11 Don’t Argue
A kiss, brief and restrained.
Sheng Huaining felt as if she were standing in a warm, heavy rain—dizzy and sticky. Her breath came in sharp, uneven gasps, and everything before her eyes blurred into a haze, except for the shimmering glow on her lips, faintly glossy from his brief kiss, reminding her just how reckless her actions had been.
The man before her stood motionless, stunned, his gaze fixed intently on her unruly lips, utterly calm and devoid of emotion, as if only she had stirred in this moment.
Her arms fell weakly to her sides, her heaving chest slowly calming, the heat suffusing her body as if doused by a basin of cold water, gradually returning to normal temperature.
She ought to feel ashamed and angry, yet the words stuck in her throat, swallowed back.
After a moment of brewing frustration, she frowned and sighed before speaking softly, “I know you must think I’m frivolous, but I haven’t done this with anyone else. Actually, no—I was just as reckless with you without your consent.”
At these words, Sheng Huaining grew anxious, her smooth fingertips pressing into her palm, leaving faint, dense marks.
He Chenye noticed her silent struggle, the tension in her arms and clenched fists, and gently reached out, carefully prying open her fingers one by one, his touch tracing the delicate impressions.
His tone carried a hint of helplessness. “I don’t see it that way. Miss Sheng, you impulsively think you like me because you imagine me to be perfect, but I’m not.”
Faced with such blunt honesty, Sheng Huaining bit her lip, silent.
Neither spoke for a moment. Seeing her grip loosen, He Chenye withdrew his hand slowly, only to have it pulled back again, her pale fingers intertwining with his.
Now she understood—he wanted her to retreat, but she was neither weak nor one to give up easily.
With a faint smile, she countered, “He Chenye, I’m stubborn. Once I set my mind on something, I hold on. No one is flawless; no matter your faults, I believe you’ll treat me well.”
“Whether it’s infatuation or love at first sight, these feelings only arise when encountering someone you truly like.”
Tense, Sheng Huaining felt the moisture in her palms wander through her body, yet she couldn’t bear to let go of He Chenye’s hand. She bit her lower lip, forcing herself to stay calm.
She murmured, “And I have many flaws—selfishness, stinginess, arrogance, extravagant spending...”
“Enough,” He Chenye interrupted, his tone tinged with irritation. His free hand pressed firmly on her shoulder, causing her to gasp sharply.
Gritting her teeth, she insisted on finishing, “Maybe I’m just the right match for you.”
At that, the man gave a dry chuckle, his breath thickening the air between them. Calmly, he asked, “Are you sure about this?”
“Mm-hmm,” she nodded repeatedly.
Finally, He Chenye withdrew his hand and instead ruffled her hair, coaxing her like a docile kitten. “Just don’t regret it.”
Her eyes brightened at his words, a smile blossoming in their depths as she climbed onto his shoulder, “He Chenye, you agreed? You really want this?”
He raised an eyebrow and gave a soft “Hmm.”
“That’s wonderful! You’re so good to me.” She leaned in, resting against his warm chest.
He Chenye’s hand hovered at her waist, momentarily dazed, as if confirming her reality, before tightening his hold. “Alright? I feel like I haven’t done much for you.”
“How could that be? You brought me home, worried about my safety, made me breakfast today, and now this cake.”
“The cake was for Xixi.”
“You decided to count it as spoiling me.”
---
Sheng Huaining hated his contradictory words. She pinched the nape of his neck as playful punishment, then tiptoed to brush her lips against his—a slap followed by a sweet treat.
Even He Chenye, usually composed, was nearly losing reason under her teasing.
The sudden quiet infected Sheng Huaining; she held her breath, eyes fixed on He Chenye’s, which lay mere inches away. Those dark eyes no longer held their earlier calm but harbored something indescribable.
Like a marionette, every inch of her was controlled by him, plunging her into a whirlpool from which only his grasp could rescue her.
In the spacious, spotless apartment, even a pin drop could be heard. The only sound was the occasional hiss from the thermostat kicking in.
For the first time, Sheng Huaining recognized her own boldness.
Compared to her earlier, impulsive confession, this felt far more daring.
She forced her chin up and voiced what He Chenye had wanted to do but dared not, “Do you want to kiss me? In that dream I mentioned, you kissed me fiercely and deeply—not hesitating like now.”
No one could resist a challenge, especially a man who had long lived with restraint. Now, holding a delicate, warm treasure in his arms, teased so dangerously, He Chenye’s palm cradled the back of her head, pulling her close. The kiss came crashing down like a tidal wave.
Sheng Huaining hadn’t expected such urgency; she forgot to close her eyes, her breathing slowing until suffocation made her dizzy.
She had underestimated He Chenye, mistakenly believing she led this relationship, when in truth, she was being led by the nose.
This forceful, prolonged kiss made her earlier tentative one seem like a child playing in mud.
“You...” she gasped, breaking for air and pushing him gently.
He Chenye misread her resistance and leaned back slightly.
Gasping, Sheng Huaining steadied her breath, guiding his hand back to her waist, her voice tight, “You’re too tall; it’s uncomfortable.”
Her eyelashes fluttered like trembling butterfly wings, cheeks flushed with a tempting hue.
She glanced at the kitchen island. “Carry me up.”
Inevitable, He Chenye surrendered to the storm. Closing his eyes briefly, he lifted her by the waist and placed her firmly on the marble countertop.
Her dress was short, above the knees.
His hands moved her skirt higher, exposing a broad swath of tender skin. The sudden contact with the cold stone made her hiss softly.
“Sorry.”
“For what? I wanted this.”
She muttered softly. Now on equal footing, she placed both hands on his cheek, pressing her nose against his, whispering sweetly, “He Chenye.”
“Hm.”
Her eyes half-closed, she murmured hesitantly, “You can... put your tongue inside.”
Such a bold, flirtatious invitation might seem audacious or shameless from anyone else.
Yet coming from her, it felt natural, as though it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
He leaned closer, cool fingers sliding from her graceful neck behind her ear, his voice low and husky, “Tell me if it’s uncomfortable.”
Her breath trembled with a faint shiver. “Mm.”
It might have been imagination, but this kiss seemed more eager, as if he wanted to steal all her breath and devour her whole.
---
She lost all control, moving only to his rhythm.
Her tongue tingled, lips swollen and sore, her body so weak she nearly slumped, clutching his shirt with desperate hands, nails digging deep into the fabric—yet unable to halt his advancing desire.
Unable to endure any longer, she let out a soft, tender sound, deepening He Chenye’s panting.
A moment passed with their foreheads pressed close, lips nearly touching.
His eyes reddened, voice hoarse, “Tell me if you’re tired. Tell me if you stop liking me. When the time comes we must part, don’t force yourself. Do you understand?”
Her ears barely caught his words, still echoing the wet sounds of their kisses and their heavy, mingled breaths—an intimate symphony.
“Mm...”
Watching her trembling lips, he struggled to steady his own voice.
After a long while, the desire coursing through their veins quietly subsided.
Sheng Huaining was utterly drained, resting her soft, pliant body against He Chenye’s shoulder, obedient and gentle.
He held her slender waist, palm stroking downward, feeling the subtle shivers fade under his tender, firm comfort.
Suddenly, faint footsteps echoed in the empty living room, accompanied by a muffled murmur.
“Brother.”
No matter how immersed she was, Sheng Huaining had to wake.
She sprang lightly down, bent to retrieve the badge they had dropped during their intimacy, then deliberately stepped aside.
He Chenye, sharp and perceptive, immediately caught this subtle move.
After the bathroom door clicked shut, he paused, then asked, “Afraid Xixi will find out?”
“No, if Xixi saw us just now, you wouldn’t be embarrassed, but I would.”
Her mind raced, and she tentatively said, “He Chenye, can we keep this a secret from everyone else for now?”
His expression darkened noticeably. She hurried to add, “Just for a while. I won’t be fickle or fall for someone else.”
Sheng Huaining wasn’t acting on a whim; seeing Xixi reminded her of her own parents.
If her father or mother found out, they’d intervene immediately.
Within days, they might uncover everything about He Chenye’s family, even any unusual medical results.
She didn’t want their relationship to be obstructed or cut short before it even began.
The man before her was cautious; what if he found the complications too troublesome and left her?
A first love lasting less than a week would be aI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.