Peninsula: I'm the Top Streamer

Chapter 615 Finally Get the Willow (1 words!)
Liu Zhimin's hair, which was tied up in a bun, seemed unable to bear the weight of the wet fabric and quietly came loose and fell to the ground.

Her long, dark, wet hair cascaded down like a waterfall, falling wetly over her shoulders and smooth back.

Startled by the sudden turn of events, she gasped softly and instinctively reached out to catch the stray strands of hair.

The hand that had been tightly gripping the edge of the bath towel loosened slightly due to the momentary panic and movement.

The white barrier that held up the last vestige of cover slipped down a few inches as Liu Zhimin frantically raised her hand.

A blindingly white, sticky substance covered in undried water droplets suddenly came into view.

The curve is breathtaking, like a flower bud quietly blooming in early spring, half-hidden by wet hair, exposed to the slightly cool air still carrying the warm mist of the bathroom.

Cool water droplets rolled silently down the smooth, soft curves, disappearing into the mysterious depths below, stubbornly protected by the folds of a bath towel.

Liu Zhimin's mind went blank, her beautiful eyes wide with shock and shame.

His cheeks and ears instantly turned bright red, and all the blood in his body seemed to be rushing to his head.

She could clearly feel the subtle shiver that came from the cold air brushing against her sensitive skin.

Liu Zhimin swallowed, her throat suddenly feeling dry. She quickly pulled the towel up a little more, not daring to look at Quan Xuanhe in front of her.

She didn't intend to seduce Quan Xuanhe.

But it seems like fate made this happen by sheer chance.

His gaze quickly shifted away from that dazzling expanse of white skin, and he turned his body to the side with remarkable ease and subtlety, focusing his attention on the frosted glass door behind her or the floor tiles beside her.

He didn't even back down, but by slightly turning his body and completely avoiding eye contact, he minimized Liu Zhimin's pressure and embarrassment.

"...Your hair isn't dry yet, right? Go use a hairdryer to dry it again, or you'll catch a cold."

Quan Xuanhe's voice rang out, his tone steady, which calmed Liu Zhimin's flustered and pounding heart.

"Yes, Arasso."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with a heavy nasal tone. She clutched the towel tightly around her body, as if afraid that it would slip off again, like grasping at a lifeline.

"Okay, dry it off."

Quan Xuanhe gave a simple reply. This time, before she could close the door, he turned around steadily and left the bathroom doorway. He even closed the master bedroom door for her and headed towards the living room.

"I'm going to look at my phone for a bit, you take your time."

After watching Quan Xuanhe casually close the door and leave, Liu Zhimin couldn't help but close her eyes, her face burning hot.

Liu Zhimin couldn't take it anymore. The increasingly ambiguous atmosphere was like a wild horse about to break free and go completely out of control.

Are you really going to give it to me?

She tried to suppress the intense palpitations in her heart and let out a long sigh of relief.

The feeling of my heart pounding in my chest continued.

Liu Zhimin touched her still burning earlobe, muttered a word of frustration and excitement that no one could hear, before turning around and starting to carefully deal with her soaked long hair.

Liu Zhimin stood in front of the steamy mirror in the bathroom and picked up the hair dryer.

The buzzing hot wind brushed against my hair, but the warmth it brought couldn't dispel the anxiety and restlessness in my heart.

In the mirror, her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes were misty, and her lips were unconsciously bitten tightly.

Those brief seconds, the accidental exposure of spring light, and all the ambiguity of the daytime replayed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart, and whispered to herself, "Liu Zhimin, calm down..."

Do we really have to do it?
The noise from the hair dryer finally stopped.

She casually tied her half-dry, fluffy curly hair into a loose low ponytail with a hair tie, with a few stray strands still playfully sticking to the side of her neck.

Then she turned around and changed into the pajamas she had brought.

The loose pajamas concealed her figure, which she was so proud of; they were so baggy that nothing could be seen.

She hesitated, her fingertips lingering on the cold doorknob for a moment, before gently turning the doorknob to open the master bedroom.

The living room was quiet, and outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the night sea and stars of Busan still stretched out silently.

She spotted Quan Xuanhe at a glance.

He was leaning back in a corner of the sofa, relaxed. The bright light from his phone screen reflected on his well-defined profile, casting a deep shadow on his high nose bridge.

The sound of the door opening attracted Quan Xuanhe's attention, causing him to look up at Liu Zhimin, who was walking out of the bedroom.

"All right?"

"Ah."

Liu Zhimin sat down beside him, sinking slightly into the soft sofa. She cleared her throat, trying to make her voice sound natural.

"Oppa... what are you looking at?" Her gaze drifted to the screen that was emitting a faint glow.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk looked at Yoo Ji-min, who had just come out of the bathroom.

Her body was covered in a faint, pleasant scent of shower gel and shampoo. Her face was fair and beautiful, with a lingering blush on her cheeks, and her eyes were bright and clear.

He casually placed his phone screen-down on the sofa cushion beside him, making a slight sound.

"nothing."

"The script for the work that follows."

He actually still has a lot of work to do. South Korea is gradually relaxing its COVID-19 control measures, many offline events are reopening, and the new season of his endorsement advertisements also needs to be reshot.

These tasks are quite demanding.

Liu Zhimin's throat moved, producing only a barely audible nasal sound.

"…oh."

Both of them are actually quite busy, and neither of them is lacking in the other.

aespa's glorious rise is marked by Coachella, magazine shoots, and preparations for a comeback; they're never idle.

"You sit down first, I'm going to take a shower too."

Kwon Hyun-hyuk put down his phone, propped himself up on his knees, stood up, looked at Yoo Jimin who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a headband on her head, and said with a smile.

"Inside."

Liu Zhimin obediently responded and looked up at Quan Xuanhe.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk's footsteps disappeared behind the bathroom door, and then the sound of dripping water vaguely reached Yoo Ji-min's ears through the soundproof door.

Liu Zhimin huddled in the corner of the sofa, resting her chin on her knees, hugging her legs, her gaze unconsciously falling on Quan Xuanhe's phone, which he had casually placed face down on the sofa cushion.

But who wouldn't be curious about the secrets on his phone?

She naturally wanted to know what Kwon Hyun-hyuk's recent chat history with Cho Mi-yeon and Chou Tzu-yu was, and whether there was anything she didn't know.

Liu Zhimin reached out and turned on Quan Xuanhe's phone screen. Since she didn't know the password, she could only see his wallpaper.

A simple landscape photo, nothing particularly special.

Ok.

Liu Zhimin could only pick up her phone and scroll through it aimlessly out of boredom.

The faint sound of running water from the bathroom, like the softest feather, gently brushed against her nerves.

She couldn't help but imagine what the bathroom would look like.

The water flowed over Kwon Hyun-hyuk's broad back, and as he carried her on the beach, the power he exuded was clearly felt through his thin clothes.

Liu Zhimin's cheeks began to burn again, and her breathing became hot.

She shook her head, as if trying to shake off those erotic images, but her body honestly sank deeper into the soft sofa, finding a comfortable half-lying position.

Her hair, which had been blown half-dry, fell down, with a few strands playfully brushing against her neck, causing a slight tickle. This reminded her of when Quan Xuanhe tickled her ankle.

She suddenly covered her face and let out a muffled wail.

Oh no, my brain is going to be filled with all this nonsense!
The sound of water finally stopped. Liu Zhimin pricked up her ears, trying to hear what was happening.

After a while, footsteps were heard, and Quan Xuanhe came out, still carrying the heat and dampness of the moment, his hair half-dry.

He walked to the sofa and his gaze fell on Liu Zhimin, who was lounging in the sofa in a languid posture.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Liu Zhimin looked up at him, her bare legs under her pajamas dangling on the edge of the sofa, her tone carrying a hint of spoiled innocence.

“Oppa didn’t say anything about going to sleep. If I were going to sleep, I would have gone straight back to my room and was sitting here waiting for him to come out.”

She paused, her gaze involuntarily sliding over his lower body, which was clad in pajamas, before quickly shifting away.

“I thought oppa would want to talk to me.”

Kwon Hyun-hyuk walked over to the single sofa next to her and sat down, instead of sitting right next to her.

He leaned back, relaxed, raised his arm to rest on the sofa armrest, stretched out his long legs, and let out a sigh that seemed both real and unreal.

"Hmm... I'm a little tired after carrying our superstar Liu Zhimin all the way."

He turned his head, his gaze falling on Liu Zhi's beautiful face, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Why didn't you say you were tired when I carried you on my back?

Liu Zhimin immediately retorted, trying to use a small rebuttal to cover up the turbulent emotions in her heart.

Quan Xuanhe chuckled dismissively, and stretched his right leg forward very naturally, almost with a sense of self-righteousness, almost touching the edge of the sofa where Liu Zhimin was sitting.

“Since our superstar Liu knows I’m tired…” he drawled out his words.

"...Then could you do me the trouble of massaging my legs? We've walked for so long, and I carried you on my back for a while on the beach, so they're a bit sore."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Liu Zhimin's gaze unconsciously fell on the leg he was extending.

"How...how could I possibly accept this?" Her lips moved, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her pajamas, feeling a little awkward again.

"Oppa, why don't you just rub it yourself..."

Quan Xuanhe lazily interrupted Liu Zhimin: "I'm tired."

"Didn't you just ask me if I was tired? Now you won't even help me with a simple task? Don't you have any friendship left?"

Friends?

Friendship?

Liu Zhimin almost hummed aloud.

Whose friend is having someone of the opposite sex massage their legs in a hotel suite late at night?
He deliberately used those words to shut himself up!

"Can't you?"

Quan Xuanhe waited for a while, but heard no sound. He raised his eyebrows and glanced at Liu Zhimin.

"I'll do whatever oppa tells me to do?"

Liu Zhimin pouted higher than the sky.

"Then I beg you." He was flexible and adaptable.

Liu Zhimin was taken aback, thinking she was going to have to argue with him, but he gave in quite quickly.

"...Arasso!"

Liu Zhimin's voice was thin and fast, as if it were squeezed out of her throat, sounding reluctant.

It's also possible that he says one thing but does another.

Her movements were a little clumsy as she slowly moved to the spot on the sofa closest to his feet.

Liu Zhimin reached out and lifted Quan Xuanhe's leg, placing it on her thigh.

It felt heavy, but through the thin fabric of the pajamas, we could feel each other's warm body temperature.

Liu Zhimin looked at Quan Xuanhe, bit her soft lips slightly, and suppressed the strange feeling in her heart.

Why does it feel like the plot is gradually heading in an uncontrollable direction?
As Liu Zhimin thought this, she slowly extended her right hand, her fingertips slightly cool, and very slowly and tentatively placed them on the calf of Quan Xuanhe's outstretched leg.

"Use a little more force; this is worse than scratching an itch myself." Quan Xuanhe's lazy comment came from above, tinged with a hint of teasing.

Liu Zhimin gritted her teeth and increased the pressure with her fingers, changing from her fingertips to her palms. Through the soft cotton fabric, she began to massage his calf muscles clockwise.

The technique was clumsy, relying entirely on intuition, with varying degrees of pressure.

The warm sensation traveled clearly from her palms to the nerves in her legs.

To gain leverage, her body involuntarily leaned forward slightly, causing the neckline of her loose pajamas to open a crack, releasing a faint, warm fragrance.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk closed his eyes, seemingly enjoying the shoddy massage service, his deep voice revealing no emotion.

"Zhimin, haven't you given Mom or Dad a massage before?"

Facing Quan Xuanhe, Liu Zhimin transformed into a glamorous bath girl, massaging him while answering his questions.

"No? Qinjia?"

"So, I guess I'm the first one?"

Quan Xuanhe was a little surprised and raised his head slightly to look at her.

The atmosphere changed immediately when the topic of "the first time" was brought up.

After she said that, the movements of her fingers seemed to be guided by invisible threads, becoming slower and more erratic.

Her fingertips unconsciously traced the firm muscle lines beneath the fabric, and she could clearly feel the warmth emanating from the skin of his calves.

The heat seemed to spread upwards along her arm, subtly reddening her ears.

Quan Xuanhe slightly propped himself up, no longer in a lazy posture. His gaze fell on her trembling eyelashes and her face as she bit her lower lip.

"Not bad." Quan Xuanhe's voice was a little lazy, but a bit deeper than before, his gaze lingering on her lowered profile.

"It's just... the location isn't quite right."

"Wei?" Liu Zhimin subconsciously looked up and met his deep gaze, her heart skipped a beat.

"Press...press where?"

Where should I press?

not?
Should she do as instructed?
Kwon Hyun-hyuk did not answer immediately, but simply rested his arm casually on his bent knee and leaned slightly toward the sofa where she was.

His breath silently drew closer with this movement, the refreshing scent after his shower mixed with an indescribable, highly aggressive masculine aura that subtly enveloped Liu Zhimin.

"A little above."

He pointed to the front of his thigh with his free left hand, "It's more tiring here."

This instruction forced Liu Zhimin to get even closer.

She knelt down, leaned forward, and in a half-dogeza position, her fingertips resting on his thigh.

She applied a little pressure, and the warmth from her palm seeped through the fabric and into her fingertips.

"It's okay to use a little more force."

Quan Xuanhe's voice rang out, deep and gentle, with a hint of encouragement, yet also like a reassurance.

Liu Zhimin, being a young girl, was flustered and had little strength; it was no different from a caress.

"Arathor."

Liu Zhimin took a deep breath and, with tentative pressure, carefully massaged the muscles on the front of Quan Xuanhe's thigh.

"Not bad, cha-la-da."

Kwon Hyun-hyuk remained in a semi-reclining position, but his gaze remained fixed on her lowered face.

Watching her thick eyelashes tremble nervously, her delicate nose, and her slightly pursed lips that looked exceptionally moist under the light.

Liu Zhimin increased the pressure on her hands as instructed.

The massage technique was still clumsy, with the pressure from the fingertips and the base of the palm varying from light to heavy, but the earnestness of the massage had a kind of clumsy allure.

She focused intently on her subordinates, trying to make her technique as professional as possible, but the close physical contact and the rising temperature of the air made her breathing slightly rapid, and she could almost hear her heart pounding in her chest.

She didn't know how much time had passed until Liu Zhimin felt her wrists were sore and weak, and she almost had no strength left in her hands. When she looked up, she saw Quan Xuanhe with his eyes closed and his breathing steady, as if he had fallen asleep.

Fell asleep?
The thought exploded in her mind like fireworks, with tremendous force.

She was just feeling nervous and excited about the intimate touch and his possible reaction, her mind racing, when she didn't expect him to fall asleep like that.
An indescribable sense of astonishment welled up inside her, causing her small mouth to open slightly involuntarily.

No, how could I fall asleep like this?

What if they fall asleep?
Liu Zhimin froze, her big eyes blinking slowly.

Liu Zhimin's fingers froze on his thigh, as if a pause button had been pressed. She held her breath.

Really... fell asleep?
Immediately, a huge sense of bewilderment and helplessness swept over me.

What should she do?
To move or not to move? Should I move my legs? Will he wake up?

Liu Zhimin's body froze completely.

She even deliberately slowed her breathing, afraid that the slightest movement would disturb him.

His gaze was fixed on Quan Xuanhe's sleeping face, trying to find a trace of pretense in his micro-expressions.

However, he looked so relaxed and calm, with steady and long breathing.

Looking at Quan Xuanhe, Liu Zhimin felt all the excitement, tension, and inner turmoil about the "final step" that had been churning inside her were now overwhelmed by a huge sense of helplessness.

He was so tired that he fell asleep... while he was still lost in his own thoughts.

Feelings of grievance and resentment bubbled up like tiny bubbles. She pouted, her beautiful eyes flashing with complex emotions.

But more often than not, there was a sense of helplessness and bewilderment.

Should we... just stay in this position and wait for him to wake up?
The feeling of being wronged, like the rising tide, quickly overwhelmed the previous excitement and tension.

How long did she mentally prepare herself for this intimate contact, and how much courage did she muster?

But he acted like nothing had happened, and even fell asleep?!

Liu Zhimin stared at his peaceful sleeping face with her beautiful big eyes, her cheeks puffing out unconsciously.

She carefully withdrew her hand from his thigh.

No! Liu Zhimin took a deep breath, leaned slightly forward, and called out carefully and softly:

"O...oppa?"

The sound was as light as a feather, almost swallowed up by the sound of the waves outside the French windows.

The man on the sofa did not react.

Liu Zhimin mustered her courage, raised her voice slightly, and lightly tapped the back of his hand with her fingertips.

"Xuanhe oppa? Are you asleep? You should go back to your room and sleep..."

Under Liu Zhimin's slightly aggrieved gaze, Quan Xuanhe slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was no longer that of someone who had just woken up, but rather a clear-headedness tinged with a lazy smile.

Those eyes were so bright, there wasn't a trace of the chaos that had been forcibly awakened from slumber.

When Liu Zhimin met that gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and she instantly realized that she had been deceived.

He wasn't asleep at all! His steady breathing and relaxed posture just now were all an act!

A surge of embarrassment and annoyance at being seen through, or even teased, rushed to her cheeks, making her almost want to immediately lift the leg that was pressing down on her own.

"You...you were pretending to be asleep?!"

Liu Zhimin's voice carried an accusatory tone, deliberately feigning viciousness.

She realized that all her previous anxieties and grievances were now laid bare before him.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk stretched lazily, as if he had just had an extremely comfortable rest.

He didn't immediately pull his leg back. Instead, he moved his ankle slightly, making a soft cracking sound, while she was still pressing down on it.

"Who said I was pretending to be asleep?"

"Zhimin's massage is so comfortable. All the tension and stiffness have disappeared, and I'm completely relaxed. When people are comfortable, it's easy to drift off into a half-awake state, right?"

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Liu Zhimin's cheeks, which were flushed with shame and indignation.

He hadn't slept well last night, and today he spent the whole day wandering around. In the evening, he carried Liu Zhimin back home. After finally getting some rest, he was overcome with sleepiness and exhaustion.

Liu Zhimin's embarrassment and annoyance at being teased had not yet dissipated, and she decided to ignore this liar who was pretending to be asleep to amuse her.

She pouted, looking angry, and used both hands to forcefully move Quan Xuanhe's long leg off hers.

"If you're tired, go back to your room and get some sleep!"

She muttered to herself as she braced herself against the sofa armrest, preparing to stand up and stretch her legs, which had become numb from kneeling for so long.

However, just as she removed the support and tried to stand up straight...

"Well!"

A strong, tingling sensation, like countless tiny needles exploding from her knees and calves where she had been kneeling for a long time.

The sudden and intense discomfort caused her body to lose strength instantly, the strength supporting her back and waist suddenly disappeared, and she completely lost her balance.

Her legs felt as if the bones had been removed, and she fell backward limply and solidly.

A soft "thump" was heard, accompanied by an unexpected muffled groan from Quan Xuanhe.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

The cold backrest of the sofa I had imagined did not appear; instead, I felt a warm and solid chest.

Her back, lower back, and even her entire lower body were completely nestled into the man's lap.

To be precise, she fell onto his thighs and waist.

Her head, due to inertia, leaned back and rested against his shoulder.

Beneath her were his strong thigh muscles, and she could even clearly feel the warm breath he was sending through her neck as he briefly held his breath in surprise.

Liu Zhimin was completely stunned, her mind went blank.

The embarrassment and frustration from before were completely washed away by this sudden, overly intimate touch.

She could even clearly feel his steady heartbeat, which was now noticeably faster, pounding against her nerves through her back.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk was clearly caught off guard by this bombshell attack.

He swallowed back the joke he was about to make, and subconsciously adjusted his posture to make her fall less painful.

An arm almost instinctively wrapped around her waist and lightly supported her ribs.

It seemed he was trying to stop her from sliding down, but what his hand touched, through the thin fabric of her nightgown, was the soft curve of her waist.

The only sound in the air was Liu Zhimin's sudden, rapid breathing.

"..."

Liu Zhimin opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

Kwon Heonhyuk was the first to break the silence caused by this brief accident.

He looked down at the suspicious blush rising on the fair skin of the person in his arms, and watched as her loose strands of hair brushed against his neck. His Adam's apple bobbed silently.

His hand, which was resting on her waist, seemed to unconsciously tighten slightly for a moment, as he felt her slender waist stiffen instantly.

"What, aren't you going to stand up?"

His breath drew closer to her ear, his voice lower and more seductive.

"Ji-min, did you do this on purpose?"

Quan Xuanhe's deep voice resonated in Liu Zhimin's ears, and his slightly warm breath made her earlobes feel like they were on fire.

"Ah, my legs are numb..."

Liu Zhimin squeezed out a defense from her throat, her voice weak and hurried. She tried to struggle to get up and escape from the embrace that made her feel like she was on fire.

However, the lingering soreness and numbness in her legs made her limbs feel weak, and she could now clearly feel the hand that had been supporting her waist.

It was gentle yet firm, with an undeniable strength, pressing steadily against her taut waist, even slightly sinking into the soft flesh of her side.

Her back was pressed tightly against the strong and warm contours of his chest. The distance was too close, so close that every breath felt like swallowing the other's breath.

"Leg numbness?..."

Quan Xuanhe did not loosen his grip on Liu Zhimin's ribs.

Instead, with an extremely slow, inquisitive rhythm, his fingertips lightly, almost imperceptibly, caressed the edge of her slender waistline through the soft, smooth fabric of her nightgown.

That subtle touch seemed to carry an electric current, instantly numbing her reason. Her body jerked back, like a startled cat trying to curl up.

Even that meager amount of struggling strength was completely exhausted.

Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her throat, and her cheeks were burning hot, so she could only bury her face even lower.

Her gaze frantically fell on her fingers, which were tightly twisted around the front of her pajamas, and she wished she could shrink herself into a tiny ball.

Quan Xuanhe lowered his eyes, taking in her embarrassment, panic, and obvious trembling. A few stray strands of hair swept across her neck, carrying Liu Zhimin's unique sweet scent, silently teasing her tense nerves.

Her rounded, full hips, accentuated by her sitting posture, were now resting firmly on his thighs.

He tightened his arms slightly, holding her more securely in his embrace, leaving no gaps.

“Jimin…”

"look at me."

With immense shyness, Liu Zhimin turned her face to the side and timidly raised her beautiful eyes.

"May I?"

Liu Zhimin's rationality was already crumbling, and she was speechless in the face of Quan Xuanhe's words.

But an indescribable longing welled up from the depths of his heart, quickly spreading to every part of his body, spontaneously yearning to be closer to this burning passion.

She didn't say anything, but slowly pushed away Quan Xuanhe's arms around her waist and stood up on her own.

Not allowed?

Quan Xuanhe did not go against Liu Zhimin's wishes in the face of her every move.

But the next second.

Liu Zhimin slowly turned around to face Quan Xuanhe and took the initiative to sit on his lap.

Her body unconsciously leaned forward, her small chin seemingly searching for something silently and clumsily.

His eyes were misty and unfocused, as if veiled by a wet fog, reflecting only his shadow.

Quan Xuanhe clearly received Liu Zhimin's signal.

With increased strength in his arms, he steadily lifted her waist and hips, effortlessly taking her off his lap.

Liu Zhimin exclaimed in surprise, her arms involuntarily wrapping around his waist, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood.

She buried her face deep in Quan Xuanhe's neck, not daring to look up, her heart filled with both nervousness and longing.

Princess Quan Xuanhe carried Liu Zhimin with steady and firm steps, striding towards the spacious master bedroom of the suite.

The door closed quietly behind the two of them.

The night was deep, the stars were low, and the only sound was the gentle lapping of the waves against the embankment outside the window.

The sky outside the window has shed its deep night color, revealing a clear, pale white with a gray-blue undertone.

There was no glaring sunlight, only soft daylight, which silently streamed through the gaps in the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea, casting a hazy band of light on the dimly lit master bedroom floor.

The bedroom was filled with a scent that blended the smell of last night's tides with the fragrance of shower gel.

Liu Zhimin moved her eyelashes.

My consciousness was hazy, I felt weak all over, my body was sore and limp, and I was filled with a sense of fatigue.

But the sunlight shining into her eyes forced her to wake up.

She instinctively curled up, then turned her face away to avoid the overly bright gaze, but immediately felt a solid presence close beside her, radiating warmth.

And the thing under his neck that was clearly different from a pillow.

It is Quan Xuanhe.

The events of last night, like seashells left behind after the tide recedes, were instantly and clearly displayed in her mind.

She regained consciousness immediately and realized that Quan Xuanhe was beside her.

She cautiously turned her head to look at him.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk was still fast asleep.

He lay on his side, facing her, with one arm around her neck, holding her in an almost embedded position.

His other hand rested loosely on her waist, his palm soothing the curve of her back through the thin blanket.

His breathing was long and even, his chest rising and falling slightly with each breath, pressing against her forehead or the tip of her nose, bringing a warm touch.

At such close range, she could see the well-defined jawline of him as he slept, which was less sharp and more serene than usual.

Thick eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes, and her brow was relaxed, completely unlike her usual composed demeanor.

A strange warmth suddenly welled up in Liu Zhimin's heart, mixed with a sense of belonging and a sense of smug satisfaction.

She couldn't help but reach out her fingertips and, with the lightest of touches, as if touching something fragile, try to trace the slight furrow in his brow.

"How long have you been awake?" Quan Xuanhe's voice was a little hoarse from just waking up.

"...Just, just woke up." Liu Zhimin subconsciously wanted to lower her head, feeling a little shy, but was gently pulled forward by the force of the hand holding her wrist.

Quan Xuanhe's gaze fell on Liu Zhimin's cheeks and neck.

Several faint pink marks left from last night, somewhat ambiguous, are still clearly visible there.

He held her hand tightly, then pulled Liu Zhimin closer to him, making the distance between them even more intimate.

"looking at what?"

Kwon Hyun-hyuk's breath brushed against her forehead.

"...You look like you're asleep."

Liu Zhimin's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, almost as if she were burying her face in his chest.

His body temperature and masculine scent enveloped her completely, bringing a reassuring dizziness.

Did you sleep well?

The hand that was originally on her waist naturally slid up, and the calloused fingertips gently caressed the smooth skin on the back of her neck.

The soft morning light outlined her rounded, delicate shoulders and the alluring collarbone that was faintly visible beneath the neckline of her pajamas.

That familiar, commanding touch, even in the early morning after their passionate encounter, could still easily ignite the memories within her.

"Hmm..." Liu Zhimin responded vaguely, her cheeks turning even redder, like a ripe peach.

Last night, his countless low, seductive words and strong sense of control seemed to have returned.

"And you?" she mustered her courage and asked softly.

“Exceptionally good.”

Liu Zhimin's heart felt as if it were being soaked in warm water, completely softened.

She slightly raised her head, her large, moist eyes, filled with dependence, looking into his deep gaze.

"Oppa..." Her voice was soft and sweet, like honey melting in the sunlight, stickily clinging to him.

"mo?"

Kwon Heonhyuk responded.

"oppa"

Liu Zhimin repeated the sticky, melodious call.

"mo?"

Kwon Hyun-hyuk responded again.

"hey-hey."

Liu Zhimin hugged him tightly, buried her face in his chest, and gave a silly laugh.

"Oppa, you have to take responsibility for me now!"

Liu Zhimin hugged him tightly, as if she had found a vine to lean on, and even playfully rubbed his waist with her fingertips.

“I must take responsibility. As Liu Zhimin’s first man, I must take responsibility.”

Quan Xuanhe said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhimin felt an overwhelming sweetness in her heart, which made her gently rub her cheek against hers and let out a muffled sob with a thick nasal tone.

"Ugh... oppa saying that..."

She seemed to be scolding him, but the arms that wrapped around his strong waist held him even tighter. Her body was so soft that she just wanted to be closer to him and melt into his embrace.

The sky outside the window brightened a bit more, and golden specks of light danced on the sea surface.

Like a satiated cat, Liu Zhimin curled up in Quan Xuanhe's arms, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, feeling his steady heartbeat and even breathing, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on it.

Quan Xuanhe closed his eyes, lazily wrapped his arms around her, and rubbed his chin against the top of her soft hair, enjoying this rare moment of peace and intimacy.

Just then, a sudden yet familiar cell phone vibration broke the silence from the bedside table on Quan Xuanhe's side.

Liu Zhimin frowned slightly, her displeasure at being disturbed causing her to let out a muffled hum. She snuggled closer to Quan Xuanhe, rubbing her nose against his neck as if trying to shut out the noise.

"Nugu?"

Quan Xuanhe reached for his phone, but when he saw who it was, he was slightly taken aback.

Golden Winter?
Liu Zhimin lazily raised her head and happened to glance at the phone screen, immediately noticing that it was Jin Dongtian calling.

Almost reflexively, she propped herself up from Quan Xuanhe's embrace, the silk quilt slipping down to reveal a patch of snow-white shoulder.

Just as Kwon Hyun-hyuk's finger was about to touch the phone screen and hang up.

"Don't hang up!" Liu Zhimin's voice was crisp, with an almost forceful strength, as she snatched the phone from his hand.

Quan Xuanhe's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“Jimin?”

Liu Zhimin's gaze was fixed on the screen. She took a deep breath, her eyes darted around, and after a moment of internal struggle, she glanced at the screen before finally answering the call.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk, standing to the side, looked at Yoo Ji-min's actions with a somewhat helpless expression, but did not stop her.

Instead of speaking immediately, she gently held the phone to her ear and listened quietly for a second or two.

After a brief silence on the other end of the phone, Jin Dongtian's clear and bright voice came through.

"Hyun Hyuk oppa?"

Listening to Jin Dongtian talking to himself on the other end of the phone, Liu Zhimin's smile deepened, even taking on a deliberately wicked tone.

She adjusted her breathing, and spoke lazily, with a heavy nasal tone and a hoarse voice, as if she had just woken up:
"Oh my... Minjun?"

The person on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, clearly not expecting to hear a voice other than Kwon Hyun-hyuk.

Liu Zhimin could even imagine Jin Dongtian's instantly frozen and astonished expression.

She seemed oblivious to the strange pause, continuing to speak, but leaning back slightly, deliberately moving closer to Quan Xuanhe, almost resting against his half-raised chest:
"What's wrong? Is Xuanhe oppa still asleep?"

She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, turned her head, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous smile as she glanced at the man beside her, whose sharply defined profile and eyes clearly showed helplessness.

Then, in a coquettish tone, as if she had just remembered, she added:

"He might not be able to answer the phone for the time being."

Jin Dongtian felt a buzzing in his head, as if he had been hit hard by a huge stick.

Every syllable of Liu Zhimin's voice was like a fine needle, precisely piercing her taut nerves.

A casual remark struck her like a thunderclap.

this..
He was still talking like he'd just woken up so early in the morning...
Liu Zhimin, you actually!

(End of this chapter)