She casually ordered some food at a restaurant outside in the evening, occasionally checking her phone and wondering if Cheng Zhinan would send her a message.

As it turned out,

apart from some boring messages, not a single one came from Cheng Zhinan.

Xiang Yuan couldn’t help but rest her chin in her hand.

Her relationship with Doctor Cheng didn’t seem close enough to require constant contact.

But

As his wife, it should be fine for her to call and check on him.

Thinking this, Xiang Yuan checked the time.

It was almost ten o’clock, and she figured it would be appropriate to give him a call.

She went to the hotel lobby and sat on the rest sofa, pondering whether to send Cheng Zhinan a message later.

Suddenly, voices came from the entrance.

A crowd surrounded a tall, slender figure, chatting quite animatedly.

Lao Yuan and the others had brought Cheng Zhinan back to the hotel and lingered a while longer to chat before parting.

The man standing in the center was the most striking broad-shouldered with a narrow waist, dressed in a shirt and trousers, his demeanor exceptional.

When Cheng Zhinan turned around, he noticed Xiang Yuan sitting in the lobby.

His gaze swept lightly over her before he headed toward the elevator.

Xiang Yuan was momentarily stunned, then stood up and walked over to him.

“Cheng Zhinan,” she called out softly.

Cheng Zhinan paused and looked back at her.

Xiang Yuan frowned slightly.

She didn’t know who had upset him today, but his expression seemed cold, that distant, unapproachable aura returning.

“Did you not see me just now?” Xiang Yuan asked.

“I did,” Cheng Zhinan loosened his tie at the chest. “Just got back from having fun?”

“Where would I go to have fun? I’ve been waiting for you to come back,” she leaned closer to Cheng Zhinan, sniffing the scent on him. “Where did you go?”

Cheng Zhinan replied, “Lao Yuan and the others treated me to dinner tonight. I couldn’t refuse, so I went along.”

Xiang Yuan: “Karaoke? Massage?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Neither, just an ordinary meal.”

Xiang Yuan grinned and leaned in to sniff near his neck. “Let me see if there’s any woman’s perfume on you.”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Zhinan gently dodged. “Let’s go upstairs.”

Xiang Yuan: “…”

Once they reached the room,

Cheng Zhinan took off his tie and tossed it aside.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a heavy sigh.

Truthfully, he didn’t enjoy these kinds of social obligations, but today he had no choice.

Xiang Yuan followed him in and closed the door.

She observed Cheng Zhinan’s mood, feeling a bit frustrated herself.

She didn’t think she had done anything to upset him today, so why was he acting so cold toward her as soon as he returned?

Feeling awkward, she didn’t want to be the one to coax him and decided to mirror his silence.

She wasn’t good at taking the initiative to comfort others unless she was in a good mood herself.

Since Cheng Zhinan wasn’t speaking, she stayed quiet.

Cheng Zhinan busied himself organizing things in the room.

He had retrieved his luggage from downstairs earlier in the day and was now tidying up.

During his organizing, neither of them spoke, as if they were in a cold war.

Later, after he finished, he stood up and headed toward the bathroom.

The man’s trim waist caught her eye briefly, and though Xiang Yuan didn’t want to engage with him, her gaze fell on a piece of black lace fabric in his hand.

The material was extremely delicate a slight tear would rip it apart.

Xiang Yuan froze, then suddenly remembered something and hurried after Cheng Zhinan in a panic.

They had stayed up too late last night, and this item had been tossed under the bed she hadn’t even noticed it.

Inside the bathroom.

Cheng Zhinan turned on the faucet.

Clear water streamed over the man’s distinctly knuckled hands as he lowered his head, gently scrubbing the thin piece of fabric in his palms.

Xiang Yuan blushed at the sight and asked him:

“What are you doing?”

Cheng Zhinan remained silent.

Xiang Yuan grew anxious, thinking of snatching it back. “You don’t need to wash it. I’ll do it myself.”

Cheng Zhinan lifted his gaze, his dark eyes quietly watching her.

“You shouldn’t be doing this kind of thing.”

Xiang Yuan, flushed with embarrassment and anger, bit her lip and said, “You… why are you washing this?”

Cheng Zhinan’s tone was calm, as if stating an impartial fact.

“I soiled it.”

“So I’ll wash it.”

Xiang Yuan’s face reddened because of him, and she glared at him in furious shame.

Just moments ago, he had acted like he didn’t want anything to do with her, and now he was here spouting such outrageous words.

Cheng Zhinan was the most secretly passionate of all.