Their eyes met, and without her needing to say another word, everything was understood in that silent exchange.
The next second.
Zhou Yueshen strode forward, lifting Si Nian into his arms and pressing her against the door.
Si Nian's heart pounded wildly, her eyes snapping open.
His gaze was as heavy and dark as the dim light in the room.
Dangerous beyond measure.
Her scalp tingled, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
Zhou Yueshen wrapped one arm around her waist and lowered his head to capture her lips.
He was too tall—even as he held her, Si Nian had to tilt her head back...
The sharp line of his jaw tensed, his thin lips enveloping her plump lower lip as he kissed her deeply, their tongues entwining...
The world suddenly fell silent, leaving only the sound of their ragged, mingled breaths.
Si Nian felt his large hand loosen its grip before tightening around her waist again, lifting her entirely.
"Ah—"
She gasped softly, then quickly covered her mouth, looking as guilty as a thief.
When she opened her eyes, the world spun—she was now seated on his powerful thighs.
Zhou Yueshen's arm rested loosely around her slender waist, leaving a small distance between them. He loved the way she sat in his lap, tempting him to pull her closer, to make their embrace more intimate, more teasing.
"What are you afraid of?" His chest rumbled with a low chuckle.
"The children..." Si Nian's face burned crimson.
"Don’t worry, it’s not our wedding night yet. I won’t take you."
"!!" Si Nian’s mind short-circuited again.
W-what was he saying?!
How could such words even be spoken aloud?
She stared at him, lips slightly parted, but no words came out.
Zhou Yueshen was amused by her stunned expression.
Had she forgotten? He had always been a rough man.
His calloused fingers brushed over her soft cheek before he lowered his head again, claiming her flushed lips.
His kiss was domineering—not a gentle peck, but a full invasion, claiming everything she had to give...
Si Nian had never experienced anything like this. She had wanted to keep him close, but she hadn’t expected him to be so overwhelming.
The scorching heat of his breath left her dizzy, her breath stolen, her body losing control as her bones turned to jelly...
She melted against him, lips parted, surrendering to his conquest.
His hand slid from her cheek down to her slender neck.
Her throat was pale and delicate, arched in a vulnerable curve as she tilted her head back. His large palm traced the skin there, coaxing out the sounds he wanted to hear.
Soft whimpers escaped her lips, sending a jolt of tension through his body as his grip tightened around her.
Before Si Nian could regain her senses, she instinctively tried to shift away.
Had she accidentally sat on his car keys?
Just as she moved, Zhou Yueshen’s arm around her waist suddenly yanked her back down.
"Mmm—"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
But before she could react, his other hand slid up from her waist, slipping beneath the soft fabric of her nightgown.
The moment his skin touched hers, a shiver raced down her spine.
Her body stiffened, but the man was patient, soothing her with slow, gentle strokes.
"Don’t be afraid."
His voice was rough, vibrating against her ear, sending waves of heat through her.
It tickled!
Si Nian curled in on herself, trembling as if electrified.
Zhou Yueshen’s eyes darkened at her sensitive reaction.
One hand gripped her waist.
Now fully aware of what was pressing against her, Si Nian’s voice caught in her throat, her face burning red.
"You smell so good."
She had applied something fragrant earlier—a rich, intoxicating scent like strong liquor.
Zhou Yueshen’s fingers involuntarily tightened, and Si Nian gasped as a rush of heat pooled low in her stomach.
She was laid onto the bed, her loose nightgown slipping off with the slightest touch.
The man buried his face against her chest, his breath hot and demanding against her skin...
The stubble from his short hair prickled against her delicate flesh.
He loomed over her like a mountain, unyielding.
Si Nian’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her slender arms wrapping around his neck as her vision blurred with sparks of light.
The next morning.
Si Nian jolted awake.
When she lifted her gaze, she saw Zhou Yueshen sitting shirtless on the edge of the bed, pulling on his clothes.
Outside, the sky was just beginning to lighten. The faint glow from the curtains they had forgotten to close the night before spilled across his back, highlighting the powerful muscles of his arms as he moved.
Last night, those same arms had pinned her firmly beneath him.
When he turned, she instinctively sought closeness, her voice soft and sweet. "Zhou Yueshen."
"Hm."
Meeting her shy, flickering gaze, his eyes softened. He leaned down, his large hand cupping her face. "Did I wake you?"
Si Nian shook her head, sitting up while clutching the blanket to her chest.
Though they hadn’t gone all the way, he had touched every inch of her that mattered.
And he had held her all night.
Who could have known that sleeping in a man’s arms would feel this incredible?
No wonder her friends had always joked about spending their life savings on male escorts.
The sensation was... indescribable.
Si Nian had always prided herself on being level-headed, refusing to lose herself in desire.
But with Zhou Yueshen, she genuinely enjoyed the intimacy—the thrill of it.
She had tried dating before, but even the thought of holding hands had repulsed her.
Yet when Zhou Yueshen touched her, all she felt was excitement and nervous anticipation.
Maybe this was the charm of an older man...
"Sleep a little longer. I’ll make breakfast."
His tenderness after the fact was even more lethal.
Si Nian blinked up at him before nodding slowly.
She was never one to refuse kindness.
Zhou Yueshen bent down, leaving a kiss at the corner of her lips before heading downstairs.
Last night had erased every last bit of distance between them.
Once they crossed that line, there was no turning back.
After breakfast, Si Nian grabbed her bag and headed out.
Today was the Second Child’s parent-teacher meeting, so she dressed more formally—a trendy white blouse tucked into fitted jeans, accentuating her slim waist. The flared bottoms of the jeans made her legs look endlessly long.
Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, revealing a striking face with sharp features and flawless skin.
She opted for comfortable flats—wearing heels would have been too flashy.
The Eldest Child and Second Child were dressed in freshly washed new clothes.
Their hair, like Zhou Yueshen’s, was cut short in a crew cut.
Standing together, the resemblance between father and sons was uncanny.
Though their skin was tanned, and the boys, being kids, were always covered in scrapes and bruises—unlike the fair, unblemished complexions of city folk.
Just as they were about to get in the car, the Second Child glanced at his father, then at Si Nian approaching. Without hesitation, he dashed toward her, calling out excitedly.
