Despite He Yining's teasing, Shen Qi didn't dare to respond. He Yining really didn't want to let her go, but they couldn't just stand outside forever, could they? Reluctantly, He Yining straightened up, grabbed Shen Qi, and led her into the room.
Shen Qi walked in barefoot, the soft carpet underfoot so comfortable it made her want to roll around on the floor. The room's lighting was soft—not too bright to be harsh, nor too dim to hide expressions. He Yining released Shen Qi and headed toward the bathroom.
As he walked, he unbuttoned his shirt. By the time he reached the bathroom door, the shirt slid to the floor, revealing his strong, perfectly toned inverted-triangle back. Shen Qi shamelessly stared at his back for a long time.
As if sensing her gaze, He Yining suddenly stopped and glanced back with a smile: "Come in and scrub my back later, or you'll owe me ten million in compensation." Ha! He actually remembered that! Shen Qi deliberately made a fierce face at him, which only made him laugh even more heartily.
Soon, the sound of rushing water came from the bathroom. Shen Qi felt her cheeks burning. Go in? Or not?
She didn't want to admit it, but she really did want to touch his smooth, firm back... Although they had been sleeping in the same bed, they were always wrapped up tightly in pajamas. Now, suddenly, there was this opportunity... Hmm, maybe she could sneak in and feel it a little?
A small thrill stirred in Shen Qi's heart. Her heart pounded wildly. Slowly, she walked to the bathroom door and knocked: "I'm coming in!"
There was no answer from inside. Shen Qi hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and pushed the door open. As soon as she entered, the bathroom was filled with steam. Hmm... where was the handsome man?
Shen Qi looked around but didn't see He Yining. Suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around her from behind. Before she could scream, she felt her body lift into the air.
The next second, with a splash, they both fell into a huge swimming pool. Only then did Shen Qi realize there was a massive indoor pool in the bathroom.
Panicking, Shen Qi opened her mouth and nearly swallowed a mouthful of water. Just then, He Yining, who was holding her, suddenly kissed her, slowly transferring the air from his mouth into hers. Instinctively, Shen Qi wrapped her arms and legs tightly around He Yining, clinging to him as if afraid of falling.
Seeing her reaction, He Yining's phoenix eyes couldn't hide his amusement and satisfaction. He knew this mischievous little thing wouldn't be able to resist sneaking in!
Once the air was transferred, He Yining burst out of the water with Shen Qi. Finally able to breathe, Shen Qi lay limply on He Yining, completely soaked and utterly drained. He Yining leaned against the pool's edge, supporting Shen Qi with both hands: "What, so eager to come in and scrub my back?"
Shen Qi didn't even have the strength to curse! She could only lie on He Yining's chest, blowing bubbles.
"Hey, Xiao Qi, are you a goldfish? How many bubbles are you going to blow on me?" He Yining was doing it on purpose! Seeing Shen Qi's expression—like she wanted to hit him but had no strength—He Yining was practically laughing his head off!
Weakly, Shen Qi reached up and pinched He Yining's cheek, blowing bubbles as she spoke: "He Yining, just you wait! See how I deal with you tonight!" Her fingers were cool and icy, and pinching his cheek actually felt quite nice. His skin was smooth and clean, not oily, with an excellent texture. Even better than she had imagined.
Unable to resist, Shen Qi pinched him a couple more times.
"Oh? And how do you plan to deal with me?" He Yining pretended to throw her back into the water, making Shen Qi shriek and cling even tighter to his neck. Startled, Shen Qi pressed herself firmly against He Yining. Seeing how mischievous he was, she lowered her head and bit his neck.
The moment she bit down, He Yining's entire body tensed up! A storm brewed in his eyes. He almost lost control of himself.
This little thing... Was she playing with fire? Hmm? It seemed like today he needed to teach her a lesson, or she'd never know her limits!
In one swift move, He Yining turned and placed Shen Qi on the edge of the pool. Before she could react, he leaned over her and bit her neck in retaliation. Shen Qi let out a muffled groan and couldn't help but cry out.
"Are you a dog?!" Shen Qi pounded his back. "I bit you once, and you bit me several times!" Shen Qi lay awkwardly on the edge, her long hair trailing into the water, floating like seaweed. She was completely soaked, like a mermaid who had just taken human form. Her eyes were dazed, her lips red against her pale skin.
He Yining's eyes grew darker. His large hand cradled the back of her head, his voice tinged with restraint: "Yeah, I'm a dog, and I specialize in biting you, little rabbit." With that, his lips descended quickly, kissing her fiercely.
Shen Qi hadn't expected him to kiss her so suddenly. She squirmed slightly, but he held her firmly, leaving her no choice but to passively endure this kiss that felt like a declaration of ownership. He Yining wished he could leave his mark on her, binding her to him forever, locking her in his heart and never letting go.
He had never imagined there would come a day when he would be so captivated by a woman. A kiss was no longer enough to satisfy his longing. He wanted more, so much more...
But his little thing wasn't ready yet... Reluctantly, He Yining pulled away. Shen Qi's eyes were even more watery and dazed. With immense restraint, He Yining held back from taking her right there.
"Take a good bath. I'll wait for you in the bedroom." He kissed her forehead without any lust, then stood up and left.
Shen Qi lay there, touching her kissed lips, then gripped her clothes tightly. "What do I do? I think... I've really fallen for him." She closed her eyes gently.
In that moment when he kissed her, she clearly heard the sound of flowers blooming in her heart. That thrill, that longing, and that sense of happiness surged through every cell of her body. Every emotion craved him madly.
But... did she really have the courage to stand by his side and bear everything? She had been hurt so much since childhood. She was so afraid, so terribly afraid! She didn't dare to love again.
She had already lost Zhan Bo once, and she knew too well the pain of separation by life and death. If it happened again... She would surely die.
Yet, no matter how much she resisted, her heart seemed to have already unknowingly surrendered... She had felt his impulse just now clearly. But he hadn't overstepped. His respect, his thoughtfulness... Even if she were made of wood, she would have sprouted by now.
People aren't made of stone or wood—how could they be heartless? How could she truly remain unmoved? What should she do?
Shen Qi jumped back into the pool and held her breath for a long time. When she burst out of the water again, she shook her wet hair fiercely. The suffocating feeling underwater had brought her mind into sharp clarity. The moments she had shared with He Yining flashed before her eyes.
Life was full of uncertainties. She didn't seek wealth or glory in the future, only a life without regrets. Shen Qi suddenly made up her mind. If He Yining was serious about her, and if she truly liked him, then she would follow her heart.
To hell with caution, to hell with leaving, to hell with insecurity! Right now, she just wanted to follow her heart once and let all those worries go to hell!
After her bath, Shen Qi dried her hair and returned to the bedroom. The room was filled with beautiful red candles. He Yining had already changed into his pajamas and elegantly poured two glasses of red wine. When he saw Shen Qi enter, he raised a glass: "A drink before bed?"
Shen Qi looked at him steadily and walked straight over. Instead of taking the wine, she looked into his eyes and asked directly: "He Yining, do you like me?"
He Yining's hand froze, his phoenix eyes deepening: "Why do you ask?" "Do you really want to spend your whole life with me?" Shen Qi pressed on. "I remember saying I never planned to marry twice," He Yining replied softly.
Shen Qi placed her palm over his heart, feeling its strong, steady beat. "Is there room for me in here?" she asked persistently. "...Yes," He Yining answered steadily.
Shen Qi's lips curled up, tears glistening in her eyes. That answer was enough! She didn't want to leave any regrets in her life!
Suddenly stepping forward, Shen Qi wrapped her arms around He Yining's neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him. He Yining caught her waist with one hand, spinning them both onto the large bed.
"Little thing, do you know what you're doing?" His voice was strained to the limit. "I know," Shen Qi whispered. "I've thought it over. If I'm destined to spend my life with a man, I want it to be you." "You won't regret it?" Joy flickered in He Yining's eyes. "You still have a chance to back out..."
Shen Qi kissed him again, answering with her actions. The kiss was passionate and earnest, igniting all of He Yining's emotions. He flipped over, pinning her beneath him, his desire fully kindled.
"Little thing, it's too late to regret now..." His fingers deftly removed the barriers between them, his voice husky. "Give yourself to me completely..."
Outside the window, the rain had stopped at some point. The mountain breeze carried moist air, seeping quietly into the room, bringing a touch of coolness to this fiery night. That night was destined to be sleepless. That night would forever bind their lives together...