Chapter 35: Can I Touch You?

This was perfectly normal.

Zhou Jianghao was a young woman full of youthful vigor, after all. It wasn’t strange at all for her to watch that kind of video. If Tan Qingya reacted strongly or refused, she’d come off like some narrow-minded, feudal patriarch.

What a joke—this was her wife.

So, with gentle consideration, she handed the phone back to Zhou Jianghao and said sincerely, “The pixel quality on this one’s pretty bad. Want me to find you some high-definition ones?”

The pixels really were poor, and the camera shook all over the place. Tan Qingya had only glanced at it twice before her head started to ache. Staring at something like that for long would hurt the eyes, and besides…

She subtly glanced at Zhou Jianghao. Even if she was going to watch, shouldn’t she pick ones with better-looking people?

“No need!” Zhou Jianghao’s face was flushed crimson, as if it might drip blood any second. She was so embarrassed she couldn’t even meet Tan Qingya’s eyes. Enduring an unprecedented wave of shame, she still struggled to explain, “I was just looking casually.”

“It’s fine. I get it.”

Tan Qingya gave her a warm, big-sister look and sat down on the other side of the bed. She casually picked up her own phone from the bedside table.

In truth, Tan Qingya only wanted to check the time, but Zhou Jianghao misunderstood and thought she was actually going to search for some videos herself. She immediately sprang up from the bed, ignoring everything else, and grabbed Tan Qingya’s wrist.

“Really, no need!”

But she had forgotten that, to make tonight go smoothly, she had deliberately worn sexy lingerie with a provocative edge.

Well…

She wasn’t wearing anything else over it.

Under the lights, her skin gleamed like polished jade. The black lace cradled her pert, flushed breasts, full and swelling enticingly. Tan Qingya’s breath hitched for a moment.

She quickly yanked up the slipping blanket to cover the person whose intimate charms had just been exposed. Her own face grew a little warm as she cleared her throat lightly and asked, “Do you have a habit of sleeping naked?”

This was normal—she had a friend who had loved sleeping nude since childhood.

In a moment of carelessness, her thoughts wandered a bit too far.

She hesitated, lost in her own reverie.

She had heard that people accustomed to sleeping naked felt as trapped as if they were tangled in a net when wearing clothes to bed, which greatly reduced their sleep quality. She and Zhou Jianghao had been living together on and off for a while now, but Zhou Jianghao had never shown any sign of this habit before—probably out of consideration for her.

This was her failing as a partner. She hadn’t bothered to learn her wife’s personal habits, forcing her to suppress her natural preferences for so long.

“If you like it from now on, you don’t have to wear anything. Don’t worry about me.” To emphasize her point, she curved her lips into a smile. “Sleeping naked isn’t a bad thing. No need to feel shy. And if you’re uncomfortable, I can join you.”

With that, she began unbuttoning her own sleep shirt.

Seeing her actions, the words Zhou Jianghao had been about to say died in her throat. This… this actually made things even more convenient…

Besides, it would have to come off sooner or later, right? The process didn’t matter as long as the outcome stayed on track.

With that thought, she retreated into the covers. Her eyes wide open, she listened to the soft rustle of clothing being shed beside her ear. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

She was so nervous she could barely breathe.

The mattress dipped on the other side of the bed, and her heart clenched even tighter. Fighting the urge to glance around, she lay there stiff as a board.

“Are you going to sleep?” Tan Qingya asked, leaning down. “Or do you want to watch a bit more?”

Watch?

Watch what?

That adult video?

Gritting her teeth through the embarrassment, Zhou Jianghao said, “Sleep.”

No amount of theoretical knowledge could compare to hands-on practice. She had already picked up some basics in theory; as long as she learned carefully from real experience now, she could definitely satisfy Tan Qingya in the future.

Tan Qingya had no idea what little schemes were brewing in Zhou Jianghao’s mind. Though she was still puzzled by her odd behavior, she didn’t press. “Alright.”

The main light switched off, leaving only the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

She had to admit, sleeping without clothes was far more comfortable than wearing them. Tan Qingya stretched out luxuriously, limbs relaxed, ready to close her eyes in contentment—when something warm and silky brushed against her.

The first touch startled her, but she didn’t think much of it, assuming Zhou Jianghao had dozed off and accidentally nudged her.

So she shifted away a little and rolled over.

Before she could calm the ripples that small contact had stirred, a soft warmth suddenly pressed against her back once more. Skin met skin—smooth, delicate, and intimate. It didn’t repulse her; it just surprised her.

Who knew it could feel like this.

She couldn’t quite name the sensation, but it was undeniably pleasant, almost addictive.

The scrap of fabric barely covering those pert breasts was actually a hindrance, chafing slightly against her skin.

“Zhou Jianghao?”

Only after speaking did Tan Qingya realize her voice had gone husky. She cleared her throat and turned to lie flat on her back. As she moved, their skin rubbed beneath the covers, and her breathing stuttered.

“Sister.”

Zhou Jianghao’s voice trembled, as if she were badly frightened—yet her courage was bold indeed as she wrapped herself around Tan Qingya again.

Her slender yet plush body clung tightly. Tan Qingya wasn’t a saint; in an instant, certain thoughts stirred. Recalling how Zhou Jianghao had snuck peeks at that video earlier, amusement flickered in her eyes. She simply extended her arm, circled Zhou Jianghao’s waist, and pulled her even closer.

“What’s this? Didn’t get enough from watching? Want to try it yourself now?”

Food and sex were basic human nature—nothing to be ashamed of.

But she knew Zhou Jianghao was shy by nature, without the boldness to act on her desires. She had the heart of a thief but not the guts; even if left to her own devices, she wouldn’t make much trouble.

Zhou Jianghao hesitated. “May… may I?”

The question caught Tan Qingya off guard.

Of course she could—they were legally married. They could go at it for three days and nights, and no one could object. But Zhou Jianghao was still recovering from a serious illness, and Tan Qingya had no experience holding back her strength. She worried she might accidentally hurt her.

Tan Qingya stayed silent too long.

Zhou Jianghao’s heart sank. Desperately recalling scenes from the video, she mustered her courage and leaned in to offer her lips.

“Sister…”

It was probably Zhou Jianghao’s first time attempting something like this; she was so nervous she missed the mark entirely. Her scorching lips branded themselves onto Tan Qingya’s neck instead.

Tan Qingya’s breath grew ragged. She placed one hand on the back of Zhou Jianghao’s head and used the other to draw her up firmly. Their noses bumped lightly, and Tan Qingya tilted her head to capture Zhou Jianghao’s lips.

She sucked gently on the heated softness, rubbing a few times before releasing her. Glancing down at the swells pressed firmly against her, she smiled. “Did you wear this just for me to see?”

She had wondered how Zhou Jianghao owned lingerie like this. Sexy lace? It wasn’t her style at all. To think the girl had taken the initiative to try something so bold—Tan Qingya had once secretly worried about a lackluster marriage bed. Now she couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Clearly, she didn’t need to fret anymore.

Seeing Zhou Jianghao blush without responding, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through Tan Qingya’s mind. The hand around her slim waist slid slowly upward, and she leaned in close again. “What do you want to do, hmm?”

She teased deliberately, hovering near Zhou Jianghao’s lips without quite kissing her. Inhaling the sweet scent of her skin, her gaze darkened, her voice drawing out languidly. “Are you… deliberately seducing me?”

Tan Qingya meant only to tease, but the body in her arms went rigid and stayed that way, offering no rebuttal for a long moment.

No way?

Was she actually seducing her?

Stunned by the realization, Tan Qingya hadn’t even reacted when Zhou Jianghao’s scorching lips brushed past, carrying a hint of shy frustration as they urgently sealed over hers.

Like a small, reckless beast.

Her movements were clumsy, yet utterly captivating.

“Zhou Jiang—”

Before she could finish, the girl seized the opening, slipping her tongue in like a daring little snake.

A tingling numbness spread down Tan Qingya’s spine. She tightened her arms, letting the intruder explore her territory with inexperienced boldness.

She cooperated deliberately, patiently guiding until the kiss softened into something tender and lingering. Only then did she arch her body, pressing more of herself against Zhou Jianghao.

It was strange, like a sudden craving for skin contact, an urgent need for more.

The air grew thick and cloying.

Tan Qingya’s hand trailed along her shoulder blade to her back, where the scant fabric was tied in a butterfly bow. With a gentle tug, the flimsy material fell away.

Her hand covered it without hesitation.

Feeling the warm softness in her palm, she let out a soft sigh and pursued Zhou Jianghao’s lips and tongue, not allowing her to escape.

“Aren’t you trying to seduce me?”

She laughed, her thumb deliberately circling the peak.

Zhou Jianghao let out an uncontrollable sound. Already weakened by the kiss, her body went limp, boneless and pliant as she melted against Tan Qingya. Her smooth back arched, trembling lightly.

Her heart raced furiously.

Everything unknown terrified and thrilled her.

Tan Qingya, clearly fascinated by her new plaything, barely paid attention to the kiss anymore. She focused intently on the fullness and softness in her hand, molding it gently under Zhou Jianghao’s indulgent gaze.

Zhou Jianghao’s breathing grew erratic and heavy in time with her touches. Tan Qingya’s own breath quickened, and she paused slightly upon noticing the changes in her body.

It was only then that she realized the girl in her arms was still trembling faintly, like a frightened little puppy.

All her desires vanished in an instant. She patted Zhou Jianghao’s back soothingly. “Don’t be scared. We won’t do anything else.”

Zhou Jianghao looked like she had been terribly bullied by her. It had only been some kissing and fondling, yet those beautiful eyes of hers brimmed with tears, her fair skin flushed with a rosy tint, giving her the appearance of a pitiful little thing that had been thoroughly ravaged.

But heaven itself could bear witness—her hand hadn’t even dared to venture lower.

Her gaze fell on Zhou Jianghao’s chest, where the peaks had already perked up, trembling from the teasing, while the surrounding creamy skin was marked with fingerprints that looked rather alarming.

Guilt weighed heavier on her heart. She leaned in to kiss the corner of Zhou Jianghao’s mouth again and asked softly, “Were you scared?”

Zhou Jianghao finally snapped back to her senses. Meeting Tan Qingya’s gaze, she recalled how she had just been sucking on the other’s tongue, and her face burned with embarrassment.

“No.”

But she refuted honestly, burying her head in Tan Qingya’s shoulder. Muffled, she added, “I’m not that timid.”

As usual, Zhou Jianghao was putting up a stubborn front.

She truly believed she was just unaccustomed to it all, a little afraid of the unknown. She was a bit scared, sure, but nowhere near “terrified.” However, if Tan Qingya misunderstood her fear and refused to touch her ever again, that would be truly terrifying.

With that thought, she took a subtle deep breath, mustered her courage, and placed her hand on Tan Qingya’s back, her voice trembling as she said, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Can I touch you a little?”