Bai Ning found herself in a strange, opulent room.
The bathroom, stocked with distinctly masculine toiletries, confirmed her suspicions: this wasn't her assigned room.
The Qin family, she mused, were certainly an eccentric bunch.
But she had a three-month deadline. A bet with her grandfather: if she remained emotionally untouched by Qin Feng during their arranged marriage, the engagement would be annulled.
After showering and a dinner served by a servant, exhaustion claimed her, and she fell into a deep sleep.
At midnight, Qin Feng returned from a business engagement. He knew Bai Ning would be at the house today. His grandfather had wanted him to pick her up, but he'd refused, citing work. He had no interest in his fiancée; this marriage was a temporary inconvenience.
After showering, Qin Feng went to bed. The effects of the alcohol he'd consumed hit him as he lay down. He sensed another person in the room.
He froze. In the darkness, he couldn't make out the woman's features. She shifted, pulling herself closer, murmuring softly, "Behave, little bear. Go to sleep."
Qin Feng was stunned.
The woman's scent was intensely familiar, identical to someone from his past…
Perhaps due to the alcohol, he didn't react. He simply held Bai Ning and fell asleep.
For the first time in a long time, Qin Feng slept soundly. He dreamt of a decade ago, a small, dark room, a young girl cradling him, her childish voice whispering, "Don't be afraid. I'm strong. I'll protect you." He dreamt of finding her, the vision startlingly real.
The next morning, Marin outside the bedroom door…
Marin had slept in, but this morning, she hadn't heard any news of Bai Ning being expelled from Qin Feng's room.
What was going on? Had her cousin not returned last night? Yet, his car was in the garage.
They must have slept together.
Marin knocked hesitantly.
"Cousin, Auntie's made breakfast. You have a meeting today, don't you? Wake up."
The sleeping couple were startled awake.
Bai Ning felt herself nestled against someone's chest, held securely.
Their eyes met.
Bai Ning's sleepiness vanished. Sitting up, she exclaimed in surprise, "Who are you?"
Qin Feng's gaze was dark and intense.
"Bai Ning?"
Bai Ning guessed this was her fiancé, but how had he ended up in her bed? She needed answers.
Before she could get any, Qin Feng continued, "Your first day in the Qin family, and you're already in my bed? You're quite bold."
Bai Ning stared at him, bewildered.
What was he talking about? She hadn't climbed into his bed!
These Qin family members must have collective delusion.
But remembering the men's toiletries in the bathroom, she understood. This was Qin Feng's room. Marin had done this on purpose.
Bai Ning got out of bed, her voice cold.
"First, I didn't climb into your bed. Marin told me this was my room. Mr. Qin, I have absolutely no interest in you."
"Second, I was asleep last night. Didn't you notice someone in your bed when you came back? You slept with me all night. What's the explanation? Unless you already had designs on me?"
Qin Feng's expression darkened, the events of last night flooding back. He couldn't refute her.
Looking at Bai Ning, he was momentarily stunned.
Those peach blossom eyes… they were so much like hers.
Bai Ning smirked.
"What? Mr. Qin, what are you staring at? Did I really charm you?"
Snapping out of it, Qin Feng's voice was sharp and cold.
"Get out. And don't come into this room again."
Bai Ning didn't hesitate, gathering her belongings and leaving.
Their first meeting ended in mutual dislike.
Marin stood at the door, her face a mask of surprise as Bai Ning emerged.
Bai Ning smiled.
"Good morning! As you wished, your cousin slept with me last night. We got along quite well."
"You're lying!" Marin's face was livid. It couldn't be true.
Logically, her cousin wouldn't be interested in Bai Ning.
But the evidence was undeniable: Bai Ning and Qin Feng had slept together.