After dinner, it was completely dark. The days had been getting dark faster and the weather colder in recent days, with winter's arrival becoming more pronounced.
Shen Xuan had not spoken since entering the room, only looking at Lu Yu with a wronged gaze that made Lu Yu want to laugh.
During dinner, Lu Yu had been making small, mischievous movements under the table, occasionally brushing against Shen Xuan's leg, squeezing Shen Xuan's hand, and then giving Shen Xuan a flirtatious wink.
A'Fu was still sitting opposite them at the table. Shen Xuan, flustered by Lu Yu's teasing, sat stiffly, counting the grains of rice, afraid of being discovered by A'Fu.
Finally, after the meal, Shen Xuan didn't even look up, nor did he pay attention to Lu Yu sitting beside him. He got up and walked straight back to his room, the cool breeze along the way unable to dissipate the heat on Shen Xuan's face.
"Xuan'er..." As soon as Lu Yu entered the room, she clung to him again, her voice soft and intimate.
Shen Xuan blushed and pushed her away. When he couldn't move her, he glared at Lu Yu as if to assert himself, but to Lu Yu, it looked like he was coyly resisting.
In truth, Shen Xuan didn't resist such intimacy; he was just a little shy. If Lu Yu desired it, it could happen anytime.
Lu Yu had only intended to tease him today and didn't really plan to do anything to him.
But today, for some reason, the two of them found themselves in bed again without realizing it.
Looking at Shen Xuan's shy expression, Lu Yu felt a surge of emotion.
Shen Xuan didn't resist either, lying there tense, his eyes closed tightly, just like the night before, waiting for Lu Yu's kiss to land on his lips.
Shen Xuan waited for a while. Seeing that Lu Yu, who was above him, hadn't moved, he could tell from the warmth of their breathing that Lu Yu hadn't moved at all.
However, through Lu Yu's slightly heavy and rapid breathing, Shen Xuan could sense that Lu Yu actually wanted it very much.
Shen Xuan opened his eyes in confusion and saw Lu Yu's restrained expression. He asked with some bewilderment, "Why aren't you..."
Shen Xuan found it difficult to utter the word "continue." The etiquette books for men stated that men should not actively seek such things, and he truly couldn't bring himself to say it.
Fortunately, Lu Yu understood Shen Xuan's meaning. She took a deep breath and asked softly, "Are you okay?"
Shen Xuan's face flushed red, spreading to his neck at the question. Who would ask like that? Of course, he was okay if she wanted it.
Shen Xuan's nose tickled from being rubbed, but Lu Yu was above him, and he couldn't scratch it. He could only twitch his nose, hoping to relieve the itch.
Seeing Lu Yu's expression, which suggested she wouldn't move until he answered, Shen Xuan endured his shyness and gently nodded.
"I'm okay." His voice was barely audible.
Shen Xuan's demeanor completely ignited Lu Yu's desire. Lu Yu felt a rush of heat, and at that moment, everything about his body, rest, and studies were forgotten.
Lu Yu's mind was filled with only one thought: it had been like this every day for the few days before they moved into their current room, so it should be normal, right? It was human nature.
Shen Xuan felt his heart race and his body grow hot. His eyes gazed blankly upwards, and even his hair seemed to tremble.
After his mind went blank, Shen Xuan didn't fall asleep immediately like he had the night before. Instead, he nestled in Lu Yu's arms, feeling warm.
"How are you feeling today?"
Lu Yu had intended to ask if Shen Xuan was uncomfortable, but the words that came out of her mouth took on a different meaning.
Shen Xuan's face burned red, and he stammered, unable to answer. How could he respond to that?
Lu Yu also realized her question was a bit off. She cleared her throat and rephrased.
"Are you hurting anywhere today?"
"N-no." Fortunately, they were very close, otherwise Lu Yu wouldn't have been able to hear Shen Xuan's words.
"Wifey, that, last night'sā"
Lu Yu saw Shen Xuan's flushed face and hesitant stammering and knew what he was asking about.
"Don't worry, I've put it away safely. I'll give it to you tomorrow."
"N-no need, Wifey. You can keep it."
Seeing Shen Xuan's embarrassment, Lu Yu, being understanding, didn't bring it up again.
"Why aren't you making any sounds these past two times? You've bitten your lips raw," Lu Yu said, gently stroking Shen Xuan's chapped lips with a hint of concern.
As Lu Yu touched him, Shen Xuan felt a tingling sensation on his lips, as if Lu Yu's lips were still kissing him.
Shen Xuan mumbled softly, "The little booklet said not to."
His voice was full of grievance. He didn't want to, but it was so difficult to hold back his sounds; he had even had trouble breathing a few times.
"What little booklet?" Lu Yu was confused by Shen Xuan's answer. What little booklet?
"The one my maternal grandfather gave me. It says not to," Shen Xuan pouted, speaking with a wronged tone.
Lu Yu seemed to understand. The "little booklet" Shen Xuan was referring to was like a modern-day "adult book."
"You don't need to pay attention to that. Everything in there is meant to make men unhappy. You don't have to follow it."
"But it said to be reserved."
"You're already reserved enough in everyday life. It's okay not to be reserved at night." Lu Yu then leaned closer to Shen Xuan's ear and whispered, "Besides, Wifey likes it when you're not reserved."
Shen Xuan, blushing furiously, hid his head under the covers and mumbled, "Wifey is bad."
"Then don't you like a bad Wifey?" Lu Yu reached under the covers and pulled Shen Xuan out.
"I like it."
Shen Xuan was rendered speechless by Lu Yu's twisted logic. After thinking about it carefully, he found it made sense. If he liked Lu Yu acting this way, did Lu Yu truly like him when he wasn't reserved?
Shen Xuan's heart began to waver.
Perhaps he should just listen to Wifey from now on and not be reserved in bed, as long as Wifey liked it.
"Xuan'er," Lu Yu said slowly, her arm around Shen Xuan's shoulders.
"Hmm?"
"I want to tell you something." Lu Yu's tone suddenly became very serious.
Shen Xuan ended his comfortable posture from before, sat up wrapped in the blanket, and looked at Lu Yu with an equally serious expression.
"Wifey, you tell me."
"Why so serious?" Lu Yu was amused by Shen Xuan's serious expression.
"Didn't you start being serious first?" Shen Xuan was completely bewildered by Lu Yu. Wasn't Wifey going to tell him something important?
"Don't be nervous." Lu Yu grabbed Shen Xuan's arm and then pulled him into her embrace. "I wanted to talk to you about the men's academy."
"Men's academy?" Shen Xuan was both surprised and delighted. This idea had only appeared in his mind; he had never mentioned it to Wifey.
Wifey must have a telepathic connection with me; she thought of what I was thinking.
Thinking this, Shen Xuan's heart bloomed with joy, a smile appearing at the corners of his eyes and brows, his face filled with pride.