Her body was icy cold, her breaths ragged, her limbs heavy, her mind tangled in haze.

The girl slumped completely against Chen Yaoyi’s back—right now, she could only be carried. Their destination: a hotel.

Chen Yaoyi’s residence in this world lay far too distant. A thirty-minute walk home? Far better to choose the hotel just five minutes away.

Of course, checking into a hotel with a woman was nothing new to Chen Yaoyi. Yet this time… something felt oddly off.

With practiced ease, he checked them in, led May into the room, gently settled her on the sofa, grabbed a thick blanket to cover her, and switched on the AC to heat mode.

He dashed into the bathroom to fill the tub with hot water, then called room service for a bowl of warm congee.

May couldn’t eat it now—but it had to be ready.

Once preparations were done, he returned, lifted her, and carried her toward the bathroom.

May was drenched head to toe; not a dry patch remained. Naturally, Chen Yaoyi’s shirt was soaked through too. He still couldn’t figure why the front desk staff had stared so hard.

Scooping her into a bridal carry, he hurried her to the bathroom, gently propped her against the tub’s edge to steady her, then began unbuttoning her blouse.

“Pervert…”

May murmured with half-lidded eyes. Her raised arm dropped limply before reaching him.

She felt every touch—acutely—but had zero strength to resist.

Her white blouse clung tightly to her skin, tucked partly into her skirt. Without hesitation, Chen Yaoyi unbuttoned with his left hand while yanking the skirt’s zipper down with his right.

She wanted to push him away, to protest—but her weak palms did nothing. When she realized it, her fingers were already clutching his sleeve.

One hand freed the blouse from the skirt; the other drew her closer. Her flushed, fever-warm cheek pressed against his shoulder—just enough to loosen the trapped fabric.

“Pervert… Pervert…”

Limp and breathless, she kept complaining. Her blouse was already off. Her soft breath tickled his neck—a strangely endearing itch.

Then—a sharp sting.

May bit his neck. Weak. Shallow. Enough to register pain, yet tinged with teasing flirtation.

The resistance faded fast. She released him, surrendering to futility.

The instant she let go, Chen Yaoyi’s hand settled on her hip. A light tug—and the pleated skirt slid down. Far easier than the blouse. Her aqua-blue underwear was exposed. She tried lifting a leg to kick him, but exhaustion stole the motion.

After stripping the outer layers, he lifted her again. Now clad only in underwear—barely different from before, yet May’s cheeks burned crimson with awareness.

“I’ll… kill you… I—"

Before she finished, Chen Yaoyi slowly lowered her into the warm water.

Heat enveloped her. The chill melted away. May fell silent. When he stood to leave, her arm instinctively rose—

—but dropped again before he noticed.

She hadn’t expected to want him to stay.

“Take this off yourself. Don’t dirty the water. I’ll bring fresh clothes. Can you wash your hair?”

“Mm… Just go already…”

“Got it.”

Chen Yaoyi turned and walked out. The spacious tub now held only May, submerged to her neck, hands modestly covering herself, her weary face shooing him away.

The bath must’ve restored a sliver of strength.

Chen Yaoyi didn’t linger. He fetched clothes, brought in the steaming congee, busied himself with small tasks—even laid out cold medicine just in case.

Done, he picked up the nightstand mirror, studying the bite mark on his left neck.

Overnight rules were strict: no marks allowed. No hickeys, no scratches—anything could raise suspicion.

A flicker of worry crossed his mind.

He shook it off, started making the bed—still in his damp clothes.

Ten minutes later, a clatter echoed from the bathroom. Soap bottle? Something dropped.

*Is she trying to wash alone?* He wouldn’t stop her if she could… but dropped items meant trouble.

He moved toward the door. More frantic rustling came from within.

He wasn’t worried she’d do anything rash. May was the type to grieve a breakup deeply—but bounce back fast.

“What’s going on? I heard noise!”

“N-nothing!”

Her voice sounded stronger. Relief warmed him.

“Alright. I’ll head out. Take it easy.” He turned to leave—

“Wait! You… you could… I mean… I—"

A flustered plea drifted from the bathroom. Chen Yaoyi didn’t know what she meant. But he listened.

“What is it?”

“Come help me wash… You wouldn’t want me to drown in here, would you?”