Her cheeks began to flush as the dim light cast a glow on her face, making the fine down on her skin clearly visible. Zhou Yueshen stared at her intently for a few seconds. "Is this okay?"
Si Nian parted her lips, then nodded slowly. "Y-yes."
Hearing this, Zhou Yueshen remained silent. He reached out and gently pinned the pearl hairpin to the side of her forehead.
The smooth expanse of her forehead was now exposed, and the pristine pearl added an air of refined elegance to her already radiant beauty.
Her lashes, dark and long, cast delicate shadows on her cheeks as she lowered her gaze.
Si Nian reached up to touch the hairpin, about to rise, but Zhou Yueshen didn’t release her—his large hand remained pressed against her waist, searing hot.
She lifted her eyes to meet his, but before their gazes could lock, he pulled her forward abruptly. Si Nian’s head jerked up, her eyes glistening like water as she looked at him. The moment their eyes met, Zhou Yueshen suddenly cupped her face with one hand, his tall frame leaning down to capture her full lips.
Si Nian let out a muffled sound, instinctively leaning back until her back pressed against the vanity.
The window on the second floor was open, and the lively sounds from downstairs were still clearly audible.
Yet inside the master bedroom, the temperature rose, thick with heat and desire.
The position strained her neck, and Si Nian instinctively tried to retreat. But Zhou Yueshen, ever domineering, lifted a hand to support the back of her head, his palm cradling her nape. Their lips and tongues tangled as she arched her neck into his touch.
She wasn’t wearing any makeup today, yet her features were striking—delicate brows, flawless skin that revealed no pores up close. Her usually vibrant beauty now softened, her lashes fluttering faintly.
Zhou Yueshen towered over her, his presence like a mountain pressing down.
He held her tightly, one hand gripping her waist, the other clasping the back of her head, leaving Si Nian no room to move. She could only tilt her head back, surrendering to the deep, relentless kiss.
Soon, her arms wound around Zhou Yueshen’s neck, clinging tightly.
He leaned down further, the contrast stark between her pale, slender arms and his sun-bronzed skin.
Her fingers were long and graceful, nails neatly trimmed, glowing faintly under the evening light.
Her initiative was like an aphrodisiac. His tongue delved deeper, their mingling breaths punctuated by soft, intimate sounds—Si Nian’s voice slipping unbidden from between their joined lips.
The movement elongated her waist, emphasizing its slenderness.
His large hand trailed down her curves, teasing with featherlight touches.
She wore little, and even through the fabric, he could feel the smoothness of her skin—familiar from past caresses.
Just as things threatened to spiral, Si Nian quickly pressed a hand against his wandering one, halting him.
Opening her eyes, she met his heated gaze, amusement dancing in her own. Her plush, rosy lips brushed against his softly.
Zhou Yueshen pulled back slightly, locking eyes with her.
A silent exchange passed between them.
He withdrew, though his gaze remained intense.
"There are still people outside..." Si Nian’s voice was sweet and velvety, laced with lingering desire.
Zhou Yueshen’s eyes darkened, his pupils black with hunger.
His hand lingered at the nape of her neck, stroking slowly—but went no further.
Si Nian blinked, lashes trembling, watching him before tilting her head up. Her lips, flushed red, neared his ear as she whispered a reminder:
"We’re getting married the day after tomorrow."
Zhou Yueshen’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly. Si Nian waited quietly, but just as she thought he might release her, he suddenly dipped his head and captured her lips once more.
She tilted her head back sharply, only to be lifted and pressed against the dressing table the next second, his tongue invading her mouth with wild abandon.
Si Nian was still reeling in shock when, unexpectedly, the man withdrew his hand after grazing it over her body.
Her limbs turned weak, desire thoroughly ignited, leaving her motionless for a long moment, trembling all over.
Zhou Yueshen pulled her into his embrace, his fingers lazily stroking the soft curve of her back as his deep voice murmured, "Alright."
Outside, a woman's voice chimed in, "Where’s Si Nian? I wanted to ask where she keeps the rice."
"Zhou Yueshen just came up looking for her too. They must still be in the room..."
The moment those words fell, silence descended outside.
Si Nian’s face burned. Clutching the fabric of Zhou Yueshen’s shirt, she pushed herself upright.
Everyone downstairs was waiting for her. She’d only come up to change her jacket and tie her hair—how had she gotten so delayed? And with Zhou Yueshen following her in, of course people would assume the worst.
Though Si Nian was a modern woman, unashamed of passion, that didn’t mean she could just fool around with a man while guests were in her home.
It was downright scandalous!
Her cheeks flushed even deeper, her already radiant face glowing with allure.
Zhou Yueshen soothed her in a low voice, "Rest a bit. I’ll go handle things downstairs."
Si Nian glanced at her swollen lips in the mirror, embarrassment flaring anew—along with a flicker of resentment toward him.
He knew there were people downstairs. How could he...?
Downstairs, the guests were still searching for Si Nian. After all, this was her house, and no one dared to rummage through her things.
After waiting for what felt like ages and hearing she still hadn’t come down—and knowing Zhou Yueshen had gone up after her—the more experienced among them instantly connected the dots.
Their laughter turned knowing, whispers buzzing between them:
"Who’d have thought? Zhou Yueshen always seems so composed and serious, yet here he is, unable to keep his hands to himself."
"Of course! The moment he got back, he went straight for Si Nian. They’ve been up there for over ten minutes—what else could they be doing?"
"Tsk tsk, with a figure and face like hers, even I get flustered. How could a man in his prime like Zhou Yueshen resist?"
"Envious, honestly. My husband hasn’t been able to get it up for years."
"Seriously? That’s just tragic."
"Tragic? More like pointless—what’s the use of a tiny radish anyway?"
These married women had no qualms about sharing gossip, whether it was about whose marriage was thriving or whose was crumbling.
No one batted an eye at such talk.
But hearing this, one couldn’t help but sigh.
These men probably never realized that while they complained about their wives behind their backs, their own... inadequacies had already become village-wide knowledge.
Only when Zhou Yueshen finally descended the stairs did the chatter abruptly cease, everyone straightening up with forced innocence.
But seeing him alone, their expressions shifted to knowing smirks.
As soon as Zhou Yueshen reached the bottom step, a small hand tugged at his pant leg.
He looked down to find Zhou Zehan, clutching a misshapen lump of mung bean cake.
The boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he proudly presented his creation.
"Daddy, Daddy! Look at the mung bean cake I made! Guess what animal it is!"
Zhou Yueshen paused, studying the amorphous blob before hesitantly offering, "...A pig?"
Zhou Zehan pouted. "No, no! Guess again! It’s from our farm!"
Zhou Yueshen gave a slight nod, understanding dawning in his deep voice, "Da Huang?"
Zhou Zehan: "......"
He stared down at the mung bean cake in his hand, utterly bewildered—no matter how he looked at it, it bore no resemblance to a "Da Huang."
