I was completely startled. Even though I'd already been twenty-eight when I died, my only real "experience" with a man was that one night with Lu Shiyan—and that had been after too much wine.
That night had been hazy and dreamlike. The next morning I only remembered the soreness all over my body, but not much of the actual sensations.
This was the first time I'd ever clearly felt a man's heat like this.
I knew that men had certain… morning reactions, but being pressed against one so closely made my face burn, my heart hammer, and my mind go completely blank.
For a moment, I didn't know what to do.
I hurriedly tried to pull my leg away from his waist—but in my panic, my knee brushed against something.
A low, muffled groan escaped his throat. "Mm."
Lu Yancheng's pupils darkened. His low, hoarse voice brushed past my ear like a coarse brushstroke: "Don't move…"
I cautiously looked up at him. His Adam's apple bobbed, his jawline tense, his half-lidded eyes filled with suppressed emotion.
Our bodies were still pressed together. His heat surrounded me from every direction, the air in the blanket thick with the scent of my rose body lotion.
That heavy, intoxicating fragrance was like a catalyst at a moment like this.
Lu Yancheng's looks easily surpassed Lu Shiyan's. His features were sharp and refined, every line defined, and when those cool, distant eyes landed on someone—
Once, I had been afraid of them. But now… not anymore. There was something else stirring in me instead.
Neither of us spoke. After a long moment, he finally withdrew his hand from my waist.
I immediately threw off the blanket and jumped out of bed. The rush of cool air cleared away the strange heat between us.
"I—I was just helping you with your acupuncture last night. I was going to go back to my room, but you suddenly grabbed me. I couldn't break free," I stammered.
He hadn't been sleeping well these days—he must've been half-conscious at the time.
Remembering that, Lu Yancheng's thin lips parted slightly. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I'll, um, go wash up first."
I all but ran into the bathroom, heart pounding, skin burning.
The moment the warm water hit me, I let out a shaky breath, trying to wash away the heat.
I'd assumed he didn't have that kind of ability anymore—but clearly, I was wrong.
The memory of my knee brushing past him made my heart skip violently again.
I splashed water on my face, forcing myself to calm down. I couldn't think like that. Especially not about him. He was my uncle by marriage.
I had no idea that while I was in the bathroom, Shen Ji had quietly entered the bedroom.
He handed a tablet to Lu Yancheng. "Sir, this is Miss Jiang's complete file."
"Mm."
Just as Shen Ji was about to prepare clothes for him, Lu Yancheng glanced toward the sound of running water. His black eyes darkened. "You can go."
"Yes, sir." Shen Ji left quietly, even closing the door behind him.
Lu Yancheng lowered his gaze to the tablet.
On it was a detailed report of Jiang Wanwan's background—every bit of her past, her preferences, even her elementary school grades.
The deeper he read, the deeper his frown became.
When I finally finished washing up, I realized I'd rushed in too quickly—I hadn't brought a change of clothes.
Luckily, there was a bathrobe prepared nearby. I slipped into it.
There was nothing underneath.
Jiang Wanwan's body was… different. I had to admit, my figure in my past life had been good—but hers was even better.
Her skin was pale, her waist slender, her legs long and straight—longer than mine used to be. And her chest… full and perky, even without support.
I tied the sash as tightly as I could, but it was impossible to completely hide the curves.
Thankfully, Lu Yancheng wasn't the kind of man to be disrespectful.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help sighing. Youth really was a wonderful thing—all that smooth, firm skin.
I pushed open the door, planning to dash back to the closet to change.
But then I felt it—a sharp, commanding gaze that pinned me in place.
I turned involuntarily.
Lu Yancheng sat at the edge of the bed, the silk blanket draped low on his waist, his nightclothes still slightly disheveled from before.
His long fingers rested on the tablet, tapping it slowly, rhythmically. His eyes were dark, unreadable, and somehow… overwhelming.
"Mr. Lu, is there something you need?" I asked cautiously.
"Nothing," he said lightly. "Just wondering what you'd like for breakfast."
I nearly jumped out of my skin. That look in his eyes had been so intense, I'd thought he'd figured something out.
"Oh—anything's fine. I'm not picky."
He tapped the tablet again, his tone even but heavy with presence. "You're married into the Lu family now. I don't want you to feel wronged."
Such a considerate man—so different from the selfish Lu Shiyan.
I smiled. "Then I'll have millet porridge and some multigrain cakes. I usually like light breakfasts."
"You like porridge?" he asked. "I'll have the kitchen make it ahead from now on."
"Yes."
"Sweet or savory?"
"Either's fine. Really, I'm not picky. Mr. Lu, I'll just go change."
He looked at me deeply. "Alright."
After I left, his gaze dropped once more to the tablet.
It stated that Jiang Wanwan had grown up abroad, rarely returned to China, preferred Western food—especially sweets—and couldn't eat spicy things.
She was said to have a gloomy disposition, seldom smiled, and dressed mostly in dark Gothic styles.
Meanwhile, I opened the wardrobe.
In the past, my life had revolved around work—business suits, meetings, presentations.
Now, I could finally wear whatever I wanted.
My eyes landed on a long pink cashmere coat, paired with a white turtleneck and jeans.
A touch of makeup, a messy bun—perfect.
This was what youth should look like—bright and soft and alive.
Wait—technically, I was still in my twenties now. I hadn't adjusted to the sudden rewind of time.
As I was choosing shoes, someone appeared beside me.
"That pair. The white ones."
I followed his gaze—it was a pair of fuzzy slippers.
"Alright," I said cheerfully.
I slipped them on and spun in a little circle. For the first time in years, I felt carefree—like a silly, happy girl.
After so many years, I could finally live for myself. No more maintaining the perfect façade of Mrs. Lu.
"Do I look good?" I asked, smiling.
He stared at me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. His voice was low and rough. "You look good."
After all the pain—sweet love finally begins.