Sweetie, don't look at him, kiss me.

After hanging up Ji Xingye's call, Lin Qingmian sat on the sofa for a long time.

The night wind blew in through the window, making her hands and feet icy cold, but she didn't want to move.

My mind was a jumble of thoughts. One moment it was Ji Linzhou's departing figure, the next it was Su Tingwan's cheerful voice on the phone, and then it was Ji Xingye's stubborn "I don't believe it."

She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to think about it.

I don't want to think about what Ji Linzhou and Su Tingwan are doing right now.

I don't think about which restaurant they went to, what dishes they ordered, or what they said.

I don't want to think about whether Su Tingwan took photos and posted them on her WeChat Moments like last time, with the caption "Thank you, Mr. Ji, for being willing to accompany me."

She didn't want to think about these things.

But the more I try not to think about it, the more those images linger in my mind.

Finally, she simply got up, found the bottle of melatonin she had bought before, swallowed two pills, lay down on the bed, and covered her head with the blanket.

The drug worked quickly; her consciousness gradually blurred, and she sank into darkness.

After an unknown amount of time, a soft "click" came from the doorway.

When Ji Linzhou opened the door, the living room lights were still on, and the thermos on the dining table was still sitting there quietly.

He glanced around but didn't see Lin Qingmian.

After changing his shoes, the man walked to the bedroom door and pushed open the slightly ajar door.

The woman was curled up on the bed, her head covered by the blanket, with only a small section of her dark hair showing.

She was sleeping soundly, her breathing even and deep, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath.

Ji Linzhou stood at the door, looking at the small bulge on the bed, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

He went to Black Swan with Su Tingwan tonight.

The woman still happily ordered dishes he didn't like at all, took photos with great enthusiasm, posted them on her WeChat Moments with great enthusiasm, and shared her experiences abroad with him with great enthusiasm.

He kept a cold expression throughout and barely said a word.

But Su Tingwan seemed completely unconcerned about his attitude.

It seems that as long as he is willing to eat with her, as long as he is willing to sit across from her, she is satisfied.

The meal lasted for more than an hour, but Su Tingwan still felt it wasn't enough.

Finally, she even tried to take him to the movies, but he refused.

For someone he's not interested in, every minute he spends with them is torture.

He thought Lin Qingmian would be waiting for him in the living room, or at least call him or send him a message to ask about him.

But she...

Sleeping so soundly and peacefully.

It was as if his dating other women had absolutely nothing to do with her.

Ji Linzhou's gaze darkened, and a feeling of unease welled up in his heart.

He stared at her peaceful sleeping face, feeling an urge to pick her up.

But reason prevailed over his inexplicable emotions.

The man turned and went to the bathroom, took a shower, changed into his pajamas, and then returned to the bedroom. He lifted the covers and lay down behind Lin Qingmian.

The woman's body was warm and soft, and he could feel the contours of her body through the thin fabric of her nightgown.

He reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head and closing his eyes.

She had a faint scent of shower gel mixed with her own natural fragrance, which smelled very nice.

Ji Linzhou hugged her even tighter, and the scent of her body finally calmed his irritable mood.

Forget it.

It's good that she's asleep.

At least he wouldn't have to see her clear eyes and hear her say things like, in that businesslike tone, that she wanted him to be with another woman.

The next morning, Lin Qingmian woke up because of the heat.

She opened her eyes groggily and found herself enveloped in a warm embrace.

The man's arm was across her waist, his palm pressed against her lower abdomen. The heat seeped through the fabric of her pajamas, making her feel slightly uncomfortable.

She tilted her head slightly, her chin just brushing against the man's jawline.

Ji Linzhou was still asleep.

His breathing was steady, his eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyelids, his nose was high and straight, his lips were pressed into a thin line, and his jawline was smooth and sharp.

While asleep, he lacked his usual cold and imposing aura, appearing much gentler.

Lin Qingmian's heart began to pound wildly.

She quickly looked away, not daring to look anymore.

When did he come back?

How come she doesn't feel anything at all?

After calming herself down, she carefully reached out, trying to remove his arm from her waist.

But as soon as she moved, the man's arm tightened.

"woke up?"

A deep, husky voice came from behind, carrying the languidness and magnetism unique to someone who had just woken up.

Lin Qingmian's body froze instantly.

"I...I'll go make breakfast."

As she spoke, she tried again to break free from his embrace.

But Ji Linzhou pulled her back and flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.

The man's gaze was deep as he looked at her, carrying a hint of sleepiness and an emotion that Lin Qingmian couldn't decipher.

"I did as you said last night."

He lowered his head, his thin lips close to her ear, his voice low and deep: "Aren't you going to reward me?"

Lin Qingmian's heart clenched suddenly.

She reached out and pushed against his chest, her voice trembling slightly: "You...you went on a date with another woman, and you expect me to reward you?"

"This is as you requested."

Ji Linzhou's eyes darkened, his voice carrying a hint of self-righteousness: "You deserve to pay the price."

After saying that, he lowered his head and kissed her directly.

Lin Qingmian was caught off guard and was breathless from his kiss.

The man's kiss carried a hint of punishment, yet also a hint of desire suppressed all night; it was fierce and domineering.

Lin Qingmian was breathless from his kisses, her mind went blank, and she could only instinctively cling to his shoulders.

In a brief moment of respite, she finally regained a sliver of reason, turning her head away from his kiss: "Ji Linzhou... um..."

The man didn't give her a chance to speak. He grabbed her chin, turned her face back, and kissed her again.

Lin Qingmian's fingers gripped the fabric of his pajamas tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She knew she should push him away.

But she couldn't push him away.

Her body was honest, more honest than her heart.

It seemed that from the very first time, she had become addicted to the feeling of being entangled with him.

This man, just like in the business world, possessed an absolutely dominant and forceful nature. She seemed to have no choice but to passively endure everything beneath him.

but……

Although he was domineering, he was also respectful of her feelings.

He gave her all the kisses and comforting words she needed.

When the passion reached its peak, Lin Qingmian reached out and hugged his neck, then closed her eyes.

in case……

If only their marriage wasn't a transaction.