Engagement Annulled? Now The Husbands Kneel and Beg for Her Favor

The choice was once again in Jiang Qingli’s hands.

Jiang Qingli never imagined that Xie Youchen, a man of few words his entire life, could deliver such a lengthy confession all at once. She froze, completely stunned.

It was as if her brain had turned to mush. A stampede of a hundred deer plunged in, crashing about until she felt dizzy. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

When she remained silent for a long moment, the fingers Xie Youchen had wrapped around hers stiffened slightly.

The moment he began to loosen his grip, Jiang Qingli noticed and tightened her hold on his hand. His gaze returned to her face.

His stare made her ears burn. ”Why do you keep looking at me...” After a moment’s thought, she added, ”Close your eyes first, or I won’t be able to answer.”

Speaking clearly had nothing to do with whether one’s eyes were open or closed.

But Xie Youchen obediently closed his eyes.

His world went dark, and his other senses became exceptionally sharp.

He could clearly feel the girl plant a hand beside him, then slowly lean in, stopping just an inch away.

Her gaze felt tangible as it drifted across his face, carefully studying his features.

Without warning, her slender fingers gently touched his neck, tracing the thrum of his pulse before moving down to rest over his heart, separated only by the fabric of his suit.

The young man’s long lashes trembled, and his breath caught in his throat.

Beneath his seemingly calm exterior, a powerful, restless rhythm pulsed.

It was his heart, beating for her.

Jiang Qingli’s eyes twinkled as she whispered his name. ”Xie Youchen.”

He answered instinctively, ”I’m here.”

She suddenly leaned in, her lips close to his ear. ”Your heart is beating so fast.”

A jolt went through Xie Youchen.

But before he could respond, she gave his tie a sudden, gentle tug, pulling him uncontrollably toward her.

THUD—

Someone’s arm bumped the coffee table, knocking the lamp to the floor. As light and shadows flickered wildly like a frantic heartbeat, Xie Youchen’s eyes flew open.

In the dim light, the young man was arched over her, his hands planted on the floor on either side of her body.

Xie Youchen lowered his gaze, forcing his eyes away from her fair, jade-like skin.

For many years, Xie Youchen had deliberately avoided physical contact with Jiang Qingli. The most they had ever shared was holding hands or him patting her head.

He didn’t dare get too close to her.

’He was afraid his ugly feelings would scare her.’

And he still was.

Steading himself, Xie Youchen pushed up on his arms to move away, but Jiang Qingli had his tie clutched in her hand.

She wouldn’t let him retreat; in fact, she was pulling him closer.

Even though he had a faint inkling of what she wanted, Xie Youchen didn’t dare to bet on it without a definite answer.

He forced his usual composure and said calmly, ”Ah Li, don’t mess around.”

His tone was that of an adult placating a mischievous child.

But Jiang Qingli wasn’t falling for that anymore.

She stared into his eyes. ”Just to be sure... I can do anything naughty right now, and you’ll indulge me, right?”

It was phrased as a question, but there was no doubt in her voice. It was a statement.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a deep-sea cliff, with danger just inches away.

He was like a sailor encountering a sea demon. He knew he should cover his ears and flee, yet he couldn’t resist the alluring, dangerous song that drew him toward the unknown depths.

Xie Youchen opened his mouth to answer, but a soft sensation suddenly covered his lips.

She was truly as cunning as a sea demon, coaxing him to part his lips and offer up his first kiss.

After a brief moment, Jiang Qingli pulled back slightly, looked into Xie Youchen’s eyes, and smiled. ”That’s my answer.”

”And now, I’m going to keep being naughty.”

Without waiting for a response, she tilted her head back and kissed him again.

...

Xie Youchen plunged into the deep sea.

The soft sensation coiled around him like seaweed, stealing his breath and crushing what little reason he had left.

’He was suffocating.’

’But drowning in her kiss felt like its own kind of bliss.’

...

The kiss lasted for about three minutes.

Jiang Qingli sensed something wasn’t quite right and pulled back a little, but as she did, he followed, chasing her lips.

Amused, she pressed a hand to his chest, asking breathlessly, ”Why aren’t you coming up for air?”

She paused, then a thought struck her, and she answered her own question. ”Oh, right. Sorry, I forgot this was your first kiss.”

She had a mischievous smile, the kind that was impossible to dislike.

Xie Youchen stared at her, the corners of his own lips turning up.

It was like watching ice melt, giving way to spring.

Jiang Qingli raised a hand, her thumb stroking his lips. ”It’s okay,” she said, leaning in. ”I’ll teach you.”

’She really has grown up,’ Xie Youchen thought.

’He used to have to teach her everything. Now, she was going to teach him.’

-

Jiang Qingli had thought herself quite experienced, pleased that she could finally teach Xie Youchen something for a change.

But she never expected her student to be such a frighteningly fast learner.

Before long, he had turned the tables on her. He kissed her until her scalp tingled and her back arched reflexively.

Jiang Qingli belatedly realized she had gotten in over her head.

She tried to pull back, but his long, calloused fingers cupped the back of her head, firmly refusing to let her retreat.

His shadow fell over her as he took complete control.

It wasn’t until she let out a little whimper that Xie Youchen seemed to snap out of a trance, his eyes flying open as he forced himself to stop.

”Sorry.” Xie Youchen steadied her by the shoulders, putting some distance between them.

’At least he knows how to apologize,’ she thought.

Jiang Qingli huffed. ”You were so rough, I thought you were going to eat me alive.”

He’d only learned the very basics of breathing and had no technique whatsoever. He was all brute force, and he’d even managed to rub the tip of her nose red.

She glared at him with her big, watery eyes, the tip of her nose slightly red and her lips glistening. She looked a little pitiful.

Xie Youchen had always prided himself on his composure, yet here he was, acting more boorish than some callow youth.

He lowered his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, and muttered another, ”Sorry.”

’A face like that was devastatingly handsome even when apologizing. It made it impossible to stay mad at him.’

”Okay, okay, I’m not really mad at you.” Jiang Qingli rubbed her arm. ”So, what’s next...”

Before she could finish, Xie Youchen stood up and pulled something from a cabinet... a thin blanket?

”Your shoulders felt a little cool just now.” Xie Youchen’s voice was low, as if coaxing a child. ”Cover up so you don’t catch a cold.”

In truth, Jiang Qingli wasn’t cold at all. Her blood was on fire, which was why she’d set the thermostat so low beforehand. But while she felt hot, her skin was still cool to the touch.

Jiang Qingli hummed in agreement, but found it odd. ”Couldn’t you just turn the temperature up a bit...” She trailed off when she saw his non-negotiable expression, pouting in defeat. ”Okay, fine. Your way.”

Xie Youchen unfolded the blanket and draped it over her, tucking her in securely.

Not an inch of her skin was visible anymore.

Out of her line of sight, Xie Youchen let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Clutching the blanket, Jiang Qingli tilted her face up and tried again. ”So, what’s next...”

Her eyes were sparkling, but Xie Youchen’s gaze swept over her and he frowned again.

Jiang Qingli followed his gaze down to her own bare feet.

’She’d kicked her slippers off in the heat of the moment.’

Xie Youchen’s brow furrowed.

Jiang Qingli: ”...”

’She had a bad feeling about this.’

Sure enough, a moment later, Xie Youchen turned up the thermostat, found a pair of socks, and knelt before Jiang Qingli. He took her ankle in his hand and began to put them on for her.

Jiang Qingli: ”...”