The next day, as dawn broke, Qin Yu's usual biological clock woke him up. He looked around warily, only to see a tearful face that looked aggrieved even in its sleep.

His pupils dilated as the madness of last night flooded his mind. Looking at the pitiful little face in his arms, Qin Yu smiled with a smug and satisfied expression.

"You're mine now." He lowered his head and gently kissed Xia Lan's forehead.

This woman finally belongs to him.

Xia Lan's eyebrows trembled slightly, as if she was about to wake up. Qin Yu immediately closed his eyes, pretending that he was still fast asleep.

Xia Lan opened her eyes and realized her current situation. She nestled in Qin Yu's arms, gently moved Qin Yu's large hand away from her waist, and carefully moved to the edge of the bed.

My whole body felt like it had been run over; it was sore and painful.

Xia Lan raised her fist, wanting to punch this despicable man, but then she remembered how he had tossed and turned her over last night until her voice was hoarse, and this bastard still wouldn't let her go.

The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

You really can't trust a scoundrel's words.

All that talk about showing pity and tenderness is fake.

Men who have just tasted the forbidden fruit are truly terrifying; they keep doing it again and again, seemingly never getting enough.

She carefully got out of bed, but as she tried to stand up, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground. Qin Yu, who was secretly watching her, was so frightened that he quickly grabbed her waist.

Feeling the restraint around her waist, Xia Lan blinked and looked at the owner of those hands.

"Good morning, wife." Qin Yu helped Xia Lan back to bed, accompanied by a deep chuckle, his deep voice like a hook, and gently kissed her between the eyebrows.

Xia Lan was dazzled by Qin Yu's smile. She wanted to be angry at his face, but she just couldn't muster any anger.

Xia Lan reached out and pinched his cheek, then bit him.

His voice was hoarse, as if he had a severe cold.

But the words were exceptionally clear.

"asshole."

"I was wrong," Qin Yu obediently admitted his mistake.

After saying that, he looked up, cupped the back of her head, and kissed her soft lips.

"Qin Yu!" Xia Lan said angrily.

"Hey, wife." No matter how angry Ren Xialan got with him, Qin Yu always had a smile on his face, as if nothing was a big deal.

"..." Seeing his appearance, Xia Lan was truly helpless.

A man who has just tasted the sweetness is like a walking hormone machine, constantly releasing hormones that have nowhere to go.

"Don't move, I'll make you breakfast!" Qin Yu kissed Xia Lan and obediently went to make breakfast for his wife.

"I need to go to the restroom," Xia Lan said hoarsely.

Qin Yu solicitously carried Xia Lan to the bathroom, waited for her at the door, and then put her back on the bed after she came out.

Go make breakfast for Xia Lan.

As Xia Lan lay in bed, recalling the madness of the previous night, a shy smile involuntarily appeared in her eyes.

She really gave herself to him; it's unbelievable.

In her past life, she never gave herself away, even though her most loyal suitor had been pursuing her for eight years and everyone was urging her to accept him. But she always felt that something was missing.

Now, however, she willingly gave herself to Qin Yu.

Xia Lan couldn't describe her feelings at that moment—whether it was joy, sweetness, or...感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or reflection).

"What are you thinking about?" Qin Yu brought over breakfast and saw Xia Lan sitting alone on the bed, seemingly lost in thought.

"Hehe." Xia Lan chuckled, took the vegetable porridge Qin Yu had cooked, and began to eat it with relish.

After feeding Xia Lan, Qin Yu went back to the kitchen to wash the dishes and came out to see Xia Lan already dressed.

Qin Yu frowned.

Where are you going?

"Going to work?" Xia Lan blinked, looking at Qin Yu with a puzzled expression.

"But... can you work in this condition? You can barely stand up." Qin Yu wanted Xia Lan to rest for another day.

Xia Lan shook her head.

"I'm fine, I'll be alright in a bit."

"I can support you... Why don't you quit your job?" Qin Yu glanced at Xia Lan, his eyes full of heartache.

"Are you feeling sorry for me, or do you think I should just stay at home?" Xia Lan paused, slowly raised her head to look at Qin Yu, a flash of anger in her eyes.

Qin Yu sensed Xia Lan's cold tone and quickly stepped forward to coax her.

"Of course I feel sorry for you. You're my wife, it's only right that I take care of you!" Qin Yu said earnestly.

"I was so rough with you last night... you're bound to feel unwell today."

"You know you're going to be ruthless?" Xia Lan glanced at Qin Yu and said controllingly.

Qin Yu touched his nose guiltily.

“I know you have money and can support me, but I don’t want to be a burden to you. I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. What I want is to support each other, not to hide in your protective circle.”

Xia Lan stepped forward and took Qin Yu's hand.

"I don't want to be unable to help you when you need me. I have my own thoughts and things I want to do. Don't treat me like a fragile doll, okay?"

Qin Yu looked at Xia Lan deeply, then hugged her tightly in his arms.

“I’m so glad to hear that you want to grow with me. Go ahead and do what you want to do! Whatever you want to do, I will support you.”

Qin Yu kissed Xia Lan's forehead.

His love for her deepened even further.

"Brother Yu, you're so kind." Xia Lan was very happy that Qin Yu respected her decision and supported her.

She felt she made the right choice.

"Your happiness is the most important thing," Qin Yu said with a smile.

“But I need to go back to the village today, you…”

"I'll wait for you to come back!" Xia Lan immediately replied obediently.

"Then how will you eat?" Qin Yu asked worriedly.

"I'll go to the cafeteria to get food!" Xia Lan thought for a moment, realizing that her workplace seemed to have a cafeteria.

"Wait for me to come back, don't wander off." Qin Yu rubbed Xia Lan's head, still unable to help but worry.

"Yes, I'll miss you. Do your best and come back soon." Xia Lan looked at Qin Yu, knowing he had something very important to do.

He respects her and supports her, and she will do the same for him.

Qin Yu took Xia Lan to the department store, watched her enter the store, and then turned and left.

Xia Lan, who hadn't been seen for almost a week, reappeared in the store, and many of the sales staff looked at her with sympathy.

Xia Lan was puzzled. When she arrived at the office, Qian Xue and Qian Yao immediately greeted her with concern.

"Xia Lan, what happened to you? Why haven't you come to work for so long?"

Only Minister Yang knew that Xia Lan had almost been kidnapped by human traffickers; no one else in the department store knew.

They only thought that Xia Lan had done a great service, so they became spoiled and pampered, and didn't even go to work properly anymore.

Xia Lan briefly explained her situation, and everyone in the office gasped when they heard that Xia Lan had almost been kidnapped by human traffickers.

"Oh my god! Human traffickers! The newspapers have been reporting a lot of human traffickers lately. I thought it was just in other places, but I didn't expect there to be some here too?"

Qian Xue said, both surprised and frightened.

Are you alright?

Qian Yao immediately showed concern for Xia Lan.

"Luckily, my husband came back in time, and I'm fine," Xia Lan replied with a smile.

"I was so frightened that I was unconscious for several days..."