Volume One, Chapter 19: Triggering the Hidden Point Once More

After staying outside for two days, Pei Xi and Xu Qingning, worried that not returning would arouse Pei Lin’s suspicion, decided to go back to Pei Xi’s original residence.

Stepping once again into the familiar house, Xu Qingning felt not the slightest happiness.

Everywhere—the flowers in the living room, the curtains in the bedroom, the pen holder in the study—was riddled with surveillance devices.

In her own words, this could hardly be called a home; it was more like a prison cage.

During their previous reconnaissance, Pei Xi had carried a small video around the room for several days.

Although he briefly regained a few days of freedom, Pei Lin soon noticed something was amiss and tightened his control over Pei Xi even more.

They had to find a way to remove the surveillance devices from the house.

Not only that, but they also needed to ensure that no more could be installed by Pei Lin in the future.

Before she could finish thinking this through, the system’s voice rang out in her mind, startling her.

[Hidden trigger activated. Would you like to enable it?]

“Yes, yes, yes! Just keep your volume down next time—you nearly scared me to death.”

[Understood. Intelligent volume adjusted.]

Having just finished this exchange with the system, Xu Qingning’s eyes lit up as she thought of a good plan.

“Pei Xixi, let me help you regain your freedom!”

Lost in her thoughts about telling Pei Xi her idea, she completely forgot that he had said upon entering that he wanted to take a bath first.

So, when she pushed open the bathroom door, she found herself locking eyes with Pei Xi just as he was about to untie his bathrobe.

Her mind went blank instantly, and she froze in place, still holding the door.

Pei Xi, however, was momentarily surprised by her entrance, then a smile curved his lips as he took a few steps closer.

“Qingqing, are you so eager because you miss the feel of my abs again?”

“Luckily, I’ve been working out recently—I won’t disappoint you.”

As he spoke, Pei Xi’s hand returned to the robe’s tie, ready to be admired at any moment.

Xu Qingning raised her hand to stop him. “That’s not what I meant… well, also not…”

Her brain rebooted from the allure of his charm, and her speech became jumbled.

Dazed, she turned around, intending to leave and calm herself, but footsteps behind her caught her wrist and pulled her back.

Instantly enveloped in the scent of Pei Xi’s woody shower gel, she felt the bare expanse of his chest behind her and even sensed the strong beat of his heartbeat.

“Pei Xixi… I have something to tell you.”

His grip didn’t loosen. Instead, he rested his head on her shoulder and spoke lazily, “Hmm, how long will this take? If it’s a long story, we can sit on the sofa and talk slowly.”

The warm breath on her skin sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn’t help but shrink her neck. “Um… Pei Xixi, that tickles.”

“Let me go first; I have something serious to tell you.”

For some reason, Pei Xi, usually composed, now seemed unusually childish and clingy. “I don’t want to let go. Don’t you like it?”

“But I really like holding you. Can’t I hold you a little longer?”

Xu Qingning was silent for a few seconds, then sighed softly. “…Pei Xixi, you’re really sly!”

Despite her words, she relaxed her body in surrender, leaning against him with closed eyes, taking a deep breath.

“The shower gel smells so good, and the cologne too. Pei Xixi, your scent now is like a monk living deep in the forest.”

His hand tightened around her waist. “That’s a very novel description. But I think I’m much happier than a monk. Just holding you is enough to satisfy me.”

“Then we must say that Pei Xixi is easily satisfied.”

Pei Xi brushed against Xu Qingning’s cheek. “Since I’m so easily pleased, aren’t you going to reward me some more?”

“Reward… what… hmm.”

Before she finished, Pei Xi had already turned her around and lowered his head to kiss her.

The bitter wormwood scent hidden in Pei Xi’s body once again filled Xu Qingning’s nostrils, mingling with the woody shower gel, easily lulling her defenses.

As Pei Xi’s kisses deepened, Xu Qingning realized too late that Pei Xi was no innocent child; his gentleness and politeness were merely a disguise.

It was this harmless appearance that gradually lowered the prey’s guard.

When the prey finally let down their defenses completely, that was the moment they were devoured.

The tingling sensation she had felt a few days ago returned, but this time it was different. Xu Qingning felt her legs lose strength, barely able to stand.

If not for Pei Xi’s strong arms firmly wrapped around her waist, she would have collapsed to the floor.

“Mm…”

Pei Xi’s kisses matched his style—gradually building up until they became a violent storm.

Xu Qingning clutched his bathrobe tightly, tears forced their way from the corners of her eyes.

Finally finding a moment to rest, she panted softly, covering her mouth in protest. “I-I can’t breathe…”

Pei Xi mischievously loosened his hold just slightly, causing Xu Qingning to instinctively wrap her arms tighter around his neck, afraid of falling.

Pei Xi’s breathing near her ear was heavier than usual.

Yet his voice remained gentle. “I really like the reward you gave me, but I’d like it even more if it lasted longer.”

“Pei Xixi, you’re so greedy!”

But Pei Xi did not hide his true feelings. “When it comes to you, Qingqing, I don’t mind being a little more greedy.”

He raised a hand, covering hers, preparing to draw closer once again.

Xu Qingning covered her mouth, leaning her upper body backward to avoid him, until the back of her head nearly hit the door, but instead pressed against his palm.

“Are you scared, Qingqing?”

Pei Xi’s thoughts were laid bare in his eyes, fully exposed to Xu Qingning.

She blinked, “Are we going to… the last step?”

He didn’t answer but asked, “What do you want me to do?”

Xu Qingning tightened her grip on Pei Xi’s bathrobe and blinked quickly. “If I say no, will you stop?”

Pei Xi smiled gently, brushing the moisture from the corner of her eye with his fingertip.

“But today, I don’t really want to behave. Will you hate me for that?”

Lowering his head, he nuzzled her ear, whispering, “Qingqing, you’ll have to endure later.”

The tickling sensation from his breath made Xu Qingning hum softly.

In an unnoticed corner, a miniature device emitting a red light dimmed and went dark.

Pei Xi held her close, soothing her with a few pats on the back. “There, it’s okay now.”

“No one is eavesdropping anymore. What did you want to tell me earlier?”

“…Nothing.”

Xu Qingning swallowed the “good idea” she had formed, thinking that if she voiced it, Pei Xi might just repeat what had just happened all over again.