Xie Tingnan was both amused and exasperated by the little girl, his gaze dark as he watched her “misbehave.”
Only when those small hands reached for the fabric at a certain spot did Xie Tingnan seize her slender, soft arm, wrapping it around his own neck, and in one smooth motion, pulled the girl into his embrace.
His chin rested against Yu Wanwan’s soft, fluffy hair, his sturdy forearm holding her tightly against him. His cool, thin lips spoke with a scolding tenderness:
“Awake and you’re timid, but asleep you’re quite bold. I’ll give it to you when you beg me.”
At this moment, the man was like a “little wife” who had switched roles, firmly guarding himself, a mischievous, vengeful smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
He lowered his head and kissed her soft hair, a faint floral scent filling his nose.
Holding her, his entire body felt an indescribable relaxation. Drowsiness washed over him, and Xie Tingnan soon fell asleep.
This sleep was deep.
The biological clock that usually woke him automatically at six was completely disrupted.
Yu Wanwan woke before him.
Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes were hazy with morning drowsiness, innocent and captivating.
His embrace hadn’t shifted at all, their bodies pressed close.
Apart from her waist-length black hair that could offer some cover, Yu Wanwan found nothing else to shield herself with.
She could only blush crimson and bury herself in his chest, feeling the comforting warmth.
One thought kept circling in her mind.
She needed to please him properly, lest he refuse her request.
A little past seven in the morning, Xie Tingnan woke up.
Opening his eyes, he met Yu Wanwan’s pure, bright gaze.
The man’s eyes flickered, then he inadvertently avoided her look.
As if remembering something, his arms loosened, and he sat up halfway.
As he reached for the bathrobe by the bed, a warm softness pressed against his back. Snow-white, slender arms, like jade ribbons, wrapped around his firm waist.
The man stared at those delicate, pale hands resting on his chiseled abdomen.
Each tiny nail was painted with a shimmering dusty pink.
Suppressing the flutter in his heart, he said lightly, “Stop being clingy. Get up, have breakfast, and I’ll take you to Jing University.”
“Let’s sleep a little longer,” the girl’s voice was exceptionally soft.
Xie Tingnan forcefully held back his rising heat and didn’t speak.
Until Yu Wanwan rustled from behind him to his front, lying on the bed, looking up at him with her porcelain-white face, charming and playful.
Those originally pure, jade-like eyes suddenly flashed with a soul-stirring brilliance.
The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably a few times. His thin lips parted slightly, forcing out words through gritted teeth:
“Do you want it that badly?”
Yu Wanwan’s face flushed scarlet instantly.
But she couldn’t give up so easily.
Pushing down her shame, she actively wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his…
Xie Tingnan moved with astonishing speed.
Before Yu Wanwan could even touch him, his strong arms lifted her up and threw her heavily onto the bed.
He was like an enraged lion, his beautiful eyes tinged with the crimson of desire.
He bore down on her like a mountain, making Yu Wanwan groan in pain.
He had reverted to the madness of their first encounter.
Yu Wanwan was like a frail little chick, tossed about by him, yet always firmly controlled within his arms and palms, her mind buzzing and dazed.
Just as his reason shattered and he was about to destroy the final barrier, he saw the ethereally beautiful woman gently close her eyes.
From the corners of those enchanting peach-blossom eyes, two crystal-clear teardrops silently slid down…
He had wanted to roar, “Don’t close your eyes, look at me…”
But after several attempts, he couldn’t utter a word.
Something seemed to be clogging his heart, stifling and aching.
Xie Tingnan quickly got up, took the silk quilt from the bed to cover Yu Wanwan, and went alone to the master bedroom’s bathroom.
The man turned on the shower, letting the cold water wash over him again and again.
His sudden coldness this morning was all because he had discovered his own abnormality.
His abnormality toward that young girl.
A single glance from her, even a single tear, could sway his emotions, unsettling his mind.
Xie Tingnan, the arrogant scion of a prestigious family, had hated this feeling of having his spirit controlled by others since childhood.
Wasn’t this just a transaction?
Or perhaps he was deeply conflicted.
The young girl was vulnerable and alone. Even someone as ruthless as Wen An’an could secretly harm her.
Not to mention the suffocating weight of societal norms and class barriers.
And as for himself, with his busy work schedule, he couldn’t keep an eye on her every moment.
She would always need her own life.
So, regarding his abnormal emotional attachment, Xie Tingnan believed it was something he could control.
At the same time, he didn’t want Yu Wanwan to notice and become deeply entangled.
If he acted a bit more beastly, ensuring she could live safely, each getting what they needed, that would be enough.
When he emerged from the bathroom, Xie Tingnan’s expression was cold and detached, carrying an aura that was difficult to approach.
Yu Wanwan was no longer on the bed.
He lowered his gaze, looking at the jewelry box and skincare products on the bedside table.
They were exactly as he had left them, untouched.
She was always timid and obedient, so sensible that it made him uncontrollably angry—though in truth, it was heartache.
“Yu Wanwan,” the man shouted loudly.
The young girl came over after about ten minutes, wearing a conservative home dress, her long hair still damp.
The dark-faced man sat on the edge of the bed, his mood unpredictable.
“I went to take a shower,” the girl’s voice was soft and delicate, yet she showed no fear. “Is something wrong?”
“Are you stupid?” Xie Tingnan glanced sideways at the bedside table. “I put these here. If not for you, would they be for Aunt An?”
“Not necessarily,” Yu Wanwan suddenly curved her lips, revealing a hint of mischief.
“You…” Xie Tingnan was so angry he laughed. “I really want to take you right here.”
“You won’t,” Yu Wanwan said with a smile, her tone firm.
“Have you forgotten the pain from earlier?” Xie Tingnan hadn’t done much, but her skin was so delicate that even a little force would leave bruises.
“But you held back in the end.”
Xie Tingnan looked at that calm and gentle, breathtakingly beautiful face and found himself momentarily speechless.
Just as he was about to put on his usual arrogant and aloof expression, the standing girl suddenly threw herself into his arms, looking at him sweetly:
“My hair is wet, and holding the hairdryer for too long is tiring. Xie Tingnan, could you help me dry my hair?”
After saying this, she affectionately kissed the corner of his mouth.
The corner of his mouth that had been kissed twitched. He thought about how to refuse her, but instead said:
“What a hassle! Sit here quietly. If you move, I’ll spank you.”
Yu Wanwan covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, and sat quietly, watching the tall man quickly fetch the hairdryer.
As if afraid the hot air might be too scalding, he impatiently muttered, “If it’s too hot, say so. Don’t just sit there like a mute.”
Tall and imposing, he probably wasn’t used to doing such servile tasks. His movements were clumsy but careful.
“Understood.” The little girl lowered her head, her eyes shimmering with tears.
In that moment, she truly felt the sensation of her heart beating.
Unable to help herself, she wrapped her arms around the waist of the person before her, quietly taking in his presence without saying a word.
She didn’t see that in the eyes of the rude and impatient Second Young Master Xie, there was a moving softness that lingered for a long time…
Taking advantage of his good mood at the moment, Yu Wanwan thought for a moment and decided she still needed to tell him about that matter…