Ning Fei guessed that her daughter was with Xie Zhiyan.
After confirming that her daughter planned to spend the night at the newly purchased apartment with Xie Zhiyan by her side, Ning Fei agreed without further questions.
Hanging up the phone, Ning Yuxuan stared at the man before her, her cheeks burning as if her entire body were on fire.
This time felt different from the last, when she had impulsively kissed him in the apartment, driven by a rush of emotion.
That time, she had been the one to take the lead—but now, it was as though she had packaged herself up and delivered herself right into his hands.
Especially since she knew exactly what was coming next.
Something she had never truly experienced before.
"Xie Zhiyan…" Ning Yuxuan rarely sounded this shy, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
She was so nervous that she didn’t even realize she was still clutching her phone tightly after the call ended.
Not until Xie Zhiyan’s large hand enveloped hers, gently prying her fingers open one by one to take the phone from her grasp.
The phone was tossed aside, followed swiftly by her clothes.
First, her belt was undone with effortless ease and flung onto the chaise lounge against the bedroom wall.
Then her dress met the same fate.
Ning Yuxuan was wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt dress, zipper-free, with the top two buttons already undone at her collarbone.
Xie Zhiyan’s fingertips were searing as they brushed against her skin, tracing her collarbone.
A shiver ran through her, and she lifted her gaze to meet his.
His slightly rough fingers glided down, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake before pausing at the third button of her dress.
The deliberate slowness only amplified her tension—Ning Yuxuan felt like she could barely breathe.
This man… if he was going to undo her buttons, couldn’t he just do it quickly and spare her the torment?
After several agonizing seconds without progress, she reached for his hand. "Let me do it myself."
What should have been a firm command came out soft and breathy, almost like teasing.
Even she was surprised by the sound of her own voice.
Xie Zhiyan chuckled lowly.
"I’ll do it," he insisted, brushing her hand aside.
In her current state, Ning Yuxuan had no strength to resist.
"Then hurry up…" she urged weakly.
With a deep hum of acknowledgment, he finally began unbuttoning her dress.
She had no idea his fingers could be so deft.
The buttons were tiny and thin—she’d struggled with them herself that morning—yet Xie Zhiyan undid them one after another with ease.
Before she knew it, every button was open, the dress slipping halfway off her shoulders, leaving only her bra covering her.
A chill swept over her chest, and she instinctively moved to cover herself—only for Xie Zhiyan to seize both her wrists in an instant.
Too embarrassed to meet his eyes, Ning Yuxuan could only whimper in protest, "Xie Zhiyan!"
Her hands were guided to his chest.
"Didn’t you want to do it yourself?" he murmured.
Her mind was too scrambled to understand. "What?"
"You said you wanted to take care of it," he reminded her, his voice rough with temptation. "Now it’s your turn—undo my buttons."
Ning Yuxuan’s thoughts short-circuited.
Dazedly, she reached for the buttons of his shirt.
Compared to his earlier efficiency, her movements were clumsy at best.
To make matters worse, Xie Zhiyan’s hands wandered freely, slipping beneath the gap between her dress and her back to trace the delicate contours of her shoulder blades and the smooth skin of her spine.
Caught between his touch and her own fumbling, Ning Yuxuan nearly gave up.
"I—I can’t," she gasped, her words fragmented. "It’s too hard… You do it."
But Xie Zhiyan refused, tightening his grip on her hand. "Almost done," he coaxed. "Just a few more."
Defeated, she continued with trembling fingers.
It took her nearly two minutes to finish unbuttoning his shirt.
Relieved, she tried to pull away—only for him to catch her hand again.
He still wasn’t done with her.
"Xie Zhiyan!" she nearly wailed. "All the buttons are undone! What else do you want?"
She’d never realized how merciless he could be, how much he enjoyed tormenting her—especially at a time like this.
Xie Zhiyan’s gaze darkened. "Not all of them."
His hand guided hers lower, to the metal clasp of his belt.
"This one," he said, his voice thick. "And then…"
Her fingers trailed further down under his guidance.
…
Ning Yuxuan wasn’t sure how it all began.
She only remembered finally undoing every last button on him before their clothes were discarded one by one—his, then hers.
The last remaining scrap of fabric clinging to her was tossed onto the chaise lounge.
Then, her quivering lips were captured by Xie Zhiyan’s, her broken moans swallowed whole.
After that, his mouth traveled to her earlobe, her neck, her collarbone, her chest—
No part of her was spared, every touch sending waves of pleasure radiating from her spine.
Overwhelmed by sensations she’d never known, she could only respond instinctively.
At first, her hands clung to him desperately—then, eventually, her legs wound around him too.
If she hadn’t been completely lost in the tide of pleasure he stirred in her, she might have noticed—
Xie Zhiyan wasn’t as experienced as he seemed.
His kisses were fierce, but his movements held restraint, even a hint of hesitation, as if afraid of hurting her.
At times, it made him seem almost clumsy.
But Ning Yuxuan was too far gone to notice.
Only when she opened her eyes, meeting his gaze, did she catch a glimpse of his own unraveling—the dazed hunger in his eyes, the ragged edge of his breath.
At the peak of ecstasy, she bit her lip hard, but nothing could stifle the helpless whimpers that escaped her.
She couldn’t bear the unfamiliar, shameful sounds escaping her lips and bit down on the man’s shoulder.
……
By the time it was finally over, Ning Yuxuan felt as though her body no longer belonged to her.
Her skin was sticky, her muscles ached, and her bones seemed to have come undone.
With a soft, uncomfortable whimper, she shifted slightly in the man’s embrace.
Her gaze drifted unintentionally to the chaise lounge by the wall.
An elegant European-style chaise, upholstered in plush velvet with intricate, ornate patterns.
Now, it was draped with their discarded clothes—his white shirt buried beneath her light blue shirt-dress and his black trousers.
Hanging over the backrest was the sky-blue belt he had tossed aside earlier, along with her bra.
It was as if the scene was blatantly recounting just how reckless they had been.
Ning Yuxuan’s face burned crimson in an instant, and she turned her head away, refusing to look any longer.
A low chuckle vibrated against her ear.
“What’s wrong?” Xie Zhiyan’s voice was rough with exhaustion. “See something interesting?”
The new house was still sparsely furnished, and the only thing in her line of sight was that damned chair.
He was teasing her on purpose.
Ning Yuxuan bit her lower lip, irritation lacing her tone. “Don’t even ask!”
In response, his arm tightened around her, pulling her closer against his chest.
Too drained to resist, she let him have his way.
After a long moment of quiet, she finally spoke again. “What time is it?”
Her phone sat on the nightstand, and a clock hung on the wall.
But reaching for either required energy she no longer had.
Or perhaps, even if she did, she couldn’t muster the will to move.
After everything he’d put her through, even the slightest motion sent fresh waves of soreness through her body.
Xie Zhiyan’s voice was deep. “Just past midnight.”
Ning Yuxuan: “…”
She’d expected it to be late—but not this late.
Unable to hold back, she groaned. “Xie Zhiyan, I’m exhausted…”
The last thread of restraint snapped, and the complaints spilled out. “It’s all your fault. You just wouldn’t stop… Even when I said no, you ignored me and went for another round…”
She listed every one of his transgressions, not just as an accusation but also as regret for her own inability to refuse him.
Ning Yuxuan deeply regretted it.
The last time she’d checked the clock, the hour hand had barely touched eleven.
That was when she should’ve put her foot down and gone straight to bed.
But somehow, after a few coaxing words from Xie Zhiyan, she’d foolishly relented.
And now, here she was—completely and utterly spent.
She had never felt this drained in her life.
A wave of self-pity washed over her, and she couldn’t stop herself from whining. “My whole body hurts. I’m tired, I’m sleepy, and I just want to sleep—but I still need to shower…”
Xie Zhiyan’s hand slid to her waist, kneading gently in apology. “I know. My bad. Let me carry you to the bathroom, okay?”
Ning Yuxuan snapped reflexively. “No!”
But even as she said it, she knew it was the only option.
Her legs were so weak she could barely stand—how was she supposed to wash herself?
She wasn’t a neat freak, but sleeping like this—sticky and sore—was out of the question.
Xie Zhiyan recognized her protest as mere frustration. After a few more soothing words, he lifted her and carried her to the bathroom.
Ning Yuxuan was too spent to resist, her energy nearly depleted.
Thankfully, Xie Zhiyan seemed to sense her exhaustion and kept his hands strictly practical the entire time.
Once she was clean, he carried her back to bed.
The sound of running water resumed in the bathroom as Xie Zhiyan showered.
Ning Yuxuan leaned against the headboard, her hair damp, a towel draped over her shoulders.
She wore a simple nightgown—likely something Xie Zhiyan had prepared in advance—though it was nothing like her usual style.
At least it fit well and was comfortable.
Yesterday, the house hadn’t been this well-stocked, but now, even toothbrushes and cups were neatly arranged in the bathroom.
The hot shower had revived her slightly, pulling her back from the brink of collapse.
She was still weak, but at least she wasn’t on the verge of passing out anymore.
Ning Yuxuan twisted a damp strand of hair between her fingers. She hadn’t washed it properly, but it had gotten wet during the rinse. She’d need to dry it before sleeping.
Her eyes flicked back to the chaise lounge, where their clothes lay tangled. She pressed her lips together.
It had been painful. Exhausting. But also…
Pleasurable.
The thought startled her.
Humans really were creatures who forgot pain the moment it faded.
Just moments ago, she’d been cursing him, swearing she’d never do this again.
Now, with a bit of recovery, her mind was already drifting back to the sensations.
No matter how much she scolded herself, she couldn’t stop reminiscing.
Especially the second time—when she’d been too spent to move, yet her body had been fully primed, every nerve alight.
……
Ning Yuxuan swallowed hard, forcing herself to stop.
The bathroom door opened, and Xie Zhiyan stepped out in a robe.
A faint mist clung to him, droplets of water still glistening on his skin and hair.
His usually sharp gaze was softened by the damp strands falling over his forehead, making him look almost gentle.
Ning Yuxuan stared for a few seconds before her gaze dropped—to his bare, toned chest.
Realizing what she was doing, she quickly averted her eyes.
Xie Zhiyan chuckled. “See something you like?”
Ning Yuxuan replied instantly. “No.”
After a pause, she added, “Xie Zhiyan…”
He hummed in response. “Hmm?”
Ning Yuxuan hesitated. “I… I think I’m a little hungry. Is there anything to eat?”
Part of it was an attempt to shift the mood, but she really was peckish.
She’d had a late dinner after work, but she hadn’t eaten much.
Now, after all that exertion, with the clock nearing one, her stomach was protesting.
Amusement flickered in Xie Zhiyan’s eyes. “I’ll check.”
Ning Yuxuan nodded.
A minute later, he returned. “There’s bread and salad. Will that do?”
Ning Yuxuan asked, "Is there anything hot to eat?"
Xie Zhiyan paused for a moment before replying, "Nothing ready right now, but there are noodles. If you'd like, I can cook a bowl for you."
Ning Yuxuan felt it was a bit of a hassle, but she couldn’t resist the craving for something warm.
Midnight snacks should always be steaming hot—eating dry bread was just too pitiful.
After a brief hesitation, she nodded. "Okay."
Xie Zhiyan glanced at her still-damp hair.
Understanding his concern, Ning Yuxuan said, "Go ahead and cook the noodles. I can dry my hair myself."
His brow twitched slightly. "Are you sure?"
Ning Yuxuan shot him a look. "Yes."
Xie Zhiyan chuckled.
"I’m just a little worried," he said leisurely. "From the way someone looked earlier, it seemed like they were exhausted to the point of tears."
Ning Yuxuan huffed, "And whose fault is that?"
Without protest, Xie Zhiyan apologized and fetched the hairdryer, plugging it in by the bedside.
"I’ll go cook the noodles," he said. "Call me if you need anything."
Ning Yuxuan thought to herself—what could possibly go wrong while drying her hair?
"Got it," she replied.
As Xie Zhiyan headed to the kitchen, she turned on the hairdryer.
By the time her hair was dry, he announced that the noodles were ready.
Ning Yuxuan unplugged the hairdryer and got up to eat.
But after just two steps, she winced. "Ouch."
Standing was fine, but walking made her legs ache terribly.
Seeing this, Xie Zhiyan walked over and, without a word, scooped her up into his arms.
Before tonight, Ning Yuxuan had never been carried like this by Xie Zhiyan.
Yet in just a few hours, she had lost count of how many times he’d held her.
Xie Zhiyan had grown adept at it, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Realizing how naturally she clung to him now, Ning Yuxuan felt a little self-conscious.
"I can walk on my own…" she murmured.
Xie Zhiyan’s voice carried a faint amusement. "I know. But I want to carry you."
Ning Yuxuan: "…"
Seated at the dining table, she accepted the chopsticks he handed her.
A small bowl of noodles sat before her, fragrant and topped with a fried egg.
She had tasted Xie Zhiyan’s cooking before on the show and was surprised by how well it suited her preferences.
This time was no exception.
Xie Zhiyan said, "Eating too much at night isn’t good for you, so I didn’t make a large portion. Is this enough?"
His tone was gentle, a stark contrast to how he’d been just an hour or two ago.
Ning Yuxuan nodded. "This is fine."
Though she’d regained some energy after her shower, her body was still weary. She planned to eat this small bowl and then sleep.
Taking a bite of the egg, she asked casually, "Did you know I like fried eggs?"
Xie Zhiyan hummed in affirmation. "Aunt Ning mentioned it once."
Ning Yuxuan didn’t even remember her mother saying that.
She glanced at him. "Do you just have an excellent memory in general, or do you only remember things about me?"
Xie Zhiyan smiled. "Everything about you, I remember clearly."
After finishing the noodles, Xie Zhiyan went to wash the dishes while Ning Yuxuan brushed her teeth and climbed into bed.
The moment her head hit the pillow, exhaustion overwhelmed her, and she fell asleep almost instantly.
In her drowsy state, she faintly sensed Xie Zhiyan lying down beside her, his arm wrapping around her waist.
She shifted into a comfortable position and soon drifted into deep slumber.
……
When she woke again, Xie Zhiyan was no longer home.
Ning Yuxuan vaguely recalled him saying something last night—something about work at the company, that he’d leave early and let her sleep in.
But she’d been on the verge of sleep and hadn’t processed it.
A note lay on the nightstand.
She picked it up and read the two lines of strong, elegant handwriting:
Steamed pork ribs are in the fridge—heat in the microwave for one minute. I’ll be back before lunch.
They had tried this dish at a breakfast place in Jiangcheng, and she’d loved it.
She hadn’t expected him to remember.
Glancing at the wall clock, she realized it was already 11:30 a.m.
Her first instinct was to check her phone.
No important messages or calls.
She hesitated, wondering if she should call Ning Fei now.
It was rare for her to stay out all night, and though her mother hadn’t called to question her, she was probably still worried.
As if sensing her thoughts, her phone rang—it was her mother.
Ning Yuxuan quickly answered. "Hello, Mom?"
Her voice was still rough from sleep.
Ning Fei noticed. "Xuanxuan, did I wake you?"
The question was innocent, but Ning Yuxuan’s face warmed.
It felt like her mother could guess exactly why she’d slept so late today.
Clearing her throat awkwardly, she replied, "No, I’ve been up for a while."
Ning Fei hummed, either believing her or choosing not to press further.
When nervous, Ning Yuxuan tended to ramble. "Mom, why did you call? Is everything okay at home? Did anything happen?"
The rapid-fire questions made her sound unnatural even to herself.
On the other end, Ning Fei chuckled at her daughter’s flustered tone. "What could happen at home? I’m fine. What about you? Have you had lunch yet?"
Ning Yuxuan: "Not yet. I’ll eat soon."
Ning Fei: "Is Zhiyan with you?"
Ning Yuxuan: "…Yes."
According to the note, Xie Zhiyan would be back to eat with her.
Ning Fei smiled, deciding not to tease her further.
"The show’s production team called this morning," she changed the subject. "The schedule for the final episode is confirmed—we’re flying to Lucheng on Friday."
Ning Yuxuan: "Okay."
Ning Fei: "Since it’s a trip, and we still have a day and a half, I thought I’d start packing early. That way, if we need to buy anything, there’s still time. Are you coming home today?"
Before her daughter could answer, she added, "It’s fine if you don’t. Like last time, I’ll pack for you too. As long as you’re back by Thursday night before we leave on Friday."
Her mother’s understanding only made Ning Yuxuan feel guiltier.
"I’ll come back!" she insisted. "No need to wait till Thursday—I’ll come home today and help you pack!"
Ning Fei’s voice held a playful note. "Really? Today?"
Ning Yuxuan groaned, "Mom!"
Laughing, Ning Fei dropped the teasing.
"By the way," Ning Fei asked, "the production team told us to bring our driver's licenses. But I haven’t used mine in ages. Yuxuan, do you remember where I put mine?"
Ning Yuxuan: "It’s not in any of the cars at home?"
Ning Fei: "No, I checked the glove compartments. Nothing. I even looked through the metal box where we keep all the documents—it’s not there either. I just can’t remember where I left it."
Ning Yuxuan thought for a moment. "If it’s not in any of those places, maybe it’s in the study. Should I look for it when I get back?"
Ning Fei: "Alright."
After exchanging a few more words with her mother, Ning Yuxuan hung up.
She got up, brushed her teeth, and washed her face. Just as she was about to heat up the steamed spare ribs from the fridge, the sound of the front door opening caught her attention.
Ning Yuxuan turned her head and locked eyes with Xie Zhiyan, who had just stepped inside.
His gaze flickered to the lunchbox in her hand, and the corner of his mouth lifted. "Just woke up?"
Without thinking, she blurted out, "That’s because someone didn’t know how to hold back last night!"
