She held the man like a spoiled child, her face buried in his chest, her muffled voice carrying a hint of warmth.
"Qian Gong…"
A slight smile slowly appeared on Shen Yue’s face. Her eyes, usually filled with a perpetual gloom and indifference, now held a touch of shyness, revealing her bashfulness and embarrassment.
Cheng Qian Gong’s arms, which had been suspended in mid-air, finally came down, encircling the person in his embrace. Unconsciously, a smile bloomed on his face.
He carried the young woman inside. The room was exceptionally warm, dispelling the cold.
Cheng Qian Gong pulled Shen Yue into his arms, letting her weight press against him, holding her possessively but not too tightly, afraid of hurting her.
His clear, resonant voice was soft as it whispered into Shen Yue’s ear.
“Are you cold?”
Shen Yue clutched his waist tightly, her mind a little hazy. “N-no, I’m not cold.”
She’s a bit clingy.
Cheng Qian Gong had never seen Shen Yue drunk before. She was incredibly affectionate, holding onto him tightly, unwilling to let go, as if afraid he would run away.
His heart felt warm, as if soft feathers had brushed against it, leaving a ticklish sensation that only grew more intense with each passing moment.
Shen Yue lifted her head, her hands wrapping around the man’s neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she stumbled as she kissed his lips, a kiss that was both hesitant and gentle, lacking any force, like a kitten whose sharp fangs had been blunted.
Her beautiful, fair face was tinged with a light blush, as if a layer of rouge had been applied. Her delicate features were like a painting, her dark eyes shimmering with moisture, and the tear mole at the corner of her eye appeared even more vibrant and enticing.
Outside, snowflakes drifted down, while inside, it was as warm as spring. The candlelight burned brightly, and the warm yellow light seemed to ignite an ambiguous flame.
The refined and tall man lowered his eyelashes, one hand gripping the girl’s waist, the other pressing against the back of her head, controlling her entirely as he lowered his head to bite her soft, full lips.
Due to their height difference, Shen Yue had to stand on tiptoe, tilting her head back. Maintaining this position brought a dull ache, her calves trembling slightly. Her breath was stolen, and tears of crystal formed at the corners of her flushed eyes.
She was like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web, the sticky and dense threads holding it fast, the more it struggled, the tighter it became entangled, unable to break free even unto death.
A faint flush appeared on the man’s gentle, ascetic face – a desire of extreme restraint. His eyelashes trembled slightly, his usually controlled and rational eyes were now stained with a profound longing.
He was restrained, yet also wild.
An ultimate contrast, filled with a subtle, intoxicating aura.
Shen Yue’s legs had gone weak, relying entirely on the man’s arms for support.
Later, Shen Yue let out soft whimpers and sobs. Only then did Cheng Qian Gong slowly pull away. His breathing was heavy. He lowered his head, resting his forehead against the girl’s, his eyes filled with a gentle softness, thin as sand.
He scooped the young woman up in his arms, in a manner like carrying a child, and placed her onto the bed.
Shen Yue’s eyelashes were clumped together by tears, her collar slightly askew, revealing patches of fair skin, tinged with a delicate pink. The fragrance emanating from her skin intensified, mingling with the damp scent of alcohol, creating an incredibly alluring aroma.
Just as Cheng Qian Gong was about to stand, his sleeve was grasped. He paused, lowered his eyes, and looked at the girl whose eyes were hazy and who was instinctively leaning on him.
He pursed his lips. Her full, rosy lips were swollen from the rough and fierce kiss, making it difficult to close them, as if a slight squeeze would release fragrant nectar.
Cheng Qian Gong knew very well that he was losing control.
From the moment the young woman, reeking of alcohol, had embraced him, softly and coaxingly called his name, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him with a hesitant, inexperienced kiss, he had already lost control.
His long-calm heart was stirred, ripples spreading across its surface, unable to settle for a long time.
This was not a good omen, and it was beyond his control.
Feeling the tug on his sleeve, Cheng Qian Gong closed his eyes, trying to quell the fire burning in his heart, repeatedly warning himself not to let it rise, not to harbor thoughts that should not exist.
He thought very calmly.
Having been by Shen Yue’s side for a year, though not entirely willingly, he could not allow himself to fall so deeply. They were not people of the same path, and he could not gamble the entire world.
The Fourth Prince was cruel and inhumane. If she were to seize the throne, it would be a disaster for the people, a true tribulation.
Cheng Qian Gong could not let this trace of affection waver the original intention he had held for so many years.
Cheng Qian Gong opened his eyes, lowering his gaze to Shen Yue again, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He could not be soft-hearted. If he softened now, all his efforts would be in vain.
Moreover, who could truly know how much sincerity Shen Yue possessed?
But…
A person’s eyes could not lie.
Cheng Qian Gong tried to suppress his unease, analyzing very rationally.
At that time, he would spare Shen Yue’s life, as compensation. He would do his best to satisfy Shen Yue’s every request, except for the throne. He would agree to anything else.
And wasn’t Shen Yue always saying she liked him?
If that was the case, then he would take care of Shen Yue for the rest of his life, without concubines, only her.
Thinking this way, Cheng Qian Gong managed to suppress the wave of guilt that was about to surface.
This was not the time to waver. Cheng Qian Gong exhaled a deep breath of hot air; he couldn’t stay any longer.
He pulled his sleeve free, turned, and intended to leave. However, before he could take a step, his hand was loosely held by the person on the bed.
Cheng Qian Gong, with suppressed restraint, lowered his long eyelashes, casting a shadow beneath his fair eyes.
Slender, pale fingers held his hand, his sleeve slipping down slightly. Her slender, delicate wrist was fragile and beautiful, soft, as if it could break with the slightest force.
Cheng Qian Gong gritted his teeth, his sexy Adam’s apple bobbing, feeling an unbearable dryness.
Despite the warnings in his heart, he uncontrollably met the young woman’s gaze.
Her dark eyes were filled with a shimmering moisture, her eyes rims red, her lips so swollen they could not close.
She was still drunk, her mind not entirely clear, yet she remembered to hold his hand, not letting him leave.
Sensing Cheng Qian Gong’s intention to leave, the girl’s long, thick eyelashes fluttered as if she were anxious. She nestled her soft fingers into his rough palm.
“Cheng Qian Gong, don’t go.”
Her luxurious voice was a little hoarse, sounding wronged like a child who had not received candy. She simply looked at the man, an expression that no one could resist.
Her small voice, with a hint of fragile trembling, her heart and eyes fixated solely on the man before her.
“Cheng Qian Gong, don’t leave me.”