"You're so naughty~"
The moment Jiang Cheng spoke, Qiu Yihe's quietly closed eyes snapped open.
Seeing she was about to stop and leave, Jiang Cheng quickly reached out to cradle her head.
"Don't get the wrong idea—I meant the 'naughty' that comes with a fever."
Ahem… who knew whether Qiu Yihe was caught up in the moment or what.
Fortunately she hadn't left; otherwise heaven knew when he'd get to enjoy this rare treat again.
After all, Jiang Cheng couldn't possibly make his Girl sick on purpose just to indulge himself.
Just when Qiu Yihe felt her head was about to explode, Jiang Cheng finally let her go.
Watching Qiu Yihe dash into the bathroom, Jiang Cheng returned to his own room and stepped into its bathroom as well.
He couldn't help it—he was a decent guy.
A high fever might need an injection, but you can't give too strong a shot.
All dizzy and fumbling with the cap—how could a Girl enjoy that?
Ten minutes later Jiang Cheng opened Qiu Yihe's door again.
Seeing him enter, Qiu Yihe, lying in bed, blushed crimson even as alarm flickered across her face.
Inwardly, though, she was thoroughly cowed.
Yet her mouth remained as cocky as ever.
"What, still not satisfied?? Sorry to disappoint, but big sis isn't feeling well today—no more playtime for you."
Jiang Cheng smiled at her deliberate bravado.
I'll indulge you, woman.
"Relax. No matter how naughty you get, I'm not giving in this time."
Even as the words left his mouth, Qiu Yihe unconsciously licked her dry lips as he stepped closer.
Honestly, she felt awful.
At full strength she had no confidence of beating Jiang Cheng.
Let alone in her current state.
"What are you doing?? Eating's fine, but if you want to screw me—forget it."
The desire in Jiang Cheng's eyes had already faded.
Still, hearing her say that, he couldn't resist teasing her.
He narrowed his eyes, rubbed his palms together hungrily and drawled, "Object all you want—tonight I'm taking you by force."
"Y-you… you…"
Clearly Qiu Yihe was rattled.
Her trembling finger pointed at him. "Calm down… if you're really starving, I'll pay—get you the best…"
Jiang Cheng nearly cracked up.
What the hell was going on in this woman's head??
But he had to admit, Qiu Yihe was stunning.
Not just beautiful—she had the kind of outrageous curves men loved.
And the way she cowered in the corner only cranked his pulse higher.
"Do I look short of cash? I don't want anyone else—just you."
As Jiang Cheng drew nearer, Qiu Yihe felt herself losing it.
Screw it—sleeping with him is sleeping with someone, right?
Besides, it's not like she planned to marry.
So a one-night stand is a one-night stand.
Who told her she couldn't resist Jiang Cheng?
Even if she ran to Daddy, it wouldn't help.
The old man had always wanted her with Jiang Cheng anyway.
Just as Qiu Yihe shut her eyes, ready to meet her fate—
A sharp pain bloomed on her forehead.
Jiang Cheng flicked her skull with a finger.
"What are you thinking? Go to sleep."
After the flick he sat on the bed, leaned against the headboard and started messaging other women.
Seeing him settle in and play on his phone, Qiu Yihe felt awkward regret wash over her.
If she'd known he was only teasing, she'd have played coy.
Ugh—had she really looked that desperate?
Fortunately years of social poise let her recover fast.
She gave a soft snort, yanked the quilt and wrapped herself into a cocoon.
Then rolled to face away from him. "What are you still doing here?? Get out—don't disturb my sleep…"
Instead of the expected banter, she heard a gentle, concerned voice.
"I'm not leaving. Sleep—I'll stay right here. Once your fever breaks I'll go…"
Curled under the quilt, Qiu Yihe blinked hard.
She wasn't the crying type.
Even as a left-behind child she'd rarely shed tears.
But Jiang Cheng always found her soft spots.
This feeling of being treasured was impossible to resist.
Sensing his quiet breathing behind her, she spoke softly.
"Jiang Cheng…"
"Mm?"
"Thank you." Her voice faded to a whisper.
At that, Jiang Cheng lifted his gaze from the phone to the back of her head.
He gave a soft chuckle, eyes tender, and stroked her hair. "Silly Girl, sleep."
…The next morning Jiang Cheng was woken by a wechat ping.
Opening his eyes, he found the bed empty.
He dimly remembered dozing off while scrolling last night.
A glance at the phone—already past ten.
Surely Qiu Yihe hadn't gone to work??
Tsk, unbelievable.
He checked wechat: messages from Wang Congcong and An Xin.
After washing up he ambled downstairs for a familiar bowl of hot-dry noodles.
The shop had been his childhood staple.
The owner lived in the same complex; when the place opened he'd bought both an apartment and the storefront.
So while neighboring businesses cycled every year or two,
this one stayed open for more than a decade—no rent pressure.
"Uncle Chen, two bowls," Jiang Cheng called easily.
Chen Ming looked up from the boiling pots.
"Little Jiang, you're back living here?"
"Yeah, dropping by for a few days," Jiang Cheng replied.
Chen Ming continued, "Haven't seen your parents in ages. Since you all moved to Deer Lake, we missed them this New Year."