Hearing this, Wen Ci let go of the manâs ear. She wrapped her arms around Huo Jingyuanâs neck, leaped onto him, and locked her legs tightly around his waist. Her lips curved into a playful smile. "So, youâre *really* not tired?"
"Iâm not tired."
The manâs voice was low and unhurried. Despite his exhaustion, a flicker of desire was evident in his tone.
"So, youâre good until morning?"
Huo Jingyuan: "..."
His deep eyes stared intently at Wen Ci, only inches away. They held a hint of helplessness. "Ah Ci, are you trying to work your man to death in bed?"
Wen Ci blinked innocently and said at a leisurely pace, "Didnât you say you werenât tired? A whole night shouldnât be too hard for Mr. Huo, right?"
After a moment of silence, Huo Jingyuan held Wen Ci steady by the waist and walked slowly toward the bedroom. Wen Ci was still clinging to him, and the room was pitch-black.
His eyesight was one of the best in the entire military, so he could just barely make out the bedroomâs location.
Wen Ci swallowed hard. "Are we really doing this?"
The man didnât answer, gently placing her on the bed. Then, Huo Jingyuan took off his jacket and pants.
In just a few quick movements, he was down to his last piece of clothing.
Huo Jingyuanâs eyelids drooped. He was mentally drainedâtoo tired to wash up or even grab pajamas from the closet. He decided to just get in bed naked.
Once under the covers, Huo Jingyuan pulled Wen Ci close. He closed his eyes, inhaling her faint, sweet fragrance, and his weary mind finally relaxed as he fell asleep.
Wen Ci was about to struggle out of the arm wrapped around her shoulders when she heard his steady breathing. A sweet smile spread across her face.
ăThe next day.ă
The sun was bright, the sky was a tranquil blue, and the weather was absolutely perfect.
In the family compound, Zhu Jing was directing a few men to move two tables. She walked over to Wen Ciâs house and noticed the outer courtyard gate wasnât locked.
She pushed the gate right open.
The day before, while Wen Ci was having dinner at the mess hall, Zhu Jing had told her they would be moving tables and chairs into the courtyard this morning and asked her not to lock the outer gate.
Xiang Qin noticed the bedroom curtains were still drawn and couldnât help but speak up. "Looks like Wen Ciâs curtains are still drawn. You think sheâs still sleeping?"
"Itâs almost nine-thirty! Wen Ci has to be awake by now!"
Zhu Jing took the vegetables from Xiang Qin and the others. Since becoming the head chef at the military regionâs mess hall, she could buy vegetables from there at cost.
She wanted to throw a big party for her birthday this year, so she had taken the day off specially.
The commotion outside startled Wen Ci from her sleep. The moment she opened her eyes, she met Huo Jingyuanâs deep gaze. "Did you invite people over?"
Wen Ciâs eyes went wide with panic. "Today is Sister Jingâs birthday! They were going to set up a couple of tables in our yard. They said theyâd be here at nine-thirty to move the furniture!"
As she spoke, she reached over to light the kerosene lamp. The moment she threw back the covers, she saw Huo Jingyuanâs naked body and instinctively covered her eyes.
The manâs voice was nonchalant. "Itâs not like you havenât seen it before."
Wen Ci: "..."
She gave an awkward cough, uncovering her eyes, and asked, "Do you have to go on a mission today?"
"I do."
"Then hurry up and get up! Youâve overslept."
Huo Jingyuanâs lips curved into a smile. "I have plenty of time even if I leave at ten-thirty."
Hearing that, Wen Ci understood he wouldnât be staying for the meal. "Okay, then you go out and say hello in a minute. Iâm going to get changed."
"Mm."
Huo Jingyuan got out of bed and pulled another training uniform from the closet to put on. He scooped up the clothes he had thrown at the foot of the bed last night. "Leave these for me," he said. "Iâll wash them when I get back tonight."
They didnât have a washing machine at home, so everything had to be washed by hand.