118 LX (1/2)

After teaching Jin Liwei, Yi Mei left the two alone in the bedroom. The housekeeper looked visibly reluctant to leave and couldn't help but throw warning looks at the lusty brat, to which Jin Liwei failed to notice. He was preoccupied in massaging his Xiulan.

”Be gentler!” Iris slapped his hands.

”Sorry,” he mumbled. He made sure to control the strength in his hands.

She felt guilty for snapping at him. ”Sorry. I don't feel well today.”

”Don't worry about it.”

”You must be exhausted from the long flight and yet I'm having you massage me.”

”Like I said, don't worry about it. Anything for my baby.”

”Thanks.” She stretched out her arms, inviting him for an embrace.

Of course he accepted, hugging her like she was his most precious treasure.

”Oh, I almost forgot. I got you something. Wait here,” he said.

He carefully released her, and then headed to the walk-in closet. Moments later, he returned carrying two small velvet boxes.

Iris sat up, curious.

Jin Liwei opened the box which was slightly smaller than the other one. It was a platinum bangle. A dragon and a phoenix were lightly yet intricately carved on the surface of the entire bangle, facing each other as if looking at one another's souls. The centre of the bangle had a rose gold finish with the letters ”LX” delicately engraved in an interlocked manner.

”For you.”

She studied the bangle, admiring the exquisite design.

”Let me,” he said before she could reach for it. He fastened it carefully around her left wrist.

”It's beautiful,” she whispered, smiling softly. Then she looked at him. ”Thank you.”

He opened the other box. It was another bangle, but this time it was bigger and thicker. The design was exactly the same as hers but this one had a black rhodium finish in the centre rather than rose gold.”Put it on me?” he asked.”Okay.” She took the bigger bangle and put it around his left wrist as well.

They placed their wrists side-by-side, their matching bangles glinting in the light.

”Why matching ones?” she asked. ”You really like matching things, don't you? You made us wear matching outfits on our first date and now you got us this matching bangles.”

He smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. ”These are called couple's bracelets…well, in this case I got us bangles instead.”

”For what reason?”

”To commemorate our relationship, baby. And they also serve as concrete symbols and proof that we're together.”

”Oh. Just like wedding rings. But without the marriage.”

His smile widened, his gaze on her becoming more intense. ”Yes, baby. Just like wedding rings. You like them?”

”Yes. Thank you.” She leaned forward and gave a lingering peck on his lips.

Jin Liwei wanted more, to kiss her more deeply, but controlled his desire instead before he lost control of it. He didn't want her to push him away again. He didn't want her getting angry at him. This was such a sweet moment. He didn't want to ruin it because of his insatiable hunger for her. And besides, he was realizing that these light touches and gentle gestures of intimacy could actually feel even more sensual than their usual intense kissing and touching.

The kiss ended.

He inwardly sighed.