People always felt awkward and unnatural when embarrassment or speechlessness struck.
Gu Nianyi stared at the white strap sleep skirt in front of her. The thin gauze barely concealed anything at all.
She swallowed hard. “Let me explain—it’s not something I bought.”
Her hands twisted nervously in front of her, her gaze darting everywhere but at him.
Compared to her, Lu Jin’an seemed utterly at ease.
He dangled the strap sleep skirt from his fingers as if it were nothing more than an ordinary apron.
His expression was calm, his eyes slightly narrowed, the corners of his mouth curving into a faint arc.
“Is that so?”
He clearly wasn’t satisfied with her answer.
Lu Jin’an opened the second box. Inside was a simple, fresh-patterned box adorned with little flowers—nothing suspicious at first glance.
Gu Nianyi let out a breath of relief.
But she was still too naive.
Most adult toys were designed to protect customer privacy; their exteriors gave nothing away.
Layer by layer, Lu Jin’an peeled back the packaging until a pink flower-patterned “toy” lay exposed before him.
The flower itself was innocent enough, but the green “stem” beside it was far more eye-catching.
Together, they resembled a little potted plant.
Gu Nianyi’s mind went blank. She knew exactly what it was.
She had seen something similar at Ming Yue’s place before.
Ming Yue’s version had been a bit more straightforward, though.
Were adult toys these days really so flashy?
Lu Jin’an pressed the power button, and the “flower” began vibrating in his hand. His dark eyes grew even deeper, brimming with curiosity.
“And what’s this one, then? Gu Nianyi.”
His cool voice wrapped around her full name like a wolf sinking its teeth into prey, refusing to let go.
Gu Nianyi feigned composure. “I have no idea. Maybe some kind of toy? You can have it and play with it.”
“A toy, huh.”
Lu Jin’an gestured invitingly. “Let’s play with it together.”
She tossed her hair. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I don’t play with childish things.”
Her phone rang on the floor. In her panic, Gu Nianyi accidentally hit the voice message button.
Ming Yue’s voice rang out: “Babe, if Dr. Lu can’t cut it, just let the toy soothe your lonely night. No need to thank me—enjoy the long night ahead.”
Gu Nianyi: …
Was there a hole she could crawl into?
The phone felt scorching hot in her hand; she wanted to hurl it off the top floor.
“I told you, I didn’t buy it.”
Gu Nianyi clapped a hand over her mouth and faked a yawn. “I’m tired. I’m heading upstairs to sleep. Dr. Lu, if you like it, play with it yourself.”
Why was she backing down at the crucial moment?
She mentally berated herself.
“Running away?” Lu Jin’an gathered the items from the floor and grabbed her wrist.
She met his gaze steadily. “I’m not running. I really am just tired.”
His throat bobbed. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. It’s not time yet—your surgery recovery hasn’t finished.”
“Oh. Right.”
Dr. Lu sure had a lot of excuses. He must be ninety-nine percent incapable; otherwise, why come up with so many reasons?
All bark and no bite.
As Gu Nianyi headed upstairs, she fired off a message to Ming Yue. 【Ming Yue, you nearly killed me. Dr. Lu heard everything.】
Ming Yue: 【What was his reaction?】
Gu Nianyi: 【Nothing. Just said I need to rest from surgery.】
Ming Yue: 【Fair enough. Look on the bright side—life goes on. No man? There’s always toys. And toys are cleaner, too.】
Gu Nianyi: 【Chatting with you right now? Your innuendo level is off the charts.】
Ming Yue: 【You’re twenty-four, babe. A little naughty talk is totally normal.】
Gu Nianyi: …
She wasn’t a mango, after all. Why did everything have to be so dirty?
That night, they slept peacefully. Gu Nianyi didn’t deliberately keep her distance from Lu Jin’an, maintaining just enough space between them.
She had no idea what became of the toy and the sleep skirt, but she did dream of that previous scene where he had gone down on her.
The dream flashed back to that fateful night. She lay on the bed, her ankles pinned by Lu Jin’an’s grip, unable to move.
This time, though, she wore the white strap sleep skirt.
Her curvaceous figure was on full display.
His dark, tousled hair brushed against her skin as wet, smacking sounds filled the room.
She wanted to cover her ears, but her wrists were bound with a tie.
Torment twisted inside her, yet she craved more.
His tongue delved in, stirring up a storm…
The images felt too real.
He called to her: “Wife.”
Then: “Baby.”
And: “Yi Yi.”
Gu Nianyi jolted awake, gasping for air—only to be pulled into Lu Jin’an’s arms.
“Dr. Lu?”
Her lips were sealed by his. His tongue swept in, plundering.
It was a fierce, intense kiss right from the start.
Was she still dreaming?
Outside the window, dawn was breaking. In the master bedroom, the man on the bed opened his eyes. Lu Jin’an’s head throbbed painfully as he headed to the bathroom for a shower.
He also needed to clean his underwear.
He turned on the faucet, and scalding hot water poured down from above—but it couldn’t wash away the scenes replaying in his mind.
In the dream, Gu Nianyi wore the strap sleep skirt, her hair slightly damp as she waited for him in the swaying dim light.
The white straps slipped from her shoulders. He kissed her pale, slender neck.
Gu Nianyi arched her swan-like neck.
Scorching sweat dripped into the hollow of her throat.
He captured her lips, kissing down to her earlobe, the mole, and…
Her voice softened, losing its usual cool edge as she called him “Dr. Lu.”
Under his coaxing, she murmured “Hubby.”
Soon, the sound of the nightstand drawer opening echoed through the room. He persuaded her to help him put it on.
Her face flushed crimson, her fingers trembling, but she obediently did as asked.
Once, twice, again and again.
The images lingered in Lu Jin’an’s mind, Gu Nianyi’s face crystal clear.
Her eyes misty with steam, her lips glistening with moisture.
Her chest heaving with ragged breaths.
Damn it.
The feeling surged again.
Lu Jin’an relieved himself before it was over.
He returned to the room and pulled Gu Nianyi into his arms.
“Dr. Lu?” she murmured his name again.
Still half-asleep, her voice was warm and soft, tickling at his heart.
He was just quenching his thirst—nothing more.
Taking advantage once again, he covered her lips with his.
Everything about her was so soft.
Before the train could derail, Lu Jin’an slammed on the brakes. Her condition wasn’t fully healed yet.
She needed proper rest.
Daylight fully broke. Gu Nianyi and Lu Jin’an woke in each other’s arms.
They tacitly averted their eyes, unable to face one another, as if they’d done something guilty.
Neither knew the other had dreamed something eerily similar.
They bumped into each other at the dressing room door, in the bathroom, and at the entryway.
The embarrassment was unbearable.
“You first.”
“You first.”
In the end, they politely deferred to each other, neither daring to step out ahead.
It was the first time either had come so close to being late for work.
At the office, Gu Nianyi kept zoning out and making mistakes. Even Shen Lingyun noticed something was off.
“Yi Yi Sis, are you feeling unwell?”
“I had insomnia last night. Didn’t sleep well.”
A wet dream was basically the same as insomnia, wasn’t it?
She hadn’t just dreamed of being licked—she’d dreamed of full-on sex.
It had drained her completely.
Lu Jin’an’s ragged breaths still echoed in her ears.
Gu Nianyi shook her head. It was broad daylight, and she was at work. No time for naughty thoughts.
With temptation like him around, could anyone blame her?
The awkwardness lingered until they saw each other that evening—eyes flickering away, bumping elbows and feet like it was their wedding night all over again.
Gu Nianyi climbed into bed, her limbs stiff as boards.
She sneaked a glance at the man beside her. The light shone straight down, sharpening the edges of his profile: high nose, thin lips.
When he kissed her, his nose would brush hers. His lashes were long and curled, casting a small shadow.
Those pitch-black eyes could drown a person.
He lounged lazily against the headboard, his gaze half-lidded and indifferent.
He seemed utterly unmoved; only she was the one rattled.
On the side she couldn’t see, Lu Jin’an’s lips curved. He’d caught the little peeker.
This awkwardness couldn’t go on. He decided to break the ice.
Lu Jin’an handed her his phone. “Which style and layout do you like?”
Gu Nianyi looked up in confusion and took the phone. It was filled with design blueprints. “For Nian Gao?”
“Yeah.”
Lu Jin’an added, “If none of them work, we can talk to the designer.”
Gu Nianyi swiped through the album. Each design showed real thought and care.
“This one. Nian Gao would love the swing.”
Nian Gao couldn’t speak, but she meowed plenty—and she haughtily ignored people or things she disliked.
Gu Nianyi sighed wistfully. “Dr. Lu, you’re so good to her now.”
“Was I not before?”
The room fell quiet. Her silence was answer enough.
Before?
It wasn’t that he was bad to her—he just hadn’t been like this.
Gu Nianyi couldn’t say it outright: back when she’d asked if she could bring her cat, he’d coldly refused, saying no and that he hated shedding fur.
And now, he was building a cat house!
Men changed so quickly. How much time had passed?
Gu Nianyi pressed her lips together, unable to hide her smile. “Dr. Lu, you should eat more walnuts.”
Was she saying his memory was shot?
“Gu Nianyi!”
He furrowed his brows, calling her full name in that crisp, chilling tone.
In the past, when Lu Jin’an called her name like that, Gu Nianyi would have immediately bowed her head.
This time, she met his eyes head-on. “Dr. Lu, you haven’t changed a bit. Still so fierce.”
With that, Gu Nianyi couldn’t help but dive under the covers.
She had no confidence in her heart and didn’t know what Dr. Lu thought of her. Would he find her unreasonable and making a fuss over nothing?
She suddenly realized that she might be taking liberties because of his indulgence.
He probably wouldn’t like her acting this way, right?
Everyone preferred someone more obedient.
Lu Jin’an watched the girl’s back as she lay there, reflecting on himself. Had he just been harsh with her?
“I didn’t yell at you.”
What was he doing? Apologizing?
Gu Nianyi couldn’t quite read his mind. She clutched the bedsheet. “Oh, I know.”
She was still upset with him and didn’t lie flat to sleep like usual. Instead, she turned her back to him.
Lu Jin’an had no choice but to ask Zhou Ziyu. 【Am I scary?】
It was the middle of the night when Zhou Ziyu received Lu Jin’an’s private message, which struck him as odd. 【Dr. Lu, you’re not scary. You just don’t smile much and come off as cold.】
He made a reasonable guess. 【What, did you snap at your sister-in-law?】
Otherwise, there’d be no reason for a midnight chat.
Lu Jin’an: 【No.】
Zhou Ziyu followed up right away. 【Women need coaxing. You have to go along with them, not keep a straight face or look all stern.】
Coax her? How?
Lu Jin’an had no experience.
He gave it a try. “I really didn’t yell at you.”
Ugh, why hadn’t he come over yet?
“I know.” Gu Nianyi’s muffled voice came from under the covers.
She could tell if he was really angry or just pretending.
Lu Jin’an’s voice was naturally steady and clear. He deliberately lowered the volume, but it clashed with his usual demeanor—too stiff and out of place.
Who coaxed someone like they were giving a lecture?
Gu Nianyi struggled to hold it in, barely keeping from laughing out loud.
Lu Jin’an clearly wasn’t satisfied with her response. He turned her body around to face him. “Are you still mad?”
Heaven knows, she really wasn’t mad. She was still worrying whether Dr. Lu was mad at her.
“I’m not mad. I’m just tired and want to sleep.”
Gu Nianyi rubbed her eyes.
“Good night.”
Lu Jin’an was highly efficient. The next day, workers came to the house to take measurements. Gu Nianyi hugged Nian Gao. “Nian Gao baby, you’re going to have your own room. That’s great.”
When they had first found her, she had been so skinny, her fur all dirty and matted.
Now she was plump and white, with a bunch of cute outfits.
They wouldn’t need to knock down any walls. A solid wooden cat tree in the shape of a tree, plus a little sofa, cat bed, and other toys would do the trick.
Since it involved wood, it would need time to air out before she could play in it.
While Gu Nianyi went to bake some chicken wings, Lu Jin’an took out some cat strips to bribe Nian Gao.
“A kitten’s only as good as its mother, got it?”
“This is your home. You can’t go off with some other guy.”
“Remember, I’m your dad.”
Nian Gao lowered her head to munch on the snack, thinking this man was really weird.
Babbling things she couldn’t understand.
Gu Nianyi came out and saw the harmonious scene of man and cat. She said in mock anger, “Dr. Lu, feeding Nian Gao snacks again? She’s put on a few pounds since coming here.”
Now, just carrying Nian Gao a few steps made her pant.
Lu Jin’an stroked the little cat’s head. “We can afford to feed her.”
If he couldn’t keep the cat, how could he keep the person?
His phone rang from the hospital. Lu Jin’an answered and told Gu Nianyi, “There’s an emergency at the hospital. I have to go.”
He reminded her, “Lock the doors and windows. Call me if anything comes up.”
Gu Nianyi waved to him. “Got it, Dr. Lu.”
Her heart felt as sweet as honey, though. The old Lu Jin’an wouldn’t have been like this. If he said he wouldn’t be back, he wouldn’t—and he certainly wouldn’t have worried about her being home alone.
Did this mean he cared about her, even just a little?
Alone at home, Gu Nianyi got a call from an unfamiliar local South City number. She hung up, but it rang again. “Hello?”
“Has Ming Yue come to see you?”
Xie Yunting’s anxious voice came through the receiver.
Gu Nianyi jumped off the bed. “No, what’s going on?”
She had a bad feeling.
Xie Yunting said, “She’s missing. No one’s at home, and her phone’s off.”
After hanging up, Gu Nianyi tried calling Ming Yue’s two numbers. One went unanswered; the other was powered off.
She didn’t waste another second. She changed clothes, grabbed her keys, and rushed out the door.
In the late-night chill of South City, a biting wind howled through the streets as cars zipped by. Ming Yue walked aimlessly in her thin coat.
She didn’t know where to go. This huge city had no place for her.
Gu Nianyi had her own family now; she couldn’t impose.
And Xie Yunting? They weren’t from the same world to begin with.
An hour later, Lu Jin’an emerged from the operating room. Fortunately, it had been touch-and-go but no real danger—the patient had arrived in time.
He had several missed calls on his phone, from Gu Nianyi and Xie Yunting.
Lu Jin’an called Gu Nianyi back.
Her voice came through from the other end, laced with tears.
“Dr. Lu, where could Ming Yue be?”
She had driven to all their usual spots and found nothing.
Lu Jin’an jogged back to his office while reassuring her. “Don’t worry. Her phone must be dead. Xie Yunting’s looking for her too. She’ll turn up fine.”
Half an hour later, Xie Yunting reported that he’d found Ming Yue and brought her home.
Gu Nianyi rushed over and spent a long time talking with Ming Yue, coaxing her to sleep.
Xie Yunting waited in the living room. “What’s wrong with Ming Yue?”
“I can’t say.”
Gu Nianyi paused. “If she wants you to know, she’ll tell you herself.”
“But if you don’t tell me now, what if she…” In his anxiety, Xie Yunting’s voice rose without him realizing.
Lu Jin’an took Gu Nianyi’s hand. His sharp gaze fixed on Xie Yunting, his tone icy. “Xie Yunting, don’t push her. This is my wife.”
He pulled Gu Nianyi toward the door.
Gu Nianyi instructed Xie Yunting, “Take care of Ming Yue. I’ll come by tomorrow.”