Song Qingxian couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. “Where did you even read all this nonsense?” A hundred ways to be gentle, indeed. She had thought he was working the whole time. Was he really spending the entire night reading this instead?
“I still have ninety-nine moves left,” Lu Nanzhan said, leaning close to her ear, his tone laced with subtle temptation. “Do you want to try them?”
Ninety-nine more? Just the first move had already left her completely helpless.
Strangely enough, she found Lu Nanzhan a little awkwardly adorable at that moment. The idea that she could one day use the word “adorable” to describe him felt absurd, yet thinking that made the smile at the corners of her eyes deepen.
“Xianxian, do you think I’m ridiculous?” he asked.
“No,” she hurriedly shook her head. “It’s just… Azhan, it’s not that you’re smiling or being gentle, it’s one or the other.”
“Is that so?” His tone carried a faint sense of disappointment. He genuinely wanted to please her, but he didn’t know how.
No one had ever taught him how to be gentle or kind, and no one had ever taught him how to love. In truth, no one had ever loved him either.
He had been abandoned, despised, and since childhood had seen only the darkest sides of society, surviving in a world of wolves, growing up wild and untamed.
“Azhan,” Song Qingxian said softly, “I hope that when you’re happy, you smile, and when you’re not, you don’t. You don’t need to force yourself to pretend.”
Lu Nanzhan’s voice trembled slightly. “Alright, Xianxian.”
Song Qingxian curved her lips. Her fingertip traced idle circles against his chest. “Azhan, are you busy tomorrow?”
The light touch of her finger felt like a feather brushing his heart, making it itch faintly. Lu Nanzhan caught her hand. “What is it?”
“If you’re not busy, shall we go on a date?” she asked.
A date?
His heart pounded violently. He didn’t know how.
Their entire range of “dates” so far had been limited to his villa, at most his bed.
“How do people go on dates, Xianxian?” he asked.
She leaned obediently against his chest. “I’ve only dated once before too. Maybe… eating together, watching a movie?”
Lu Nanzhan’s dark, burning gaze locked onto her as if trying to pierce right through her. He almost couldn’t believe his ears. She had said dating. Her first time dating.
Song Qingxian felt a little flustered under his stare and smiled awkwardly. “Is that too old-fashioned? I can think of something else.”
Lu Nanzhan pulled her into his arms, carefully avoiding her stomach. The curve of his lips lifted into a rare smile, his eyes softening with genuine joy. “It’s not old-fashioned. Let’s do that. Eating and watching a movie, alright?”
It was the first time Song Qingxian had seen him smile like that. A real smile, born from genuine happiness.
She reached up and touched the corner of his lips. “Azhan, you look very good when you smile.”
His smile deepened. “Do you like it?”
“I like it. I like seeing your real smile.”
The next day, Song Qingxian was discharged from the hospital.
They returned to the villa first. Since they had agreed to go out on a date, she changed into a white dress and waited for him.
But Lu Nanzhan did not come downstairs for a long time.
When he finally appeared on the staircase, Song Qingxian froze slightly.
She had always known this man was dangerously attractive, but today he looked especially refined and noble.
A black tailored suit fit him perfectly, a dark patterned tie held in place by a platinum clip inlaid with a sapphire. The elegance of the design blended with a restrained, mature masculinity. Matching sapphire cufflinks reflected a deep, mysterious light, enhancing the aura of a man both dangerous and disciplined.
He looked like he was about to get married rather than go on a date.
“Xianxian, do you think I don’t look good like this?” he asked.
“No, no,” she quickly walked over and adjusted his tie. “You look very good. Too good, actually.”
The corners of his lips lifted slightly.
Song Qingxian smiled too. “You’re so formal. I look a bit too casual next to you.”
His hand slid around her waist. “Not casual. You look very good.”
She played with his cufflinks teasingly. “If you dress like this, I’m almost afraid to take you out.”
His expression darkened slightly. “Why?”
“Because you’re too good-looking. I’m afraid someone might take you away.”
Lu Nanzhan lowered his head until his breath brushed against her face. His voice turned low and dangerous. “Xianxian, I think the same thing.”
His tone suddenly sharpened. “I don’t want anyone’s eyes on you. I want to hide you properly.”
A chill ran through Song Qingxian despite the warmth of his breath. She had only been joking, but he was completely serious.
She gently held his rough hand, trying to soothe him. “Azhan, loving someone doesn’t mean you have to possess them completely.”
He tightened his grip immediately. “Xianxian, love means total possession. Everything about you, inside and out, belongs to me. Anyone who dares look at you will die.”
……
It seemed changing Lu Nanzhan would have to be done slowly, step by step.
Inside the car.
“Azhan, what do you like to eat?” she asked.
“I like what you like,” he answered.
She suddenly had an idea to tease him. “I like you.”
His calm eyes instantly rippled with emotion.
He leaned over and kissed her again, long and lingering, before finally pulling away. “I like you too.”
Because of the long kiss, Song Qingxian was slightly breathless, her cheeks flushed as she gasped for air. She had only tried to tease him verbally, but Lu Nanzhan was the kind who responded directly with action.
He pinched her cheek gently. “Xianxian, you make it very hard to resist eating you up.”
She clearly saw the desire in his eyes. “Don’t…” she said quickly. She was pregnant, after all.
His throat moved slightly as he swallowed. “Xianxian, the first three months of pregnancy are a sensitive period. I’ll control myself properly.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “But in the future, you’ll have to pay me back properly.”
Song Qingxian’s face burned even redder. This man really had a talent for saying such things with complete calm.