In Shuangyang County.
Besides celebrating the New Year, Meng Suihuan visited old friends in the county and her uncle at the transportation company. She also checked in with the employees at the transportation company, supermarket, and other businesses, handing out red envelopes and offering words of encouragement. Everyone was delighted and motivated.

Once all the family matters were handled, she and Lu Linshen returned to Ning City, quickly diving back into work. During this period, both of them were extremely busy. She focused on drafting new development plans, traveling across the country to evaluate suitable locations for new projects. Meanwhile, Lu Linshen poured his heart into game development. The first version of the game was already complete and undergoing testing and trials.

Due to their busy schedules, they only managed to meet three times in two months, spending the rest of their time talking on the phone. Over the phone, it was clear that not only did he miss her, but she also missed him deeply. She longed to hold him, kiss him, and be intimate with him.

Fortunately, her project inspections concluded, leaving her with a short break. She decided to surprise him by returning home early. During one of their calls, he asked when she would be back, and she fibbed, saying it would take another week. She packed her bags and quietly made her way home.

On her way back, he called her, but she didn’t answer for fear of giving herself away. She even refrained from replying to his messages, saving her affectionate words for when she could say them to him in person.

Since the New Year, Lu Linshen had moved into her place to live with her. Waiting by the door for him, her heart raced when she heard the sound of the lock turning.

The door opened, the lights flicked on, and she immediately threw herself into his arms. Looking up at his smiling face, she grinned. “Surprised?”

His response was a passionate and urgent kiss, falling on her like raindrops, one after another.

They were like dry wood meeting a raging fire, unable to stop.

This time, Lu Linshen was entirely different from before. If the previous times felt like a spring breeze, this time was a storm—violent, hurried, and overwhelming, with a force that sought to consume everything.

Meng Suihuan could barely handle it, repeatedly begging him to “slow down.” But he didn’t listen; instead, he became even more intense, stirring up chaos. She asked him to stop three times, but he ignored her every time.

When the heated passion subsided and tranquility returned, Meng Suihuan felt utterly spent, like a flower battered by the tempest, its petals scattered everywhere. She didn’t even have the energy to speak and could only glare at him in anger.

But this man, thick-skinned as he was, shifted from his earlier disregard to now showing concern, asking if she was in pain.

Hmph.

She turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge him.

Burying his face in her neck, his voice hoarse, he whispered an apology, “I’m sorry, Suisui. I lost control.”

She still ignored him, so he continued speaking on his own. “Suisui, you can hit me or scold me, just don’t ignore me, okay?”

How could he pin all the blame on her? “When have I ever hit or scolded you, Lu Linshen? You’re twisting the truth. You’re the one who bullied me—” She trailed off, glaring at him.

He immediately conceded. “You’re right. It’s all my fault. I apologize, okay, Suisui?”

She let out a small huff, and Lu Linshen continued coaxing her in a soft voice. “Suisui, I have some good news for you. Our game’s testing results have been excellent. Once we release it to the market, your dividends this year will increase fivefold.”

It was indeed good news, but it was her rightful share to begin with. Grinding her teeth, she retorted, “Lu Linshen, don’t think you can brush this off. Explain yourself—what kind of madness just overtook you?”

Lu Linshen was silent for a moment before responding, “Suisui, your surprise return was too overwhelming. It completely shattered my self-control.”

Meng Suihuan gritted her teeth. “So this is my fault now?”

“No, it’s not your fault—it’s mine. My self-control was too poor, and I couldn’t resist temptation.”

Meng Suihuan: “…”

No matter how glib he was, she remained unmoved. “Since you admit you were wrong, there must be consequences.”

“Suisui, whatever you say goes. How would you like to punish me?”

Meng Suihuan let out a soft huff. “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll let you know when I do.”

Punishment Ideas Came Quickly to Her

That night, lying in bed with Lu Linshen, Meng Suihuan began teasing and taunting him. Just as he was about to lose control, she smiled like a mischievous sprite. “Lu Linshen, I’ve decided on your punishment.”

He groaned in frustration, his hands not stopping their movements. “…What’s the punishment, Sui sui?”

“The punishment is that for the next three nights, you have to keep yourself in check—no touching me.” She grinned mischievously, her fingers trailing down his chest, leaving a faint line as they moved.

Lu Linshen’s breathing grew heavier. “Suisui, then… can you touch me instead?”

“Of course! I didn’t do anything wrong, so I don’t need to be punished.”

The next moment, she felt her hand being gently placed on his firm abs. Oh, he knew exactly how to cater to her preferences.

Hmph. Did he think she was that easy to manipulate? He could try all the tricks he wanted.

In his most magnetic, cello-like voice, he murmured sweet words of affection, his tone like honey, inviting her closer. “Suisui, would you please… touch me?”

The first night ended in failure.

That night, Meng Suihuan reflected deeply, resolving to not let him win on the second night. When he used his voice to charm her, she silently recited the names of dishes, clothing brands, and designer bags in her head. Surprisingly, it worked.

With the experience of the first two nights, by the third night, she was fully in control. Not only could she keep her composure, but she also toyed with him mercilessly—like teasing a kitten, one playful jab at a time.

Of course, there were moments when he was close to breaking, but whenever that happened, she sweetly reminded him, “Shen Shen, not tonight. Don’t forget—you’re still being punished.”

Hmph. She was not one to let things slide.

Lu Linshen, already at his limit, was drenched in sweat. Her soft calls of “Shen Shen” only added to his torment. His hoarse voice carried a hint of warning. “Suisui, tonight is the last night. Don’t push too far.”

Unfazed, Meng Suihuan continued her playful torment until she was satisfied.

At midnight, feeling drowsy, she was startled by a sound near her ear. She thought it was a phone ringing and groggily mumbled, “Who’s calling so late?”

“It’s not a call, Suisui,” Lu Linshen replied after a brief pause, his voice low and husky in the dark. “It’s my alarm.”

“Lu Linshen, are you crazy? Setting an alarm at this hour? You’re disturbing my sleep.”

“It’s past midnight, Suisui.”

Still half-asleep, her mind muddled, she didn’t grasp the meaning of his words until she was pulled into a fervent kiss, his passion unmistakable. Before long, he moved down toward her, his intentions clear.

A light drizzle turned into a torrential downpour that lasted the entire night. Meng Suihuan heard it all—the soft patter, the raging storm, and the eventual calm. It wasn’t until then that she finally understood the meaning behind his “It’s past midnight.” ^[1]T/L’s Note: They are not talking about the real rain though hahahahaahaha cheers to those who got it, I wanna write a bedscene for them but, I opt not to do it because I want the essence of the … Continue reading

Perhaps due to the lack of rest, her usually reliable biological clock failed her. When she woke up, it was already 1 PM.

Seeing the time, she nearly fainted on the spot. “Lu Linshen, you broke your promise! Look at you, and then look at me. Was this punishment for you or for me? And look at the time—it’s 1 PM! I never sleep in, and now I’ve slept until the afternoon. What will the company think of me? And these dark circles, my sore legs, and the marks all over my body—how am I supposed to leave the house?”

“It’s all your fault, all your fault…” She pounded her fists against him, but he didn’t resist, letting her vent her frustrations. Once she calmed down, he held her hands and said gently, “Suisui, it’s my fault, but I can explain.”

“Explain? Explain my foot!” She glared at him, puffing her cheeks in anger. “Fine, I’ll give you a chance. Go ahead and try to weasel your way out of this.”

Lu Linshen: “…”

Fine, Let Him Defend Himself

At least he still had a chance to speak.

“Suisui, who started it last night?” he asked.

She snorted lightly. “I was punishing you.”

“Hmm, and didn’t the punishment have a set duration? Three days, wasn’t it? I stuck to the agreement and refrained from touching you for three whole days. Last night, I waited until after midnight, after the three days were over. So, technically, I didn’t break my promise.”

“And today is the weekend, your day off. It didn’t interfere with your work or embarrass you in front of anyone.”

Meng Suihuan was speechless. Oh, so he’d calculated everything in advance.

She decided not to dwell on the timing and immediately shifted her argument. “…Then what about bullying me? Look at the marks on my body, the dark circles under my eyes, and the fact that I couldn’t get out of bed. It’s all your fault!”

Lu Linshen nodded without hesitation. “Yes, it’s my fault. My self-control was too poor. I couldn’t hold back. But, Suisui, how about we carefully recall how the second round started?”

The memory flooded her mind—it was her who initiated it. Her face flushed with guilt. “…Fine, I started it, but if you had better self-control, there wouldn’t have been a second or third round. I don’t care. It’s still your fault.”

“Suisui, when it comes to you, my self-control is always weak. You don’t even have to do anything; your mere presence draws me in. If being attracted to you is a mistake, it’s one I’ll gladly make again and again.”

How did this conversation suddenly turn into sweet talk? And what was this nonsense about her being attractive? She wasn’t some kind of flower luring bees.

Still, did she have some kind of scent on her? She lowered her head and sniffed herself. No, nothing unusual.

He easily guessed her thoughts and clarified, “Suisui, the attraction I’m talking about isn’t about scent or looks. It’s a natural pull, something that exists simply because it’s you.”

This sounded familiar—something her friends had mentioned before, something she had secretly envied. She never thought she and Lu Linshen would experience this too.

Unconsciously, the corners of her lips lifted.

Seeing her mood improve, he extended an invitation. “Suisui, being angry is fine, but don’t stay mad on an empty stomach. I made your favorite chicken stew with mushrooms. It’s fresh out of the pot and still warm.”

“Even if you want to stay mad, at least fill your stomach first. Let’s eat something, okay?”

Fine. He knew how to talk his way out.

She tilted her head, glanced at him, and hummed softly, accepting the olive branch. “I just so happen to be hungry.”

—

Warm Comfort in the Cold Weather

During the cold season, stews were the go-to meal. The chicken stew with mushrooms was fragrant, tender, and melted in her mouth. Even the bones seemed to fall apart effortlessly.

Lu Linshen had truly improved. When he first started cooking, his dishes were barely passable, just ordinary home-cooked meals. Now, his cooking could rival that of high-end restaurants in terms of flavor and presentation.

He didn’t miss a beat, serving her with care—picking out the best parts and making sure her plate was never empty.

Not being ungrateful, she gave him a thoughtful reminder. “Lu Linshen, Shoucheng Group has been in contact with gaming companies lately—specifically with those that didn’t pass the last selection process. Be careful. Something’s off.”

Ever since the Changning Airport incident, she’d been paying close attention to Shoucheng Group. Knowing Yang Xun’s usual sneaky tactics, she suspected foul play.

Lu Linshen poured her some hot soup, his eyes filled with warmth. “Thank you, Suisui, for your reminder and concern. We’ll be cautious.”

Just as he finished speaking, his phone on the table started ringing.

Meng Suihuan thought it was her phone and reflexively picked it up, answering the call. It wasn’t until she heard Qin Yu’s voice that she realized she had answered the wrong phone.

After hanging up, she looked at him with a serious expression. Her tone was grave.

“Lu Linshen, Lao Qin just called. There’s a problem with the game.”