The company bus rattled along the winding mountain road, laughter and chatter spilling from every corner. Xinyi leaned against the window, watching the scenery blur by—lush greenery, early morning fog curling over the peaks. The retreat had been announced weeks ago, but seeing everyone in a more relaxed, playful setting made her feel… unusually tense.
Zhiyuan, seated a few rows ahead, occasionally turned to glance at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You're quiet today," he called over the low hum of conversation.
"I'm just… enjoying the view," Xinyi replied, tilting her head to avoid his gaze.
The bus finally pulled into the resort driveway, a sprawling facility nestled among the trees. Assistant Zhou was already waiting, clipboard in hand, organized as ever. He handed out keys with a practiced smile, greeting each employee by name.
Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow when he saw the layout of the resort on the registration sheet. His room was practically at the far end of the wing, while Xinyi's was conveniently closer to the elevators and main hall. He caught her eye and smirked.
"You're practically in the penthouse," he teased softly.
Xinyi rolled her eyes. "Enjoy your walk, then," she replied, deliberately ignoring the hint in his tone.
The evening passed in a blur of unpacking, casual introductions, and a welcome dinner. Zhiyuan kept a mental note of Xinyi's room location.
The evening wound down, and the resort quieted, the corridors empty except for the soft hum of air conditioning and the occasional distant laugh from a late-night wanderer. Zhiyuan lingered near the elevator, pretending to check messages on his phone, though he knew exactly where he wanted to go.
Xinyi had just finished unpacking, adjusting a few pictures on her desk in the dim light, when there was a soft click outside her door. She froze, heart thudding.
"Zhiyuan?" she whispered, suspicion and hope colliding.
Before she could fully process, a pair of strong hands wrapped around her waist from behind, pressing her lightly against him. His chin rested on her shoulder, his breath warm against her neck.
"I couldn't sleep," he murmured, voice low and teasing, "not without you in my arms."
She twisted slightly, cheeks burning. "It's my room… you sneaking in… isn't this… risky?"
"Risky?" he echoed softly, nuzzling her neck. "I call it necessary. You're my wife. How can I sleep knowing you're alone?"
Her protests softened to a quiet laugh, which only encouraged him. The hallway light flickered faintly through the curtains, casting a golden halo around them.
Then—knock. A sharp, impatient rap at her door. Xinyi's heart leapt. "Someone's coming!"
Zhiyuan's hands didn't falter. Instead, he guided her toward the bathroom, pulling her gently but firmly. "Quick. Hide in here. Just a second."
"Bathroom?" she squeaked, trying to suppress laughter. "It's my room—why hide?"
"Because," he said, lips brushing her ear, "if anyone sees me sneaking into my wife's room, they'll never let me live it down. And… I like seeing you flustered."
Her cheeks burned hotter than she thought possible. He pressed a kiss just below her ear, lingering. "Zhiyuan—stop teasing me!"
"Hmm… impossible," he murmured, holding her close as they crouched behind the shower curtain. Every brush of his hands, every soft murmur, made her pulse quicken. They barely breathed, listening as the footsteps passed, the knock fading. When it was safe, he pulled her into his arms again, and for the first time that night, they let themselves stay close.
Morning arrived with sunlight spilling through the resort windows, a soft glow that made everything look almost magical. The company gathered for team-building games, the air filled with laughter and the smell of fresh grass. Xinyi found herself paired with Zhiyuan for the three-legged race.
Her ankle was tied to his, and she couldn't help but notice the warmth radiating from him. "Try not to trip," she muttered, trying to sound stern.
"Not as long as you don't pull me over," he whispered back, his lips brushing her ear as they inched forward. A shiver ran down her spine at the contact, sending sparks through her.
They stumbled, laughed, and collided several times, drawing side glances from colleagues. Every accidental brush of hands, every shared glance, every teasing whisper seemed magnified. Assistant Zhou, standing at the sidelines with a clipboard, tilted his head and squinted. Something about the way they moved together, the way Zhiyuan's hand barely lingered on her back, was… unusual. Suspicion flickered in his eyes, but he said nothing, pretending to check his notes.
By the time the race ended, both were breathless, cheeks flushed, and hearts still racing—not from the competition, but from the stolen touches and the electric intimacy that lingered between them.