Chapter 101: This Is a Real Kiss

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: This Is a Real Kiss

Remembering why she couldn’t even wear a single high-waisted dress out the door during their three years of marriage, Cui Lingyao’s face fell. She gripped his neck and shoved him away. "Get a hold of yourself!"

She was fierce.

Shoved away by the neck, Xie Jinbai went rigid. He lifted his heavy, red-tinged eyelids and stared at her.

His gaze was hazy and filled with raw desire. Combined with his stern, handsome features, it was a sight that anyone would find intoxicatingly seductive.

’He really was incredibly handsome.’

But for some reason, this just made Cui Lingyao even angrier. She tightened her grip on his neck. "Can’t you just listen to what I’m saying? Show me some respect! Stop acting like you’re in heat every time you see me."

’In heat...’

Xie Jinbai almost laughed. He wanted to ask her what she thought "in heat" even meant.

’Did she not remember what he was like when he was *truly* in heat?’

But he still had some sense left.

He could tell that while her tone was fierce, it held no actual disgust.

At this realization, the frustration of being pushed away eased slightly.

Xie Jinbai lowered his gaze, studying the young woman in his arms.

In her current body, only her eyes were the same as before.

Her brows curved above almond-shaped eyes that were strikingly full of life.

’Very beautiful.’

And right now, those beautiful almond eyes held only irritation, not a trace of disgust.

’No disgust...’

Xie Jinbai’s heart stirred. He grasped the hand at his throat and carefully leaned in closer.

"I’m sorry. I was just angry," he apologized without hesitation, then added in a low voice, "I saw you riding in the same carriage with him, and then having lunch alone together in a private room. I was dying of jealousy."

’Honestly, it was agony to hold it in.’

Three years ago, he never would have endured such torment.

She was his wife, wed through all the proper rites and ceremonies. What man would have dared to be alone with her?

He would have skinned them alive with his own hands.

Not like now, hiding timidly in the back, not even daring to approach and interrupt them.

’He wasn’t acting like a man at all!’

Cui Lingyao: "..."

She had a hundred retorts on the tip of her tongue.

For one, she wasn’t his wife anymore; he had no right to be jealous.

For another, she and Shen Tingyu were engaged. Since they were traveling, of course they would share a carriage.

But his tone was so soft, completely lacking his usual dominance. Instead, he had swallowed his pride.

Even though his eyes were crimson with anger, he was holding back, carefully telling her how wronged he felt.

That’s what it was—he felt wronged.

The ferocious-looking man truly seemed aggrieved right now.

One doesn’t hit a smiling face, let alone one that looked so pitiful.

A few more cutting remarks would just make her seem cruel.

Cui Lingyao averted her eyes. She was also afraid he’d go and cause trouble for Shen Tingyu. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Our relationship is completely innocent. Even when we were alone, nothing improper happened. You don’t need to read too much into it."

Xie Jinbai believed her.

If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have just stood by and endured it.

Seeing that she was still willing to soothe him, the piercing ache in his chest slowly faded.

The anger he had suppressed all morning was swept away by her words. He was so easily placated that he even felt a thrill of joy.

He tightened his arms, bent down to kiss her forehead, and asked softly, "Shen Tingyu doesn’t know who you really are... but does he know I exist? Does he know I want to marry you?"

Cui Lingyao grew wary. Instead of answering, she countered, "What are you planning?"

Xie Jinbai said, "I saw your convoy. You two are the only masters. If he knows I exist, I won’t have to hide. You can spend the afternoon in my carriage."

"Absolutely not," Cui Lingyao refused without a second thought. ’Given his habit of grabbing her the moment he saw her, if she stayed in his carriage all afternoon, she wouldn’t get a moment’s peace.’

She frowned. "Can you just behave yourself? Stop trying to make trouble for me."

"..." Xie Jinbai pressed his lips together, refusing to give up. He pressed, "So, does he know you plan to break off the engagement when you return from Pingzhou? Does he know you’re considering marrying me?"

"He doesn’t know any of it!" Cui Lingyao said in a low voice. "I can handle this myself. Stay out of it. As for whether or not I’ll marry you, I’ll give you my answer after I’ve broken off my engagement."

With that, she struggled out of his arms, glanced around the carriage, and asked, "I should get back. Do you have a copper mirror?"

Their master had been a widower for three years; why would his servants stock something like a copper mirror in his carriage?

Of course there wasn’t one.

Xie Jinbai straightened her clothes and smoothed the stray hairs at her temples. "Don’t worry," he said coolly. "No one can tell."

His tone was dripping with sourness.

As if they were a pair of shameless lovers sneaking around behind her fiancé’s back.

Cui Lingyao ignored his passive-aggressive tone. She tilted her head, presenting the side of her neck he’d been nuzzling. "Then you look. Did you leave a mark?"

The young woman’s delicate neck was right before his eyes.

Fair, smooth, and fragile.

So delicate he could encircle it with one hand and still have room to spare.

’So fragrant...’

Her unique scent.

Xie Jinbai’s eyes darkened. His Adam’s apple bobbed. "No mark," he said. "I know my limits."

’He was afraid of making her angry; how could he dare to leave a mark on her?’

His voice was deep and husky.

After three years of marriage, Cui Lingyao knew him all too well. The hairs on her arms stood on end. She tried to pull back at once, but she wasn’t fast enough.

A large hand clamped around the nape of her neck, forcing her head to tilt up. Her vision blurred as the man’s presence overwhelmed her.

Before she could react, his cool lips were on hers.

Then, without hesitation, his tongue slipped past her lips.

This was a true kiss.

Compared to the one at the Duke Zhao Mansion, this kiss was surprisingly decisive.

But he was restrained, the kiss itself gentle.

Cui Lingyao’s eyes flew wide. Just as she rushed to push him away, he had already pulled back.

She raised a hand to wipe her lips, cursing, "You bastard!"

"A little, yes," Xie Jinbai said, savoring the taste with a smile. "But I learned it from you."

Back then, she had initiated their first kiss, their second, and even their third.

That was before they were married.

Now, it was simply his turn to be the one to take the lead.

Cui Lingyao couldn’t win an argument with him. Hearing movement outside, she knew their rest stop was nearly over. She lifted the carriage curtain and peeked out. Seeing that no one was paying attention to their corner, she prepared to get out.

Xie Jinbai didn’t stop her. He only said, "Don’t lock your door tonight. I’ll come see you."

Cui Lingyao froze and turned back to glare at him. "...Will you ever stop?!"

Her impatience was flaring up again.

Xie Jinbai’s heart soured. "Be reasonable. I dropped everything and left the capital, and not just to trail behind you two, seething with useless jealousy."

He said, "During the day, you forbid this and forbid that, and I listen to you. But at night, when you’re alone, you have to at least let me see you."

"I never asked you to follow me to Pingzhou," Cui Lingyao said, her patience gone. "You haven’t gone that far. You can still turn back."

"..." Xie Jinbai said nothing, just watching her in silence.

His gaze was heavy.