Chapter 47

Tang Ruan chuckled helplessly and pinched Ji Ling’s cheek. “That’s just the scent of body wash.”

“I don’t care,” Ji Ling hummed happily. “It smells great, and I’m definitely going to tease him about it.”

Tang Ruan chuckled, casting a sideways glance at her. “Aren’t you afraid your brother will scold you?”

Ji Ling fell silent.

She looked at Tang Ruan with a cheeky grin and said, “I’m not afraid at all. You’ll protect me, right, Sister-in-law?”

The way she said it left Tang Ruan without a proper rebuttal. Whether she could truly protect Ji Ling, she wasn’t sure. However, one thing was certain—Ji Jing would never actually punish his sister. At most, he would deduct some of her allowance.

Thinking of this, Tang Ruan couldn’t help but laugh.

“Enough about your brother—he’s too busy.” She remembered her phone was still charging in another room.

“I’ll go get my phone.”

“Are you going to keep playing? Sister-in-law, do you play games?” Ji Ling suddenly extended an invitation, holding her phone in her hand. She whispered, “I’ve been so tied up by that senior recently that I haven’t had any time to play. Want to join me for a round?”

Tang Ruan glanced at her. “I’ll download it, but I’m not very good.”

“No worries, I’ll teach you.”

That night, the two became so engrossed in their new game that they played until three in the morning before finally succumbing to sleep.

–

Ji Jing arrived home late at night. A trip that was supposed to take a week had stretched out over additional days. Complications at a branch office in another city had kept him abroad for over half a month.

Winter had set in, heralding the approach of both Christmas and the Lunar New Year. Year-end was always Ji Jing’s busiest season, with constant business travel. But this year, he intended to shorten his trips. He wanted to spend more time with Tang Ruan for the holidays, ensuring they could go wherever she wanted without work interruptions.

Ning Ming had arranged for a driver to pick him up, but by the time they left the airport, it was already past four in the morning.

After a fifteen-hour flight, Ji Jing felt the fatigue weighing on him. Sitting in the backseat, he massaged his temples and asked, his voice hoarse, “What time is it?”

“Four-thirty,” Ning Ming replied. “Rest a bit, President Ji. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“Alright.”

Ji Jing closed his eyes for a brief nap. The ride from the airport to his home was smooth, taking about an hour. By the time they pulled up to the house, Butler Li was just waking up.

A man of habit, Butler Li followed a rigid schedule, going to bed at ten and rising at five. It had been his routine for many years.

As he walked out and saw Ji Jing dragging his luggage inside, Butler Li was taken aback. “Sir, why are you back at this hour?”

Ji Jing nodded slightly. “Morning, Butler Li.”

“Tired?” Butler Li asked softly. “Leave the luggage with me. You should head upstairs and rest.”

Ji Jing handed it over without ceremony. “Leave it downstairs for now. No rush.”

“Understood.” Butler Li scratched his head as he watched Ji Jing ascend the stairs with his coat in hand. Remembering something, he added, “Miss Ji Ling came over to see Madam Tang. They’re both sleeping upstairs.”

Ji Jing stopped abruptly, casting a curious glance back at Butler Li. “Ji Ling is here?”

“Yes.”

“They’re sleeping together?”

Butler Li nodded. “Indeed.”

Ji Jing raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Observing his young master’s expression, Butler Li silently offered a moment of sympathy for Ji Ling.

–

Tang Ruan was utterly exhausted. After staying out all day with Ji Ling and then playing games all night, her energy had been thoroughly depleted in one go.

She slept deeply, forgetting to ask Butler Li not to prepare breakfast. Occasionally, she seemed to hear voices in the room. Annoyed by the noise, she pulled the blanket over her head and drifted off again.

The next time she woke, it was to someone… kissing her awake.

She felt the weight of something pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe, and the warm touch of lips on her face.

Eyes still closed, she muttered, thinking it was Ji Ling rolling on top of her again, “Ji Ling, you’re squishing me.”

There was no response, but the weight did lift slightly.

Suddenly, a flash of clarity struck her. Even if it were Ji Ling… there was no way Ji Ling would be kissing her!

Her eyes flew open, and there he was—Ji Jing, looming over her. She blinked rapidly, stunned to find him in her room, on her bed. Swallowing nervously, she whispered, “Ji Jing? When did you get back?”

He gazed at her with dark, intense eyes, his hands braced on either side of her, his voice a low rasp. “Who were you calling just now?”

Tang Ruan froze, then quickly came to her senses. “Where’s Ji Ling?”

Ji Jing chuckled softly. His eyes glimmered with amusement. “What do you think?”

Feeling self-conscious under his gaze, she asked quietly, “How did you get in? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?”

Looking at her flustered expression, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“And?”

“And,” Ji Jing paused deliberately, “you surprised me instead.”

Tang Ruan couldn’t help but laugh. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she teased, “All this because I shared a bed with Ji Ling? Are you jealous, my vinegar-pot husband?”

She fired a flurry of questions at Ji Jing.

Without answering, Ji Jing leaned down and captured her lips, silencing her with a kiss. His mouth claimed hers, prying her teeth apart as his tongue entwined with hers, deepening the connection.

Tang Ruan’s hands were already draped around his neck, and as he kissed her, she responded with equal fervor.

Half a month without seeing each other had made her realize she missed him even more than she had thought.

Their bodies pressed closer together, arms tightening naturally.

–

Sunlight poured in through the window—it was already past noon.

They had been lost in their kisses, one after another, endlessly.

When Ji Jing finally sensed things were about to escalate, he reluctantly let her go. He placed gentle kisses along her cheek, giving her a moment to breathe and relax.

Ji Jing himself wasn’t faring much better. He leaned away slightly, lying beside her, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he took deep breaths. His hand, however, still held her tightly, unwilling to let go.

Their bodies had stirred with undeniable reactions, yet both chose to ignore them.

For Tang Ruan, it wasn’t a big deal—if something were to happen, she wouldn’t mind. However, in both of their hearts, it felt as though there was still a small distance to bridge.

After a long moment, Ji Jing pulled her onto his chest, his fingers playfully tugging at her flushed earlobe as he asked in a low voice, “What time did you go to sleep last night?”

Tang Ruan said nothing.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck, nuzzling against him, feigning innocence. “When did you get back? Did you shower?”

His scent was fresh and clean—definitely fresh from a bath.

Ji Jing tilted her chin, making her meet his eyes. “Don’t change the subject. What time?”

Tang Ruan hesitated, then attempted another deflection. “Where’s Ji Ling?”

Ji Jing: “…”

–

Ji Ling hadn’t expected her luck to run out so spectacularly.

After proudly boasting about sharing a bed with her sister-in-law the night before, she woke up in the morning—or rather, was forced awake by nature’s call. Still half-asleep, she stumbled to the bathroom. On her way back, she decided to go downstairs for water before returning to bed. But as soon as she opened the door, she ran into her brother.

Ji Jing glanced at her, smirking coldly. “Come here.”

Ji Ling froze.

She clutched the doorframe for dear life, trying to resist. “Brother, my sister-in-law and I haven’t had enough sleep yet. Can’t we sleep a bit longer?”

Ji Jing’s lip curled slightly, his gaze icy. “What do you think? Come here.”

“I don’t want to…” Ji Ling’s drowsiness vanished entirely as fear gripped her. She had a sinking feeling he was about to ban her from visiting again.

“Brother…”

Ji Jing frowned. “Out. Don’t wake your sister-in-law.”

Ji Ling mumbled an obedient, “Okay.”

She followed him downstairs, gulped down some water, and endured his lecture before being dismissed to the guest room for a nap. Feeling intimidated, she thought better of it. She changed her clothes, packed her bag, grabbed the breakfast made by Butler Li, and hurried back to school before more trouble could find her.

…

Tang Ruan read Ji Ling’s message and sighed. “She really went back to school? She didn’t even get enough sleep.”

She reached out and poked the man beside her, her tone soft and curious. “Husband, what time did Ji Ling get up?”

“Nine,” Ji Jing replied flatly.

Tang Ruan chuckled at his brooding expression.

“Ji Jing.”

“Hm?”

“Do you know how lucky you are compared to other men chasing women?”

Ji Jing said nothing.

Tang Ruan began counting on her fingers, muttering, “You get to kiss me whenever you want. You can waltz into my room, and now you’re even sleeping here. Yet you still get jealous?” She leaned closer, her face bright with amusement. “Are you really still jealous?”

Ji Jing pinched her cheek and planted a kiss on it. “Not jealous.”

“Sure,” she teased.

Yawning, she lay back down. “I’m so sleepy. When did you get home?”

“A little after five.”

Tang Ruan looked at him incredulously. “Then why are you up so early? Go back to sleep!”

“Not hungry?”

She considered, then shook her head. “Nope. Let’s sleep some more together.”

He was tired but could have powered through. Yet with her offering to keep him company, he had no reason to refuse—and, secretly, he was rather pleased.

“Alright.”

Tang Ruan didn’t ask him to go back to his own room. After being apart for so long, simply being close, even without doing anything, was a comfort and joy. She nestled against him and whispered, “Sleep.”

Ji Jing stroked her hair, holding her close, pressing a kiss to her head. His voice was husky with contentment. “Okay.”

The two drifted off together, wrapped in warmth and peace.

Time, along with everything around them—including the quiet shifts in their hearts—was gently changing.