Su Jin stirred awake, blinking as the sound of water reached her ears. She found herself seated on a small stool by the bathtub, and in front of her, Luo Xian was crouched down, adjusting the faucet and testing the water temperature.
He turned his head to her and said casually, "You're awake."
A jolt of panic coursed through Su Jin. Were they… about to bathe together? Surely not!
But Luo Xian, with his usual air of nonchalance, said, "Now that you've rested enough, let's get to work."
"Work?" Su Jin repeated, utterly baffled.
He looked at her, a faint smirk on his lips. "Help me bathe."
"What?!" Su Jin's voice rose in disbelief. "Even bathing? You're unbelievable!"
Her exasperation only seemed to amuse him further. The cold and commanding Luo Xian she knew was nowhere to be seen; in his place was someone unreasonably childish. She glared at him, but he seemed utterly unbothered.
"You're my wife. Taking care of me is your duty. That includes bathing me," he said as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Before she could protest further, Luo Xian began unbuttoning his shirt, his movements deliberate and taunting. A mischievous, almost predatory smile played on his lips as he glanced at her.
The sight was too much. Su Jin turned her head sharply, her cheeks flaming red. "You're shameless!" she muttered.
"Shameless? How so?" Luo Xian's voice was as smooth as silk. "I didn't realize it was shameless for a husband to undress in front of his wife."
"You're doing this on purpose!" Su Jin accused.
He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "Did I ever claim otherwise? Now, come here and help me undress. After all, dressing and undressing me are part of your responsibilities."
"You're insane!" Su Jin exploded, leaping off the stool. "I'm not doing this!" She spun around, intent on storming out of the bathroom, but before she could take another step, Luo Xian's hand shot out, pulling her back into his arms. The sudden movement sent them both tumbling into the bathtub, water splashing everywhere.
Luo Xian's deep chuckle rumbled in her ear as he tightened his hold around her. "Now that we're both wet, it's only fair that we help each other undress. Don't you think?"
Su Jin squirmed in his grasp, mortified. The white shirt she was wearing clung to her body, becoming nearly transparent under the water. Luo Xian's intense gaze swept over her, and his dark green eyes deepened with an unmistakable heat.
She crossed her arms over her chest, her face burning. "Stop staring!"
Luo Xian didn't even pretend to look away. "Why not? It's a beautiful sight."
"You're a pervert!" she hissed.
His smirk was utterly shameless. "Haven't I told you before? There's not a single inch of you that I haven't seen already."
Su Jin's jaw dropped. Speechless and flustered, she could only glare at him.
"Now," Luo Xian said, his voice teasing but firm, "start working."
Her hands trembled as she hesitantly reached for the buttons of his shirt. Each movement felt like an eternity, her embarrassment growing with every undone button. Luo Xian, on the other hand, seemed entirely too entertained by her discomfort, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You're not very skilled at this," he remarked, leaning closer. "But don't worry. You'll improve with practice."
"You're impossible!" Su Jin snapped, her voice quivering. But her anger only seemed to encourage him.
He matched her movements, his hands beginning to undress her with a maddening lack of shame. Su Jin's protests were drowned in the rising steam, and soon, the line between servant and master blurred into something entirely different.
"Luo Xian, I hate you!" Su Jin exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.
His response was immediate, a wicked grin lighting up his face. "Then hate me until you fall in love with me. I don't mind."
The next morning, Su Jin rose early and headed to the kitchen. She was determined to make herself useful—to prove that she wasn't just some ornamental "pet" waiting to be cared for.
Despite her circumstances, she found a strange sense of solace in the routine of cooking and cleaning. Even if it was self-deception, even if her life had become a series of compromises, she wanted to believe she still had some control.
She prepared a simple yet hearty breakfast: congee with side dishes, fried eggs, and freshly brewed soy milk. For good measure, she also made a Western-style option—toast with ham, eggs, and cheese—just in case Luo Xian wasn't fond of traditional fare.
As she worked, humming softly to herself, she didn't notice the man quietly entering the kitchen. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she stiffened as Luo Xian pulled her back against his chest.
His breath was warm against her ear as he murmured, "You're beautiful."
Her heart skipped a beat. She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.
"Let me go," she protested weakly. "I'm busy."
Luo Xian chuckled, his chest vibrating against her back. "Busy?" he echoed. "What could possibly be more important than this?"
Su Jin's cheeks flushed. "Breakfast! You're going to make me burn everything!"
Reluctantly, he released her. But before she could fully escape, he tilted her head back and captured her lips in a searing kiss. His dominance was evident, his lips demanding and relentless. By the time he pulled away, Su Jin was breathless and dazed.
"I'll wait for you at the table," he said, his tone far too casual for someone who had just stolen a kiss.
When Su Jin finally carried the breakfast to the dining room, Luo Xian was already seated, his long legs stretched out casually. He took the tray from her hands and set it down, then pulled her onto his lap before she could protest.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, scooping a spoonful of congee and blowing on it before bringing it to her lips.
"I can feed myself," Su Jin mumbled, her face hot.
"I'm sure you can," Luo Xian replied, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "But where's the fun in that?"
Her stomach betrayed her, growling loudly. Luo Xian's laughter was rich and unapologetic as he teased, "Lying doesn't suit you."
Defeated, Su Jin allowed him to feed her, though she couldn't help feeling self-conscious. Luo Xian alternated between feeding her and taking bites himself, the shared meal creating an oddly intimate atmosphere.
By the time the food was gone, Su Jin's cheeks were burning, and she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
"Let's go shopping," Luo Xian announced after breakfast, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Shopping? Like this?" Su Jin gestured at her outfit—his oversized shirt from the night before.
Luo Xian chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I've already had some clothes prepared for you. But I thought it'd be more fun to let you choose your own."
His gaze softened as he spoke, and Su Jin felt an unfamiliar warmth bloom in her chest. Was he weaving a web around her? One made of tenderness and charm that she couldn't quite resist?
Luo Xian's words from the night before echoed in her mind: "Hate me until you love me."
Her heart clenched, a confusing mix of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Was she already falling into his trap? Or was this something more than just a game of dominance and submission?