"Mmm..."
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes fluttered open, and she instinctively tried to resist.
But in the next second, the cool yet rich wine had already slowly flowed into her mouth.
The sweet aroma of fruit, the rich tannins, mixed with Dai Chengfeng's unique masculine scent, instantly overwhelmed Bibi Dong's senses.
This was a hundred times more intoxicating than drinking alone.
The wine intertwined between them, and it was unclear who had swallowed more.
A trace of unswallowed dark red wine slipped down from the corner of Bibi Dong's lips, leaving an ambiguous mark on her fair skin.
Dai Chengfeng did not rush to end this special "sharing".
Not until he confirmed that Bibi Dong had fully swallowed the wine did he linger on the sweetness at her lips.
After a long while, Dai Chengfeng slowly pulled back slightly, but his forehead still affectionately pressed against hers.
He gazed at her misty eyes and increasingly vibrant red lips, his voice hoarse with a low laugh.
"Teacher, now... have you tasted the charm of this wine?"
Bibi Dong's breathing was erratic, her chest rising and falling slightly. Her exquisite face was flushed with passion, but her beautiful eyes, which had regained some clarity, flashed with a hint of embarrassment and teacherly dignity.
She tried to turn her head, avoiding Dai Chengfeng's scorching gaze that seemed to melt people. Her voice carried a softness from just having been kissed, yet she forced herself to sound authoritative:
"Dai Chengfeng... stop fooling around."
But this statement, rather than being a command, sounded more like a helpless pout.
She could even feel the temperature of her cheeks rising instead of falling.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, his forehead still affectionately pressed against hers. He readily agreed:
"All right, I'll listen to Teacher."
He agreed so readily that he slowly straightened up and released his hold on her.
He even thoughtfully picked up a clean napkin and naturally attempted to wipe away the ambiguous wine stain from the corner of her lips.
Bibi Dong instinctively leaned back slightly, avoiding his action, and quickly wiped the corner of her lips with her fingertips, trying to steady her erratic breathing and heartbeat.
She watched as Dai Chengfeng turned back to his seat, composedly picking up his knife and fork, starting to cut the food on his plate, looking as if he was ready to focus on eating obediently.
This sudden propriety and quietness made Bibi Dong feel somewhat uncomfortable, and a strange feeling rose in her heart.
With his nature, how could he give up so easily?
Could it be... he was plotting something else?
But at this moment, Bibi Dong had no time to delve deeper and could only quietly steady herself, picking up her utensils.
The meal ended in a subtle silence.
The attendants cleared the tableware and served tea.
Bibi Dong picked up her teacup, gently blowing on the steam to calm her thoughts before speaking, her voice returning to its usual coldness:
"It's late. You should go back."
Dai Chengfeng didn't move. He looked up at Bibi Dong, a teasing smile in his eyes.
"Teacher is sending me away already? I wanted to spend more time with you."
Before Bibi Dong could respond, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze intentionally sweeping over her luxurious papal robe, a playful smirk curving his lips:
"Teacher, don't you feel... a bit sticky and uncomfortable in front?"
Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned, then immediately realized what he meant—just moments ago...
An image of Dai Chengfeng indulging himself popped into her mind, and her cheeks involuntarily heated up.
She couldn't help but glare at Dai Chengfeng with a rare display of annoyance, adding a touch of vivid charm to her otherwise stunning beauty.
"Dai Chengfeng! How dare you mention that!"
Seeing Bibi Dong's irritation, Dai Chengfeng's smile deepened. "It's my fault."
"Then, Teacher, why don't we... take a bath?"
Bibi Dong's fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, hesitating for a moment.
Taking a bath… She knew full well what that implied.
But perhaps the lingering effects of the wine or some inexplicable anticipation in her heart made her ultimately nod almost imperceptibly, without voicing any refusal.
"All right, but you mustn't fool around, understand?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng smiled and nodded. "Of course, Teacher doesn't know how well-behaved I am?"
"Well-behaved?"
Bibi Dong was momentarily taken aback. "You actually dare to say you're well-behaved?"
"What else?"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled and then pulled Bibi Dong along. "Let's go, Teacher!"
...
Soon, they arrived at the spacious and luxurious bath behind the Pope's chambers.
Steamy hot air filled the room, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
This wasn't the first time Bibi Dong had bathed with Dai Chengfeng; much of her initial extreme shyness had faded.
She faced away from Dai Chengfeng, her slender fingers slowly yet without much hesitation undoing the intricate fastenings of her papal robe.
Layer by layer, the garment slid off, revealing her smooth, jade-like back. She finally stepped into the comfortably warm water, submerging her body beneath the petal-laden surface, leaving only her rounded shoulders and delicate collarbone visible.
Dai Chengfeng soon joined her in the water. He didn't approach immediately but grinned mischievously.
Suddenly, he scooped up some water and gently splashed it towards Bibi Dong.
The warm droplets splashed onto her cheeks and collarbone, startling her. She snapped out of her daze and glared at Dai Chengfeng.
But she saw him grinning like a mischievous boy whose prank had succeeded, his eyes full of mischief.
Some of Bibi Dong's remaining reserve was dispelled by his childish act. She retaliated by splashing water back at him.
For a moment, the once tranquil bath was filled with splashing water, and the two frolicked like children.
Bibi Dong's usually stern and cold face was now tinged with a blush, exuding a rare playfulness.
When Dai Chengfeng splashed water again, she instinctively laughed and dodged, but her foot slipped, and she let out a small cry as she fell backward.
Dai Chengfeng's quick reflexes kicked in; he swiftly extended his arm and securely pulled her into his embrace.
The frolicking abruptly stopped, leaving only their rapid breathing and the gentle sound of flowing water in the bath.
The warm pool enveloped their tightly pressed bodies, and the atmosphere instantly became ambiguous and dangerous.
Dai Chengfeng looked down at Bibi Dong, whose eyes were shimmering and face was flushed like peach blossoms, his gaze deepening.
He tightened his arms, lifting Bibi Dong's legs directly out of the water, carrying her a few steps to the edge of the pool, and gently placed her on the smooth, slightly cool rim.
The sudden chill made Bibi Dong shiver slightly. The edge of the pool pressed against her back, contrasting sharply with the burning heat of the man in front of her.
Realizing what Dai Chengfeng intended to do, her heartbeat suddenly went haywire, and she whispered with a hint of panic:
"Don't… let's go back to the room…"
Dai Chengfeng leaned down, his hot breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe and neck, his voice hoarse and amused: "Why bother, Teacher?"
"Here is fine too..."
Before his words faded, he lowered his head and captured her slightly parted red lips, silencing her unfinished words and completely igniting the steamy heat in the room.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)