Chapter 44

"Are you sure you don't regret this?"

Lying on the bed, Fu Ming Shi leaned over Zhen Bao, propping himself up with his hands on either side of her. He looked into her flushed face and asked one last time to confirm.

Zhen Bao opened her eyes briefly, meeting Fu Ming Shi's broad shoulders, before quickly shutting them again. Then, almost imperceptibly, she shook her head.

She liked him, trusted him. If this was what he wanted, she was willing.

The little girl was so obedient, so pure. Fu Ming Shi's throat tightened as he suppressed his urges. He didn't continue right away. Instead he rolled onto his side next to her, pulling up the covers over them both as he held her. "Are you nervous?" he asked.

Zhen Bao was nervous. He held her so tightly she could feel the strength in his body pressing against her. Her forehead tucked against his chest, she could clearly feel his powerful heartbeat. Zhen Bao didn't know where to put her hands. Her whole body was stiff and tense, her heart racing so fast it felt like it would leap from her chest at any moment.

His gaze was too obvious. In a small voice, Zhen Bao whispered, "Turn off the lights..."

"Alright," Fu Ming Shi responded. He released her temporarily and rolled over to hit the light switch, supporting himself with one hand while reaching out with the other.

Zhen Bao opened her eyes a sliver, watching the lines of his shoulders and back flex elegantly as he stretched. His trim waist tapered in an inverted triangle, incredibly attractive, before flaring out again at the hips. It was a body that rivaled a supermodel's. Her mouth went dry.

With a click the room was submerged in darkness.

Zhen Bao heard Fu Ming Shi shifting back towards her. She couldn't help shrinking away slightly, but he was faster. Throwing back the covers he was at her side again, weight balanced on his elbows but hips and torso still lightly touching her.

Zhen Bao didn't dare breathe. Each inhale would brush against his chest. Her roommate had always envied her figure, but Zhen Bao didn't know what was so envy-worthy about it. The slightest movement brought them into contact, awkward and dangerous.

"I wanted to wait until after you graduated..." Fu Ming Shi's forehead touched hers, voice husky. "But holding back has been too difficult." His right hand gently caressed her smooth cheek. "Feng Bao, what do you see when you look at me?" His low voice was mesmerizing.

What did she see when she looked at him?

Zhen Bao struggled to think through the hormonal haze threatening to overwhelm her senses. She remembered their first meeting, how caring he had been after that initial misunderstanding...

"When I first saw you back home, wearing sunglasses, I thought you seemed arrogant. I even suspected you were a scammer..."

Fu Ming Shi chuckled softly. "And I assumed you were an unreasonable country bumpkin, though your face attracted me."

Zhen Bao blinked, long lashes inadvertently brushing his skin.

Fu Ming Shi pressed a kiss to her eyelids. "At first I was drawn to your looks, which made the trip to find you less unpleasant. But then I realized what a stubborn yet unpretentious girl you were, defiant but kind, unwilling to watch the old man cry. I noticed how silly and shy you were, and I liked you more and more. That first hotpot dinner, seeing how happily you ate, I thought - this girl suits my tastes. I decided then that I would have you, this life. Do you think that was fate? Just two days together and I was set on you."

He had said a lot, but Zhen Bao didn't know how to respond. She just felt warm and comforted all the way through, sweetly content. Was this what sweet nothings were?

"Keep describing me. What am I like in your eyes?" Fu Ming Shi nudged her lips.

Zhen Bao considered. "You have a lot of money," she said softly. "You don't hesitate at all to spend thousands of kuai. But you aren't arrogant. You didn't look down on me. I didn't know how to buckle the seatbelt and you taught me patiently, like you're always exceptionally patient and attentive."

"That's because I already liked you then. With someone else I might not have been so considerate." Fu Ming Shi was blunt.

Zhen Bao smiled secretly. She just felt he was great.

"Talk about my flaws now," Fu Ming Shi kissed her cheek.

That was even harder. Zhen Bao couldn't think of any flaws Fu Ming Shi had. He could be overbearing when giving gifts, but if she insisted on something, like choosing a major or taking a part time job, Fu Ming Shi would eventually respect her decision. He would even pretend to be Shi Ming to help keep it secret from his family.

Zhen Bao shook her head. "What about my flaws?" she asked instead.

Fu Ming Shi laughed. Rubbing his nose against her cheek, he murmured, "You only have one flaw - you're a bit young compared to me." If she were a few years older, already graduated...he wouldn't have had to endure this long. He could have feasted sooner.

As he spoke his breath skimmed her neck. Zhen Bao couldn't help shrinking away reflexively.

Fu Ming Shi noticed and deliberately blew on the sensitive skin. Each light puff raised a wave of heat within her. Zhen Bao's breathing grew heavy, her chest rising and falling against his. Fu Ming Shi thirsted at the contact. His lips edged closer as he spoke by her ear, "Actually I do have a flaw - my patience isn't as good as you claim."

His last words disappeared as their lips met.

Zhen Bao's fingers tightened on the sheets.

He bent his head, suddenly arching his back. Zhen Bao heard the sound of a belt unfastening. Her heart pounded, on the verge of losing control. But then the sounds halted unexpectedly. Even the imaginary child noisily eating jelly in her mind abruptly stopped.

Zhen Bao was still, uncertain what had happened. Fu Ming Shi slowly moved back up. "Forgot one thing," he rasped regretfully against her ear.

"What?" Zhen Bao couldn't stop her voice from shaking, hoarseness betraying her nerves.

Fu Ming Shi whispered three words to her.

Zhen Bao tensed. She too had just remembered, and couldn't help worrying at the reminder. "Then...what should we do?" she stammered.

Fu Ming Shi was silent. Seeing her photos with makeup had intensified his craving to see her. When telling his assistant to buy cosmetics he had already planned for her to stay over, anticipating kissing her intensely, but not this.

He thought he would have more self-control. He assumed even if he lost restraint, Zhen Bao's physical reactions would warn him to stop timely, like last time. He didn't expect everything to go so smoothly.

Fu Ming Shi had never dated. He wasn't a pervert either. With Zhen Bao not living there yet, there was no need to stock contraceptives in the villa beforehand. After she moved in, he was sabotaged by overconfidence in his willpower.

What to do now?

Would it seem too lustful to buy some urgently?

He was desperate, but Fu Ming Shi didn't want to leave that kind of impression on Zhen Bao. A midnight contraceptive run would shatter the atmosphere. Continuing after felt tasteless, like he was a low-class man ruled by desire.

"We'll put it on my tab for tonight. Remember to repay me next time." Fu Ming Shi kissed her earlobe and burrowed back under the covers.

Zhen Bao was still puzzling out his meaning when she heard his belt unfasten again.

So...they would continue?

Zhen Bao felt a twinge of fear. With no reminder she had temporarily forgotten to consider protection. His words made her anxious. When Fu Ming Shi tried to unbutton her jeans, Zhen Bao tensed and silently refused, covering the zipper. She still had classes. What if...

"I only want to look." Meeting resistance, Fu Ming Shi guessed her concern. He moved back up to reassure her.

Just look...

Zhen Bao tried to imagine the scene, feeling her face flush hotter. She would rather he just get it over with than let him look.

"Don't," she whispered, barely audible.

She was too tense. Fu Ming Shi couldn't persuade her verbally. His hand tested her boundaries again.

Zhen Bao clenched her legs together.

Fu Ming Shi finally gave up. He gathered her tightly in his arms instead, clasping her hand and placing it decisively at his waistband after a moment. Zhen Bao quickly realized his intent, struggling to pull free. But this time Fu Ming Shi would not compromise. He firmly left everything in her hands.

It was some time before their breathing finally slowed again.

Satisfied, Fu Ming Shi held Zhen Bao close, tenderly kissing her ear.

Zhen Bao's face turned red, her hands ached, and her body was drenched in sweat. She felt a little disappointed, yet secretly relieved. After getting intimate with Fu Ming Shi's French baguette with her own hands, she realized...it looked even more frightening than when he wore his swimming trunks.

"Let's sleep together," Fu Ming Shi didn't want to leave yet.

Zhen Bao softly reminded him, "We still have to get up early tomorrow." She wanted to return to school early, so that no one would see Fu Ming Shi sending her off first thing in the morning. If Fu Ming Shi stayed in her room, who knew if he would try again?

Fu Ming Shi was silent for a full minute before reluctantly letting her go and sitting up.

Zhen Bao immediately burrowed completely under the covers.

Fu Ming Shi turned on the lights and looked back to see only a lump under the covers. Glancing at the floor, their scattered clothes were everywhere. Since he couldn't wear his briefs, Fu Ming Shi first put on his pants while buckling his belt, all the while gazing at that lump under the covers, his eyes profound, not knowing when the next time would be.

"I'll get going?" After tidying up, Fu Ming Shi sat on the bed and pressed down on the lump, saying, "Let's sleep together."

Zhen Bao hmm'ed.

Pressing down on her through the covers, Fu Ming Shi stroked her head and kissed her, "Feng Bao, I'm very happy." He was happy that their relationship had progressed another step.

"You should leave now," Zhen Bao said. It was too stuffy under the covers and she wanted to get out and breathe.

Fu Ming Shi laughed and rubbed her head again before really leaving this time.

Only after hearing the door close did Zhen Bao poke her head out from under the covers. She looked around the empty room, wrapped herself in the blanket, and went to lock the door before finally heaving a long sigh of relief. As her gaze swept past the bra on the bed, memories of everything Fu Ming Shi did to her last night flashed through Zhen Bao's mind and her ears grew hot again.

She took out a set of pajamas from the closet and went to shower. As she took off her jeans, Zhen Bao suddenly remembered Fu Ming Shi's hands on her. They almost saw each other naked.

Shaking her head, Zhen Bao turned on the shower and stopped thinking about anything else.

After blow drying her hair and getting back into bed, it was almost 1am. On her phone there was a text from roommate Jia Xiao Yu checking in on her before the dorm building locked its doors, as well as a message just sent from Fu Ming Shi asking if she had fallen asleep.

Zhen Bao replied with a simple "Good night."

Fu Ming Shi immediately responded: Dream of me. Zhen Bao's face grew hot. She didn't dare chat more with him and set an alarm before going to sleep.

Unexpectedly, Zhen Bao slept very soundly that night without dreaming at all. When she woke up at 5am and looked around the familiar room, she actually felt that the brief night she spent in bed with Fu Ming Shi was just a dream. However, when she lifted her pajama shirt to peek inside and saw the marks left behind by Fu Ming Shi, Zhen Bao immediately grew nervous again.

Would it be very awkward to see him again soon?

After taking ten minutes to make her bed and wash her face, Zhen Bao deliberated for a few minutes before taking out a new set of clothes from the closet to change into. If her roommates asked, she would just say she came back late after watching a movie last night and went to the villa. The villa belonging to Fu Ming Shi sounded more innocent than a hotel room.

Right after she finished changing, Fu Ming Shi knocked on the door.

Zhen Bao opened the door with her head lowered.

"All packed up?" Her long hair was neatly styled and the bedroom was clean. Fu Ming Shi was very surprised. "What time did you get up?"

"Five o'clock." Zhen Bao said softly, blinking her eyes. For some reason, her gaze kept wanting to wander below Fu Ming Shi's slim waist. Afraid that he might misunderstand, Zhen Bao immediately turned her head to walk inside, pretending to grab her phone. She had only taken two steps when her wrist was suddenly seized. The next moment, she was lifted high against the door by Fu Ming Shi, who looked up at her.

He had just washed his face, his skin smelled fresh, his brow was sharp, his dark eyes profound, and his lips...

Zhen Bao panicked and closed her eyes. Looking at him now made her think of scene after scene from last night.

"I thought that after last night, you would be more open." Fu Ming Shi said as he looked at his silly girl.

Zhen Bao covered his eyes and only after making sure Fu Ming Shi couldn't see her did she dare to look at him again. "Don't talk about it."

Fu Ming Shi laughed. "Alright."

Zhen Bao was still uneasy. "Don't say another word."

Fu Ming Shi nodded.

"Put me down." Zhen Bao continued covering his eyes.

Fu Ming Shi didn't move. With his eyes covered by her small hand, he expressed his delight with a smile. "I want to keep holding you." He couldn't hold her enough.

Zhen Bao couldn't stand his teasing, but she liked his sweet words. She secretly smiled and her voice grew even softer and sweeter. "It's time to go."

"I had Wang Ma make breakfast."

Zhen Bao nodded and urged him, "Put me down."

Only then did Fu Ming Shi take a step back and place her on the ground. The moment her feet touched the floor, Zhen Bao immediately walked away and pretended to grab her phone. She had just reached the door when her body suddenly lifted into the air again. Fu Ming Shi had caught her once more!

"You..."

Fu Ming Shi looked down at his fiancée who he hadn't seen for a whole night and held her tightly against his chest. His dark eyes brimmed with laughter. "I'll carry you downstairs. Don't worry, Wang Ma went back to sleep."

He looked so happy, delighted by her service last night, that Zhen Bao turned her head away ignoring him.

Fu Ming Shi walked down the three flights of stairs step by step, still carrying Zhen Bao. When they reached the living room, he carried her all the way to the dining table, followed by a large black dog and a black cat with green eyes. The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious. After sitting down, Zhen Bao held Moon and ate, not glancing at Fu Ming Shi once, while his gaze remained fixed on her, finding her more and more adorable the longer he looked.

Once in the car, Zhen Bao finally relaxed and silently watched the scenery outside.

As the car approached the gates of A University, Zhen Bao pointed to an intersection and said, "Stop there."

Fu Ming Shi obediently parked the car. Seeing that he was also unbuckling his seatbelt, Zhen Bao was surprised.

"It's too dark. I'll walk you to the school gates," Fu Ming Shi said as he opened the door. At 6am in the imperial capital, the sky was still dark.

Zhen Bao felt warm inside.

Fu Ming Shi walked around to her side and familiarly took her hand.

The seemingly long stretch passed in an instant. Looking at their clasped hands, Zhen Bao suddenly didn't want to part.

"I'll come pick you up tonight," Fu Ming Shi said, pulling her into his embrace and whispering by her ear.

Zhen Bao declined. She understood his meaning but didn't want it to be too frequent.

Fu Ming Shi was only testing the waters. He stroked Zhen Bao's long hair and made a new suggestion, "Spend your birthday night at the villa?"

Last night was a spur of the moment decision. Now that he thought about it, for their first time, they should choose a special day.

Zhen Bao had a month until her birthday. This time, she slowly nodded.

Fu Ming Shi kissed the top of her head. "Focus on your studies."

Before graduation, studies should still come first. He was already satisfied to be able indulge occasionally.