Psst! We're moving!
The two pressed close together, their body heat rising, banishing the winter night’s chill.
He Ran lightly nipped Jian Xi’s lower lip. “...Damn it, I’m sweating from the heat.”
Jian Xi lowered her eyes, her voice soft. “Really? Let me feel.”
Jian Xi withdrew her hand from above, reaching downwards, then lifted the hem of his shirt, her hand moving upwards like a soft snake, tracing the supple curve of his waist, the smooth line of his spine. His skin was surprisingly delicate.
Jian Xi rubbed her fingers together. “You really are sweating.”
He Ran pressed his forehead against hers, chuckling softly. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
Jian Xi raised her eyes, meeting his gaze. The surroundings were quiet, but her eyes were ablaze.
She said, “...Yeah.”
Then she looped her arms around He Ran’s neck again, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.
Their tongues intertwined like an impromptu late-night performance. He Ran wished he could swallow her whole.
Jian Xi made a soft “hmm” sound, saying it hurt.
He Ran held her waist, lifting her off the ground with a slight effort.
The defensive line in Jian Xi’s heart had long been self-persuaded. Realizing what was about to happen, her body was already preparing to cooperate.
He Ran’s voice was low and husky. “Do you want me?”
Jian Xi looked up, her eyes like spring water.
“Sooner or later, I’ll die in your hands.” He Ran’s forehead was beaded with sweat as he fought for control. “Be good, wait a little longer.”
Jian Xi was stunned, biting her lip. “Don’t you want to?”
“I want you like crazy.” He Ran held on with sheer willpower, suppressing the last shred of his sanity. “But not now, not here.”
Jian Xi was puzzled.
“No protection.”
“...”
“Besides, my woman’s first time has to be in my bed.”
Jian Xi’s mind went blank for a moment with a “boom.”
Passion and desire receded slightly. She was a little unconvinced. “Who told you that?”
He Ran smiled. “Isn’t it your first time?”
“...” Jian Xi really wanted to hit him.
He Ran pressed his index finger between her eyebrows. “Scaredy-cat.”
“Male chauvinist.” Jian Xi muttered.
“Want to go to my place tomorrow?” He Ran said suddenly.
Jian Xi’s mood was a little complicated. He really did what he said. This man was quite wild.
“What are you thinking?” He Ran frowned. “I’m taking you to meet my grandma.”
“...”
After a few seconds of silence, He Ran suddenly leaned closer. “Still want to sleep with you.”
His emotions were really going up and down like a roller coaster.
Jian Xi pushed him away. “Dream on.”
He Ran wasn’t annoyed, smiling as he said, “Okay, okay, won’t sleep with you then. I’ll let you take advantage, you sleep with me.”
Jian Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, reaching out to stop his approaching kiss. “How can you be so...”
“That’s right, I’m just thick-skinned and shameless.” He Ran had her figured out. “Not convinced? Then come and bite me.”
If they continued to be so intimate, they’d have to see the dentist tomorrow.
It was a long time after seeing He Ran off that Jian Xi’s face was still burning.
She ran to the kitchen and drank two glasses of cold water. Her heart was pounding. Calming down, she realized her tolerance for He Ran was almost limitless, like an instinctive closeness. This feeling was even different from the years she liked Lu Pingnan.
He Ran used a man’s warmth and heartbeat to give Jian Xi a real stirring of the heart.
Just as she was lost in thought, Tao Xinglai’s call came through. Jian Xi put down the glass and went to the living room to answer.
“I’m here to check up on you. Are you at home or at the Jianmin Hotel?”
Jian Xi: “I’m on my way to beat you up.”
Tao Xinglai: “Don’t just go and rent a room anywhere. Girls have to protect themselves.”
Talking to him made Jian Xi want to die a little. “Movie star, hurry up and go film your scenes. I want to sleep.”
“Sis, are you serious about him?” Tao Xinglai stopped joking around.
Jian Xi gently stroked the wall of the water glass she was holding and said, “I’m very serious.”
“What does he do?”
“Debt collector.” Jian Xi didn’t plan to hide it.
“I think that profession is quite cool.” Tao Xinglai paused, then asked, “What about Mom and Dad? What are you going to do?”
“When the time is right, I’ll let them meet.”
Tao Xinglai actually didn’t quite understand. Even though Jian Xi had spent ten years on Lu Pingnan, she had never planned such a clear future so decisively.
“Sis, do you like this man that much?”
“I do like him. If you have to ask how much,” Jian Xi’s voice was light, “as long as we’re together, I want to work towards a good future.”
No talk of results, no calculation of returns, as long as the process is one where you and I do our best, it will be wonderful.
Tao Xinglai hadn’t experienced love yet, so he found it a bit abstract.
“I really need to sleep. Early shift tomorrow. Hanging up now.” Jian Xi loosened her hair and took out her pajamas to go take a shower.
The next day, she specially wore a newly bought dress, the pleated style very gentle.
Last night, He Ran said he would take her to see his grandma today. Although this invitation wasn’t confirmed, Jian Xi still held onto a sliver of hope in her heart.
He Ran’s call came at five o’clock. “I’m waiting for you at the door.”
This instantly filled Jian Xi with energy. She picked up her already packed bag, rushed downstairs, and teased him on the phone, “Sorry, I have to work overtime tonight.”
He Ran’s voice was almost on fire. “Ask your leader for leave.”
Jian Xi held back her laughter and walked out of the hospital gate. “They don’t allow leave for non-essential matters.”
“Meeting your boyfriend’s family isn’t essential?!”
“Oh, I forgot about that.” Jian Xi covered her phone, tiptoeing up behind He Ran.
“Didn’t we agree last night that we’d go to my place today?” He Ran had nowhere to vent his frustration, looking anxiously like a child who hadn’t gotten candy.
Jian Xi couldn’t help it and suddenly patted his shoulder. “So fierce, Boss He.”
He Ran turned around, his eyes momentarily blank. Realizing what had happened, he asked, “Playing with me?”
“Letting you experience the feeling of being overjoyed.” Jian Xi looked at him with a smile.
He Ran’s gaze swept over her. “Wearing a dress? It looks really good.”
Jian Xi was almost giddy with happiness inside, but she couldn’t show it, so she said nonchalantly, “Bought it a long time ago, just put it on casually this morning.”
He Ran’s lips curved into a smile. “Huh? Why is the tag still on the dress?”
糟糕. Jian Xi thought something was wrong. Had she forgotten to remove it yesterday?
She couldn’t keep up the pretense. She said rather awkwardly, “This is the first time I’m wearing it.”
He Ran looked at her playfully, leaning closer. “Specially wearing it for me?”
Jian Xi asked him, “Does it look good?”
“It would look even better if you weren’t wearing it tonight.”
He threw out the flirtatious remark and walked away, leaving Jian Xi feeling lightheaded in her spot.
By the time she reacted and chased after him, “Help me tear off the tag, I can’t reach it behind me.”
He Ran’s back seemed to carry a smile. “Sorry, I misread it. There’s no tag on the back.”
Jian Xi: “...”
It was too cold for He Ran to ride his motorcycle. Jian Xi drove, looking for a supermarket as she drove. “It doesn’t seem right to go empty-handed, let’s buy some fruit.”
He Ran said, “No need, my grandma isn’t home.”
Jian Xi asked, “Where did she go?”
“The community organized a care activity for the elderly, taking them to Yan Tao Mountain to worship the big Buddha.”
Jian Xi knew that place. It was in the suburbs, a short trip.
“Since she’s not home, I don’t need to go either.”
“What’s so good about an old lady? I’ll take you to look around the area.” He Ran pointed to the road. “Turn right.”
He Ran took her to the riverside near Yati Road. Along the riverbanks were privately set up amusement facilities, smaller than a regular amusement park, suitable for both adults and children.
He Ran pointed to a bouncy chair. “Want to play?”
Jian Xi watched for a while. Once the chair started, it jumped up and down like a kangaroo. The further it went, the bigger the movements, and the people playing screamed constantly.
He Ran had already gone to buy tickets, ten yuan each, and bought two.
They sat down in the second round. The owner fastened their seat belts. Jian Xi was a little nervous. “Can we not play?”
“What are you afraid of? I’m here with you.” He Ran touched her hand.
The owner pressed the switch. The chairs started to spin in circles, first slowly then faster. In the end, they were like crazy kangaroos, jumping high and then falling sharply. Jian Xi was tossed around so much she almost threw up. It was both thrilling and scary, and she screamed with excitement like a child.
Five minutes later, when they got off, her legs were shaky. He Ran supported her with one hand. “Can you still walk? If not, I’ll carry you.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” Jian Xi immediately stood up straight.
“Tsk,” He Ran said, “still guarding against me? I’ve been kissed by you, touched by you, what’s all this about now?”
Jian Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You’re quite aggrieved, aren’t you?”
“Of course, I’m aggrieved.” He Ran lied through his teeth. “My abs have been rubbed flat by you.”
Jian Xi reached out to hit him. “When did I ever touch your abs?”
He Ran grabbed her hand and placed it on his flat, firm lower abdomen. “Now.”
Jian Xi’s palm felt like it was on fire, the heat spreading through her limbs.
He Ran stopped teasing her, tightened his grip on her hand, and led her forward. Passing through the amusement area, they reached a snack street.
“Eat cold noodles or marinated noodles?”
“Marinated noodles.”
He Ran called out to the vendor, paid, and then went to the neighboring drinks shop to buy two cups of honey grapefruit tea.
He Ran ate his noodles with his head down. Seeing that she hadn’t touched hers, he asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”
Jian Xi bit her straw and said softly, “I’m not hungry.”
“Wasteful.” He Ran frowned, reached for her marinated noodles, and started slurping without another word.
Jian Xi silently touched her lower abdomen. She couldn’t eat, otherwise her stomach would bulge out and she wouldn’t look good.
“Why are you blushing?” He Ran looked at her.
Jian Xi coughed. “Choked.”
He Ran’s brows furrowed slightly, as if understanding. He suddenly said, “Let’s go sit at my place.”
Jian Xi didn’t speak, just made an “hmm” sound, got up, and took her bag.
The two walked one after the other, their shadows cast on the cement path by the streetlights. Each step of Jian Xi’s high heels felt like it was treading on her heartbeat.
He Ran opened the door and turned on the light.
The furnishings inside were ordinary and simple, visible at a glance, but clean and tidy, with a faint scent of Chinese medicine.
He Ran led her into the house, took out a pair of brand-new slippers from the shoe cabinet. “Make yourself at home.”
Jian Xi changed her shoes at the door. “Grandma really isn’t home?”
He Ran went to the kitchen to pour water, came out with the water glass. “She’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”
Jian Xi said “oh,” walked to the center of the living room, and looked at the two photo frames on the TV cabinet.
“Is this you?” Jian Xi pointed to the one on the left.
“Yeah, three years old.”
“So chubby.” Jian Xi looked back at He Ran. “You’ve changed a lot.”
“Yeah, got more handsome.”
Jian Xi reluctantly agreed, then pointed to the one on the right. It was a group photo, with grandma holding little He Ran, and a man beside them.
“My grandpa, passed away ten years ago.” He Ran said, “Car accident, didn’t make it.”
Jian Xi looked apologetic and sat down on the sofa.
He Ran suddenly walked over, placed both hands on the sofa armrests, trapping her securely inside.
His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Doctor Jian, don’t leave tonight, okay?”
Jian Xi’s heart pounded wildly.
He Ran’s eyes deepened. He gently pinched her chin and lowered his head to kiss her.
Jian Xi leaned back, pressed against the sofa by him. With the support, both of them became completely lost in the kiss.
He Ran’s breathing was heavy, his hands gripping and kneading her waist with restraint.
Jian Xi instinctively let out a soft “hmm.”
“Damn.” He Ran used his tongue to stop her mouth. “Really want to do you right now.”
Jian Xi wrapped her arms around his neck. When they parted, there were still glistening traces of saliva on her lips.
“I’ll go take a shower first.” He Ran propped himself up, openly touching his pants. Jian Xi looked away awkwardly.
“This is really fucking uncomfortable.” He Ran quickly darted into the bedroom, grabbed a set of clean clothes to change into. “Wear my pajamas later.”
Then, without lingering, he went into the bathroom and closed the door.
The rushing sound of water steamed through the door. Jian Xi rubbed her face and took a deep breath.
She had spent several years studying for her postgraduate degree abroad, and combined with her medical studies, she had a very open view on physiological ethics. If the feeling was right, physical and mental engagement was a kind of ultimate enjoyment in life.
As for how to define the word “feeling,” it really was a matter of opinion.
For example, during the years she liked Lu Pingnan, her feelings for him were more of a spiritual sustenance of budding love, like an idol to be admired from afar, something she could satisfy herself with by quietly appreciating with all her heart.
But He Ran was different. He always expressed his affection with a man’s wild strength. He could fight for her, scold her when necessary, and also honestly show her the emotional fluctuations between a man and a woman.
This kind of real and strong presence gave Jian Xi a stirring of the heart, an eagerness to see the future.
Lost in thought, He Ran came out of the shower, his whole body enveloped in hot steam, as if he only needed Jian Xi’s spark to burst into a towering flame.
Jian Xi grabbed her clothes and slipped past him in a flash, whispering, “I’m going to take a shower.”
He Ran raised an eyebrow, watching her fleeing figure with a confident smile.
Sure enough, after waiting five minutes.
Jian Xi’s collapsing voice came from inside. “Why is it all cold water?”
He Ran held back his laughter and knocked on the door. “Weren’t you hiding from me? Come on, open the door.”
There was the rustling sound of dressing. Jian Xi unlocked the door, feeling like she had let a wolf in.
The water heater switch at He Ran’s place was quite peculiar; turning it left or right resulted in cold water.
“The hot water switch is here.” He Ran reached out and turned on a white button on the wall.
Jian Xi tried it. “It’s hot.”
As soon as the words fell, He Ran hugged her from behind.
His lips brushed against Jian Xi’s delicate neck, his warm breath spreading evenly. “Do it?”
This straightforward and explicit conciseness easily ignited primal desires.
Jian Xi’s body softened. “I haven’t showered yet.”
“I’ll help you shower.” He Ran’s lips curved into a smile. His hand reached inside her coat, suddenly stiffening as he asked with a tight throat, “You’re not wearing anything underneath?”
“I took it off as soon as I came in.” Jian Xi’s voice trembled. “Who knew your place didn’t have hot water?”
He Ran chuckled softly. “Doctor Jian, you won’t get a chance to say stop.”
Jian Xi only felt a burning sensation on her chest. He Ran’s breathing grew heavy behind her. He cradled her breasts as if they were treasures, his fingers, as if just soaked in hot water, gently pinching the two small points with varying pressure.
“Moan, why are you holding back?” He Ran was dissatisfied with her reaction, his touch becoming more forceful. “In front of me, cry if you want to cry, laugh if you want to laugh. Why so many masks?”
As if encouraged, Jian Xi let out a soft “hmm.”
“Baby, that’s good.” He Ran’s hands could produce a dozen different pressures, kneading Jian Xi into spring mud.
“Hmm...” Jian Xi was forcefully turned around by him, facing him.
“I’ll shower you.” He Ran turned on the hot water. The shower sprayed like rain, seeds of desire stirring within her body.
The two of them got wet, rubbing against each other.
He Ran grabbed Jian Xi’s wrist and pushed her against the tiled wall, holding her there.
His voice was thick with desire. “Jian Xi, your ass... it’s so pert.”
“Rogue,” Jian Xi said, feeling like she was melting into water under the spray.
He Ran’s hand reached her thigh, and with a slight pressure, he parted her legs, then slowly squatted down.
Jian Xi tensed up instantly, wanting to close her legs. “What are you doing?”
He Ran’s voice grew lower and lower. “Kissing my baby’s baby.”
As soon as he finished speaking, his soft, supple tongue was inside her.
Jian Xi tilted her head back and groaned sharply, her ten fingers pressing into He Ran’s short, sharp crew cut, a sound that was both painful and filled with unbearable pleasure.
This journey was like a dream, an experience she had never had in her twenty-six years of life.
It wasn’t until Jian Xi screamed hoarsely that He Ran stood up, held her limp body, and laughed. “Damn, I got a mouthful of water.”
Jian Xi buried her face in his shoulder, the afterglow still rippling through her body.
“Reached the peak so quickly?” He Ran’s body was tense as he breathed into her ear. “Mine is a bit thick... bear with it later, no saying no.”
Jian Xi knew he was about to come.
He Ran gently hugged her waist, using the leverage to support her buttocks, lifting Jian Xi completely off the ground.
He Ran removed her flat-bottomed pants with one hand, guiding himself in slowly.
Like a diamond drill, like an invader driving straight in, like another key to her life, Jian Xi felt pain, but at the same time, she saw a light she had never witnessed before.
He Ran was uncomfortable, large drops of sweat on his forehead falling onto her chest.
“Damn it... so tight...”
If Jian Xi had another chance, she would never take a shower.
Who the hell loses half their life taking a shower?
In the end, He Ran carried her out of the bathroom and placed her on the bed.
“Don’t touch me.” Jian Xi pushed away the man’s hand.
“You woman, had a romantic bath and now you don’t recognize me?” He Ran placed his hand on her stomach.
“You’ve bruised my whole body!” Jian Xi was a little崩溃. “I have to go on a business trip tomorrow!”
He Ran paused. “Business trip? Where to? For how many days?”
Jian Xi was still angry and didn’t want to tell him.
“If you don’t say, then we’ll do it again.” He Ran made a move to rub between her buttocks.
“To Nanxi! Three days!” Jian Xi was terrified of him, answering like a primary school student answering a question.
He Ran’s expression didn’t improve. He muttered, “Going for so long.”
“City activities, going to the countryside for free clinics.”
He Ran reluctantly let go, then hugged her properly. “There are throat lozenges at home, I’ll get you a couple to eat later.”
“My throat isn’t inflamed.” Jian Xi laboriously turned over and hugged He Ran back, nuzzling her head against his chest.
“Nonsense.” He Ran quite enjoyed her intimacy, being extremely shameless. “You were just inside, your voice was hoarse from screaming.”
“...”
“Don’t remember?” He Ran said with a smile. “Let me remind you.” He cleared his throat and gave a dramatic performance. “Hmm... too deep... He Ran, my stomach feels like it’s cramping from you...”
Jian Xi’s face exploded with a “boom.”
He Ran smiled broadly and kissed her forehead. “It was that last ‘husband’ that made me shoot.”
Heavens.
Jian Xi really wanted to go to anatomy class.
“Sleep.” He Ran stopped teasing her. “During these three days of your business trip, I’ll call you every day.”