Kiss Her Lips

Zhou Qishen lowered his head and his eyes, scrolling through his phone. His slow, measured words were nonetheless startling: “One is the wedding house, and the other is the wedding ring.”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiao’s mouth hung open, her expression changing again.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a marriage of convenience? Was it really necessary to go this far? Even preparing a wedding house and wedding ring?

“These are the wedding rings, take a look,” Zhou Qishen said, handing her the phone. “If you find one you like, that’s great. If not, I’ll have them redesigned. Of course, if you like them all, we can get them all.”

Jiang Xiao took the phone, unsure of what to say. She scrolled through the images, glancing at the designs. There were about a dozen different styles. If she took his offer to get them all, how could she possibly wear them? Change them every day?

Each ring had a different watermark, but all were from internationally renowned luxury jewelry brands and designs not seen on the market.

She realized that this wealthy benefactor was generously offering gifts again.

But thinking about it, from contacting the brands to completing the initial designs, it took time. He must have started preparing from the day they got their marriage certificate. This thoughtfulness was touching.

But no matter how moved she was, Jiang Xiao couldn’t bring herself to accept it. She hesitated for two seconds before returning the phone, “I don’t need a wedding ring.”

Her slender wrist, with its pale skin, stood in stark contrast to the black phone.

Zhou Qishen lowered his gaze, not immediately reaching out to take it. Instead, he frowned in confusion: “Why?”

Jiang Xiao casually pulled a reason: “If someone takes a photo, it will bring me trouble.”

To her surprise, Zhou Qishen didn’t believe her excuse at all. He chuckled softly and bluntly exposed her lie: “Didn’t you say that if someone took a photo, you’d make it public?”

Caught in her own words, Jiang Xiao was silent for a long time, ignoring the fact that Xiao Zhang was still in the car. She organized her thoughts and spoke from her heart:

“You’re putting too much pressure on me. We aren’t really married, it’s just a contract marriage. We’ll part ways sooner or later. What’s the point of all this?”

“Part ways?” Upon hearing this, the warmth on Zhou Qishen’s face slowly vanished. His gaze towards her grew increasingly sharp and complex. After a long silence, he finally spoke again: “Xiaoxiao, from the moment you approached me, it was never going to end on your terms.”

Jiang Xiao was stunned by Zhou Qishen’s words, unable to comprehend their meaning.

Noticing her retreating gaze, Zhou Qishen realized he had scared her with his momentary loss of control and had spoken wrongly. His clenched knuckles turned white, and a flood of regret filled his heart.

But the words had already been spoken and couldn’t be taken back.

After a brief silence, Zhou Qishen lowered his gaze and spoke in a softer tone: “I didn’t mean to pressure you. Newlyweds should have wedding rings, shouldn’t they?”

“As for the house, although I was planning to move anyway, I asked for your opinion because you suggested we live together.” His voice carried a hint of helplessness, considering Jiang Xiao’s consistently polite demeanor.

This made Jiang Xiao, who had firmly refused, feel at a loss. Yes, a wedding ring is something couples should buy, and the house was her idea because she wanted to live together…

She glanced at Zhou Qishen’s face. Though he was smiling, there was a hint of loneliness in his eyes, different from his usual self, clearly hurt by her earlier attitude.

Jiang Xiao, feeling awkward, thought for a moment and tentatively poked his arm, softly negotiating: “Then, after we divorce, can I return them to you?”

Zhou Qishen’s gaze fell on her pale fingers, his eyes darkening. They had just gotten married, yet she was already set on divorcing him. If he had known, he would have added a no-divorce clause to the contract.

But even if he had, she might not have agreed. Growing increasingly frustrated, Zhou Qishen pursed his lips, thoughtfully gazing at her: “Did I say you have to return them? They are gifts for you, and they’re not expensive.”

Not… expensive?

Jiang Xiao choked. Due to her background and profession, she considered herself quite wealthy—not a top tycoon, but well-off enough to live comfortably. She usually spent money freely without much planning.

But it turned out Zhou Qishen’s spending habits were even more extravagant than hers. These wedding rings, worth billions, were considered not expensive? Given away just like that?

After a moment of silence, Jiang Xiao decided not to argue. Perhaps to him, these things were insignificant. She stopped dwelling on it.

“Then you pick one. I’m fine with anything.”

“You choose,” Zhou Qishen said, not accepting her perfunctory response.

Jiang Xiao hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in to his insistence. She returned to the phone, swiped left and right, and carefully selected the simplest design.

After choosing the ring, Zhou Qishen discussed a few potential locations for their new home, leaving the decision to Jiang Xiao. “I’ll have it decorated in the style you like. By the time you finish filming this drama, it should be ready.”

His cool voice was slow and steady, respectful of her preferences, yet it seemed unnecessary to ask her opinion on everything.

She forced a smile: “I’m okay with anything.”

“Then I’ll handle it?” Zhou Qishen lifted an eyebrow.

Recalling the decoration style of Zhou Qishen’s house, Jiang Xiao spoke up: “Can we avoid black, white, and gray?”

Zhou Qishen understood: “You prefer warmer tones?”

Jiang Xiao nodded.

“Got it,” Zhou Qishen replied with a faint smile.

In the next moment, his slender fingers took the phone from her, ending the conversation.

The rest of the car ride was silent. Jiang Xiao glanced at Zhou Qishen, who seemed genuinely drunk, leaning back with his eyes closed, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed as if uncomfortable.

Jiang Xiao studied his sleeping face until Xiao Zhang, who was driving, interrupted: “Sister Xiaoxiao, we’ve arrived at the hotel.”

Jiang Xiao turned her head, recognizing the familiar scenery outside the window. They had already reached the hotel entrance without her noticing.

“Thank you, Xiao Zhang,” Jiang Xiao said. Seeing that Zhou Qishen hadn’t woken up, she assumed he was asleep and gently touched his arm. “Wake up, we’re here.”

But Zhou Qishen didn’t respond. Xiao Zhang, who had been listening to their conversation, scratched her head and cautiously asked through the rearview mirror: “Um, Sister Xiaoxiao, where is….Brother-in-law Zhou staying? Should I take him somewhere?”

Xiao Zhang assumed they weren’t living together based on Zhou Qishen’s comment to Director Zheng about heading in the same direction and their talk about a contract marriage. If it wasn’t a real marriage, they probably wouldn’t live together.

Hearing someone call Zhou Qishen “Brother-in-law Zhou,” Jiang Xiao felt a moment of awkwardness and a hint of shyness. “No need, he’s staying here.”

“At your place, Sister Xiaoxiao?” Xiao Zhang blinked in disbelief.

Jiang Xiao met her gaze, not denying it, which was considered as her tacit agreement.

Not wanting to waste time, Jiang Xiao was about to raise her voice to wake Zhou Qishen when she noticed his half-opened, sleepy eyes, looking at her with a dazed yet gentle expression.

Rarely seeing him so vulnerable and innocent, Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but smile and softened her voice: “Let’s get off.”

Zhou Qishen’s eyes sparkled, and he hummed in agreement.

After getting out of the car and entering the hotel, Zhou Qishen’s steps were unsteady, possibly due to the alcohol.

Seeing Zhou Qishen’s unsteady steps, Jiang Xiao pursed her lips and kindly offered, “Do you need me to support you?”

Zhou Qishen rubbed his aching temples and didn’t refuse out of pride, “Sorry for the trouble.”

*

In the ascending elevator, late-night travelers chattered noisily.

In an unnoticed corner, a couple clung together, their hands tightly interlocked like a pair of love-struck teenagers in the throes of first love.

Initially, Jiang Xiao was holding Zhou Qishen’s arm, but as more people crowded into the elevator, they ended up pressed into a corner, with him holding her hand.

Jiang Xiao felt the weight on her shoulder, prompting her to shift slightly. When she looked to her side, Zhou Qishen’s face was close, his soft hair brushing against her skin.

He had his eyes closed, his lashes long and dense, though not particularly curled. His lips were full and slightly pursed, almost touching her skin.

The elevator doors opened and closed, and passengers came and went until it was just the two of them heading to the top floor.

When the elevator dinged at their floor, Jiang Xiao said, “We’ve arrived.”

Even drunk, Zhou Qishen was quiet and compliant, following her out of the elevator, through the hallway, and into their room after swiping the key card.

With the lights on, Jiang Xiao saw that the housekeeping had done a good job tidying up, erasing the mess from last night and restoring the place to its clean and orderly state.

This reminded her of how Zhou Qishen had helped clean up last night, and any impatience she felt about taking care of a drunk faded away.

She guided him to the guest room, intending to let him collapse onto the bed. However, the difference in their weights caused her to lose balance, and she fell onto him, half of her body pressing against his.

His firm body made Jiang Xiao wince, their eyes meeting, his dark as ink.

In his mildly inebriated state, Zhou Qishen’s face was tinged with red, his expression somewhat dazed. The usually cool demeanor was replaced by a languid sexiness, enough to make anyone’s heart flutter.

Jiang Xiao stared at him for a few seconds, swallowing hard. Zhou Qishen seemed like a lamb to the slaughter, tempting her to take advantage of him.

But such thoughts were fleeting. In reality, she wouldn’t dare to act impulsively.

“I’m going now. Get some rest,” she said, brushing aside those thoughts. Just as she was about to leave, he gently grasped her wrist, as if silently asking her to stay.

Zhou Qishen suddenly leaned closer, using his index finger to pull down her mask, revealing her pretty, flushed face.

Jiang Xiao’s breath was still a bit rapid from moving his heavy body, and her lips and nose were slightly damp from the mask. Zhou Qishen didn’t mind; he softly brushed away the moisture, his touch lingering on her lips, his voice low and husky, “I want to kiss you.”

His straightforwardness caught her off guard, her heart pounding as if it might leap out of her chest.

She didn’t know how to respond. If he kissed her, it would cross a line, complicating their relationship.

Hesitant, Jiang Xiao felt a tickling sensation on her wrist as Zhou Qishen gently rubbed her bones, a tender urging for her answer.

She bit her lip and murmured, “Are you always this polite when you want to kiss a girl?”

Zhou Qishen chuckled at this, his hand moving down to entwine his fingers with hers.

“Xiaoxiao, I’m not exactly a polite person.” But for you, I have all the patience in the world.

He left the rest unsaid, but his eyes were full of longing. His disheveled hair partially covered his eyes, making it hard for Jiang Xiao to discern whether it was desire or something else.

In the next second, a strong hand cupped the back of her head, pulling her down forcefully, as if he wanted to merge her into his body, and he swiftly captured her lips with his.

**

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