The air seemed to fall silent for a moment.
His fingertips, calloused from years of use, brushed past the tip of her ear.
Qin Nuan was completely enveloped by his powerful, almost hypnotic presence.
Even her skin broke out in a fine layer of goosebumps.
Shen Shiyan’s gaze deepened.
The closer he got, the more distinct her unique scent became.
Just like that night, it stirred his nerves.
Qin Nuan instinctively closed her eyes, her lashes trembling even harder.
Fine, if it’s coming, let it come!
Their relationship now was that of husband and wife.
The agreement had made it clear—if he really wanted to do something, it was well within his rights.
But she waited nervously for a long moment, and nothing happened.
She couldn’t help but cautiously crack one eye open.
Only to find Shen Shiyan had already straightened up.
He stood with his arms crossed, as if he’d been waiting for her to open her eyes.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, his gaze carrying a hint of teasing as he watched her with leisurely amusement.
Huh?
Qin Nuan froze, then instantly realized what had happened.
He’d deliberately been messing with her.
Her face flushed bright red in an instant, a mix of embarrassment and mortification washing over her. She shot him a soft, reproachful glare.
They’d only been married for a day, yet it felt like Shen Shiyan had become a completely different person.
The first time she’d seen him in his office, he’d been cold as ice, sparing barely a word.
But today, he’d protected her, helped her carry her luggage, smiled, and even teased her.
There was a warmth to him now, a touch of the ordinary.
As if reading her thoughts, Shen Shiyan smiled faintly at her.
“Qin Nuan, I’m human too.”
“Before today, you were just my employee—someone who accidentally walked into my room. But from today onward, you’re my wife.”
The word “wife” left his lips for the first time, and Qin Nuan was momentarily stunned.
She suddenly realized that he seemed to take this relationship far more seriously than she’d expected.
Somehow, her heart relaxed a little.
Before she could snap back to her senses, he tilted his chin toward the second floor and said calmly:
“It’s late. Go back to sleep.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t touch you tonight. I’ll sleep in the guest room.”
Qin Nuan let out a silent sigh of relief.
Flustered, she muttered a quick thank-you, grabbed her mermaid pillow, and fled back to her room.
Shen Shiyan watched her flustered retreat, his gaze lingering meaningfully.
.
Night fell.
The sound of water stopped.
Shen Shiyan stepped out, bare-chested.
He’d been showering, yet there wasn’t a trace of steam in the bathroom—he’d washed in cold water.
Water droplets slid down his chiseled chest, tracing over his defined eight-pack abs before disappearing into the edge of his towel.
He casually threw on a robe and pushed open the balcony door.
The room next door was Qin Nuan’s.
She was sleeping in his bed right now.
Shen Shiyan looked at that window, his eyes dark and deep.
A rabbit—obedient, soft, a little timid, and prone to blushing at the slightest tease.
And that glare she’d shot him on the sofa earlier.
Soft as could be, yet trying to act fierce, her red lips pouting slightly, her eyes shimmering—it only made her more alluring.
But when cornered, she’d flash her little claws.
Just like with that scumbag ex-boyfriend of hers—clean and decisive, not a hint of hesitation.
This rabbit was even more adorable than he’d imagined.
And now, she’d already fallen into his trap.
He wasn’t in a hurry.
Push too hard, and she’d get scared.
Besides, it was only her first day here, and she was clearly nervous and terrified.
He wanted her, yes, but he wasn’t that much of a beast.
Slow and steady.
.
The next morning.
Qin Nuan opened her eyes and blinked blankly for a moment.
It took a while before she remembered.
She was married. She’d moved into Shen Shiyan’s house.
She hurried through her morning routine and headed downstairs—then paused mid-step when she saw who was downstairs.
Shen Shiyan stood impeccably dressed in a suit, wearing plain glasses, leisurely adjusting his cuffs.
He had transformed back into the cold, aloof person from the office.
Qin Nuan paused briefly, then said softly, “Morning.”
“Morning.” He nodded.
Afraid of being late, she was about to head out when he called her back.
“Ride with me today.”
Qin Nuan hesitated, turned around, and looked at him nervously. “That’s not a good idea. What if someone sees us?”
Before the marriage, she and Shen Shiyan had agreed.
To keep it a secret.
Especially at the company.
After all, they would divorce in a year anyway; making the relationship public would only cause trouble.
He had agreed to that too.
“I’ll drop you off before we get there. Otherwise, you’ll definitely be late.”
With that, he tapped his watch. “If you’re going to walk, get up earlier from now on.”
Qin Nuan glanced at the time—she really couldn’t make it.
This was an upscale neighborhood; finding the subway station would probably take forever.
In the end, she got into his car.
He spoke very little along the way.
Qin Nuan stole a few glances at his ridiculously handsome profile, muttering inwardly:
The moment this man puts on glasses, it’s like he seals away whatever trace of warmth he has.
When the car neared the company, she was about to get out when Shen Shiyan suddenly called her back.
Qin Nuan turned around, and he said, “Prepare yourself. This weekend, you’re coming with me to the Shen family estate.”
“Oh.” Qin Nuan responded.
But after it sank in, she stared at him wide-eyed and stammered, “Th-this soon?”
Even though it had been agreed upon long ago, she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
With such a prestigious family, she had no preparation at all.
He looked at her, his expression serious, with no hint of joking.
After a few seconds, Qin Nuan drooped her head in defeat. “I understand.”
.
For the following week, the two lived a low-key, secret married life.
Shen Shiyan was very busy, often coming home late. Sometimes Qin Nuan wouldn’t even see him before going to bed, but she was perfectly content with that.
The two still hadn’t shared a room.
He treated her with complete respect.
But the contrast in their roles sometimes added a hint of thrilling secrecy to everyday life.
On Thursday, during the department meeting,
an important client was present, and Shen Shiyan came to observe.
When he arrived, everyone stood up and greeted him with “President Shen,” and Qin Nuan joined in as well.
Shen Shiyan responded indifferently, took a seat at the back, and idly toyed with a pen in his hand.
Qin Nuan glanced at him unintentionally, and her heart suddenly raced—
Last night, it was those very hands that had gently traced her lips.
He hadn’t had a business dinner last night and had come home early.
She had been stir-frying vegetables in the kitchen.
Ever since she’d gotten familiar with the place, she’d started buying groceries and cooking every day.
When she saw him, she froze for a moment.
He hadn’t said he’d be home for dinner, so she hadn’t made any for him.
She was just feeling a bit embarrassed.
Suddenly, a loose strand of hair slipped forward, tickling her lips.
But her hands were covered in oil and she couldn’t move them.
Shen Shiyan stepped forward and casually tucked the strand of hair behind her ear.
Then, somehow, his fingers came to rest on her lips.
Qin Nuan’s breath caught, and she looked up at him.
But he gently brushed over them, then traced back and forth again and again.
His slender fingers seemed to carry an electric charge, occasionally pressing lightly.
Qin Nuan’s face flushed crimson, her soft pink lips growing even redder from the rubbing.
The atmosphere instantly turned intimate.
His gaze deepened, and he leaned in slowly.
She could clearly see the desire in his eyes, yet somehow she didn’t pull away.
Instead, her lashes trembled a few times, and she closed her eyes.
Just as his lips were about to land on hers, a hair’s breadth away—
The pressure cooker in the kitchen suddenly went off, followed by the smell of something burning.
Qin Nuan snapped back to reality. She shoved him away and rushed back into the kitchen, her face bright red.
Behind her came the man’s laughter—low, husky, as if it were rolling up from deep in his chest.
It reached her ears and made her even more mortified.
So close. He had almost kissed her.
…
Qin Nuan was lost in thought until Zhao Meihua nudged her, snapping her back to the present.
It was her turn to present.
Everyone in the conference room was looking at her.
Including Shen Shiyan.
In front of others, he still wore that same cold, reticent expression—unsmiling and unapproachable.
Li Yue kept a standard smile on his face, but she felt like there was something more hidden behind it.
Qin Nuan was flustered. She quickly stood up to give her report.
Before the meeting ended, Shen Shiyan left early due to other matters.
The moment he was gone, Jiang Yiwen’s face darkened and he gave her a stern scolding.
Zhang Lin also let out a cold snort, her gaze unfriendly.
Qin Nuan felt a twinge of guilt. She walked out of the conference room and let out a sigh.
By day, they were superior and subordinate. By night, husband and wife. And no one could know.
It was way too thrilling.
.
Before she knew it, Saturday arrived.
They had agreed to go back to the Shen family residence, and Shen Shiyan came back in the afternoon to pick her up.
Qin Nuan was upstairs changing.
This was her first time returning to the Shen family as his wife.
She had to look presentable.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Shen Shiyan looked up, and his gaze paused for a second.
Then he took her in from head to toe, slowly and deliberately, giving her a thorough once-over.
His eyes gradually darkened.
Qin Nuan was wearing a blush-pink dress today.
She had on light makeup, her hair loosely pinned up with a few strands naturally falling beside her face.
Her legs, exposed below the hem, were fair, slender, and straight.
She looked pure and delicate, yet alluring at the same time.
Shen Shiyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He praised her: “Very beautiful.”
Qin Nuan had been a little nervous, but hearing that, she finally relaxed.
Once everything was ready, he stepped forward and took her hand in his.
.
The Shen family’s old estate was located halfway up a mountain on the outskirts of the city.
Sitting in the car, Qin Nuan felt as if she had entered a manor—there was even a fountain.
The car finally stopped in front of several stately, imposing Chinese-style villas.
Shen Shiyan got out first. Qin Nuan remained seated in the car, unable to suppress her nervousness.
Based on what Shen Shiyan had said before, this visit was probably not going to be simple.
This kind of wealthy family was something she had never been exposed to before.
What if she embarrassed Shen Shiyan?
Just as she was feeling uneasy, her cold little hand was suddenly held.
She froze, looked up, and met his eyes.
Those dark, ink-deep eyes seemed to carry a quiet, calming power.
“I’m here. Don’t be afraid.”
“I’ll protect you.”
Just two simple sentences, yet they slowly steadied Qin Nuan’s racing heart.
She took his hand and got out of the car, then slipped her arm through his.
A servant opened the door for them.
Shen Shiyan tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his voice softening a few degrees.
“Ready?”
Qin Nuan took a deep breath, pushed down all her unease, and nodded.
“Ready.”
But she knew—this visit would not be easy.