After a long day, she was exhausted. She planned to take a quick showerâsqueezed some shower gel into her palms, rubbed it briefly over her skin, and was about to rinse off.
Suddenly, a faint hiss came from the corner.
Nan Xiao looked up. A green snake as thick as a thumb coiled in the corner, its triangular head raised, tongue flicking as it slithered toward her.
Since childhood, she had feared snakes and lizards. One look, and her soul nearly left her body.
Her heart leapt into her throat. With a scream loud enough to shake the roof, she bolted toward the door.
At the same time, Xie Chengyu, startled by her cry, leapt off the bed and strode quickly to the bathroom. Bang, bang! He pounded on the door.
âNan Xiao, whatâs wrong? Open up!â
Through the frosted glass, his tall figure loomed. Nan Xiao jumped in fright, fumbling to pull on clothes.
But the snake, nearly a meter long, was already near her feet. Behind her, the snake; before her, Xie Chengyu about to see her unclothed.
Caught in an impossible dilemma, she stumbled against the corner, scraping her skin on a sharp edge. She cried out again.
Xie Chengyu panicked.
With a crash, he kicked the door open. A wave of hot steam rolled out as he rushed inside without hesitation.
Through the hazy mist, he collided with Nan Xiao. Her heart nearly stoppedânot from the snake this time, but from him. He had brushed against herâ
Yet there was no time. As the steam dispersed, his face grew clearer, and soon, from his perspective, so would her body.
Nan Xiao reacted swiftly, clapping a hand over his eyes. âDonât look!â
Her soft palm pressed against his lashes, prickly and warm.
But the sudden gesture disoriented him. Already blinded by the fog, now covered by her burning palm, he staggered, his balance gone. Both tumbled together into the empty bathtub.
Thud!
Nan Xiao, pinned beneath him, felt every bone nearly shatter. Pain wrung a cry and tears from her eyes.
Realizing her plight, he asked urgently, âWhere did you hit? Does it hurt?â
With his eyes still covered, he couldnât see. Instinctively, his hand sought her waistâslender, soft, slippery against his palm, as though it might slip away if he didnât hold tight.
Her face flushed crimson. âDonât move!â
One hand covered his eyes, the other dug into his shoulder, her voice trembling with tears.
His heart gave a violent jolt.
Soft warmth beneath his hand, feminine fragrance at his nose, and her breath brushing hot across his faceâthis woman even breathed sweetly.
After a night of heavy drinking, his head was already hazy. Dizzy desire surged, and before he could think, his body moved first. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Her cheek was softâjust a tilt, and his lips brushed hers.
Her lips were plump, smooth, and sweet like jelly. He couldnât resist, parting his lips to nibble lightly.
Nan Xiaoâs eyes flew wide, her whole frame shuddering.
Without thinking, she shoved him away, scrambling out of the tub. Wrapping a towel tight around her chest, she fled the bathroom.
Left behind, Xie Chengyu sat in the tub as the mist cleared, revealing stark white tiles. Slowly, he realized what had just happened.
He was furious with himself, even tempted to slap his own face.
He had kissed Nan Xiaoâfirst her cheek, then her lips?
Grinding his teeth, he rose, glanced down below his waist, and his face darkened. Only after calming himself did he leave the bathroom, heavy with unease.
This titan of Beichengâs business worldâwho had bled, who had stared down countless rivals without flinchingâwas, for the first time in his life, feeling⊠uneasy.
In the bedroom, Nan Xiao sat by the bed, dressed, mask back in place, eyes red-rimmed like a wounded rabbit.
Guilt swelled in him. He walked over, his expression grim. âJust now⊠Iâm sorry. I crossed the line.â
She shook her head. âIâm fine.â
Her reddened eyes made her look fragile. His chest ached at the sight.
He sat beside her, searching for words. There was no excuseâwhat could he say? It had been reckless.
Finally, he said, âIt was my fault. Tell me how I can make it up to you.â
Those words pierced her.
She understoodâhe had kissed the wrong woman in a haze of drink and heat, then offered an apology, as was proper.
But from her side, they were married. A kiss between husband and wife should be natural. For him to call it a mistake, to speak of âcompensationâ⊠It felt like being treated as nothing more than a purchased plaything.
Her heart chilled.
She muttered, âItâs nothing, really. Not important.â
Turning away, she began tidying things, hiding her hurt.
Xie Chengyu stared at her back, brows knitting tight.
Something was off.
Even drunk, he had always had control. Models, beautiesâheâd resisted them all.
Haunted by old scars, he had never felt more than physical reaction, never true desire.
But just now, with Nan Xiaoâhe hadnât been able to stop himself.
Now, sober, he thought back to that moment.
And even he⊠found it strange.
