Zhao Yu was still reeling from the intense aftermath of her climax and hadn’t yet recovered. When she heard Ji Sui mention a gift, she didn’t pay it much mind—until an exquisite velvet box was placed before her.

That was…

All traces of exhaustion instantly vanished. She bolted upright in bed, staring at him in alarm.

Was he about to propose? They hadn’t been together that long—how could it be so soon?

Then again, given his nature, now that he had set his sights on her, a proposal didn’t seem all that surprising.

In that split second, countless thoughts flashed through her mind. She considered just as many ways to refuse him, even bracing herself for the worst-case scenario.

But the moment she met his deep, searching gaze, she immediately realized her reaction had been a bit too extreme. She quickly reined in her expression, adjusted her emotions, and asked with feigned nonchalance, “What is this?”

Ji Sui stared at her blankly for a few more seconds before smiling and opening the box. “Do you like them?”

It wasn’t the ring she had dreaded, but a pair of simple, elegant white mother-of-pearl diamond earrings.

Ji Sui sat down on the edge of the bed, pulled her into his arms, and gently stroked her earlobe. “I’ve noticed you always like these long, dangling earrings, so I prepared these for you.”

“Long styles make the face look smaller. They’re beautiful—thank you.” Zhao Yu wrapped her arms around his neck and pecked the corner of his lips, then carefully glanced at the bag he had brought in.

She had been so preoccupied with the matter of Xue Zi’ang earlier that she hadn’t really noticed when Ji Sui entered. Besides the bouquet of flowers, there had indeed been a bag in his hand, and it bore the Lanxi logo.

But did such a small box really require a bag that large?

Ji Sui soon answered her unspoken question. He retrieved two more boxes from the bag—a long one containing a necklace and a square one holding a bracelet.

Now Zhao Yu remembered. This set was the signature piece from Lanxi’s newly released Bride collection, and it was a limited edition. She had paid special attention to it during the Lanxi launch event.

But she recalled that in addition to the necklace, bracelet, and earrings, there was also a matching ring. Yet Ji Sui hadn’t given her a ring.

She pretended not to notice and merely smiled. “Giving so much at once—how could I possibly accept all this?”

“I just happened to think this set suited you perfectly, so I ordered it in advance. What’s there to dare or not dare to accept?” Ji Sui gently sucked on her lip. “Do you like it?”

“I do like it, but…” Zhao Yu playfully stuck out her tongue at him. “For such an expensive gift, it seems I can only pay you back in kind.”

A laugh escaped Ji Sui’s lips. He flipped her over and pressed her beneath him. “Then pay me back in kind.”

A flurry of kisses rained down on her neck and chest. Zhao Yu moaned breathily and twisted her body, tilting her head to glance at the bag on the nearby cabinet.

She now understood why Ji Sui hadn’t given her all the gifts at once. This man was quietly, methodically probing her.

He had first handed her the earring box—packaged almost identically to a ring box—and carefully observed her reaction. Had she been less resistant, the next box presented might very well have contained a ring.

Unfortunately, her reaction had been far too intense. So when he saw that look of pure terror on her face, he must have been deeply disappointed.

Watching the man now bent over her chest, licking and sucking at the swell of her breast, Zhao Yu couldn’t help but wonder: where did he get all these schemes?

In their daily conversations, he would occasionally probe to see if she had truly forgotten Xue Zi’ang, but those tests had been very direct. Today’s approach, however, was utterly unlike his usual style.

“Mm…” Her already stiffened nipple was sucked hard, and Zhao Yu immediately arched her back, gasping for breath. “Ji Sui…”

Just like before, his movements lacked their usual tenderness. In their place was an urgency—even a forcefulness—rarely seen in him.

While he teased her nipple with his mouth, his right hand had already traveled down between her legs. Using the slick fluids left from earlier, he slid his fingertips inside, relentlessly stroking the inner walls at her entrance, stirring deep and shallow within the passage.

“Ah…” Both hands clamped tightly around his head, Zhao Yu writhed beneath him, moaning sweetly. “Ji Sui… Ji Sui… come inside me…”

He parted her legs and, in a side-entry position, pressed his rigid member between her thighs.

The moment the sensitive cleft of her thigh touched the swollen tip, Zhao Yu shuddered sharply from the stimulation. But she also realized he still hadn’t put on a condom.

She assumed he would put one on in time—after all, he had always been so disciplined in this regard. Yet he made no move to reach for one. He simply ground against her cleft without any barrier, kissed her earlobe, and whispered, “Give me a child. Would you?”

Her body stiffened involuntarily. It took two full seconds before Zhao Yu could react. She pushed against his chest. “Put on a condom.”

Two words—her answer couldn’t have been clearer.

Ji Sui stared at her steadily, then tugged the corner of his mouth into a smile. He reached over, tore open a condom, and rolled it on. Cupping her buttocks, he thrust in to the hilt, then began pumping in and out of her rapidly, deep and hard.

Zhao Yu could certainly sense that something was off about him today. What she hadn’t expected was how devastating an impact Xue Zi’ang could have on him.

If Xue Zi’ang alone could affect him like this, what would happen if he ever learned the truth behind why she had approached him?

For a fleeting moment, she felt genuine fear. A man like this—he was the last person she should have ever deceived or used.

After her climax, she lay quietly against his chest. After a long silence, she finally asked, “Have you… already decided you want to marry me?”

Asked so directly, he didn’t try to deny it. He simply answered in a low voice, “Mm.”

Zhao Yu smiled. “We’ve only been together for how long?”

He held her tighter, saying nothing—but the answer was there, unspoken.

Zhao Yu smiled again and asked, “And who taught you to probe me like this? You’re not the type to come up with these schemes on your own.”

“Zhuang Ye.”

She froze. “He knows about us?”

Ji Sui stroked her face. “I didn’t tell him. I promised you I wouldn’t tell the family first, and I haven’t mentioned it to anyone. It’s just… last time when he got into that fight with Xue Zi’ang, I went to help. I was… a little too rough with Xue Zi’ang. He thought it was strange and kept pressing me…”

“So you told him?”

Zhao Yu’s mind raced, replaying every moment since she and Ji Sui had gotten together. They had never taken a photo together, and she had never sent him any pictures of herself. Zhuang Ye shouldn’t know it was her.

But she couldn’t guarantee that Ji Sui hadn’t secretly taken photos of her, the way Ling Jianwei once had. If Zhuang Ye ever saw one, there would be no fixing the situation.

Still, everything had been quiet so far—Zhuang Ye probably didn’t know.

Thinking she was angry, Ji Sui hurriedly kissed her forehead. “It’s my fault. When Zhuang Ye pressed me, I should have made up a lie to throw him off.”

Zhao Yu looked at him, amused. “You’re terrible at lying. How could you have fooled him? It’s fine, you didn’t do it on purpose. Your brother knows—so be it.”

Ji Sui smiled. “He even asked when I’d bring his sister-in-law out to meet him. Would you be willing to see him?”

Unconsciously clutching the bedsheets beneath her, Zhao Yu shook her head. “I’m not ready to meet your family yet. Let me think about it, okay?”