Hazy

Jiang Xiao felt like she hadn’t been drinking, her consciousness almost completely filled with a hazy color.

Right now, she tilted her head, her beautiful bare face slightly flushed, exerting all her strength to grab hold of the wooden boat in front of her, which was dragging her into an endless abyss. The oar dipped in and out of the water, stirring up significant ripples.

The dark slip dress straps hung precariously on her rounded toes, swaying back and forth with her movements, almost slipping off, finally, escaping her control.

The waves on the water grew larger and larger, the wooden boat rocking more violently, almost unable to bear Jiang Xiao’s slender body. It was unclear if the boat desired the person or if the person feared sinking into deep water, entwining each other, unwilling to let either side go.

The sound of their breathing was like a seductive melody, uncontrollable.

“No, no… I have an early flight tomorrow morning.” Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but plead. She really didn’t want to continue anymore. She now understood a lesson: men during this period were not to be provoked, especially not teased.

Suddenly, Zhou Qishen leaned closer to her, his thin lips brushing against her delicate neck skin, chuckling deeply, “Really? There’s never a truth in that mouth of yours.”

As he finished speaking, his thumb gently rubbed her lips, his distinct knuckles resting on her cheek, indescribably handsome, a subtle sensation flooding her heart, stimulating Jiang Xiao’s eyelashes to tremble lightly. She wanted to break free, but she was tightly imprisoned, unable to escape at all.

Jiang Xiao felt her face burning as Zhou Qishen’s words left her feeling belatedly embarrassed. Her usually lively eyes flashed with a hint of shyness. Suddenly, she thought of something, and she bit down on his finger, accusing him indignantly, “I shouldn’t have cared about you and let you suffocate to death…”

Zhou Qishen chuckled hoarsely, reaching out to embrace her waist, shifting her position so they were face to face. He lightly nipped at her collarbone in a shallow act of revenge for her earlier bite.

“Only my wife can be naughty, and I can’t? Are we really enforcing such dominance here?” His voice sounded somewhat muffled against her skin.

Jiang Xiao pursed her lips, her face flushing intermittently. She couldn’t help but tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear and retorted, “I’m not going to argue with you about this nonsense today. I don’t want to be unhappy with you today.”

After saying this, Jiang Xiao suddenly realized something, pretending to look fierce, she reached out and grabbed his neck, “I’ll let you off this time, but if you dare leave a mark, you’re done for.”

It was summer now, and wearing a camisole or a t-shirt could easily expose issues she didn’t want to deal with, unnecessary gossip and suspicion.

“Hmm, I’ll be careful,” Zhou Qishen replied casually, his deep eyes fixed only on her figure. He raised the corners of his lips slightly, his fingertips tracing lightly over her earlobes.

Jiang Xiao tilted her head slightly, her hair cascading, tickling Zhou Qishen gently. His strong arms wrapped around her like vines, his gaze growing deeper.

The boat capsized, the water overflowed, and everything finally ended.

Jiang Xiao sighed deeply, stretched out beside the big bed, closed her eyes comfortably. After a few moments of silence, she suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the man handling the sheets by the bed.

Jiang Xiao glanced at the nearly transparent item and narrowed her eyes dangerously, “When did you buy this?”

Without answering immediately, Zhou Qishen casually reached into the drawer and pulled out a half-opened pack of cigarettes, taking one out and placing it between his lips. Only then did he lazily raise an eyebrow, “Got it at the hotel.”

This answer surprised Jiang Xiao, her delicate face froze for a moment. But she quickly regained her composure and burst into laughter, “You’ve been thinking about this since Hengdian?”

“Not really.” Zhou Qishen played with the lighter, seemingly pondering her question. Then he tilted his head slightly, smiled faintly, and said something profound, “Ever since we got married, actually.”

Although Jiang Xiao had suspected his ulterior motives towards her, she never imagined it was to covet her body…

For a moment, she didn’t know whether to praise him for being so open and honest or symbolically rebuke him for his improper thoughts. After a short while, she chose the latter, glaring at him indignantly, “Tsk, turns out you’re a total pervert.”

However, her glare lacked any intimidation. In the current situation, it seemed more like a playful tease.

Zhou Qishen accepted her accusation with a nod and continued in the same vein, “Some things are better done with a title.”

“Huh, nice words,” Jiang Xiao refused to listen.

They locked eyes for a moment, and Zhou Qishen was the first to look away. He got up, put on his pajama pants, and threw a shirt over Jiang Xiao to cover her glistening body.

Jiang Xiao was still feeling hot, so she pulled it off and tossed it aside. She looked puzzled at the man about to leave and asked, “Where are you going?”

“Smoking.”

“Huh?”

Zhou Qishen didn’t stop on his way to the balcony, his footsteps toward it, responding to her with just a short sentence, “Not done yet, feeling annoyed.”

The man’s height and stature were so dominant that even in the dim light of the bedside lamp, his half-naked body looked even more muscular and powerful, standing there without any movement, yet still attracting everyone’s gaze.

Jiang Xiao turned over to face another direction, appreciating the sight of masculinity. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs — undeniably attractive. Just in case he forgot her promise, she kindly reminded him, “I said it’s up to you.”

Zhou Qishen glanced back at her from afar, thin lips blowing out wisps of smoke that rose and dissipated. His gaze was deep, carrying a hint of charm. He slowly curled his lips, “First times should always leave a good impression.”

Jiang Xiao was about to marvel at how considerate he was, understanding boundaries and all, but his next words wiped the smile off her face.

“Next time, I’ll continue where we left off.”

His nonchalant tone infuriated Jiang Xiao, causing her to grimace. She turned her head away and shouted, “There won’t be a next time!”

A low chuckle followed immediately, scratching at her heart in the quiet night.

Maybe another round wouldn’t hurt after all.

So, she teasingly used her words to provoke him, “Hey, seriously, you’re not coming back? Can you not perform anymore?”

This question wasn’t so much a provocation as it was genuine curiosity. She had read online that after a normal man ejaculates once, it’s difficult for him to get another erection in a short time, unless he’s exceptional.

But Zhou Qishen was no ordinary man; he didn’t fall for it at all. His expression remained indifferent, showing neither joy nor anger. He even teased her with a rhetorical question, “Not catching your flight tomorrow? Not in a hurry? Not tired anymore?”

Jiang Xiao opened her mouth to retort but her sore waist and lower body reminded her not to act rashly.

Finally, reason prevailed. She sighed slightly disappointed, “Oh well, maybe next time then.”

“Didn’t you say there wouldn’t be a next time?” Zhou Qishen smiled ambiguously.

Jiang Xiao was exasperated, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at him, “You! Can’t you stop teasing me to death?”

Zhou Qishen reached out with his long arm and effortlessly caught her. At the same time, his handsome face lit up with a brilliant smile. “Are you kidding? I call this spicing up our married life.”

“What kind of ‘spice’ is this? You’re just enjoying yourself…” Jiang Xiao didn’t even bother feeling embarrassed.

But he always managed to catch her off guard with his words, immediately finding a way to counter her, leaving her speechless and feeling strangely bashful.

“I’m done with you. I’m going to wash up and sleep.” Jiang Xiao couldn’t argue with him, so she casually put on the pajamas he tossed to her and was about to get out of bed to put on shoes and take another shower.

Little did she know, in that short moment, Zhou Qishen extinguished his cigarette butt, threw aside the pillow in the way, and walked towards her direction. Pointing to his own face, he said, “Wife is unhappy? Do you want to vent your anger by beating your husband?”

“Get lost.” Jiang Xiao tried to push his arm without much temper, but whatever he did made his body firm and unmoving.

Zhou Qishen stared at her cute and lovely expression. A tingling sensation quietly surged within him, replacing any playful thoughts with a stirring heat.

Jiang Xiao lowered her eyes to their slippers, wondering why he wasn’t saying anything. Just as she raised her head, she was pressed into his arms and kissed. In the struggle, she heard his shameless voice say, “How about another round?”

“I’m not coming. I want to sleep.” Who would go along with his whims? She had suggested continuing just now, and he disagreed. Now it was her turn to refuse.

But she underestimated Zhou Qishen’s shamelessness. He openly hugged her and was about to head to the bathroom, his intentions blatantly obvious. Moreover, he considerately explained his actions, “Hmm, I’ll help you wash up, then we’ll sleep right away.”

“No, don’t.”

“Let go!”

“No…”

The trembling tail of her voice was drowned out by the sound of splashing water.

*

Mid-July.

Since returning to Hengdian from the Zhou family’s old house that day, Jiang Xiao hasn’t answered Zhou Qishen’s calls for half a month. He did reply to his WeChat messages, but only to stop him from coming to Hengdian to “make amends”.

To be honest, her anger had already dissipated completely after so long. Besides, she had received a luxurious gift from Mother Zhou, a vintage emerald bracelet.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiao couldn’t help but recall the morning she left. During breakfast, Su Miwan handed this substantial gift to her in front of everyone from the Zhou family. All eyes were on her, and she couldn’t refuse it.

The filming progress went much faster than she had anticipated. The next location was Suzhou, where her grandfather lived. She intended to take a few days off to visit him.

However, should she bring Zhou Qishen along?

Logically, since he had introduced her to his family, she should introduce him to hers as well. It’s only proper in terms of mutual respect.

But she was worried that doing so might deepen their bond…

No, why was she worrying about that? What could be deeper than physical intimacy?

Honestly, she wasn’t ready to end things yet, so it wouldn’t hurt to bring him to meet her grandfather, right? After all, her grandfather would also start pressuring her about marriage. Instead of being nagged, it might be better to introduce Zhou Qishen to him and cut off future problems.