The twо stооd оn еither side of thе slеnder bar сounter еаting stеаk. Аftеr a few bitеs, Luan Nian turned to make wаtеrmelоn juicе. Не fеlt somеthing grеаsу сlogging his stоmach and urgеntlу wantеd something cоld to drink. It was аlso beсаusе hе lооkеd up and sаw Shаng Zhi Tао with hеr eуes lоwеred, her lоng еyеlashes fluttering slightlу, making his heart itсh unbеаrablу.
Probablу bесausе hе hаd bееn singlе for tоо long. Luаn Nian сouldn’t find anу reаsоnаble ехрlаnation, ignoring thе thoughts he had previоusly harborеd toward Shаng Zhi Tао. A glаss of watermelon juice, mostly filled with crushed ice, finally managed to suppress the fire in his heart. But then he heard Shang Zhi Tao say to him, “Could I have a glass of watermelon juice too?”
Shang Zhi Tao was also thirsty. She felt her legs go a little weak, though she couldn’t quite explain why.
Luan Nian placed a glass of watermelon juice in front of her. He watched her finish the steak and drink the juice. She seemed to be enjoying herself, her eyes curved into gentle crescents. After eating, she thanked him with a well-mannered demeanor, “Thank you, Luke. I won’t disturb you any longer!”
Shang Zhi Tao put on her coat and walked to the door. She wanted to turn around and bid farewell to Luan Nian, but she saw him leaning against the wall, his gaze fixed on her, deep and different from usual. Shang Zhi Tao recalled the pang of pain she had felt earlier when watching Luan Nian sing on stage, and her farewell words stuck in her throat. She simply looked at Luan Nian, her eyes timid yet filled with some ambiguous emotion she couldn’t quite name—where it came from or where it would go.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Luan Nian asked her casually.
Shang Zhi Tao shook her head.
“Are you open to one-night stands?” Luan Nian asked again. He asked as if he frequently engaged in such encounters.
Shang Zhi Tao had never been asked such a question before. In her limited understanding, she had always associated sex with love. But now, with Luan Nian’s question, her thoughts were in disarray. She shook her head, then nodded. Her body instinctively leaned back, but Luan Nian blocked her against the door.
His kiss overwhelmed her, leaving her breathless. She wanted to leave, but when her palm touched the rhythm of his heartbeat, she surrendered. Shang Zhi Tao couldn’t tell whether she was following desire or genuine affection; she simply felt she wanted to stay.
Luan Nian tasted the tip of her tongue, the fresh sweetness of watermelon, and the slight chill of crushed ice. The clean scent of her filled his nostrils, so unusual.
Once a young girl is stirred by passion, she pours out the surging emotions within her—thoroughly yet gently and obediently. Even though Luan Nian was exceptionally fierce, she found it utterly wonderful.
Luan Nian wanted a purely physical relationship—one that required no deep emotional investment or effort to maintain. If they were compatible, they would be together; if not, they would part ways. He found a perfect excuse for his behavior: relationships were too exhausting.
Shang Zhi Tao’s palm rested against the skin of his neck, her eyes never daring to open. Sweat soaked their clothes. Luan Nian’s shirt remained on from start to finish. They completed their first act of intimacy right there by the door in Luan Nian’s home—a passionate encounter.The events of that day were unforgettable. On a day with howling winds, some time after Shang Zhi Tao left Luan Nian, she sat by the window watching the northern gale scatter tree branches in disarray. Suddenly, she recalled that night between her and Luan Nian. She might never again experience such passion and recklessness. Luan Nian had planted a spell on her, tugging at her relentlessly over those years, yet she could never take the first step to leave him.
When it was all over, neither of them spoke. Looking back carefully, it was impossible to trace how it had just happened—emotions surged abruptly, the process was intense, leaving no time for thought. Shang Zhi Tao finally calmed down, realizing she too had become entangled in Luan Nian’s scandalous affairs. It was absurd, childish. She couldn’t bring herself to spread the news everywhere, yet Luan Nian could quietly dismiss her. She cautiously speculated about Luan Nian’s thoughts, guessing he probably didn’t want to bother with it.
After a moment of contemplation, she finally spoke: “Luke… just now, I mean, it was an accident. We’re both adults, one-night stands are normal. Let’s not make this awkward, thank you.” She even thanked Luan Nian, then turned her back to him to tidy her clothes. Once dressed, she stood up: “Well… I’ll be going.” She attributed what happened between them to a momentary impulse, hoping to avoid awkwardness in future meetings. Whether Luan Nian felt shortchanged, Shang Zhi Tao didn’t know, but she didn’t feel shortchanged—in fact, she thought the experience had been amazing.
Is this how people say goodbye after a one-night stand? Or should she have left some money for Luan Nian? His service was quite good… Lost in wild thoughts, she walked out the door. Luan Nian remained silent.
But once outside, Shang Zhi Tao felt regret. Why hadn’t she stayed a little longer? She wouldn’t get to sleep with him again. As she neared the entrance of Luan Nian’s residential complex, the night wind was so strong it made her hesitate. Gritting her teeth, she turned back and walked to his house. Her hand hovered over the doorbell, but before she could press it, Luan Nian opened the outer garden gate, pulling her inside.
Still without a word, Luan Nian lifted Shang Zhi Tao and carried her toward the bedroom on the second floor. His clothes brushed against her face, and her lips sought his. Shang Zhi Tao’s passion surprised Luan Nian. He tossed her onto the bed, leaning over her, his voice hoarse as he asked, “Why did you come back?”
“Thinking there won’t be another chance made me feel it’s a pity.” Shang Zhi Tao was rarely this bold; all the audacity of her life was spent that night. She truly enjoyed the intimacy with Luan Nian—it felt incredible.
Luan Nian’s lips pressed against her neck, his teeth gently grazing her skin as he whispered, “Whenever you want, anytime.”
Shang Zhi Tao felt her body reborn. When she broke up with Xin Zhaozhou, she mistakenly believed she would never be with anyone else again, thinking her body could only accept Xin Zhaozhou. Now, she suddenly realized: when a woman sheds the shackles of outdated notions and explores purely by instinct, bodily liberation comes so easily.
This was simply wonderful.
That night, they hardly spoke. In silent struggle, they melted into each other’s bodies again and again. Shang Zhi Tao felt she had turned into mud on the ground after an early spring rain—no matter how she tried, she could not be shaped into form.It was just before dawn when they finally thought of sleep. Having an extra person suddenly in bed was something neither was accustomed to—Shang Zhi Tao was no exception, and neither was Luan Nian. He was used to his freedom, refusing even to hire a live-in housekeeper, and he never slept with women. Each of them clung to their own corner of the blanket, guarding their side of the bed. Suddenly, Shang Zhi Tao thought: Aren’t people who have one-night stands supposed to leave right after? Only couples spend the night together. Clearing her throat, she asked Luan Nian, "Luke, do you have a guest room at home…"
"Next door."
"Can I sleep in the guest room?"
"Mhm."
Shang Zhi Tao felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She hastily threw on her clothes and went to the room next door. The night’s intense battle had left her unable to keep her eyes open, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She really had a big heart.
Luan Nian, however, couldn’t sleep. What exactly happened last night? How did he end up making a move on Shang Zhi Tao? He doubted himself a little, including the words he had said: "Whenever you want, it’s fine."
Fuck. Was he crazy? Just because she wanted him? Would there ever be another loss of control like last night? Impossible. He was also a little angry. Who would have thought Shang Zhi Tao was so open-minded? A one-night stand was normal, fine. If that’s how you think, I’m really quite relieved.
Luan Nian’s thoughts wandered for a long time before he finally fell asleep. He slept incredibly well, as if last night’s exhilaration had installed a sleep switch inside him, making it easy for him to drift off. He didn’t know how long he slept, but when he opened his eyes, it was already evening. Luan Nian felt a long-lost sense of clarity, as if his meridians had been unblocked—refreshed, clear-headed, and in a pleasant mood. He jumped out of bed to take a shower, suddenly remembering that someone was still sleeping in the guest room next door. He knocked on the door, "Time to get up."
No one answered.
Pushing the door open, the bed was neat and tidy, with no trace of anyone having slept there. On the pillow was a piece of paper with a few words written on it: "Thanks for your hard work last night, Luke." The bold, flowing handwriting exuded a sharp and decisive style. ??? Thanks for your hard work last night, Luke? Did Shang Zhi Tao treat him like a gigolo? Leaving a note, patting her butt, and leaving without even saying goodbye?
Luan Nian was once again amused and angered by Shang Zhi Tao. This woman really had some nerve! He casually tossed the note into a drawer and went downstairs. He was in a rather good mood, whistling as he headed to the gym and stepped onto the treadmill. His heart rate climbed, and the dopamine released during exercise was exhilarating, though not quite as intense as last night. Shang Zhi Tao, such a gentle girl, had an astonishing passion. Luan Nian remembered her soft murmur as she cupped his face, searching for his lips, wanting to give their recklessness a tender ending.
Tan Mian called to invite him out for drinks, and he agreed, changing his clothes and heading out.
Luan Nian carried a weariness of physical satisfaction, yet with a hint of spirited confidence. Tan Mian’s gaze swept over him several times before he smiled meaningfully.
"What’s up?" Luan Nian sat down and looked at him.
Tan Mian pointed at his face. "Your face is screaming: I had great sex last night."
Luan Nian raised an eyebrow but didn’t answer, which only piqued Tan Mian’s curiosity. "Got a new girlfriend?"
"No."
"A bed partner? Are you that kind of person?"
"What kind of person?"
"The kind who casually has one-night stands?"
"None of your damn business."
Luan Nian couldn’t be bothered to explain. This was his private life, and he had no intention of laying it bare for others to see. But Tan Mian wouldn’t let it go. "Can’t say? You never used to hide things before."
"What, do you want me to give you a rundown?""So you really have a bed partner now?" Tan Mian was determined to get an answer. He didn't usually have many pastimes, and having stumbled upon such an amusing matter, he was set on digging deeper.
Luan Nian leaned back in his chair, looking half-dead. After a long while, he finally tossed out a single word: "Accident."
He treated that night as an accident, completely ignoring his own long-standing scheming. Ever since that glance he cast at Shang Zhi Tao in Guangzhou, he had been filled with wicked thoughts. Suppressing himself on one hand while wanting to rebel on the other.
"Accidents are good. Men and women in big cities encounter accidents every day." Tan Mian winked at him.
"You really have a wide range of concerns," Luan Nian said to Tan Mian.
Logically, he should have regretted what happened last night. He considered himself a rather shallow person—he didn’t need a female companion to be particularly talented; good looks were enough. He simply liked beautiful women. Dazzling beauty stimulated his mind to produce more creativity. Shang Zhi Tao was just such an ordinary girl, without a clever mind either. She didn’t meet any of his expectations for a woman.
But he didn’t regret it. In fact, he felt quite pleased. The one who had sworn this morning that he would never have anything to do with Shang Zhi Tao again was now wavering. Luan Nian was somewhat surprised—he had never been one to drag things out.
What was going on with him today?
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