“Tiantian,” he tried to lighten the mood, “Don’t be so teary, cry if you want, there’s no one else here, at worst, I’ll lend you my shoulder.” I pursed my lips and burst into tears. I thought I had calmed down, but his gentle words broke the dam, and I sobbed loudly. He gently embraced me, patting my shoulder. I cried freely, thankfully, everyone was in the hall, and the servants were busy attending to them. In the garden, it was just the two of us; otherwise, seeing me wail like this, they might have thought something terrible had happened. After a while, I was out of strength, feeling much better, though tears still flowed, turning into occasional sobs. He took my hand, pulled out a handkerchief, and gently wiped my tears, softly asking, “What exactly happened? Did Gege hurt your feelings by celebrating Sister Yi’s birthday?”
I nodded, whispering, “No one ever celebrated my birthday. From childhood to now, I’ve never received a birthday gift.” This was true; back then, Aunt Min and I struggled to make ends meet, all savings went to my medical bills. Later, when I could earn a bit at the restaurant, Aunt Min got sick. But every year on my birthday, Aunt Min would prepare a special meal for me. His face showed emotion, and he smiled, “You’re silly, this isn’t worth feeling down about. Leave it to me, when’s your birthday?” “Soon,” it really was soon. “The exact date?” “Ten days from now!” He raised an eyebrow, “Only ten days? Then I need to hurry! What do you want as a gift?” “Gift?” I repeated subconsciously, not having much concept of the word. He looked at me, then said, “Never mind, I’ll decide. I promise you’ll like it!”
That evening, Song Li entered my room. I was lost in thought on the window ledge. He approached and asked directly, “Did you see Tiantian?” I just gazed at the blooming roses below, their forms obscured by the deepening night. He leaned against the window, lighting a cigarette, and said casually, “We saw you both in the garden this afternoon.” He took a deep drag on his cigarette, “Stay away from him.” I didn’t even blink, “No.” He hissed, grabbed my face with force, looking quite desperate, “Tang Xiaofu, you don’t have to be like this with me. When Cheng Yu gets really angry…” “What happens then?” I interrupted, locking eyes with him without blinking, “I’ve dealt with his anger before!” He twitched the corner of his mouth as if smiling, but there was no warmth in his eyes; instead, there was a brewing storm. His tone was casual, almost dismissive, “Do as you please, but you should be able to handle the consequences of provoking him.”
Since that day, Tian Tian would occasionally come to see me, trying to find out my likes and wishes with casual conversations. Although I had a clear conscience, he was, after all, a young man nearly twenty, and I was alone at home. Being alone with a man would always lead to gossip. So, to avoid suspicion, we usually stayed in the living room. To distract myself and to cope with the pain that occasionally made my whole body convulse, I would desperately find things to talk about, often leaving Tian Tian dazed. We passed two peaceful days like this…
I was sitting on the living room sofa. Tian Tian had said he would come over early that morning to show me something rare, and when I asked what it was, he mysteriously said it was a secret for now. I waited for a while and dozed off. In a daze, it seemed someone approached me. I woke up with a start to find Mei Xiang standing in front of me, expressionless. Seeing me open my eyes, she jerked her chin up and said stiffly, “This is yours, left on the kitchen counter. I need to clean up.” On the coffee table was a cup of tea I had prepared to aid digestion. For the past couple of days, I hadn’t been feeling well, always lying or sitting, with my limbs feeling sore and heavy, my appetite stifled, barely eating, and frequently feeling nauseous. I had just made the tea and forgot about it. I picked it up and drank a few sips. Mei Xiang watched me for a moment with a stern face, then turned and left.
Not long after, I suddenly felt an overwhelming heat. It felt like a fire had ignited inside me, with a hot energy rampaging through my body, pushing out through every pore.
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Aphrodisiac
My heart was pounding chaotically, as if it wanted to leap out of my chest. Glancing inadvertently at a mirror, I was shocked to see myself with flushed cheeks, a dazed expression, and an unmistakable look of desire. I tried to frown, but the reflection in the mirror gave a flirtatious look. Oh my God? What… what’s wrong with me? So strange, really… too strange.
In a daze, I suddenly saw Cheng Yu sauntering into the living room. Seeing him was like seeing a savior; I was pulled towards him by some force. Touching his hand, it felt good, like smooth, cool jade. I pushed him down onto the sofa and hugged his arm close to my chest. “What’s wrong?” he asked, patting my head like one would a dog, “Hot?” I nodded, indeed feeling unbearably hot, and burrowed into his embrace, turning my back to him to unzip my dress, “Quick, help me out of this! It’s killing me with heat.” He complied, pulling the zipper all the way down. Seeing my bare back and the straps of my undergarments, he let out a sigh, scooped me up, clothes and all, “Let’s go upstairs!” I couldn’t bear to hear that, tried to stand but my legs were like jelly, unable to support me, and I stumbled forward with a cry. Cheng Yu, with quick reflexes, caught me and carried me upstairs. I was giggling with delight, my arms unceremoniously wrapped around his neck.
Once in the bedroom, he kicked the door shut and threw me onto the bed. I quickly stripped off everything, then eagerly helped him out of his shirt. When his cool body pressed against mine, I let out a moan, “Ah~ feels so good.” Then, like an octopus, I clung to him. Not long after, he too was affected, his body burning, breathing heavily. “What should we do?” I asked pitifully, pressing my face against his chest seeking some relief, “I feel so uncomfortable!” He let out a soft chuckle, brushed the wet hair from my forehead, kissed my cheek, and whispered in my ear, “I have a solution, but you have to beg me!” I found that the agitation in my heart seemed to calm a bit after his kiss, as if I had discovered a trick. I eagerly cupped his face and kissed him deeply. Strangely, I felt a cool stream flowing from his throat into mine, gradually cooling the fire raging in my veins. I intensified my efforts to draw out more of that refreshing coolness, until I was breathless. Cheng Yu, unable to hold back, pushed me away, muttering, “This is going to be the death of me.” But I wouldn’t let go, clinging to him, twisting, and cooing, “Please, good sir, help me, I’m in such agony, please, come on…” His eyes twinkled, and he chuckled lowly, “It’s rare to see you so obedient. Wouldn’t it have been better if you were like this earlier?”
I don’t remember much of what happened next. I felt like I was on a boat in the vast ocean, tossed by giant waves one moment, sinking into the depths the next. Sometimes I couldn’t breathe, sometimes I felt an overwhelming pleasure. At times it hurt, at times it itched, at times I felt suffocated to the point of wanting to die, and at times, so good I wanted to scream. I had to close my eyes, helplessly enduring this complex, dizzying sensation.
