Chapter 3 – I Want to Hold You

Shen Liwu suddenly remembered something she had said on their wedding day:

“What kind of man are you? Even eating my leftovers? I’ve never seen anyone so spineless.”

Her tone back then had been full of mockery and disdain, as if Zhou Yanjing’s actions had thoroughly disgusted her.

At the time, Zhou Yanjing had simply put down his bowl in silence. His gaze dimmed, but he didn’t say a word in his defense.

Now, in a moment eerily similar to that day, a wave of bitterness surged in Shen Liwu’s heart—more than anything, it was regret.

Shen Liwu, oh Shen Liwu, do you even have a heart? How could you hurt him like that? Even if you didn’t love him, you didn’t have to be so cruel.

Zhou Yanjing stood up, quietly clearing the dishes and turning to wash them.

Shen Liwu watched his back and felt a sharp pang in her chest. Slowly, she got up and walked behind him.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. Her voice was so quiet it was nearly drowned out by the sound of running water.

Zhou Yanjing paused, turned his head slightly with a puzzled expression. “Why are you apologizing?”

She stood behind him, her arms hanging at her sides, fingertips curling slightly.

Her gaze fell on his back. The fabric of his uniform shimmered faintly under the kitchen light.

She bit her lower lip and spoke hoarsely, “For what I said before. I… I didn’t know any better back then.”

Zhou Yanjing didn’t respond right away. He finished washing the dishes, dried his hands, and turned to face her.

His eyes were deep, as if they could see right through her soul. His lips were pressed into a straight line. “The past is the past. No need to bring it up.”

Shen Liwu looked up and met his gaze.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. She widened her eyes as a warm sensation landed on her lips.

Zhou Yanjing’s kiss was light and restrained, as if testing her reaction. His hand rested gently on her waist—not forceful, but firm enough that she couldn’t back away.

Her body tensed for a moment, then slowly relaxed. Her heart pounded wildly, and without thinking, her fingers clutched at the front of his shirt. Her breathing quickened. She could smell the faint scent of soap and sweat on him—fresh, and comforting.

Zhou Yanjing drew back slightly, his gaze intense. His voice was low and raspy: “Do you still hate me?”

Even he didn’t believe the question the moment it left his mouth. Why ask at all?

“I don’t,” she replied. At least not anymore.

She wasn’t rejecting his kiss—just a little embarrassed.

The lingering scent of noodles still hung in the kitchen air. Warm yellow light bathed the two of them, casting a soft silhouette.

Shen Liwu’s fingers absentmindedly rubbed the edge of the table as her heartbeat slowly settled.

Zhou Yanjing looked at her with calm, unreadable eyes, as if waiting for her next move. The air between them felt thick, like some invisible force was pulling at both of them, and neither wanted to break the silence.

From outside came the chirping of insects. A faint breeze drifted through the mesh screen, lifting a strand of her hair and brushing it across her cheek.

Zhou Yanjing raised a hand and gently tucked the hair behind her ear—natural and tender, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

She didn’t pull away. In fact… it felt nice.

“Don’t you have night training?” Shen Liwu changed the subject. Her voice broke the silence as she asked casually, trying to defuse the intimacy in the air.

Zhou Yanjing withdrew his hand, still calm as ever, his voice steady. “You just got here, and I figured you’re not used to the place yet. Ah Xiu is training the others tonight—I’m staying behind.”

His eyes remained on her, filled with a quiet warmth.

Shen Liwu nodded. Her voice was soft and airy: “Then… you should get some rest. It’s been a long day.”

Zhou Yanjing didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. He leaned down slightly, eyes level with hers, voice low and gentle: “What about you?”

Feeling him come closer, Shen Liwu’s breath hitched, and she instinctively stepped back until her spine met the cabinet behind her. She looked up and met his eyes, hers flickering with uncertainty. “I… I should sleep too.”

The corners of Zhou Yanjing’s lips lifted ever so slightly into a subtle smile. His voice was low, “Yeah. You should.”

His voice was like it was wrapped in a veil of gauze—softly brushing past her ear, carrying a warmth that was hard to ignore.

The person he liked was right in front of him. He wanted to tease her, but was afraid of scaring her off. Forget it… take it slow.

Zhou Yanjing stepped back a little and said, “The one you’re using has a private bathroom. You didn’t bring many clothes—just make do for now. Tomorrow I’ll take the day off and go shopping with you.”

“Okay.” Shen Liwu nodded.

Without another glance, she bolted out of the kitchen and ran straight to the bedroom.

…

It was already 8 p.m. Night had fully fallen. In the room, only a warm yellow lamp glowed faintly, casting a soft light over the red bedsheets and tinting everything with a cozy hue.

Shen Liwu lay on her back, fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of the blanket. The sound of crickets outside came and went, like a restless whisper urging her on.

Footsteps sounded from beyond the door, steady and firm, each one striking a chord deep inside her.

She held her breath, her heartbeat quickening involuntarily, fingers tightening their grip on the blanket’s edge. The doorknob turned slowly, making a barely audible click, and the door opened a crack.

Zhou Yanjing stood at the entrance, his tall figure stretched into a long shadow by the light behind him, falling across the floor.

He had just finished showering, wearing only a dark tank top. The muscles in his arms were taut and well-defined, radiating masculine strength.

His damp short hair was still dripping, water beads sliding down his neck and disappearing into the collar of his shirt.

His chest rose and fell slightly with each breath, the contours of his muscles faintly visible under the light, exuding an undeniable allure of masculine energy.

He was still drying his hair with a towel.

Only twenty-six, he gave off a mature, steady vibe—not at all like her stepsister had claimed.

After finishing with his hair, Zhou Yanjing walked over to the bed, lifted a corner of the blanket, and lay down on the edge, leaving a small space between them.

The light switch was the old-fashioned pull-chain kind, and with a soft click, darkness enveloped the room.

Shen Liwu turned to her side, eyes quietly falling on Zhou Yanjing’s back.

Sensing her gaze, Zhou Yanjing turned to face her, his eyes calm and deep.

“What’s wrong?”

His shoulders were broad and his back was straight. Even lying down, he still maintained that upright posture of a soldier.

Outlined in the moonlight, his figure was striking. Shen Liwu wondered—how had she never noticed how handsome Zhou Yanjing really was?

She didn’t reply. Zhou Yanjing asked again, “Can’t sleep? Not used to the bed? It’s probably not as comfortable as the one at home. If you don’t like it, tomorrow we can—”

“Zhou Yanjing.” Shen Liwu suddenly spoke.

“Hmm?”

“I want to hug you.”
It was just a simple desire—to hug him.

Zhou Yanjing froze for a moment. His body tensed, fingers unconsciously tightening around the blanket until his knuckles turned pale.

Facing her, his voice was low, “Did someone upset you? Was it Dad? If Dad said something to you, I’ll go talk to him. We didn’t have feelings before, and now we’re just trying to get along…”

Before he could finish, her arms had already wrapped around his waist, and a soft body burrowed into his embrace.

Zhou Yanjing’s body stiffened even more. His breath caught in his throat, pausing for a brief moment.

He could feel her warmth through the thin fabric, along with a faint, fresh scent—like a spring breeze brushing over his heart.