After a long while, she could only console herself with the fact that at least she wasn't completely n4ked anymore.

Due to her tightness, a single entry wasn't enough for full penetration. Fluids began to leak out almost immediately, and Ye Li sat up to carefully push them back inside.

Niu Shurui glanced at him. He claimed otherwise, but after two consecutive days, Ye Li was spent. That was why he found release so difficult; even when he did, it was a watery, transparent fluid.

He also returned to his docile state more quickly than before. However, most of the time, the slightest stimulation would cause him to become arovsed again.

If this continued, not only would Niu Shurui be exhausted, but Ye Li would be as well.

Niu Shurui took Ye Li's hand off himself and, holding his gaze, said seriously, "Stop, Ye Li. This will wear us both out."

However, Niu Shurui's flushed appearance was hardly convincing. Instead, Ye Li took it as encouragement. He gave a shy smile and hugged her. "Niuniu, am I amazing?"

Niu Shurui was speechless.

***

Because of the sudden fever, Ye Li had learned some restraint, giving Niu Shurui a chance to probe his condition.

She discovered that he would cry if she mentioned anything work-related. Discussing his illness had the same effect. Telling him to stop was useless. Even something as simple as changing clothes triggered tears.

He seemed to have found a way to ensure her compliance. If Niu Shurui expressed even the slightest hope that he would stop, Ye Li would accuse her of making him cry.

He was easily soothed, though. If Niu Shurui patted his back and changed the subject, he would calm down immediately.

Still, it was troubling. Ye Li's tears didn't seem to stem from his illness. His entire demeanor had regressed, as if he had returned to childhood.

The aura around him was gentle, devoid of his usual aloofness and intensity.

So, it wasn't the illness, but being home? Niu Shurui examined the room again, finding nothing remarkable in the decor.

Then she remembered something she had noticed from the beginning: they were living in the Ye family's ancestral home.

The house was some distance from the city center. Given the family's wealth and status, they could easily afford a more convenient villa. Yet, both Ye Li and Ye Yanhui lived here.

Ye Li's situation was understandable, given his illness and confinement to the house.

But Ye Yanhui's presence here made Niu Shurui wonder if something significant had happened in this house, or if it held special memories for them.

After further contemplation, Niu Shurui said, "I want to go for a walk."

"No." Ye Li, who had been gently kissing her shoulder, instantly tightened his hold, his limbs entwining around her as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Niuniu, please don't say that again. I'll agree to anything else."

"Then can you tell me about your past?" Niu Shurui pressed her advantage.

Ye Li shook his head. "Add that to the list of things I can't do."

Niu Shurui feigned silence until Ye Li grew anxious. Then she said, "Alright, but I'm a little bored… Do you have any fun stories you could share?"

Ye Li furrowed his brow, racking his brain for a memory.

Seeing her partial success, Niu Shurui softened her voice. "Anything from when you were in school?" Ye Li shook his head. "No, I was homeschooled. I had tutors."

His expression was neutral, suggesting no aversion to the topic of school. Niu Shurui nodded and continued, "Then before school?"

Ye Li's train of thought followed for a moment, then his pupils dilated, his breath hitched, and he abruptly pushed her back onto the bed, shaking his head vehemently.

He parted her legs and began thrusting forcefully, his breathing ragged, his rejection palpable. Niu Shurui knew she had struck a nerve.

The fact that he was homeschooled suggested his condition likely developed between the ages of three and seven due to some trauma.

Niu Shurui initially leaned towards the later years, given Ye Li's generally stable personality. However, his recent behavior forced her to reconsider the earlier possibility. And for a family like Ye Li's, children were typically enrolled in prestigious academies as soon as they were old enough. Why would he say he was homeschooled?

Unfortunately, Ye Li was so resistant to this topic that no matter how subtly Niu Shurui probed, he refused to divulge anything further.

***

It took considerable effort for Niu Shurui to convince Ye Li to let her walk on her own. She worried that prolonged bed rest would not only condition her body but also her mind. After all, she didn't know when an opportunity to escape would arise.

Every time Niu Shurui got out of bed, Ye Li would follow closely behind.

At first, he carried her like a baby, but her discomfort prompted another conversation.

He then resorted to trailing her, clutching her clothes. Once, passing a mirror, Niu Shurui almost laughed at their reflection.

High heels usually minimized the height difference.

But standing next to him in bare feet, the top of her head barely reached his chest. The sight of this tall, imposing man clinging to her clothes like a lost puppy was undeniably endearing.

Niu Shurui lingered a moment too long, and Ye Li, noticing her gaze, followed her line of sight. Realizing what she was looking at, he swept her into his arms, showering her with kisses, a happy smile playing on his lips.