Ning Shangyu let her cling to his arm, his gaze falling on the back of her hand, his expression unreadable.
A strange warmth seeped through their skin and into his fingertips, and in that moment, a faint blush bloomed, like pink jade under the hazy lamplight.
Lin Zhishui froze for a split second, then released her grip.
“I… I didn’t mean to—”
Her words trailed off, barely uttered.
Before Lin Zhishui could rush to defend herself, Ning Shangyu’s long, defined fingers locked around the back of her neck, and he leaned down again.
At first, his breath pressed in with a forceful dominance, while his other arm easily encircled her, as if using some expert hunting technique.
When he lifted her abruptly from the black velvet bed, he bit off the words that followed softly, but the meaning was heavy, like a command, [If it wasn’t on purpose, then why are you so nervous?]
Lin Zhishui’s nerves only grew tighter, making her even more tense.
A dozen seconds passed in silence.
Lin Zhishui’s cheeks and ears grew hotter, as if flushed by the boiling air.
It was her first time having such private contact with anyone.
With no experience, she could only follow instinct, her hands clutching tightly to Ning Shangyu’s broad shoulders.
With every accidental movement, the closeness made Lin Zhishui realize just how much bigger Ning Shangyu was than her, as if he could wrap her up completely.
The overwhelming nervousness brought an indescribable sensation to her heart.
Sweat broke out on the back of her neck, like the heat rising from the ground in the rainy season.
Her heart raced, and through the luxurious fabric of his suit, it felt as if she could hear the irregular beat of her own heart…
Ning Shangyu, on the other hand, remained perfectly still.
Lin Zhishui stared blankly at him, her gaze sliding down from his perfectly composed face.
Suddenly, she leaned closer, almost involuntarily, and her eyes lingered on his flawless jawline.
Ning Shangyu felt a faint twitch at his temple, but lowered his eyes to look at her deeply.
Lin Zhishui stared a moment longer, then tilted her head to glance at his thin lips.
She rarely did anything so bold or out of line; in truth, she was inexperienced.
Yet, like a good student, she earnestly tried to imitate him.
Her eyes, bright as glass, would sometimes find the right spot beneath his gaze, though sometimes her nerves made her aim stray.
As she crossed the safe distance, Ning Shangyu’s attitude was subtly permissive, silently indulging her.
The neat suit he wore, in just a short while, was mussed with the marks of her childlike embrace.
Lin Zhishui’s soul seemed to cling entirely to him, her head pressing close, then quickly pulling away.
The next second, she wanted nothing more than to simply snuggle against him again.
The warmth gradually faded.
Backlit by the light, Ning Shangyu’s expression was even harder to read, “That’s all you want?”
Even though it was nothing more than a game of house, and Ning Shangyu hadn’t even used any real strength, Lin Zhishui already felt exhausted in spirit.
When his tone dropped low to ask, her muddled mind finally cleared, and a belated sense of shame washed over her, overwhelming even the happiness she’d felt.
It had felt good, but something still seemed off…
“I’m out of energy,” Lin Zhishui’s lashes fluttered as she spoke.
Then, realizing it wasn’t right to keep clinging to him, her voice grew even softer and stickier, “Shangyu, I want to take a bath.”
Late at night, when all was quiet, Ning Shangyu graciously provided her with a super-sized bathtub filled with perfectly warm water.
Lin Zhishui took a long time to clean herself up, staying in the bath until the water had cycled through three times before finally getting out.
Wrapped in her bathrobe, she stepped out to find the master bedroom quiet and empty—Ning Shangyu was nowhere to be seen.
She let out a sigh of relief.
Although she’d agreed to things before marriage… it was only to this extent.
She wasn’t ready to share a bed with a man every night.
Lin Zhishui lay on the soft, empty black velvet bed, letting her imagination wander.
Just as she was about to drift off, curiosity got the better of her.
Half-asleep, she opened her phone and searched two relationship questions, [Will people die if they’re not compatible with each other?]
[Can someone die from their heart pounding too many times in one night?]
Exhausted, Lin Zhishui fell asleep before she could finish reading the results.
***
The next morning, she remembered what had happened.
After a quick wash and getting dressed, she went downstairs.
Fortunately, Ning Shangyu was still in the guest room and hadn’t left yet.
He sat in the dining room, looking impeccably self-disciplined as he drank his coffee.
“Good morning,” Lin Zhishui greeted, walking over to stand by the long dining table.
Trying to sound casual, she said, “You get up so early.”
Ning Shangyu looked up, calmly meeting her gaze.
Lin Zhishui didn’t move, her eyes lingering with interest on his tailored suit, from the brooch at his lapel to the diamond cufflinks, and then further down…
Ning Shangyu’s expression didn’t change.
Even seated, his imposing presence was unmistakable.
In the morning sunlight, Lin Zhishui’s pretty lashes cast a wavering shadow.
Her curiosity was hard to hide, and, without warning, she blurted out, “Last night… can I take a look?”
“Would you mind?”
Ning Shangyu seemed to pause, as if he’d guessed she had something to say, but hadn’t expected this.
Rather polite.
Lin Zhishui’s thoughts were very pure—after all, she’d already measured up close in the dark, so what harm could a look do?
She just wanted to confirm for herself, while Ning Shangyu happened to be free, were the two of them really incompatible?
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Lin Zhishui politely asked, “Is that alright?”
Ning Shangyu just as politely refused her unreasonable request, “No.”
“Oh.”
Lin Zhishui sounded a little disappointed, but chose to respect Ning Shangyu’s wishes.
She couldn’t very well strip him in public.
She slowly picked a chair and sat down.
As she quietly ate her breakfast,
Ning Shangyu, expressionless, gave Li Jin a quiet order.
Li Jin left briskly and, after a short while, returned carrying a black-and-silver portable safe.
He unlocked it and placed it respectfully by the cabinet.
After swallowing a mouthful of bird’s nest porridge, Lin Zhishui looked up in confusion at the scene.
Ning Shangyu didn’t bother with her, leaning back in the soft leather chair.
With practiced ease, he undid his cufflinks, then picked up a syringe glinting in the sunlight and injected it straight into his vein.
Lin Zhishui, who in private could be quite warm-hearted, saw him getting an injection first thing in the morning.
He didn’t seem to have any cold or fever symptoms, so she asked softly, “Are you sick?”
Ning Shangyu replied in a mild voice, “No.”
Lin Zhishui blinked, “Then why the injection?”
For some reason, after injecting himself, Ning Shangyu’s eyes suddenly locked onto her.
“Because of you.”
Lin Zhishui couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander.
She glanced down at her own petite frame, then, almost subconsciously, sized up Ning Shangyu’s handsome, fierce physique.
No way…
He always said his desire was strong, but was his constitution that weak?
Just from a bit of contact, he needed an injection?
All morning, Lin Zhishui racked her brains but couldn’t think of another reason that had anything to do with her.
The classic and elegant living room was silent.
She frowned, unconsciously running her fingers along the embroidered trim of a cushion, still wondering if she’d somehow ended up with a short-lived husband.
Even though Ning Shangyu’s body, wrapped in his suit, looked almost perfect and past any risk of an early death, what if…
If that happened, she’d be pitiful—losing her freedom, locked up at home by Madam Sheng Mingying’s cold indifference.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhishui abruptly sat up from the sofa and grabbed her phone.
Maybe others her age were raised on honey, but she’d grown up steeped in medicinal broths.
She’d long been familiar with the Lin Family’s resident TCM practitioners.
So she didn’t beat around the bush, “Jingxuan, could you please ask your grandfather if there’s a secret medicinal recipe to strengthen a man’s body? Please.”
Xin Jingxuan, “You can’t just eat any tonic. What do you want to strengthen, exactly?”
Lin Zhishui, “For a man’s health.”
Xin Jingxuan, “Tell me his symptoms.”
Lin Zhishui, “Well, his build… he looks tall and big—”
She sent the first half and paused, thinking how to describe it more accurately.
But Xin Jingxuan was impatient, suddenly switching to a languid tone, “So, looks good but not much use? I get it. Lots of men come to me for these recipes. Drink it for a week, and I guarantee…”
The words “full of vigour” rang in Lin Zhishui’s ears.
She tuned out Xin Jingxuan’s nonsense, but had complete trust in the Xin Family’s medical skills.
Once she got the recipe, she resolved to make it for Ning Shangyu as soon as possible, so they could both live long and healthy lives.
Just then, her phone vibrated again.
It was the female secretary by Sheng Mingying’s side.
There was an unspoken rule in the Lin Family.
No matter what, Lin Zhishui had to answer the phone—she couldn’t be out of touch for more than an hour.
So she picked up.
The secretary was relaying a message: Shen Linshu had acquired a handwritten, out-of-print manual by Lin Yantang.
He’d heard Lin Zhishui majored in marine studies and wanted to return the item to its rightful owner, but couldn’t reach her.
She took a shallow breath but said nothing.
The secretary discreetly added, “Miss Lin, Madam Sheng’s intention is to let you decide for yourself whether to retrieve your father’s belonging from Shen Linshu.”
After a moment, Lin Zhishui replied calmly, “I understand.”
She didn’t take long to decide.
She asked the butler to prepare the car, thinking that, just as her sister said, growing up meant taking full responsibility for her life.
If a pursuer came knocking, she should handle it herself.
Shen Linshu had spent days arranging this, choosing a high-end restaurant in a bustling area for their meeting.
By the floor-to-ceiling windows, the view was excellent, and the classically decorated interior provided a refined atmosphere for conversation.
To show his sincerity, Shen Linshu presented the precious manual with gentlemanly grace as soon as he arrived.
Lin Zhishui gazed at it for a long time, just about to thank him.
Shen Linshu, of marriageable age, made no attempt to hide his admiration.
Suddenly, he said, “Miss Lin, I may be presumptuous, but would you consider changing your fiancé? My parents are loving, I’m an only child, and there are no power struggles in my family. I’ll inherit the family business, and whatever you lack…”
He spoke frankly, hoping to win her over by leveraging the Lin Family’s connections.
Before he could finish,
A loud crash sounded outside the restaurant.
Through the spotless glass wall, they saw a McLaren parked by the street get instantly reduced to scrap metal by a speeding supercar.
Lin Zhishui asked curiously, “Is that your car?”
Shen Linshu: “
Very soon, the two of them walked out of the café together to see who was so bold.
The culprit with the impressive driving skills slowly rolled down the tinted window, revealing half a face—strikingly handsome and deep-set features.
Then, right in front of them, he took out a private number and called.
When the call was answered, his haughty demeanor softened a bit, “Honored elder brother, my car got a little scratched, it’s old now. You should reward your little brother—I want that new supercar in the garage.”
Ning Shangyu’s tone was calm, “Bring her back.”
He didn’t waste time with Ning Panyu, simply issued the order and hung up.
Seeing Ning Shangyu’s move, Shen Linshu knew it was a blatant show of force and provocation.
He was a little irritated, and asked coldly, “Who are you?”
Ning Panyu leaned against the car door, tapping his chin, “Listen up, my name is Ning Panyu—that’s Ning as in Ning Shangyu, and Yu as in Ning Shangyu, but just Panyu.”
His self-introduction practically screamed “riding on the tiger’s prestige.”
Lin Zhishui almost regretted coming down to watch the commotion.
Her thick lashes fluttered in the breeze as she withdrew her gaze, but unexpectedly locked eyes with Ning Panyu.
He was just like his car—bold, flamboyant, and outrageously arrogant.
His stare was direct and unyielding.
For a moment, Lin Zhishui instinctively took half a step back before stopping herself, thinking, Why are you looking at me? I’m on your side!
The next moment, Lin Zhishui took the initiative, clearing her throat as she walked over.
She even circled around to the passenger side and opened the door herself.
Her voice was calm, “Chauffeur Xiao Pan, right? No need to invite me, I’ll seat myself.”
Xiao Pan?
Chauffeur Xiao Pan?
Ning Panyu watched her slender figure slide into the car.
Even the sharp arc at the corner of her eye was clear and delicate.
For once, he didn’t explode on the spot, but drove off right in front of Shen Linshu, whose face was dark enough to explode.
***
As dusk blurred the line between light and dark, like an amateur painter spilling colors, Ning Panyu swung the steering wheel sharply, overtaking a third car with ease.
Lin Zhishui’s brows drew together, then slowly relaxed, then drew together again.
Her expression was hard to describe, “Your honored elder brother didn’t give you a time limit, did he? As long as I’m home before dark, it’s fine, right?”
Her tone was tactful, hinting that he could afford to be more courteous on the road.
But in Ning Panyu’s dictionary, “courtesy” didn’t exist.
When he realized she was treating him like a driver, he shot her a look.
“Don’t you know? The Ning Family has a curfew.”
Lin Zhishui sounded surprised, “A curfew?”
“Anyone who doesn’t return home after sunset and goes around flirting outside gets their ribs broken—no exceptions.”
Ning Panyu’s expression was half-smiling, half-serious, his voice low as if revealing a bloody family secret.
“This rule was set by Ning Shangyu. He has a lot of brothers, and sometimes he hits too hard—cripple one, kill another, it’s nothing.”
He even paused for a second, kindly warning her, “You should be glad you’re not married in yet. Otherwise, if you came back after sunset, you’d have to endure my honorable elder brother’s personal punishment.”
If he hadn’t just mentioned the flirting part, Lin Zhishui might have believed him.
She wore a particularly fair, almost excessively delicate little face, and replied lazily, “It’s fine, I’ve got thick skin and tough flesh. I can handle a beating.”
Then she, too, paused a second, showing understanding for Ning Shangyu’s odd rules, “As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters.”
Can handle it?
Ning Panyu drummed his fingers carelessly on the steering wheel, then shot her another look.
To him, Lin Zhishui looked like a disaster-level fragile beauty—one extra glance and she might break.
And yet she dared claim to be tough.
The car fell silent for a moment.
Lin Zhishui seemed to sense his open disdain, so she pursed her red lips and, in turn, gave him a fierce once-over with her eyes.
A mere driver—who was he to look down on her?
With every green light, the two soon arrived at the garden villa.
Ning Panyu safely let her out.
She’d only taken a couple of steps when she suddenly stopped and politely asked, “Aren’t you coming in for a bit?”
The “chauffeur” was rude, but she couldn’t be.
The last rays of sunset shone on Ning Panyu as he leaned lazily against the window, one arm hanging out.
His long black curls fell over his shirt front as he lifted his eyelids.
“Are you planning to take someone down with you? Sorry, but you’ll have to face him yourself. I’m a law-abiding, upright citizen with a weak heart—I can’t handle that kind of stress.”
Lin Zhishui was nearly stunned by his shamelessness.
Besides, she hadn’t been restricted from going out, nor was she sneaking around or cheating before marriage.
She could face Ning Shangyu herself—what was there to be afraid of?
More importantly, she was just being polite.
Sit if you want—doesn’t matter to me.
Lin Zhishui turned and walked inside.
Night had fallen.
Without the slightest sense of guilt, she stepped on the last sliver of twilight, following the cobblestone path lined with flowers into the villa.
As soon as she entered, the butler, as if unaware of her trip out, approached respectfully to ask when she’d like dinner.
Lin Zhishui paused, not answering right away.
She was about to ask if Ning Shangyu would also return for dinner, since he’d sent his brother to fetch her.
Before she could speak, Xin Jingxuan sent over the medicinal recipe—a densely written, tonifying formula that filled her clear eyes.
Lin Zhishui read it over, then handed her phone to the butler, “Do we have these ingredients?”