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

(Congratulations to the main character for winning this year's Valentine's Day event by two votes!)

"Well……"

The midday sun shone through the carved window lattice, spreading a warm, golden light across the bed. The dappled sunlight fell on the brocade quilt, making it slightly warm, and a fine layer of sweat gradually formed on the skin.

With the Lantern Festival approaching, the weather in Liyue has warmed up a bit. Not to mention someone's warm embrace, its temperature even more scorching than the sun, enveloping me completely from behind.

His eyes were lightly closed, his breathing almost too steady. His chest rose and fell gently with that rhythmic movement, each rise and fall pressing against my back.

The eyelashes cast a faint shadow under the eyelids, and the face appeared exceptionally serene in the afternoon light, so serene that it was obvious without even guessing that the person was pretending to be asleep.

Curled up in the shadow cast by his side, undisturbed by the sunlight, she was still covered in sweat.

I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck, one breath at a time, like a feather gently brushing against the back of my neck.

His arm was wrapped around my waist, its weight just right, trapping me within his territory. I tried to turn over, but the moment I moved, his arm tightened subtly.

They were quite serious about pretending to be asleep.

I just took a shower last night, but I feel sticky all over. I'll probably have to shower again this morning.

“Mr. Zhongli…” I began, my voice weak and feeble.

Her throat was dry, and every time she tried to beg for mercy, he gently shut her up. Every time she thought it was over, it was just the beginning of a new round.

The soreness all over my body hadn't subsided yet, and the muscles in my waist and legs felt weak. Every movement made me feel the traces left from last night and the sore, swollen fatigue from being repeatedly tormented.

"Ah."

Every morning, he only "wakes up" when I call him.

Those special eyes slowly opened. He looked at me, his pupils reflecting my current appearance: my face flushed, my hair disheveled and plastered to my forehead and neck, the collar of my undergarment wrinkled and open at one corner, revealing a faint red mark on my collarbone.

That gaze was so focused. It slid from my eyebrows to the tip of my nose, then to my lips, and finally landed on that red mark, pausing slightly.

As is customary, the first thing to do when greeting each other in the morning is a good morning kiss.

He lowered his head slightly. His warm lips landed on my forehead, touched it lightly, and lingered for a moment. Then they moved down... my brow bone, my eyelids, the tip of my nose, and finally stopped at my lips.

It was just a very light kiss. Lips pressed together, not deep, but I could feel the slight upturn of his lips; he was smiling.

This is just the beginning.

As is customary, the sensation will then spread from the lips to the neck, and down the collarbone. Taking advantage of the morning's sweet intimacy, continuing the "sexual activity" unfinished the previous night becomes a natural next step.

I knew it the moment that refreshing aroma of tea touched my lips and teeth. He had been up for a long time.

The aroma of Chenyu Valley's new tea is refreshing and slightly sweet.

He must have already eaten breakfast before having tea. He browsed through several antique shops. He even brought back some flashy but impractical trinkets that I forbade him to buy.

For example, last week he took a liking to that small bronze incense burner. I said it was too expensive, and he nodded and said, "Indeed." But yesterday I saw it in his room.

Then he went back to bed, pretending to have just woken up.

"No."

Finally getting a moment to catch my breath, I quickly pushed away his chest. Beneath my palm was his warm body temperature and his steady, calm heartbeat, not fast, but composed, as if certain I couldn't escape.

"Shhh."

He tilted his head slightly and glanced at the door, like a vigilant hunter who had sensed something. Then his warm breath brushed against my face, carrying a faint fragrance of tea.

He looked away and at me, a faint smile in his eyes, clearly having found another perfect reason to continue kissing.

Then he stuck to me again.

A few strands of long hair slipped from my shoulder, brushing against my neck, causing a slight itch wherever they touched.

His hair was cool, a stark contrast to the sweltering atmosphere.

The posture had changed at some point.

My body lay flat on the bed, nestled deep in the soft brocade quilt, confined to the small space between my arms and chest.

"Humph……"

Even when he voiced his dissatisfaction, he never stopped.

It was only because last night, when I was packing up the laundry to be washed, he accidentally discovered a small gift from a friend, and he used "jealousy" as an excuse to have an affair with me all night.

There aren't many reasons left for him. I'm quite curious what new excuses he can come up with to legitimately come to my room and occupy my bed.

"Um... let go..."

dong dong dong-

It was the sound of shoes stepping on the hallway floor, light and fragmented.

There's no need to guess who's here.

Then came the knocking. Three loud, clear knocks.

"Lu Ren! Are you awake?" Hu Tao's voice came through the door, as if she was about to push the door open and enter.

"Um, just a moment... I'm about to take a shower." I turned my head away, avoiding Zhong Li's lips that were leaning in again. His lips brushed against my cheek, only landing near my ear.

"Take a bath?" Hu Tao asked, puzzled. "Take a bath in the middle of the day?"

She paused, then added, her tone suddenly becoming enthusiastic: "Hey? How about we go together? I was just thinking of taking a shower too!"

"Together?"

I looked at the guy in front of me, whose eyes seemed to light up again after hearing those two words. It was as if he had found another perfect reason to torment me.

"Didn't a new hot spring resort open last month?" Hu Tao continued explaining through the door: "I heard the environment is amazing, with ocean views! There are outdoor pools and private baths too. It's on me!"

"Okay," I agreed, trying to find a loophole to escape from Zhongli's "cage".

She didn't succeed. The hand on her waist tightened.

"Okay!" Hu Tao's voice was even more excited. I could almost picture her bouncing around outside. "Once I hand over all my work for today to the guest elder, we'll set off! About... half an hour? An hour? Anyway, wait for me!"

She paused for a moment, then asked, "By the way, have you seen the guest minister? I knocked on his door earlier, but no one answered. He doesn't seem to be in his room."

"what……"

I looked at the "chaste and pure" guest of the Rebirth Hall before me. He was looking down at me, his eyes half-smiling, his lips slightly upturned, his eyes full of "let's see what you do" attitude, waiting to watch the show.

I cleared my throat, trying to make my voice sound natural, and even added a touch of "I'm confused too" to my tone:

"No. Don't you know him? He's been out drinking tea, watching plays, and browsing antique shops, hasn't he? Hmm... phew..."

The last syllable is due to the fingertips on the waist gently rubbing against the waist, carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and punishment.

"Really?" Hu Tao's voice sounded like she had a headache; even through the door, one could imagine her scrunched-up face. "He seems to have been gone since last night. I haven't seen him all day..."

She paused, her voice tinged with sorrow: "We made plans to go out today, but the guest master isn't here. Who's in charge of things here?"

"When did you arrange to go on this trip with the Hall Master?" Zhongli narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice so low that only I could hear it. If you didn't see the somewhat eerie expression on his face, he would look like a forgotten, resentful husband.