Seeing the complex, hazy emotions in Liu Erlong's eyes, Dai Chengfeng knew it was time.
He released his grip on her chin and instead cupped her cheek. His movements appeared gentle but still carried an air of control.
"Listen, Erlong," his voice softened but remained firm, "since you've chosen me—or more accurately, since I've chosen you..."
"There's no turning back, no room for regret."
"Your present and future belong only to me."
He leaned slightly forward, pressing his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling: "I will protect you, but you must also get used to my ways and adapt to my presence."
This was not a question but a command.
Liu Erlong's heart raced. She had never imagined being "admonished" like this by a man much younger than herself.
Yet, the power in his words and that almost brutal possessiveness made her heart, which had been cold and dormant for years because of Yu Xiaogang, feel a burning heat again...
A strange sense of security, as if she were firmly held and no longer adrift.
She bit her lower lip and finally squeezed out a barely audible response from her throat: "...Mmm."
This response, though faint, was clear, representing a tacit consent, the beginning of submission.
Dai Chengfeng's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
He knew that words alone were not enough. He needed a more direct way to imprint this control deep into her body and memory.
Without another word, he suddenly lowered his head and claimed her slightly parted red lips.
This kiss was entirely different from the earlier teasing at her ear, filled with aggression and plunder.
He gave her no chance to catch her breath or think, entwining, sucking, deeply kissing.
At first, Liu Erlong was somewhat stiff, but under Dai Chengfeng's skillful and dominant assault, she soon crumbled.
Her body turned into a pool of spring water, able to do nothing but passively endure and gradually began to awkwardly respond.
The air was filled with an ambiguous warmth and rapid breathing.
While deepening the kiss, Dai Chengfeng lifted her up and walked towards the bed.
...
Late at night, the lanterns flickered.
Liu Erlong lay limp amidst the disheveled silk quilts, as if all her bones had been removed, lacking even the strength to lift a finger.
Fine beads of sweat not only covered her forehead and neck but also slid along the curve of her collarbone.
Her originally lustrous skin now bore a lingering flush, especially around her waist where he had gripped her tightly, leaving faint finger marks.
Her jet-black long hair was completely drenched with sweat, some strands sticking to her flushed cheeks and sweaty neck.
Her long legs, crossed limply, even her toes curled, trying to relieve the deep-seated tingling and soreness.
On her pale instep, delicate veins were faintly visible.
Her ten rounded toes, due to prolonged tension and strain, now slightly reddened, like they were dyed with nail polish, unconsciously rubbing against the cool silk beneath her, exuding extreme fragility and fatigue.
Occasionally, when Dai Chengfeng's hand grazing her back inadvertently moved downward, her curled toes instinctively tightened again.
Dai Chengfeng lay beside her, propping his head with one hand while the other lazily stroked her smooth, sweat-drenched back.
After a long while, Liu Erlong finally let out a deep sigh and came back to her senses.
But soon...
Those uncontrollable words that slipped out when she was pushed to her limits now flooded back into Liu Erlong's mind like a tide.
"Say, whose are you?"
"You... you're..."
"Who am I?"
"...Chengfeng... Dai Chengfeng..."
Those tearful responses, she had been so disoriented then that she could only answer instinctively.
But now...
When had she, Liu Erlong, ever been treated like this? And when had she ever submitted so... shamefully?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. A huge wave of embarrassment rushed to her head.
She suddenly wriggled her body, trying to shake off his lingering hand on her back:
"You... you get away!"
Dai Chengfeng's caressing hand paused momentarily, and he looked down at her.
Her face was turned aside, biting her lower lip tightly. Her ears and neck flushed with embarrassment, and her usually stubborn and bright eyes now brimmed with moisture, yet she tried hard to glare at him.
Attempting to look fierce, but paired with her current powerless, sweat-drenched state, she lacked any intimidation, resembling a small beast flailing its teeth with little strength.
A trace of understanding flashed in Dai Chengfeng's eyes, but he didn't call her out on it. Instead, he deliberately placed his hand back on her lower back.
Pressing lightly, right where he had tightly gripped her before.
"Just fine a moment ago, why the sudden change?"
His voice was low, carrying a hint of teasing laziness, "Telling me to leave? Just now... you personally said you were mine."
"You!"
Liu Erlong was speechless, chest rising and falling with indignation and embarrassment.
"That... that was forced out of me! It doesn't count!"
She tried to rise and distance herself from him, but as soon as she lifted her body a bit, she felt her weak and limp waist give way, causing her to fall back down, making her even more embarrassed.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, extending his long arm to easily pull her back into his embrace and hold her tightly.
"Forced?"
"But I heard clearly, your response... was quite willing."
Liu Erlong, immobilized in his arms, couldn't move. The implications in his words and those fiery images from before intertwined, making her whole body burn.
Furious yet unable to break free, she could only vent her frustration by lightly biting the arm he had draped across her front.
"Dai Chengfeng! You... you're shameless!"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, allowing her to leave a shallow bite mark on his arm like an annoyed kitten.
Instead of letting go, he pulled her sweat-drenched, flushed body even tighter into his embrace...
Their skin touching, they could clearly feel each other's uneven heartbeat and body temperature.
"Shameless? Perhaps."
His lips nearly brushed her earlobe, his warm breath brushing over her sensitive ear, sending shivers through her.
"But Erlong, you need to get used to it."
Liu Erlong wanted to retort further, but his next move interrupted her.
Dai Chengfeng flipped open the tangled silk quilt and, without explanation, picked her up horizontally.
Suddenly suspended in mid-air, Liu Erlong instinctively gasped, her arms reflexively wrapping around his neck for fear of falling.
"What... what are you doing!"
She glared at him indignantly, feeling intense shame as she was held naked.
"All sweaty, isn't it uncomfortable?"
Dai Chengfeng looked down at her, his eyes carrying a hint of mischief and non-negotiability, "Let's clean you up."
Dai Chengfeng carried her steadily towards the bath in the adjacent room.
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