"Mmm—"

My awakening came with a girl’s sleepy murmur.

I forced my eyes open, vision slowly sharpening as color seeped back into the world. The soft weight on my arm, the faint floral scent of hair beneath my chin—this morning couldn’t be more perfect.

"Xia Tong… time to get up!"

My words rang hollow as my arms tightened around her, greedy for the warmth and softness of her body. If only I could melt her into my bones—never letting go for even a second…

"Mmm—good morning!"

Clad in pink pajamas, Xia Tong wriggled free the moment she woke. Now kneeling beside my hips, her rear lifted high, she poked my cheek with a delicate fingertip. Her slender right hand moved like a curious kitten testing its owner, her whole body trembling slightly with each tap.

Gravity tugged at her loose collar, revealing a stretch of moon-pale skin. The breathtaking view of her chest lay bare before me—so dazzling I could barely breathe, my own breath turning ragged.

"Ye Xi…" Her voice turned pleading, feather-soft. "Skip work today? It’s Valentine’s Day." She crawled higher, brushing a kiss on my forehead. That fragile tone—pure, irresistible coquetry.

"I can’t. Your dad asked me to sign contracts with him today." Duty anchored my words. "Be good and wait for me. I’ll be back by noon, okay?" My fingers tangled in her hair, reluctance thick in my gaze.

Xia Tong’s father had become my mentor. Responsibility, vision, composure, resilience, unity, wisdom—he’d drilled these six pillars into me before college, insisting none could be lacking. Now I shadowed him, seeing what he saw, thinking what he thought, doing what he did.

First, to transform textbook theories into lived principles—not just words on pages, but the core of how I moved through the world.

Second, to master Xia Group’s operations. Xia Tong had zero interest in management; the burden would fall to me. No choice. No handing it to outsiders.

Today’s contract was massive—a milestone for Xia Group and my first real test. All that studying meant nothing without steel meeting steel, grinding experience into skill…

"No means no. You’re mine all day."

Seeing sweet talk fail, Xia Tong revealed her true colors. She swung a leg over my waist, pinning me down. Towering above me, her gaze turned predatory. I had no leverage left.

"Get off! Your dad’s waiting—it’s important!"

She never learned. Impulsive. Reckless. Never weighing consequences.

"Listen carefully."

Ignoring me, she snatched my phone, dialed a number, then pressed her chest against mine so I’d hear every word. Our bodies crushed together—I could barely draw air. A glance downward revealed deep cleavage. Had she… grown recently?

"*Hello?*"

Her father’s voice crackled through the speaker. My whole body stiffened. Around him, I always felt clumsy, small. Could I ever shoulder Xia Group’s weight? I buried every stray thought, waiting to see her play.

"Today’s Valentine’s Day. Ye Xi is mine."

"*You* handle the contracts. Why steal my people?"

Classic Xia Tong. Blunt. Zero fluff.

*Grandma!*

Could she sound less polite? My skin prickled with secondhand cringe.

"…"

Silence stretched on the other end. Ruined. Days ago, I’d promised to learn from this opportunity. Alerted every senior colleague. Now Xia Tong hijacked it without warning—what would her father think of me? Irresponsible? Untrustworthy?

*Give me the phone!*

I whispered in her ear, fingers tickling her stomach—softness and threat woven together. *Apologize now. Before it’s too late…*

"Put Ye Xi on. I’ll speak with him."

Her father’s voice cut through before I could retreat. Disaster. Apology turned interrogation. Any remorse now would sound hollow, forced.

*I’ll deal with you later.*

I pinched her waist—too gentle to threaten.

"*Here. Take it.*"

Grinning, she shoved the phone at me, then shifted until our noses nearly touched.

"Hello?"

I bumped her forehead playfully, stealing another kiss. Helpless against her. Couldn’t scold, couldn’t punish. Always cleaning up her messes, never finding it in me to stay angry.

"Xia Tong’s right. I forgot it’s Valentine’s Day…"

"*Huh?*"

I froze. That voice—her father’s? Impossible.

Beside me, Xia Tong’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons, smiling like she’d planned this all along. No fear of refusal.

"Make up the work when you return. No skipping next time."

A father’s indulgence. He never denied Xia Tong anything within his power. At family dinners, her mother would sigh about his lack of boundaries. Strict with everyone—except his daughter.

"Understood…"

I hung up, gazing at Xia Tong’s radiant smile. My own worries dissolved. A day off? Bliss.

"Any other problems? I’ll fix them all."

She looped her arms around my neck, nose to nose, lips brushing mine in tender waves. Her question wasn’t a question—it was law. No resistance. No need. No will.

"Yes! You’re crushing me—I can’t breathe!"

She treated me like a human cushion! No thought to easing her weight off my hips. Only daily workouts saved me; her light frame barely registered.

"Hmm? Should I take that as you calling me fat?"

She tilted her head, smiling sweetly.

I knew that smile. A death sentence. A lover’s trap. One wrong word, and I’d pay dearly. No joke.

"Never! I’d sooner hate myself than you!"

"You’re so light—I could carry twice your weight!"

No more urging her to move. I righted her body, pulling her tight against my chest, face plastered with exaggerated devotion.

"Spare me. Twice this weight? I’d turn into a pig."

"*There.* I’ll get up."

She angled her cheek toward me—demand clear.

*Please. A cheek kiss doesn’t count.*

I cupped her head, pressing my lips to hers before she could react, leaving another soft mark. She’d pecked me like a chick all morning while I talked to her dad—why fuss over one more?

"Alright! Up we go. I’ll cook—"

I patted her back. Xia Tong: max offense, zero defense. However long we’d been together, my slightest boldness turned her shy. A habit she’d never shake.

My only weapon against her. And it never failed.

"Fine… *I’ll* cook today. You stay out of the kitchen. Understood?"

She rolled her eyes, not angry—satisfied.

"What’s gotten into you? Worried about me?"

Her cooking surpassed mine, yet I handled meals whenever home. She’d always complained I overprotected her.

"*Because* you don’t worry about me!"

She flicked my forehead, words sharp but playful.

"How don’t I worry? I’m the one who worries most!"

Heaven and earth as my witness—I’d swear it before her parents themselves.

"Silly!"

She scolded, tying her hair up. Every motion dripped allure.

When I emerged from the bathroom, Xia Tong carried breakfast from the kitchen. A black apron printed with cartoon cats hugged her waist; even her oven mitts wore tiny feline ears. Only after moving in did I learn her obsession—her mother’s cat allergy had barred pets at home.

*Maybe… get her kittens soon. Keep her company when I’m away…*

"Come eat!"

Xia Tong hummed a cheerful tune as she set the tray on the table.

She then fetched two sets of bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen.

Only after finishing everything did she sit across from me.

"Honestly, it’s been ages since I ate your cooking—I’m really excited!"

Though that was a bit exaggerated, just thinking about it made my taste buds dance.

She was a culinary genius who turned even rice into something uniquely magical.

The same ingredients in her hands always sparked wondrous transformations!

"Isn’t that because you banned me from the kitchen?"

"Go on, try it! Is it good?"

Xia Tong lifted the lid. Today’s main dish was porridge dotted with green specks.

Probably vegetables? But the texture looked thicker than greens—I couldn’t quite place it.

Xia Tong never failed to surprise me. Even plain veggie porridge felt special!

I scooped a spoonful, gently blew on it, and slowly put it in my mouth.

Ptooey!

The moment it hit my tongue, the flavor exploded—more terrifying than a volcanic eruption…

Holy crap! So bitter! What is this?

I grabbed the trash can and spat it all out. Was this really porridge?

What was going on? How could Xia Tong make such a dark dish? I stared harder at the green stuff.

"Hahaha! Tasty?"

Seeing my reaction, Xia Tong doubled over the table, clutching her stomach and laughing heartlessly.

Was I seeing things? She’d done this on purpose?!

"Xia Tong! What is this?"

Was this brat messing with me?

"Bitter melon. Not good? I made it specially for you!"

At my accusation, she instantly stopped laughing. She stared at me with wide, pitiful eyes, looking utterly innocent.

"Bitter melon? Who puts bitter melon in porridge?"

I looked down again. Her words finally made the green blobs recognizable.

I bet my face was as green as bitter melon right now.

I had to admit—Xia Tong was a cooking genius. Bitter melon porridge? Seriously!

"I did it for your own good. You’ve seemed overheated lately, so I prepared this to cool you down…"

And she had the nerve to justify it?

"When was I overheated?"

Since being with Xia Tong, my life had been perfectly regular—nine to five, no colds for years!

"Don’t rush. Think again."

Instead of answering, she rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she watched me.

"Think again?"

Her reaction didn’t seem like a lie…

I strained to recall but drew a blank.

If I was overheated, how could I not know while she did?

"Fine! A hint!"

Seeing my confusion, Xia Tong ‘kindly’ offered one.

"At night!"

She rested her chin again, shaking her head with a ‘warm’ smile.

At night???

At night… at night… AT NIGHT!!!

Spotting her flushed cheeks, I suddenly realized what she meant.

But it wasn’t my fault! Every night before bed, she was the one teasing me.

A man’s dignity was at stake. If I didn’t push back, I’d lose face—I had to defend it!

It always started as a spark and turned into a wildfire. I couldn’t control it later—what could I do?

"Remembered now?"

Xia Tong refilled my bowl and slowly pushed it toward me.

"Uh…"

My voice grew weak. On this, I couldn’t really argue with her—I wasn’t in the right.

"So, should you eat this? Hm?"

She pointed at the porridge, waiting quietly. Her smile was pure coercion—if I refused, I might not sleep in bed tonight.

"I should!"

Gritting my teeth, I nodded. Under her smile, I spooned the fire-quenching bitter melon porridge into my mouth, bite after bite, leaving nothing. Who cools down like this?