"Alright, everyone—today's livestream ends here. Thank you all for your support. See you next time."
After seeing off the reporters, Zhang Yichen delivered his final words to the livestream audience, then shut it down.
"Phew…"
The moment the stream ended, he let out a long breath, the tension in his chest finally easing.
It felt as if he had just come out of a battle.
Chen Xiaoxi walked over quietly and stopped beside him. Almost unconsciously, her right hand rested against his back.
Only then did she realize—
His clothes were already soaked through with sweat.
He might have looked calm and unruffled on the surface, but in truth, he had been just as nervous.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, concern clear in her eyes.
After all, he was still young.
How could he have been truly unfazed by a situation like that?
Feeling nervous was only natural.
Compared to her, though, his mental resilience was far stronger.
She still remembered the first time she faced so many reporters—she had been so nervous she couldn't even speak.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired." Zhang Yichen smiled at her. The curve of his lips showed fatigue, but his eyes were gentle. "What about you? Did any of those questions make you uncomfortable?"
Chen Xiaoxi shook her head and looked at him softly. "I'm fine. You took all the fire for me."
"What are we to each other?" Zhang Yichen said lightly, trying to ease her mood. "You're my wife—of course I should block bullets for you."
"Don't joke around!" Chen Xiaoxi lowered her head instantly, her face flushing red. Her voice was so soft it was almost a whisper. "Who's your wife? There are people around!"
"Heh…" Zhang Yichen chuckled and rubbed her head. "Alright, let's go home."
The simple gesture made her heart race, yet she didn't dodge it.
She liked it.
It made her feel cherished.
"Oh!" Suddenly, Chen Xiaoxi slapped her forehead. "There's a dressing room over there. I'll take you to change."
She had been so focused on talking that she nearly forgot—his back was completely drenched.
If he went out like this, he'd definitely catch a cold.
"Quickly!" She grabbed his hand and hurried toward the backstage dressing room.
Her palm was slightly damp, her fingers cold—clearly still tense.
Feeling her grip, Zhang Yichen laughed softly and leaned closer to her ear. "Why are you in such a hurry? Don't tell me you… missed me?"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Chen Xiaoxi shot him a glare, her cheeks tinged pink. "You're soaked. If you don't change now, you'll get sick."
"Alright, alright—listening to my wife." Zhang Yichen shrugged and let her pull him inside.
After entering, whether out of habit or something else, Chen Xiaoxi reflexively locked the door.
The room wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. Inside the wardrobe hung several unopened suits and shirts—clearly spare clothes prepared by the hotel.
She rummaged through and picked out a white shirt, handing it to him. "Here. This one should fit."
Zhang Yichen took the shirt, a teasing smile curling at his lips. "You're not planning to leave? Want to watch me change?"
Chen Xiaoxi froze for a moment before realizing what he meant. Her face instantly turned red like a ripe tomato. "Y-You… who wants to watch you?!"
She stammered out the words and turned to leave.
"Leaving already?" Zhang Yichen suddenly grabbed her wrist. His grip wasn't strong, but she couldn't break free.
"Really not watching?" He leaned close, his lips brushing her ear, his voice low and tempting. "I've got abs, you know. Eight of them."
"I—I—I'm not looking!" Her heartbeat went wild, her ears burning hot.
Yet her disobedient hands betrayed her, unconsciously resting against his firm abdomen.
Chen Xiaoxi had to admit—
Zhang Yichen had spoiled her.
He chuckled softly, covering her hand with his and guiding it along the tight lines of his muscles. "Well? Nice, right?"
His warm breath brushed her ear, carrying a hint of intimacy.
Her cheeks burned, her heart pounding like a drum, her breathing growing uneven.
"You… stop it…" She tried to pull her hand back, only to realize she was already completely trapped by him.
"Shy?" Zhang Yichen raised a brow, mischief flickering in his eyes—but beneath it was unmistakable tenderness.
His fingers lightly traced her palm, making her shoulders instinctively shrink.
"W-We should go back…" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Her reason screamed at her to stop—
But her body seemed bound by an invisible force, unable to move.
"Mm. We should." Zhang Yichen nodded, yet made no move to let her go.
His gaze fell on her lips, darkening, as if he might kiss her the very next second.
Feeling his burning stare, Chen Xiaoxi unconsciously licked her dry lips.
She didn't realize that this small, innocent gesture—
Was like striking a match.
The next moment, Zhang Yichen could no longer restrain himself.
He lowered his head and kissed her.
At first, it was gentle—tentative, as if testing, as if seeking her consent.
But as she responded, the kiss deepened, growing heated and intense, as though he wanted to pull her entirely into his world.
Chen Xiaoxi closed her eyes, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as she leaned fully into his embrace.
Her mind went blank, filled only with his breath and warmth, surrounding her so completely that there was no space left to think.
Zhang Yichen's fingers slid from her waist, gently undoing the buttons of her outerwear.
Her body trembled slightly, her breathing growing faster, her chest rising and falling with every unsteady breath.
"I want you," Zhang Yichen said in a low, husky voice, as though restraining something barely held in check.
"Mmm…" Chen Xiaoxi bit her lip, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, but in the end, she nodded.
Her fingers clenched tightly around his shirt, as if grasping her final anchor.
Zhang Yichen's gaze darkened. His hand continued downward, slowly pulling open the zipper of her dress.
The fabric slipped away, revealing her fair skin.
"Xiaoxi… you're so beautiful," he murmured softly, his voice filled with awe.
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she lowered her head shyly.
His palm rested against her back, stroking her skin with reverence, as if touching something precious—something irreplaceable.
Under his touch, her body quivered, her breathing falling completely out of rhythm.
"There are people outside," he asked quietly, concern threaded through his voice. "Are you afraid?"
Chen Xiaoxi shook her head and lifted her gaze to meet his. Her eyes brimmed with trust and reliance.
"As long as you're with me, I'm not afraid of anything."
It was clear—
She truly had been led astray by him.
"Then… I'm starting," he said softly.