Zhou Yueshen went downstairs to take a shower.

Although there was a bathing area on the second floor, it required heating water and carrying it up oneself. Despite the family's wealth, being in the countryside meant that conveniences were lacking compared to the city. The facilities simply couldn't keep up.

Si Nian usually heated water bit by bit and carried it upstairs to bathe. However, Zhou Yueshen wasn't as delicate; he just went downstairs and rinsed off with cold water. With his short hair, a quick rub was enough to dry it. Soon, he returned upstairs, damp all over.

Opening the door, Zhou Yueshen saw Si Nian sitting slanted in the chair by the table, flipping through books. She had changed into a nightgown, thin fabric clinging to her body. In the moonlight, her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her eyes slightly lowered. She lacked the stunning beauty that she possessed during the day, but there was a different kind of allure in her vulnerability.

The room was filled with the sweet fragrance and warmth unique to a young girl. Every breath was saturated with her scent.

Zhou Yueshen's calm eyes ignited with heat like a deep pool, his Adam's apple sliding. He approached and sat beside her, effortlessly pulling her into his arms. His voice was low as he asked, "What are you reading?"

Si Nian was a bit nervous, clutching the book, though she hadn't actually absorbed anything. "Just browsing."

Zhou Yueshen reached for her book, glanced at it, and saw it was a foreign language book. He tossed it aside and leaned in, capturing her lips with his.

Si Nian was startled and instinctively leaned back. Zhou Yueshen pressed his hand against her waist, firmly holding her as he continued the kiss. In their intimacy, this man always held the upper hand, leaving Si Nian defenseless.

As their lips and tongues intertwined, the book beside them accidentally fell to the floor. Si Nian subconsciously tilted her head, wanting to reach out and pick it up.

As soon as she parted from the man's lips, she felt a slight looseness in front of her.

Zhou Yueshen's fingertips had somehow found their way to the bow on her chest.

He gave it a gentle tug.

She quickly reached up to cover it, her eyes carrying a hint of moisture and shyness as she looked at him.

The lights were still on, making their features clear.

Si Nian's lips, swollen from the kiss, trembled slightly. She avoided the man's aggressively dominant gaze and spoke softly, like a mosquito's buzz: "Zhou Yueshen, turn off the lights."

Zhou Yueshen looked at her quietly for a moment before suddenly getting up.

With one hand still around her waist, he lifted her up as well.

Si Nian subconsciously wrapped her arm around the man's neck, pressing her face against his chest.

His bare chest was cool and firm, contrasting with her unexpectedly flushed cheeks.

Zhou Yueshen adjusted his hold on her weight, his eyebrows slightly raised.

His hand moved upward, tracing the curve of her spine and settling on her delicate neck. With a slight pressure, he forced her to tilt her head back again as he leaned down to kiss her.

In this position, they reached the light switch.

She hooked her arm around his neck.

A soft click.

The room plunged into silence and darkness.

Only the man's heavy breathing and the faint murmurs remained.

Si Nian's eyes hadn't yet adjusted to the darkness.

By the time she realized it, Zhou Yueshen had already guided her to sit on the bed.

Her hands subconsciously supported his shoulders, her arms trembling slightly.

The silky nightgown had slipped down her shoulders, hanging precariously on her frame.

With such movements, her skirt rolled up, piling up around the spot where she sat.

Accustomed to the darkness, she could vaguely see the man's features, his dark bright eyes shining in the darkness. His warm hand was rubbing against her neck, and he could easily block her lips with a downward tilt of his head.

Their tongues met, the sound of water surging,

Ambiguous sounds echoed in their ears.

Watching the girl collapse in his arms like water, as if she would slip away from his fingertips with a slight carelessness, Zhou Yueshen tightened his grip.

This man, who had experienced the gunfire and battles, had walked through countless life-and-death situations.

He had seen too many farewells and been entangled in the hypocrisy of power and interests.

In the end, he chose to return to tranquility.

He thought that this would be his life, satisfied with the task of raising three children.

He never expected that one day he would share a bed with a woman.

But fate had its way, and he found her.

Initially brought together by their respective purposes, they found each other in the ordinary course of life.

There were no grand gestures, no ups and downs.

Just simple interactions, yet he felt as if his heart had been stolen, like an infatuated boy eager to show her everything.

As if she was meant to be his, as if they were meant to spend the rest of their days together.

In the dimly lit room, with only the moonlight, the shadowy figures and the faint sounds could be vaguely seen and heard.

---

The feast continued until dawn broke.

Si Nian was a very patient person, knowing that the house wasn't soundproof and there were still many people sleeping inside.

Her throat was hoarse.

Seeing the man continue endlessly, she finally, with a trembling voice, pleaded for him to stop. Her hand struck his chest, and only then did he pause.

She was exhausted, feeling weak all over, and both of them emerged from the room as if they had just stepped out of a sauna.

Zhou Yueshen lifted her up around the waist and walked into the bathroom.

There was a vanity mirror in the room, with many small items placed on it, all very delicate, including things for washing hair, bathing, wiping the body, and applying hair products.

Various fragrances filled the air, but none were unpleasant.

In the middle was a bathtub, not very big.

Usually, Si Nian used it for herself and to bathe Yaoyao.

The kitchen stove was still emitting a slight heat.

The hot water in the pot was already ready.

The sound of hot water splashing filled the room as Si Nian was placed into it.

In an instant, a sense of relief and relaxation enveloped her body.

Even though she couldn't open her eyes, she let out a contented sigh.

The man chuckled as he looked at the woman who seemed half-asleep but was enjoying his care.

His rough fingers lifted her chin and lightly kissed her lips.

After some time had passed, the door opened.

The heat and the scent of bathing rushed into the room.

Si Nian was wrapped in clothes by the man, her small face buried in his chest, cheeks flushed, lips slightly parted, breathing steady.

Her long and fair legs naturally hung down, her bathed skin smooth and even her nail beds tinged with red.

Zhou Yueshen placed her on the bed, covered with a specially made cashmere blanket for their wedding, soft and skin-friendly.

The girl sank into it, the red sheets complementing her snow-like skin.

His gaze fell on Si Nian.

Her lips were slightly parted, her body trembling slightly.

Not from the cold, but from the aftermath of their intimacy, her body still not fully recovered.

Zhou Yueshen pulled the blanket over her.

He casually wiped off the moisture on his body and moved closer under the covers.

The bed was too soft, and he wasn't used to it.

He pulled her into his arms.

Casually, his hands were slick.

He felt a tightness in his throat, his body tense.

Si Nian, feeling his movement, tiredly opened her eyes, her misty gaze looking at him pitifully.

Zhou Yueshen sighed softly, holding her in his arms and gently soothing her back with his fingertips, whispering softly, "Don't be afraid, I just want to hold you."





——————

I'm going to be a little lazy today, I also want to go to the wedding.

I believe you won't blame me, hahahahahaha