◎ You’re the only one I’ve truly faced head-on. ◎

Two people, one sitting and one standing.

One was like a lazy cat, the other like an angry big dog.

Tao Xiaoxi finished the remaining water in her glass, leaned back in her chair, and petted the big dog. “I was just asking, since you didn’t, it means you’re really good.” She blinked. “Especially good.”

Chen Fang was at a loss for words, completely blocked by her retort. He could only threaten harshly, “Just you wait.”

“Oh.” Tao Xiaoxi nodded obediently as if intimidated, then added, “You better not touch me tonight. If you do, you’d be worse than a beast.”

Chen Fang sneered coldly, “If you dare to provoke me, don’t back down.”

“I’m not provoking you. Jiang Youlin says I’m timid as a mouse,” Tao Xiaoxi denied any intent to provoke him.

“That just means Jiang Youlin doesn’t know you well enough.”

“And you think you know me well? We’ve only been married for a few days.”

“Well, I’ve gotten to know you thoroughly in every way. And not just once.”

…

In the end, Tao Xiaoxi chose to concede. The main reason was that she was starving. After finishing one bowl of rice, just as she was about to scoop some more, she suddenly remembered something. “Oh no, Grandma said she was going to make salt and pepper shrimp for me tonight. Did you tell her we weren’t coming down for dinner?”

“I did,” Chen Fang replied, taking her bowl. “How much more do you want?”

“Just a small scoop. What did you tell Grandma about me not coming downstairs all day?”

“I said we were sleeping.”

…

“You’re awfully direct.”

Chen Fang placed the refilled bowl in front of her. “Do you think Grandma wouldn’t understand even if I didn’t say it?”

… Fine.

Tao Xiaoxi looked at the heaping bowl of rice before her and glanced up at him. Hadn’t she asked for a small scoop? What kind of scoop did he use—an excavator bucket?

Chen Fang met her gaze. “Eat more. You’re too frail.”

…

Frail? She’d kept up with him so many times, and he still had the nerve to call her frail? He ought to have some conscience.

Noticing the indignation on her face, Chen Fang’s eyes glimmered with faint amusement. “Just eat. If you can’t finish it, I’ll eat the rest.”

Since he seemed so eager for leftovers, Tao Xiaoxi left over more than half the bowl and pushed it toward him. Chen Fang picked it up and, in just a few bites, had polished it off.

He wasn’t exactly a refined eater who savored each bite slowly, but his eating wasn’t unpleasant to watch either. In fact, it was the kind that made you hungry just looking at him. Tao Xiaoxi, who was already full, found herself taking another two bites of vegetables while watching him eat.

After eating their fill and sleeping well during the day, it was reasonable to think that Chen Fang—having just tasted indulgence—would be eager for more, especially on a long night like this. However, he managed to restrain himself out of consideration for her health. Reluctantly, he behaved like a gentleman. The two of them sat on opposite ends of the sofa, catching up on work they’d missed earlier in the day. This time, though, the distance between them was slightly less than the night before.

After a night of “training,” Tao Xiaoxi had gained some insights and inspiration. She not only finished her tasks for the day but even completed her work for the following day.

Chen Fang, on the other hand, found it difficult to concentrate. The small foot peeking out from beneath the blanket kept catching his eye. The bright red nail polish had been replaced with a soft yellow at some point, something he’d noticed the night before. Her toes, pale and delicate like lotus roots, gleamed with a touch of tender yellow. They had once pressed against his shoulder, stiffening and then slackening in an instant.

The restless foot occasionally swayed, stirring a fire within him. Giving up on subtle glances, he openly stared.

Tao Xiaoxi rarely got distracted when she was focused, but his scorching gaze was impossible to ignore.

She turned to look at him. “What are you staring at?”

Chen Fang scoffed lightly. “Do I need to sneak a look?”

Following his gaze, Tao Xiaoxi stretched a foot out from under the blanket, placing it on his leg for a clearer view.

“Is it nice?”

Of course… it was beautiful.

Her pale skin, as delicate as jade, contrasted charmingly with the tender yellow on her toes.

Chen Fang’s thigh instantly tensed, the black fabric of his pajama pants revealing faint veins.

Tao Xiaoxi playfully pinched his pants with her toes. “Brother Fang, what color do you like? I’ll paint it for you next time.”

Chen Fang caught her mischievous toes in his large hand and shot her a warning glance. “Tao Xiaoxi, if you want to sleep peacefully tonight, stop teasing me.”

Tao Xiaoxi, ever sensible, immediately tried to retract her foot. But once given, it was hard to take back. His strength easily overpowered hers.

“Let me go,” she huffed. It wasn’t fair to accuse her of teasing him when he refused to let her go.

Chen Fang wanted to let go but couldn’t. The smooth, soft texture against his palm was impossible to release. His hand instinctively kneaded her foot, alternating between gentle and firm pressure, his rationality slipping.

Though he told her not to tease him, deep down, he wished she’d push his limits further. It would give him the perfect excuse to act on his desires. He didn’t care about being labeled a beast; in matters like these, trying to play the gentleman only made him unhappy, and she wouldn’t be much better off.

By now, Tao Xiaoxi had grown adept at reading his expressions. She struggled harder to free her foot, genuinely afraid this time.

“Chen Fang, I’m thirsty,” she said, trying to divert his attention.

Chen Fang held her foot firmly, sliding his hand up her leg to pull her closer. “Thirsty?”

She pouted, “Very thirsty.”

Chen Fang smirked, his expression oozing danger.

Tao Xiaoxi forced a smile, her heart pounding.

In the next moment, she was pinned beneath him on the sofa. Though the sofa was spacious, with enough room for her to sit, lie down, or even roll over, it felt like a trap once he joined her. She was cornered with no escape, completely at his mercy.

Her body was restrained, and her lips were seized in a forceful kiss. Chen Fang was like a bandit, his tongue a marauder, exploring every corner and claiming territory. He pressed his tongue against hers, insistently pushing deeper as though trying to pour himself into her completely.

Tao Xiaoxi resisted with all her might. She wanted water, not… this.

But no matter how much she resisted, his overpowering fervor left her no chance.

With her mouth sealed shut, she couldn’t speak. She could only pound her fists against him, though her punches were soft and lacked strength. Even if she threw ten more punches, they’d only add to his excitement.

In the end, Chen Fang relented and put away the battle flag. He tilted her chin with the edge of his palm, his heavy breath lingering near the corner of her lips. “Do you still want to drink water?”

…

Inwardly, Tao Xiaoxi cursed him as a scoundrel, but on the surface, she obediently shook her head.

“Will you provoke me again in the future?”

“I won’t.” Tao Xiaoxi promised but still felt a bit indignant. She muttered softly in her defense, “I just asked if the nail polish looked good. If that’s enough to provoke you, then you’re way too easy to provoke.”

Chen Fang’s breath hovered even closer.

Tao Xiaoxi hurriedly shook her head, wishing she could move her arms and legs in sync. “I won’t. I definitely won’t.”

Chen Fang brushed the corner of her lips. “You should provoke me sometimes, though.”

… Men are truly difficult to deal with.

Tao Xiaoxi leaned half against his arms and half against the sofa, recovering her strength after he drained it from her.

Chen Fang absentmindedly helped smooth her messy hair.

Tao Xiaoxi gave him a look of disdain and accused, “You’re so unhygienic. You just touched my feet and now you’re touching my hair.”

Chen Fang casually ran his hand down her face from top to bottom. “It’s all your scent anyway. If it’s dirty, it’s your dirt.”

… Childish.

He was childish, and so was she.

Tao Xiaoxi knew she couldn’t win against a childish man, so she declared a truce, closed her eyes, and rested.

Chen Fang fiddled with her trembling eyelashes and finally remembered what he had meant to say. “Tomorrow is Old Zhou’s birthday. I’m going to his house for dinner in the evening. Will you come with me?”

Tao Xiaoxi opened her eyes and looked at him. “I’ve noticed your relationship with Old Zhou is better than I imagined. I remember you were quite annoyed with him in school. What happened in between to make you like him so much now?”

When she first learned that Old Zhou had introduced Chen Fang to her, Tao Xiaoxi had been mildly surprised.

Back in school, Chen Fang had been one of Old Zhou’s frequent targets for criticism. He was often punished to stand outside, and Chen Fang never obeyed him, frequently talking back. Her most vivid memory was when Chen Fang disappeared from school for over a week. Later, Old Zhou rode his beat-up bicycle to find him at an internet café and chased him across half the county. Their relationship back then was outright antagonistic.

Now, although Chen Fang casually referred to him as “Old Zhou” and treated him with a casual arm-around-the-shoulder camaraderie, she could feel the respect he held for Old Zhou. Even her grandmother said that when she couldn’t persuade Chen Fang, she would ask Old Zhou for help.

Tao Xiaoxi found it fascinating. The student who least listened to the teacher had grown into someone who valued his words after leaving school.

Chen Fang flicked her forehead. “Stop right there. I used to find him annoying, and I still do. Where did you get this idea that I like him? Aren’t you supposed to be good at writing essays? How could you misuse the word ‘like’ like this?”

Tao Xiaoxi rubbed her forehead, glaring at him. “Do you men always have to argue and act tough?”

He clearly liked Old Zhou but wouldn’t admit it and wouldn’t let others say it either.

Chen Fang didn’t take kindly to her comment. “Alright, Tao Xiaoxi. Tell me, how many men have you seen to come to this conclusion?”

Tao Xiaoxi fell silent. Digging up the past could sometimes be playful, but other times it could be disastrous. Now was definitely not the time to bring up old history. She nestled back into his arms, found a comfortable position, and hooked his chin with her fingers, tilting his face back and forth for a better look.

“I’ve only ever seen you up close, you know, for real.”

Chen Fang: …

She really dared to say anything.