Night fell, with a pale crescent moon hanging in the starry sky. A few scattered stars dotted around the moon like crushed diamonds sprinkled across the darkness.
Xia Qiaoxi sat before her computer, chin propped in her hand, gazing blankly out the window.
Tang Yushen had gone out for business entertainment tonight and hadn’t returned yet.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, the ornate wrought-iron gate of the distant manor swung open. A black car’s bright low beams illuminated the manor’s scenery as it drove smoothly inside.
He was back.
Xia Qiaoxi shut down her computer – it was time for her to bathe and sleep.
A knocking sound came from the door.
“Little Xi…”
“Xi’er.”
From his voice, Tang Yushen sounded like he had been drinking.
Xia Qiaoxi hesitated for a moment before going to open the door.
Tang Yushen stood perfectly straight outside, holding a simple white bag in his hand. The corners of his eyes were flushed with the effects of alcohol, and when he lowered his head, the scent of liquor washed over her.
“I saw this dress on my way back… I thought you would look absolutely stunning in it…” Tang Yushen pressed close to her cheek, his alcohol-hoarsened voice drilling straight into her ear. “Will you try it on for me?”
At such close distance, with his warm breath brushing against her, Xia Qiaoxi instantly felt a melting sensation.
“Okay.”
“My Little Xi is so obedient…” Tang Yushen wrapped his arm around her slender waist. “Let me hold you.”
He had wanted to hold her all day.
He had been restraining himself, controlling himself, but after drinking, his emotions became uncontrollable.
Desperately needing release.
The bag dropped to the floor.
Tang Yushen held her tightly, his breathing growing heavier, as if Xia Qiaoxi were the oxygen he needed to survive – without her, he would suffocate.
Xi’er smelled so wonderful.
“Xi’er…”
As he spoke, his thin lips nearly brushed against her cheek, almost like kissing. The intimate scene made her heartbeat accelerate.
“Stop holding me, I’ll change into the dress for you,” Xia Qiaoxi said softly.
“Okay.”
He would hold her again after Little Xi changed.
Xia Qiaoxi picked up the bag from the floor and walked toward the dressing room. Tang Yushen closed the bedroom door, loosened his tie, and strode over to sit on the sofa.
His gaze burned intensely toward the dressing room door.
Soon, Xia Qiaoxi emerged wearing a white dress. To match the outfit, even though they were at home, she had put on a pair of silver high heels.
Tang Yushen had been drowsy in the car, but when he glimpsed this dress in the shop window, he had already imagined how Little Xi would look wearing it – and she looked even more beautiful than he had envisioned.
Xia Qiaoxi walked over in her high heels. The simple white dress with subtle patterns cinched her impossibly slender waist, with diamond-shaped cutouts on the sides. The irregular hemline revealed glimpses of her long, slender legs with each step she took, partially concealed yet utterly captivating.
“Do I look good?” Xia Qiaoxi flipped her long hair.
Tang Yushen’s gaze grew even more intense, burning with desire as he abruptly stood up.
He circled around Xia Qiaoxi once. “Exceptionally beautiful.”
“It’s lovely, but…”
Xia Qiaoxi looked down in confusion. “But what?”
“Your neck is missing something.” As Tang Yushen spoke, he reached out his right hand. “How about placing my hand there?”
Xia Qiaoxi smiled faintly. “Jewelry isn’t the same as a hand. I was afraid you’d grow impatient waiting, so I didn’t pick out a necklace.”
The walk-in closet Tang Yushen had prepared was enormous, filled with an extensive collection of jewelry that clearly reflected years of careful curation rather than hasty preparation.
The bed she now slept in, the bathtub she soaked in—all had been originally intended for someone else.
She was essentially benefiting from what wasn’t meant for her.
Tang Yushen’s thumb stroked her neck, his Adam’s apple bobbing heavily as he swallowed. “Should I move my hand away?”
“Yes…”
His hand on her neck felt scorching, as if he might snap it at any moment.
It frightened her.
“Hand’s gone.” Tang Yushen withdrew his hand, leaning in to press several searing kisses against her snow-white neck.
“Mmm…”
Xia Qiaoxi melted under his kisses, bracing herself against his shoulders.
“Xiao Xi.” Tang Yushen’s gaze grew hazy; her blend of innocence and allure was utterly captivating.
The more he looked, the drier his throat became.
His precious Xiao Xi—even a simple, lingering glance from her carried an indescribable charm and sensuality.
It made his heart tremble, distracted him from work.
Tonight, he had drunk more than usual.
Burying his face in the crook of her neck, Tang Yushen breathed rapidly, his restraint on the verge of crumbling.
He suddenly scooped Xia Qiaoxi into his arms and in two strides, landed them both on the sofa.
The newly purchased dress she had just changed into clung to her form.
Tang Yushen’s breathing grew heavier, his warm fingers tracing her long legs. “Xiao Xi’s feet are so adorable too.”
How could feet be adorable?
Xia Qiaoxi thought Tang Yushen was talking nonsense.
With patience, he removed the high heels she had just put on, cradling her fair, delicate feet in his palm. Her slender legs, prominent ankles, and each tiny toe were impeccably clean, the nails tinged a blushing pink, curled cutely as if greeting him.
Xia Qiaoxi flushed crimson with embarrassment. She had been naive.
She had assumed Tang Yushen merely wanted to see her in the dress, thinking it might resemble a style his former love often wore.
She never expected this man was like a mad dog.
Pushing her down, taking off her shoes, and then holding her feet while praising them.
Was Tang Yushen a foot fetishist?
Fortunately, he didn’t kiss them.
Probably not.
Xia Qiaoxi relaxed slightly.
After both high heels were off, his warm hand grew bolder, roaming restlessly up her legs.
Xia Qiaoxi immediately pressed down on her skirt, preventing his hand from venturing further.
Tang Yushen sat beside the sofa, his eyes clouded with barely restrained desire. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong? You can’t!” Xia Qiaoxi trembled with anger.
How dare he ask what was wrong.
“No touching! Tang Yushen, you’re drunk!” Xia Qiaoxi clutched her skirt tightly. “No fooling around.”
She couldn’t handle it.
Tang Yushen lowered his head, gripping her waist. “Xiao Xi, what did you call me?”
Was this really the time to fuss over how she addressed him?
Who wouldn’t use his full name when they were angry?
“You can’t…” Xia Qiaoxi’s voice softened. “You have to give me time. We’ve only known each other for a few days.”
Even as she held her skirt down, Tang Yushen could still feel her skin through the dress’s cut-out design at the waist.
It was warm.
And soft.
But he didn’t dare go further, afraid he might lose control and turn into a beast.
He moved his hand upward, still holding her. “If not that, can I at least claim some other small reward?”
“You’ve already kissed me.” Xia Qiaoxi felt the skin on her neck was still damp.
All from Tang Yushen’s kisses.
Tang Yushen released her, sitting slumped with his body hunched over, his eyes cast downward.
If not for the violent heaving of his chest, one might have thought he was an exquisitely carved sculpture at a glance.
“Ah Yu…”