Chapter 5

"I was an idiot to listen to you two single dogs!"

Without further hesitation, he booked the earliest flight.

12

My final scene went smoothly.

I wrapped.

The director arranged a small celebration, inviting several lead actors to dinner.

I had a little wine and felt pleasantly lightheaded.

With the alcohol's help, I expressed my gratitude to Yan Zheng.

Then I systematically reviewed everything I'd learned, the inspiration he'd given me, my future acting plans...

As solemnly as a student defending a thesis.

Apparently, this sort of flattery suited him.

Not only did he praise me, he personally drove me back to the hotel afterward.

Surprised and delighted, I was floating with pride.

Unlucky in love. Lucky at work.

Looked at that way, divorcing Ning Tianye didn't seem quite so unbearable.

Whistling softly, I swiped my room card.

I'd barely stepped inside when strong arms closed around my waist from behind.

"Ah!"

The wine vanished from my system.

I screamed and swung my fists wildly behind me.

One blow must have landed.

A low, pained groan sounded in the darkness.

A hoarse voice said, "It's me."

I went stiff and immediately stopped.

My chest was still heaving as I shouted, "Ning Tianye, are you insane? You can scare someone to death! I—"

Before I finished, he pressed me hard against the cold door.

His mouth abruptly claimed mine.

His kiss was fierce, overwhelming, as though taking a city by storm.

I deliberately bit his lip and tasted a trace of blood.

He didn't release me.

The hand at the back of my neck tightened. His kiss only grew more insistent.

He parted my lips and drew me into it until all I could do was tip my head back.

Dizzy, my legs weakening, I endured.

Only after a long time did he finally let go.

His forehead rested against mine. Our breaths tangled.

"You've been drinking."

His voice was terribly hoarse.

A statement, dark and beyond argument.

"Was dinner with him that much fun?"

"He drove you back. What did you talk about? Did he kiss you like I do?"

"I was going to pretend I didn't know..."

His fingers tightened at the back of my neck.

"But why do you keep insisting on divorce? Hm, sweetheart?"

"All this time trying to be like him, and you still want to leave..."

"Looks like I'll have to remind you my own way who your husband is."

13

The barrage of questions left me stunned.

What was happening?

He'd misunderstood my relationship with Yan Zheng?

And he'd actually been copying him?

While I was still processing that, the world spun.

He lifted me into his arms.

The next moment, I landed on the soft mattress.

His shadow fell over me.

I watched him slowly undo his belt, his gaze deep and intent.

Strangely, I wasn't afraid at all.

Instead, a secret current ran up my spine, filling me with an excitement I couldn't describe.

That night, my awareness rose and fell with the tide, waves breaking endlessly against offshore rocks until I lost all sense of direction.

I sank into it.

I didn't want to come out.

He only stopped near dawn.

I couldn't have lifted a finger.

Lying limp and drowsy, I dimly felt a warm cloth moving over my skin.

He pressed close to my neck, wiping me down and crying.

"You're so sweet right now."

"But in the morning, you'll want to divorce me again. Please don't. All right?"

My heart melted.

I wanted to touch his face. Tell him there would be no divorce.

No divorce.

But I was too sleepy.

I murmured something unintelligible and slipped into oblivion.

The next morning, the bed beside me was empty.

My heart clenched. I sat up and called instinctively, my voice rough.

"Honey?"

Silence.

My fingers brushed the cold quilt beside me.

Even I began to panic.

Had last night been nothing more than an extraordinarily vivid dream?

Just then, a soft click came.

The door opened.

Ning Tianye came in carrying breakfast, fatigue still lingering between his brows.

"Awake? Hungry? Come and eat."

Last night had been bliss almost beyond bearing.

It had also taken a serious toll on my energy.

My stomach was growling.

Without pretending otherwise, I threw off the covers and got up.

He'd bought my favorite steamed dumplings, thin-skinned and generously filled.

I ate them in two bites each, cheeks puffed, oblivious to everything else.

Across from me, he barely touched his chopsticks.

His bowl of congee sat almost untouched.

He watched me without blinking.

Impatience, uncertainty, and a lingering hunger after sweetness all tangled in his eyes.

He clearly had something on his mind.

Something he was painfully waiting for.

Chewing, I tilted my head.

"Why are you staring? Aren't you eating?"

His eyes reddened instantly.

Before I could react, large tears dropped onto the edge of the table.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry..."

"You must hate me. But I really don't want to divorce you. Not now. Not ever."

"Oh, come on. Why are you crying?"

I took a tissue over and wiped his tears, my fingers brushing his red eyes.

A man's tears were a woman's aphrodisiac.

Outwardly, I offered soothing words.

Inside, I was rather excited.

He caught my wrist and rubbed against it, his voice thick and nasal.

"I know that old man seduced you. I don't blame you. I won't trouble him, either. Just give me another chance."

He paused, then added miserably, "Do you really like his type? Can he take care of you like I can? Does he have the stamina? Can he keep you happy until dawn?"

I clicked my tongue and slapped his hand away.

"Don't talk about Mr. Yan like that!"

He fell silent at once, his brows drooping.

"All right. I won't."

Then he moved closer and tugged my clothes.

"Can we go home? As long as you come back with me, I can bear anything."

"I've been holding back even with you dressing so sexily lately. There's nothing I can't endure."

I deliberately raised a brow and poked his forehead.

"Who told you there was anything improper between Mr. Yan and me? Why don't I know about it?"

"You did..."

His voice dwindled, full of grievance.

"You've given me divorce papers twice. Didn't you mean it? You said he was wonderful. Said you wanted to be with him every day..."

"Is that what I meant?"

Helpless and amused, I pressed a hand to my forehead.

"What on earth have you been thinking? He's a senior actor. He mentors me."

I changed my tone and looked straight into his eyes.

"Besides, I'm married. If some gorgeous woman threw herself at you now, would you cheat?"

"Of course not!"

The answer was immediate and absolute.

"Then would I?"

He was speechless.

Two seconds later, wild joy flooded his eyes.

He seized my hands and shook them.

"What do you mean? You don't like him? You never did?"

"Mm-hm."

I spread my hands and finally told the truth.

"I mentioned divorce because you wouldn't touch me. I thought you'd stopped loving me."

"Nonsense!"

He held up three fingers in an oath, every joint taut.

"Absolutely not! Cui Ting gave me that idiotic advice. Said you liked cool, restrained men. That's why I forced myself into that stupid image. I've nearly exploded holding back!"

"Tsk, tsk."

I rolled my eyes and poked his cheek.

"Nearly exploded, but couldn't open your mouth and ask. Idiot."

He laughed through his tears and nuzzled my palm.

"I was scared. If I asked and you admitted it, I wouldn't have any chance left."

"All right."

I rose onto my toes and kissed him.

"It's explained now. Let's go home."

I turned to look for my clothes.

"Wait."

He suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist. His palm was hot enough to make me tremble.

Lowering his head, he brushed the mark on my neck.

"You still haven't explained this. Or that call."

"I was miserable for a long time."

"Oh, that. Nothing."

I waved casually and glanced back.

"Cai Zhaozhao's tricks. She was helping me test whether you were cheating."

"Really?"

He raised a brow, his fingers tracing my neck, something rakish in his voice.

"I don't believe you."

"Unless... you prove it yourself."

Before he finished, the clothes I'd just put on were coming off again.

Hot breath brushed my ear. My head began spinning.

Well. Nothing to be done.

We'd have to book the room for another day.

Extra

For the past two days, nothing had gone right for Yan Zheng.

First, obsessive fans had blocked his path for no reason.

Then came a pile of threatening messages.

【You damned homewrecker! Seducing another man's wife! Have you no shame? None?!】

【Just wait. You're finished. You dare seduce my wife? I'll fight you!】

【Please. Give me my wife back. I've only got ONE wife, and you still want to steal her. Fuck you! Fuck you!】

He dismissed them as harassment and ignored them.

Who would have thought that, days later, the sender would apologize?

【Hahaha, Mr. Yan. Actually, I'm a fan. I only sent those to get your attention. You didn't seriously think you could seduce my wife, did you?】

【What a mess, hahaha. Sorry, Mr. Yan. I'll disappear now.】

Yan Zheng: ?

(The End)