A faint floral fragrance wafted in the evening breeze. Cheng Wanyue lowered her head to count how many roses there were, while Qing Hang carried the backpack and listened to her call Cheng Yanqing to say she wouldn’t be coming home tonight.
In the past, Cheng Yanqing hadn’t kept tabs on her. Sometimes she wouldn’t come home for days, and he wouldn’t even know.
The courtyard Qing Hang had rented in Baicheng wasn’t far from the Cheng family home, but it wasn’t particularly close either. Cheng Wanyue would barely stay at her grandmother’s for a few minutes before running over to his place.
Yan Ci lived in the staff apartment building across from the Cheng family compound.
At that time, she had wanted to find Yan Ci. Yan Ci was two grades ahead of them—when they were in their first year of high school, Yan Ci was already in his third year. He often had extra classes on weekends, started morning self-study earlier than they did, and finished evening self-study later. He also wasn’t in the same teaching building. It wasn’t until Yan Ci’s parents died in a car accident that he missed the college entrance exam and lost a year. When he repeated his senior year, they became classmates in the same grade.
Cheng Wanyue heard music on the other end of the phone and guessed that the three of them must have gone somewhere else to drink.
Cheng Yanqing didn’t have strong opinions about her not returning home tonight. He just reminded her a few extra times not to stay up too late and to go to bed early.
Too many people had wished her a happy birthday. She set her phone to silent mode, planning to reply tomorrow.
The nearest hotel didn’t allow pets, but there was a pet center next door. The receptionist suggested they leave the cat there.
“No, Coal Ball has to stay with us,” Cheng Wanyue looked up at Qing Hang, hooking his pinky with hers and gently swinging it. “It just met me. If I abandon it, it will be sad.”
Qing Hang said, “Let’s find another hotel that allows pets.”
“Mm-hmm!” She followed him out. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
The tips of his ears turned slightly red, and his grip on her hand tightened. “I’m fine.”
Cheng Wanyue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Although he wasn’t urgent, men and women had different physiological responses when aroused. “I’m not asking about that… I’m asking if you feel sick from drinking, if you want to throw up, if your head hurts, if you’re thirsty.”
“I’m not drunk.”
“Even if you were drunk, I’d sober you up.”
After trying four hotels in a row, they finally found one that allowed pets. Qing Hang registered their information, got the room key, and took the elevator upstairs.
Cheng Wanyue took a disposable cup to get water for Coal Ball. She looked around, wondering where to put the kitten later.
The bathroom wouldn’t work—it wasn’t suitable and would be in the way.
The balcony was even worse—too dangerous.
Letting it stay in the room seemed a bit inappropriate for its young eyes.
Just as Cheng Wanyue was about to speak to Qing Hang, she turned to see him pulling his shirt off over his head. He had sweated a lot throughout the evening.
Young doctors were especially busy, particularly in their first two years at the hospital. When Zhou Heng had signed up for a gym membership, the owner said two people could get a discount, so Zhou Heng had brought Qing Hang along.
So he did work out regularly.
Clothes showed off his figure, and when shirtless, his abs were visible. His muscle definition wasn’t exaggerated, but it was powerful.
There was an empty vase on the table. He took it into the bathroom, filled it halfway with water, and arranged the roses in it.
A few petals fell onto the carpet. Coal Ball approached to sniff them, but didn’t seem to like the smell. It circled Qing Hang’s feet twice, then jumped onto the table, and with another light leap, landed on the sofa, curling up on his freshly removed shirt and yawning.
The mineral water bottle was knocked over, and a small box fell from the table.
Qing Hang steadied the water bottle but didn’t catch the box in time. Cheng Wanyue was still crouching by the paper cup where Coal Ball was drinking, and the box hit her on the head.
They both looked down at the same time.
Size M, unusable.
Last time it had gotten stuck halfway.
But it wasn’t a big problem—the hotel was well-stocked with all sizes and even several types of toys.
Their shadows overlapped at the foot of the bed, and Cheng Wanyue suddenly forgot what she had wanted to say. Qing Hang picked up the box and put it back in its place, braced his left hand on the sofa armrest, lowered his body, and ran his right hand through her hair to grip the back of her neck, gently pulling her toward him.
The air conditioning was quite cool, but as her arms wrapped around his neck, every inch of skin she touched was burning hot.
Compared to outside, his kisses became much more direct once the door closed and they were alone.
Their tongues entwined, amplifying the subtle sounds like a kitten lapping up water.
Cheng Wanyue fell sitting onto the carpet. Qing Hang knelt in front of her. She was wearing a black spaghetti-strap dress with a zipper at the side of the waist. Qing Hang felt around but couldn’t find it.
“It’s here,” she guided his hand to the zipper. “This is my first time wearing it. Don’t ruin it.”
“Mm,” Qing Hang’s movements became gentler and slower.
As he undressed her, she touched him too. Her cool fingers traced from his Adam’s apple downward, reaching the metal buckle as she tried to undo his belt.
The first time Cheng Wanyue had undone his belt, she had been at a disadvantage.
She had meant to teach him a lesson, starting with mischievous intentions, but he was no longer the Qing Hang who would let her bully him without fighting back.
He was Qing Xiaogou (Little Dog Qing).
Just as she was about to do something, he pinned her to the bed and used the belt she had unfastened to tie her hands behind her back.
The belt had no elasticity. Not only had she exhausted herself trying to break free without success, but she had also left a red mark on her wrist from the pressure.
She cursed at him, but he ignored her.
When she finally cried from anger, he was the one who came to comfort her.
She was still furious, and a few sweet words wouldn’t be enough to appease her.
Qing Hang apologized and spoke gently, but she continued to cry, saying she wouldn’t forgive him unless he allowed her to bind him the same way.