C17 Chapter 17

“Ah—!”

Early that morning, Qin Yaochen was jolted awake by Su Jiyue’s scream.

“You! What did you do to me?!” Su Jiyue clutched the blanket tight against her chest, staring in horror at Qin Yaochen—bare because she’d yanked the covers off him—then instinctively spread her fingers to shield her eyes.

Seeing her reaction, Qin Yaochen didn’t know whether to be annoyed or amused. He snatched the blanket back over himself without mercy, then casually pulled her into his arms. “What a husband and wife are supposed to do.”

“You bastard!” Su Jiyue struggled against his chest.

“Don’t move,” Qin Yaochen said, pinning her there as he leaned in close to her ear, his breath warm and suggestive. “Unless you want a repeat.”

Feeling the change in him, Su Jiyue went rigid and immediately stopped fighting.

“That’s more like it.” Satisfied, Qin Yaochen nuzzled her cheek, then closed his eyes. “Go back to sleep. Last night wore me out.”

At that, Su Jiyue’s face burned. She wanted to disappear under the covers and never show her face again—but the second she remembered who was under those covers, she abandoned that idea.

“Qin… Qin Yaochen… you…”

“Call me Yaochen,” Qin Yaochen cut in, clearly enjoying himself.

Su Jiyue’s mind blew blank. How did he know what she’d called him in her diary? What had happened last night? How had it ended up like this?

In a haze, a few broken flashes came back to her. Her face turned even hotter, and she clamped her mouth shut.

Sensing the shift in the small figure in his arms, Qin Yaochen let out a low chuckle. “Now you’re embarrassed? You were pretty bold last night.”

Hearing that, Su Jiyue finally snapped. She lifted her head and stared straight at him.

“What, you want a replay?” Qin Yaochen teased with a grin as he looked at her.

“...” Su Jiyue didn’t say a word. She closed her eyes and, without hesitation, leaned in and kissed him.

This time, Qin Yaochen was the one left stunned.

He knew what she’d said last night while drunk had been the truth. But he also knew Su Jiyue well—when she was sober, she’d never be the type to confess to him. And yet here she was, clearly wide awake, kissing him first. It caught him completely off guard.

The surprise lasted only a heartbeat.

Qin Yaochen quickly took control, one hand sliding to the back of her head as he deepened the kiss. He pressed in close, and the quiet morning turned heated all over again—until Su Jiyue ran out of strength and drifted off in his arms. Only then did he finally pull her back against his chest, satisfied.

After a short nap, Qin Yaochen checked the time. He gently eased his arm out from under Su Jiyue’s head and sat up. Watching her sleep, the corners of his mouth lifted without him even realizing it. Once he’d cleaned up, he leaned down and placed a careful kiss on her forehead. Then he slipped out of the room as quietly as he could.

Everyone in the Southside house was in a great mood today.

Because last night, their young master and his wife had finally spent their first night together.

This morning, the young master—usually up like clockwork—had slept in. And the young mistress still hadn’t gotten out of bed.

When they saw Qin Yaochen step out alone, moving as quietly as possible, everyone exchanged looks and shared knowing smiles.

In the dining room.

Qin Yaochen stared at the huge tureen of deer antler soup in front of him, his handsome brows knitting tightly.