For a moment, there was silence .... then the city erupted in cheers.
Xu Xin and Liu Ting stared, wide-eyed, their earlier tension forgotten.
Shen Tian leaned back, eyes glittering.
"Some things change," he said softly, "and some stay the same."
The Mansion on the Hill
The car rolled to a stop outside a three-story mansion perched on a scenic hill in the Central Residential District .... one of Yangzhou's most prestigious neighborhoods.
The air was fresh, the stars bright, and security discreet yet impenetrable.
Shen Tian stepped out and effortlessly lifted Xu Xin into his arms.
"You," he said to Liu Ting, "go shower first."
She rolled her eyes but obeyed, heading upstairs.
On the second floor, she paused.
The room before her was lined with rare beast-hide armor, custom-forged blades, dual-core rifles, and even a developing Level 3 Meteorite Battle Suit.
Liu Ting's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Looks like tonight is going to be… interesting."
Downstairs, Shen Tian smiled faintly. He didn't need to see her face ..... he already knew.
The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the moon from the window.
Xu Xin lay on the bed as Shen Tian moved over her. His fingers slipped under the edge of her shirt.
"Take it off," he said, his voice quiet but firm.
Xu Xin smiled but didn't stop him as he pulled the shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor.
His hands moved to her pants, unbuttoning them quickly and sliding them down.
Xu Xin gasped softly as the cool air touched her skin.
But Shen Tian's hands were warm as they moved up her legs, holding her firmly.
"You're in a hurry tonight," Xu Xin sa, her breath catching.
Shen Tian's grip tightened. "Yes."
Then he stopped talking.
He cupped the back of her neck, his hold strong but not hurtful.
For a single second, they looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.
Then he kissed her.
At first, his lips were soft, almost asking a question.
But Xu Xin never backed down. She grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer and kissing him back just as fiercely.
He groaned when she gently bit his lip, a spark of heat rushing through him.
His kiss became deeper, more intense, and she matched him, their breathing becoming heavy.
This wasn't a gentle kiss; it was a competition.
A battle where every touch showed both defiance and deep want.
When he finally pulled away, they were both breathing hard.
Xu Xin's lips were swollen and her face was flushed.
"Still going to tease me?" he asked roughly, his thumb stroking her cheek.
She let out a shaky laugh, her fingers in his hair. "You tell me," she whispered before pulling him in for another kiss.
This kiss was slower, deeper.
It was less about winning and more about feeling.
Shen Tian held her tightly against him, and Xu Xin arched into his embrace with a soft gasp.
The heat between them was overwhelming. Then, with a sharp pull, Shen Tian tore her qipao open.
Buttons flew everywhere, but they didn't care.
His hands were on her bare skin, his mouth on her neck.
"You-" she started, her voice unsteady.
He stopped, looking at her. Waiting.
Xu Xin swallowed, then smiled. "...You'll have to try harder than that."
Shen Tian grinned, a dark, promising look. When he kissed her again, all pretense was gone. There was only raw hunger.
"You love to challenge me," Shen Tian
his voice a low tease. His finger traced the lace of her bra.
His other hand held her waist, his thumb brushing the soft skin under her breast.
He undid her bra easily, and it fell away. Xu Xin gasped as the air touched her skin.
Shen Tian took one nipple between his fingers, rolling it gently.
"Wow. So original," she said, trying to sound sarcastic but her voice was breathy.
"What's next- Oh!"
Her mockery turned into a cry as Shen Tian's mouth closed over her other nipple, sucking gently.
She whimpered, her hands gripping his hair.
"And you said you weren't interested" he murmured against her skin before giving the same attention to her other breast. "You're already so excited."
Xu Xin's hips moved as his hand slid down her stomach, past the edge of her thong.
A moan escaped her when he touched her, finding her wet and ready.
"See?" he said, his voice full of satisfaction. He moved his fingers through her wetness, circling the sensitive spot that made her tremble. "All that talk, but your body tells the truth."
Pleasure built tightly inside her. "O-okay... you win... ah!" Her words broke into a moan as he pushed two fingers inside her.
"Say it again," he demanded, his mouth moving down her stomach. "Tell me you want this."