The car packed full of gifts left the entire Lu family stunned. Meng Suihuan smiled helplessly and explained, “They’re from the aunties we passed along the way. I really couldn’t refuse.”

Lu’s mother chuckled softly, “Everyone remembers your kindness and has been looking for a chance to thank you. But you’ve come back so little over the past few years, they didn’t get the opportunity. Thankfully, this year you’ve returned.”

Lu Miaomiao added enthusiastically, “Exactly, exactly! Sister-in-law, you donated money to renovate the school and even established a scholarship fund. Those deeds are carved on the school’s wall! Everyone else at school knows I’m your younger sister and envies me so much. They keep pestering me every day to tell them stories about you.”

“Is it really that exaggerated?” Meng Suihuan raised an eyebrow, doubting whether Miaomiao was exaggerating. Back then, she had casually donated the money and never thought her name would one day be etched on the school’s wall.

Still, it felt… quite honorable.

After some more friendly chatter, the family happily carried the gifts into the house.

Lu’s parents adored their gifts and couldn’t put them down. Lu Miaomiao, on the other hand, eagerly tore open hers—a set of stylish new clothes, fabrics, and a book and magazines on fashion design.

“Ahhh! Sister-in-law, I love you to death!”

Last time she talked to her sister-in-law, she had boldly told her what she wanted as a gift. To her surprise, her sister-in-law had remembered and brought everything back. Overjoyed, Miaomiao threw her arms around Meng Suihuan and kissed her on the cheek twice.

Standing to the side, Lu Linshen frowned. “Miaomiao, mind your manners. Don’t scare your sister-in-law.”

“Gege, stop saying nonsense! How could I scare Sister-in-law?” She turned to Meng Suihuan and asked, “Sister-in-law, did I scare you?”

Meng Suihuan shook her head.

Miaomiao puffed up with pride. “See? Sister-in-law said I didn’t scare her. Gege, I think you’re just jealous because you can’t stand how close I am with Sister-in-law.”

“Hmph! Just because you’re married to Sister-in-law doesn’t mean you can stop us from having our sisterly bond. That’s impossible! I’m not giving Sister-in-law to you. Tonight, I’m sleeping next to her!”

Lu Linshen’s eyebrow twitched furiously. “…”

The once-adorable little sister who used to follow him around calling him “Gege” was now not only dismissive but also trying to steal his wife! She even dared to say she would sleep next to his wife!

Lu Linshen pulled Meng Suihuan closer, putting an arm around her shoulders to declare his sovereignty. “Dream on. Your sister-in-law is sleeping with me tonight. You’ll sleep alone.”

“Geez, Gege, I was just joking. Did you really have to take it seriously?” Miaomiao huffed. “Serves you right for forgetting about me after marrying Sister-in-law! You barely call me once in six months, and you even forgot my birthday gift this year. Hmph! I remember everything!”

After a round of teasing, everyone headed into the house one after another.

That evening, the family gathered around the dinner table, enjoying a lively meal. Lu Linshen kept serving Meng Suihuan food, picking out fish bones for her, and filling her bowl. Lu’s parents watched with smiles, while Lu Miaomiao clicked her tongue and teased, “Gege, Sister-in-law’s bowl is overflowing. Should I get you a bigger one?”

Meng Suihuan blushed slightly and leaned over to whisper to him, “Lu Linshen, that’s enough. My bowl is already full. Eat your food and stop serving me.”

Lu Linshen finally stopped, but he glanced at Miaomiao and said calmly, “If you keep teasing your sister-in-law, don’t expect to get your New Year’s money this year.”

Miaomiao: “…”

“Always with the threats.”


That evening, Lu Linshen carried both of their luggage into the bedroom, and Meng Suihuan followed him inside. The room was immaculately clean, not a speck of dust in sight. She reached out to touch the decorations and the lace fabric on the table, her gaze sweeping across the room. Everything remained unchanged—it was still arranged exactly how she had set it up herself.

The only difference was the presence of another figure in the room.

Recalling how he had wrapped his arm around her shoulders and what he had said earlier, Meng Suihuan sneaked a glance at Lu Linshen and then, without meaning to, at the bed. They were going to share the same bed tonight.

Thinking about this, her heart started pounding uncontrollably, and the air around her seemed to heat up, making her feel slightly flustered.

When Lu Linshen turned his head, their eyes met. His throat bobbed slightly as he walked toward her, his steps unhurried. He reached out, wrapping an arm around her soft waist, and asked in a low voice, “Suisui, can I stay with you tonight?”

Flustered, Meng Suihuan pressed against his chest and replied with a barely audible “Mm.”

After washing up, the two of them climbed into bed one after the other. Meng Suihuan lay properly on the inner side of the bed. With a soft click, the bright light was turned off, plunging the room into darkness. In the stillness, she could clearly hear his footsteps as he moved closer to her, step by step, and the sound of him taking off his shoes before climbing into bed.

This was the first time they had lain on the same bed together. Meng Suihuan inexplicably felt nervous.

The room was so quiet that she could hear his breathing—steady, but a bit uneven.

Was he nervous too?

Realizing this, she relaxed a little. After all, they had shared some intimate moments before. She had felt his warmth and his reactions toward her. She wasn’t the type to only dream of a hand-holding kind of love. She knew things would naturally progress.

Especially here, in the new four-story house, on the top floor where they were entirely alone. Lu’s parents and Miaomiao were two floors below. Even if something happened, no one would hear.

Thinking this, she stretched out her foot toward him, lightly brushing her toes against his leg.

She could feel his breathing quicken, but she didn’t stop, instead curling her toes slightly to tease him further.

Why wasn’t he reacting?

Just as she began to feel frustrated, a strong arm pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. Before she could feel triumphant, his urgent kiss silenced all her thoughts.

She closed her eyes, a victorious smile playing on her lips.

The kiss lasted a long time, but it only seemed to deepen her restless feelings. She couldn’t help but squirm, moving closer to him. Her throat let out soft, kitten-like murmurs that were surprisingly seductive, even to herself.

It was the first time she had heard herself make such a sound, and she felt utterly embarrassed.

His movements paused for a moment, and he exhaled unevenly before speaking in a husky voice, “Suisui, your voice is beautiful. I like it. Don’t hold back.”

He wanted her to let go and call out to him?

How could he be so wicked?

She tilted her head and bit him lightly through his clothes, but her actions, meant to punish, only seemed to intrigue him more.

At first, her bites were meant to express her emotions—just a quick nip before letting go. But she keenly noticed the way his body reacted, so she continued, teasing him while listening to his restrained, low sounds of pleasure. Finally satisfied, she raised her head, her eyes sparkling with the delight of having the upper hand.

“I like your voice too,” she said playfully.

She was like a mischievous child, turning everything into a game. But the nature of this particular game made him laugh, even as he struggled to control himself.

She knew she was teasing him, and he indulged her. But now, he was reaching his limit.

“Suisui, are you done playing?”

If she was, it was his turn.

Like a wolf cornering a lamb, he captured her entirely, wrapping her tightly in his arms so she couldn’t move. Then, mimicking her earlier actions, he began trailing kisses along her collarbone, neck, cheeks, and every inch of her skin he could reach.

She could clearly feel the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin, leaving a trail of sensation wherever his lips and tongue touched.

Slowly, an unfamiliar emotion filled her heart. Her body felt empty, as though something was missing.

At that moment, his voice, low and restrained, broke the silence.

“Suisui, I need to step out for a moment.”

“Where are you going?”

“Taking a shower.”

He needed to calm down and pull back before things spiraled further out of control. Just moments ago, his emotions had surged, and he’d done something impulsive and over the line. If he stayed any longer, he knew he’d lose all restraint. He couldn’t afford to let that happen—he had to take things slowly, to avoid scaring her.

“There’s no need for a shower…”

She sat up and wrapped her arms around his back, her face pressed against his waist and back. It was hard to tell whose body heat was higher.

“Lu Linshen, let’s try it,” she said softly. “Let’s be a real husband and wife.”

Her words exploded like fireworks in his mind, rendering him utterly still. His breathing grew erratic, reflecting the turmoil in his heart.

“Suisui, are you sure?”

“Mm…” she murmured in reply, her voice barely audible.

His breathing grew heavier, but a sliver of reason still held him back. Straightening his body, he hesitated, afraid she was acting impulsively and might regret it later. He restrained himself, saying, “Suisui, I can wait. You don’t have to…”

Annoyed, she interrupted, “Lu Linshen, are you even a man? Why are you so hesitant? Are you… incapable?”

No matter the time or place, no man could take such a challenge to his pride lightly.

Lu Linshen was no exception.

“Then, Suisui, don’t regret this later.”

“If you don’t come now, I’ll regret it right away! I won’t do it with you!” Meng Suihuan snapped, frustrated.

Lu Linshen could no longer hold back. Without wasting more words, he began to act.

They had both been ready for this, and everything quickly aligned seamlessly. He was patient, carefully recalling everything he’d read about this moment—he needed to be gentle and slow, to make her feel comfortable and cherished.

As he moved, he asked softly, “Does it hurt, Suisui?”

For Meng Suihuan, the experience was entirely new. At first, she had been very nervous, especially since she’d learned from others that a girl’s first time could be excruciatingly painful. But whenever she felt a twinge of discomfort, he would stop and give her time to adjust. Soon, the pain gave way to a different sensation.

When he asked how she felt, she felt shy but answered truthfully, “It doesn’t hurt.”

Then, she called his name again, “Lu Linshen…”

The way she said his name was captivating—sometimes light, sometimes heavy—like a melody with its own rhythm. He found it enchanting, though a bit repetitive, so he mischievously pinched her gently.

“Suisui, call me ‘husband.’”

Meng Suihuan obediently complied, her voice soft and endearing, “Husband~”

He thought her voice was the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard. The word “husband” sounded even better than “boyfriend,” “Lu Linshen,” or any other title she’d called him.

“Say it again.”

“Husband…”

Afterward, she lay against his shoulder, both of them drenched in sweat. She couldn’t help but ask, “Lu Linshen, are you sure you’ve never done this before?”

From what she knew, most people were clumsy and unsure during their first time. But he was calm, confident, and skilled, as if he’d meticulously prepared for this moment.

“Mm, I’ve never done it before, Suisui. You’re my first.”

He lowered his head, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered.

“Your first?” she exclaimed in disbelief. “Then how are you so good at it?”