Chen Huaixu paused, a rare smile touching his lips. He gently squeezed her cheek. "Okay."

And from that day forward, she never saw him smoke around her again.

But it ended there. Yan Zhen slept soundly, waking up the next morning refreshed and with no trace of the previous night's hazy intoxication. When she saw Chen Huaixu again, their eyes met, and a silent standoff ensued. Finally, Yan Zhen broke the silence. "Where's my brother?"

"He went downstairs," Chen Huaixu replied calmly.

"He left without me!" She turned and ran downstairs without looking back.

One pretended nothing happened, the other played along. They tacitly agreed to bury that night, resuming their roles as sworn enemies.

It wasn't unusual for single adults to have a moment of weakness, a fleeting lapse in judgment. Yan Zhen considered it a mistake, an anomaly. She assumed Chen Huaixu felt the same.

The sweet taste of grapes lingered on her lips, intensifying with each lick. The grape Chen Huaixu hadn't eaten was now being savored in a different way.

Yan Zhen was pressed against the door, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she was forced to tilt her head back for his kiss. Trapped between the hard wood of the door and the solid wall of his chest, she had nowhere to escape. She tried to push him away, but he caught her wrists, pinning them above her head.

The movement arched her body into his, the soft silk of her dress rubbing against him, igniting a burning pleasure that seeped into her bones, creating an unbearable itch.

"Chen…" she gasped, struggling against him, but it was no use. His kiss was relentless, a tidal wave threatening to consume her.

A knock on the door startled her. "Mr. Chen?" Cui Yi's voice called from outside.

Jolted back to reality, she bit down hard on his lip. Chen Huaixu flinched and pulled away, his lips glistening with moisture, a testament to the intensity of their kiss.

He stared down at her for a moment, then wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to the side as he opened the door, shielding her with his body. "Aunt Cui, what is it?"

"I heard a noise and saw the spilled fruit on the floor. I just wanted to see if everything was alright."

Chen Huaixu glanced at the mess. "I'm sorry, I dropped it."

"It's alright. I'll bring up another plate."

"No need. It's getting late. You should get some rest, Aunt Cui."

Aunt Cui hesitated. "Mr. Chen, Zhenzhen…"

Hearing her name, Yan Zhen tensed, fearing discovery. Her fingers clutched at the fabric of his shirt.

Chen Huaixu reached down and intertwined his fingers with hers, his gaze still fixed on the doorway. "Yes?"

"...Zhenzhen is quite innocent. She's been sheltered her whole life, a bit spoiled, and sometimes her tone can be harsh. But she has a good heart. And if she truly disliked someone, she wouldn't waste her breath on them."

"I know," Chen Huaixu replied calmly. "Thank you, Aunt Cui."

He closed the door and turned to face her. Yan Zhen was about to explode, but then she saw the blood slowly welling up on his lip, a stark contrast against his skin.

He noticed her gaze and touched his lip, his fingertip coming away stained crimson.

"Serves you right," she muttered, biting her lip. "Who told you to kiss me like that?"

His expression remained calm. "Weren't you the one who provoked me?"

Yan Zhen knew she was on shaky ground. Unable to find a suitable retort, she mumbled, "You're so vindictive," and pulled open the door to leave.

She paused on the threshold, then turned back. "You're a terrible kisser," she added, before fleeing back to her room without waiting for his reaction.

She had no real basis for comparison, having never kissed anyone else, but any opportunity to insult Chen Huaixu was too good to pass up.

Outside, the rain poured down, punctuated by the occasional rumble of thunder that briefly illuminated the night sky.

Lying in bed, Yan Zhen's heart still pounded in her chest. The kiss replayed in her mind, keeping her awake. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Chen Huaixu's face close to hers, the lingering pressure of his lips on hers, the tingling sensation that still hadn't faded.

"Ugh, this is so annoying!" she groaned, burying her face in her pillow. "I declare you the winner. I can't sleep. It's all your fault, Chen Huaixu!"