Their bodies pressed closely together with nothing in between. It was Wanru’s first time in such close contact, and she felt so nervous that she didn’t know where to place her hands. Trying to recall the images she had glanced at in the book, she bit her lip and wrapped her arms around Xiao Anlan’s neck.

Surprised and amused by her initiative, Xiao Anlan raised an eyebrow and was about to take things further when Wanru shyly asked, “How long are we supposed to hold like this? Should we sleep like this?”

Xiao Anlan paused, a thought suddenly forming in his mind. Holding back his laughter, he asked, “Do you think holding like this is all there is?”

Wanru looked confused. “In the book, they were just holding like this.”

“Then?” Xiao Anlan asked. “Did you notice what they did next?”

Wanru murmured softly, “I… I didn’t look closely, but I did see that they stayed close like this. Is there something else we’re supposed to do?”

Suppressing a laugh, Xiao Anlan asked, “Darling, do you think just holding each other will make a baby?”

Wanru’s eyes widened. “Won’t it? Then what do we do?”

Finally, Xiao Anlan couldn’t hold it in any longer. He hugged her tightly, laughing until his stomach hurt, with Wanru’s face turning crimson from embarrassment.

She felt so embarrassed by her mistake that she buried her head and said nothing.

After a while, Xiao Anlan finally regained his composure. “Don’t worry; I’ll show you.”

Taking her hands, he kissed her on the lips, then slid his hands to her shoulders. Wanru shrank back slightly, “D-Don’t touch everywhere…”

Xiao Anlan smiled, his voice low, “Alright, I won’t touch randomly—I’ll touch carefully.”

Wanru blushed, “I didn’t mean that. Please don’t touch.”

Holding her hand near his chest, he kissed her fingers and said, “Didn’t you ask what we’re supposed to do after holding each other? I’ll show you.”

Wanru shook her head quickly, “I don’t want to know anymore.”

He smiled, “Oh, but you need to know. It’s something between husband and wife; otherwise, there won’t be a baby.”

Wanru looked at him suspiciously, “Are you telling the truth?”

Xiao Anlan’s hand moved gently across her skin. “Of course. Why would I lie to you? You didn’t finish reading the book, but don’t worry—I’ll read it with you next time.”

With her trust somewhat restored, Wanru tried to get comfortable as his hand continued to explore.

Seeing her reddened face and gentle, flickering eyelashes, Xiao Anlan felt two conflicting desires—to cherish her gently and also to see her surrender completely in his arms.

Controlling his impulses, he softened his movements. Yet even with the gentleness, Wanru tensed when his hand moved lower, stopping him with a reddened face, “No…”

Xiao Anlan kissed her forehead, whispering, “It’s alright. Don’t be shy.”

With a slight nod, Wanru finally loosened her grip, closing her eyes.

Xiao Anlan continued to kiss her gently, reassuring her as he prepared her. Finally, when he was sure she was ready, he entered slowly.

The unexpected pain made Yu Wanru bite her lip, tears welling up in her eyes as she whimpered, “It hurts…”

Xiao Anlan paused, softly kissing her forehead with tender concern. “The book says it will hurt the first time, but it won’t hurt in the future.”

Sniffling, Yu Wanru asked, “The book said that? I didn’t see it.”

Xiao Anlan found her curiosity endearing, even in such a situation. He answered, “Yes, it’s all there. That book has a lot to teach. I’ll read it with you sometime.”

As he continued soothing her and talking to distract her, the discomfort gradually faded. Her body began to feel a strange new sensation that she tried to endure, shifting slightly.

Xiao Anlan took a sharp breath.

Yu Wanru immediately froze and looked at him, startled. “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Anlan, voice thick with restraint, said, “Darling, I can’t hold back anymore.”

With that, he leaned down, his kiss swallowing her soft cries.

The next morning, Xiao Anlan woke from a sweet dream, stretching happily.

From the blanket beside him, he heard a soft murmur, and something moved slightly.

Xiao Anlan froze, quickly pulling back the blanket to reveal his dear wife.

Yu Wanru slept peacefully, cheeks flushed, lips slightly pouting and slightly swollen, brows furrowed faintly as if still restless in her dreams.

Xiao Anlan held his breath, watching her, afraid to touch her, lest it was still a dream and a touch would wake her up.

However, he quickly recalled the wonderful feelings from the night before, a big smile spread across his face, and he reached out to hold his wife in his arms, giving her a gentle squeeze. The soft, delicate touch made him sigh in satisfaction.

Yu Wanru stirred slightly, feeling uncomfortable, and slowly opened her eyes, only to be startled by the smiling face right in front of her.

Xiao Anlan quickly asked, “Darling, you’re awake. Are you still in pain?”

Yu Wanru frowned in confusion, wondering why he was there, but soon the aches in her body reminded her of what had happened.

Her face turned bright red as she slowly buried her head into Xiao Anlan’s neck, revealing just her flushed earlobes.

Xiao Anlan’s heart softened like his favorite cake. 

He gently stroked her slender back and softly asked, “Does it still hurt? Should I get some ointment for you?”

Yu Wanru shook her head, murmuring in a low voice while nestled in his arms, “It’s fine, no need.”

Xiao Anlan handed her a cup of water by the bed. “Then have some water to soothe your throat.”

Yu Wanru raised her head, sipping the water slowly like a small animal in his embrace.

Xiao Anlan had to pinch himself hard to resist the urge to pull her back down.

After she finished drinking, he gulped down the rest of the water himself, hoping to cool down.

Yu Wanru, completely oblivious to the tension, asked, “Should we get up now?”

Xiao Anlan glanced at his pocket watch, “It’s still early. Let’s rest a little longer.”

She shifted in his arms to find a more comfortable position, keeping her head lowered shyly.

Xiao Anlan gently lifted her head out of his chest, afraid she might suffocate. Yu Wanru’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes averted, too shy to look at him.

He kissed her gently on her lips and sighed, “Wanru…”

She thought he wanted to say something, so after waiting a bit and not hearing anything, she asked in a low voice, “Why did you call me?”

Xiao Anlan chuckled, “No reason. I just wanted to call you.”

Yu Wanru blushed and fell silent. After a moment, she asked, “Are Mother and Father up? We still need to serve them tea.”

Xiao Anlan reassured her, “Don’t worry, I told my mother last night we’d come down a bit later.”

She looked puzzled, “When did you tell her?”

They’d spent nearly all of last night together, so she didn’t remember him talking to his mother.

Xiao Anlan grinned, “I went downstairs for a snack after you fell asleep. My mother and father had just returned, so I mentioned it to them.”

Yu Wanru’s face burned. She wasn’t even sure when she’d fallen asleep, only remembering feeling exhausted and drifting off, only to wake up this morning.

She murmured, “You should have woken me when your parents came back.”

Xiao Anlan gave her a mischievous smile, “Even if I’d woken you, you wouldn’t have been able to get up.”

Both of them understood the reason why.

Yu Wanru was embarrassed and gave him a light slap, “It’s all because of you.”

“Yes, yes, all my fault.” Xiao Anlan kissed her again, “Thank you for your hard work, darling.”

Yu Wanru looked down without saying anything. She was genuinely puzzled, wondering why it was her body that ached when Xiao Anlan was the one moving most of the time. He seemed perfectly fine, while she felt sore all over.