Luckily, Ye Li's hand didn't move any higher, stopping mid-calf. "Why? Can't I call you that? Niuniu?"

Niu Shurui breathed a sigh of relief, though there wasn't much to be relieved about… the red light intensified.

She tried to explain, "It feels awkward when you call me that. I'm not used to it."

Ye Li's eyes narrowed, the last vestiges of his smile fading as his handsome face became serious—his usual expression, yet somehow different.

It made Niu Shurui's hair stand on end. She worried that her attempt to test the waters had accidentally crossed a line.

After a long moment, he seemed to return from his thoughts. "It's alright. We'll take it slow. You'll get used to it."

The red light gradually softened. Niu Shurui figured it out—the red light was connected to his emotions.

She immediately revived, attempting to negotiate, "Then let's keep it private for now. Until I'm used to it, in public, please still call me Doctor Niu."

"Fine." He lowered his head, and the red light vanished completely. Niu Shurui sighed in relief, watching his long, slender fingers trace patterns on her leg. She thought, Fine, let him touch. It's not like I'll lose any flesh.

The drug's effects still lingered. Earlier, Niu Shurui assumed regaining consciousness meant the drug was wearing off. But judging by the current situation, the drug was supposed to work this way. She stifled a yawn. The mattress beneath her was undeniably soft. She couldn't tell if it was the drug or her internal clock, but she was getting sleepy.

Ye Li glanced at her. Niu Shurui didn't know what he meant, so she remained silent.

He didn't speak either, lost in thought. The quiet atmosphere made her drowsy. Since she couldn't leave anytime soon, she closed her eyes, ready to sleep.

After a while, Ye Li suddenly grasped her ankle, spreading her legs apart. His other hand lifted her skirt, moving directly between her thighs.

Niu Shurui's eyes snapped open. "Ye Li! Stop!" Her tone held a seriousness he'd never heard before, making him think that if he continued, she might choose to stop treating him altogether.

His hand paused, his gaze flicking downwards, as if regretting not being able to touch her.

Niu Shurui added, "Take your hand away."

Ye Li remained silent, his hand still. He experimentally wiggled his fingertips. The skin on her inner thighs was soft and delicate, incredibly sensitive. His every movement was amplified. Niu Shurui's face hardened. "Ye Li, I'm offering you treatment, not indulgence."

"Do you think the relationship between us is still just a normal doctor-patient one?" Ye Li straightened up, shifting his position to straddle her, cupping her face in his hands, bringing their faces incredibly close. His handsome features, magnified, allowed Niu Shurui to see every detail clearly.

Niu Shurui replied, "As long as we believe it is, then it is." Her eyes were clear, untouched by lvst. Ye Li suddenly felt it was unfair. Because of her, he wanted to keep her within his sight forever, yet she remained unmoved.

They were so close, their breaths mingling. Was she truly unaffected?

Suddenly, Ye Li wanted to see those eyes consumed by him, crazed for him, and only for him.

Niu Shurui couldn't decipher his thoughts. Seeing he hadn't argued, she continued, "Ye Li, get off me."

"What if I don't?" Ye Li leaned back slightly, allowing his gaze to capture her every expression. "Act cute for me. Niuniu, acting cute is a woman's weapon, isn't it?"

Niu Shurui stiffened, trying to find a hint of jest on his face. After a moment, she gave up.

She said, "Please."

"Not enough." Ye Li commanded, "Act cute for me like you do for that other person."

Niu Shurui knew exactly who he meant, but it was different. Qiao Qi was her childhood friend; Ye Li was just one of her patients. "P-please..."

"Not enough."

"Ye Li…"

"Continue."

"Get off me… okay?"

"No… still not enough."

No matter how Niu Shurui tried to act cute, Ye Li remained unsatisfied. She wasn't good at it to begin with. Her attempts with Qiao Qi only worked because his standards were low—after all, their relationship was more like siblings.