The intensity of his stare unnerved her, and Gu Nianyi turned her head away. “No, he’s too young.”
“So you don’t like younger guys. What about older ones?”
“It depends on the vibe. Age isn’t the issue.”
He was really getting on her nerves. What was the point of debating likes and dislikes? They were already married.
Gu Nianyi changed the subject, clinging to the last shred of her rationality to avoid his trap. “Why did Dr. Lu go to a bar?”
“A friend came back to the country. I texted you and called you about it.”
He’d even asked if she wanted to join, but got no reply.
Gu Nianyi stressed again, “Don’t yell at Jin Xuan, and don’t cut off her living expenses.”
Lu Jin’an withdrew his gaze and spoke slowly but earnestly. “You two girls coming to a bar alone isn’t safe. You need someone…”
The bass and drums throbbed in her ears on a loop, overlaid with his lecturing.
Her head throbbed.
“Dr. Lu, shh.”
Gu Nianyi raised a finger to her lips.
It was so noisy. She’d heard so much racket tonight that her ears were about to go deaf.
“…a guy to protect you…”
He was still nagging, just like her grandparents, endlessly scolding her.
With the alcohol hitting her hard, Gu Nianyi covered her ears, rose on tiptoe, steadied herself on Lu Jin’an’s arm, and pressed her lips to his mouth.
She watched his pupils draw closer, brimming with shock.
A smile curved her lips. “There. Quiet now.”
It was just a dragonfly skimming water, a mere brush of her lips against his.
And just like that, her ears rang with silence. So simple.
“Dr. Lu, your lips are so soft. They shut right up. I thought they’d be tougher.”
She was still savoring it.
“You made the first move, Gu Nianyi.”
Gu Nianyi tilted her head to look at him, her eyes full of innocence. “Yeah? And then?”
“Now I’m collecting on it.”
“No way. Besides, you’ve kissed me three times. I’ve only done it once, and I haven’t even asked you to pay me back.”
Gu Nianyi wriggled free of his hold and skipped ahead.
Lu Jin’an grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. His eyes locked on her softly flushed lips, and he leaned down to kiss Gu Nianyi’s mouth again.
“There are people around.”
Gu Nianyi didn’t pull away or refuse at first. Instead, she flushed with shyness, worried someone might pass by.
“No one can see.” Lu Jin’an’s magnetic voice tempted her in the darkness, drawing her down with him.
They were still inside the bar, where the dim lighting left everyone lost in their own worlds.
No one had eyes for them.
Lu Jin’an’s thin lips met hers again, rubbing and tangling between them.
His other hand slid to her slender waist, and the kiss grew hotter.
Gu Nianyi’s heart pounded wildly, syncing with the drums on stage. She could actually hear her own heartbeat.
She closed her eyes, her butterfly-wing lashes fluttering.
An unfamiliar tide overwhelmed her reason.
Footsteps echoed nearby, growing closer then fading, prickling her nerves.
It felt thrillingly illicit, making her reluctant to stop.
Lu Jin’an seemed reluctant too. He held her tight, his palm sliding up from her waist.
She reached to stop him, but he caught her hand.
He tickled her palm instead.
It was so itchy, her legs went weak.
A strange sensation surged inside her. If not for his support, she would have collapsed.
Sensing she couldn’t breathe, Lu Jin’an released her, his voice husky. “Was the drink good? Were the people hot? Happy to be called ‘big sis’?”
Today’s kiss was so sweet, sweeter than before. He blamed the alcohol.
But why did this booze taste like vinegar?
After the kiss, the booze hit harder. Gu Nianyi was drunker now, the figure before her blurring as she dazedly followed his train of thought.
“Pretty good. They were hot, and yeah, it was fun.”
So obedient, so good, so compliant!
Lu Jin’an’s eyes darkened abruptly. He pulled Gu Nianyi out of the bar and bundled her into the back seat.
He tilted his head and nipped her neck, his teeth grazing the two little moles there.
“Happy like this? Hmm?”
It stung a little, but just right—more of an itchy ache.
Gu Nianyi raised her hand to push him away. “Dr. Lu, that tickles.”
Amusement laced Lu Jin’an’s voice. “Not happy? Or uncomfortable?”
Gu Nianyi told the truth. “Uncomfortable.”
Too ticklish. That was her sensitive spot.
Lu Jin’an: “But you’re happy with other people.”
He didn’t let go, just lightened his touch.
“Mmm~”
Her unconscious whimper sounded like agreement to him.
Happier with others.
The next day, the 7 a.m. alarm jolted Gu Nianyi awake.
She hadn’t slept enough but forced her eyes open.
Lu Jin’an was staring at her, his gaze unwavering. “Awake?”
Red marks dotted her slender neck—one, two. He’d controlled his bite, so no harm done.
He felt inexplicably thrilled, even after last night’s jealousy fit.
Gu Nianyi’s small face flushed pink, and she yanked the covers back over her head. “Dr. Lu, you’re… not going to work?”
Her words came out slurred.
She couldn’t remember getting home, or showering, or if she’d done anything outrageous.
Her first blackout drunk.
Only memories up to the kiss remained; everything after was blank.
Peeking under the covers at their lower halves, she saw they were both in pajamas, nothing amiss.
Good. She hadn’t taken advantage of him while wasted.
“Heading out now.” Lu Jin’an pulled the covers away. Her face reddened further, and a smile tugged at his lips. “No settling debts?”
Debt? That single word reignited fragments of last night’s memories.
Gu Nianyi averted her eyes, glancing at the ceiling then the blanket. “No, no, no. Consider it squared away. Forget it. Dr. Lu, just forget it.”
Lu Jin’an teased her on purpose. “A wife kissing her husband is perfectly normal.”
He was right. It was normal between them. No psychological baggage needed.
He’d stolen kisses and forced them without a second thought. Hers was barely a graze.
No issue at all.
Gu Nianyi ventured softly, “Did I do anything… out of line?”
Lu Jin’an pretended to think. “Nothing too far. You just clung to me, demanding piggyback rides and hugs, and made me bathe you.”
“And? Did you?” Gu Nianyi swallowed nervously, awaiting his answer with rapt attention.
“I’m messing with you.”
Her ingrained reserve shone through. She’d grabbed pajamas to block him at the door, chattier than usual but not wild.
She still knew to protect herself.
Gu Nianyi sighed in relief. “Good. Dr. Lu really is a gentleman.”
Lu Jin’an murmured darkly, “Not necessarily next time.”
“Don’t worry. There won’t be a next time.”
“Even if there is, it’s fine.”
Her kissing him drunk was pretty great.
Gu Nianyi went to the walk-in closet to change. Brushing her hair aside, she spotted two red marks.
Commonly known as “strawberries.”
She knew how they’d formed, though the memory was fuzzy.
Vaguely, Lu Jin’an had pinned her in the seat, asking questions while her focus scattered.
Sometimes in the car, sometimes out—no coherent answers.
They’d been married a while now. Others would’ve gone through boxes of condoms. They’d only shared a few kisses.
Who was the problem?
Not her, that was sure.
Gu Nianyi eyed the marks again—vivid, ambiguous, practically shouting, Look at these beauties!
More memories trickled back. Had he asked if it felt good?
Her face burned anew.
Gu Nianyi shook her head. What kind of dirty thoughts first thing in the morning? She grabbed a turtleneck sweater from the closet and pulled it on.
She draped her long hair over it too, which only drew more attention.
When she emerged, Lu Jin’an was waiting at the entryway.
They headed out to work together, bumping at the threshold.
Gu Nianyi stepped back quickly. His familiar cool scent invaded her space, and she blurted, “Dr. Lu, you go first. I forgot my earbuds.”
Lu Jin’an’s gaze dropped to her hand. “What’s that in your hand, then?”
Gu Nianyi scrambled for another excuse. “Forgot my charger.”
“Here.” Lu Jin’an fished a universal one from the entryway caddy and handed it over.
Gu Nianyi patted her pocket. “Car keys. Forgot those too.”
“They’re in your hand. You’re about to be late.”
“Fine.”
Off to the inevitable.
Despite all the drinking, Gu Nianyi’s head didn’t hurt. Lu Jin’an must have given her some hangover meds when they got home.
【Jin Xuan, what was that drink I had last night?】
By afternoon, Lu Jinxuan replied: 【Auntie Roberta.】
What an awful name, and such a brutal hangover.
Gu Nianyi searched online. Auntie Roberta was one of the world’s strongest cocktails.
She’d dodged Long Island Iced Tea, Blueberry Tea, and Irish Fog, only for Auntie Roberta to strike.
No defense against it.
Lu Jin’an: 【What do you want for dinner? More drinks?】
Her keyboard felt scalding hot, typing on its own like it was possessed.
Gu Nianyi: 【Anything. No booze.】
She wanted nothing to do with alcohol for a while.
As quitting time approached, Cheng Fanglin called her into his office. “Nianyi, there’s a business dinner tomorrow. Come along—President Lin specifically asked for you to be there.”
Gu Nianyi didn’t know any President Lin. “Who’s President Lin? Why me specifically?”
Cheng Fanglin picked up his thermos. “He’s the boss of Jiarun Group. He wants us to provide paid weather consulting services and also contribute to meteorology by funding our research. He saw your video and wants to learn more.”
Gu Nianyi was puzzled. “Can’t we talk about it at the office?”
“Little Gu, you’re still too young,” Cheng Fanglin said. “Meals are better for business talks. Don’t worry, no drinking. Little Shen, Little Chi, and the others are all going.”
Hearing that her colleagues were going too, Gu Nianyi relaxed. “Okay.”
She went out and asked the others, and sure enough, they were all attending.
No problem then.
That evening, Gu Nianyi told Lu Jin’an about the dinner.
He always supported her work and simply said, “I’ll pick you up when it’s over.”
Gu Nianyi didn’t want to trouble him. “Dr. Lu, it’s a no-alcohol dinner, and I don’t know when it’ll end.”
Lu Jin’an thought for a few seconds. “If it’s past nine, text me, and I’ll come get you.”
“Okay, Dr. Lu. Good night,” Gu Nianyi replied.
However, on the day of the gathering, Gu Nianyi received a message from Cheng Fanglin changing the location.
President Lin wanted something light, so they had switched to another restaurant. She was to go to a different one.
The boss was picky, with so much hassle.
Gu Nianyi grumbled inwardly, turned her car around, and followed the navigation toward downtown.