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

Darkness had not yet fully descended; the dim yellow light of the bedside lamp stubbornly enveloped a corner of the bed, yet it seemed unable to penetrate the suddenly stagnant air between the two.

The traveler hesitated to utter his sophistry.

"Actually, I have always liked you."

Once those few words are uttered, everything will be completely different.

It will no longer be ambiguous probing, vague guessing, or cross-boundary jokes between colleagues. It will become blatant, unequivocal... workplace sexual harassment.

The vice-leader, of questionable character, harassed the staff of the hall...

The traveler could almost see Walnut's face, which always wore a mischievous smile but became unusually serious when principles were involved, and hear the ceremonial attendants whispering in hushed tones.

After saying that... I probably really can't stay in the Hall of Rebirth any longer.

But the real threat is—my wallet!

Having lost her stable (and well-paid) job at the Hall of Rebirth, she could no longer fulfill her Mora-intensive travel plans, upgrade her equipment, or pursue her culinary desires!

Or...

Another, even more outrageous idea, one that carried a certain absurd superiority complex, popped up—"I'll give you a promotion and a raise, all you have to do is obediently follow my lead."

Help!

This sounds even worse! It sounds more like a malicious boss coercing or bribing his subordinate!

"Actually, I!" she shouted almost in exasperation, trying to dispel the jumbled thoughts in her mind.

At the same time, she pressed her arm, which was originally supporting her on the other person's side, down further, leaned forward, and closed the already very close distance, creating a more oppressive posture.

However, after the aggressive action, his mind went completely blank.

Actually, I... still can't think of a suitable excuse!

The stalemate lasted only a second.

Under the other person's calm gaze, the traveler, in a moment of inspiration, or rather, in a desperate act, managed to concoct a barely plausible excuse: "There are some things... I want to verify."

Yes, this is an experiment.

She tried desperately to justify herself, attempting to use a cloak of reason to mask her irrational impulses.

Hopefully, Liyue's lawyers... and Liyue's legal system, think the same way...

Although he knew it was risky, and his cheeks were burning hot, the traveler didn't hesitate any longer, and his free hand suddenly reached for the headboard—

"Click".

With a soft sound, the last halo of dim light disappeared, and the room was plunged into complete darkness.

In the instant her vision was taken away, her other senses became exceptionally acute. She could hear her own heartbeat, feel the other person's sudden, slight pause in breathing, and smell that increasingly clear fragrance.

Then, veiled by the last thin layer of courage given by the darkness, she lowered her head and accurately caught sight of those soft lips in the darkness.

The moment of touch, there was an invisible attraction, tempting the body to get a little closer.

A rich and pure tea aroma, mixed with a very faint minty coolness, instantly filled the air between the two people's tightly pressed lips and teeth.

The traveler recognized the scent as the tooth powder from Liyue Harbor, which she occasionally used herself (though she preferred toothpaste). This familiar scent strangely eased the unfamiliarity and tension.

At first, the person beneath her seemed somewhat stiff, letting her lips press against hers without responding or resisting. But soon, that stiffness softened. The other began to respond subtly, first with tentative, light pursing of the lips, then with a deeper, slower, and more restrained entanglement.

The response wasn't enthusiastic; it was a deliberately suppressed rhythm, as if trying to maintain a precarious defense, or perhaps subtly savoring and guiding.

However, some things are instincts that are difficult to completely conceal.

Especially when the traveler takes advantage of the other person's apparent relaxation of vigilance while they are gradually immersed in this "verification experiment," they can subtly move their knees.

wrong.

That position does not belong to women.

All the probing, speculation, and doubt found irrefutable "evidence" at this moment.

The traveler abruptly raised her head, breaking free from the kiss that had been filled with the aroma of tea. In the darkness, with a mixture of anger and a strange sense of victory, she stated the truth decisively:

"Stop pretending, Zhongli. I know it's you."

The declaration of victory had barely been uttered, and the echoes of it hadn't even completely faded...

The force that had initially been merely a restrained response suddenly took over, one hand tightening its grip on the back of her head, and a warm breath drawing closer, completely silencing her unfinished words.

This kiss was no longer one of probing and restraint, but rather one of demanding and controlling, born from being exposed and no longer concealing it.

The kiss became more aggressive, robbing her of all the possibility of breathing and making a sound.

At the same time, another strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist and tightened its grip.

Caught off guard, the traveler was pulled by that force and pressed completely against the other person's body. Through the thin nightgown, the previously subtle difference was now crystal clear.

The soft curves of a woman's body that could be vaguely felt just moments ago have vanished without a trace, replaced by firm, smooth, and powerful male muscle lines, with a broad chest and a lean waist.

If she could touch the other person's face with both hands at this moment, what her fingertips would touch would no longer be Jin Moli's soft, feminine facial contours, but rather more defined cheekbones, a straighter nose, and a more distinct jawline...

"Hoo... Ugh..."

She didn't know how much time had passed, but when her lungs were almost empty of oxygen and her brain began to feel dizzy, her opponent finally loosened his grip slightly, allowing her a precious chance to catch her breath.

Fresh air rushed into my chest, bringing a shock of returning to reality.

Seizing this brief moment, the traveler frantically reached for the bedside lamp switch.

She needs light!

Her hand had only extended halfway when her wrist was grabbed by the ground.

With a gentle pull, she was brought back into that embrace that had become both strange and familiar. That chest, which had been a comfortable "human mattress" just minutes before, now felt completely foreign to her.

He is right.

There's no need to look at faces to recognize someone. A kiss is enough to tell who it is.

My God... how many people have I kissed?

Why am I unconsciously comparing the details of kissing them in my mind?

This lapse in concentration lasted only a moment.

The next second, the world spun around!

Originally positioned on top, she was effortlessly slid into the soft mattress with a seemingly effortless flip by the other party.

A heavy body then covered her, and strong arms and long legs, in a skillful and absolute manner, restrained her limbs, rendering her unable to move.

(Friendly reminder: Never be alone in a closed room with a man of unknown identity or behaving strangely!)

"Stop!" A familiar sense of foreboding arose in the traveler's heart.

The scene before her, the balance of power, the air of complete control... made her realize what was likely to happen next.

This wasn't the first time she had sensed a dangerous, impending loss of control boundary under such an absolute power imbalance and ambiguous, tense atmosphere.

However, her vague refusal, made unclear by nervousness and shortness of breath, received no verbal or physical response.

There was no explanation, no promise, and no cessation.

She received only a comforting kiss on her forehead, which felt like a compensatory test.

He seemed to retain a sliver of reason, not taking any further action immediately, but waiting quietly in the darkness, waiting for her resistance to gradually soften under silent pressure and gentle coaxing, waiting for that shaky defense to completely collapse.

only……

The timing was terrible.

When that tentative kiss landed again, trying to find the corner of her lips...

There was no excess, no warning whatsoever!

The dazzling golden light instantly filled every corner of the room, dispelling all shadows and exposing all concealment and disguise under its brilliant radiance.

The outline of the furniture, the texture of the fabric, the dust floating in the air... even the figure covering her, every detail is laid bare at this moment.