Chapter 20

Just like in math problems—being able to solve examples doesn’t mean being able to solve variations.

No matter how anxious she felt, she still had to perform well after the shower. At the hospital, the doctor had reminded her that Xie Shiqing would need her pheromones and temporary marks often. Later, she looked it up and understood how much damage unrelieved heat periods could harm the body.

Sex was not merely for physical pleasure. It was a real necessity—a primary need.

Whether out of the duties of a partner, a mutual agreement, pity, compassion, or the kindness in her heart, Zhong Ning had silently resolved to do it well.

Yet all her self-encouragement and vows crumbled before Miss Xie, covered only by a thin camisole nightdress.

She embodied a fragile and delicate beauty, like a dodder vine, only able to grow with great care from the grower. But beneath that fragile exterior, a fatal charm lurked.

Hearing a sound, Xie Shiqing turned her head in its direction. Her dim pupils resembled tiny black holes, quietly devouring the surrounding light.

Zhong Ning wanted to run, yet attracted by the sight.

Both urges arose frantically from deep within her.

—She seemed to see herself being drawn in and then falling.

It was only later that Zhong Ning realized she had subconsciously sensed the danger, but chose to ignore it and indulge in the sweet honey trap.

Zhong Ning approached with steps as light as an intoxicated person walking on air. She caught a faintly sweet scent, mixed with a subtle bitterness.

It was the scent of absinthe.

A type of liquor that became addictive to those who liked it, yet completely unappealing to those who didn’t—just like Xie Shiqing.

Coincidentally, Zhong Ning belonged to the former.

Her pheromones were truly seductive. Just a slight lure, and they poured out uncontrollably. Just like money to her, they meant nothing and could be given away generously—an open vault with countless wealth to trap a naive girl.

Foreplay, foreplay…

She repeated the words in her heart, sitting somewhat awkwardly at the edge of the bed. Feeling the distance, she stood up in embarrassment and moved slightly closer to Xie Shiqing.

Xie Shiqing leaned back against the soft cushion at the head of the bed, relaxed and languid. Her hair was half-dry, no longer dripping, her body still radiating heat and moisture from showering.

She smelled like soft clouds.

Yet even the softest cloud in the world couldn’t be softer than her lips. Just like divine peaches, red, ripe, and miraculous.

Zhong Ning thought of the cherries she had eaten that afternoon, of the knotted cherry stems. Her tongue tingled, and her gums itched.

Holding her breath, she kissed the petite girl slowly. The way her tongue moved showed the clumsy awkwardness of a beginner.

But she made up for the lack of skill with sincerity and careful attention.

It was not unqualified, it was a pleasant kiss.

As their sweet, moist lips parted, Zhong Ning asked, “Did I do okay?”

Her palm brushed against the soft skin as she asked, “Is this alright?”

Her fingertips slipped beneath the narrow fabric, and she asked, “Do you like this?”

At first, Xie Shiqing would still respond with a faint “mm,” which could barely count as a reply. By the end, she simply buried her face in the pillow, blocking the moans she thought were spilling from her throat. It was as if struck by a bolt of thunderous lightning. Her ears rang so loudly that she couldn’t even tell if she was making any sound.

Her slender body was trapped between the bed and the taller figure. Every panicked, desperate attempt to escape looked like an urge to surrender into the sweet embrace.

Here is the English translation following all your specified instructions:

Zhong Ning handed in a perfect paper, but unfortunately, the teacher could no longer grade her—she couldn’t even lift a finger.

The relaxed afterglow lulled Xie Shiqing into drowsiness. She could feel the affectionate caresses, devoid of any ulterior motives, meant solely to comfort, along with soft, shallow kisses.

Then came a slight sting at the back of her neck, something akin to an IV injection. Her fully relaxed body accepted the infusion of pheromones—a textbook example of a temporary mark.

It felt like returning to a warm, familiar embrace, curling up under the covers, or lying out in the vast wilderness. Xie Shiqing felt at ease.

Her eyelids had already glued themselves shut, and the desire to sleep swirled in her mind. Only the lingering thought of cleaning her body tugged at her, keeping her from drifting off completely.

Her lips moved, squeezing out a faint sound. But before she could voice her thoughts, her lips were captured again, plunging her back into the vortex of passion.

She couldn’t remember when she fell asleep—or perhaps passed out. She can’t even tell the difference.

When she awoke, her body felt fresh and clean, not sticky at all. The sheets had been changed, and beside her lay a warm body, breathing evenly, still sound asleep.

As her memory returned, alongside the comfort came a surge of irritation.

Mainly out of shame and indignation.

She didn’t want to admit that the one who had passed out from pleasure last night was her. Of course, she liked being taken care of, and she had to admit that Zhong Ning did quite well. But the key issue was—she should have been the one enjoying from above, not the one being tormented until she lost consciousness.

Wasn’t that a reversal of roles?

And look at her—so bold. She didn’t recall ever permitting Zhong Ning to stay the night.

Listening to the person’s calm, steady breathing, a nameless fire surged in her chest. She had intended to slap her awake, but when her hand landed on her face, it paused, and instead, she pinched her cheek.

One finger made the contact, and the others quickly found their mark, tugging hard without mercy.

It was surprisingly soft.

Zhong Ning sat up with a jolt, startled and bewildered. “What’s going on? What’s going on?”

Xie Shiqing withdrew her hands with a pleased expression and said smugly, “You snore.”

Even with ten brains, Zhong Ning couldn’t have guessed that doing too well would also be a mistake. She believed Xie Shiqing’s nonsense and responded with a mix of embarrassment and confusion, “Huh? I actually snore? I never noticed before…”

“Maybe I was just too tired. I’m sorry—did it bother you?”

For her, apologies didn’t seem to require clearance—they slipped out easily. But hearing it only made Xie Shiqing more displeased. “Don’t you have any temper?”

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