Chapter 126: Heat Period

Entering the room, the man silently surveyed his surroundings, then turned his gaze to Wen Qian’s damp hair.

The corner of his lip curved slightly as he casually picked up the hairdryer from the table. "Come, Qianqian."

With Gu Mian, Wen Qian always felt a sense of tranquil peace.

Perhaps it was because his eyes were always so incredibly deep and focused when he looked at her, or maybe it was the slight upward curve of his lips, which always held an air of warmth and acceptance.

In any case, she couldn’t help but relax whenever she was with him.

She walked over to his side.

Gu Mian pulled out a chair for Wen Qian and gestured for her to sit before flicking on the hairdryer.

The warm air dispersed the fresh scent of shower gel that lingered in the room.

The girl’s long eyelashes fluttered gently, like the wings of a butterfly brushing against the surface of the water.

Her elegant brows framed a faint, smiling expression as she lowered her head slightly, naturally entrusting her damp strands to the man’s hands.

"This is my first time blow-drying a girl’s hair. If I’m not very good at it, I hope you’ll forgive me, Qianqian."

It was a perfectly tactful sentence, one that also subtly clarified he didn’t do this for other women.

Wen Qian nodded, instinctively flinching when his fingertips brushed against her skin.

Under the soft lamplight, the man gently held the hairdryer, his fingers softly combing through the girl’s hair. His gaze was as placid as still water, revealing his meticulous care.

The hum of the dryer seemed especially loud in the quiet room. The girl sat motionlessly, a pleasant drowsiness creeping over her in the warm air.

Perhaps it was because his hands were so warm and his movements so gentle, but she found herself growing sleepy.

Her hair gradually dried under the warm air, each strand feeling as if it had been lovingly tended to. The air filled with the delicate jasmine scent of her shampoo.

The man set down the hairdryer, his gaze gradually deepening.

He leaned in closer, and just as she began to stand, he rested his sharply-defined chin on the nape of her pale neck.

"A Mian?" Wen Qian froze for a second, the drowsiness instantly clearing from her mind.

The man let out a low "mhm," then said softly, "This is indeed nice."

Wen Qian didn’t understand what he meant at first. Just as she was about to ask, a sudden warmth wrapped around her waist, and in the next second, Gu Mian had lifted her onto the table.

The man braced his hands on either side of her, appearing to be in deep thought.

"No wonder that guy from the Tiger Clan likes being this close. It really... feels good."

His voice was light, but Wen Qian could hear an undercurrent in it. She swallowed hard and asked tentatively, "A Mian... are you jealous?"

She had expected him to deny it, but he just stared at her quietly. Something turbulent churned in his gaze. He casually undid the top two buttons of his shirt, his eyes—partially obscured by his glasses—holding an emotion Wen Qian couldn’t decipher. "Is it that obvious?"

The air seemed to stand still. Wen Qian swallowed nervously, feeling that this version of Gu Mian looked exceptionally dangerous.

She was suddenly reminded of the giant python in the laboratory—silent, yet exuding an immense, oppressive presence...

As if picturing something terrifying, Wen Qian flinched. Catching her small movement, Gu Mian’s expression darkened in an instant. A smile still played on his lips, but his gaze was now like that of a predator spotting its prey—utterly aggressive.

Her first instinct was to flee.

Wen Qian jumped off the table, but as their bodies brushed past each other, the man’s hand shot out and firmly cupped the back of her head...

Bracing one hand on the table, the man leaned in, nuzzling her cheek with the firm bridge of his nose. Their breaths intertwined as an ambiguous current passed between them, and low, muffled hums escaped his lips...

Her soft lips were captured, and he began his conquest.

Wen Qian’s head spun from the kiss, and she instinctively grabbed his firm forearm for support. She tried to keep a clear head, forcing her eyes open, only to be met with the sight of his handsome, distinguished face... and her thoughts scattered once more.

He ground his lips against hers in a punishing little motion, and she immediately closed her eyes obediently. The only sound left was the heavy thudding of a heartbeat in her ears.

At some point, a thick, long, slick snake tail had emerged from behind the man, slowly coiling up the girl’s calf...

She snapped back to reality as if waking from a dream and instinctively tried to pull away, but the grip on her waist suddenly tightened.

"You’re afraid of me." At some point, his glasses had come off. He suddenly released her, revealing black eyes veiled in a thin layer of mist.

"N-No, I’m not," Wen Qian instinctively retorted, but her face flushed scarlet when she saw the wet sheen on his lips. She quickly looked away, as if trying to hide her reaction.

Seeing this, a flash of hurt crossed Gu Mian’s eyes, and the snake tail coiled around her waist loosened slightly.

"I’m really not afraid..." Wen Qian instinctively grabbed his arm.

Their eyes met, and he could feel her sincerity and earnestness.

As if wanting to prove something, the man’s originally black eyes gradually shifted to a jade green, his slitted pupils starkly revealed to her...

Surprise flashed in Wen Qian’s eyes, but nothing else. She raised a hand to gently caress his face, trying to smooth away the sorrow etched between his brows.

’She might like fluffy little animals, but that didn’t mean she would hate... a black snake who adored her.’

The thick snake tail began to grow hot, and the jade-green eyes started to mist over. His Adam’s apple bobbed nonstop, and his parted lips seemed to be holding something back... Wen Qian finally realized something was wrong with him.

She reached out to touch his face again, but he caught her hand, holding it tight.

"I like you, Qianqian."

"Do you like me?"

"Even just a little, do you?"

His voice was rushed, each word landing like a heavy blow upon her heart.

His jade-green eyes were alight with anticipation, but as the seconds ticked by, the light in them slowly faded.

He stopped moving completely, pressing his body against hers with restraint as he lowered his head to her neck, his breath coming in soft pants...

He thought he wasn’t going to get an answer, but in the next moment, the girl gently wrapped her arms around him in return.

"I do like you."

I’ve always liked you.

His body went still for a second before he instinctively pulled Wen Qian even tighter. His damp lips pressed firmly against her smooth neck as he closed his eyes, taking in her scent.

But Wen Qian felt a warm liquid trickle down her neck, and she could also feel him trembling.

"So, can you tell me what’s really going on?" Wen Qian asked in a low voice, letting out a soft breath.

She had sensed something was off about him ever since he’d walked in...

He stilled. His fingers found the thin, delicate belt of her bathrobe. He rubbed the fabric between his fingertips, fighting back some sort of impulse as he gently nibbled at her neck...

The nibbling was starting to drive her crazy, so she deliberately pinched his side.

The next second, the belt came undone. He pressed close to her ear and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Qianqian... It’s the Beastman’s heat."