With a soft chuckle, Yin Xi blurted out, "Si Ye, are you saying this because you don't trust him, or because you lack confidence in yourself?"
"What do you think?" Qin Si Ye's handsome face darkened further as he watched her flippant expression.
Sensing his mood, Yin Xi instinctively reached out and touched his chiseled face. "I know your worries. Don't worry, it won't happen. Even if he had such thoughts, I would reject him without hesitation. With a wealthy and handsome man like you by my side, and also the biological father of my children, why would I ever fancy another man?"
Hearing this, Qin Si Ye's gaze softened slightly. "How can I believe you?"
In the next moment, Yin Xi's arms wrapped around his neck, and she tilted her head up, planting a soft kiss on his alluring thin lips. After a pause, she pulled back, blinking her bright eyes at him and asking, "Do you believe me now?"
The man stared at her with burning eyes, remaining silent for a moment before suddenly cupping the back of her head and deepening the kiss. He only reluctantly released her when Yin Xi was panting heavily, struggling for breath.
Just as Yin Xi thought she could finally catch her breath, the man scooped her up and started walking out.
"Ah! Si Ye, what are you doing?"
"From tonight onwards, you'll sleep with me. That's how I'll be able to believe you," the man said, a slight smile playing on his lips as he continued forward.
"But, we haven't... no, I mean..." Yin Xi's heart pounded like a drum, her words jumbled as she struggled to express herself.
By then, they had reached the hallway. Fearing that people downstairs might hear, Yin Xi quickly silenced herself, not daring to make a sound.
Qin Si Ye, however, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Didn't you say you weren't used to me sleeping beside you? Then we'll just practice more. With time, you'll get used to it."
Yin Xi's heart skipped a beat. When had she ever said that? She couldn't recall.
Upon reaching the master bedroom, Qin Si Ye gently placed her on the large bed, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Wait for me. I'm going to take a shower and will be right back."
Watching his retreating back, Yin Xi trembled with a shiver. Wait for him? Wait for what? She desperately wanted to get out of bed and escape, but she feared displeasing him and possibly being dragged back. This was his territory; where could she run?
After some thought, Yin Xi slid under the covers. Perhaps if she fell asleep early, nothing would happen next. However, the more she tried to sleep, the more the man's tender gaze flashed before her eyes. She was still wide awake when Qin Si Ye emerged after his shower.
Sensing him approaching, Yin Xi squeezed her eyes shut, turned her body outwards, and remained perfectly still, not daring to move. Perhaps pretending to be asleep was a good strategy after all.
But in the next second, she found herself pulled into his embrace. He then rolled over, pinning her beneath him, and raised a hand to caress her delicate cheek. If Yin Xi could have kept her eyes closed at this point, she would have, but when his warm, moist lips sealed hers, she could no longer hold back. She suddenly opened her eyes, looking up at the man above her, and let out a soft groan.
As the man moved to her neck, Yin Xi anxiously opened her mouth. "Si Ye, I'm not feeling well today."
The man's deep voice replied, "I know."
He knew, yet he was still doing this to her. What did this man want? In the next instant, he abruptly stopped his actions, his gaze fixed on her with profound depth. "I wasn't going to do anything. I just wanted to leave my scent on you." After saying this, he lingered on her neck for a moment before rolling off her. His large hand unconsciously rested on her lower abdomen, gently stroking it a few times. "Sleep."
Soon, the sound of the man's steady breathing could be heard from beside her. Yin Xi blinked her eyes blankly, and it was only after a long while that she finally drifted off to sleep.
The next day, the couple was awakened by an urgent knocking at the door. Qin Si Ye groggily lifted his head and uttered, "Enter."
Immediately, three little figures appeared at the doorway. Chen Chen quickly said, "Daddy, Mommy is gone. Her phone and bag are still in the room, but we don't know where she's gone. The three of us searched the entire villa and couldn't find her."
Hearing the voices inside, Yin Xi sat up, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and asked anxiously, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Upon seeing her, the three children exclaimed in unison, "Mommy, you're here!"
Yin Xi finally woke up. She glanced at the man beside her, and the scenes from last night rapidly replayed in her mind. She shyly pulled the covers back up to her chin, burying her head completely.
"You three, wait outside," Qin Si Ye said calmly, a smile playing on his lips.