Si Yin closed her eyes and felt around her body, soon discovering a thick layer of something binding her tightly. No wonder she couldn’t breathe. After struggling to remove it to no avail, she cried out:
“Ahhh, this is so annoying! Lu Zhou, help me!”
“Men and women should keep their distance. You want me to help you with that? You’re dreaming!”
Si Yin knelt on the bed, her eyes brimming with tears as she pleaded, “Please? Aren’t we best buds?”
The soft, delicate voice drifted into Lu Zhou’s ears, and he nodded subconsciously. Si Yin’s “damsel in distress” act never failed; she knew he’d give in. She lay back on the bed with a satisfied smile, a flash of mischief in her eyes.
Lu Zhou felt utterly lost, unsure of what to do. He couldn’t understand when he had become so easily swayed. As Si Yin continued to whimper and complain, he forced himself to calm down. Closing his eyes, he began to help her with cautious, fumbling movements.
Si Yin used to be very physically affectionate with people, but today felt different. Her heart rate was accelerating uncontrollably, and her gaze was fixed intently on Lu Zhou. A moment later, she felt the constriction loosen, but instead of the expected relief, a surging, swollen sensation took over.
“Wuu… it hurts…”
Lu Zhou felt a sharp pang of sympathy in his chest. Forgetting all notions of propriety, his only thought was that Si Yin was in pain. The next second, he witnessed a sight that made his blood boil—his skin flushing deep red as if he might burst from the intensity. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.
It was baffling; they had grown up together, and there was no way she could be pregnant. Yet, in this world, “bugs” triggered specifically through contact with the male lead. Soon, the room was filled with a rich, milky fragrance, as cloyingly sweet as a bubble tea shop.
Before Lu Zhou could even process his embarrassment, he found himself instinctively swallowing. When he realized what he was doing, his mind went blank, leaving only one thought: Why does this taste so good?
Realizing he was acting like a total beast, Lu Zhou braced himself, terrified of seeing disappointment or anger in Si Yin’s eyes. When he finally mustered the courage to look at her, he let out a frustrated, dry laugh. “Heh.”
Si Yin hadn’t even opened her eyes. Did her nonchalance mean she didn’t even view him as a man? A flare of wounded pride rose within him, and his gaze turned predatory and heavy. In a low, seductive voice, he asked:
“Still hurting? Do you need more help?”
Si Yin snapped her eyes open. She had just been regretting that her human form wasn’t as convenient as being a little fox. Since someone was offering help, she certainly wasn’t going to refuse. “Quick, help me… ha… it hurts so much~” she urged, her pouty lips looking soft and aggrieved.
Lu Zhou had read somewhere that the pain would subside once the pressure was relieved. He told himself he’d call the family doctor once she felt better—this definitely wasn’t about taking advantage of her. Besides, he rationalized, we’re going to get married and have kids anyway, so a little intimacy now is fine…
He was visibly panicked during his first attempt, his voice raspy as he checked in constantly.
“Are you cold?” “No!” “Is this position okay?” “You’re so annoying, just hurry up!” “Should I go brush my teeth first?”
Without waiting for an answer, he muttered to himself, “I already brushed them tonight!”
Finally, he settled down, holding his breath as he took in the breathtaking scene. His Adam’s apple bobbed rhythmically, and the room fell silent, save for the sound of his swallowing.
Si Yin felt herself losing control. Tiny moans escaped her lips. Why am I making these sounds? she wondered. Isn’t this what happens during mating? She tried to restrain herself, biting her lower lip until it turned a deep, bruised crimson.
Lu Zhou felt as if something was missing without the sound of her voice. As Si Yin’s gaze grew hazy with pleasure, she suddenly locked eyes with him. His expression was so tender it was as if he were looking at a beloved pet. Blushing, she asked in a voice tinged with desire:
“What… what are you looking at?”
In that moment of eye contact, both of their breaths hitched. Lu Zhou couldn’t resist reaching out to touch her damp, bitten lip, his eyes full of heartache. Having known her for so many years, this was the first time he truly confronted his feelings. His long-standing possessiveness finally had an explanation. His heart hammered against his ribs.
“Yin Yin, if you need to bite something, bite me.”
Si Yin gave him a tentative nip, like a puppy grinding its teeth. Lu Zhou shuddered, finally pinning her beneath him until they were pressed together, skin to skin. They both let out a low, synchronized groan of satisfaction.
A moment later, they both froze. Si Yin shifted curiously. “What’s that? Something’s poking me, it’s uncomfortable!”
Lu Zhou sat up abruptly. Afraid of scaring her, he made up a lame excuse. “I… I carry something for self-defense in case it’s dangerous outside. I’m going to change. I’ll have the doctor check on you in a bit.”
He went to pick out clothes for her. Si Yin usually dressed quite plain, even her pajamas were drab greys and blacks. He decided right then that he would handle her wardrobe from now on—and he’d definitely be getting them matching couple outfits.
As he dressed her, he grumbled under his breath, “I’m really whipped, aren’t I? I provide the food and the house, and now I have to dress you. Do I have to wash your face and brush your teeth too?”
Si Yin’s eyes crinkled into crescents. “Great idea! I’ll leave that to you from now on!”
Lu Zhou pinched her nose playfully. “You’re going to be the death of me, you lazy thing!”
“Hmph, if you won’t do it, I’ll find someone else!”
The thought of another man cooking for Si Yin, dressing her, and sharing intimate moments made Lu Zhou’s blood boil with jealousy. This heartless girl… he couldn’t let things stay so ambiguous.
“Oh yeah? Which ‘other man’ are you looking for? Am I not serving you well enough? What other guy would revolve his whole world around you like I do? Who else knows you love pineapple pork and mango pomelo sago? Who else is gonna wash your clothes, your body, and your teeth?”
As Lu Zhou ranted, Si Yin covered her ears and curled into a ball, looking provocatively unbothered. Seeing the dangerous glint in his eyes, she tried to bolt, but the two ended up tumbling back onto the bed in a heap.
“Ahahaha! I was wrong! Stop, that tickles!”
“Wait, what’s this? It’s so hot… why is it wet?”
Lu Zhou froze in sheer embarrassment. How could she be so bold? She’d grab onto anything!
He gritted his teeth and threatened, “Let go right now, or you’re going to regret it.”
But was Si Yin the type to be intimidated? Instead of letting go, she gripped even tighter. Feeling the person beneath her stiffen, she patted his exposed abs—his shirt had been tugged open during their scuffle. She had to admit, they felt pretty good.
Si Yin teased him with a grin, “Beg me! Beg me and maybe I’ll let go!”
Lu Zhou reached his breaking point. No longer able to hold back, he gripped her slender waist and flipped her over, reclaiming the dominant position. His heart pounded as he tested the waters; seeing that Si Yin wasn’t rejecting him or getting angry, he let his inhibitions crumble completely.