November, Kyoto.
Sheng Shi Hua Ting.
Snow swirled outside, while warmth filled the room.
...
Everything returned to calm.
Despite the heating, Jiang Mian still felt cold. She instinctively sought warmth, burrowing into Ji Zhixiu's embrace.
Ji Zhixiu’s long arms wrapped around her.
He had exerted more effort yet felt no 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 infatuation.
Frankly, Ji Zhixiu was even more handsome than the young idols she acted with.
After three years of secret marriage, Ji Zhixiu treated her exceptionally well. Black cards were for her to swipe freely, gifts were hers for the taking. Except… she felt like a beautiful bird in a gilded cage.
Jiang Mian tilted her head up and kissed the man’s alluring Adam's apple, her soft, boneless hands stroking his firm back. She spoke again, a hint of languor in her voice, "What are you thinking about?"
Ji Zhixiu lowered his head, meeting her large, innocent, watery eyes. He spoke with a warning tone, "Not tired? Want to go again?"
Jiang Mian wasn’t afraid of him.
Who would know that the aloof and abstinent CEO in public was so clingy with her?
She longed to see him lose control.
Her small hand traced his firm abdomen downwards. Jiang Mian’s smile was laced with a hint of challenge, stirring his heart, "Then come on."
No one could resist such an invitation, but Ji Zhixiu could.
His large hand caught her playful little hand, his voice hoarse with a hint of helplessness, "Don't mess around, you won't be able to take it if we go again."
The man's voice was low and mellow, like whispered secrets between lovers.
Jiang Mian's body softened uncontrollably; she truly adored everything about this man.
But if she were that obedient, she wouldn't be Jiang Mian.
Since her hands were restrained, she pressed her lips against his cool ones, stealing a kiss.
Ji Zhixiu cupped the back of her head with one hand, taking full advantage of her mouth.
After a long while, they parted.
Jiang Mian was breathless from his kisses, her long legs entwined with his lower body, like a teasing little enchantress.
"Everyone says CEO Ji is aloof and abstinent. I think it's all a misunderstanding."
"With you," Ji Zhixiu watched her playful antics, his Adam's apple bobbing, "it can only be a misunderstanding."
Jiang Mian felt a sense of accomplishment, but it wasn't enough.
Recalling what her manager, Sister Ning, had told her, Jiang Mian was about to speak.
Then she heard the man's calm, unruffled voice, "Tingyu is back."
Tingyu?
Jiang Mian's words tumbled in her throat, but she swallowed them back.
His white moonlight was back?
Was she about to step down and yield?
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 photos online; she bore a slight resemblance to Shen Tingyu.
But from Jiang Mian's perspective, Shen Tingyu wasn't nearly as attractive as herself.
However, after three years of not being able to win this man over, a hint of bitterness welled up in Jiang Mian's heart.
Ji Zhixiu stared intently at her expression, but she didn't display the tension he expected.
Jiang Mian ignored the discomfort in her heart, her pretty face still alluring, and nonchalantly replied, "I know. So, are you ending this marriage with me, Mr. Ji?"
She said it casually.
Ji Zhixiu almost laughed in anger.
This woman called him "Axu" when things were good and "Mr. 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?
What did that make him? A joke? Or just a tool to warm her bed?
He let out an angry laugh, gripped her chin, a hint of fury flickering in his eyes, forcing her to look at him. His voice was icy, "Where else do you think you can go if you leave 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 soothing him.
She bit her full lips, let out a small sniffle, her long lashes fluttering. When she spoke again, her voice was laced with a hint of tears, "Axu, you're hurting me..."
As expected, the next second, the man loosened his grip.
She was too delicate; any more force in bed and the girl would say no.
Jiang Mian's small face already bore a red mark. Though Ji Zhixiu was angry, he wouldn't go too hard, but the girl's skin was indeed tender.
Ji Zhixiu's gaze deepened, his jawline tensed, and his thin lips uttered softly, "Mianmian, don't think about leaving me."
Without Jiang Mian, he would go mad.
Jiang Mian secretly pouted. What was this? His white moonlight was back, and he still wouldn't let her go?
She thought this in her heart but showed nothing on her face.
Her delicate lips parted, her voice carrying a hint of grievance, "I know, I've taken her place. Let's not contact each other anymore from now on. I don't want to make her unhappy."
Not contacting him was a lie; how could that be possible?
Ji Zhixiu gazed at her red lips, proof that he had loved her.
This woman was like a siren, luring him in.
Yet, he was willing to be submerged.
After she finished speaking, she didn't hear the man's reply. Meeting his gaze, she realized his eyes were fixed on her lips.
Jiang Mian raised her small hand and lightly hit him twice, playfully chiding, "Where are you looking?"
Ji Zhixiu couldn't stand her continuous provocation. His lower abdomen tightened, his eyes darkening, "Since you're not tired, let's do something else."
...
Jiang Mian could truly understand what it meant to have set a fire.
When she woke up again, the man was already sitting by the bed, fully dressed and neat.
There was no trace of the wildness from the bed; he was like a different person. Jiang Mian watched him, mesmerized, and couldn't help but curse him inwardly as a refined scoundrel.
She poked her head out from under the covers, shivering involuntarily. Enduring the chill, her small hand wrapped around his lean waist.
She mumbled in a muffled voice, "Where are you going?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Mian realized her voice was hoarse.
Damn man, leaving right after they finished.
Ji Zhixiu turned around and pressed a kiss to her lips. Then he tucked her back into the covers, his voice deep with a hint of indulgence, "I'm not leaving. What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."
Jiang Mian hadn't had a drop of water since last night.
So he wasn't leaving. Jiang Mian's eyes curved upwards, her gaze flowing, and her small hands hooked around his shoulders, "Make a bowl of noodles."
"Get dressed yourself. It's cold, wear more. Don't let me see you with bare legs and no pants again." The man sternly instructed her, like a rigid, autocratic old emperor.
What was that? She had pants on.
Jiang Mian glared at him angrily, "That's 'bare leg effect' stockings! They look like you're not wearing anything, how can you say I'm not wearing pants?"
Ji Zhixiu didn't understand what "bare leg effect" stockings were; he simply couldn't stand other people seeing Jiang Mian's straight, long legs.
Ignoring Jiang Mian, Ji Zhixiu left with a parting command, "Get dressed and come out."
Jiang Mian watched his retreating back and rolled her eyes.
"So domineering!"