Liang Yan closed her mouth and looked up at Jiang Yi, as if looking at an ungrateful, unreasonable child. What was wrong with living in the villa? It was comfortable, she had people waiting on her, and she could build relationships with the Zhong children. Maybe she'd even get some shares and live off the dividends. Even if not, the smallest amount of money from them would be better than struggling in a regular job.

But since Zhong Yunde had already agreed, she could only respond with a smile. "Yes, living at school is good too."

Jiang Yi murmured her thanks and turned back to the window. Thinking about her mother's expression, she unconsciously pouted, her feelings a mix of relief and something else she couldn't quite name.

But it was alright. The outcome was good.

She could live at school next semester and fully dedicate herself to preparing for the college entrance exams!

Jiang Yi assumed Zhong Yunde would delegate the task and it would be handled efficiently. She didn't expect him to delegate it directly to Zhong Lin!

That evening, Zhong Lin came to her room.

"You want to live at school?"

Jiang Yi felt a pang of guilt and avoided his gaze.

"Yes," she replied. Zhong Lin stared at her for a long moment, silent.

Jiang Yi's heart pounded, her hands clenching her pants. What if he disagreed?

Time seemed to slow down, each second stretching into an eternity, filled with a whirlwind of thoughts.

She felt the intensity of his gaze, almost unbearable.

Mustering her courage, she blushed and said, "I… I want to live at school. I can't… focus on my studies at home. You're always interrupting me..." Her voice cracked. "My scores dropped last time, and so did my ranking..."

Hearing the tremor in her voice, the tension in Zhong Lin's chest dissipated. He suddenly felt foolish for the jealousy he'd felt towards Zhong Cheng the past few days. It seemed studying was this girl's top priority.

His hand gently rested on her head, stroking her hair.

"No one said you couldn't. Why are you crying?"

Jiang Yi choked back a sob, looking up. "Can I?"

Her bright, watery eyes held his gaze, and a current seemed to pass between them, sending a tingling sensation through his body. The pleasant numbness reached his brain, sparking a surge of desire, his blood rushing, heat pooling in his lower abdomen.

He grasped her slender waist, leaning down, his eyes fixated on her lips. "Yes," he said, and in the same breath, their lips met.

Jiang Yi's tears subsided, a single drop escaping the corner of her eye and tracing a path down her cheek, landing on his face. He paused, pulling back slightly, straightening up. He touched his face, wiping the tear away with his fingertip, then slowly brought it to his lips, closing them around it, swallowing the drop.

Jiang Yi watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed, a tremor running through her, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

After swallowing her tear, Zhong Lin cupped her face, his thumb gently wiping away the remaining moisture.

Neither of them spoke, but the air crackled with unspoken tension, the temperature seeming to rise.

Zhong Lin tilted her chin up, kissing her again.

"Can I stay here tonight?"

The answer was, of course, yes.

No refusal meant yes.

He knew she wouldn't refuse. Zhong Lin quickly shed their clothes, discarding them carelessly on the floor, kissing her as he led her towards the bed.

His grip was firm, his arm around her waist, almost lifting her off her feet.

He carried her to the bed, her back sinking into the soft mattress as his warm, muscular body pressed against hers.

Soon, she was enveloped by his scent, his hands exploring every inch of her skin, his lips kissing, nibbling, even suckling.

And between her legs, a thick, insistent presence rubbed against her.

His breathing was rapid and heavy, but it sounded pleasant to her ears. She even found herself liking it.

It felt strange, so good, so pleasurable. She was getting wet again...

"Mmm...ah..."

Her voice was so embarrassing, but mixed with his groans, it sounded so good...