Weiwei was in a state of cautious bliss. Qi's hand was wrapped around her neck as they lay in her bed. His breathing pleasantly tickled her upper back.
Weiwei's first time didn't bring her complete ecstasy, but she wasn't dissatisfied either. The best way she could describe her feelings was probably as being full of sweet pleasure.
I'm sure there will be more fireworks as I get used to it. Practice makes perfect.
She turned her head carefully to glance at Qi, whose eyes were closed.
He's probably tired after the long flight.
Weiwei started to inch slowly to the edge of the bed, trying to get up without waking him up. She instinctively searched for something to cover herself. She thought about it and found it amusing.
People make love naked, and when they're done, they look to cover themselves. Why is that? It's either okay to be naked together, or it's not. How can it change depending on what they're doing?
Nevertheless, she defeated her own argument by slipping into a long t-shirt before escaping to the bathroom.
She found her face to be glowing and a little tired. She splashed some cold water on it.
Everything was actually more pleasurable than I expected. Just not as loud as they show it in the movies.
She thought about it as well.
Do I want it to be loud? Probably a little louder, yes. I shouldn't try to restrain myself, and so shouldn't he. Silence means colder emotions, even if that's not the case under the covers.
Weiwei went to the kitchen for some water. She thought she'd stay there for a while. But after taking a few sips, she realized that her phone was still in the bedroom.
"What is wrong with you," she admonished herself. "Is your phone that necessary? You've just had sex with him, is there anything on your phone that could be remotely as important?"
She gazed out the window.
It doesn't mean there is nothing else in life besides him. But he's the most important person in my life. Not just because of today. But because of what he's done for me. Today was only possible because of what he's done for me.
She couldn't resist peeking into the bedroom to see whether Qi was still asleep, and if so, how cute he looked.
Look at him. This big man is sleeping like a baby in my bed.
She sat down on the edge and watched him sleep for a while. Then she slowly lay down next to him. Qi's hand moved to find her.
"Is that you?" he mumbled.
"Yes, go back to sleep," Weiwei said. She climbed under the blanket and moved closer.
***
In the evening, they ate in the kitchen, sitting close together. There was no need to pretend any more, so they touched and kissed and smiled to each other.
"Tell me, why did you quarrel with your grandfather again," Weiwei finally asked.
She felt bad about the possibility that she might be the primary cause of the rift between Qi and his grandfather.
"Well, it's the usual thing," Qi said, shaking his head. "When I agree to do something, he always demands more. He's trying to rope me into running the business again – exactly how he wants it and what he wants. It doesn't work like that. I can't be him. In fact, I don't want to be him. But that's what he wants."
"And that's why you disagreed again?"
"I'm sure there is more to it," Qi shrugged. "But if there's one thing I've learned with him, it's that if you give him an inch, he takes a foot. You just can't please him."
Weiwei gently patted Qi's hair: "My poor boy."
He smiled. "And so now, as I said, we'll have to get by just like everyone else."
Now it was Weiwei's turn to shrug. "Exactly, if everyone else can do it and be happy, why can't we? I never expected anything more from my life than getting by."
Qi pulled her closer and wrapped her in his arms. "That's exactly what I want to avoid. You should live like a princess, without a care in the world. You've suffered enough. I just want you to be with me and be happy."
They kissed softly.
"What would I do if I didn't have a care in the world," Weiwei said with a smile. "I'd probably be very bored, wouldn't I? So don't worry about me. As long as we get by together, I'll be perfectly happy."
Qi's face was serene and warm, his lips spreading into a jubilant smile. He said nothing, but his gaze was more than enough to make Weiwei drown in joy.