Xing Zheng immediately understood what she intended to do. They had been intimate countless times, and it wasn't the first time she had acted this way, but usually, he was the one to initiate. She had never been proactive before. Xing Zheng clearly felt his own heartbeat, as if it were about to pierce his eardrums. He called out to her hoarsely, "Have you thought this through? Hmm?"
Lin Mei didn't say much, her actions providing him with the answer. His heartbeat grew more intense, threatening to burst from his chest at any moment. She moved like a temptress, her beautiful eyes fixed on him as if they held hooks, drawing him in with every glance until he was utterly captivated and lost to himself.
Lin Mei's legs soon grew numb. Eventually, the man, losing control, picked her up, and they moved to the bed. The television remained on. He turned off the room lights, and the flickering screen of the television amplified the intimacy in the room to its peak.
Their bodies intertwined. She leaned against him, her boneless fingers stroking his chest. Her voice, though tinged with a sob, was remarkably firm, "I love you."
The three words clearly reached his ears, eliciting a tighter embrace and entanglement from him. It wasn't until three in the morning that the hotel room finally fell silent. The Spring Festival Gala was being replayed on television.
Xing Zheng turned off the TV, leaving only her panting breaths in his ears. The petite woman nestled in his arms. He could easily hold her tight, as if embracing the entire world. The woman in his arms tilted her head and kissed his chin, "You still haven't said it."
"Hmm?" he asked, confused. "Said what?"
"Happy New Year, and that you love me." She made her request. "Say it to me."
He remained silent for a moment, then began to play a word game with her, "Hmm, you love me."
Lin Mei was annoyed. "I want you to say 'I love you'!"
"I know, you love me," he replied calmly.
After a few exchanges, Lin Mei was furious. She opened her mouth and bit down on his chest. He clearly understood, yet pretended not to. Since they had met, the most passionate declaration he had ever made was "I like you," and that was only once. Although she knew his feelings, she wished he would express them more openly. To her surprise, he was so uncooperative.
With her anger fueling her, Lin Mei bit down hard. A row of teeth marks appeared on Xing Zheng's chest. He didn't flinch, letting her bite him even though it hurt. When she stopped, he asked, "Feeling better?"
Lin Mei sighed in exasperation. "It's so hard to get you to say something nice."
"Haven't I done enough?" he whispered, kissing her ear. "When have I not taken good care of you, tell me."
"You're twisting words," she retorted. Who would use such things to substitute for words? She didn't expect him to say those three words all the time, but after she said them, he should at least respond. "You don't want to say it, do you? Then I'll have to find someone who does."
The smile on the man's face vanished instantly. He gripped her chin. "Threatening me? Hmm?"
"Yes, I learned from you." Her tone was defiant, showing no fear. This unconcerned demeanor was remarkably like Lazy.
Xing Zheng smiled and pecked her lips. "Happy New Year."
Lin Mei was persistent. "And the other sentence?"
"Do you really want to hear it that badly?" he asked.
Lin Mei nodded. "Yes. Are you going to say it or not?"
Perhaps tired of her pestering, Xing Zheng said very softly, "I like you," without even a subject. Although Lin Mei wasn't entirely satisfied, she didn't push him further. For him to do this much was already quite difficult.
They took a shower together and then fell asleep. The next day was the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Xing Zheng took Lin Mei to Li Xun's house. Lin Mei saw Ning Rui again. She had kept in touch with Ning Rui, who had changed quite a bit compared to before. Her relationship with Li Xun seemed to have become even more subtle. In the past, she was the one being controlled by Li Xun. Although they were intimate, Ning Rui didn't have much agency. Now, Ning Rui was much more at ease with Li Xun. As soon as she saw Lin Mei, she pulled her aside to chat.
Ning Rui didn't mention what had happened between her and Li Xun, as the occasion wasn't suitable. Lin Mei didn't ask. When Lin Mei went to accompany Ning Rui to feed the dogs, she couldn't help but think of Jiaozi, wondering if it had been eating well these past few days. It was at a crucial stage of growth.
This year's Spring Festival was likely the most pleasant one Xing Sha had experienced in decades. After Xie Qin Jia's surgery, her attitude towards him was completely different from before. She no longer acted capricious or unreasonable with him; she even cared for him considerately. Apart from her coldness towards Xing Zheng, she was almost the same as she was during their dating period.
Xu Shang and Xie Jun Yao also came to celebrate the Spring Festival with them. After the holiday, Xing Sha arranged for the elder couple to go on a vacation to an island. He and Xie Qin Jia saw them off at the airport.
Back home, they sat on the sofa. Xing Sha pulled Xie Qin Jia into his arms and sighed, "How many years has it been since we spent the New Year like this? It feels like a dream."
"You've worked hard all these years," Xie Qin Jia said to Xing Sha. "It was my fault."
"Why apologize to me? I did everything for you willingly," Xing Sha said gently. "We don't have many years left to live. In the coming days, I just hope our health improves so we can spend more years together."
Lin Mei spent the Spring Festival in Xiangxi. While accompanying her parents at home, she had "secret meetings" with Xing Zheng in her spare time, and they were not discovered.
On the day of their departure, they acted separately and met in the waiting lounge before flying back to Nanjiang together. As soon as they entered the house, Jiaozi greeted them enthusiastically.
After not seeing each other for over a week, Jiaozi seemed desperate to stick to Lin Mei. Lin Mei sat on the sofa, and it followed suit, resting its head on her lap, looking at her with its large, bell-like eyes like a child.
Lin Mei's heart softened, and she gently stroked it. It purred contentedly and snuggled closer into her arms, even licking her face with its tongue. Lin Mei didn't mind; she closed her eyes to enjoy it.
After a moment, the furry ball that had been licking her suddenly disappeared. Lin Mei opened her eyes and saw Xing Zheng holding it. Jiaozi was still growing, not yet large, and Xing Zheng could easily lift it.
It was displeased, kicking its hind legs and letting out a whimper, complaining to Lin Mei. Lin Mei frowned. "Let go of it quickly."
"What, you're worried?" Xing Zheng asked, his tone displeased and tinged with strong jealousy.
Lin Mei: "..." He was really something, actually getting jealous of Jiaozi!
Jiaozi: "Awooo, awooo!" It continued to complain pitifully to Lin Mei.
Lin Mei felt a pang of sympathy. "Let go of it quickly, you're hurting it."
Xing Zheng put Jiaozi down. As soon as it was free, it leaped back towards Lin Mei on the sofa.
However, Xing Zheng got there first. He sat down beside Lin Mei, pushed her down onto the sofa, and leaned in to kiss her, his long fingers slipping under her shirt and cupping her waist.