Mr. Liang, you mustn't covet other people's fiancées!

Liang Chaoxu stood still, looked up at Qin Youya and said, "Mom, you and Dad promised me before that you would no longer interfere with my marriage."

Qin Youya turned around, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment, her tone still unhurried: "Your father and I did say we wouldn't interfere. But that doesn't mean we'll accept Wen Li."

She paused slightly, as if considering her words, or perhaps simply giving him time to process them.

"You should understand that if two people are too different, they won't be happy together. I'm not looking down on her; I feel sorry for you, and I feel sorry for her too."

Liang Chaoxu lowered his eyes, remained silent for a few seconds before speaking, his voice lower: "Mom, you've only met her once. How much do you really know about her?"

"It doesn't matter how many times we've met, or how much we know about each other." Qin Youya switched her handbag to her other hand, her tone calm and firm.

"At my age, I don't need to meet many people to understand things. As for Wen Li, I have no problem with her; she's hardworking and sensible."

"But Ah Xu, marriage isn't something you can make work through. You're carrying the Liang family on your shoulders, while she's carrying her own future and past."

"You are standing on two completely different levels, and you were never looking at each other at the same level from the beginning."

Liang Chaoxu said, "So what? Didn't you and Dad also get to where you are today, step by step?"

Qin Youya looked at him, a fleeting tenderness in her eyes, which she quickly suppressed, replaced by an almost sighing tone: "Back then, it was your grandparents who gave their approval. And you know your current situation."

"Wen Li has suffered too much. If you really want to protect her, you should think about things from a longer-term perspective."

"If you two really get together, she won't just have to face you alone, but the gossip and rumors of the entire Jingzhou city. You think you can handle it, but she might not."

After listening, Liang Chaoxu did not respond immediately.

Qin Youya turned around and continued walking out: "Let's go, the card game is about to start."

Liang Chaoxu spoke again at this moment, his voice steady and unwavering: "I won't let her shoulder these burdens. Mom, go to the card game yourself."

After saying that, he nodded slightly and turned to walk towards the inner courtyard.

Qin Youya stood there, watching his tall figure disappear around the corner of the corridor, and remained motionless for a long time.

At 10 p.m., the night was deep and the air was bitterly cold.

After taking a shower, Wen Li turned off the lights, nestled on the sofa, and browsed through the movie list, randomly clicking on a film.

While waiting for the movie to start, she picked up her phone and transferred some money to Liang Chaoxu's card.

She had just put down her phone when the door lock clicked.

Liang Chaoxu pushed open the door and entered, taking off his coat as he asked, "Are you used to the food here?"

Wen Li nodded: "That's good."

Liang Chaoxu walked over to the sofa, sat down, and immediately pulled Wen Li into his arms, still carrying the cool air from outside.

Wen Li was a little stunned by his actions, and the remote control in her hand suddenly slipped into the sofa cushions.

She hadn't even had a chance to speak.

He leaned down naturally, resting his head on her lap, his arms tightly wrapped around her waist, his forehead against her lower abdomen, and his breathing quickly became steady.

"Liang Chaoxu?" Wen Li's hand froze in mid-air as she softly called his name.

His voice was muffled: "Let me lean on you for a moment."

Wen Li glanced down at him, didn't move, reached into the sofa cushions to retrieve the remote control, and pressed the mute button.

She nestled into the sofa cushions, her arm draped naturally over his, and quietly watched the movie. The light and shadow on the screen shifted silently, their reflections flickering across her face.

Around 1 a.m., Liang Chaoxu woke up and looked up to see Wen Li leaning against the sofa armrest, her head tilted to one side, breathing heavily, already asleep.

He sat up, the blanket slipping off him, glanced at her, bent down, picked her up, and carried her to the bedroom.

Wen Li was not sleeping soundly. She opened her eyes groggily and met a pair of deep eyes that were quietly looking at her.

Neither of them avoided eye contact, nor did they speak.

Liang Chaoxu placed Wen Li on the bed, but his hand did not withdraw from behind her waist. He lowered his head, moved closer, and stopped there, his nose almost touching hers.

Wen Li looked straight at him, her breathing light and gentle.

He looked into her eyes, making sure she didn't pull away, before kissing her. The kiss was very light, and Wen Li's eyelashes trembled.

The bedside lamp was warm and yellow, soft and inviting.

When the kiss ended, Liang Chaoxu leaned over her, looked down at her, his breathing became heavier, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Wen Li raised her hand and placed it on the back of his neck, pulling him down slightly.

Liang Chaoxu pressed his forehead against hers and whispered something, which was hard to hear.

His kiss was much stronger when it landed again.

Liang Chaoxu stepped back slightly, the darkness in his eyes rising up and turning into a burning kiss, gently scalding the skin on Wen Li's neck.

He easily unbuttoned her pajamas with his teeth, his lips brushing against her collarbone, causing a ticklish sensation.

Wen Li's breath hitched for a moment, and the hand on the back of his neck suddenly tightened, touching his slightly sweaty skin.

Liang Chaoxu paused for a moment, then looked down at her: "Did it hurt?"

Wen Li's voice fell softly into his ear: "Turn off the lights."

Liang Chaoxu reached out and turned off the bedside lamp.

The room darkened, and the light that shone through the curtains was thin and narrow, flowing and floating between the two people.

His palm was pressed against hers, their fingers intertwined, and he pressed down on the side of her pillow. When he lay down on her, the mattress sank slightly.

Wen Li gripped his knuckles tightly, then slowly loosened them.

It was already four in the morning when the cleaning was finished.

After changing the bedding, Liang Chaoxu carried Wen Li back to bed.

She turned over so her back was to him, pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, and drifted off to sleep.

Liang Chaoxu pressed himself against her from behind, his arm wrapped around her waist, his palm resting on her lower abdomen, gently stroking it.

Wen Li was extremely tired and let him hold her. Her breathing gradually became even and long, and she fell asleep.

Liang Chaoxu rested his chin on the top of her head, closed his eyes, unable to sleep, but did not move.

Wen Li woke up in the morning light.

When she opened her eyes, she was not fully conscious. She first felt an arm pressing against her waist, and the warmth of the palm penetrated the fabric of her pajamas and touched her lower abdomen. It was hot and distinct.

She blinked, turned her head to look at Liang Chaoxu, who was sleeping soundly, breathing steadily, his eyelashes drooping quietly.

She hesitated for a moment, then gently pulled his hand away, lifted the covers, and sat up.

As Wen Li brushed her teeth in front of the bathroom mirror, she noticed red marks spreading down her collarbone.

The scenes from last night flashed through her mind: the feeling of his fingertips gliding across her lower back, the tingling sensation of his warm kisses on her neck, and their breaths mingling in the darkness, indistinguishable from each other.

She shook her head, scooped up some water to wash her face, and suppressed those images.