After A Secret Marriage Agreement With A Rival Omega - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: “Baby.”

She felt frightened by her ever-intensifying affection, and because of it, she grew more anxious and sensitive about Sheng Ruxi’s thoughts. Those possibilities she worried about might never happen. But once they surfaced, they felt like a bottomless pit dragging her down.

Jian Jixing was learning for the first time that something even harder to suppress than liking someone is the fear of losing them because you like them too much. It seemed only physical contact could slightly compensate for this panic.

Jian Jixing no longer knew how tightly she was holding Sheng Ruxi. With their lips and tongues entwined, her scent gland began to ache with a dull throbbing.

She wanted to bite…

Sheng Ruxi suddenly realized her cheeks were wet, and this time, it wasn’t her own tears. By the time she realized what was happening, Jian Jixing’s hoarse voice was in her ear: “Don’t look. Don’t open your eyes.”

Sheng Ruxi’s heart collapsed in an instant. These restless, fragile tears were like melting candle wax, scalding her until she dissolved. With trembling eyelashes, she stroked Jian Jixing’s face.

“Do you want to mark me… permanently?”

…

Jian Jixing didn’t wake up until the following afternoon.

For the first time, she had violated her long-established routine for such a long period. It wasn’t until the wind blew against the gauze curtains and the scent of midsummer poured through the gaps that she opened her eyes and sat up in a start.

Her first move was to touch the side of her neck. Was this gland even usable anymore?

The slightly raised skin was smooth, but the two deep rings of teeth marks around it hadn’t disappeared. Hiss. That little kitten didn’t even have alpha canines; how did she manage to bite her like this?

This time, not a drop of alcohol had been touched. Both she and Sheng Ruxi had spent this night of indulgence in a state of absolute sobriety. Therefore, Jian Jixing clearly remembered every memory and every word from the night before.

Thinking of the tears she had shed, even Jian Jixing, with her well-practiced composure, couldn’t help but flush red again.

Little maniac.

Jian Jixing looked beside her. The pillows, the bed, and the room still carried Sheng Ruxi’s fragrance, but the person was gone.

In the latter half of last night… no, it should be said in the early hours of this morning, they had been very intense. Ever since Sheng Ruxi asked about the permanent marking, it was like they had gone mad. When Jian Jixing refused, Sheng Ruxi bit her to stimulate her gland.

Jian Jixing threw back the covers and got out of bed, only to find the wet sheets she had changed last night were nowhere to be found.

“…”

She checked the time, ignored all the messages on her phone, and went downstairs to find her. Rubbing her brow, her gaze swept to the open glass door on the balcony and lingered for a moment. The hot wind blew in; she could still vividly recall their body temperatures imprinted there in the small hours of the morning.

Was last night a bit too over the top?

The balcony was as clean as new. The wet water marks had likely been wiped away by Sheng Ruxi. She hadn’t expected her to actually do that. Jian Jixing shook her head, realizing that since she woke up, her mind hadn’t stopped drifting toward those lush, lingering fantasies. It was truly unbecoming of a scholar.

She haphazardly ran a hand back through her hair. As she walked, she felt a slight soreness at the root of her thighs.

She didn’t need to look to know it was Sheng Ruxi’s handiwork. She bit everywhere—even places she shouldn’t—claiming she wanted to leave her mark all over Jian Jixing’s body. It wasn’t like marking territory; who marks a person like that?

However, it was also last night that made Jian Jixing understand why the doctor had said Sheng Ruxi’s desires had been in a suppressed state for a long time. After this one night, she felt Sheng Ruxi’s physiological data would be much better; she probably wouldn’t crave inhibitor-laced coffee for quite a while.

Just as she opened the door to go downstairs, she heard faint voices from below. Jian Jixing’s sharp eyes caught sight of Xia Lan leading someone inside.

“How is the situation?”

“Is she still not awake? Could she have fainted? She usually wakes up very early.”

“Usually not… we can do a check-up in a moment. Miss Sheng should do one as well.”

“Then I’ll go up and call her.” After some clinking sounds, Sheng Ruxi’s voice sounded very cheerful. “I did a great job this time, right?”

“Very great!”

Aunt Lan, Dr. Tang. And Sheng Ruxi was about to come up.

Jian Jixing didn’t realize that just sleeping a little longer could cause such concern. She decided to tease her, quietly going back to lie down. She even hugged Sheng Ruxi’s pillow.

When Sheng Ruxi reached the door, she saw Jian Jixing with her eyes tightly shut, her head rubbing against the pillow as she muttered: “Wife smells so good…”

Xia Lan and Dr. Tang politely stood at the door without entering, but they clearly heard the mumble. They remained expressionless, but Sheng Ruxi felt her face heat up.

She coughed. Seeing Jian Jixing hadn’t “woken up,” she made a “shh” gesture and waited at the door with a meticulously prepared meal tray, watching her.

She wasn’t tired. Not at all. Having been “fed” to her heart’s content, Sheng Ruxi was exceptionally energetic. She had even discovered for the first time that her endurance was quite good. Only the ox gets worked to death.

Watching Jian Jixing sleep there, looking so dependent on a pillow that smelled like her, she felt so satisfied. She once thought she would always loathe these bedroom matters. After seeing the changes in her eldest brother and sister-in-law after their union, she had once been deeply repulsed by the pheromone attraction between Alphas and Omegas.

Now, she was starting to feel lucky. In front of the person she liked, high-compatibility pheromones were another kind of security. She only wanted to sink into Jian Jixing’s embrace; she wouldn’t mind drowning there.

Spending every day acting like a rascal in bed with Jian Jixing wouldn’t be so bad after all.

…

When Sheng Ruxi first planned to enter the industry, she thought about using a new identity to make a name for herself and impress her family. She was naturally stunning, and countless people had courted her since she was young. With her family’s protection, whoever they were, they limited themselves to flattery and didn’t dare cross any lines.

Once protected for too long, one occasionally loses a certain perception of external danger. Before she graduated, she wanted to venture out on her own strength, so she used a new name to audition. It was a small-budget movie, but the script and character were brilliant. Sheng Ruxi was very green when she went; it was her first time seeing a film set crowded with minor actors. It was messy, a bit dirty… and as people jostled about, the person in charge of registration took one look at her and smiled: “You can go to the other place for your audition first.”

Beauty is a universal passport. Sheng Ruxi had always been proud of her face; she knew it was one of her capabilities. But later, she learned that the so-called “other place” was where all the potential lead actresses favored by the director were gathered to see who was willing to “go further.”

She hadn’t expected it to be like that. Her family arrived very quickly, and that director was never heard from again. From then on, Sheng Ruxi debuted under the shelter of her family. Among the actors and industry professionals she worked with, there were many who were considered top-tier Alphas in the eyes of others, but Sheng Ruxi felt disgusted just looking at them.

The more you suppress something, the more it becomes like a spring. Once Sheng Ruxi discovered she was exceptionally sensitive and irritable during her heat, and completely defenseless against Alpha pheromones, she took measures. It was only after fainting on set that her family realized she was drinking inhibitors like water. The side effects of long-term use were obvious; she was in an extreme state.

When desire is strong but cannot be eased, the body craves it even more. But the large intake of inhibitors completely scrambled her heat cycles. By the time she could no longer release pheromones and her heat stopped coming, an Omega’s lifespan would be greatly reduced.

Previously, Yan Fuzheng had tried a desperate measure to help her, bringing Sheng Ruxi to a private room where a dozen Alphas of different styles—some green, some mature and seductive, all with top-tier looks—were brought in. But Sheng Ruxi felt nothing. When ordinary Alphas released pheromones, she felt nothing but physical pain; there wasn’t a single “spark” of life.

Let alone sleeping with them. Being bitten by them would have been an insult. She had always thought such things held no pleasure for an Omega, until Jian Jixing came into her life.

Sheng Ruxi gradually understood: it wasn’t that these acts were captivating, but that doing them with Jian Jixing made her lose herself. Thus, after tossing and turning back and forth on the bed, the floor, and by the door for an entire night, she still felt excited. She had bitten Jian Jixing; it didn’t serve as a mark, but she just loved biting her.

This excitement of hers was like making up for everything she had missed before. After sleeping for less than half an hour, she woke up naturally and busied herself in the kitchen, searching on her phone: 【What good food to cook for my wife during the day after a night together?】

The comments below said doing it for a night was a bit too “heavy,” and it was better to eat something light upon waking up. Later, Sheng Ruxi felt something wasn’t right, so she called Xia Lan and Dr. Tang over.

When Xia Lan heard Dr. Tang was needed, having looked after Jian Jixing for years and treating her like her own child, she asked anxiously: “Is she so tired that she’s still sleeping? What did you do last night?”

Well… Sheng Ruxi was embarrassed, but afraid something was actually wrong, she said vaguely: “I just… wore her out a bit.”

Xia Lan was momentarily speechless and said she would bring the doctor over quickly.

No matter how anxious they were, seeing Jian Jixing’s appearance here made them understand. After giving some instructions to Dr. Tang, Xia Lan hurried downstairs. At her age, she couldn’t handle such a sudden impact.

Jian Jixing was torn between continuing to pretend to sleep or pretending to have just woken up. She didn’t know why Sheng Ruxi was standing at the door without coming in. After a while, she heard something being set down, and then Sheng Ruxi said: “I’ll go check first. Dr. Tang, wait for me downstairs?”

Dr. Tang agreed and left. The door was pulled shut.

For some reason, when the door closed, Jian Jixing’s heart skipped a beat. Because her eyes were closed, her hearing became exceptionally sharp. A slight sound, like something being taken from a metal object—infinitesimal yet clear.

What did Sheng Ruxi take?

Soon, a sudden chill pressed against her cheek. Jian Jixing couldn’t help but shiver. That cold tactile sensation slowly slid downward, as if replacing fingers in their exploration.

“It’s cold… isn’t it?” Sheng Ruxi laughed softly. “I thought of another way to wake you up.”

Jian Jixing’s heart tightened. This little maniac… the cold object moved from her chin to her collarbone and continued downward. The chill surpassed her body temperature; everywhere it passed, fine goosebumps broke out.

Jian Jixing sensed that Sheng Ruxi wanted to play around. When Sheng Ruxi used that object to lift the edge of her clothes, Jian Jixing finally couldn’t help but open her eyes and sat up immediately.

Sheng Ruxi instantly withdrew her hand, waving the fork in her hand: “Finally willing to get up?”

It turned out that the long handle of the fork on her body was slender and cold.

Sheng Ruxi was fully dressed, having changed into a princess dress at home—square neck, puff sleeves, large skirt—but it didn’t hide what it should. The half-exposed skin on her chest, her collarbones, and the red marks on her neck were all left uncovered, shining brightly there.

Jian Jixing couldn’t help but swallow. “Change your clothes.” she realized that just by looking at Sheng Ruxi, her face seemed to start burning.

How ridiculous. Hadn’t she been the dominant one last night? Now, seeing Sheng Ruxi so unbothered, why was she the one feeling awkward? It was as if she had been the one eaten clean.

She felt a bit of regret; it might have been better to have a bit of alcohol to help her forget a little. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be like now—the moment she saw Sheng Ruxi or heard her speak, she would remember how Sheng Ruxi cried out last night. What her voice sounded like, how she panted. And her trembling legs hooked around Jian Jixing’s waist.

“Sheng Ruxi…” Jian Jixing raised her hand to cover her eyes, her voice tight. “You’re up so early.”

“I made you something to eat.” Sheng Ruxi knelt beside Jian Jixing and methodically pulled out a wet wipe to clean the fork handle. “I think I heard you calling me something else just now.”

Jian Jixing took a deep breath, moved her palm away, and forced herself to look into Sheng Ruxi’s eyes. “Did I?”

Certain endearments in bed are for intimacy; it was impossible to call her that in broad daylight.

“You did. Don’t you remember?” Sheng Ruxi looked pointedly at the locked door and leaned over slightly. “Should we return to that scene so you can remember?”

Jian Jixing felt her gland tightening. It wasn’t that she was unwilling, but weren’t there other people outside? She wasn’t thick-skinned enough for that. She reached out and took the fork from Sheng Ruxi’s hand, giving it a slight flick so it spun nimbly between her fingers.

Jian Jixing used the handle of the fork to playfully tap Sheng Ruxi’s cheek, almost like flirting: “Aren’t you afraid…”

“What?”

“I’m saying, that place needs to recover.” Jian Jixing coughed professionally. “I’ll have Dr. Tang prescribe a tube of ointment for you in a bit.”

Sheng Ruxi, who had been in a state of excitement, hadn’t paid any attention to the changes in her own body; her adrenaline was still at a high level. At Jian Jixing’s reminder, she blinked, and the soreness erupted along with a blush.

Her rejection was almost instantaneous: “I don’t want to.”

As if to prove her point, she moved as normally and quickly as possible to bring the meal tray over. “Eat. I made it.”

It was an avocado and shrimp salad with two slices of tomato. For Sheng Ruxi’s culinary skills, it was plenty of effort. But Jian Jixing noticed it anyway. When Sheng Ruxi walked over to bring her the food, her gait was a bit stiff. She was likely fine when no one reminded her, but now that it was mentioned, she became aware.

Sheng Ruxi watched Jian Jixing eat. Her expression was relatively calm until Jian Jixing asked: “Where did the sheets from last night go?”

Sheng Ruxi glared at her like a bristling kitten: “I washed them, of course! Do you even have to ask!”

She had washed them before Aunt Lan and Dr. Tang arrived; otherwise, how could they face anyone?

Jian Jixing couldn’t help but say helplessly: “That’s my job. You don’t have to scramble to do it.” How could she let Sheng Ruxi change those things? Her hands weren’t meant for that. And this meal—if she wasn’t afraid of making Sheng Ruxi angry, Jian Jixing also wanted to say that Sheng Ruxi should never do this again.

Even if it was for her, she shouldn’t. In Jian Jixing’s subconscious, Sheng Ruxi wasn’t someone meant for these chores; she only needed to enjoy herself. Although this kitten had an explosive temper, she was so cute. Being so shy and afraid of others seeing how wild they were last night that she actually got up early to wash the sheets. Yet, with the erotic marks all over the room and their mingled scents, anyone entering the villa would know what happened.

A transparent cover-up.

Jian Jixing’s heart softened. Looking at Sheng Ruxi’s slightly pouting, dissatisfied expression, she looked so charming, like a masterpiece meant to be cherished.

Sheng Ruxi braced herself to leave, but Jian Jixing pulled her into her embrace: “Alright, don’t be angry. What else could we do? Not be so invested?”

“…What are you saying again?” Sheng Ruxi struggled slightly, her face pressed against Jian Jixing’s ear, breathing out hot air.

Jian Jixing’s eyes darkened. “That was a reward. No matter how much water got on my hands or body, it’s fine. I made the mess, I’ll wash it.”

Sheng Ruxi couldn’t hide her blush; it all rushed up with a whoosh upon hearing Jian Jixing’s words. She struggled to get out, letting out two small “ah” cries. “Stop talking about it.”

Mentioning those sounds and her pleas for mercy again was truly hard to handle.

Jian Jixing was now completely awake. Mindful that the doctor was waiting outside, she held Sheng Ruxi for a while before planning to get up. But she wouldn’t let Sheng Ruxi move again. Sheng Ruxi hadn’t slept for long; she guessed she would need a nap in a bit.

She insisted on helping Sheng Ruxi change her clothes. Once they were sorted, Jian Jixing opened the door and told Dr. Tang that both she and Sheng Ruxi were ready for their check-ups.

Sheng Ruxi whispered in protest: “You’re the one making a transparent cover-up.”

She was perfectly fine in her previous clothes, but after a trip upstairs, she was changed into strictly covered loungewear. If not for her strong protest, Jian Jixing even wanted her to wear a turtleneck. In midsummer.

The Alpha’s strange possessiveness was flaring up.

Sheng Ruxi was truly sleepy. She rubbed her eyes and leaned against the bed. Now it was her turn to hug the pillow Jian Jixing had slept on, squeezing it between her legs, looking entirely lazy. Jian Jixing knew she didn’t want to move, so she carried her out to see the doctor.

Dr. Tang performed the examination without a single glance out of place, but he looked a bit hesitant as he stared at the data he had obtained.

“How is it, Dr. Tang? Is she okay?” asked Sheng Ruxi, yawning in Jian Jixing’s arms.

“Very good. The values are all within normal range. It’s just…” Dr. Tang used to think that with Jian Jixing and Sheng Ruxi’s physical conditions, they could conservatively recover eighty percent after twelve times. That was when their relationship was poor, and he even worried they would divorce before reaching twelve. Back then, it was a struggle just to get them to the clinic for a follow-up.

Looking at it this time… they had exceeded it. It was expected that both would recover ahead of schedule.

Sheng Ruxi: “Then why that expression?”

Xia Lan stifled a laugh: “It’s nothing. As long as you’re both fine, we’ll head out. Miss Sheng, your manager was looking for you all last night. Remember to call her back when you have time.”

Sheng Ruxi buried her head in Jian Jixing’s chest, sniffing incessantly; her dependence was obvious. Jian Jixing even wanted to carry her while seeing them off, but Sheng Ruxi felt that wasn’t right, so she stood up.

Dr. Tang finally said before leaving: “Actually, you shouldn’t indulge too much. I’m afraid it will affect your daily life. Otherwise, you should…” He looked at Jian Jixing with a serious expression: “Otherwise, you can eat some things to nourish your body—goji berries or ginseng. Stew some soup to drink.”

Jian Jixing said calmly: “I’m still fine.”

Adhering to a doctor’s conscience, Dr. Tang said earnestly: “You can’t just work yourself to the bone because you’re young. Otherwise, how will you have the energy to prepare for the permanent marking?”

At this point, Sheng Ruxi finally understood. Seeing their frequent “times,” Dr. Tang assumed they were already preparing for the permanent mark… Before she could speak, Jian Jixing smiled: “Aunt Lan, please see Dr. Tang out.”

After seeing the guests off, Jian Jixing wouldn’t even let Sheng Ruxi walk up the stairs herself, carrying her instead. Sheng Ruxi struggled a bit, blushing and acting coy: “Don’t… didn’t you hear what the doctor said? You, me… we have to be moderate.”

“Moderate?”

Sheng Ruxi was a bit nervous, whispering: “Should I really stew some ginseng soup for you?”

Jian Jixing looked down at her, her fingertip gently tapping Sheng Ruxi’s forehead: “Do you need me to prove it to you right now?”

“N-n-n-no need!” Sheng Ruxi was so vexed she buried her head in Jian Jixing’s chest and stopped talking.

Jian Jixing carried her back to bed to rest. She was about to leave after setting her down, but Sheng Ruxi grabbed her wrist: “Are you going back to Shanmi?” She knew Jian Jixing still had many things to handle, plus the issues with the investment company on Xie Jinheng’s side; there must be a lot of trouble.

“No, I just want to go to the study to look at the script.” Jian Jixing lowered her eyes. “I want you to rest properly.”

Sheng Ruxi’s eyes held sleepy tears, crystal clear. Knowing Jian Jixing wasn’t planning to leave, she hesitated for a moment. “No need to go back?”

Jian Jixing sat back on the bed: “I should, but I don’t want to. Is that okay?”

“Won’t the film set be very busy? Waiting for you to start work?”

“No need.”

Sheng Ruxi’s heart felt like it was soaking in warm water, wet and hot. She didn’t know if this was what being in love felt like. She wrinkled her nose and asked the obvious in her most pampered voice: “Why?”

“I don’t want to leave you.” Jian Jixing pulled back the covers again, returning to the position Sheng Ruxi hoped for. She reached out and unbuttoned two of the buttons Sheng Ruxi had fastened tightly earlier. “I don’t want to go; I just want to watch you, okay?”

That wet heat instantly flooded from her heart. Even the unique cold scent on Jian Jixing was melted into this warmth, flowing intimately into every gap.

“I remember everything said yesterday.” Sheng Ruxi felt like sobbing for no reason, whining for Jian Jixing to coax her. “You like me.”

Jian Jixing pulled Sheng Ruxi back into her embrace, her chin resting on the top of Sheng Ruxi’s head. She said softly: “It’s my honor, Sheng Ruxi.”

Sheng Ruxi said she didn’t want to hear a story before sleeping; she wanted a kiss. She felt herself being exceptionally clingy, but Jian Jixing was happy to spoil her, kissing her very gently and softly, as if she were an extremely precious treasure.

She kissed Sheng Ruxi until she was whimpering. Her hands wouldn’t stay still, but her strength was fading, her eyelids getting heavier. Still, she didn’t want to sleep, clinging to Jian Jixing.

Jian Jixing told her those clumsy bedtime stories again, but this time, there was a little companion named Xiao Xing beside the protagonist Xiao Xi.

Before long, Sheng Ruxi fell asleep. Jian Jixing didn’t leave her, using her phone to handle the messages that had piled up overnight. There was a new friend request; after opening it, Jian Jixing simply ignored it. There was no need.

Yang Chang and Lin Qie had obviously spoken; they knew the dinner scene last night was very unpleasant. After asking a few simple questions, they said they would support all of Jian Jixing’s decisions and didn’t disturb her further.

The most talkative person was Gu Shengci, who actually managed to carry on a monologue for so long, spanning from last night to twenty minutes ago.

After she left at 9 PM last night: 【Damn, you just left like that? Did you take Sheng Ruxi back?】 A little later: 【Oh god, Xie Jinheng went out too. She’s definitely going to find you. Why is this woman so persistent? If it really comes to it, I’ll go find my mom. Who doesn’t have a mom?!】 At 9:40 PM: 【Sister, you two wives really know how to play. /salute】 Midnight: 【Director, let’s have a meeting! We need an emergency plan!】 1 AM: 【I hate you.】 Then, around 10 AM the next day: 【Surely you aren’t playing that hard? Still not awake?】 After 12 PM: 【I looked for Sheng Ruxi. Why did she hang up on me? You stinking couple.】 Later: 【Please, before you die of pleasure, can you come and have a meeting?】 Twenty minutes ago: 【Putting lust before loyalty. The moment you see Sheng Ruxi, you lose your life, your mind, everything. If you can even make a peep, I’ll take your last name.】

Jian Jixing replied: 【I’m online. Let’s have the meeting.】

Gu Shengci was full of resentment: 【I see it. I want a meeting right after lunch break. I’m annoyed just seeing you.】

Jian Jixing felt this person was a bit off. She put on her headphones and typed back: 【If you really can’t handle it, go fall in love.】

Gu Shengci pulled the core team into the meeting room and said into the mic: “Speak up.”

Jian Jixing glanced at the sleeping Sheng Ruxi and typed that it was inconvenient: 【You guys talk; I’ll reply in text.】

Gu Shengci understood instantly. Being hit with another wave of public display of affection, she felt the air in front of her was filled with the scent of “dog food” (the bitterness of a single person watching a couple). She suppressed the urge to curse and began telling everyone about the company’s situation after last night.

Xie Jinheng’s goal was obvious: she was here for Jian Jixing’s new film. Her investment was too large for her to make any further concessions. Even if Jian Jixing favored Sheng Ruxi, the company would create momentum to make Yi Yueyang’s voice louder and louder.

To be honest, being in the industry, Gu Shengci knew those dirty tactics of “stepping on one to praise another.” Recently, Sheng Ruxi and Jian Jixing have indeed been very active. A few stray photos from the film studio, plus any random “unspoken rules” accusation, could be arranged to look real in an instant. Paparazzi lived for this. It was only because Jian Jixing and Sheng Ruxi had strong backgrounds that there wasn’t much of an issue. But after Xie Jinheng arrived, she was afraid of any slip-ups.

Gu Shengci listed many pros and cons until her throat was dry. After a sip of water, she advised: “Don’t indulge in the ‘gentle village’ (bed). You might as well come to the company to talk directly and see if we can change the investors temporarily while our project hasn’t fully started yet. Also, regarding those marketing accounts and the paparazzi staking us out, I think we need to pay them off more. I’m afraid of something going wrong.” Gu Shengci muttered again: “You two can’t be caught on camera.”

Jian Jixing was about to say something when a light itch suddenly brushed her arm. It was Sheng Ruxi’s head moving toward her, her soft hair falling onto her arm. Her expression softened, and she typed: 【No need to rush. The time to finalize the cast hasn’t come yet.】

Gu Shengci was anxious: “They say there’s still a week, but that’s just polite talk; you know that. Either you quickly bring the refined version of the script back to the company, or you make Yi Yueyang unwilling to act herself.”

Lin Qie and Yang Chang joined the discussion with Gu Shengci while Jian Jixing just listened. The meeting lasted forty-five minutes, and she only spoke occasionally. But as anxious as Gu Shengci was, if Jian Jixing said it wasn’t settled yet, she would listen.

After hanging up, Jian Jixing wasn’t sleepy at all. She looked down at Sheng Ruxi and patiently smoothed out her messy hair. Since the time was set, she would let her sleep for now, but she would have to wake her up to eat in a while.

She had never indulged herself like this, throwing all the urgent work to the back of her mind. For this brief moment of warmth before her, she was willing to discard everything. Just seeing Sheng Ruxi so dependent on her made her heart melt.

The film set and the script couldn’t do without her, so Jian Jixing moved everything to the night. Calculating the time, she gently let go of Sheng Ruxi and went downstairs to prepare personally. The fridge was full of fresh fruits and vegetables Aunt Lan had brought in the morning.

After preparing the dishes according to Sheng Ruxi’s taste, Jian Jixing also stewed the ginseng soup Sheng Ruxi had mentioned. She went to the study, turned on the lights, and made a call. Qian Chunhe’s somewhat anxious face appeared: “Director Jian, are you going to the set?”

Jian Jixing: “What happened?”

“We’re still meditating… I don’t know, but two teachers from the props department resigned.” Qian Chunhe sighed lightly. “It’s very strange. They insisted on leaving even after paying the liquidated damages and won’t come back or pick up the phone.”

Jian Jixing’s face remained cool: “It’s fine. I probably know what’s going on.”

Qian Chunhe was a bit hesitant. She had heard from Lin Qie that Director Jian and Miss Sheng were currently in a “honey-mixing-with-oil” stage and inseparable. At this troublesome time, she found it hard to speak up, but Jian Jixing understood her meaning: “I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

“…” Qian Chunhe could only say dryly, “It’s fine, Director Jian. A short parting is better than a newlywed’s union.”

…

After hanging up, Jian Jixing was a bit distracted. She learned from Zhou Mei that Sheng Ruxi had been staying at the film studio for the first half of the month, but most of her work had ended after the incident with Han Han’s crew. She could actually rest for a while.

Jian Jixing made arrangements, intending for Sheng Ruxi to rest at home for a bit, even though she didn’t want to leave her. But work was work; what needed to be handled still had to be finished.

Without realizing it, sunset approached. Jian Jixing smelled the fragrance of the ginseng soup and went to the room to wake Sheng Ruxi. Sheng Ruxi opened her eyes and saw Jian Jixing’s face; even though she hadn’t slept enough, she had no “wake-up grumpiness” at all. Dazedly, she was pulled into Jian Jixing’s arms to drink the soup. It was at just the right temperature, and having slept for so long, she was indeed very thirsty; she drank half a bowl in one go. It was slightly sweet with a faint medicinal scent, yet fragrant and not at all hard to swallow.

“What is this?” “Ginseng soup.” “!!” Sheng Ruxi’s eyes widened. “Wasn’t that for you to nourish your body?!” Jian Jixing remained composed: “We’ll drink it together. It’s just that I think you need more nourishment.”

Who is the one who needs it… Had she forgotten Dr. Tang’s instructions? Sheng Ruxi was very dissatisfied. To prove she was capable, she sat up on her own to hold and drink it. Sipping it in small mouthfuls, her gaze caught the pillow beside her that had marks from her legs, and as her thoughts drifted, she suddenly choked and coughed.

“What’s the rush?” Jian Jixing patted her back, took the bowl from her hand, and teased her for looking like a rushed child.

“Not drinking anymore.” Sheng Ruxi pushed her luck, swallowed the mouthful in her throat, and pouted at Jian Jixing. “Ah, Jian Jixing, what should I do? I feel like you’re even more to my liking than the servants at my house.”

The eldest young lady’s way of praising people was truly unique. If she didn’t know her personality, Jian Jixing would surely think this was an insult.

“I know you’re praising me.” Setting down the bowl, Jian Jixing easily pulled Sheng Ruxi over to sit on her. Sheng Ruxi reached out to circle Jian Jixing’s neck. Her body temperature was soft and warm, like marshmallow clouds. Sheng Ruxi felt the tone of her voice was very strange; acting coy with Jian Jixing was as simple as breathing. She was used to acting coy at home, but since she and Jian Jixing used to argue whenever they met, she had basically never used this skill in front of her.

“What should I do?” she whispered very softly into Jian Jixing’s ear.

“Hmm?” Jian Jixing deliberately leaned a bit closer to her, naturally feeling Sheng Ruxi’s soft lips leave a gentle imprint on the side of her face. Sheng Ruxi rubbed her head vigorously against the side of Jian Jixing’s neck and said contentedly: “So this is what it feels like to be in love with you. What should I do? It’s so addictive…”

Jian Jixing parted her legs and lifted her up directly. After resting for a few hours, Sheng Ruxi’s legs had regained sensation. The moment they wrapped around Jian Jixing’s waist, they began to tremble uncontrollably. In this room last night, when Jian Jixing was tossing her around, she had stayed standing in this position, supporting her with one hand while the other hand misbehaved.

Sheng Ruxi immediately held her breath: “W-w-what are you doing… it’s not, not night yet…”

“Stop letting your head fill with wild thoughts.” Jian Jixing led her toward the stairs, unable to stop a laugh. “Although I’m just as addicted as you, I won’t be bothering you every single second. Didn’t Dr. Tang prescribe an ointment? We need to apply it.”

Sheng Ruxi’s face instantly turned red: “…” What kind of person is she! Making it sound like I’m thinking about it every second! I’m not.

The sofa in the living room was wide enough to lie down and roll around. As Sheng Ruxi was set down, she saw the tube of medicine Jian Jixing was holding and only then realized: “Where are the cotton swabs?”

“I’ll apply it for you; no need for swabs.” Jian Jixing tilted her chin, taking out a small stack of transparent finger cots. “We need to use these.”

This overturned Sheng Ruxi’s understanding. Is this legitimate medicine?

Seeing Jian Jixing methodically preparing to put a cot on her index finger, Sheng Ruxi’s face began to heat up for some reason, and she stammered: “N-no need, just resting is fine, no need for medicine, let me down…” She tried to get up, but Jian Jixing knelt and pressed against the edge of the sofa.

“Only we know the intensity of last night.” Jian Jixing whispered, “Be good. Just medicine, nothing else.”

As if anyone could resist this! Sheng Ruxi’s ears were scalding, and certain changes in her body were obvious. It was already like this before even applying the medicine; what would happen once she actually started? She didn’t care anymore; she just wanted to stop Jian Jixing. She simply grabbed Jian Jixing’s finger, pulled her over, and kissed her recklessly.

The finger cot was specially for applying medicine, fitting snugly on Jian Jixing’s index finger. Before it reached the base, Sheng Ruxi haphazardly fumbled and pulled it off. Jian Jixing let her; it was already soiled anyway and would need to be replaced.

The one who initiated the kiss was the one who ended up dizzy. After Sheng Ruxi panted in Jian Jixing’s ear for a while, Jian Jixing pinched her chin and asked: “The ginseng soup had no effect?” Otherwise, why was she tired after just a moment?

Sheng Ruxi was screaming internally, but she had no strength: “Whose ginseng soup works the second after you drink it… no medicine…”

Jian Jixing kissed her again. Her kiss was a bit provocative; she kissed her lips, and just as Sheng Ruxi dizzily stuck out her tongue, she moved away. Although it was hard to say, Jian Jixing still said: “I have to leave tomorrow.”

And it was soon; she had to leave tomorrow morning. She realized that Sheng Ruxi seemed to really like her this way. She kissed deeply, kissed tormentingly, and Sheng Ruxi liked it all. The trembling of her body, the flush on her face, the thin layer of sweat starting on her back, and the uncontrollable wetness were all evidence.

Jian Jixing just happened to have a bright and flirtatious face, but she was really not good at provocation; she relied purely on her mastery of Sheng Ruxi’s bodily reactions.

Sheng Ruxi was stunned by Jian Jixing saying she had to leave. Subconsciously, she tightly grabbed Jian Jixing’s collar: “Leave? Don’t…” Her eyes were filled with tears, perhaps from anxiety, perhaps from shyness. The sun was setting, and the late-afternoon glow like crushed gold entered her eyes, melting all over her. It made Jian Jixing only want to hold this beautiful scenery and do anything for her.

“Baby, then let’s apply the medicine properly.” Jian Jixing whispered in Sheng Ruxi’s ear, coaxing her. “Don’t make me worry while I’m out working. I want to see how you’re recovering via video.”