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Chapter 35 - 34

Wang's Pov.

As the night went on, Zhan and I settled into our little world. The conversation flowed effortlessly between us, laughter bubbling up at all the right moments. The smile never left my face, nor did his. It felt easy, natural like the rest of the world had faded into the background, leaving just the two of us in this perfect moment.

I barely noticed when Dre nudged Zhan, but I definitely noticed the way Zhan's cheeks flushed slightly, his fingers twitching where they rested on the table.

Interesting.

Dre, however, wasn't subtle. His eyes flicked to mine, a look of absolute disbelief on his face, Are you crazy?

I arched a brow, silently asking, What's your problem?

Then his gaze dropped to my hand first, then to Zhan's.

Realization dawned on his expression, but it wasn't the excitement I expected. Instead, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes filled with something close to disappointment.

I knew exactly what he was thinking.

Still, I didn't falter. Instead, I smirked, tilting my head slightly as if to say, Yeah, and what about it?

Dre's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he shook his head, exhaling through his nose before turning his attention back to his drink.

Zhan, oblivious to the silent exchange, leaned in slightly, his voice low, teasing. "What's that look for?"

"Nothing," I said smoothly, swirling the wine in my glass. "Just enjoying the evening."

His lips quirked, but he didn't push.

The night had stretched longer than I expected. After dinner, some of my guys decided the evening wasn't over yet. The poolside bar was too tempting, the music too intoxicating, and soon, drinks were flowing again, laughter mixing with the bass thumping through the speakers.

Now, at 11 p.m., the energy was still high, but I was ready to leave.

I leaned toward Zhan, raising my voice over the music. "It's getting late. We should head home."

Zhan swirled the last of his drink in his glass, his lips quirking as he turned to face me fully. "Home?" he echoed, amusement flickering in his dark eyes.

I nodded. "Yeah. It's our first night as a couple."

His smirk deepened. Then, without missing a beat, he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

"Don't you think we should consummate it?"

Heat shot straight through me.

I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze, my heartbeat suddenly louder than the music around us.

Zhan just sat there, waiting, a challenge in his eyes.

Damn him.

Mia leaned in and whispered something into Zhan's ear. Whatever it was made him nod before turning to me. "They are heading out," he said.

I didn't hesitate. "I'll walk you out."

It was the perfect excuse to slip away from Lusi's watchful gaze.

"Lusi, I want to see them off. They're leaving," I said smoothly.

She barely looked up, swirling the champagne in her glass. "Alright," she murmured before taking another slow sip.

I stepped away, falling into step beside Zhan as we followed behind Mia, Ji Li, and Grandma. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the heat of the evening.

At the curb, I hailed a cab, pulling out a wad of cash and pressing it into Mia's hand before she could protest.

She blinked, surprised, then sighed. "You didn't have to."

I smirked. "I did."

Turning to Grandma, I wrapped her in a warm hug. "Thank you very much," I said softly.

She patted my back, smiling. "Take care of each other."

I hugged Ji Li next, then Mia, before stepping back beside Zhan.

The cab door closed, and we watched as it rolled away.

Now, it was just the two of us.

As the cab disappeared down the road, I turned to Zhan, a playful smirk tugging at my lips.

"We still have an hour left. Wanna get naughty?" I murmured, leaning in to press a slow, teasing kiss against his lips.

Zhan chuckled against my mouth, his hands settling on my waist. "You look breathtaking," he whispered, his voice dipping lower. "And you smell heavenly."

I hummed in approval, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. His lips were warm, and insistent, sending a shiver down my spine.

Without another word, we dragged ourselves toward my car, hands wandering, laughter spilling between stolen kisses.

I fumbled for the door handle, pushing it open as we tumbled inside.

Zhan smirked as he pulled away, his fingers already working on the buttons of his shirt. "Don't get your clothes crumpled," he murmured, slipping it off and folding it neatly before placing it on the front seat.

I watched him, amused. "Practical."

He shot me a look. "I don't plan on explaining wrinkles to anyone."

Fair enough.

I followed his lead, shrugging off my suit and unbuttoning my shirt, tossing it beside his. The air inside the car grew heavier, charged with anticipation.

Zhan leaned back, his gaze raking over me slowly. "Now, where were we?"

I grinned. "Right where we left off."

The car was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the streetlights filtering through the windshield. The world outside blurred into the background, leaving just the two of us in this private bubble of warmth and anticipation.

Zhan's eyes softened as he reached for me, his fingers tracing along my jaw before pulling me into a slow, lingering kiss. It wasn't rushed or desperate, it was deliberate, filled with all the unspoken emotions between us.

I cradled his face, savoring the way his lips moved against mine, the way his breath mingled with mine in the quiet space.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to whisper, "I love you."

My chest tightened at the words, my heart hammering against my ribs. I searched his gaze, finding nothing but sincerity and longing.

"I love you too," I murmured, brushing my thumb across his cheek.

A soft smile curved his lips before he leaned in again, kissing me deeply as if he wanted to memorize the moment.

I didn't need prep, I was already dripping wet, and I sat on Zhan's cock making him moan.

Fuck, he hiss. You're so warm and tight. I didn't say anything I just continued straddling him and he met me halfway as he held my ass cheeks and pounded into my wet ass.

Time felt irrelevant as we explored each other with gentle touches and quiet laughter, our bodies fitting together effortlessly. Every caress was a promise, every whispered word a reassurance.

There was no rush, just the slow unraveling of tension, the deepening of connection, and the overwhelming sense of belonging.

Zhan's breath hitched, his forehead resting against mine as we moved together, lost in the moment. His fingers tightened against my skin, his body trembling with emotion as he whispered, "I'm close."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing to match his. "Me too," I rasped, my hands gripping him like he was the only thing grounding me.

Our movements slowed, every touch carrying more weight, more meaning. It wasn't just about the physical. It was the emotions woven between us, the silent confessions in every kiss, the trust in every embrace.

And when the final waves of pleasure washed over us, we didn't let go.

We stayed there, pressed against each other, riding it out, our breaths mingling, our hearts still pounding in sync.

Zhan let out a soft, breathless laugh, his fingers lazily tracing circles on my skin. "Well," he murmured, "that was... something."

I chuckled, pressing a lingering kiss to his temple. "Yeah... it was perfect."

For a moment, we just sat there, wrapped in warmth, in the aftermath of something that felt much bigger than just a night together.

It felt like a promise.

And when we finally held each other close, breathless and content, I knew this night wasn't just about passion. It was about our first night as a couple.

We were home.

Reaching the floor of the back seat, I grabbed two bottles of water, twisting one open before handing the other to Zhan. He took it with a small, satisfied smile, his fingers brushing against mine in the process.

For a moment, we sat there in the quiet hum of the car, sipping our water, and catching our breath. The night air was cool against our flushed skin, a stark contrast to the heat we had just shared.

I glanced around, making sure the coast was clear before cracking the door open. "Come on," I murmured.

Zhan followed as we slipped out of the car, the pavement cool beneath our bare feet. Working quickly, we poured the water over our hands and skin, washing away the remnants of our intimacy. The streetlights cast a soft glow over us, and I couldn't help but smile as I watched Zhan shake the water from his fingers, his eyes meeting mine with a quiet kind of happiness.

Once done, we hurried back inside, laughing under our breath as we reached for our clothes.

Zhan buttoned his shirt, and ran a hand through his hair, giving me a knowing smirk. "That was unexpected."

I smirked back. "I don't hear you complaining."

He chuckled, leaning back against the seat. "Not at all."

Dressed once more, we sat in comfortable silence, the night wrapping around us like a secret. This was our moment just the two of us, no expectations, no interruptions.

And I never wanted it to end.

Zhan stretched, glancing toward the building. "We should go inside."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. As much as I wanted to stay in our little bubble, away from prying eyes and responsibilities, he was right. Our guests were still here, and disappearing for too long would only raise questions.

"Yeah," I muttered, reluctantly opening the door.

We slipped out of the car, straightening our clothes as we made our way back to the poolside, the sound of music and laughter greeting us once again. Just as we reached the entrance, Dre appeared, stepping directly in front of us.

"Zhan, can we talk?"

His tone was casual, but the look in his eyes was anything but.

I hesitated, glancing at Zhan, but he gave me a reassuring nod.

"Go ahead," I murmured, watching as Zhan followed Dre toward a quieter corner.

Taking the chance to escape any lingering questions, I spotted Lusi near the bar, dancing with a drink in hand, completely lost in the music. She barely noticed me as I slid into my seat.

Good.

I wasn't in the mood for her interrogation tonight.

I leaned back in my seat, letting out a slow breath. The noise, the lights, and the laughter all blurred into the background.

Because, at the end of the day, I had consummated my marriage.

And that was all that mattered.

A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I reached for a fresh glass, pouring myself a generous amount of wine. The deep red liquid swirled in the glass, catching the light as I lifted it to my lips.

Lusi was still dancing, lost in her world, and for once, I was glad for her distraction. No questions. No prying eyes.

Just me, my drink, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that tonight belonged to Zhan and me.

When Zhan returned, he wasn't as bubbly as when I had left him. His smile was subdued, his posture a little stiffer. I didn't have to ask, I knew Dre had said something.

Whatever it was, I didn't want to deal with it here. Not in front of everyone.

"I'm tired," I said, watching him closely. "We should head home."

Zhan hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yeah, let's go."

I turned toward the bar, finding Lusi still drinking. I placed a hand on her shoulder, leaning in. "Let's go home."

She sighed dramatically but didn't argue, downing the rest of her drink in one go before standing.

As we made our way to the exit, I glanced at Zhan. "He's staying the night with us."

Lusi shot me a look, brows raised. "Why?"

"Because I want him to." My tone left no room for debate.

Without waiting for her response, I walked ahead, knowing she would follow.

The moment we got into the car, she exploded.

"What the hell was that, Wang?"

I sighed, fastening my seatbelt. "Lusi—"

"No! You don't just drop a bomb like that and expect me to be okay. We are getting married. Why are you being so secretive?"

I gripped the steering wheel, my patience wearing thin. "Because it's my decision, Lusi. I don't need to explain myself to everyone."

She let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, so I'm 'everyone' now?"

I closed my eyes briefly, exhaling through my nose. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?"

I turned to her, meeting her gaze. "I mean that I know what I'm doing."

She scoffed. "You sure about that?"

I started the car. "Yes."

Silence filled the space between us as I pulled onto the road.

I glanced at the rearview mirror, hoping to catch Zhan's gaze, but he sat in the corner of the back seat, distant.

When we stopped at a traffic light, I turned to look at him directly, but his attention was on his phone, his expression unreadable.

After a while, Lusi spoke again, softer this time. "You're serious about this?"

"I am."

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't understand you sometimes. But I love you."

Zhan winced slightly, his expression unreadable. I frowned, sensing the tension beneath his silence.

I frown slightly. "You don't have to."

She shook her head but didn't argue anymore.

The rest of the ride was quiet.

When we got home, Lusi didn't say much. She simply muttered a goodnight before heading to our room.

I stood in the living room for a moment, staring at nothing in particular.

Despite my brother's warning, and Lusi's frustration, I felt at peace.

Because, for the first time in a long time, I was choosing my path.

And I had no regrets.

I led Zhan to one of the rooms, shutting the door behind us. He looked distant, his usual warmth dimmed. I hated seeing him like this.

Pulling him into a hug, I whispered, "I'll be with you shortly."

He just nodded, saying nothing. That silence felt heavier than any words Dre could have spoken to him.

I cupped his face gently, trying to search his eyes, but he only offered a small, tired smile. It wasn't enough. But for now, I let it be.

"I'll be back," I promised, reluctantly stepping away.

I made my way to my room, only to find Lusi emerging from the bathroom in a skimpy nightdress. She barely acknowledged me as she padded over to the bed, and I didn't give her a second glance.

Without a word, I entered the bathroom, letting the warm water wash over me.

She should be asleep by the time I'm done, I prayed, closing my eyes.

Tonight, I just wanted to be with Zhan.

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