Chapter 18 (2/2)

Feeling his warm breath, Tang Qiu blushed even deeper. A strange feeling was stirring in her core, like an itch yearning to be scratched, sending fire pooling through her body. Her breath hitched and she squirmed. “Dear, if you don’t get up, I will.” She might just combust, if he didn’t move soon!

Her squirming must have awoken him, because he slowly opened his eyes. “Good morning, Qiu.”

Tang Qiu’s face was bright red. She looked away from him shyly, unable to meet his gaze. “Good… good morning.”

“While I was half-asleep, I heard you say you wanted to go out for some exercise?”

She nodded in a fluster. “Yes, I wanted to bring you for a walk. It’s good to get some fresh air.”

He caressed her cheek, planting a light kiss on her cheek. “Oh? I find the air here quite fresh, actually,” he teased. “I’ve lent you my luck, Qiu, now it’s your turn to give me some of your air.”

“How can I possibly do that…?” She felt foolish, like her mind wasn’t comprehending something.

“I’ll show you.”

Jiang Shaocheng forcibly covered her mouth, robbing her of air. His frenzied actions almost shocked all coherent thought from her. But he had woken up to her squirming in his arms, only for her to suggest going for a walk, of all things. He was bound to be… a little annoyed.

Later, as they were eating breakfast, the warmth still hadn’t left Tang Qiu’s face. She was red as an apple. She stole a glance at Jiang Shaocheng, and nearly buried her face in her bowl out of nervousness when she felt the weight of his stare on her.

“Are you angry, Qiu?”

Stupidly, she shook her head. She wasn’t angry–only confused at herself, at how being kissed by a man she had only known for a few days made her body go weak. But she had never had a boyfriend before, and she didn’t know how to get along with men, let alone her husband. But whatever they were doing now–waking up together, being able to greet him good morning–she couldn’t find it in her heart to reject.

“No.”

Her head was still bowed, Jiang Shaocheng observed. Come to think of it, his little wife had all but fled the bed earlier. He must have scared her.

“Qiu,” he began, “I can sometimes be in a bad mood when I wake up or when I’m disturbed, due to my health. Did I hurt you, with how thoughtlessly I acted?”

Hearing him use his health as a justification caused all thoughts to vanish from Tang Qiu’s mind. “I was the thoughtless one,” she apologized, the words spilling from her mouth. “Your body should only exert itself in moderation, I was too hasty…”