Chapter 35.2

Lin Jinshen scooped her up effortlessly. Lu Yi’s pale arms looped around his neck. She’d been drained of energy since earlier, leaving her languid and unresisting. As he carried her into the bathroom, she remembered the gift she’d received today and confessed, “I’m sorry, I didn’t prepare a gift.”

In a soft voice, she added, “I thought we didn’t celebrate these kinds of holidays.”

This was clearly a loophole in their pre-marital agreement—understandable since it was their first time.

Lin Jinshen placed her in the bathtub, one they’d never used before but was spacious enough for two. Turning on the hot water, he let it stream down, splashing and rising as it filled the tub. He tugged at his tie, and as Lu Yi shivered under the spray, he leaned in to kiss her lips. In a low, raspy voice, he murmured, “You did.”

“…”

The sound of the water persisted, rising steadily to fill the bottom of the tub. At first, the heat was uncomfortable, but as she adjusted, she surrendered to the situation.

Lin Jinshen guided her hands to his tie. Without a word, it was clear what he wanted.

Eyes closed, Lu Yi felt as though fire burned beneath the tub, heating the water to a boiling point. Gifts, after all, needed to be given with effort.

In this case, she had to unwrap hers herself.

Sigh.

Lu Yi sighed deeply. She should’ve prepared in advance. Then, she wouldn’t have been this passive!

When Lin Jinshen lay down, the bathtub, already nearly full, overflowed with a splash, soaking the floor.

What happened next, Lu Yi had never imagined.

Since the house was one Lin Jinshen had prepared before their marriage, he was well-versed in the bathtub’s features: constant-temperature heating, whirlpool jets, three adjustable levels, pulse massage, vibrating massage… He had her experience every function firsthand.

The bathroom light was turned off at her request, but the bathtub’s built-in color-changing lights cast the water in an uncomfortably warm red hue.

Lu Yi clung to Lin Jinshen’s neck the entire time, afraid of slipping or choking on the water. Fully aware of her apprehension, Lin Jinshen held her securely, letting her cling to him like a sloth.

Tonight, Lin Jinshen was different from usual—unsympathetic, almost cold, yet a blend of tenderness and ferocity. When she cried, he kissed her eyelids gently to brush away her tears. Yet, when she relaxed, he would become ruthless again.

Even though they were surrounded by water, her throat burned with thirst.

He leaned close, brushing against her cheek. His lips grazed her earlobe, and he bit it lightly, whispering in a deep voice, “Do you like being called ‘big sister’?”

“!”

Lu Yi’s eyes, which had been shut tightly, snapped open. A jolt of electricity seemed to travel from her earlobe through her entire body. She curled up, both sore and weak, recalling the video Wu Sidong and the others had sent in their group chat.

In the video, under their prodding, the male model had greeted her sweetly as “big sister.”

“…” What did that have to do with her? When had she ever said she liked being called that?

She thought the incident in the car earlier was long past, but now he was bringing it up again.

“I don’t!” Lu Yi’s voice was shaky as she denied it, holding onto his arm without any effect on his actions.

“Really?” Lin Jinshen didn’t stop, his fingers gliding through the water—or was it something else? “I don’t believe you.”

Lu Yi was on the verge of losing her mind. “I mean it!”

“Then what does Yiyi like to hear?” Lin Jinshen asked, his lips brushing against hers.

“…” Caught in a storm of sensations, Lu Yi wanted to escape, but her body refused to obey. It was as if Lin Jinshen had thrown all shame aside in the darkness, and his brazen words left her unable to retort.

Eyes shut tight, she said nothing, knowing it would make no difference.

Lin Jinshen’s voice, low and resonant, was like a ripple that penetrated her eardrums, sending shivers coursing through her body.

That night, it happened twice.

When they finally got out of the bathtub, Lu Yi almost slipped from weakness. Lin Jinshen caught her with a towel and carried her out. Before leaving, she glanced at the bathtub. What had been full earlier was now only half-filled—the rest had spilled onto the floor and drained away.

Lu Yi closed her eyes, Lin Jinshen’s voice still echoing faintly in her ears.

She shrank into herself, her neck tucked in, her face still burning as if freshly steamed.

—

At the bar, the friends had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The male models were not only attractive but also attentive, earning a generous tip several times the standard rate. Both parties were satisfied. However, as the models were about to leave for the night, someone noticed that Lu Yi hadn’t responded to any messages in the group chat.

What was going on?

“Maybe she thinks we’re being too wild and doesn’t want to bother with us.”

“No way, our goddess wouldn’t.”

Yu Yin, half-lying on a couch, lazily nudged Wu Sidong with her foot. “Call her and see what’s up.”

“Good idea.”

Wu Sidong stood and dialed her number.

No answer the first time.

Nor the second.

This was unusual. Normally, no adult in this day and age would go hours without checking their phone.

Something wasn’t right.

Wu Sidong’s expression turned serious. Yu Yin, sensing the tension, picked up her phone to send messages and make calls as well. None were answered.

Biting her nails, Yu Yin grew uneasy. Then she remembered that Lu Yi had been with Lin Jinshen earlier.

“Should we call Mr. Lin?” she suggested, preparing to ask her cousin for Lin Jinshen’s contact information.

Before she could get it, Wu Sidong’s call was suddenly answered. His eyes widened in disbelief as he gestured for everyone to stay quiet. Tentatively, he asked, “Lu Yi?”

“Lu Yi, are you okay? Why didn’t you pick up earlier?”

“Are you at home or somewhere else right now?”

Yu Yin leaned in closer, frowning in worry, while the others anxiously waited for news.

“What’s she saying? Did she just miss her phone?”

Wu Sidong’s eyes grew even larger, stunned. After a long pause, he set the phone down, looking dazed and hollow.

Everyone was alarmed. Yu Yin grabbed his arm. “What happened? Didn’t she answer? Is she okay?”

“…She’s fine.”

The group sighed in relief.

But Wu Sidong hesitated, recalling the voice on the other end. Slowly, he added, “But maybe… not entirely?”

“?”

“Wu Sidong, are you trying to give us a heart attack?”

“What exactly was said on the phone?”

Leaning back on the couch, Wu Sidong seemed overwhelmed. “It wasn’t Lu Yi who answered.”

“Then who?!” A kidnapper?

Wu Sidong drank some water, calmed himself, and slumped into the sofa. “It was Lin Jinshen.”

“…”

—

Lu Yi fell asleep almost instantly, utterly exhausted.

Her legs were weak, her knees sore, and her entire body ached. She felt like a small boat that had been tossed in waves but had finally docked safely.

She slept deeply, undisturbed even by the ringing phone. Somewhere in her dreams, she heard muffled noises and burrowed further into the covers, irritated.

In her fragmented dreams, she was crying nonstop while Lin Jinshen, merciless as ever, pressed her down and intensified his actions.

He pinned her back, holding her from behind.

Lu Yi whimpered softly. Lin Jinshen, feigning concern, asked, “Too full?”

“…”

She bit her lip hard.

Emerging from the bathroom, Lin Jinshen’s phone was still ringing. Wearing a robe loosely tied at the waist and his hair still damp, he initially intended to ignore it. But when he saw the caller ID, he hesitated, then slid his thumb over to answer.

“Lu Yi?” came a male voice, uncertain and anxious.

“Lu Yi, are you okay? Why aren’t you picking up?”

Holding the phone to his ear, Lin Jinshen gazed at the lump under the blankets. Without a hint of emotion, he replied evenly, “She’s fine.”

“…”

Glancing at the bed, where she had burrowed herself completely under the covers, he added truthfully, “She’s just tired.”

“!!!”