Getting into the house, Lixi went straight to her bedroom. She freshened up mechanically, movements slow and heavy, as if her body was working a few seconds behind her mind. When she turned away from the sink and took a few steps toward the bed, the room suddenly tilted.
The walls felt too close. The lights too bright.
Her steps faltered. She reached out instinctively, fingers scraping against the bedside table as her vision swam. The water jug sat just within reach. She stumbled the last step, gripping it like a lifeline, and drank hurriedly, water spilling down her chin as she gasped for air.
Only then did she sit down on the bed, chest rising and falling unevenly. "I'm fine," she whispered to no one, though her body clearly disagreed.
Her palm drifted to her stomach, resting there protectively. The faint movement beneath her skin felt real and undeniable, and grounded her just enough. She exhaled shakily, lay back, and forced her eyes shut, surrendering to exhaustion rather than peace.
Meanwhile Zhu Villa.
Guo Min stood before the mirror, finishing her nighttime routine with quiet precision. The soft glow of the vanity lights reflected her pale face, the faint shadows beneath her eyes betraying more than she wanted to admit.
The bathroom door opened behind her. Zihan stepped out, towel draped around his neck, hair still damp. He paused when he saw her reflection. After a moment, he rubbed a hand through his hair and walked up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist.
She didn't lean into him. He pressed a kiss to her neck, then another, familiar and gentle. Normally, she would have smiled, teased him, turned in his arms. But tonight, she stiffened.
"Zihan," she said softly, lifting a hand to push him back, not forceful but firm. "I'm not feeling very good today. Please."
She stepped away before he could respond, climbed into bed, and pulled the duvet up around herself like a shield. Zihan stood there for a second, confusion flickering across his face. This wasn't like her.
He frowned, then followed her to the bed, lying down beside her and wrapping his arms around her from behind, careful this time. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing," she replied at once.
He didn't believe her. Not for a second. "You said the same thing in the car...". he murmured, his voice low against her hair. "But this doesn't look like 'nothing' ."
After a long pause, she finally whispered, her voice barely audible, "I don't know… I'm just tired."
Zihan didn't reply immediately. Instead, his arms tightened around her, protective and steady. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead gently against the back of hers. His eyes darkened, thoughts moving behind them before he spoke in a low, controlled voice. "If the kidnapping incident is still bothering you," he said slowly, "I've taken care of it. Completely."
There was a brief pause before he added, more firmly, "I won't let anyone hurt you again."
Guo Min turned in his arms to face him, searching his expression. "…Promise?" she asked quietly.
"Mm. Promise," he replied without hesitation.
Only then did she nod. Turning away again, she settled back against his chest, clearly ready to sleep, until his voice broke the calm.
"…So, can I touch you now?"
The timing, the seriousness on his face, and the absurdly careful way he asked made something in Guo Min snap. She burst out laughing.
Zihan stiffened, blinking in confusion as she laughed harder, clutching the duvet. Sometimes, just sometimes... he acted like a child asking for candy with a straight face. If she didn't know better, she would never believe this man was Zhu Zihan, the cold, untouchable figure the business world feared.
"…Min'er?". He called her softly.
Guo Min froze.
He did use that name occasionally, but never when she was fully conscious. The fact that she heard it clearly this time made her heart stutter, though she pretended otherwise.
"What?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Zihan frowned slightly. "Why were you laughing just now?"
She turned to him, eyes bright, and smiled. "Why not? You suddenly looked cute to me."
Before he could react, she reached out and grabbed his face, gently pinching his cheeks, ruffling his perfectly styled hair without fear. For a few moments, he simply let her... expression unreadable, eyes fixed on her as if trying to process what was happening.
Then, without warning, he rolled them over, his body hovering over hers, one arm braced beside her head.
"You seem to be getting baby fever," he said calmly.
"No, I'm not," she replied instantly.
"And you dare call me cute," he continued, his gaze narrowing slightly. "I am your husband. Not your son."
The way he said it, so seriously, like she had committed a grave offense only made her burst into laughter again.
"Oh dear, I'm so...". She didn't get to finish. Zihan leaned down, cutting off her words with a kiss, firm, unhurried, and undeniably possessive in the quietest way possible.
Her laughter faded into a soft sound against his mouth, her hands curling into his shirt without thinking. Only then did he deepen it slightly. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, breath steady, gaze unwavering. "Sleep," he murmured.
"Mm... Good night". Guo Min whispered.
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains, pale and unhurried.
Zhu Zihan moved around the bedroom with quiet efficiency, already fully awake, buttoning his cufflinks as if it were any other workday. Guo Min remained curled beneath the duvet, half-propped on one elbow, eyes following him lazily as though watching a familiar ritual.
After a moment, she spoke, her voice still rough with sleep. "A suit?" she asked. "On a Sunday? Where are you even going on a weekend?"
Zihan didn't pause. He slipped his watch onto his wrist, checked the time, and answered evenly, "Work."
She frowned. "On a Sunday?" One brow arched, unimpressed.
"Not the office," he added.
That was enough. Understanding flickered across her face immediately. Whatever it was, it wasn't something he could delegate or delay. With a quiet sigh, she pushed the duvet aside and sat up.
"Of course," she murmured. She crossed the room toward the closet, pulling out a fresh set of clothes for later before heading into the bathroom. Without looking back, she stepped out of the rest of her clothes, wrapping herself securely in a towel.
The bathroom was warm, filled with the faint scent of eucalyptus and soap. Guo Min washed her face slowly, the last remnants of sleep fading as she turned on the water for the bathtub. Steam began to rise, fogging the mirror.
She walked to the hanger to hang her towel... And walked straight into him.
His blazer and shoes were gone. His tie loosened. Hands tucked casually into his pockets as if he'd been there all along, watching.
Guo Min startled, then immediately narrowed her eyes. "…What do you want?" she asked, suspicious.
He didn't answer. Instead, his gaze lingered, taking in her damp hair, her bare shoulders, the way the towel clung to her frame. Then one hand lifted, fingers sliding gently into her hair, guiding her closer without force.
Before she could protest, his forehead touched hers. Then his lips found hers. The kiss was slow. Her breath hitched despite herself.
His other hand slid to the edge of her towel, tugging it.
Guo Min broke the kiss just enough to whisper, "You said you had work."
"I do," he replied calmly, his voice low against her lips. Then, softer and almost dangerously. "But I didn't say I was in a hurry."
The bathwater continued to run, steam curling around them as the space grew warmer, quieter, sealed off from the world waiting outside the door.