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Dai Chengfeng contentedly held the warm, fragrant, soft body in his arms, feeling the delicate yet resilient curve of Zhu Zhuqing's waist.
And the warmth and subtle trembling transmitted from her back pressed against his chest.
He knew she was nervous, embarrassed…
At first, Dai Chengfeng kept his promise. He simply held her properly, his hand resting obediently on her abdomen.
The faint, fresh scent of her damp hair and her subtle body fragrance lingered around his nose, filling him with an unprecedented sense of peace and satisfaction.
Being able to hold Zhu Zhuqing like this while falling asleep was perhaps one of the happiest moments of this journey.
However…
With such a fragrant and soft presence in his arms—and her being his rightful fiancée—how could Dai Chengfeng truly remain as calm as still water? If he did, that would be abnormal.
After the initial tranquility passed, the surging hormones of his youthful body began to stir quietly.
At first, he pretended to adjust his sleeping position. The hand resting on her abdomen moved slightly, seemingly unintentionally.
Through the thin black nightwear, he could clearly feel the firmness and smoothness of her waist and abdomen.
Zhu Zhuqing's body noticeably stiffened, but she didn't say anything. She even deliberately slowed her breathing, pretending to be asleep.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled inwardly. His little cat was still pretending to sleep.
This silent indulgence felt like a spark falling onto dry grassland.
Dai Chengfeng grew bolder.
His hand began to slowly, tentatively caress the area between her waist and abdomen.
The movement was light, like a feather brushing over…
His fingertips could feel the rising temperature of her skin beneath the fabric, and the almost imperceptible shivers caused by his touch.
Zhu Zhuqing still didn't move, but her deliberately slowed breathing had become slightly erratic.
Though she tried hard to suppress it, how could Dai Chengfeng not feel it when they were so close?
Her eyes remained tightly shut, her long, thick lashes fluttering like startled butterfly wings. Her cheeks burned hot in the darkness.
For a moment, Zhu Zhuqing's mind was in chaos. She didn't know what to do…
She could only keep telling herself: I'm asleep, I'm asleep, I don't know anything…
As long as he doesn't go too far… it's fine, just like this.
Dai Chengfeng noticed her tacit consent—or rather, her ostrich mentality—and the flames in his heart burned brighter.
His hand no longer lingered around her waist and abdomen but began to creep upward, intending to explore more enticing areas…
"Mmm…"
Zhu Zhuqing finally couldn't help but let out a faint whimper from her throat. Her body abruptly contracted, like a startled cat.
Instinctively, she wanted to curl up and escape the invasion of that overly sensitive area.
Dai Chengfeng paused, but sensing that she merely flinched without stronger resistance, the small flame inside him nearly turned into a raging fire.
He took advantage of the situation, gently curling his fingers and giving a light squeeze.
That single action completely shattered Zhu Zhuqing's self-deception.
"Dai Chengfeng!"
She snapped her eyes open, her voice trembling with embarrassment and anger. She forcefully tried to pry his hand away.
"You… you broke your promise!"
Seeing that she was finally "awake," instead of letting go, Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, greedily inhaling her scent. His muffled voice carried a teasing tone:
"What did I do? Aren't you asleep?"
"You… you're shameless!"
Zhu Zhuqing was speechless. Though their expressions were invisible in the dark, she could imagine the mischievous grin on Dai Chengfeng's face, gloating after taking advantage of her.
She struggled fiercely, elbowing him backward. "You said you'd just hold me while we slept! If you keep this up… if you keep this up, I'll really leave!"
Her words carried seven parts indignation, two parts panic…
And a hint of pouting that even she hadn't realized.
Hearing her threat to leave, Dai Chengfeng's heart tightened.
He knew Zhu Zhuqing's cold and proud nature. If he really pushed her too far, getting this close to her again in the future might become difficult.
He understood the principle of moderation. Being able to hold her tonight was already a huge step forward; he shouldn't rush things.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry."
Dai Chengfeng immediately backed off, releasing his unruly hand but still holding her tightly from behind. He sincerely apologized.
"It's my fault, little kitten. Don't be mad."
"I promise to behave. I'll just hold you, nothing else."
As he spoke, he obediently placed the "guilty" hand back on her abdomen, keeping it still and proper.
Feeling his compliance, Zhu Zhuqing's struggling gradually weakened.
She faced away from him, pouting, her heart filled with both shame and frustration, mixed with a vague sense of inexplicable loss?
She quickly shook off this absurd thought.
Listening to his appeasing promises and feeling the steady heartbeat and warm body temperature from his chest, her anger slowly dissipated.
"Hmph."
She gave a soft hum, accepting his apology, but still didn't turn around.
She adjusted her posture slightly, tacitly allowing him to continue holding her.
Dai Chengfeng breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had passed this test.
He dared not overstep again, obediently holding her. He gently nuzzled her soft hair, tenderly saying, "Sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow."
The room returned to silence, with only the intertwined sound of their breathing.
After a brief "struggle," their spirits relaxed, and a heavy wave of drowsiness gradually overtook them.
Zhu Zhuqing's previously tense body fully relaxed, leaning back into Dai Chengfeng's warm and solid embrace, feeling an unprecedented sense of security.
Her eyelids grew heavier, and eventually, unable to resist the pull of sleep, she drifted off deeply.
Dai Chengfeng listened to her gradually steadying and lengthening breaths, knowing she was asleep.
He lowered his head, using the faint moonlight filtering through the window to gaze at Zhu Zhuqing's peaceful sleeping face. Her long lashes cast soft shadows on her eyelids, and her usually aloof features now appeared incredibly gentle.
Filled with love and satisfaction, he lightly kissed her hair.
Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep alongside her.
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The next morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Zhu Zhuqing slowly awoke in a strange sensation.
Her consciousness wasn't fully clear yet, but the first thing she felt was the warm body temperature enveloping her from behind and the strong, firm arm around her waist.
Then, she clearly felt her own voluptuous curves being completely covered by a warm, large hand…
"!!!"
Zhu Zhuqing's drowsiness instantly vanished, her mind going blank with a loud "buzz."
Her cheeks, ears, and neck turned red and burned with astonishing speed.
She abruptly opened her eyes wide, looking down at the distinct, jointed hand belonging to Dai Chengfeng…
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