Chapter 22: No Need to Unwrap the Gift So Early Part 2

Half of Miao Zhu’s body went numb. Mu Shanyi’s voice and fingers carried an electric charge, massaging both her mind and body. That phrase “not disheveled” felt like a prophecy—because it wasn’t long before it came true.

It was Miao Zhu who invited her: “Come to my room?”

As soon as Mu Shanyi entered, she saw the silver-gray high heels with subtle shimmer at the foot of the bed—one standing, one toppled on the carpet. The black dress draped over the desk chair, its thin straps dangling in the air. On the lingerie organizer on the desk hung a half-used breast sticker.

The scene sparked endless imagination.

Miao Zhu had rushed off for a massage appointment and hadn’t tidied up, never expecting anyone to enter her room. Now facing Mu Shanyi, her throat went dry as she forced out: “I’ll clean up first…”

“Shower first.” Mu Shanyi cut her off. “You want it, don’t you?”

The little item that caused the misunderstanding didn’t come into play right away. Per their agreement, the lights stayed on this time.

The ambient light gently bathed the bed, draping both the objects and the person atop it in a layer of soft glow.

Miao Zhu couldn’t tell which was more torturous.

Was it Mu Shanyi’s nimble lips and tongue, or the lingering gazes when she paused? Either way, they eroded what little sanity she had left.

Her legs spread wide, she propped herself up on her elbows and realized Mu Shanyi was using her nose bridge.

Her mind roared, and Miao Zhu squeezed her eyes shut. The next sound she heard was Mu Shanyi saying—

“Longlong, don’t clench.”

Miao Zhu barely managed to clamp her hand over her mouth and nose before intense tremors overwhelmed her.

Her mind, on strike, issued no commands. In that blank state, Mu Shanyi pulled her into an embrace.

Miao Zhu lay cradled in Mu Shanyi’s arms, her taut back pressed against her.

Mu Shanyi leaned against a lumbar pillow in a half-sitting, half-reclining position, her hands stroking Miao Zhu’s still-trembling skin. “I can’t hear your voice.”

How could Miao Zhu dare? Her colleagues were nearby, and the hotel’s soundproofing might not be great.

There was the sound of plastic packaging being torn open. Miao Zhu opened her eyes to see Mu Shanyi’s hand above her.

Her fingers were slender, like jade fan ribs—each one so elegant, methodically completing the steps without rush.

Miao Zhu turned her face to look at Mu Shanyi, who tilted her head to nibble her earlobe and parted her legs with a knee. “So many…” The last syllable blew into Miao Zhu’s ear on a breath.

There were so many, and they were so slick—it was hard to tell where Miao Zhu ended and they began.

Miao Zhu bit her lower lip hard.

“Your waist is so slim.” Mu Shanyi’s voice was husky. As she mentioned the waist, her other hand covered it.

“Your skin is so thin—it reddens at a touch.” The hand on her waist slid over the soft abdomen. Mu Shanyi’s lips lingered on Miao Zhu’s neck, her hot breath carrying a whisper: “A feast for the eyes.”

Miao Zhu instinctively slid downward, lifting her gaze to Mu Shanyi’s strikingly defined features. Backlit, her contours were even more sculpted, her eyes dark and filled with desire.

All courtesy of the lighting.

Miao Zhu’s heart clenched; Mu Shanyi left her unable to think.

“Do you know what your face looks like right now?” Mu Shanyi chuckled, leaning close to her ear. “Can you keep that expression?”

“I…” Miao Zhu’s inner fire blazed, her voice completely hoarse.

Mu Shanyi: “Open a bit more.”

She was held in Mu Shanyi’s embrace, enveloped by her breath—on her lips, ears, neck, collarbone, every inch of her welcomed with utmost tenderness.

Waves of surging heat rushed to her heart, leaving Miao Zhu breathless. In her daze, she grasped Mu Shanyi’s arm: “…I want to see you tomorrow too.”

Miao Zhu’s reaction this time was unprecedented; she nearly spasmed. Infected, Mu Shanyi couldn’t hold back and flipped them over. She pressed one hand between Miao Zhu’s shoulder blades. Miao Zhu lay helplessly prone, tears streaming down to soak her cheeks.

Mu Shanyi stared at the small red mole on Miao Zhu’s snowy back and leaned down to bite the skin there.

Thin sweat dampened her temples. Miao Zhu’s heart still raced; she lay lost in a daze, holding the final position motionless.

After a long while, Mu Shanyi released her bite. From Miao Zhu’s reaction, the conclusion was clear: “You like it this way more.”

Miao Zhu covered her face.

“Sorry, I left a mark.” Mu Shanyi touched the little mole, where the skin now bore a red hickey.

Miao Zhu shook her head weakly, indicating it was fine.

Mu Shanyi gazed at her for a moment: “Be this good tomorrow too.”

The little box went from one item used to two, then three. Miao Zhu’s mind grew muddled, blurring reality and dream. She didn’t know when it ended or when Mu Shanyi left.

Her whole body felt soft and light as she slipped into deep, dark sleep.

The next morning, Miao Zhu met Jiang Jingjing. Both had overslept, so they scrapped plans for breakfast out and ate the hotel buffet instead.

Jiang Jingjing had reacted last night as if she’d guessed something, but she didn’t pry at all, acting perfectly natural. Only when Miao Zhu mentioned changing her flight to return to Cloud City at noon did she choke on egg yolk from a boiled egg and cough repeatedly.

A little past two in the afternoon, the plane landed in Cloud City. Lu Zheng picked Miao Zhu up at the airport.

“Miss Miao, do you need to go anywhere first or handle anything?”

“No.” Miao Zhu had returned early for Mu Shanyi and had no other plans.

“Then I’ll take you to Tower Shadow Sunny River. President Mu has a long schedule this afternoon—this is what she asked me to give you.” Lu Zheng bowed slightly and presented the access card for Tower Shadow Sunny River with both hands.

Miao Zhu took it: “Okay, thanks for the trouble.”

At three-thirty, the car entered the underground garage of Tower Shadow Sunny River. Miao Zhu carried her cello on her back while Lu Zheng wheeled her luggage. They took the elevator up.