C41 They Were Addicted to Kissing

Shi Qian rubbed her eyes, stood up, and walked out of the study before descending the stairs.

Downstairs, Shaang Sizhan, clad in a black shirt and pants, entered the villa with a few of his men, looking travel-weary.

He had returned.

Wasn't he supposed to be away for three or four days? Yet here he was, back after just two.

Shi Qian watched him approach and smiled. "Master Zhan, you've returned."

"Yes." Shaang Sizhan paused in front of Shi Qian, his dark phoenix eyes meeting hers. "Why are you up so early?"

"Uh... I went to bed too early last night and now I can't sleep," Shi Qian explained.

Behind them, Lih Feng and Yan Yi offered their greetings.

"Miss Qian."

"Miss Qian."

Shi Qian turned to them, immediately noticing the dark circles under Yan Yi's handsome eyes. Even Lih Feng's usually impassive face showed signs of fatigue.

"What happened to your eyes?" Shi Qian inquired, puzzled.

Yan Yi chuckled, "Oh, just a bad reaction to the local environment, didn't sleep well."

The truth was, they hadn't slept at all. The tyrant had rushed to finish four days' worth of work in two, all to return to his woman sooner. There was no time for rest.

"Bad reaction?" Shi Qian turned to Shaang Sizhan. "Master Zhan, are you okay?"

Despite having also gone two days and nights without sleep, Shaang Sizhan's robust constitution and strong genes showed no signs of strain. His complexion was as impeccable as ever, his presence captivating.

"I'm fine," he replied nonchalantly, then addressed his men, "Go get some rest."

"Yes, we'll take our leave," they responded and dispersed.

Shi Qian looked at Shaang Sizhan and suggested with a smile, "Master Zhan, you should rest as well."

Shaang Sizhan's inscrutable gaze fixed on her. Suddenly, his long fingers gently lifted her chin, his eyes scrutinizing her pale, exquisite face. He asked pointedly, "Did you really go to bed early, or have you been up all night?"

Shi Qian remained silent.

Why would Shaang Sizhan ask such a question?

Did she have dark circles under her eyes too?

Shaang Sizhan commanded, "Speak up!"

Without hesitation, Shi Qian responded, "I did sleep, just... a bit late."

Shaang Sizhan glanced at her attire and observed, "It seems you not only went to bed late but also didn't sleep in your room."

Shi Qian's gaze fell to her clothes, the same ones she had worn the day before, definitely not her pajamas.

Master Zhan was incredibly observant!

Gathering her courage, she answered once more, "I accidentally dozed off in the study."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Shaang Sizhan scooped her up in his arms.

The abrupt action startled Shi Qian, and seeing Shaang Sizhan's stern face, she remained silent.

Shaang Sizhan carried Shi Qian upstairs, returned to the room, and gently placed her on the bed.

Shi Qian watched him, bewildered, lips parting slightly, yet she uttered no words.

Shaang Sizhan sat at the edge of the bed, taking in the girl's bewildered expression and her softly pursed lips.

He couldn't help but reminisce about the sweetness of her taste.

Some things, once started, become an addiction, impossible to resist.

He leaned in suddenly and kissed her.

Shi Qian froze, her body rigid, motionless.

She had no recollection of the last time Shaang Sizhan claimed to have kissed her.

But this time, she was acutely aware.

His cool breath and the intense, domineering kiss vividly stimulated her senses.

It also served as a stark reminder that there was no more time for hesitation.

The nature of her relationship with him had shifted.

After what felt like an eternity, Shaang Sizhan lifted his lips slightly, his warm breath caressing her ear, his voice a low, enticing murmur, "Qian, next time, remember to respond to me."

Shi Qian remained wordless.

Finally, Shaang Sizhan released her, yet he didn't leave. Instead, he lay down beside her, holding her close.