Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

(For minors, the previous post is already the end~ Good boy/girl~)

(This side story deviates from the main plot and represents a certain point in the book. Happy birthday, Your Majesty!)

At first, everything remained in an ambiguous atmosphere, with light, almost imperceptible touches. It was just normal interaction between two people with a "special relationship," a tacit acceptance that was closer than that between others—holding hands, fingertips unconsciously intertwining, or a brief, almost illusory closeness.

Zhongli's eyes were always filled with an unyielding tenderness, focused and gentle, encompassing everything. I was still immersed in this sweet, dizzying feeling of butterflies in my stomach, and hadn't thought much about it...

Until, with one hand, he easily grasped both my wrists and held them in front of me. He then used his other hand to firmly wrap his arm around my shoulder, instantly closing the distance between us until we could hear each other's breath.

Only then did the belated alarm bells ring sharply in my confused mind.

Not right.

Even children know that when a man and a woman are alone in a room late at night, problems are likely to arise.

But what about me? I was still foolishly clinging to some naive and beautiful fantasy, thinking that tonight would end with just the warmth by the window and verbal exchanges.

"What...what now?" My voice lowered involuntarily, trembling slightly. My cheeks must have been burning red; I could clearly feel the heat.

“Not long ago, I said ‘you’re not allowed to leave.’” He tilted his head slightly, a faint, questioning smile playing on his lips, and with my accusatory words, he subtly blocked my escape route: “Your words are still ringing in my ears, are they no longer valid now?”

Damn it! This guy! He actually used my words to shut me up!

"What I meant was... you're not allowed to disappear without a word like before, playing hide-and-seek!" I tried to argue forcefully and regain some control: "How can resting in your own room be considered 'leaving'? Of course, no problem!"

Stop trying to confuse things here!

“No.” He shook his head, his expression suddenly becoming unusually serious, even carrying a hint of the solemnity of the “God of Contracts,” although the actions of his hands had nothing to do with this serious tone: “You and I have already made a contract regarding the matter of ‘not leaving.’ Once the contract is established, anyone who breaks their word… shall be punished by the Devouring Rock.” He spoke the last few words softly.

“In that case…” I took a deep breath and decided to use my trump card, though I didn’t really want to use it at a time like this: “To avoid ‘breaching the contract,’ I should pack my bags and leave Liyue tomorrow.” I raised my eyes, making sure my gaze looked as serious as his.

Who told you to force me to do this?

"..." He paused for a moment, his golden eyes gleaming slightly in the dim light. Then, very naturally, as if the conversation about "contract" and "leaving" had never happened, he even added a perfectly timed, pitiful innocence to his tone: "I didn't book a room."

The abrupt shift in topic and the obvious intention left me speechless for a moment.

"I'll order it for you!" I said, enunciating each word clearly, trying to break free from his grip on my wrist. But his seemingly casual hold was like the strongest rock lock, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape even a little.

The difference in strength between the two was now crystal clear.

"The innkeeper said that tonight is New Year's Eve, all the rooms are already booked, not a single one is left." He answered smoothly without blinking, his voice still as gentle as the night breeze rustling through the window screen.

"Stop lying... Ugh!"

Before she could finish her rebuttal, her lips were suddenly pressed close to his, silencing her completely.

For the rest of the time, my lips and tongue were "forced" to be busy with another completely different and dizzying "task," leaving no time to organize any rebuttal.

After the initial shock, a warm touch and tender entanglement gradually overwhelmed reason. The rhythm of breathing was disrupted, becoming difficult and rapid; the lungs craved air, yet were also indulging in this overly intimate act of taking and giving.

He's getting more and more outrageous!

In the remaining consciousness, only this vague thought of protest remained, which then dissipated in the increasingly turbulent waves.

……

I don't know how much time passed, but when he finally stepped back a little to give me some breathing space, I almost collapsed into his arms and could only stand up with his support.

My brain was oxygen-deprived, and my ears were ringing. I leaned against his strong chest, gulping down precious air. Each breath was scorching hot, and my cheeks were burning.

“The birthday gifts… are not all given yet.” His voice was a few decibels lower and hoarseer than before, close to my burning earlobe, carrying an unsatisfied lingering tone and a deeper implication: “It seems there’s still one missing this year.”

Before I could finish speaking, I suddenly felt a lightness in my body and my vision spun around me.

A gasp caught in her throat, and she only had time to instinctively grab his neck. The next second, her back touched something soft—the bed.

He actually picked me up with one hand, walked a few steps to the bedside, and gently placed me on the large bed covered with soft fabric.

I lay there half-reclined, dizzy from the kiss and the sudden change in position, and froze, unable to react immediately.

Things have developed...it seems too fast. Faster than I expected and was mentally prepared for.

I lay stiffly on the soft bed, enduring the violent heaving of my chest due to lack of oxygen and tension. My gaze had nowhere to settle; I could only desperately focus on the patterns on the wall behind the semi-transparent gauze curtain hanging above the bed, trying to grasp some anchor of reality.

Until, a familiar dark coat with exquisite gold embroidery was casually tossed aside from the edge of my sight and landed right in front of me.

The intricate and ornate embroidery threads shimmered subtly in the warm indoor light, momentarily dazzling my eyes and making my already dazed thoughts even more absent-minded.

Suddenly, my vision was blocked by a shadow. One hand was braced on the bed beside me as he leaned closer, enveloping me in a position that made me feel half-submerged. The fabric rustled softly, a sound that was especially clear in the room where only my rapid breathing could be heard.

Then, a pair of warm hands supported my shoulders, their strength gentle yet firm, gently pushing my body, which I was trying to curl up, until I lay flat. This position left me with nowhere to escape, completely exposed to his gaze.

"I...I don't remember receiving this 'birthday gift' last year." My voice was hoarse, and I dared not look at his face, which was so close to mine and seemed to possess a magnetic quality. I hurriedly looked away, but my gaze fell squarely on the slightly open collar of his black shirt, which he had opened due to his movements. The warm skin and the indistinct lines made my gaze recoil as if burned, and my heart pounded like a drum.