The living room was bathed in bright light as the three of them sat, a tinge of awkwardness in the air.
"Mom, this is my girlfriend, Shen JinHuan. JinHuan, this is my mom," Ji Yan introduced them to each other.
JinHuan was adept at handling such situations and sweetly greeted, "Hello, Auntie!"
Seeing her son's girlfriend being so cordial, his mother felt compelled to respond despite the initial shock.
Trying to clear her mind of the earlier wild noises and acting as if nothing had happened, she nodded, "Well, you two should get some rest, and, I'll be going now. In a few days, let Ji Yan bring you over for dinner, dear."
"Of course, goodbye Auntie."
"Mom, should I walk you out?"
"No need, stay here." She said, forcefully closing the door behind her, sealing off any further discussion.
JinHuan began to explore the quaint apartment, its size quite small compared to her previous quarters.
Although she had never lived in such a compact space before, she found it intriguing. The functionality was similar to a hotel but it felt more homely, with a simple, clean decor that differed from the luxurious spaces she was accustomed to. It had a touch of a pastoral vibe.
The duplex comprised two bedrooms of nearly equal size, both with 1.8-meter beds. For a duplex apartment, it was relatively spacious.
"Has anyone else stayed here before?"
"No."
"Where will I sleep tonight?"
He hesitated before asking, "Can we sleep together?"
With a teasing smile, JinHuan poked his stomach. "You're always so full of ideas," she flirted, her voice rising playfully at the end.
His breathing became erratic, and he grasped her wrist. "JinHuan, JinHuan," he pleaded.
When she didn't pull away, his heart raced, and he pulled her close.
Each step upstairs was steady yet hurried.
Their shadows mingled as he pressed her against him, dropping kisses along her lips, cheeks, and neck...
"JinHuan, JinHuan," he called out her name urgently.
Her eyes, hazy with emotion, watched him as she drew him closer, whispering beside his ear, "What is it?"
His eyes reddened, his hands trembling as he touched her.
His breath was ragged. "JinHuan, may I, may I?"
Though he asked, he was already moving ahead with his desires.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against him as his energy enveloped her.
The orange glow intensified, feeding into her veins.
The patterns on the ShenHuan Pearl began to proliferate rapidly, the emotions of the moment reaching a peak.
Once again, she fell asleep as her body, still too weak to handle the surge of energy, adjusted to the influx.
Initially, with an orange-level energy as her first, she set a high starting point, previously beginning with only the most basic level.
As Ji Yan kissed her neck, he noticed her steady breathing and realized she had fallen asleep, dousing his ardor.
A sense of defeat crept over him. Was intimacy with him so dull that she could sleep through it?
He dared not wake her, instead gently wiping her face with a washed cloth.
He had bought her pajamas, which he had washed and ironed in advance.
But as he changed her, he couldn't help but bleed a little from his nose; such reactions were normal at his age, especially towards the woman he loved.
Her beauty was intoxicating in the green silk nightgown.
He might harbor desires, but with JinHuan asleep, he would not take advantage. After adjusting the air conditioning and tucking her in, he lay beside her, holding her close.
It took him hours to fall asleep, tormented by the vivid images of the woman beside him.
At dawn, he drifted off only to be awoken by JinHuan's playful touch.
She was already stirring, her actions knowledgeable and deliberate, quickly leaving him breathless and overwhelmed.
He kissed her cheek softly. "Naughty JinHuan," he murmured.
She looked at him with feigned innocence, denying any mischief.
He was about to embrace her when she gently pushed him back. "Go wash up first; no touching me otherwise."
Resigned, he complied, while JinHuan turned to her phone, flipping through a dictionary to better understand the modern language.
Returning fresh from the shower, Ji Yan found her still absorbed in her studies, now enveloped in the fragrance of his soap.
In a few days, he would start his new role and wouldn't be able to be by her side at all times, making these moments even more precious.
He wrapped his arms around her, newly invigorated. "JinHuan, did I help you change last night?"
"Yes," he admitted, savoring the scent of her hair.
She didn't mind his closeness, but wasn't in the mood for more intimacy. As he leaned in for a kiss, she tilted her head away. "I'm hungry, let's go eat."
She wasn't really hungry; it was just a convenient excuse.
"Alright," he said, lifting her in his arms.
Having explored her thoroughly the night before, Ji Yan felt changed; he clung to her even more desperately, his possessiveness growing.
He encircled her lightly. "I'll help you get dressed."
"Okay."
Moments later, she looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with unspoken allure.
Ji Yan thought he knew all there was to know about women, but JinHuan taught him the vivid truths of those old tales.
He realized that indeed, drawing deeply could elicit sweet addiction.
She was dressed in a stunning red dress today, looking utterly breathtaking.
JinHuan admired herself in the mirror and then nonchalantly opened an antique jewelry box, retrieving a top-grade red jade bracelet which she slipped onto her wrist, enhancing her regal demeanor.
Ji Yan chose his new BMW for their outing, feeling it offered the best comfort.
As he fastened her seatbelt, he stole another kiss, savoring her lips until her lipstick was gone.
The orange glow around them grew more intense, her gaze on him softening further.
Driving away, Ji Yan felt unusually sharp-eyed, mentioning this change to JinHuan who simply smiled, her secrets kept close.
Their car left the garage, heading towards a day filled with possibilities, her presence by his side turning every moment into something extraordinary.