The military compound was quiet on a summer night, the guesthouse hushed in stillness.
Shen Nanchu lay on her side, the strap of her red silk nightgown slipping off one shoulder, revealing pale skin. She had just fallen asleep, drifting into deep slumber.
Suddenly—
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound jolted her awake.
"Who is it? In the middle of the night? So annoying."
Blinking groggily, Shen Nanchu frowned, irritated. She hated nothing more than being woken up. Whoever was outside had better have a good reason—otherwise, she wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson.
"Host, um… it’s the male lead looking for you," the system stammered.
The host’s temper was growing fiercer, and the male lead’s courage was getting bolder.
Shen Nanchu threw off the covers, slipped into her slippers, and grabbed the red robe draped over the chair. She didn’t bother tying the belt, leaving the collar open to expose a generous expanse of fair skin.
She strode to the door and yanked it open—
Pei Zhengnian stood outside, his military uniform impeccably pressed, expression stern, a document in hand.
The moment the door opened, Pei Zhengnian froze mid-sentence, his gaze locking onto Shen Nanchu.
The robe’s loose collar revealed the delicate straps of her red nightgown, her snow-white skin, the elegant curve of her collarbone, and the tantalizing swell of her chest.
Fresh from sleep, Shen Nanchu leaned against the doorframe, her hair slightly tousled, a lazy drowsiness lingering in the corners of her eyes, exuding an alluring charm.
And because Pei Zhengnian was taller, his vantage point offered an even more breathtaking view.
His eyes involuntarily flickered downward—
Abruptly, he turned his face away, voice tight.
"You—put some clothes on!"
Shen Nanchu blinked, taking a second to process his reaction.
Then, with deliberate slowness, she adjusted her robe.
"You came knocking in the middle of the night—what’s so important?"
She emphasized the word, her tone dripping with skepticism.
Pei Zhengnian stiffened, forcing himself to keep his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"There’s an urgent matter from the unit. I needed to ask you in person."
Thankfully, he had come prepared.
He lifted his wrist, checking his watch.
"Besides, it’s only been thirty-eight minutes and twenty seconds since we last saw each other."
Hah.
Hahaha.
Hahahaha.
So what if she fell asleep the second her head hit the pillow?
Shen Nanchu rolled her eyes.
"Fine. What’s so urgent that it couldn’t wait?"
Pei Zhengnian stiffly handed her the paper. "Orders from above. Must be completed tonight."
Shen Nanchu skimmed the document, her lips twitching.
1. What is your favorite gift?
2. What kind of gift do you most hope to receive from a lover?
3. Would you regift something given to you?
4. If yes, why?
What kind of nonsense was this? He dragged her out of bed for this?
Her bright eyes narrowed at Pei Zhengnian.
"Did you write this yourself?"
His ears instantly burned red, his gaze darting everywhere but at her.
Shen Nanchu understood immediately.
This damn man.
He had deliberately woken her up in the middle of the night.
And why?
She could guess with her eyes closed.
It was all because of that box of military rations.
Hmph.
Deliberately, Shen Nanchu stepped closer, closing the distance between them.
"Pei Zhengnian, did you come here just because of that box of rations?"
He opened his mouth to retort—but then a flash of creamy skin caught his eye.
Suddenly, his nose burned.
The next second—
Plop.
A drop of bright red blood splattered onto his uniform.
Shen Nanchu’s eyes widened. "...Pei Zhengnian, are you nosebleeding?"
As she moved, the tantalizing view only grew more pronounced.
The blood dripped faster.
Pei Zhengnian: "..."
He hastily covered his nose, voice muffled. "The air’s dry!"
His face was practically turned a full 180 degrees away.
Shen Nanchu suppressed a laugh, leisurely crossing her arms against the doorframe.
"Oh, so it’s the weather?"
"I thought maybe you saw something you shouldn’t have."
Pei Zhengnian flushed with embarrassment and turned to leave. "I’m going!"
So easily flustered?
Shen Nanchu couldn’t resist teasing him further. "Since you’re already here, why not come in?"
"I could even help stop that nosebleed for you."
Pei Zhengnian stiffened, his mind at war—
Reason: Leave now. Don’t enter her room.
Instinct: My wife is so beautiful…
In the end, instinct won.
Slowly, he turned back, his ears still burning.
With a rigid expression, he said solemnly, "Since you insist, I’ll stay for five minutes."
Shen Nanchu smiled and stepped aside. "After you, Captain Pei."
Doesn’t he realize this is a spider’s den? Once you enter, there’s no leaving.
Pei Zhengnian marched inside with military precision.
The system had already discreetly turned off the air conditioning.
Only the electric fan remained, whirring softly, the cool breeze offering some relief.
Shen Nanchu closed the door, wet a clean handkerchief, and handed it to him.
Pei Zhengnian pressed it to his nose, and soon, the bleeding stopped.
He exhaled in relief.
"Well, if that’s all, I should go."
"Go? Where do you think you’re going?"
Shen Nanchu sauntered up to him, tilting her head to meet his gaze.
"Pei Zhengnian, did you miss me?"
He stiffened. "Nonsense! I just had questions!"
Shen Nanchu tsked, looking down at him.
Then, without warning, she grabbed his collar and yanked him forward.
Pei Zhengnian stumbled, his face now inches from hers.
Her lips curved. "Pei Zhengnian, lying deserves punishment."
His breath hitched as he stared at her, finally breaking.
"Shen Nanchu! You—"
Before he could finish, she leaned in and kissed him.
Light as a butterfly’s touch.
The softness of her lips barely grazed his before she pulled away.
Releasing his collar, her slender fingers deliberately trailed over his neck, his throat, his jaw—
Then her lips brushed his ear, her breath warm.
"Coming to see me so late… be careful, or I might just eat you up."
Pei Zhengnian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He grabbed her wrist. "Shen Nanchu!"
She raised a brow. "Hmm?"
He stared at her for two seconds—then abruptly swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
The fan continued its quiet hum. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting silhouettes of two figures entwined on the sheets.
—That night, Pei Zhengnian suffered yet again.
