November, the capital.
Shengshi Huating.
Snowflakes danced outside, while warmth filled the room.
...
Everything returned to peace.
Despite the heating, Jiang Mian still felt cold. She instinctively sought warmth, burrowing into Ji Zhixiu's embrace.
Ji Zhixiu wrapped an arm around her.
He had exerted more effort, yet showed no signs of sleepiness, his eyes clear.
When Jiang Mian woke up, the man was still in the same position.
She gazed at his handsome face with a hint of obsession.
Frankly speaking, Ji Zhixiu was even more handsome than the fresh young actors she worked with.
Married in secret for three years, Ji Zhixiu had treated her exceptionally well. Black cards were hers to swipe, gifts hers to receive. Except... she felt like a beautiful bird in a gilded cage.
Jiang Mian tilted her head up and kissed the man's sexy Adam's apple. Her soft, boneless hands caressed his firm back. She spoke again, with a hint of languor, "What are you thinking about?"
Ji Zhixiu lowered his head, meeting her large, innocent, watery eyes. With a warning tone, he said, "Not tired? Want to go again?"
Jiang Mian wasn't afraid of him.
Who would know that the outwardly cold and aloof CEO was so clingy and demanding in front of her?
She relished seeing him lose control.
Her small hand traced his firm abdominal muscles downwards. Jiang Mian smiled, a hint of provocation in her eyes, igniting his desire. "Then come on."
No one could resist such an invitation, but Ji Zhixiu could.
He caught her mischievous little hand, his voice husky with a touch of helplessness. "Don't mess around. If we do it again, you won't be able to handle it."
The man's voice was deep and resonant, like lovers whispering in each other's ears.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but soften. She truly loved everything about this man.
But if she were that obedient, she wouldn't be Jiang Mian.
Since her hands were pinned, she pressed her lips against his cool ones, stealing a kiss.
Ji Zhixiu held the back of her head with one hand, thoroughly exploring her mouth.
After a long while, they parted.
Jiang Mian was breathless from his kiss, her long legs entwined around his lower body, like a demanding little siren.
"Everyone outside says President Ji is cold and abstinent. I think it's all a misunderstanding."
"With you," Ji Zhixiu watched the young woman's antics, his Adam's apple bobbing, "that's just a misunderstanding."
Jiang Mian felt a sense of accomplishment, but it wasn't enough.
Remembering what her agent, Sister Ning, had told her, Jiang Mian was about to speak when she heard the man's calm, unwavering voice, "Tingyu is back."
Tingyu?
Jiang Mian's words caught in her throat, and she swallowed them back.
His white moonlight was back?
Was she going to abdicate?
Jiang Mian knew of Shen Tingyu.
She was the only ex-girlfriend Ji Zhixiu had ever officially acknowledged.
Three years ago, she had gone abroad for further studies, breaking up with Ji Zhixiu for that reason.
She had searched for her photo online; she bore a slight resemblance to Shen Tingyu.
But in Jiang Mian's opinion, Shen Tingyu wasn't as beautiful as she was.
However, after three years of trying to win this man over, a hint of bitterness welled up in Jiang Mian's heart.
Ji Zhixiu watched her expression closely, but she didn't show the tension he expected.
Jiang Mian ignored the discomfort in her heart, her face still as captivating and charming as ever. She responded nonchalantly, "I know. So, President Ji, are you going to end this marriage with me?"
She said it casually.
Ji Zhixiu was almost amused to the point of anger.
This woman called him Ah Xiu when things were good, and President Ji when they weren't.
Was she that eager to leave him?
Had he, Ji Zhixiu, spent three years failing to make this woman fall in love with him?
Then what was he? A joke? Or just a tool to warm her bed?
Laughing in his anger, Ji Zhixiu cupped her chin, a flicker of rage in his eyes, forcing her to look at him. His voice was icy, "Where else would you go if you left me? Hmm?"
Jiang Mian didn't know why he was suddenly throwing a tantrum.
But after three years with Ji Zhixiu, she had become adept at placating him.
She bit her full lips, let out a soft sniffle, her long lashes fluttering, and then spoke with a hint of a whine, "Ah Xiu, you're hurting me..."
As expected, the next second, the man released her.
She was too delicate; if she put any more effort into it in bed, the girl would say no.
There was a red mark on Jiang Mian's small face. Although Ji Zhixiu was angry, he didn't hit too hard. It was just that the girl's skin was tender.
Ji Zhixiu's gaze deepened, his jawline tight, his thin lips parting to say, "Mian Mian, don't even think about leaving me."
Without Jiang Mian, he would go mad.
Jiang Mian subtly pouted. What was this? His white moonlight was back, and he still wouldn't let her go?
She thought this in her heart, but her face remained unchanged.
She parted her delicate lips, her voice tinged with grievance, "I know, I took her place. Let's not contact each other anymore. I don't want to make her unhappy."
Not contacting was a lie. How could she not contact him?
Ji Zhixiu gazed at her rosy lips, proof of his affection.
This woman was like a siren, seducing him.
Yet, he was willing to drown in it.
After she finished speaking, she didn't hear his reply. Meeting his gaze, she realized his eyes were fixed on her lips.
Jiang Mian playfully hit him twice with her small hand, playfully chiding, "Where are you looking?"
Ji Zhixiu couldn't bear her constant provocations. His lower abdomen tightened, his eyes darkening. "Since you're not tired, let's do something else."
...
Jiang Mian had truly experienced what it felt like to be provoked.
When she woke up again, the man was already sitting by the bed, dressed neatly and cleanly.
There was no trace of the passionate encounter in bed; he seemed like a different person. Jiang Mian watched him, mesmerized, and then cursed him inwardly as a hypocrite.
She poked her small head out from under the covers, shivered involuntarily, and, enduring the chill, wrapped her small hands around his lean waist.
She mumbled, "Where are you going?"
As soon as she spoke, Jiang Mian realized her voice was hoarse.
This scoundrel, leaving right after they finished.
Ji Zhixiu turned around, placed a kiss on her lips, then tucked her back under the covers. His voice was deep and tinged with indulgence, "I'm not leaving. What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."
Since last night, Jiang Mian hadn't had a drop to drink.
So he wasn't leaving after all. Jiang Mian's eyes curved upwards, her gaze flowing. She hooked her small hand around his shoulder, "Make me a bowl of noodles."
"Get dressed and come out. It's cold, so wear more. Don't let me see you with bare legs again," the man commanded her sternly, like a rigid, autocratic old emperor.
What was she doing? She wasn't wearing bare legs.
Jiang Mian glared at him indignantly. "That's a 'bare leg artifact,' okay? It looks like I'm not wearing anything. How can you say I'm not wearing pants?"
Ji Zhixiu didn't understand what a "bare leg artifact" was. He simply couldn't stand other people seeing Jiang Mian's long, straight legs.
Ignoring Jiang Mian's explanation, Ji Zhixiu left with a parting word, "Get dressed properly and come out."
Jiang Mian watched his retreating back and rolled her eyes.
"Domineering!"