Chapter 62

Wu Ying saw the hunger in Asher's eyes, the rise and fall of his chest, as if she could see the desperate heartbeat beneath his skin.

When had the atmosphere shifted? Perhaps from the moment Wu Ying propped her chin on her hand and looked at him openly, or from the moment her trembling wrist swayed in the breeze. Held in his arms, the restless, anxious heart in his chest finally settled, giving him the composure to listen to her.

Asher gazed at her, his dark eyes brimming with growing desire. His hands hung naturally at his sides, bracing on the bed as he leaned over, lowering his head. His tall, straight nose gently brushed against her cheek and ear, his touch carrying static, each contact sending a shiver through her.

Their gazes met amidst shared breaths, an invisible vine stretching between them, binding them tightly together. An irresistible pull—Wu Ying instinctively closed her eyes, but her other senses sharpened. She felt his nearness, his gaze.

His breath formed an enticing cage, and the moment he pressed down, it captured her completely. But who knew if he might have long been another's caged bird?

Asher braced on the bed, kneeling, one hand firmly cradling the back of her head. His kiss came down heavily, lips grinding against lips, breath exchanged through parted mouths until they merged into one.

His lips, laden with heat, began to wander restlessly, like a beast king patrolling his territory—casual yet imposing. He demanded a response at every turn, treating the uncontrollable moans and murmurs at his ear as war cries. He tore away all barriers, his rough hands gliding over her delicate skin, craving contact.

Wu Ying listened to his rapid breathing at her ear. He was silent, but some things were deafening. She pinched his ear, kneading it until it reddened, just as red marks bloomed on her fair neck.

Love and desire fermented in the dim surroundings. Longing tangled fiercely with longing, impossible to tell who was more invested. Only when the storm subsided did they find time for tenderness.

A faint breeze stirred in the bedroom, and the scent of roses spread. Wu Ying nestled limply, clutching Asher's hand, her fingers tracing the bite marks on his arm. Some were deep, some shallow, their shapes varying with the angle. Asher felt no pain, and he hadn't applied any medicine.

"Are you sure you don't need medicine? Will it leave scars?"

Asher soothed her hair. "No, the repair serum will handle it."

"It's all your fault—you delayed my studies!"

"Mm, my fault."

"I'm going to sleep. Don't bother me."

"Okay."

Wu Ying drifted into dreams and slept through mealtime. When she woke, Asher wasn't beside her. She climbed up, tousled her hair, and walked out of the bedroom. The study door was shut, but Wu Ying knew Asher was likely inside.

"Jiujiu, is there lunch available now?"

She casually smoothed her hair and sat on the sofa, calling for the magical Jiujiu. She remembered Asher had turned off the lunch reminder, and she wasn't sure if she could get a meal now.

"Master, today's lunch includes charcoal-grilled steak and bone broth. For dessert, we have three options..."

Indeed, the magical Jiujiu. Wu Ying tapped her preferred dishes on the smart panel that popped up, and in no time, the dining table was set.

"Where's Asher?"

Wu Ying stood up, her slippers pattering on the floor. Jiujiu replied that he was in the study, as expected.

"Then I'll go call him for lunch."

She turned on her heel and headed toward Asher's study, deliberately softening her steps. The soft slippers made slight scuffing sounds on the floor, and Wu Ying frowned.

She suddenly remembered that the house's soundproofing could withstand her wailing in the living room, so she quietly changed her posture and returned to normal.

The study door was closed, but now she had a legitimate reason. Wu Ying raised her hand, bent her knuckles, and knocked on the door. The material gave off a humming sound.

After a few breaths, the door opened, and Asher came out. He wasn't surprised to see Wu Ying, after all, in this house, the only living person who would knock was Wu Ying.

"Dinner's ready!"

"Mm, are you hungry?"

As Asher spoke, he took long strides to Wu Ying's side, his hand naturally reaching out to take hers, and they walked together toward the dining room.

That day's tasks weren't completed. In the evening, Wu Ying was again studying on her tablet Light Brain. She'd finally caught up on the progress she'd lost earlier.

"Found a good solution?"

Asher came out of the bathroom, asking casually. His hair was slightly damp and limp from the steam, and wearing loungewear, his imposing aura was greatly diminished.

Wu Ying deflated. "No." She was curled up on the small sofa, with a pink plush toy squeezed beside her. Asher grabbed it by the ear, yanked it out, and wedged himself in.

"Do you have to squeeze me?"

"I suggested switching sofas before. What do you think?"

Wu Ying shot him a glare. He only talked about switching but never took action. She loved this sofa, and it wasn't like she was the one forcing the squeeze, so why should she be the one to bother switching?

"Then we'll just have to make do."

Asher said, his face showing no sign of reluctance.

"Then could you please make do on the bed?" Wu Ying gave him a fake smile, pointing to the large empty bed nearby. Freshly dressed with new sheets, scented with her favorite fragrance.

Asher followed her gesture, a thoughtful expression on his face. A second later, he grabbed Wu Ying's hand and answered seriously, "I can, but you'll have to make do with me."

As he spoke, Asher bent slightly and lifted Wu Ying entirely—or more accurately, he scooped her up completely. His strong arms wrapped around her legs. Startled, Wu Ying quickly looped her arms around his neck, afraid he'd drop her.

"You scared me to death!" Wu Ying raised her hand without mercy and slapped his arm several times.

Asher walked lightly, reaching the bed in a few steps, replying in between, "Good thing I'm holding you." As if he meant that Wu Ying was scared, but as long as he held her, there was nothing to fear.

"How did you get so good at arguing?"

Wu Ying was utterly baffled. Asher thought for a moment and decided it was Wu Ying's influence, since she was the only one around him who played such word games with him.

"Time to sleep."

His shadow descended like a blanket, and before Wu Ying could refuse, they were tangled together again. Strange muffled sounds rose once more, the tablet Light Brain conveniently dimmed its screen, and the bedroom's symphony was not to be disturbed.

...

"Wu Ying, are you awake?"

In the midst of sleep, Wu Ying was shaken awake. She opened her eyes groggily and heard someone ask at her ear, "Awake?" What do you think?

Wu Ying glared at him, anger surging into her brain. Was he a demon? After tormenting her until midnight, she'd finally fallen asleep, and now he was shaking her awake in the middle of the night.

"What are you doing?"

Wu Ying was furious. The hand she'd hidden under the covers even came out to scratch at him.

Asher caught her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently. In the darkness, his voice was low and hoarse: "News came from the military—there's an emergency. I have to go. You get some rest."

As soon as he said that, Wu Ying was wide awake. The anger in her heart was doused like a bucket of cold water. She froze, her fingers unconsciously curling, and when her fingers touched his palm, she realized he was holding her hand.

Her hand shot out of his grasp like lightning. Wu Ying couldn't recall her expression. She only felt herself sit up, her hands bracing on the bed. The soft bed seemed to turn into a swamp, and even without exerting force, she felt herself sinking, a shadow of suffocation looming over her.

After a moment, Wu Ying finally looked up at him. Half of Asher was hidden in the darkness, only his eyes gleaming. He stared at her intently, as if he had already taken in all her emotions.

Her refusal and irrationality, even her struggle. Wu Ying felt split into two personalities—one rational, arguing logically; the other emotional, venting wildly.

Asher reached out, cupped her face, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. His lips were cold, merging with the dark night.

"I remember you wanted me to say goodnight when I leave. Sleep. I'm going."

Wu Ying grabbed his hand. "I can't sleep now. You... has someone come to pick you up?" What nonsense was she talking? Of course someone had come for him.

"They're already waiting downstairs."

A sense of urgency surged. Wu Ying couldn't help digging her nails into his hand, her mind in a mess, not knowing what to say. She tried to sort it out but found it hopelessly tangled. She glanced around frantically, and when she looked up, she saw a glint of light on Asher's wrist.

Someone was urging him?

"I mean—"

Asher cut her off. "Don't panic. First, get some good sleep. Tomorrow when you wake up, send me a message. We'll find time to talk properly."

He had to go.

"You go. It's fine. I have to go out tomorrow too, to Tuotuo Star. I'd already planned it with my roommates." She was grasping at straws, speaking while pushing his hand away.

She tried to show with her words and actions that she wasn't panicking, that she had her own plans too.

She said it was fine, but suddenly Asher had a problem. He frowned, his voice unconsciously deepening. "You're going out? For fun? Maybe you could stay on Beta Star. Don't you have an experiment?"

"I'm putting the experiment off for now. It wasn't that important anyway."

"That experiment has been in your plans all along. Wu Ying, don't make impulsive decisions on a whim. Calm down."

"I am calm!"

The atmosphere tensed up as they spoke. Asher's voice was full of disapproval, while Wu Ying was like a wound-up machine, her pitch only rising, never falling.

"Are you angry with me? Honey, I—"

"Stop. Aren't you in a hurry? Go on. I'll handle my own arrangements. Don't worry about me." Wu Ying didn't want to hear any more. The more she heard, the more her grievances seemed unreasonable.

She knew this wasn't something he could decide, but she also couldn't control the chaotic emotions churning inside her.

Meng Ke was downstairs. Seeing that he hadn't come down, he worried something was wrong. His Light Brain alerted him to an incoming message. Asher rubbed his forehead and tried to hug Wu Ying, but she pushed him away, telling him to go quickly.

"Wu Ying, we'll talk tomorrow. Wait for me at home, okay?"

"We'll see."