Chapter 20: Chief Xu, Stop Pretending

"Why are you here? Do you have something to tell me?" Xu Tanxi asked, puzzled.

Shang Hejing’s thin lips parted slightly: "Have you forgotten something?"

Xu Tanxi stood where she was, thinking for a moment. "Oh, you mean thanking you, right? Fine, speak. How do you want me to thank you?"

She stood in the center of the room, the overhead ceiling light casting a glow upon her. The water-blue slip dress she wore shimmered like a pool of clear blue lake water, radiating a faint, soft light. Her fair, slender legs were exposed from mid-thigh down, perfectly proportioned, with a balanced blend of muscle and grace. Because of years of dancing, her legs were not the bony, fragile kind; instead, they possessed beautiful, healthy muscle definition, full of vitality.

Shang Hejing’s gaze settled on her calves, then traveled slowly upward—and further up.

In the adult world, there is no need for beating around the bush. Xu Tanxi understood his look in a heartbeat.

"What? You want me to pay you back with my body?"

Shang Hejing did not shy away: "Yes."

Xu Tanxi blurted out, "You really have no shame."

"What is shame? Can you eat it? Besides, I am simply communicating with my wife, ensuring she fulfills the obligations of this marriage."

Xu Tanxi let out a cold scoff: "I was wondering why you were so kind as to cook for me."

"I was worried you wouldn't have the strength later, so I fed you first. Doesn't that deserve your gratitude?"

The two of them went back and forth, the air thick with a faint scent of gunpowder.

"Xu Tanxi, it’s been nearly half a month since that night in Paris. Don't tell me you don't want it. So, I have two words for you."

"Which two words?" Xu Tanxi asked subconsciously.

His low, slightly husky voice drifted over: "Stop pretending."

"..."

Before she could react, Shang Hejing suddenly rose from the sofa and walked toward her. Xu Tanxi was startled, stepping back with a wary look: "What are you doing? Still want to force it?"

"My patience is thin. I want it, and you want it too. Since that’s the case, let’s do it."

Before the words had even faded, Xu Tanxi was swept up into his arms.

*This jerk is so blunt???*

Shang Hejing worked out regularly; in his arms, Xu Tanxi felt as light as a feather. Halfway to the sofa, he even deliberately gave her a little toss. That action made Xu Tanxi feel like a piece of meat.

***

Because she was scooped up so suddenly, she thought Shang Hejing would toss her onto the sofa like a stereotypical CEO in a romance novel, but that didn't happen.

He sat down on the sofa, his hands gripping her waist, and pulled her to sit astride his lap.

The distance between them vanished in a shameful posture. Beyond their faces, other parts of their bodies pressed close, and in an instant, the very air between them grew thin.

Xu Tanxi: "..."

The two stared at each other, the air thick with growing intimacy.

"Do you really want to sleep with me that much?" Xu Tanxi’s voice carried a playful lilt, as seductive as her current demeanor.

The woman’s straightforwardness was within Shang Hejing’s expectations, so he responded calmly: "I sleep with you, you sleep with me—mutual benefit."

But no one but Xu Tanxi knew that the hand of the seemingly calm man, which had been resting behind her waist, had slipped down to the curve of her hip. One finger tapped there, rhythmically and carelessly, carrying a hint of undisguised provocation.

Xu Tanxi blinked: "But I don't want to sleep with you."

Shang Hejing pinched the soft flesh of her waist and leaned in, his lips wandering slowly over her delicate, porcelain-white collarbone.

"Chief Xu, we are adults. Why be so dishonest with yourself? As I said, stop pretending."

Xu Tanxi raised her arms to drape around his shoulders. Shang Hejing caught the faint, sweet scent of roses, and his deep eyes darkened with desire.

Since she had used the little toy he’d gifted her and eaten the meal he’d prepared, it was only logical to set aside her petty grievances for the moment. Furthermore, she was indeed being dishonest tonight; she wanted this—she wanted it very much.

However, the thought of him coming home early on purpose without telling her made her blood boil.

"Shang Hejing, we are just a 'plastic' married couple. I want to make one thing clear: if you come home early in the future, you must tell me. If this happens every time, I won't feel safe living here. We didn't choose to live under the same roof because we wanted to, but because our elders are watching, and neither of us wants unnecessary trouble. Since that's the case, we are roommates. And roommates should respect each other's boundaries. How about that?"

Shang Hejing nodded: "Fine. I will definitely tell you if I come home early, and I'll tell you even if I don't. Either way, as long as I'm coming home, I will report it to you."

Xu Tanxi was stunned.

Her words just now were logical but rather unkind. Given his personality, she expected him to snap back at her, yet he didn't? And the word "report" sounded off—it felt a bit too intimate.

"Oh, no need to 'report.' It hasn't reached that level. Just let me know if you're coming home early."

"Understood."

Shang Hejing’s attitude didn't seem flippant at all; rather, it was quite earnest. Xu Tanxi wasn't used to this and turned her head to the side, though her mind was already drifting toward things unsuitable for children.

***

Given the atmosphere between her and Shang Hejing right now—sitting on his lap, his hand on her waist, her arms around his neck—it would be truly impolite not to do something next.

Otherwise, they couldn't just shake hands and call it a truce, could they?

Xu Tanxi knew she was a total lecher at heart and that she craved Shang Hejing’s body. But the fact that her husband had caught her using a toy was, by any measure, absolutely explosive.

She had been able to eat dinner calmly earlier only because she was truly famished. When one is extremely hungry, the brain cannot process much else—she just wanted to fill her stomach. But now that she was full and had calmed down, the earlier scenes played back in her mind automatically. Xu Tanxi felt like the sky was collapsing.

She would rather Shang Hejing had walked in on her having a secret affair with a stranger than have it be what actually happened. Her reputation was in tatters.

Shang Hejing looked at her and suddenly understood.

"Chief Xu, you aren't... blushing, are you?"

Xu Tanxi immediately denied it: "Why would I blush!"

The man raised an eyebrow: "So agitated? Then I guess I guessed right."

"..."

Shang Hejing’s lips pressed close to her ear, his tone heavy with desire: "I like the way you blush. Keep it up—preferably throughout the whole thing."

Just as she was about to retort, a kiss landed on her lips. Xu Tanxi’s eyes widened.

It was only a fleeting touch, and then Shang Hejing pulled back.

???

*Damn it.*

*We were already kissing, why did you stop? Keep going, you bastard! Keep going!* Xu Tanxi was so angry she wanted to curse.

Shang Hejing watched her expression with satisfaction: "Angry? So, you did want it after all."

Xu Tanxi couldn't be bothered to argue. She took the initiative, pushing him down onto the sofa.

In the quiet of the night, reason vanished faster than the air between their lips. The demands and the surrenders, mixed with tangled breathing, became the most melodic sound in the silent night...