Looking in the mirror, Chu Yi saw herself wrapped tightly in a towel. She tugged at it again, making sure it was securely tucked under her arms before she carefully and quietly opened the door.

She poked her head out first, scanned the area, and only after confirming that everything was quiet and empty did she cautiously step out. She held the towel tightly against her chest, trying to cover herself as much as possible.

Despite the towel being large, it only covered her from her collarbone down to her thighs, leaving a large expanse of pale skin exposed.

Hunched over, Chu Yi quickly darted from the door to the bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and rummaged through it for her pajamas.

Her nerves were taut, as if she were a thief, moving quickly and anxiously. Just as she was about to put on the clothes, she suddenly remembered that the door was still unlocked.

Her heart pounded with fear as she quickly set the clothes down and rushed to lock the door.

But before she could reach it, she heard the soft click of the lock turning. The door was pushed open from the outside.

Chu Yi clutched her chest, eyes wide, as she met Qiao Anchen’s gaze. After a few seconds of tense silence, he quickly looked away, embarrassed, and politely stepped back, closing the door again as he muttered, “Sorry.”

The room fell silent once more. Chu Yi stared at the closed door for a few seconds before expressionlessly walking over to lock it.

The sound of the lock clicking was clear from inside the room. Outside, Qiao Anchen couldn’t help but replay the scene in his mind.

Breathing heavily, his forehead still damp with sweat from his workout, he felt his body temperature continue to rise.

He wiped his face and went to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of cold water.

When he returned, the bedroom was silent. The bed had a small lump in the middle, barely showing the outline of a body. Chu Yi’s face was almost entirely buried under the blanket, with only a few messy strands of hair visible.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’m back.”

There was no movement from the blanket. After a brief pause, a barely audible response came, “Mm…”

Qiao Anchen stood there for a while longer, and after confirming she wouldn’t say anything else, he walked over to the wardrobe to grab his pajamas. Just before stepping into the bathroom, he couldn’t help but say, “Don’t cover your entire face with the blanket. You might suffocate.”

Chu Yi: “…” Please stop talking. Suffocating is better than dying of embarrassment.

With that, Qiao Anchen watched as the lump under the blanket moved, and she buried herself even deeper, pulling in the few stray strands of hair that were still outside.

…Alright.

Qiao Anchen stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

Listening to the sounds outside, and confirming the water was running, Chu Yi finally threw off the blanket. Her cheeks were flushed from lack of oxygen, and she took deep breaths of fresh air.

She stared at the ceiling, her breathing gradually calming, and her embarrassment slowly fading.

When Qiao Anchen came out with his hair dried, the person on the bed had returned to normal. She lay there with her eyes closed, face calm and peaceful, as if she were asleep.

He moved quietly, keeping his eyes on Chu Yi as he carefully lifted the blanket and lay down beside her.

The bed dipped noticeably beside her, and Chu Yi’s eyelashes fluttered involuntarily, like a butterfly lightly flapping its wings, which Qiao Anchen immediately noticed.

“Are you asleep?” he asked. Chu Yi paused for two seconds before answering with her eyes still closed, “Yes.”

“…”

Qiao Anchen was silent for a moment, then couldn’t help but think of what had just happened. He considered for a moment before deciding to explain.

“Actually, I didn’t see anything just now. The towel was in the way, and besides…” We’re already married…

But before he could finish, Chu Yi reached out and covered his mouth, her eyes wide and bright, showing no sign of the ‘asleep’ look she had before.

“Shut up!” Chu Yi said fiercely, her shy heart completely shattered.

Qiao Anchen didn’t resist, letting her cover his mouth for a moment before gently removing her hand.

“I won’t say anything more.”

His gentle attitude calmed Chu Yi. She huffed lightly, then tightened her little blanket around herself and turned away.

The two lay side by side on the bed, neither speaking. The air was quiet, and Qiao Anchen stared at the orange light above, his thoughts in turmoil.

Images of that pale skin kept flashing in his mind. Her small shoulders, the way she clutched her chest, her collarbones forming a little hollow, and her wide, startled eyes like a frightened little animal, so shy and adorable.

Qiao Anchen’s throat moved as he suddenly looked over at her.

“Chu Yi.”

“What?” She didn’t turn around, still facing away from him, her voice muffled.

“We’re legally married.”

“…Huh?” Chu Yi turned to face him, puzzled. Qiao Anchen’s gaze was deep, dark, and calm, holding an unfathomable meaning.

Her mind went blank, her thoughts drifting.

Legally married… So… does this mean… we’re supposed to fulfill our marital duties…?

“I’m a normal twenty-eight-year-old man.”

“……”

They lay facing each other, and Qiao Anchen seemed to sigh softly. He reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and she tensed up involuntarily.

“I might want to do some things to you.”

Chu Yi was completely stunned, her mind blank, unable to react. She could only numbly follow his lead and ask, “Like what…?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them, wanting to kick herself.

Qiao Anchen’s hand moved to the back of her head as he leaned in closer.

“Like this.”

A kiss landed lightly on her forehead, then her nose, then her lips.

His movements were gentle and soft, his breath warm on her face, bringing with it the scent of the same ocean-fresh, slightly salty fragrance they both used.

The body wash that Chu Yi had chosen.

The buttons on her pajamas were undone, and his kisses gradually moved downward. Instinctively, Chu Yi’s hands gripped his shoulders as Qiao Anchen’s deep, husky voice resonated in her ears.

“And like this.”

“And this.”

Each word was accompanied by an action, as his fingers seemed to ignite a fire on her skin, spreading a tingling sensation from her tailbone upward. Her rationality began to dissolve, and Chu Yi closed her eyes, letting out a soft moan.

“Please… stop talking…”

She seemed unaware of the delicate softness in her voice at that moment, but Qiao Anchen froze for a second, then completely rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

…