Jiang Yi looked away. “No.”

Why would she be angry? Angry that he’d so easily stirred her emotions with his words, only to act as if nothing had happened? Or angry at herself for being so easily affected, allowing it to impact her studies?

Unconcerned whether her answer was truthful, Zhong Cheng picked up her test paper and scanned it. He grabbed a red pen, spread his legs, and gestured for her to sit.

“I’ll help you.”

Jiang Yi glanced at his lap, then expressionlessly moved away. “No, thank you.” She snatched her paper back, sat down on the other side of the desk, and buried her head in her work, scribbling furiously as if venting her frustration.

So much for not being angry.

Zhong Cheng stood, walked around the desk, and, catching her off guard, scooped her into his arms.

He held her under her arms like a child. Her eyes widened in surprise. Before she could protest the undignified position, he settled her onto his lap, his arm securely around her waist, preventing escape.

As she struggled, he began explaining her test, already engrossed in the problems.

“This question…”

Jiang Yi gradually relaxed, drawn in by his voice. She even started working through the calculations, following his logic.

Within moments, the problem that had plagued her was solved.

Understanding dawned.

The triumph of conquering the difficult question brought a smile to her face.

Then, Zhong Cheng’s voice broke through.

“Not mad anymore?”

The smile vanished. She wriggled, trying to get off his lap.

“Don’t move.” Zhong Cheng’s face hardened. He gave her waist a warning pinch.

Jiang Yi squirmed, melting against him.

A flicker of intensity entered Zhong Cheng’s usually icy eyes. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deeply. His lips grazed her skin, savoring her warmth. A surge of possessiveness coursed through him, an urge to bite down hard.

He cupped her head, gently but firmly turning her face towards him. His lips claimed hers.

Despite his slender build, his thighs were firm, his hands large and strong. One hand encompassed nearly half her head. He kissed her deeply, then released her, his gaze fixed on her. His tongue darted out, tracing the outline of her lips, then slipped inside, exploring the contours of her teeth and gums. Slowly, deliberately, he savored her before claiming her mouth again, his tongue delving deeper.

“Mmm…”

His tongue mimicked the rhythm of lovemaking, drawing a moan from Jiang Yi. Her mouth opened slightly, saliva escaping her lips.

Zhong Cheng paused, his tongue withdrawing to capture the stray moisture, licking it clean before returning to her mouth, sucking gently.

The kiss stole Jiang Yi’s last coherent thought, leaving her dizzy and pliant. Her lips parted, her tongue reaching out, her cheeks flushed, her eyes glazed.

Zhong Cheng’s fingertip brushed her lips, his eyes, though darkened with desire, still sharp. “Feeling calmer now?”

Jiang Yi turned her face away, nodding slightly.

“Why were you angry?” he asked.

“I didn’t do well on the test,” she mumbled.

“Anything else?”

Jiang Yi hesitated, then shook her head. “No.”

“Are you sure?” Zhong Cheng gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I thought perhaps, after giving you space to study these past few days, you mistook my actions for indifference. That you thought I was joking about liking you, toying with your feelings. That you were giving me the cold shoulder because of it.”

Jiang Yi froze, heat rising in her cheeks. As his hand loosened its grip, she quickly lowered her head, curling into a ball in his lap, mortified.

So that was it! He’d been distant so she could focus on her studies.

Then, he asked, “Let me ask you again. Do you want to study together?”

Before her was the solved problem, behind her, the warmth of his chest.

Her mind raced.

Outwardly, she hesitated for a few seconds.

Finally, she nodded. “Yes.”

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, barely audible, yet it tickled her ear.

Jiang Yi sat on Zhong Cheng’s lap, studying. The initial awkwardness gradually faded, replaced by a strange comfort. However, once the studying was done, she wasn’t so easily released.

Zhong Cheng kissed her deeply, then lifted her, carrying her towards the bed. He tossed her onto the mattress, quickly shedding his clothes.

For the first time, Jiang Yi was completely exposed before him. She instinctively covered her br3asts. “No.”

Zhong Cheng pulled her hands away. “You have to give me something in return.” He unbuckled his belt and pressed against her.

His er3ction nestled between her thighs, moving rhythmically as he kissed her neck, her shoulders, her br3asts. Growing impatient with the barrier of her clothes, he quickly removed them, tossing them carelessly to the floor.

Their nak3d bodies intertwined, skin against skin, their temperatures rising, the air thick with unspoken desire.

Zhong Cheng’s breathing grew heavy and ragged. His usual composure, his aloof elegance, vanished. He was a creature consumed by need, clinging to his beloved, desperate for closeness.

Seeing this side of him ignited a fire within Jiang Yi, pulling her into the rising tide of passion.

His groans mingled with her soft cries, filling the room, echoing long into the night.