Sunlight sliced into the master bedroom through the gaps in the floor-to-ceiling windows.
On the big bed, Jiang Lijin turned over and felt an empty space beside her.
The spot beside her had long since gone cold.
A message popped up on her optical brain, showing information about two people.
Tianyan: A Jin, we're going to work at the Ruins. Remember to miss us.
Tianque: Wait for me.
Jiang Lijin glanced at the message and put the optical brain back on her hand.
She had been exhausted last night. Tianyan and Tianque not only had good synergy, but also incredible physical strength. She now felt as if every bone in her body didn't belong to her.
After washing up and changing into a loose home - wear, Jiang Lijin pushed open the door.
The aroma of food wafted up from downstairs.
In the dining room, Chiron was standing with his back to her in front of the cooking counter.
He wasn't wearing his formal suit but a soft light - gray knitted sweater. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well - defined forearms.
The sunlight shone on his black short hair, making him exude a gentle and homely aura.
Jiang Lijin leaned on the stair railing and quietly watched him for a while.
This man, even when frying eggs in the kitchen, had a back as straight as if he were giving an academic report.
"Awake?" Chiron didn't turn around. His voice was steady and gentle. "Breakfast will be ready soon."
"Why are you cooking? Didn't you go to the hospital?" Jiang Lijin walked downstairs, pulled out a dining chair, and sat down.
"I'm off today." Chiron walked over with two plates and placed one in front of her.
There was a well - presented thick omelette, accompanied by warm milk.
"Tinia went to a meeting at the Ruins Group early this morning. Baal returned to the military base. Rowan was picked up by the Royal Guard and taken to the academy." Chiron sat down opposite her and naturally reported the situation at home.
The subtext was obvious: Now there are only the two of us at home.
Jiang Lijin picked up the fork and took a bite of the thick omelette. It tasted surprisingly good.
"Good cooking skills," she commented.
Chiron looked at her. There was little emotion in his gray eyes, but his gaze paused for a second on the faint red mark on her neck that wasn't well - covered, and then quickly shifted away.
"I'm glad you like it." He picked up the coffee and took a sip. "Did you rest well last night?"
This question was quite skillfully asked.
Jiang Lijin looked up at him. Chiron's expression was impeccable, showing propriety, concern, and even a bit of an elder's tolerance.
If one ignored his fingers that were turning white as he held the coffee cup handle.
"Not bad," Jiang Lijin swallowed the food. "It's just a bit hard on the waist."
Chiron's hand trembled, and a few drops of coffee splashed onto the coaster.
He picked up a tissue and slowly wiped it clean.
"The Twins have been in the black market for a long time, so their behavior is inevitably a bit rough," Chiron said in a calm tone, without the slightest hint of jealousy. "The reconstruction work at the Ruins is arduous, and they won't be able to come back in a short time. You can just take a good rest."
Jiang Lijin almost burst out laughing.
This man was so elegant even when trying to get rid of others.
She propped her chin on one hand and stared at Chiron with great interest. "Academician Chiron, are you trying to drive them away indirectly?"
"I'm considering your physical health," Chiron said without changing his expression. He even opened the optical brain beside him and pulled up a set of data. "According to the latest research of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, the mental power fluctuations of high - level males are particularly active at night. Excessive contact can lead to fatigue in the female's spiritual sea. You need a regular schedule."
"Oh?" Jiang Lijin dragged out the end of the word. "Then according to you, how should I have a regular schedule?"
Chiron pushed the optical brain in front of her. The screen showed a detailed schedule.
"This is a health management plan I made for you," Chiron pointed at one line. "For the night rest time, it is recommended to be accompanied by a partner with stable emotions who can provide high - quality mental power comfort."
Jiang Lijin took a glance.
Goodness.
In the entire schedule, except for a few meetings she had to attend, the rest of the time was all occupied by Chiron in the name of "health monitoring", "mental power rehabilitation", and "daily physiotherapy".
Even Tinia's weekend visiting time was compressed to a pitiful two hours.
"Chiron," Jiang Lijin pushed the optical brain back. "Your calculations are so loud that I could hear them upstairs."
Chiron didn't refute. He leaned back on the chair and looked directly at her with his gray eyes.
"After you rejected the treaty last night, I was actually a bit sad. Because when it comes to vying for your favor, I don't know what reason I can use to make you look at me more."
This tactic of retreating to advance was played to perfection.
Jiang Lijin knew him too well. Chiron was an extremely proud man at heart. For him to say such words that were almost like showing weakness, it meant he was really anxious.
Jiang Lijin put down the fork and wiped her mouth.
"Come here," she hooked her finger at him.
Chiron paused for a moment, stood up, and walked to her side.
Jiang Lijin reached out, grabbed the collar of his knitted sweater, and pulled him down.
Their noses touched.
Chiron's breathing skipped a beat, and there were ripples in his gray eyes.
"Don't play these tricks on me," Jiang Lijin stared into his eyes, her tone neither too light nor too heavy. "Do you really think I'm blind? That 'Family Peaceful Coexistence Treaty', could Tinia, with his kind of brain, come up with it? The terms are strict, the logic is clear, and even the disclaimer is written flawlessly. Besides you, Academician Chiron, who else could write such a thing?"
Chiron let out a soft laugh.
He then knelt on one knee beside Jiang Lijin's chair, held the hand that was grabbing his collar, and pressed her palm against his side face.
"You've found me out," there was no embarrassment in his tone for being exposed, but rather a hidden sense of pleasure. "I do have selfish motives."
He turned his head, and his lips brushed across Jiang Lijin's palm.
"Lijin, I can get jealous too."
All his usual high - and - mighty scholar demeanor was gone at this moment, and all that was left was a straightforward possessiveness.
Jiang Lijin's fingers rubbed against his face twice.
Actually, among all her animal husbands, her feelings for Chiron were the most complicated.
Tinia was like a warm and enthusiastic little sun, Baal was straightforward and domineering, and the Twins were wild and untamed dragons.
Only Chiron had, from the very beginning, used a gentle and non - aggressive way to gradually seep into her life. He helped her handle complicated government affairs, shielded her from unnecessary social engagements, and even arranged her daily life properly.
Everything he did told her: You can always rely on me.
Jiang Lijin withdrew her hand and then put her arms around his neck, getting close to his ear.
"How do you know... that I don't favor you the most?"
Chiron looked up at her, and his pupils constricted.
"You..."
Jiang Lijin didn't let him finish and kissed him directly.
Chiron reacted extremely quickly. He took the initiative, his big hand clasping the back of her head and deepening the kiss.
His kiss was like him, gentle on the surface but with an unyielding strength inside.
The robot in the corner of the living room let out a "beep".
Xiao Yi's holographic projection lit up. There was a huge exclamation mark on top of its head, and its electronic eyes flashed non - stop.
"High - concentration hormone secretion detected! Abnormal heart rate! It is recommended..."
"Shut up."
"Shut up."
The two said in unison.
Xiao Yi pitifully typed a (ಥ_ಥ) on the screen, silently turned its crawler, and slipped back to the charging pile.
Chiron released Jiang Lijin, and their foreheads touched each other. Their breathing became erratic.
"Is there really nothing wrong at the hospital today?" Jiang Lijin gasped and asked.
Chiron reached out to brush the stray hair beside her ear, his voice hoarse: "Even if there was something, it doesn't matter now."
He picked Jiang Lijin up horizontally and turned towards the upstairs.
"Wait, I haven't finished eating yet."
"I'll make it for you again later."
Chiron's steps were steady, but he walked much faster than usual.
Jiang Lijin leaned in his arms, listening to the strong heartbeat in his chest, and didn't struggle anymore.
This man usually acts so proper, but he's actually wilder than anyone else deep down.
However, she just falls for it.
