"Meet once."
"I'm very busy, and see no necessity to meet you at all."
She decisively ended the call, placing her phone aside, then told Long Yubei, "My master once arranged our engagement. In these past ten days, he has called far more times than in all previous years combined. The night I first met you, I was waiting for him at a bar. My master passed away, and when I couldn't reach him by phone, I went to the city to find him myself. Finally, I reached him and arranged to meet at the bar. But he stood me up for his girlfriend and kept me waiting for hours. He even called to cancel the engagement, and I agreed."
"Seems I should thank him for that."
"Why?"
"If he hadn't stood you up, how else would I have met such a little treasure like you that night?"
"…"
After eight or nine grueling hours of the bridal photoshoot, Gu Lili was utterly exhausted.
This was far from an indulgence; it felt more like a torment.
Back home, she collapsed on the bed, unwilling to move a muscle.
Long Yubei fared better—though tired, his condition was markedly improved.
"Go take a shower."
"I don't want to move."
He arched an eyebrow. "How about I wash you? We could have a bath together."
"No need." She sprang up. "I'll wash myself."
She deliberately locked the door from inside while showering.
Yet, no matter how tightly she locked it, it was futile against his master key.
Her efforts were in vain.
While she shampooed, he suddenly barged in, catching her utterly off guard.
"You… you…" Foam-covered hands scrambled to cover herself. Though they had shared intimate moments, she still recoiled at being so unabashedly exposed under his gaze.
He calmly shut the door behind him, peeling off his clothes as he walked.
"I've thought it over. I still want to bathe with you."
Gu Lili rinsed the foam from her hair and attempted to flee, but his long arms encircled her.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm done washing." She avoided his gaze, cheeks flushed.
"Stay and wash with me."
Her body stiffened as he embraced her from behind, their bodies pressed tightly together.
Too intimate.
Long Yubei's dark eyes flickered with a victorious gleam, and the rapidly awakening passion between them defied control.
Gu Lili sensed this, protesting, "I'm too tired today. No."
"That's not for you to decide."
His slender hands roamed over her like wildfire. She turned to face him, only to be silenced by his lips.
"Mmm…" Her body softened, powerless against him.
Led by his touch, she lost all sense, barely aware of how she was lifted onto the sink, how they tumbled together in wild abandon.
He seemed to relish kissing her endlessly, as if it could never satisfy him.
After emerging from the shower, their passion continued fiercely upon the bed.
At last, breathless and weak, she rested against him, while he remained spirited and relentless.
"Was it good?"
She gave no answer, only a weary, exasperated glare.
Long Yubei chuckled at her look. "I asked you. Why so silent?"
"Tired, that's what. I was exhausted to begin with, and now I'm even more drained. I fear if this continues, you'll drain me dry, and you… you'll perish from exhaustion on my account."