Zhan Meng had no idea of the turmoil raging inside Ning Xi's mind. With her eyes shut the entire time, she was like a blindfolded player, treating Ning Xi's most precious possession like a toy.
In the dead of night, Ning Xi stared unblinkingly at the woman sleeping peacefully on his thigh. A streetlamp flashed past the car window, casting dappled light through the sparse leaves. Zhan Meng's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Catching this subtle change, the corner of Ning Xi's mouth lifted into a barely perceptible smile.
The car wasn't heading toward Zhan Meng's apartment complex but straight for Ning Xi's villa. Without his instructions, the driver instinctively drove back to the villa.
In the silent darkness of the night, a cool breeze swept in. The weather in the south was never quite like the north's. The New Year had just passed, and the temperature seemed to be gradually rising without notice. The harsh winter appeared to be fading, giving way to spring, a season of growth.
Zhan Meng had been drinking. The moment she stepped out of the warm car, the cold wind hit her, and she shivered all over. Ning Xi signaled the driver to leave first. Leaning against the car with his arms crossed, he watched Zhan Meng with amusement.
After dozing off for an hour or two at Xia Yan's place, plus the time in the car, the cold wind sobered Zhan Meng up a bit. Now, her stomach churned like a stormy sea. Getting out of the car, she pushed away Ning Xi's outstretched hand, leaned against the vehicle, and dry-heaved uncontrollably.
It was awful, utterly awful. She wanted to throw up but couldn't, everything stuck in her throat like a lump. Zhan Meng half-opened her eyes and saw the man leaning against the car, both clear and blurry.
"You... you look so familiar."
Zhan Meng raised her slender hand, pointing a finger, tilting her head to look at Ning Xi. Seeing his loosened tie and what seemed like a faint lipstick mark on his neck, she pouted and muttered, "A man lost in beauty..."
Ning Xi couldn't make out what she was saying and couldn't follow her train of thought, so he let her ramble. But now, his body was incredibly uncomfortable, and he had no way to hide it. He was just grateful it was nighttime—if it were daytime, would he have any dignity left?
"I'm asking you, why aren't you talking? Cat got your tongue? How about this: I'll ask you a question, and you just answer yes or no. Is Ning Xi a bastard?"
"No."
"You're lying. You only have the right to say yes, not no."
Hearing this, Ning Xi's face darkened. He wondered if this woman was using the alcohol to act crazy. Being able to speak so clearly—it was worth observing.
Zhan Meng's mind was a mess. She'd talk to anyone and loved spouting nonsense. Her half-closed gaze accidentally landed on the crotch of Ning Xi's pants. It was like discovering a new world. Her eyes snapped open, gleaming as she stared at the bulge.
"Amazing."
"Amazing?"
"Amazing."
Zhan Meng repeated herself, staggering closer to Ning Xi. She stumbled and fell straight into him. Taking advantage of his surprise, she grabbed with both hands, feeling like she'd touched that thing. She immediately lifted her head, looking smug. "I said this is amazing. Hey, why is your breathing so fast? Your body's so hot."
Ning Xi had had enough. His most important part had been grabbed by the same woman, in the same way, multiple times in one night. It was a blow to his manhood.
Zhan Meng was right. His breathing was even faster than in the car. His eyes were bloodshot, gleaming with some kind of light, fixed on the woman who still wouldn't let go. After a pause, Ning Xi forced himself to suppress his desire and the clamor of his body. Frowning deeply, he hoisted Zhan Meng over his shoulder.
The walk back to the room had never seemed long before, but now he wondered why he'd bought such a big house. With that thought, his pace quickened involuntarily. Maybe he didn't even realize how urgent he was.
He looked like a man experiencing intimacy for the first time—naive and eager.
Zhan Meng was even more uncomfortable than before, though she was a bit more sober now. She clearly knew the man carrying her was Ning Xi. She struggled a few times, slapping his back and shouting.
"Ning Xi, you bastard, put me down!"
"No. You've caused trouble, and now you're not going to fix it?"
Hearing she'd caused trouble, Zhan Meng panicked. She remembered being at Xia Yan's place. How was she now on Ning Xi's shoulder, looking like a helpless woman?
"You know what you did, don't you?"
"No, I'm drunk, I don't know anything. Put me down right now. If you don't, I swear I'll cut off your precious thing!"
A blatant threat! Drunk Zhan Meng had nearly made him childless. Now sober, she was still fixated on his precious thing. How much did it haunt her?
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Are you listening?"
"No."
"Bang!"
Ning Xi kicked the door open roughly and headed straight for the bed. But at the last second, he hesitated, suddenly changing his mind and carrying Zhan Meng toward the bathroom. The more she struggled, the tighter he held her in his grip.
With a splash, Ning Xi mercilessly threw Zhan Meng into the bathtub filled with cold water. As she went in, water sprayed everywhere.
Zhan Meng flailed her arms, choking on a few mouthfuls of water before fully sobering up. She glared furiously at the man who'd done this, standing by the tub looking down at her with a straight face. Her anger boiled over.
"Have you lost your mind? How dare you do this to me?"
"Sober now?"
"None of your business whether I'm sober or not! Ning Xi, why did you do this?" Zhan Meng gripped the sides of the tub, standing up heavily, drenched from head to toe.
Ning Xi wasn't much better off. When he'd thrown her in, the water had splashed all over his legs, making the bulge in his pants even more obvious.
The bright lights of the bathroom made everything stark. Zhan Meng finally noticed the state Ning Xi was in. Her face flushed bright red, and her gaze darted away, afraid to meet his expression. She was all talk and no action. Facing this situation for the first time, she was completely flustered.
She looked up slightly, accidentally catching sight of Ning Xi's Adam's apple moving. She couldn't help but swallow too, blinking, before shifting her gaze to his face.
"You take a shower. I'm going out." Ning Xi's voice was hoarse, as if he was holding back something intense.
Zhan Meng's heart raced like a startled deer. Driven by instinct, she lowered her head and asked, "Where are you going?"
"That's none of your business. I'm going out."
Ning Xi was on the verge of fleeing. Maybe it was because he hadn't been with a woman in so long, but his self-control wasn't what it used to be. In the past, he could joke around with Zhan Meng, but not now. Especially with desire raging and Zhan Meng looking so pitiful.
His tenderness was laid bare. He wanted to slap himself—how could he have such a strong reaction to Zhan Meng!
Without another word or listening to her soft voice, Ning Xi turned and walked out.
Seeing this, Zhan Meng stared at his retreating back in surprise. She looked down at her wet clothes, seriously doubting she had any appeal to Ning Xi at all.
So, for the sake of her dignity as a woman, she didn't hesitate to chase after him. Before Ning Xi could leave the room, Zhan Meng grabbed him. He stared dumbfounded at her sudden appearance. "What do you want?"
"What do you think? Hehe..."
Sweat beaded on Ning Xi's forehead. He couldn't figure out Zhan Meng's erratic behavior. She was pulling at his clothes like she was about to force herself on him.
"Ning Xi, don't move. Look at me."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"I told you to look at me and don't move!"
With that, Zhan Meng reached out and touched Ning Xi's bobbing Adam's apple. Under his surprised, burning gaze, she suddenly leaned in, cupped his face in her hands, opened her eyes wide, and kissed him forcefully. When he didn't open his mouth despite her initiative, she got angry and pinched his cheek hard.
Ning Xi yelped in pain. Coming to his senses, their eyes met. Seeing Zhan Meng slowly close her eyes, he shifted from passive to active.
Even if Zhan Meng wanted to stop now, he wouldn't. He'd given her a choice.
******
One night was a passionate, sleepless affair; the other was a simple, shared slumber.
The next morning. When Xia Yan woke up and saw Lu Zhengting suddenly beside her pillow, she was startled, wondering if she was seeing things. She rubbed her eyes several times. It was indeed Lu Zhengting, the real deal.
As she moved, Lu Zhengting woke up. Without opening his eyes, he said in a husky, amused voice that made Xia Yan's heart race, "Baby, seeing me first thing in the morning—does it feel unreal? Or do you miss me?"
Hearing this, Xia Yan pretended to frown, weakly replying, "I'm just surprised how you got in."
"You don't remember last night?"
Prompted by his words, Xia Yan tried to recall what happened. A flash of a scene crossed her mind, and she sat up abruptly. "Did Ning Xi take Zhan Meng away last night?"
"Leave that troublemaker Zhan Meng to Ning Xi. You're pregnant now, so take care of yourself."
"Lu Zhengting, how come the treatment I get before and after pregnancy is so different? You used to yell at me for no reason, and now you're all caring. It's still because of the baby, isn't it?"
"I've always cared for you."
"Nonsense. Get up, time for work. And about my pregnancy, let's keep it a secret for now, okay?"
"A secret?"
"I just think..."
"Don't worry. My wife will only be you."