How much did he drink? Fang Zhi felt that just smelling the alcohol on him made her think he was almost drunk.

"Hmm." Fang Zhi held her breath, not letting the lingering smell of alcohol in the air assault her brain, then lowered her eyes and muttered softly, "Something's wrong."

Hearing this, Qi Shen raised an eyebrow with interest. "What is it?" The girl had rarely made requests of him in the past two years, and even less in the last six months. He twirled a strand of hair behind her ear with his fingertips, lowered his voice, and spoke in an intimate and ambiguous manner, "Tell me about it, and see if your brother can grant your request."

His hot breath sprayed against the back of her ear. This was Fang Zhi's sensitive spot, but she suppressed her trembling and remained motionless in his arms. "I want to participate in this year's arts festival."

"A cultural performance?" Qi Shen's lips moved slightly as he repeated her words, a hint of understanding flashing in his handsome eyes.

He smiled calmly, his delicate, cool lips kissing the girl's earlobe, and said slowly:

"Didn't Zhizhi discuss this issue with her brother a long time ago? Why bring it up again today? Have you forgotten?"

Fang Zhi clasped his hands tightly together and remained silent.

How could she forget? She remembers it very clearly.

Not long after the start of her freshman year, she received a notice from her advisor asking her to be the lead dancer for the freshmen's arts performance.

She spent the whole morning happily rehearsing with her instructor, but when she got home and told him the news, the man told her, "Zhizhi, you don't need to participate in these meaningless activities. Lead dancers need fame and popularity; they're doing it for future work or other plans. But you have your brother, and I will protect you for the rest of my life."

“I can’t bear the thought of Zhizhi’s beauty being appreciated by others. Just thinking about you performing on stage with a bunch of people staring at you makes me want to gouge their eyes out.”

She knew then that what he said was impossible, but the man's gentle yet cruel attitude still left her heart unsettled for a long time.

The surrounding silence was suffocating, and a sense of powerlessness spread from the depths of my heart to my limbs, making me feel like a drowning person.

The bedroom door was not closed, and just then, footsteps sounded in the hallway, exceptionally clear, approaching from afar.

"Brother..." Fang Zhi heard footsteps and hurriedly tried to stand up from his lap. "Someone is coming."

"Yes, I know." Qi Shen's hand firmly gripped the girl's soft, boneless waist. He lifted his eyelids slightly, and under the influence of alcohol, his refined features faded, replaced by an indescribable air of flirtatiousness and unbridled freedom in his dark eyes. "What are you afraid of?"

Fang Zhi choked up and subconsciously said, "It has a bad influence."

“We’re at home, and Zhizhi and I are boyfriend and girlfriend, so it’s normal for us to be intimate.” Qi Shen’s actions became increasingly excessive. His delicate, slender, and pale hand traveled up her waist, gently grasping the girl’s long, fair neck, forcing her head to tilt back slightly.

The maid, carrying a bowl, had just reached the door when she saw this scene. She was so startled that her hand trembled, and the soup almost spilled out.

She stood at the doorway, unsure whether to go in or back out.

They were facing the door at an angle when Fang Zhi caught a glimpse of the figure at the door. She reached out and placed her hand on the man's chest, her voice urgent, "Brother, the person is already at the door."

Qi Shen remained unmoved, his thin lips parted slightly, landing on the smooth, white neck before him, slowly devouring and grinding it. "Don't be afraid, they won't come in without my orders." His voice, mellow and husky from the alcohol, became indistinct from kissing her, exuding a sensual hormone. "Or, if Zhizhi kisses her brother first, I'll let her leave, how about that?"

The man's attitude towards the girl in his arms is one of absolute dominance and control, with possessiveness permeating every corner.

Unable to bear the sight of people outside, Fang Zhi twisted her body and hurriedly said, "My darling... my darling..."

Qi Shen released her with a leisurely air, his refined and elegant eyes sparkling with a gentle smile as he looked at her. "Okay."

His knowledge is valuable in every way, except that he is too shy. He hasn't improved at all in all this time, and he blushes when there are other people around.

But it doesn't matter, as long as it's her, he likes her.

The man's eyes burned intensely, as if they were tangible, and Fang Zhi felt a surge of heat.

She then found his lips, closed her eyes, and kissed him.

Qi Shen then gave up, had the servant bring over the hangover soup, drank it, and then had someone leave and close the door behind them.

With a click, the door closed, and the bedroom seemed to transform into a new little world, containing only the two of them.

Fang Zhi leaned against the man's shoulder docilely, letting him stroke her long hair.

After a long pause, she slowly spoke:

"Is it really impossible to participate? Our teacher said that some very important people will be visiting this year's arts festival."

"You want to see me?"

"I want to see him." Fang Zhi broke free from the man's embrace, looked straight into his eyes, and spoke slowly but firmly, "My teacher said this is an opportunity."

The moment the warm, soft woman withdrew from his embrace, Qi Shen felt displeased, but he didn't show it on his face.

He smiled gently at her, "Your brother said you don't need to work so hard. People without resources need opportunities."

"Let's not talk about the cultural performance anymore. Your brother doesn't agree with you participating. As for the opportunity you want, and meeting the important people at the performance, your brother can help you invite them."

The man's demeanor was that of a superior, his gentle and unassuming tone revealing an innate air of nobility.

The person whom even mentors and department leaders respect is like an ant to him, not worth mentioning.

Fang Zhi pursed his lips; he didn't understand her desire to rely on herself and to be independent.

She immediately denied the idea; he could understand her with just a glance, so how could he not understand her thoughts?

He just didn't want to give her a chance; he was afraid she would grow wings. When did that start?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!