Chapter 236: The Three-Minute Embrance! A Married Woman's Fall!
[DARE: Hug a male present for three minutes!]
The text on the screen glowed like a neon sign in the dim room.
"Hug... a male... for three minutes?"
Liu Qingyue read it aloud, her voice barely a whisper. The blood drained from her face.
It wasn't as scandalous as a kiss, or feeding a grape... but three minutes? That was an eternity. It was intimate. It was personal.
"How about giving Sister Qingyue another chance to choose a dare?"
Liu Mi tentatively asked, biting her lip. She saw the distress on her cousin's face and felt a pang of guilt (mixed with relief that it wasn't the grape dare).
"What? No way!"
Su Hongmian muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. "What's the point of such rules? If we keep re-rolling every time someone gets scared, we might as well not play Truth or Dare! We might as well play Go Fish!"
But soon, seeing Shen Anyu's calm but questioning gaze, Su Hongmian pursed her lips tightly, annoyed but silent. She knew better than to push too hard.
The room fell into an awkward silence.
Liu Qingyue took a deep breath. She looked at the expectant faces around her. She looked at Shen Anyu, who sat there like a king on his throne, waiting.
A forced smile appeared on her exquisitely beautiful face. It was a fragile mask.
"You're right. It's not appropriate if the rules are always broken for me. I am an adult; I can follow the rules."
She also didn't want everyone to have an unhappy time because of her. She didn't want to be the wet blanket at the party.
Besides... a hug didn't exceed her bottom line. It was just a hug. Friends hugged. Relatives hugged. It was social etiquette. It was still acceptable.
However, Liu Qingyue had never considered whether she could accept a three-minute, full-body hug if it were another man, not Shen Anyu. If it were that Huang Mao from earlier? She would rather die.
But with Shen Anyu...
Liu Qingyue didn't dare to think too deeply in that direction. She comforted herself with a pragmatic excuse.
'Just consider it... just consider it a thank you for Shen Anyu's one hundred million loan. A hug is cheap interest for such a large sum.'
'Yes. It is gratitude. Nothing more.'
A decisive glint flashed in Liu Qingyue's beautiful eyes. She let out a long breath, smoothing the fabric of her tight bodysuit.
She stood up.
Her beautiful feet, resting on the expensive Persian carpet, curled up due to extreme nervousness. Her toes trembled slightly, looking like adorable, fair silkworm babies gripping the ground for support.
She walked towards the sofa.
When she stood in front of Shen Anyu, Liu Qingyue's legs were pressed tightly together. Her delicate body trembled slightly, like a leaf in the wind. Her exquisitely beautiful face was flushed crimson, radiating heat.
Her entire being exuded an aura of shyness and vulnerability that was incredibly arousing.
"Sister Qingyue... is this appropriate?"
Shen Anyu looked up at Liu Qingyue with sincere concern, his voice gentle and delicate. He didn't move to grab her. He waited for her consent.
This gentlemanly act broke her last line of defense.
"It's okay. Just consider it... a thank you."
Liu Qingyue whispered in a voice only she and Shen Anyu could hear.
Then, she bravely reached out.
She leaned down. Her arms went around his broad shoulders. Her body lowered until it pressed against his.
Thump.
They connected.
Feeling the man's scorching body temperature through the thin fabric of her bodysuit... feeling the hard, firm muscles of his chest and abdomen... Liu Qingyue felt a little dizzy.
Her eyes became misty, as if she had been drinking strong wine. Her cheeks burned even hotter.
It was... intoxicating.
Shen Anyu's arms came around her waist, holding her lightly but firmly. His hands were warm. His scent—wood, tobacco, and expensive cologne—filled her nose, drowning out everything else.
'He is so warm... so strong...'
Compared to Han Qi, who was thin and weak, Shen Anyu felt like a fortress.
"Perhaps I drank a little too much red wine at the birthday party earlier... and the after-effects are strong..."
Liu Qingyue explained the pounding of her heart to herself. She refused to admit it was anything else.
"One second... two seconds... ten seconds..."
Liu Mi, Su Hongmian, and Jiang Linlin all tensed their pretty faces. They watched like hawks, their eyes glued to the stopwatch on the phone.
"One minute... two minutes..."
The time dragged on.
For Liu Qingyue, it felt like a lifetime. She could feel every breath Shen Anyu took. She could feel the rhythm of his heart beating steadily against hers. Her body softened involuntarily, molding against him.
Her "heavy conscience" was pressed flat against his chest, creating a sensation that sent electric shocks down her spine.
Finally.
"Three minutes! Time's up!" Su Hongmian shouted, almost jumping up.
She rushed forward and pulled Liu Qingyue away, her face filled with jealousy.
"Okay! Done! Separation!"
Liu Qingyue stumbled, almost falling from the sudden loss of support. Her legs were jelly.
But quickly, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, steadying her.
"Are you alright, Sister Qingyue?"
Looking up, she saw Shen Anyu's handsome face right next to hers, wearing a gentle, caring smile.
Liu Qingyue felt as if she had been electrocuted.
She quickly pushed him away gently, lowered her head to hide her burning face, and softly said:
"I'm... I'm fine. Thank you."
She retreated to her corner, wrapping her arms around herself as if trying to hold onto his warmth.
[Ding! Detected Destined Heroine Liu Qingyue's favorability +6! Plundering +18,000 Destiny Value!]
[Ding! Detected Destined Heroine Liu Qingyue's favorability +10! Plundering +30,000 Destiny Value!]
[Ding! Child of Destiny Han Qi's main emotional plot (The Unwavering Wife) has experienced a twist! Plundering +66,666 Destiny Value!]
… …
Shen Anyu gracefully sat back on the sofa, adjusting his collar.
A pleasing, victorious arc graced the corner of his mouth for a second, quickly flashing and then disappearing, restoring his refined, gentlemanly demeanor.
Shen Anyu was indeed in a good mood.
Not only because Liu Qingyue's favorability was rapidly increasing—proving that the "White Moonlight" was cracking—but also because... it felt really good.
He recalled the sensation.
How could a slender waist that could almost be grasped with one hand support such an unscientific "conscience"?
The softness, the elasticity, the shape... it was top-tier.
'It could only be said that she is indeed the Dragon King Son-in-law's Number One Destined Heroine. Absolutely wonderful quality.'
Only Shen Anyu, with his enhanced mental fortitude, could maintain composure. Most men would have lost control and done something beastly right there.
However, even Shen Anyu felt a bit hot. The fire was stoked.
He picked up a glass of iced beer and drank it in one gulp to cool down the heat in his blood.
Noticing Shen Anyu's action—drinking ice water after hugging her—a hint of shyness flashed in Liu Qingyue's beautiful eyes across the room.
'Did he... did he feel it too?'
Recalling the three minutes she had just spent hugging Shen Anyu, it was her first such intimate contact with a man in years. It was unforgettable. It imprinted itself on her senses.
The more she tried not to think about it, the harder it was to forget. The phantom sensation of his arms around her waist lingered.
"No, no... Liu Qingyue, don't be foolish..."
However, misfortunes never come singly. The night was not over.
Just as Liu Qingyue had calmed her turbulent emotions, the wheel spun again.
It was Shen Anyu's turn to spin.
And he "happened" to pick Liu Qingyue again.
"Ah..."
Liu Qingyue only felt that her luck must be terrible today. Why her again?
But fortunately, she felt that Shen Anyu was very gentlemanly. He wouldn't make things difficult for her like Su Hongmian did.
However, as soon as this thought emerged, Liu Qingyue herself was startled.
'When did I develop such trust in Shen Anyu?'
Before coming here, wasn't she still on high alert, afraid that Shen Anyu would coerce her or demand her body? Now she trusted him to be kind?
Shen Anyu smiled. He looked at her with interest.
"Sister Qingyue... Truth or Dare?"
"Truth." She didn't want to risk another physical dare.
"Okay. Truth."
Shen Anyu leaned forward, his expression curious.
"Sister Qingyue, your husband, Han Qi... he must have admirable qualities to be able to marry a good woman like you. I'm very curious. Could you tell us?"
"What qualities does he have that made you choose him over everyone else? It would help me learn how to be a better man."
This easy question made Su Hongmian roll her eyes at Shen Anyu.
'Learning from Han Qi? Are you kidding? He's trash!'
It seemed too easy to answer. A softball question.
Liu Mi, however, looked at Liu Qingyue curiously and added, "Yes, Sister Qingyue. I'm also quite curious. What qualities did you see in Brother-in-law Han Qi that made you marry him? You were the Campus Belle! He was... well..."
Liu Qingyue looked helpless.
This was an easy question for ordinary couples who married for love. But for her? It was a nightmare. It was hard to explain without revealing the sham.
She and Han Qi had an agreement marriage. At that time, Han Qi was a homeless beggar she pitied. She used him to block other suitors.
If she had to say what qualities she saw in Han Qi...
Liu Qingyue thought for a moment. She racked her brain.
For the past few years, Han Qi had always been cowardly. He allowed her parents to scold him like a dog. He served foot-washing water with a smile. He had no ambition, no spine, and no male dignity.
At first, Liu Qingyue tried to intervene. She wanted to help him rise. But he refused. He enjoyed being a servant.
He was rotten wood that couldn't be carved.
"Perhaps..." Liu Qingyue hesitated.
"Perhaps, Han Qi is just... honest."
"He is obedient. And honest."
Liu Mi grinned, trying to be supportive. "That's not bad! Although Brother-in-law Han Qi isn't very capable, he's honest and not a playboy. That can be considered a good quality in this day and age!"
As she spoke, she gave Shen Anyu a resentful look, clearly implying 'Unlike someone here.'
Su Hongmian and Jiang Linlin also chimed in, nodding. "Honesty is good."
Shen Anyu, innocently caught in the crossfire, chuckled. He swirled his wine.
"Honest?"
He looked at Liu Qingyue deeply.
"Sister Qingyue. Let me tell you a truth from a man's perspective."
"Most men are 'honest' simply because they don't have the capital to be otherwise."
"If a man has no money, no power, and no charm... of course he is honest. He has no choice. No woman wants him."
"But give that same man power... give him wealth... and see if he remains honest."
"True honesty is having the power to do anything, but choosing to be loyal."
"A man who can give his woman happiness, protection, and care... that is the best man. Not a man who is 'honest' because he is incompetent."
"Mi Mi, Mianmian, Linlin... what do you think?"
The three girls were suddenly speechless. They looked at Shen Anyu, then thought about Han Qi.
'He's right.'
Liu Qingyue, hearing these words, seemed to be deep in thought. Her expression became complicated.
'Han Qi is honest... because he is useless?'
Shen Anyu smiled. This was a preemptive warning. A psychological seed planted deep in her mind.
Next, the wheel spun again.
It was Liu Qingyue's turn to spin.
She pressed the button.
Whirrrr... Click.
It stopped on Su Hongmian.
Liu Qingyue's beautiful eyes immediately lit up. A rare flash of excitement appeared on her face.
For the first time tonight, she felt the thrill of the game.
She hadn't forgotten that Su Hongmian—Liu Mi's "good friend"—had done such a shameless thing with Liu Mi's boyfriend, Shen Anyu, right at the birthday party. She was a traitor.
Besides, Su Hongmian's question to her earlier ("Do you prefer your husband or Shen Anyu?") hadn't been polite either. It was an attack.
'Now... it's my turn.'
However, Liu Qingyue's personality was ultimately not as arrogant and unrestrained as Su Hongmian's. She couldn't be cruel.
She softened her approach slightly, parted her red lips, and asked with a polite but piercing gaze:
"Miss Su..."
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]