Chapter 31

Wu Ying couldn't resist reaching up to tug at his ears, kneading them like a washcloth until Asher's ears were flushed bright red.

Throughout the whole ordeal, Asher didn't make a sound—only the slightly ragged rhythm of his breathing gave him away. He silently held Wu Ying in his arms, listening to her contented little hums, something heavy and astringent sinking in his chest.

Wu Ying closed her eyes in enjoyment, and Asher's gaze finally drifted down to her. He couldn't help but seize control, wanting to kiss her harder.

Her fragmented gasps were like feathers, wreaking havoc across his heart and body, itching him to the point where he couldn't control his own strength. It took Wu Ying pinching him several times to snap him back to himself.

Asher's broad palm gripped her waist firmly, his fingers nearly sinking into the soft, supple flesh there. One hand covered more than half her waist, bearing down relentlessly until Wu Ying could only press closer.

"Mm, that's enough."

Wu Ying was tired, couldn't catch her breath, and pushed at him with her hands. At first Asher didn't budge, but after she bit him, he seemed to come back to his senses and tilted his head back, following her push.

Her pale little hand pressed against his jaw, and Wu Ying panted softly as she leaned against his chest, her hand sliding down to rest over his other pectoral.

With each breath he took, she felt like she was riding a rocking chair, swaying gently with his rise and fall.

Wu Ying kept her eyes closed, slowly letting the tingling sensations that shot through her body subside. Her cheeks were flushed, and she pressed her burning face against his firm chest, the thundering of his heartbeat loud in her ear.

A few loose strands of hair fell across her cheek. Asher tightened his arms around her, lowering his head with dark, hooded eyes. He reached up to brush the hair away. Predictably, Wu Ying swatted at him, though without much force. Asher barely felt it—he even caught her hand, adding another weapon to restrain her.

Wu Ying slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the sharp cut of Asher's jaw, so close.

"Let go of me."

Her captured hand began to struggle, her delicate wrist squirming in his palm. Asher released her, and Wu Ying immediately slapped him with her free hand.

This time she put more force into it—a crisp, ringing smack.

Wu Ying scolded him weakly, pushing herself up on his stomach, trying to leave, her glistening eyes completely devoid of threat. All Asher had to do was exert a little strength and she tumbled back into his embrace.

Asher looked at her, not missing the almost obscenely red lips she had. Her hands on his stomach weren't still either—she was tracing his abs, seemingly quite pleased with what she found.

He didn't hesitate. The hand he'd just been slapped with came up to her face. Her head was small too, her naturally curly hair soft, and Asher threaded his fingers through the locks, gathering a full handful.

She was so sweet. Asher pinched her soft cheek, sighing inwardly. His deep gaze fixed on her, watching her lashes tremble with every little hum. He couldn't help but squeeze deliberately, wanting to make her tremble even harder.

Sunlight spilled across the floor, casting a soft glow. Neither of them knew how long they'd been tangled up together.

Sweat beaded on Wu Ying's forehead, damp strands of hair tracing messy lines across her face. She was so tired, her mind fuzzy, and her body felt heavy. She lifted a hand and weakly shoved at the mountain of a man beside her.

"Get up. Go back to your own room."

She'd never felt her bed so small, barely leaving room for her to turn over. Asher's heavy arm lay across her waist, his dark hair disheveled, obscuring his sharp brows and eyes. Feeling the constant fidgeting in his arms, he slowly opened his eyes.

The curtains were drawn tight in the room, only a sliver of light showing through the folds. That sliver cut through the darkness and fell on the messy bed, where the blankets had been shoved into a crumpled heap. Two figures overlapped, casting an even darker, heavier shadow. The thin light couldn't reach past them, only offering a breath of air to the dim, humid space.

A sharply defined arm lifted out of the darkness, pulling Wu Ying's hand back into his embrace. She struggled, but he held her fast.

"Quiet."

Asher's voice carried a note of satisfaction, gentle and measured—almost tender.

Wu Ying managed one last snort through her nose before her remaining consciousness sank into darkness.

That war of words, thick with tension, finally ended in a lingering, tangled embrace. They hadn't come up with any new plans, but the dynamic between them had shifted slightly.

Since there was such a pleasant way to pass the time, why not?

Wu Ying kicked at the man standing by the bed pulling on his clothes. Bastard. He'd put on such an air of aloof, untouchable restraint before. Now that his true colors were showing, he'd turned out to be a complete glutton.

"Such a secret pervert!"

"Hm?" Asher, now the target of her accusation, turned and caught her foot. Instead of reacting to her words, he gave the soft, tender foot in his hand a light squeeze, then gently tucked it back under the covers.

He walked out naturally, telling Zhi Yangyang to make breakfast, presumably headed off to work out.

Wu Ying quite liked that about him. A disciplined man lets you enjoy his abs—as a beneficiary, she strongly approved!

As for Jiujiu, when Asher had its system upgraded, he'd already transferred ownership to Wu Ying. Now Jiujiu was her personal assistant, mecha support, and bodyguard all in one.

Her assistant was surveying the greenhouse right now—all Wu Ying had to do was sync to Jiujiu's camera with her Light Brain and handle tasks remotely.

She actually would've preferred to do it herself, but she was too sore from last night to get up.

She'd thought Asher was completely ascetic, but apparently he'd just been hiding it well.

Wu Ying rolled over, using her Light Brain to check the greenhouse feed while scrolling through messages. Since returning from military training, her social circle had grown considerably.

Compared to being known as Asher's wife on Yuanji Star, she'd now made friends that were truly hers.

Cynthia was spamming the group chat demanding answers, Su Yi was mixed in with the chaos scolding her, and Huo Lin was happily fanning the flames, stirring up trouble wherever she could. Judging by how this was going, Wu Ying had no doubt Su Yi and Cynthia might end up meeting in person for a fight.

The moment Wu Ying surfaced, Cynthia switched targets, sweet-talking her one second and playing pitiful the next. The assignment wasn't easy—it required a lot of time for observation—and Cynthia had done none of it. She was just hoping to scrape by with a few answers.

The group fooled around for a while before finally turning in their answers.

With everyone present, Su Yi brought up a practical activity that offered extra credit. It was organized by a senior from last year's class, had no real danger, and came with protection. She wanted to go.

"Yingying, are you going? It's a simple activity—you don't need to do much—but the credit is generous, and it carries real weight for the soil geology analyst exam."

Su Yi specifically asked Wu Ying because most of the girls in the dorm were on Blue Star, while Wu Ying was the only one on distant Yuanji Star.

Wu Ying frowned as she read the message. She knew the school offered activities for credit, but only students in their second year or above could organize them. This must be one of Su Yi's connections. Wu Ying was tempted.

But getting away was indeed a hassle for her—she'd have to file a report in advance, detailing where she was going, what she was doing, and for how long, then wait for approval before she could leave.

Cynthia said she was going too. Since it wasn't dangerous and they were only freshmen, it was basically just free credit—an excuse to slack off and have a little trip along the way. She was first to sign up.

Even more tempted now, Wu Ying quickly replied: she wanted to go, and she'd check with her family and get right back to them.

"Beep beep."

She immediately poked Asher. After waiting a moment, there was no response—he probably hadn't seen it.

Wu Ying sat up, her smooth, rounded shoulder slipping out from under the covers. Several deep red marks stood out on her collarbone, and her arm showed a few others. She rubbed at the red marks on her wrist, then got up in a light nightgown.

She decided to go find him at the gym. Her tangled hair she roughly shoved back.

Her natural curls fell in a soft arc across her chest, and Wu Ying toyed with them, winding the strands around her finger as she walked. She stepped out of the room and confirmed Asher's location with Zhi Yangyang.

"Asher, I want to participate in a practical activity. Approve my application."

He was doing weights, his clothes soaked with sweat and clinging transparently to his body, every muscle line taut beneath. Wu Ying took a few looks.

Asher let out a deep breath, freeing a hand to wipe his face with a towel. He looked at Wu Ying, his tall frame casting her in shadow. He was powerfully built—broad, solid shoulders, a tight, strong waist. After a workout, he radiated an overwhelming sense of raw strength.

Mm, and a very strong odor of sweat.

Wu Ying took a step back, stretched out her hand, and poked his abs. "Hurry up and agree. I still have to get back to my roommate."

"Where is it? Has a safety assessment been done?"

Wu Ying shook her head. She'd been waiting for his approval, after all—when would she have time to do a safety assessment? And she wouldn't know how to do one anyway.

"Tell me what the activity is first. I'll have someone look into it and give you an answer this afternoon."

"But I'm in a hurry."

Asher looked at her calmly. He didn't say a word, but Wu Ying felt a twinge of guilt and looked down. She knew the rules about military family members going out, and she knew Asher was doing this for her safety. She also couldn't guarantee that nothing dangerous would happen without an assessment.

"Fine. Then hurry up."

Wu Ying pouted in displeasure and padded out of the room with soft, quick steps.

Asher abandoned his training plan and followed behind her. His footsteps were heavier, and Wu Ying naturally knew he was right there.

She made it a few steps before stopping, dramatically covering her nose and turning back, her voice muffled. "Whoa, you smell terrible. You're all sweat. You'd better not come near me today, or I'll make you pay."

Wu Ying's glistening, round doe eyes widened at him as she covered her nose with both hands, as if that would double the force of her attack.

Her round shoulders lifted slightly. She wore a pale yellow floral sleeveless slip dress, the soft fabric draping gently against her as she moved. Asher didn't even twitch an eyebrow and kept walking forward.

Wu Ying took another exaggerated step back. "Whoa whoa, back off. You're stinking me out. I feel like if you take one more step, I'm going to reek too."

"Ugh, I'm contaminated!"

Picking a fight out of nothing. Asher didn't slow, walking straight toward her. Wu Ying glared at him angrily, thinking she'd kick him if he came any closer.

"Ah, let go of me!"