Chapter 27 A Grand Wedding

They only knew that they both longed for each other, whether it was because of love or some other reason.

The passion that ignited instantly made them want to meld each other into their very bones. They longed to find a deeper connection with one another, to pour all the things they had experienced since their reunion, all the unspoken words, into this moment of entanglement.

In her panic, Xia Li felt her mind go blank, and she was lost and couldn't tell which way to go.

he

They were no longer confined to the cramped walk-in closet. As they entangled and retreated, the warmth between their lips was fierce yet tender. They stumbled and fell together onto the sofa in the living room. Even the automatic curtains seemed to understand their intentions, or perhaps it was because it was already dark, and they quietly drew the curtains shut.

Only their intertwined figures remained, kissing passionately.

Xia Li's mouth was completely robbed of air, and a soft touch probed into her tongue from outside her lips. Her fingertips unconsciously tugged at Ji Ling's shirt, and the scalding heat in her palm seemed to melt the fabric.

"Hot...no..." She managed to catch her breath amidst the light kisses, her throat hoarse. She pushed against Ji Ling's shoulders with both hands and stammered out the words in a daze.

But when Ji Ling heard her words, it meant rejection. His stroking of her neck stopped abruptly, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his breathing gradually calmed down.

Xia Li's quiet resistance instantly brought him to his senses. He straightened his own clothes and also helped Xia Li with hers. He then leaned back somewhat awkwardly to create distance between them and sat on the sofa.

His gaze shifted downwards, lingering for a moment between her moist lips and empty eyes, before he gently lowered his gaze, his eyelashes concealing the dishevelment in her eyes, and a terribly hoarse voice escaped his throat: "I'm sorry."

Xia Li's consciousness gradually returned after his burning body left, and she was able to breathe, panting heavily.

She stared at Ji Ling, who was consumed by desire, completely unaware of why he had suddenly stopped, and even less likely to realize that his sudden sobering up was due to her unconscious rejection.

She also lowered her head, clutching the fabric of her clothes with both hands, trying to calm her breathing, looking somewhat lost.

Ji Ling: "I'm sorry, you should rest first, I need to calm down for a while..."

Xia Li: "What are you going to do?"

Open your mouth at the same time.

Unfortunately, the timing was off. After so long of silence, there were many opportunities to speak, but they all just happened to coincide, and the words of condolence slipped out.

The intention was to ease the awkward atmosphere, but instead of easing it, it backfired, and the two sides became stuck in a tense vortex.

They were both thinking of the other person.

Upon hearing the resistance, one should apologize for their rash behavior, suppress the aroused desire, stop what they are doing, give each other enough time to calm down, and show sufficient politeness and respect.

When one person sees that the other has stopped moving, they think that they have done something wrong. Their confusion and helplessness can only be buried in their heart, and all their words eventually turn into a simple expression of concern.

In her panic, Xia Li responded to Ji Ling, her movements chaotic. She tried to straighten her clothes, but when she raised her hand, she suddenly realized that Ji Ling had already straightened them for her when he got up. Her hand froze instantly, hanging in mid-air, and she awkwardly withdrew it.

She lowered her eyes, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over a certain spot, and a blush instantly rose to her ears. As she clenched her teeth, she gently closed her eyes.

Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it.

Ah! But she couldn't help but think about it... It was hard for her not to feel ashamed of her intense desire.

She shook her head, clearing her mind of all the thoughts, forcing herself to pull herself away from her desires.

The two had been separated for quite some time. As Xia Li calmed her breathing and prepared to get up and escape the scene, she noticed that Ji Ling's gaze had been fixed on her for a long time. After being discovered, he quickly looked away, his face calm and composed.

She couldn't bear to look down. In these few minutes, Ji Ling had not found any relief or suppression; on the contrary, he had become even more ferocious, and the lust and deep affection in his eyes were about to overflow.

Oh no… As she stood up, her eyes darted around, and she mustered her courage to ask again cautiously, “What are you going to do?”

Seeing that she deliberately avoided eye contact, Ji Ling's eyes narrowed slightly, and he understood what she was thinking.

But he didn't understand why Xia Li kept asking him. The first time she asked, he didn't answer, which meant he didn't want to talk about it.

Judging from Xia Li's actions, he was clearly about to leave, and he had already turned and left, but he still came back to ask a question before leaving. After asking and teasing her, he didn't take any responsibility.

Ji Ling sighed helplessly, his neck turning red. He looked away from Xia Li and replied, "You go first, don't worry about me."

Xia Li glanced at him furtively, her eyes meeting his. She immediately looked away as if burned, saying, "But you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Ji Ling interrupted her with a heavy, hoarse voice: "I told you not to worry about me, I'm going to the bathroom in a bit."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Li's eyes widened instantly, and she almost lost her balance, using the sofa to support her weight.

Her voice trembled, and she could barely make a sound as she fled in panic, climbing the spiral staircase to the second floor—it was practically an escape.

She retreated to the room where she used to rest. Since fainting last time, at Ji Ling's request, she hadn't been to this room to rest for a long time.

At this moment, she was glad that she hadn't chosen to live with Ji Ling in the first place.

Ji Ling, a person as aloof and proud as her, would never relieve herself in the first-floor bathroom or guest room.

Otherwise, the scene at this moment would probably be them together in a space filled with desire, and she would hear the constant sound of water coming from the bathroom...

Xia Li stopped her daydreaming.

Having desires is normal; they are normal psychological and physiological needs. Whether you are male or female, if you live under the same roof and already have feelings for each other, there is no need to feel ashamed. Just accept it openly.

Xia Li had never experienced love before, and everything she went through with Ji Ling was a first for her. She accepted the change in her inner emotions in just a short while.

For some time afterward, whenever Xia Li and Ji Ling were together, they tacitly avoided discussing the matter, as if it had never happened.

They lived as before, but with some differences. Xia Li felt that there seemed to be more tenderness between them.

She didn't know exactly when it started.

All I know is that we used to rarely eat at the same table, but now we wait for each other, and if we see each other busy, we'll go and help out.

The nights are no longer endless waits, but rather a time when I can't make it back in time, I can inform them of my itinerary in advance and send a message that puts their mind at ease.

The same rumors still reached their ears, but this time, instead of raising their guard and being suspicious of each other, they communicated first and gave each other a sense of security.

As Jiang Xue's wedding day approached, Xia Li soon received an invitation from Jiang Xue. Upon opening it, she saw that her name and Ji Ling's name were listed together.

Ji Ling also received an invitation, with identical content.

Since their accidental encounter, Jiang Xue seems to have tacitly accepted the relationship between her and Ji Ling, but she doesn't know exactly how she views it.

Actually, she herself couldn't figure out her relationship with Ji Ling.

If it was a marriage of convenience, Ji Ling didn't gain anything from her. He didn't even tell anyone about their relationship. She got more from Ji Ling than from him.

If it were purely out of desire, that would be even less likely; they nearly went too far twice, but neither time did they go all the way.

If it were for the sake of years of friendship, it doesn't seem quite right. Their relationship is very delicate and cannot be explained in a few words. Saying too little is not enough, and saying too much is just rambling.

Xia Li didn't think much of it, and soon it was Jiang Xue's wedding day. It was also the first time that she and Ji Ling appeared in the public eye together.

She didn't care how Ji Ling introduced her, nor did she care about Ji Ling's opinion of her.

She always kept herself on the edge of rationality, trying her best not to get caught up in the illusion of a beautiful dream, and was always ready to make a clean getaway.

At least when the precarious relationship collapses, it won't be so embarrassing.

Jiang Xue's wedding was held on the most beautiful beach on the island of Linshi. The entire sea area was contracted by a well-known hotel and was closed to outsiders on the wedding day.

The entrance and corridors were piled with huge flower arches, and the road was covered with velvet carpets. A swarm of drones was also ready in the air at any time. If she remembered correctly, this should be a no-fly zone.

Jiang Xue went to great lengths to apply, which shows how much she values ​​her first wedding. At least, that was her first thought when Xia Li stepped into the venue.

This was just what she noticed. Recalling her wedding with Ji Ling, it didn't seem to be much different. The only difference was that Jiang Xue's wedding was very lively, with a continuous stream of people pouring in from the door.

As Xia Li got out of the car, Ji Ling suddenly leaned over, startling her and causing her to instinctively distance herself.

"What's wrong?" Ji Ling asked her, his eyes narrowing.

Xia Li lowered her eyes, and said cautiously and uncertainly, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate to be seen by others?"

Ji Ling was puzzled, and at the same time had a guess in his heart. He understood that Xia Li was worried about her undisclosed identity. He felt a bitter taste in his throat and was about to comfort her, but he couldn't say anything.

After a long while, he looked at her with sincere eyes and solemnly said, "No, it won't happen."

I wanted to explain more, but I felt it was too complicated and worried that the more I said, the more Xia Li would worry.

Xia Li was stunned. Then she felt the man's large, strong hand grasp her wrist, kneading it inch by inch down her skin, and finally enveloping her hand in his broad palm.

"I'll hold your hand, so you don't get lost," Ji Ling said, his eyes lowered, his words filled with deep affection.

Xia Li looked up at him, and the moment their eyes met, she nodded. She had originally intended to refuse, but now she remained silent.

After checking the invitations, they walked inside. The banquet hall was already quite crowded, with people chatting and laughing. Acquaintances passing by exchanged polite smiles when their eyes met.

They inquired about too much information.

The same was true for Xia Li. Ji Ling took her hand and led her forward. Everyone smiled politely upon seeing this, and then exchanged simple pleasantries and compliments.

Perhaps to liven up the atmosphere and avoid a dull atmosphere, Jiang Xue's wedding banquet was attended mostly by young people.

Xia Li didn't pay much attention at first, until he and Ji Ling found their seats and stopped, and then he saw a familiar figure from a distance.

Sheng Minyang.

She had completely forgotten that Sheng Minyang would also be here.

She was fine, but she was worried about Ji Ling. Every time Ji Ling saw Sheng Minyang, he became somewhat irrational. Thinking about this, she secretly glanced at the person next to her out of the corner of her eye.

Ji Ling raised his chin, his eyes filled with a cold aura, clearly noticing Sheng Minyang's presence.

Xia Li tentatively hooked his hand with her knuckles, and just as she was about to say something to ease the tension, a figure walked over.

He is the groom.

Xia Li was a stranger to the person who came; they had only met once before, at Yunding Garden, on the day she married Ji Ling.

At that time, this person was Meng Qianqiu's boyfriend, but now he has suddenly gotten a marriage certificate with Jiang Xue, leaving her somewhat bewildered.