After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

The buttons were undone one after another. The moon-white fabric fell open to both sides. A pure white silk bodice was faintly visible, wrapping around her proud and voluptuous curves, rising and falling violently with her rapid breathing.

"Xun Chuan..." Fu Xinghe tilted his head back, the back of his head against the glass door of the bookcase, biting his lower lip, and let out a muffled groan that was suppressed to the extreme.

Those beautiful, icy eyes, which had remained unchanged for years and were always aloof, were now shimmering with moisture, overflowing with spring-like passion.

Who would have thought that this municipal party secretary's daughter, who had caused countless tycoon sons and political upstarts in Beijing to fall into ruin, would be driven to such a state of confusion and infatuation by a freshman in this secluded lounge?

Seeing her so submissive, Zhu Xun Chuan's desire to subvert her completely exploded.

He leaned down slightly, opened his mouth, and took her small, round earlobe into his mouth. He gently nibbled at it.

"Professor Fu," Zhu Xun Chuan whispered in her ear, his tone laced with a hint of sly teasing, "You, a professor at Peking University, drove me to the National Museum in your luxury car early this morning, ostensibly to see an exhibition, but now you're taking me to this cramped, dark room. I seriously suspect you're engaging in academic corruption, using your position to sexually harass male students."

These vulgar and offensive remarks were poured directly into Fu Xinghe's ears.

If anyone else had dared to say such things, Fu Xinghe would have slapped them across the face long ago.

But now, these words coming from the mouth of that scholar who had just seen through the hidden meaning of the ancient painting, created a fatal contrast and a stimulating effect.

The sense of immorality is overwhelming.

Fu Xinghe's face flushed crimson, almost to the point of bleeding. Her eyes darted around, and she gave Zhu Xun Chuan a playful glare: "You still dare to say... who started it outside?"

"That's academic discussion," Zhu Xun Chuan said shamelessly.

He gave her no more chance to catch her breath. His right hand slid down her half-open collar.

It swept over her flat, firm belly and stopped at the delicate dimple at her waist.

The fabric of the cheongsam is extremely smooth.

Zhu Xun Chuan's hand slid down his side. That was where the cheongsam's high slit was.

The fingers went straight in.

It was directly applied to that amazingly slippery and scalding hot surface.

Fu Xinghe was struck dumb. She jerked upwards, her fingers gripping the sandalwood frame behind her tightly.

Zhu Xun Chuan's fingers didn't stop. They continued upwards.

Through the fabric, he touched the thin layer of lace at the very edge.

Pure white lace trim.

Hook your fingers around the edge, tighten slightly, and prepare to pull it down.

Just when they were about to break through the last line of defense.

A strong sense of loss of control, coupled with the profound upbringing he had cultivated over the years, finally brought a glimmer of clarity to Fu Xinghe's mind.

"Snapped!"

Fu Xinghe suddenly reached out and grabbed Zhu Xun Chuan's hand, which was hovering in the danger zone.

She used tremendous force, so much so that her fingernails dug into the back of Zhu Xun Chuan's hand.

Zhu Xun Chuan stopped what he was doing and looked up at her.

The usually dignified and aloof professor now had red-rimmed eyes. Moisture welled up in her eyes, quickly condensing into tears that swirled at the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall.

She was so pitiful and delicate that it broke your heart.

"Xun Chuan! No..."

Fu Xinghe's voice trembled, almost tearful, as she pressed down hard on his wrist, preventing him from advancing even an inch further.

Her chest heaved violently, her eyes filled with a contradictory mix of intense longing and deep guilt.

"You promised me..." Fu Xinghe bit her red lips, and tears finally slid down her beautiful cheeks and dripped onto the back of Zhu Xun Chuan's hand.

Her voice softened completely, turning into a humble plea: "The first time... must be saved for the day we get our marriage certificate. This is the Fu family's rule, and it's my bottom line."

Zhu Xun Chuan looked at her tearful appearance.

He knew Fu Xinghe's personality all too well. This aloof woman from a top-tier family had an unyielding principle deep down that she was absolutely untouchable. It was like that at the apartment before, and it was like that today.

If he really tries to force it, this aloof flower will definitely be crushed in front of him.

The art of tug-of-war lies in knowing when to stop.

Zhu Xun Chuan loosened his fingers that were hooking the lace.

He then pulled his hand out from the slit of his cheongsam.

Then, he took half a step back, spread his hands, and put on an extremely aggrieved and innocent expression.

"Professor Fu," Zhu Xun Chuan sighed, his tone utterly helpless, "Isn't this a bit ridiculous? You were the one who took my hand outside, and you led me into this private lounge with such ease. The car doors were welded shut, and now you're telling me you just came to look at the books?"

Zhu Xun Chuan smacked his lips.

"Is this entrapment or a honey trap? Why are you turning around and accusing me in the end, making it seem like I forced you?"

Fu Xinghe, who was originally immersed in guilt and panic, was stunned by his words of turning the tables.

She opened her tear-filled eyes and looked at the scumbag in front of her, pouring out his grievances.

He was the one who cornered himself step by step, unbuttoned his clothes, and even put his hand inside, yet now he's brazenly claiming that he was entrapping him?

"You...you're a scoundrel!"

Fu Xinghe was both ashamed and indignant. Her upbringing as the daughter of a municipal party committee member prevented her from uttering any vulgarities; she could only manage this utterly harmless phrase.

She turned around in a panic, her back to Zhu Xun Chuan, facing the bookshelf.

Her hands hurriedly reached down, her fingers trembling as she pulled the slightly pulled lace edge back up and straightened the hem of her cheongsam. Then she frantically tried to fasten the few loose buttons on her chest.

Her movements were as flustered as a girl caught red-handed.

Where was the composure of a specially appointed professor at Peking University?

While fastening her buttons, she lowered her head to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Please spare me..." Fu Xinghe's back was to him, her voice soft and sweet, almost dripping with affection, carrying a hint of pleading and begging, "This place really won't do. What if Grandpa comes later... how will I face anyone after this..."

Hearing her soft, pleading voice, and watching her alluring back as she straightened her clothes with her back to him.

Zhu Xunchuan did not retreat.

Instead, he stepped forward again and pressed himself against her from behind.

His broad chest pressed directly against Fu Xinghe's thin, soft back.

Fu Xinghe's hand, which was buttoning his shirt, suddenly froze. He stood there stiffly, not daring to even breathe.

Zhu Xunchuan lowered his head.

His lips pressed against her burning earlobe.

In this absolutely private space, his deep, magnetic voice, with its deadly allure, slowly and deliberately delivered the poem he hadn't finished reciting into her ears.

"professor."

Zhu Xun Chuan blew a breath of warm air into her ear.

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, lest they wither and fall, leaving only bare branches."

Fu Xinghe's body went limp, and she almost slid to the ground. Fortunately, Zhu Xunchuan caught her with both hands and held her slender waist firmly.

P.S.: Congratulations to the lucky winner [Lin Jie with a Touch of Different Colors]! This darling suffers from severe depression. Let's all wish him happiness every day and a speedy recovery. (The book has been released! And I'll most likely be discharged from the hospital today!)