Gu Nanjiao had just entered the room and hadn't even had a chance to rest for a while when Lu Yanzhao followed her in and slammed the door shut behind her.

The room was pitch black, without an oil lamp. Lu Yanzhao stood in front of the door, his breathing becoming heavier, his chest rising and falling slightly, and his blood boiling.

In the darkness, Gu Nanjiao felt that Lu Yanzhao's gaze was like that of a wolf, burning as if he were staring at his prey in the dark, ready to devour it in the next bite.

What does this mean? Unsatisfied desires?

Don't you feel ashamed that this was discovered? You're even panting heavily.

Gu Nanjiao said irritably, "Don't keep whispering in children's ears like that. You're just setting a bad example for them. Now everyone knows, and I'm too ashamed to face anyone."

As soon as Gu Nanjiao finished speaking, Lu Yanzhao grabbed her chin and leaned down to kiss her: "Mother said we should go inside, so I came to find you."

Just now in the backyard, the soft touch made his blood boil. Before he could take the next step, Lu Xiaomei and the others discovered him and gave him a good scolding. Heaven knows how much he had to suppress that lustful desire.

I'm leaving for the capital tomorrow, and I don't know how long it will be before I see the person in front of me again.

Gu Nanjiao was so dizzy from the kisses that Lu Yanzhao stammered, "My darling Jiaojiao, will you miss me after I leave?"

Gu Nanjiao had been single since birth for so many years, and had never before been forcibly kissed by someone who grabbed her chin and called her "baby" in such a cheesy way.

Moreover, this person is Lu Yanzhao, who in public appears refined and composed, unapproachable, but who would have thought he's so...

So... good at saying cheesy pickup lines!

This contrast is simply unbearable.

Gu Nanjiao felt a little shy and wanted to push Lu Yanzhao away, but her bones went weak and she felt a tingling sensation all over her body, a feeling she had never experienced before.

It's like eating forbidden fruit; you can't help but want to take another bite, and another bite.

She didn't reject this feeling at all; on the contrary, she longed for it. She wrapped her arms around Lu Yanzhao's neck and responded stiffly.

Feeling Gu Nanjiao's response, Lu Yanzhao felt his blood boil, as if a raging fire was spreading throughout his body. The rationality and indifference he had maintained in front of others for years crumbled instantly. He kissed Gu Nanjiao all the way, and then uncontrollably moved up slowly, caressing her softness until they reached the edge of the bed.

Gu Nanjiao was pinned to the bed, and Lu Yanzhao's lips quickly covered hers, deepening the kiss fiercely, calling out Gu Nanjiao's name repeatedly in a low and hoarse voice.

The kiss lasted for an unknown amount of time, leaving Gu Nanjiao feeling dizzy. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her chest and snapped back to reality. She grabbed Lu Yanzhao's moving left hand, demanding, "What are you doing? Why are you pinching me?"

In the darkness, Lu Yanzhao's low, husky laughter echoed, his voice captivating and striking straight to the heart.

Lu Yanzhao pulled Gu Nanjiao into his arms and apologized in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself and pinched you too hard!"

Gu Nanjiao felt a little scared and nestled uncomfortably in Lu Yanzhao's arms.

He could just kiss her; they'd both confessed their feelings, so there was nothing wrong with it. He even touched her breasts while kissing her, and she didn't resist anymore. She was just like Lu Yanzhao.

But he actually pinched it, he actually went and pinched it.

Gu Nanjiao felt this was a serious matter. Could he like BDSM? Good heavens, only perverts like that. What if he's rough and unrestrained in bed with Lu Yanzhao in the future?

Gu Nanjiao didn't like it.

"Lu Yanzhao, you don't have any unusual fetishes, do you?"

Why do they act so normal in public, but their interactions behind each other's backs are so... abnormal?

"No!" Lu Yanzhao uttered two words, nuzzling his chin against Gu Nanjiao's shoulder.

Gu Nanjiao was filled with deep doubt. How could Lu Yanzhao, who hadn't even glanced at her when the original owner of this body was naked, suddenly act like this...?

Gu Nanjiao was held tightly by Lu Yanzhao and naturally felt the change in a certain place. Gu Nanjiao cleared her throat and whispered, "Lu Yanzhao, if you are feeling uncomfortable, I can help you."

"What?" Lu Yanzhao didn't hear clearly.

Gu Nanjiao blushed and repeated it again.

This guy arrogantly said, "When I pass the imperial examination and marry you in a grand ceremony, I will grant your wish."

"What do you mean by 'fulfilling my wish'?" Gu Nanjiao laughed in exasperation: "What are you thinking? I mean if you're in pain, I can use my hands to relieve it for you."

Lu Yanzhao's face flushed red, and he coughed a few times: "This...this is not necessary."

Gu Nanjiao pushed Lu Yanzhao away: "My good intentions have been wasted. The food is almost ready, let's not linger here."

Gu Nanjiao got out of bed and lit the oil lamp, which finally brightened the room a bit.

Lu Yanzhao looked down and said in a hoarse voice, "You can go out first, I'll be there soon."

He had previously married Gu Nanjiao without any betrothal or marriage ceremony, and he still felt deeply guilty about it. This time, he would absolutely not let Gu Nanjiao down and would definitely give her a grand wedding.

Before getting married, he would definitely restrain himself and not hurt Gu Nanjiao.

Gu Nanjiao had said that she wouldn't hand her over to him before she turned eighteen, but he never expected her to say that he would help her with his hands. He suddenly felt a little embarrassed by such an awkward thing.

Lu's mother and Lü Siniang and the others busied themselves preparing a large table of dishes. Considering that they were going on a trip the next day, they served tea instead of wine.

On the table were large meat dishes: braised fish head, braised lion's head meatballs, braised pork, and sweet and sour pork tenderloin—all red, auspicious colors.

The vegetarian dishes included stir-fried bamboo shoots, symbolizing continuous advancement; braised duck with winter melon, symbolizing success in the imperial examinations; stir-fried garlic sprouts with red peppers and sausage, symbolizing brilliant writing; steamed sea bass, symbolizing being in one's element; and finally, stir-fried bean sprouts with vermicelli, signifying soaring to great heights.

The soup is a three-delicacy meatball soup, which symbolizes passing the imperial examinations in three consecutive years.

After the food was set on the table, Lu Yanzhao was late in arriving. Lu's mother became anxious and wanted to go to his room to call him, but Gu Nanjiao grabbed her arm.

“Mother, Yanzhao said he has some things to do and will need to wait a little longer. Why don’t we wait for him a little longer?”

Mrs. Lu nodded and had no choice but to sit down.

Lu Xiaomei stared at the table full of dishes and swallowed hard. She regretted talking too much, and now she couldn't eat any of the delicious food.

Seeing that Lu Xiaomei was drooling with envy, Yingniang had no choice but to take her back to her room, saying that she would teach her a lesson.

Before leaving, Lu Xiaomei muttered, "I don't know what my brother is doing, making a whole table of people wait for him."

Gu Nanjiao froze instantly, then covered her mouth and laughed, almost bursting out laughing.

Mr. Gu looked at his daughter laughing so hard she was shaking with laughter: "Jiaojiao, go see what Yanzhao is doing. If there's anything he hasn't cleaned up, can you help him?"

Gu Nanjiao stopped laughing and said somewhat irritably, "Lu Yanzhao said he doesn't need my help; he can handle it himself."

These words made Gu's father even more puzzled: "What can he solve by himself? As his wife, you should share the burden with your husband. Go and see if Yanzhao has anything to tidy up or anything to help with. Go and help him out."

Mr. Gu felt that his daughter was a bit heartless. Her husband was busy with his own affairs, but she just came over without even helping to tidy up her clothes or pack her things.

Urged by her father, Gu Nanjiao slowly got up and went to the door.

I knocked on the door, but there was no response.

Gu Nanjiao listened intently, but there was still no sound.

"Lu Yanzhao, are you ready yet? Everyone's waiting for you to eat."

"Lu Yanzhao, why are you taking so long? Can't you hurry up?"

Hearing the sounds outside the door, Lu Yanzhao opened the door with a grim face.

Gu Nanjiao glanced down and teased, "All done?"

"Um!"