"Mm..."
Su Qianqian was caught off guard by his sudden kiss.
Dazed by the intimacy, her initial resistance melted away in the familiarity of his touch.
Her body softened involuntarily, her slender arms draping over his broad shoulders.
Gu Chengyu was pleased by her docility and kissed her even more passionately.
Only when he felt her gasping for breath did he reluctantly release her lips.
His forehead pressed against hers, his heated breath brushing over her flushed cheeks as he murmured in a husky, doting voice,
"Little troublemaker, still holding a grudge, hm?"
Su Qianqian panted lightly, her almond-shaped eyes glistening like misty pools as she shot him a weak, coquettish glare. "You rogue—that was in the garage."
"My mistake," Gu Chengyu conceded smoothly, pressing another kiss to her damp eyelashes, his tone coaxing.
"Does your waist still ache? Let me massage it for you."
As he spoke, his large hands slid down to cradle her slender waist, his fingers kneading gently.
His thoughts drifted.
Back then, the graceful curve of her lower back had been his favorite plaything—he could never tire of it.
Su Qianqian squirmed, ticklish and flustered, but he held her firmly on his lap, leaving her no escape but to bury her face against his neck and whimper,
"You're such a beast."
"Not tonight—I'm still sore."
"You were too rough yesterday. We need to sleep separately for at least two days before I recover."
Gu Chengyu chuckled, his chest rumbling.
He tilted his head, capturing her lips again, this time with a tender, lingering kiss full of patience and affection.
Su Qianqian responded softly in his embrace, like a delicate flower swaying in the wind, her defiance melting into pure reliance.
Her slender arms looped around his neck, her fingertips unconsciously toying with the short hairs at his nape.
Gu Chengyu found her unbearably adorable, his heart swelling.
When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead against hers, gazing into her dazed eyes before pressing a loving kiss to her eyelids.
"Fine, we’ll sleep apart—let you rest," he murmured.
Then, pausing, he added, "I lost control yesterday because I hadn’t touched you all month while you were training. That’s why I… didn’t hold back."
"It won’t happen again, Qianqian."
"Does your waist still hurt badly? Let me rub it properly."
His warm palms returned to the dip of her waist, massaging with just the right pressure.
"Hmph."
Su Qianqian closed her eyes in contentment, like a pampered cat, though her words remained sharp.
"How dare I trouble Young Master Chengyu to wait on me?"
Gu Chengyu stilled.
"Chengyu?"
He savored the name—she rarely called him by it when she was fully aware.
The way it rolled off her tongue, soft and sweet with an unconscious allure, was intoxicating.
He wanted more.
"Qianqian, say my name again," he urged, tightening his grip on her waist.
"No!"
Su Qianqian turned her face away stubbornly, her voice tinged with jealousy.
"Isn’t that what your exes called you?"
"I won’t be like them."
Gu Chengyu’s head throbbed.
Exes? Lin Shu again.
He regretted not cutting ties cleaner back then—now it was nothing but trouble.
Quickly steering the conversation, he said, "It’s different."
"They were outsiders—just part of the act. You’re my girl, the one who owns my heart."
Leaning closer, he whispered, "If you won’t call me Chengyu, and ‘Young Master Gu’ is too impersonal… how about ‘Young Master Chengyu’?"
"Who knows which ‘Young Master Gu’ you’re always referring to?"
Su Qianqian’s eyes flickered, but she pressed her lips together, refusing.
To Gu Chengyu, her silence was pure pouting—though what she truly thought remained a mystery.
"My sweet Qianqian, you’re the best, the prettiest fairy… Young Master Chengyu adores you most..."
He kept whispering endearments, coaxing her.
Su Qianqian was amused, but she kept her face stern, her red lips slightly pursed in feigned defiance.
Noticing her curling smile, Gu Chengyu knew she was close to relenting.
Pressing his advantage, he cupped her face, his thumb stroking her soft cheek as he lowered his voice, pleading,
"Be good, Qianqian. Just once more, hm?"
His warm lips brushed her forehead, the tip of her nose—each kiss tender and patient.
Su Qianqian’s heart melted under his affection, her irritation vanishing.
With a small smile, she leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, soft and sweet,
"Young Master Chengyu~"
The words, obedient yet sultry, struck straight to Gu Chengyu’s core.
A shiver ran through him, his arms locking around her waist as if he could fuse her into his very bones.
If not for the damned pillow between them, if not for her exhaustion from last night’s ravaging…
Gu Chengyu exhaled sharply. He could wait.
He’d endure.
But why did it feel like he was always enduring lately?
