Chapter 2.

My eyes naturally drifted downward… well now, he wasn’t lacking in the asset department, was he?

Ha Shichen froze for a second, his ears turning bright red, before he quickened his pace as if trying to flee the room.

I leaped out of bed, overtook him in a single stride, blocked the doorway, and locked it with a sharp click.

“Qiao Sheng…” His voice was raspy, sounding like a warning, yet laced with a subtle hint of begging.

I tilted my head, smiling as sweet as syrup, but the look in my eyes was pure mischief.

“This isn’t Twitter, sweetheart—you can’t just block your way out of this.”

Instinctively, he took a step back, which was all the leverage I needed to push him down onto the soft plush rug.

A low groan escaped his throat. His eyes widened in sheer panic, though a flicker of suppressed heat flickered beneath the surface.

Straddling his hips, I leaned down, resting a finger gently against his lips.

“Shh… stay quiet. Your phone is still ringing—let me answer it for you.”

Swiping the screen, I held the phone right next to his ear.

Lin Zhao’s voice came through, trembling with anxiety: “Shichen, where are you? Are the rumors true? Did Qiao Sheng force you to marry her? You don’t have to do this for me, I feel so guilty…”

Ha Shichen flinched and opened his mouth to speak, but I pressed my lips against his neck, nipping him softly.

His body instantly went rigid, his ragged breathing echoing directly through the microphone.

Silence fell over the other end of the line for a few seconds before a tentative voice asked: “…Shichen, are you… sick?”

Looking down at his face as he gritted his teeth, desperately trying to endure it, I found myself in a fantastic mood and answered for him: “She’s pregnant and can’t figure out what we’re doing?”

With a sharp tap, I hung up, leaning down with a wicked grin.

“From now on, every time Lin Zhao pisses me off, I’m taking it out on you. Any objections?”

Ha Shichen tightened his grip around my waist, his warm breath fanning against my ear: “Qiao Sheng, you’ll regret this.”

I leaned close to his lips, chuckling softly. “Why don’t you try me?”

With just a single glance, the air between us stretched taut.

A second later, we both moved at once—except he was the one pinned down onto the carpet, not me.

His eyes widened in a mix of shock and utter helplessness.

“You…”

I leaned down and bit his earlobe lightly, whispering, “Quiet. Like I said, from now on, you’re mine to deal with.”

Reaching down, I yanked off his tie and bound his hands together above his head.

The thin silk held firm, locking him in place so that all he could do was lift his chin and stare up at me, his gaze heavy with an intense, desperate heat.

“Qiao Sheng…” he called out softly, his voice thick and raspy, almost pleading.

“Don’t say my name like that—you’re making it way too easy for me to lose control.”

I tilted my head with a smirk, my fingers gliding down the front of his shirt.

*Pop… pop…* The buttons gave way one by one, exposing his firm chest and his ragged, uneven breathing.

From the rug, we tumbled onto the bed.

The crisp white sheets crumpled in minutes. The deep, woody scent of his cologne blended with the sweet jasmine of my hair, filling the room with an atmosphere that felt both intoxicatingly sensual and wildly unfamiliar.

Before I could settle, he suddenly flipped our positions. But I was faster, pinning him back down with my knee and flashing a grin: “Be a good boy and you’ll get a reward.”

With that, I leaned in and kissed him—a kiss so deep it left us both breathless and trembling.

I dragged him over to the sofa.

He wrapped his arms around my waist so tightly I was practically lifted off the floor. My back pressed against the cool leather, but his skin was burning hot against mine.

Every kiss, every touch melted our breathing together into a frantic, chaotic rhythm.

Then to the window.

The heat foggying the glass transformed our tangled silhouettes into a blurred, dreamlike painting reflected against the night.

Even the bathroom didn’t escape—the mirror clouded over with steam, and while the shower ran full blast, the sound of our racing heartbeats was even louder.

His shirt had been ripped open and tossed carelessly on the floor; his tie dangled loosely from the headboard; his jacket lay discarded by the sofa, as if flung out of this world entirely.

Every corner of the place—from the living room to the sofa, the window to the bed—bore our marks, a chaotic, vibrant testament to an unforgettable night.

Outside, the stream of comments was exploding:

【Seven times in one night is real! I’m a believer now!】

【Did anyone screenshot that?!】

【Listen, my brain says sleep, but my eyes are saying: Don’t you dare close us!】

From that day on, I picked up a new habit: whenever I was in a bad mood, I’d find Ha Shichen to blow off steam.

Lu Tsewei harasses me? → I buy Ha Shichen a collar (and test it out that exact night).

Lin Zhao provokes me? → I buy Ha Shichen a leather belt (and put it to good use).

Netizens talk trash? → I put on a full-on “horseback riding” show right in front of the camera.

Watching the comment section choke on their own words was pure bliss.

A month later, Ha Shichen and I made an appearance at a charity auction. Ironically, the moment we walked in, we ran straight into Lu Tsewei and Lin Zhao.

“Shichen…” Lin Zhao took a step forward, only to be pulled into Lu Tsewei’s arms. Yet his eyes remained glued to me: “Qiao Sheng, thank you for helping me realize my true feelings. I only loved you back then because of a rose-tinted filter, but really, you’re nothing special.”

*Hmph.* Men who lose face always love putting others down just to feel superior.

I honestly wanted to slap him.

Before I could move, Ha Shichen squeezed my wrist. Leaning in close to my ear, his face flushed bright red as he whispered: “Don’t cause a scene here. I’ll let you have your way with me when we get home.”

The entire hall fell dead silent.

The comment section erupted:

【Wait, what? The side male lead… is into this?!】

【He’s blushing, but that voice… damn, that’s spicy!】

【Hold on, they’re still wearing matching outfits! What’s next, what’s next?!】

I shot Ha Shichen a suspicious look.

Lu Tsewei’s face turned as dark as thunder, while Lin Zhao looked like she was on the verge of tears: “Shichen… what are you saying?”

Ha Shichen let out a soft cough, instantly regaining his cold, distant composure: “It has nothing to do with you, Miss Lin. Please keep your distance.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes turned red, as if she were imagining something utterly scandalous: “Is it… because of me that you’re suffering like this…”

Seeing his woman cry over another man, Lu Tsewei’s expression darkened further as he dragged her away.

I crossed my arms with a satisfied smile. “At least they know their place.”

Beside me, the corner of Ha Shichen’s lips seemed to curve up in a faint twitch. But when I looked over, his face had already returned to its usual expressionless mask.

Maybe… there were just too many comments floating around, or maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me.