Xie Qichen’s gaze lingered on Tan Mo, his hard, muscular arm propped beside her, trapping the young girl beneath him. The intense, barely restrained hormonal scent emanating from the man mingled with the fragrance of jasmine in the air. Xie Qichen’s heavy breathing brushed against her ear, raising the temperature between them abruptly. It felt as though the entire world had fallen silent.
At this moment, everything related to Xie Qichen was amplified in Tan Mo’s mind. She heard his words, and her face flushed crimson—
Oh no, what was he saying?!
What did he mean by “I can’t really stand it”?
Stand what?!
He definitely heard Jishu’s flirtatious words at 180 miles per hour earlier. It was so embarrassing, she wanted to die…
Tan Mo’s heart pounded, her face turning as red as a tomato. Trapped in his arms, unable to move, she felt both fear and shame, her eyes glistening with moisture:
“Xie Qichen, get off me…”
Her voice was like a little kitten’s soft mewl.
It was as if he had already taken advantage of her.
Lying on the same bed with his beloved girl, how could Xie Qichen possibly feel nothing?
Internally restless, as if wanting to break something, he looked at her lips, bitten and glistening, swallowed hard, and spoke in a hoarse voice:
“Lie still and go to sleep. Don’t move around.”
“Mm…”
Tan Mo blushed deeply, nearly overheating, until finally the man on top of her stood up.
The heat dissipated.
Tan Mo surfaced like a little fish, finally breathing fresh air.
Then she felt him leave the bed, and a few seconds later, she heard the bedroom door close.
She paused, confused—why had he suddenly left the room?
At this moment, she wasn’t in the mood to investigate. She pulled the blanket over her face, wanting to bury herself.
She wasn’t stupid. She could definitely feel Xie Qichen’s intense, invasive intent moments ago, and the undercurrents nearly crossing the line.
Just like that night years ago, when he had pinned her against the door and kissed her.
Why had he said those words just now…
Was he teasing her on purpose, or did he really mean it…
After a while, Tan Mo’s mind cleared.
Xie Qichen was a thirty-year-old man, and it was perfectly normal for him to have needs like this. If anyone had been lying beside him tonight, he might have reacted the same way. What was she thinking?
Tan Mo tried to calm herself down, to steady her emotions.
She forced her eyes shut, tossing and turning a few times, until finally, after a tiring night, sleepiness crept over her.
The night was pitch-black, the forest silent and still.
Downstairs, outside the house, a Rolls-Royce was parked. Xie Qichen leaned against the car, after a while flicking his fingers to extinguish the cigarette butt.
The milky-white smoke dissipated in the wind,
along with the fire in his heart slowly cooling down.
In front of Tan Mo, his desires were easily stirred. Tonight, being alone with her, he had already been trying his hardest to control himself. Who knew the little girl lying beside him had to provoke him further—did she really think his self-restraint was made of iron?
He feared that if he had stayed in the room any longer, he might have lost control and done something to scare her. So he had to come out for a cigarette to calm himself down.
After a while, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He took it out and saw it was a call from Tan Yuanzhou.
He lowered his gaze, answered the call, and pressed it to his ear, clearing his throat before speaking in a cold tone: “Hello.”
Tan Yuanzhou had just finished showering and came out of the bathroom: “How did things go? I just finished up some work and heard from a friend that she was found, so I thought I’d give you a call to check in. How is Mo Mo?”
“She got a few minor injuries while we were searching for her, nothing serious. We’ll stay overnight at her best friend’s place tonight.”
“I told you nothing would happen. Look at how worried you are.”
Earlier that afternoon, when Tan Mo had called him, Tan Yuanzhou had been busy and didn’t have time to think much. After finishing his work, he remembered that Xie Qichen had connections in Lincheng, so he casually called him and found out that Xie was already on his way to Lincheng.
Xie Qichen shook a cigarette from the pack, placed it in his mouth, and with a flick of his lighter, the blue flame ignited the tip.
He smirked slightly, coldly retorting: “I’m worried about my wife. What does it have to do with you?”
Tan Yuanzhou chuckled: “Oh, you’re calling her your wife already? Such strong possessiveness. But when she ran into trouble today, why didn’t she call her husband, and instead call me?”
Xie Qichen inhaled deeply, his tone dropping to ice:
“Tan Yuanzhou, if you don’t want to die, keep talking.”
The person on the other end couldn’t help but laugh, but quickly retracted his words: “I’m sorry, just kidding.”
Xie Qichen lowered his eyes, flicked the ash off his cigarette, his thoughts drifting. Tan Yuanzhou’s voice returned, more serious this time:
“But don’t be upset. As they say, things take time. You two just got married, and Mo Mo hasn’t adapted to your relationship yet. It’s normal that she can’t fully trust you.”
Hearing this, Xie Qichen turned his deep, unfathomable gaze toward the distance: “I know.”
Tan Yuanzhou comforted him: “Don’t rush. Give her some time. At least now you can be by her side openly.”
“Mm.”
Eventually, Tan Yuanzhou went to sleep, and the call ended.
Xie Qichen put his phone in his pocket and crushed the second cigarette.
The night was as dark as ink, deepened by the cold wind, carrying an even chillier bite.
The image of the girl with red eyes from earlier tonight surfaced in his mind again, softening his heart.
He couldn’t bear for her to shed even a single tear because of him.
As Tan Yuanzhou said, building an intimate relationship takes time. But they were in a marriage of convenience, and had been apart for years before reuniting, with no emotional foundation.
To the girl, they were merely business partners.
Her being unfamiliar, distant, and reserved around him was normal.
He could slow down, wait for her, wait for her to gradually rely on him, wait for her to fall for him.
The entire night, Tan Mo kept waking up from the cold, sleeping restlessly.
She was especially cold-sensitive in winter, and with a cold, the mountain chill seeped into her bones bit by bit, forcing her to wish she could curl into a ball.
At four in the morning, she woke up again from the cold, opening her drowsy eyes to see the sky outside faintly lightening, though the sun had yet to rise.
She turned slightly, suddenly noticing the space beside her was empty.
She was the only one in the bed.
She reached out and felt the mattress—cold, with no sign of anyone having lain there.
Where was Xie Qichen…
Had he not returned to the room after leaving last night…
Suddenly, a hollow feeling gripped her heart, as if something was missing. She quickly took out her phone and dialed his number.
A few seconds later, the call connected.
She softly called out: “Xie Qichen…”
On the other end, the man’s deep, warm voice came through: “Mm, why are you awake?”
“Where are you? I woke up and didn’t see you…”
“I’m resting in the car downstairs. I had work to finish last night and didn’t come up.”
Actually, it was just an excuse. The real reason was that he didn’t want to make the girl feel uncomfortable by lying beside her, considering how tired she was and wanting her to rest well.
“I thought you had gone somewhere…”
The man chuckled softly: “Worried about me?”
Tan Mo shyly muttered: “Who’s worried about you? I was just afraid you were taken by a bear in the mountains…”
“Taken by you, maybe?”
“You’re the bear.”
Inside the car, Xie Qichen sat up, rubbing his tired eyes gently, his voice soft:
“Why did you wake up so early? Are you feeling unwell?”
Tan Mo wrapped herself tighter in the blanket. Remembering what he had said yesterday—that she could rely on him—she softly told the truth:
“It’s so cold in the room. I feel really uncomfortable right now…”
Xie Qichen slightly furrowed his brow: “Did the window not close properly?”
“It was closed, but it’s still cold.” She sneezed, letting out a few miserable sounds.
The man’s calm voice came through:
“Wait a moment.”
A minute later, the bedroom door opened. Tan Mo opened her eyes and saw Xie Qichen walk in.
Her heart instinctively calmed.
He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch her head, his brows furrowed deeply: “Do you have a fever?”
She shook her head: “I don’t think so.”
Xie Qichen’s frown deepened, noticing her heavy nasal tone.
Tan Mo lowered her head unhappily. Xie Qichen took her hand and found it icy cold, like it had just come out of the fridge: “How can you be this cold?”
It was still early, and Xie Qichen couldn’t ask the Ji family for more blankets. It wouldn’t be comfortable for her to sleep in the car either. He didn’t say anything, and after a while, he took off his coat and lay down beside her.
Tan Mo was stunned. She watched as the man turned to face her, his dark eyes burning and deep:
“Come here.”
Tan Mo was dazed, slowly moving toward him, only to be suddenly pulled into his arms.
The man’s warm body instantly dispelled the cold around her, along with the comforting scent of sandalwood, enveloping her senses and taking over her entire awareness.
This was an intimacy she had never experienced before. Tan Mo realized she was in his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest, feeling his strong arm around her waist, securely locking her into his territory. Her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks bursting with redness:
“Xie Qichen…”
She was too shy to hide, and Xie Qichen’s deep voice fell gently on her head:
“Good, let me hold you for a while.”
Her heart lost its rhythm.
The man looked down at her, a slight smile on his lips:
“Can you find anyone else in this room warmer than me?”
Tan Mo blushed all the way to her neck. She could definitely feel his warmth radiating toward her. She wasn’t cold anymore—she was even starting to feel hot…
“Just stay like this and go to sleep,” Xie Qichen said.
Tan Mo gently bit her lip, feeling the man’s chest rise and fall with his breathing, her heartbeat still slightly erratic.
She leaned against his chest, and after a while, softly spoke: “Xie Qichen…”
“Mm.”
She blinked her eyes: “I thought you were asleep.”
Her head was gently ruffled: “As long as you call me, I will always answer.”
It was like an extremely reassuring promise, eliminating all her fears.
Gradually, warmed by his presence, she relaxed her nerves and, overwhelmed by drowsiness, soon fell asleep.
Initially, her body was still tense, but as sleepiness overtook her, she instinctively snuggled closer to the warmth, burrowing deeper into his arms like a little kitten, gently nuzzling his chest with her head, letting out soft murmurs.
She slept soundly.
The man, however, was wide awake, his heart aching with restraint, unable to describe his discomfort.
The fire within him had been doused, again and again.
…
The sky turned pale white at the horizon, and the winter sun rose, casting golden rays over the mountain forest.
Tan Mo slept until it was already past nine o’clock when she woke again.
She opened her drowsy eyes, stirred slightly, and felt the arm around her waist pulling her back closer. A low, husky voice brushed her ear:
“Awake?”
Tan Mo saw that she was still in his arms, her face flushed with heat as she looked up at him:
“Did you sleep?”
“The girl in my arms kept moving all night. How could I sleep?”
Feeling guilty, Tan Mo tried to pull away, but the arm around her didn’t loosen. He chuckled:
“Going to run away after using me for warmth?”
She blushed in embarrassment: “I was just afraid you wouldn’t sleep well.”
The man slightly loosened his arm, leaning closer to look at her:
“Do you still feel unwell?”
“Much better, just a bit sore in my throat.”
“Then take some more medicine today.”
Tan Mo nodded obediently. As they gazed at each other, their breath mingled closely, weaving a net of intimacy around them. The intimate atmosphere, fueled by their shared warmth, continued to rise. Feeling his intense gaze, Tan Mo’s heart raced, and she quickly turned her eyes away:
“What time is it? Shouldn’t we get up now…”
“It’s half past nine.”
“Then let’s get up.” After all, they were staying at someone else’s home, and sleeping in too late wasn’t proper.
Xie Qichen agreed, loosening his hold. Tan Mo sat up and got out of bed first to freshen up.
A while later, both were ready. Just as Tan Mo stepped out of the bedroom, she met Jishu.
“You’re up? How did you sleep last night?”
Tan Mo yawned: “Except for being a bit cold, everything else was fine.”
Seeing the dark circles under Tan Mo’s eyes, Jishu grinned: “Was last night really that intense? You have such dark circles!”
“…”
Thinking back to the voice message from last night, Tan Mo couldn’t help but feel annoyed:
“Jishu, how could your mind be so dirty! The voice message you sent me last night was heard by Xie Qichen.”
Jishu laughed: “So what was his reaction? Is Xie Qichen not up to the task?”
The words Xie Qichen had whispered to her resurfaced in her mind.
Didn’t he seem more like he was too capable rather than not capable at all…
She blushed and pushed Jishu away: “I don’t want to talk to you.”
The two girls bickered playfully by the door for a while before Xie Qichen also came out of the room. Jishu suppressed his laughter, quieted down, and led the two downstairs for breakfast.
After breakfast, Tan Mo chatted with Jishu’s grandparents for a while, and seeing that the old man was in good health and spirits, she decided it was time to leave, as Xie Qichen had a lot of business to handle in Licheng.
Before leaving, Wen Cheng brought over many New Year’s goods and tonics: “These are the New Year’s supplies that Mr. Xie instructed me to buy this morning, along with tonics for the elders.”
Jishu’s mother was touched: “This is too much. You’ve already come to help us find the person, and now you’re bringing so many things.”
The man, polite and refined, replied: “It’s nothing. The New Year is coming soon, just a small token of appreciation. I hope the two elders can stay healthy and safe.”
“Thank you so much, both of you…”
In the end, the Ji family saw Xie Qichen and Tan Mo off, also giving them some local mountain specialties. Jishu held Tan Mo’s hand, sighing: “Xie Qichen is really amazing.”
Tan Mo looked at the man walking ahead, her heart softening.
The two got into the Rolls-Royce. Jishu’s mother teased her daughter: “When can you find such a good husband? Then I can finally feel at ease for the rest of my life.”
Ji Shu looked at the departing car with a smile: “It’s all destined by fate, right?”
The Rolls-Royce drove down the mountain road. Tan Mo looked curiously at Xie Qichen beside her: “When did you ask Wen Cheng to buy the New Year goods? I didn’t even know.”
He was so emotionally intelligent, handling everything so gracefully and thoughtfully that it brought joy to others. He had considered everything Tan Mo hadn’t even thought of, with such care.
With his legs crossed, the man focused on the laptop in front of him, barely hiding a smile:
“I told him last night. After all, visiting someone’s home and with the New Year approaching, we should bring something, and it’s also about showing respect to Madam Xie, right?”
Tan Mo murmured shyly: “Xie Qichen, no wonder you earn so much money—you’re really good at pleasing people.”
His indifferent tone followed:
“Hmm, does that include pleasing you too?”
Tan Mo froze abruptly, her face heating up.
This guy…
Her face turned red, and as Tan Mo pretended not to hear and gazed out the window, Xie Qichen suppressed the curl of his lips. After sending an urgent email, he closed his laptop, took out the ointment Wen Cheng had given him earlier, and pulled the girl closer:
“Come over here, let me apply the medicine.”
Tan Mo hadn’t expected him to have arranged for medicine as well: “I can do it myself…”
“Move again and you’ll sit on my lap.”
As the car turned, Tan Mo instinctively leaned against his body, her whole body heating up.
Held halfway in his arms and prevented from moving, her ears turned as red as cooked shrimp. Then Xie Qichen lifted her slender legs, placed them on his trousers, lifted her skirt, removed her stockings, and gently applied the medicine.
His fingertips pressed lightly and heavily on her fair, delicate skin.
A tingling sensation rippled through her.
Tan Mo dared not lift her head, only feeling his warm breath on her earlobe. A few seconds later, his deep voice dropped: “Keep applying the medicine when we get back. Be careful walking these days and don’t bump into anything again.”
“Okay…”
Tan Mo’s heart felt as though brushed by soft feathers. Thinking of the previous night, she spoke softly after a while: “Xie Qichen, thank you.”
“Hmm?”
She didn’t look at him, but her voice was warm: “Thank you for coming to find me last night, and for taking such good care of me since we got married.”
The man curved his lips slightly: “Is just saying thanks with your mouth enough?”
Tan Mo blushed and misinterpreted slightly: “What else do you want to do…”
“Think carefully about the New Year’s Eve dinner menu. What are you planning to show off for me?”
She paused, then smiled: “Alright, I’ve already got a menu in mind. Will your mom be there that night?”
“She told me yesterday that she and her group of friends are going on a trip.”
“Oh, so it’ll just be us two?”
Xie Qichen looked at her: “I have to fly overseas tomorrow for a forum, but I’ll try to come back on New Year’s Eve.”
A flicker of disappointment passed through Tan Mo’s eyes: “You’ll definitely come back, right?”
The man met her gaze: “Do you want me to?”
Tan Mo pouted slightly: “I just think that someone would definitely regret missing the New Year’s Eve dinner I prepared. Then I’ll just enjoy the feast by myself.”
Xie Qichen smiled: “Alright then, I’ll make sure not to miss it.”
Back in Licheng, Yang Xialan, Xie Qichen, and Tan Mo had a meal together at home, celebrating a small reunion for the Lunar New Year.
In the evening, Tan Mo helped Yang Xialan pack her luggage: “Mom, why are you in such a hurry to go away? You could stay until after New Year’s Eve.”
Yang Xialan laughed: “We several good friends have planned a trip to Bali. It’s boring staying in Licheng all the time. This way, you and Qichen can spend the New Year together, just the two of you. I won’t be a third wheel.”
“No way, what third wheel…”
“But he’s going to Paris tomorrow, leaving you alone at home again.”
“It’s fine. His work is important.”
“Then take good care of yourself these days. If anything happens, remember to call Qichen and don’t make him worry.”
Tan Mo nodded.
The next morning, Xie Qichen woke up early without waking the girl, taking Yang Xialan with him to the airport.
When Tan Mo woke up, both had already boarded their flights.
Because of the New Year, Tan Mo had given the housekeeper and chef time off. She walked downstairs and felt the sudden emptiness of the villa, devoid of any festive atmosphere.
Although the house was warm with heating, there was an inexplicable sense of coldness.
Tan Mo went to the kitchen and found a breakfast set on the table—it must have been prepared by Xie Qichen for her.
She stared at the breakfast for a while, sighed, and felt strange.
Previously, she had loved living alone in an apartment, cherishing the sense of freedom. Now, she actually felt lonely.
Perhaps she had gradually gotten used to living with Xie Qichen…
But this kind of life would only last for two years.
Lowering her gaze, she sat down and silently finished her breakfast, then ordered ingredients online and started filming cooking videos.
Thus, Tan Mo spent the entire day filming and editing videos, preparing for the New Year’s Eve dinner in advance.
The next day was New Year’s Eve. In the morning, Tan Mo received a message from Xie Qichen:
[The schedule today is tight. Not sure if I can make it back. You can go to your parents’ house for the New Year if needed.]
Seeing the message, Tan Mo felt a sense of emptiness and sadness creeping into her heart.
Still, she replied: [Okay, you focus on work. If you can’t come back, I’ll go home. It’s fine~]
Coincidentally, her father called her shortly after. Learning that Xie Qichen had not returned from overseas and that she was alone at the villa, he invited her to return to the family home for a more lively New Year celebration.
That evening was Su Fangyun’s birthday banquet, and her parents had clearly noticed Tan Mo’s injury, intending to console her.
In her heart, Tan Mo was reluctant to return, but since it was the New Year, it would be unreasonable for her not to go home. She reluctantly agreed and sent a message to Xie Qichen.
In the morning, after buying the New Year goods, Tan Mo took a taxi back to the family home.
The old house was bustling with life, filled with many relatives. Tan Yuanzhou had also come back. When Tan Mo arrived, her father and mother led her to the kitchen, where Tan Zhiwan was already with Su Fangyun, busy making dumplings.
Seeing her, Su Fangyun, perhaps already informed by Tan Mo’s parents, greeted her warmly, unlike last time: “You’re back?”
Tan Mo smiled lightly: “Yes, Grandma.”
“Wash your hands and join us in making dumplings.”
“Okay.”
After washing her hands, Tan Mo returned. Su Fangyun asked her: “Where’s Qichen? Isn’t he coming?”
“He went overseas for work these days.”
Tan Zhiwan stirred the meat filling, smiling casually: “He’s working even on New Year’s Eve. Doesn’t seem to care much about you, my dear sister. Can he come back today?”
Tan Mo sensed the sarcasm in her words and replied calmly: “He probably will.”
Seeing Tan Mo’s uncertain expression, Tan Zhiwan’s smile deepened: “Well, if he can’t make it, it’s fine. Work must be important for him. You can stay at the old house for the New Year. That way, you won’t be alone. What do you think, Grandma?”
Su Fangyun nodded: “If Qichen doesn’t come back today, stay here at the old house.”
Tan Mo lowered her head: “Okay.”
Everyone first had a simple lunch. After the meal, the housemaids began decorating the old house, pasting couplets and window decorations.
Tan Mo, with her excellent handwriting, helped with the couplets. Tan Yuanzhou walked over and saw her alone: “So Xie Qichen left his wife alone today? I should call and scold him.”
Tan Mo blushed with embarrassment: “Uncle, don’t tease me.”
Tan Yuanzhou smiled and patted her head: “It’s okay. Stay at the old house, and I’ll keep you company.”
After finishing the couplets, Tan Mo rested for a while at the old house.
In the afternoon, she woke up to find everyone in the old house busy, leaving her with nothing to do, and she suddenly felt quite lonely.
“Forget it, I’ll go buy some fireworks…”
She returned to her room, put on her down jacket and scarf, and stepped out alone.
“Auspicious snow brings a bountiful year,” and this morning Licheng had snowed a little during the early hours. Now it was bitterly cold, and the icy wind stung her face.
Walking through the villa area, she stepped on the scattered fallen leaves, her hands warm in her pockets, her small, fair face half-hidden in the white scarf. She couldn’t help but hop around a bit.
“So cold…”
She was kicking the dry leaves on the road with her head down when suddenly her phone rang from her pocket. She took it out and saw it was Xie Qichen.
She answered, “Xie Qichen…”
On the other end, his voice was calm and gentle:
“Yeah, where are you now?”
“I just left the old house and am going to buy some fireworks. There’s nothing for me to do at home, so I came out for a walk.”
Hearing his voice, Tan Mo couldn’t help smiling: “What about you? What are you doing now? How much longer until you get back to Licheng?”
“I’m back.”
“Back already?”
“Yeah, I’m picking someone up now.”
Tan Mo hadn’t expected him to return so soon. Her heart sank slightly when she realized he was busy with other things first: “Picking someone up? Who are you picking up…”
Before Tan Mo finished speaking, she casually looked up and saw, about ten meters ahead, a tall figure in a black stand-up collar coat.
Xie Qichen stood under a camphor tree not far away. His usually cold and distant eyes were now filled with a gentle smile reminiscent of their first meeting, as he gazed at her:
“Yeah, I’m here to pick up my lively little girl at home for the New Year.”
Tan Mo, caught off guard by Xie Qichen’s sudden appearance, stood frozen in place, her heart surging with emotion. The next moment, she saw him walking toward her.
As he reached her, Tan Mo’s bright eyes met his. She didn’t know how long he had been watching her from afar, and her face flushed slightly:
“There’s no little girl here…”
Xie Qichen looked at her, his eyebrows slightly raised:
“There’s only one at my home.”
“She looks particularly clumsy.”
Tan Mo puffed her cheeks: “Then I don’t know her. Go find someone else.”
As she turned to leave, she was suddenly pulled back in front of him. Her nose gently bumped his chest, and his grip on her wrist was scorching hot. His deep, amused voice fell by her ear:
“Really, you get angry so easily when teased.”
Tan Mo’s ears burned, feeling their warm breaths intertwining and stirring her heart. She took a step back, annoyed:
“Xie Qichen, you’re so boring.”
He smiled silently. She switched back to the topic: “When did you come back? I thought you wouldn’t make it today.”
“I made an effort to come back. I promised to taste someone’s New Year’s Eve dinner.”
Tan Mo couldn’t help but smile: “I already prepared half of it this morning and put it in the fridge. I just need to finish cooking when we get back. But the old house also prepared a very sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner. Which one do you prefer?”
“Go home.”
He looked at her: “Back to our home.”
When Tan Mo was adopted into the Tan family, due to Tan Zhiwan’s exclusion, she had lived like a guest, carefully and cautiously every day, always fearing being driven out. Later, she rented an apartment outside, but even with her own small nest, she still didn’t feel a strong sense of belonging in this world.
But now Xie Qichen was telling her that the villa was their home.
Not just a house they shared due to an arranged marriage, but a home filled with warmth and called by an affectionate name.
Tan Mo’s heart felt tender and stirred, longing to escape this place with him. She nodded lightly: “Can we leave now?”
“Not in a hurry. Let’s pay a New Year visit first.”
“Huh?”
As if recalling something, the man spoke with a half-smile: “Let’s go to the old house first and pay a New Year visit to your family.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage