His every breath, flowing into her ear, was like a seductive drug, captivating and mesmerizing. Su Yushan was most afraid of him speaking so close to her ear, yet he seemed to do it on purpose, always liking to lean close to her ear, transmitting his warmth, lingering and entangling, making her heart tremble slightly, pitifully pleading with him.

"When you talk to me, could you please move a little further away? Don't stand right next to my ear, I can hear you."

Having been together for so long, Hongli knew her sensitive spots best, so he would deliberately provoke her each time, asking, "Are you having a hard time too? Do you want me to help you?"

"I don't need to," Su Yushan said, gently stroking her belly. She kept the doctor's words in mind and dared not be careless. "I have to protect the baby and can't do anything reckless."

Holding her hand, Hongli gently unfolded her curled fingers, interlocking them with his own. "The doctor checked your pulse the other day and said the pregnancy is stable."

"That's not something to take the risk." She was afraid of her own body. Although he could indeed disturb her mind, she would rather endure it than gamble with the child's safety.

Knowing that Hongli in the tent was like a fierce cheetah, expecting him to be gentle and mild was impossible, so she could only take the trouble herself. "Let me help you!"

Gently stroking her slender, white fingers, Hongli recalled those alluring scenes, his thoughts rising. He lowered his eyes and asked with a smile, "Don't your hands get tired?"

That's for sure; every time she helps him, her hand aches terribly. "You're just asking the obvious. Try it yourself if you don't believe me."

"How do I try it? Here?" Hongli smiled suddenly. "I understand. You want me to help you."

After a long pause, she finally understood what he meant. Her face flushed red with embarrassment, and she retorted angrily, "I didn't mean that at all. Don't overthink it."

Her coquettish expression betrayed her thoughts. He gently flicked her nose with his finger and coaxed her with a smile, "I'm your man, not an outsider. You don't need to hide your true thoughts from me. Wanting something isn't shameful. I can help you."

As he spoke, Hongli's hand moved slowly, finding a secluded forest. His nimble and slender fingers moved forward slowly, traversing streams and splitting valleys, searching for treasure.

Su Yushan was very uncomfortable with this novel approach. She nervously grabbed his wrist and dared not continue. "No, I... I'm scared."

This is the slowest and gentlest way. Hongli knew how to handle it. "Don't worry, it won't hurt the child."

Seeing that she seemed to want to protest, Hongli simply sealed her lips with a kiss, catching Su Yushan off guard!

One moment he was talking to her, the next he was right next to her. She watched helplessly as his handsome face drew closer, her vision blurring as she could only feel his Canaan scent slowly invading her nostrils.

She was completely overwhelmed by this combined attack from both above and below. At first, she helplessly patted his shoulder to show her resistance, but later, her knuckles unconsciously tugged at his inner garment, and the sounds emanating from her lips became more and more melodious, so alluring that he really wanted to pull his hand away and truly experience the wonderful feeling of the person in his arms.

But the thought of the child instantly calmed him down, reminding himself to stay rational and not to act rashly, and to help her only in this special way.

Later, she was so exhausted that a thin layer of fragrant sweat covered her smooth forehead, and her starry eyes were half-closed, showing her fatigue.

Hongli pulled his hand out from under the covers, curled his lips and clicked his tongue in a sigh, "Do you know what it means to flood Jinshan Temple?"

Embarrassed, Su Yushan covered her head with the quilt, not daring to look. "Don't laugh at me, you...you go and wash yourself clean."

Hongli laughed and rose, stepped out of the tent to wash his hands, drank half a cup of tea himself, and then poured her another cup. "Look at this water..."

Upon hearing this, Su Yushan, who was under the covers, blushed and scolded, "You're talking nonsense again. I don't want to talk to you anymore."

He raised his finger and pinched her soft, pomegranate-red cheek, then smiled and clarified, "I meant tea. A mouthful of tea is just right for drinking. What nonsense are you thinking with that little brain of yours?"

"You deliberately said ambiguous things, and now you're blaming me for overthinking?" Su Yushan pouted slightly and scoffed softly, "You're so mean!"

He had never been able to resist her shy and bashful appearance. He gently touched her forehead and chuckled, "You've known me for a long time, and this isn't the first time I've ever been naughty to you."

"You still have the nerve to say that?" Su Yushan clenched her fist, pretending to hit him, but he grabbed her wrist accurately. As the two were playfully fighting, their shy eyes met his dark pupils. When they looked at each other, Hongli couldn't help but have the illusion of going back to the past.

The relaxed atmosphere made Su Yushan momentarily dazed. Her heart raced, her smile faded, and she slowly withdrew her hand from his, silently turning back to lie down.

"I'm sleepy, I'm not going to mess around with you anymore."

What Hongli cared about was that she smiled at him. She would smile on ordinary days, but those smiles were superficial. Today's smile was clearly different; it was a genuine joy from the heart.

Although it didn't last long, and she quickly calmed down, he was still relieved. As long as she was truly happy, that was all that mattered. He hoped that this mansion would be a home for her, not a cage.

Knowing she was truly exhausted, Hongli didn't disturb her further. He tucked her in, and the two slept together, dreaming until dawn.

As the year drew to a close, Hongli became increasingly busy, and the servants in the mansion were also busy cleaning and tidying up. Yunfang had been staying with him for a long time, but with the New Year approaching, she could no longer stay there and thus took her leave.

Although Su Yushan was reluctant, she couldn't keep her any longer. "Then you go back first and help Aunt Liu prepare for the New Year. Come back when you have some free time."

Out of respect for Su Yushan, Hongli ordered Li Yu to personally escort her back, and before she left, he also bestowed many gifts upon her.

Although several servants accompanied him, Li Yu still personally helped move things, busying himself with everything, without putting on airs at all.

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