Chapter 007: Tonight Is Our Wedding Night

On the way home, the car was enveloped in silence.

Shi Runrun glanced at Xiao Xuezheng, who was driving, his lips pressed in a tight line, his expression tense and unspeaking, the side of his face shadowed with displeasure. Her heart tightened with unease.

Was he... angry?

Shi Runrun lowered her head, hands clasped at her chest. She had no idea why he was suddenly upset. Had she done something wrong?

Nervous and uncertain, she didn’t have the courage to ask.

It wasn’t until he dropped Grandma Xiao off at home that his expression finally eased a little. Just as she was about to speak to him, they arrived at the villa.

The car came to a steady stop. Without a word, the man pulled out the keys and tossed them to the security guard at the gate, then took her hand and led her inside.

“Xiao Xuezheng...” she called softly to the back of his head as he walked ahead, but he ignored her completely.

What’s with him? she grumbled inwardly. How could this man be so unpredictable?

Earlier, he’d acted as if she was the most important person in the world, treating her with such gentleness, and now he was giving her the cold shoulder!

Inside, after changing into slippers, Xiao Xuezheng pulled her upstairs and pressed her down onto the large bed in the master bedroom. Leaning over her, his face expressionless, he said in a deep voice, “Sit here and wait for me. Don’t run off.”

Shi Runrun could only nod obediently, watching as he took his clothes and went into the bathroom. The next moment, the sound of running water echoed out.

By instinct, she glanced toward the bathroom, only to realize—to her horror—that the glass was frosted and semi-transparent, and the man’s tall, powerful silhouette was cast right onto it...

Her cheeks flushed scarlet, heat spreading over her face.

She quickly looked away, but couldn’t help stealing a few more glances.

The more she looked, the more her heart fluttered, and she couldn’t help but remember that night just over a month ago...

No, no, no...

Shi Runrun shook her head vigorously, patting her cheeks to dispel the thoughts. She silently reminded herself not to be swayed, not to be seduced. Shi Runrun, remember—men’s looks are nothing but trouble!

A short while later, the sound of water abruptly ceased.

The bathroom door opened, and the man’s lean, upright figure emerged, the fresh scent of body wash accompanying him.

When she looked again, she realized he was wearing nothing but a bath towel.

His hair was still dripping, his bangs sending droplets sliding down over his defined eight-pack abs, nearly dazzling her eyes.

“Xiao... Xiao Xuezheng, you...” she stammered, feeling as if she might get a nosebleed.

Heaven really isn’t fair—

He had been given such a family, such a face, and now such a perfect body!

With long, straight strides, the man came to her side, sat down, and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently turning her toward him. His deep, dark eyes locked onto her.

But he said nothing.

Unable to bear his intense gaze, Shi Runrun looked away, biting her lip.

The next moment, his low voice rumbled above her head. “Do you know why I’m angry?!”

What?

Shi Runrun’s eyes widened. She looked up at him, confused, and shook her head, though inside she thought, so he really is angry.

Xiao Xuezheng gazed at her innocent face, his throat bobbing. A fire, the desire to kiss her breathless, surged through him, but he forced it down, clearing his throat. “Runrun, there are a few things I want you to remember.”

The way he called her name—Runrun—made her heart tremble as well.

She nodded, listening as he continued, “First of all, we’re now lawfully married, a legitimate couple. You are my rightful wife. Second, as I said tonight at the mall, if anyone tries to bully you in the future, don’t just stand there and let them. If someone hits you, hit them back! If you get into trouble, it doesn’t matter—whatever happens, your husband will be here to stand up for you!”

Shi Runrun’s heart melted at his commanding words.

She thought, in all her life, no one had ever said anything like this to her, promising to protect her from being hurt.

Tonight, gathering the courage to fight back against Shi Qing and Lin Yun was already the bravest she’d ever been. But she hadn’t expected there would be someone in this world who would stand behind her, silently supporting her...

For a moment, she was deeply moved and a little afraid.

“Xiao Xuezheng, you...” Her lips parted as if to speak, but she couldn’t find the words.

The man’s lips curled into a smirk. “When will you change how you call me? Let’s hear you say ‘husband’ for once!”

Her face instantly turned red again. Seeing her so shy, he couldn’t help but smile even more.

He reached out and ruffled her hair. “Never mind, call me whatever you want. But remember what I said. Don’t let yourself get hurt again.”

Much later, Shi Runrun would wonder if the reason she fell in love with this man named Xiao Xuezheng, without hesitation or regret, was because of that day—when he ruffled her hair and told her, with such conviction, that she must never let herself be hurt again...

“Mmm...” Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when his handsome face suddenly drew close, his lips pressing firmly against hers.

Her eyes widened in shock. This was the second time they’d kissed since that wild night. She was completely dazed.

But the next moment, he released her, his breath hot in her ear. “There’s one more thing, wife—tonight is our wedding night...”

Her mind went blank.

On their wedding night, what was to be done was self-evident...

Just like that, Shi Runrun was pushed into the bathroom by him, taking the change of clothes he handed her.

Though he said it was a change of clothes, it was, in fact, his own white shirt with less-than-innocent intent.

But Miss Shi, simple-minded as she was, didn’t think anything of it and closed the bathroom door behind her.

She didn’t notice the deep, smoldering emotion in the man’s eyes as she went.

Inside the bathroom.

Shi Runrun still hadn’t recovered from his words and that kiss. She stared at her reflection, momentarily lost.

She couldn’t believe she was now Xiao Xuezheng’s wife.

Was he truly serious about her?

Was it only because she was carrying his child...?

She couldn’t figure it out. Frowning, she told herself not to dwell on it, undressed, and began to shower.

Yet as soon as she turned on the water, the door was suddenly pushed open!

Xiao Xuezheng stepped in, holding a non-slip mat. He paused at the sight of his little wife in the steam, his eyes widening.

“Ah!” Shi Runrun shrieked, grabbing the white shirt off the hanger and hastily pulling it on.

“Why did you come in? Get out!”

The man met her flustered gaze without the slightest embarrassment, a hint of laughter in his voice. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before. The floor is slippery—I brought you a bath mat so you don’t fall.”

“I... I get it. You can go now...”

Shi Runrun was flustered. True, as he said, they’d seen everything already... but she still felt shy!

But, damn it, why wouldn’t the buttons on this shirt fasten properly?!

Watching her struggle, Xiao Xuezheng’s gaze darkened with desire. He stepped close, chest nearly touching hers, and said softly, “You have to button a shirt like this.”

He reached out to teach her himself.

They were so close that his warm breath fell hot against her skin...