As the light and shadow intertwined, the contours of the man’s features became even more pronounced and sharp. He lowered his eyes and stared directly at her. His thick eyelashes resembled raven feathers, accentuating the depth of his gaze with emotions as intense as ink.

His skin was naturally fair, but it didn’t look sickly. Under this light, it almost seemed to glow. Due to the prolonged kissing, his lips appeared flushed, a vivid shade of red.

Two striking colors.

He looked like a vampire, who, though sinister in intent, was skilled at ensnaring souls.

As soon as those words fell, Sang Zhi’s mind lagged for a split second. Her gaze was somewhat dazed and the faint stinging sensation on her lips reminded her that all of this was real.

Not an illusion.

In just an instant, Sang Zhi snapped back to reality.

At that moment, her heart felt as if a massive bomb had been thrown into it, exploding with a crackling sound. Her breath caught and heat surged up her neck. She could hardly believe her ears.

Sang Zhi’s expression was hesitant as she murmured, “Huh?”

With brother……

What?

Duan Jiaxu didn’t repeat himself, still staring at her with unclear emotions and the corners of his lips curved upward slightly. He raised his hand and slowly brushed her lower lip with the pad of his finger, over and over, with just the right amount of pressure.

The gesture was intimate, carrying a hint of hidden suggestion.

Whatever lingering drowsiness Sang Zhi had instantly vanished.

Even though she knew he always spoke without shame, still, Sang Zhi hadn’t expected him to be so completely shameless.

Utterly.

Shameless!!!

How could this old man be so blunt and so unreserved?

In this kind of atmosphere, if he had just asked if it was okay, she would have understood what he meant. Even if he thought she might not understand, saying ‘let’s go to bed’ would have been a bit more subtle.

But he had to be this direct!

Sang Zhi had no idea how to respond at all.

Her heart felt as if it was going to leap out of her chest. In the silence, the sound was amplified, painfully clear. She even thought Duan Jiaxu could probably hear it too.

Was she nervous?

Why should she be nervous?

If he could say something like that, why should she admit defeat?

She wasn’t nervous.

She absolutely wasn’t.

Absolutely not!!!

Sang Zhi mentally braced herself and slightly raised her eyes, catching the scent of alcohol on him. She reached out and pulled his hand away, speaking seriously, “So you drank to muster up the courage?”

One sentence shattered the suggestive atmosphere.

Perhaps not expecting such a reaction from her, Duan Jiaxu paused briefly before bursting into laughter. He lowered his chin slightly, his chest vibrating. His eyes gleamed and the smile on his face was dazzling and brilliant.

Seeing him like this made Sang Zhi’s mouth inexplicably dry, and the thirst that had just risen in her became even stronger. She suddenly remembered the reason she came out.

Oh.

She was thirsty.

She came out to drink water.

Normally, by now, she should have already finished drinking water and returned to bed to sleep again. Instead, she was sitting there kissing him and listening to his straightforward and shameless words.

Duan Jiaxu laughed for a long time before he stopped. He withdrew his hand, as if nothing had happened and asked, “Why did you suddenly wake up?”

Sang Zhi glanced at him and whispered, “I’m thirsty, so I came out to drink water.”

Duan Jiaxu gave a light hum, and as if carrying a child, he lifted her up and walked towards the kitchen. He placed Sang Zhi on the counter, then took a bottle of mineral water, unscrewed it, and handed it to her.

Sang Zhi took it and drank slowly. Then she asked, “Why did you drink alcohol?”

“I’m not in a good mood.”

“Why?”

Duan Jiaxu whispered, “Because I feel like I haven’t treated you well.”

Sang Zhi swallowed the water in her mouth and stared at him blankly. “How have you not treated me well?”

He didn’t explain and just stood quietly by the counter, watching her.

Sang Zhi asked, “Are you drunk?”

Duan Jiaxu smiled. “No.”

“Then why are you saying this out of nowhere?” Sang Zhi placed the water bottle aside and leaned in closer to meet his gaze. “Is there another reason?”

“No.”

“But I don’t think……” Sang Zhi paused, hesitantly asking, “Is it because of what I said to you today?”

Duan Jiaxu remained silent again and reached out to wipe the water from the corner of her lips.

Not expecting that her words would affect his mood, Sang Zhi quickly explained, “I didn’t mean to criticize you, I only wanted to tell you everything. You didn’t know, and I was also really young back then.”

“……”

“No matter if it was before or now, you’ve always been good to me.”

Duan Jiaxu’s eyes darkened and he lowered his head to kiss her again.

Sang Zhi instinctively tilted her neck, accepting his kiss. This time, it was gentler, with a lingering warmth, mingled with the faint scent of alcohol. Her eyes remained open, watching his lowered eyes.

It was only at this moment that she realized.

He never drank alcohol, but because of her, he made an exception.

“Sang Zhi,” Duan Jiaxu released her, his eyes filled with some kind of emotion. He caressed her face and after a while, he said in a hoarse voice, “I love you.”

He had truly thought about it.

If it weren’t for me, would you have met someone better? Everyone opposed us and no one supported us— doesn’t that mean I’m not worthy of someone as good as you?

I also wonder if you’ll regret the decision you made to be with me in the future. Will you regret not listening to your parents’ advice and stubbornly choosing to be with me?

These worries cross my mind.

But because of you, I’m no longer afraid of anything, shedding all my insecurities. Because of you, I believe that in this world, only I am worthy of being with you.

You are my only one, my forever.

Almost inaudibly, Duan Jiaxu whispered in her ear.

“I won’t let you regret it.”

Upon hearing those words, Sang Zhi’s gaze faltered and she slowly blinked. She couldn’t quite describe her feelings at that moment. Her nose tingled and she instinctively hooked her arms around his neck, burying her face against his chest.

Duan Jiaxu kissed her ear gently and asked softly, “Do you want to drink more water?”

Sang Zhi shook her head.

“Then let’s go to bed.” Duan Jiaxu picked her up again and walked toward the master bedroom. “Little Friend.”

Hearing that, Sang Zhi lifted her head and pressed her lips together. “Didn’t you just say—”

“Hmm?”

His body was warmer than usual, and being held by him, Sang Zhi could feel the signs of his stirred emotions. She blushed deeply and struggled to speak, “You know……”

Duan Jiaxu understood, looked at her with a smile in his voice, and said, “I was just teasing you.”

“Oh.”

Just as Duan Jiaxu was about to free a hand to open the door to her room, he heard the person in his arms quietly say, “But I wasn’t scared.”

“……”

She tightened her grip on his clothes. This time, Sang Zhi’s voice carried a genuine hint of nervousness, yet no fear, “I didn’t say no.”

His movements stopped and he slowly retracted his hand.

Duan Jiaxu’s breathing grew heavier, warm against her neck and burning like fire. He closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure, but her words made it instantly slip away.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

Sang Zhi felt as if the places he touched were also burning. She forced herself to keep her voice steady, trying to appear calm, “I’m not a child anymore—”

Before she could finish, Duan Jiaxu tilted his head and kissed her lips.

The words she was about to say were swallowed back. Sang Zhi opened her eyes, unsure of what to do, her body stiffening. But because of his actions, she instinctively shrank back, only to quickly lean towards him again.

Her movements were cautious and timid, responding clumsily.

Sang Zhi felt as if she were floating in midair, weightless and uneasy, relying entirely on the man in front of her.

The feelings he brought were entirely new, something she had never experienced before.

Sang Zhi unconsciously panted, her voice trembling at the end, “G-go inside the room.”

Duan Jiaxu’s movements halted, as if he were laughing. Then, obediently, he carried her back to his room.

It was dark inside with only a small nightlight glowing by the bedside. As Duan Jiaxu laid Sang Zhi on the bed, her first reaction was to turn off the light.

And as the light went dim, Sang Zhi noticed a photo frame on the bedside table—  a photo of her and Duan Jiaxu on his graduation.

In the next moment, Duan Jiaxu leaned over, his body pressing against her back. In the darkness, he reached for the photo frame, slowly placing it facedown.

His lips landed at the nape of her neck, trailing downward in soft kisses. With one hand, he opened the drawer of the bedside table and took out a box.

The curtains weren’t fully blocking the moonlight from streaming in so Sang Zhi noticed his action and saw what he was holding. With her last shred of consciousness, she couldn’t help but ask, “When did you buy that……?”

Duan Jiaxu who was tugging at her clothes, shortly paused. Then he chuckled softly, his voice low and honest, “I bought it a long time ago.”

“……”

“It’s been gathering dust.”

After he spoke, Duan Jiaxu grasped Sang Zhi’s hand. He looked at her, his emotions laid bare in his eyes, and his voice was slightly breathless.

The room was dim and tinged with intimacy.

The man with dark hair and bright eyes, shedding his usual gentle demeanor, now wore a smile that seemed almost wicked. His eyes were filled with desire, deliberately enticing her.

Sang Zhi even felt their position reversed at one time.

Duan Jiaxu lowered his head, touching her.

Every motion grew more intense without him realizing it, dark and cruel thoughts swirling in his mind, yet quickly reined in at the sound of her voice.

Duan Jiaxu’s actions were tender and lingering, incredibly patient. He was attentive to her feelings, his words coaxing softly, “Don’t be afraid.”

Sang Zhi buried her face in the crook of his neck.

In this endless night, in the confined space, and at such close proximity, every sensation was magnified.

The soft whimpering of the young woman acted like a catalyst.

It stripped away all of his masks, revealing his truest self.

Transforming him into a beast, wanting to consume her whole and claim every part of her.

Duan Jiaxu’s eyes turned red at the corners and he whispered, “You’re mine.”

Desire and possessiveness intertwined.

At that moment, everything could no longer be concealed.

It filled the entire room.

After who knows how long, Duan Jiaxu lowered his head, kissing away her tears as he repeated, “You’re mine.”

After being tossed around by him for a while, Sang Zhi’s voice had gone hoarse. She felt drenched in sweat, sticky, and uncomfortable. She wanted to get up to take a shower but her legs were weak, completely drained of strength.

In the end, it was Duan Jiaxu who carried her to the bathroom and helped her clean up a bit. He lowered his eyes, seemingly deep in thought, and remarked, “It seems I was a bit too unrestrained.”

Sang Zhi, tired and sore all over, had no energy to listen to him. She just wanted to clean up quickly and go to sleep. Like a puppet, she let him do as he pleased, even the discomfort didn’t bother her anymore.

Soon, Duan Jiaxu touched her, adding, “Why is it swollen?”

“……”

“Does it hurt?”

Sang Zhi’s drowsiness almost completely faded. She took a deep breath and kicked in his direction, annoyed. “Can you please stop talking?”

Duan Jiaxu chuckled lightly, dressing her in a shirt before carrying her back to the bedroom.

The room held an air of intimacy that hadn’t dissipated yet.

Sang Zhi wasn’t used to the bed but she was too tired to care where she was. The moment she touched the bed, all she wanted to do was sleep. She crawled under the covers, but before she could settle in, he wrapped his arms around her through the blanket.

Duan Jiaxu smiled. “Let’s talk for a bit.”

“……” Sang Zhi’s voice was nasal, making her words sound muffled, “Let’s talk tomorrow, I’m tired.”

“Just after giving you my body, you’re already being so cold to me?” Duan Jiaxu pinched her cheek. “Why are you so heartless?”

Sang Zhi ignored him.

She could feel that Duan Jiaxu was still staring at her, his gaze intense. But she was really too tired. She reached out to hug him as if coaxing him.

Duan Jiaxu grabbed her hand and then fell silent.

Half-awake and half-asleep, Sang Zhi wasn’t sure if she was dreaming or if she actually heard him speak, “To be a beast once.”

It sounded faint, not quite clear.

A few seconds of silence passed.

Then he seemed to say something else, his voice drawn out, “I don’t want to be human anymore.”