Zhou Yueshen went downstairs to take a shower.
Although there was a bathing area on the second floor, it required heating water manually and carrying it upstairs.
Despite the Zhou family’s wealth, living in the countryside still lacked the convenience of the city, and the facilities were indeed lacking.
Si Nian usually heated the water herself and carried it up bit by bit to bathe.
But Zhou Yueshen wasn’t so particular—he simply rinsed off with cold water downstairs.
His hair was short, so a quick wipe dried it easily.
Soon, he returned upstairs, his body still damp.
Opening the bedroom door, Zhou Yueshen saw Si Nian reclining on a chair by the desk, flipping through a book.
She had changed into a nightgown—thin and delicate, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders under the moonlight. Her lowered lashes softened the striking beauty of her daytime appearance, lending her a fragile, alluring charm.
The room was filled with the sweet, intoxicating scent unique to her, every breath saturated with her presence.
Zhou Yueshen’s deep, calm eyes burned with intensity, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
He stepped forward, sitting beside her, and with a single tug of his large hand, effortlessly pulled her into his embrace. His voice was low as he asked, "What are you reading?"
Si Nian was slightly nervous, clutching the book without having absorbed a single word.
"Just browsing," she murmured.
Zhou Yueshen took the book from her, glancing at it—a foreign language text.
He set it aside on the desk without another thought, then suddenly leaned in, capturing her lips.
Si Nian flinched, instinctively shrinking back.
But Zhou Yueshen held her waist firmly, his hands gripping her sides as he pressed his kiss deeper.
In moments of intimacy, this man always took control, leaving Si Nian defenseless.
Their tongues tangled, and the book slipped from her grasp, falling to the floor with a soft thud.
Si Nian turned her head slightly, reaching to pick it up.
But the moment she broke from his kiss, she felt a loosening at her front.
Zhou Yueshen’s fingers had somehow found the bow of her nightgown.
With a gentle pull, it came undone.
She hurriedly covered herself, her eyes glistening with shyness as she looked at him.
The light was still on, their expressions clear to each other.
Si Nian’s lips, swollen and red from his kisses, trembled as she averted her gaze from his overwhelming intensity. Her voice was barely a whisper: "Zhou Yueshen, turn off the light."
Zhou Yueshen studied her for a moment before suddenly standing.
One arm still wrapped around her waist, he lifted her effortlessly, carrying her with him.
Si Nian instinctively looped her arms around his neck, her cheek pressed against his bare chest.
His skin was cool and hard beneath her touch, and only then did she realize how feverishly warm her own face was.
Zhou Yueshen adjusted his grip, weighing her in his arms, a brow quirking slightly.
One hand slid upward, tracing the curve of her spine before settling at the delicate nape of her neck. With a slight pressure, he tilted her head back, claiming her lips once more.
In this position, he carried her to the light switch.
Her arms clung to him.
A soft click.
The room plunged into silence and darkness.
Only the sound of his rough breathing and her fragmented whimpers remained.
Si Nian’s eyes hadn’t yet adjusted to the dark.
By the time she realized, Zhou Yueshen had already settled her onto the bed.
Her hands braced against his shoulders, her arms trembling slightly.
The silky nightgown had slipped, barely clinging to her shoulders.
The movement hiked the fabric up, pooling around where she sat.
As her vision adjusted, she could faintly make out the sharp contours of his face in the shadows, the gleam of his dark eyes. His scorching hands roamed her neck, his mouth easily finding hers again.
Tongues met, wet and hungry.
The lewd sounds of their passion echoed in their ears.
Watching her melt like water in his arms—so pliant that she might slip through his fingers if he wasn’t careful—Zhou Yueshen tightened his grip.
This was a man who had weathered the chaos of battle, brushed shoulders with death countless times, and witnessed the hollow facades of power and greed.
In the end, he had chosen a life of simplicity.
He had believed his purpose was merely to raise his three children, content with that alone.
Never had he imagined a woman would one day share his bed.
Yet fate had brought her to him.
They had come together for their own reasons, but in the quiet rhythm of everyday life, they had found something deeper.
No grand passion, no dramatic twists—just simple, steady closeness.
And yet, she had stolen his heart, reducing him to a lovesick fool, eager to lay everything at her feet.
As if she had always been his, as if they were meant to spend their remaining years just like this.
In the dim room, under the pale moonlight, their silhouettes moved in tandem, accompanied by hushed, breathless sounds.
—
The feast lasted until dawn tinged the horizon with light.
Si Nian was someone who endured quietly, knowing the walls were thin and others slept nearby.
Her voice grew hoarse from stifling her cries.
When it seemed the man would never stop, she finally whimpered a tearful "no," her palm pressing weakly against his chest. Only then did he relent.
Exhausted, her body limp, they were both drenched as if stepping out of a steam bath.
Zhou Yueshen lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the washroom.
A vanity mirror stood inside, adorned with an array of delicate trinkets—her shampoos, bath oils, body lotions, hair serums.
The mingled fragrances were rich but not overwhelming.
In the center sat a small tub, one Si Nian used for herself and Yaoyao.
The kitchen stove still emitted a faint warmth.
The large pot of hot water was ready.
The sound of pouring water filled the room as he lowered her into the tub.
The instant relief from the heat enveloped her aching body.
Even with her eyes closed, she couldn’t suppress a soft, satisfied sigh.
Amused, Zhou Yueshen watched her drowsy yet blissful expression as he tended to her.
His calloused fingers tilted her chin, pressing a light kiss to her lips.
Time slipped away unnoticed until the door opened again.
Warmth and the scent of soap and flowers wafted into the bedroom.
Si Nian was bundled in his clothes, her face nestled against his chest, cheeks flushed, lips parted as she breathed evenly.
Her slender legs dangled slightly, her skin smooth and glowing, even her nails tinged pink from the heat.
Zhou Yueshen laid her on the bed, the specially made cashmere wedding blanket soft against her skin.
She sank into it, the red covers making her snow-white complexion even more striking.
His gaze lingered on her.
Her lips were slightly parted, her body trembling faintly—not from cold, but from the lingering aftershocks of their passion.
Zhou Yueshen pulled the blanket over her, then wiped the moisture from his own body before sliding in beside her.
The bed was too soft for his liking.
He gathered her against him without hesitation.
His hands met nothing but silken skin.
His throat tightened, his body tensing.
Si Nian blinked open drowsy eyes, sensing his reaction. Her misty gaze pleaded with him wordlessly.
Zhou Yueshen exhaled softly, drawing her closer. His thumb stroked gentle circles along her spine as he murmured, "Don’t worry. I just want to hold you."
