TSWRLM -Chapter 69 Do You Like It?

“I really want to kiss you. Do you agree?”

Chun Xi had a good tolerance for alcohol and wasn’t drunk, but her mind was moving much slower than usual. Shen Qingyuan’s voice was low and husky, and his eyelashes brushed against her palm. It took her a long moment to fully realize what he had just asked.

He really wanted to kiss her—and he was asking for her consent.

But why ask? Aren’t they husband and wife?

Isn’t it perfectly normal for a married couple to kiss?

“I’m your wife, of course I—uh!”

Chun Xi answered honestly, but before she could finish, her lips were sealed.

Her hand was still covering Shen Qingyuan’s eyes, so she couldn’t see his expression, only feel that his lips were soft and hot—far more burning than his gaze had been earlier.

Shen Qingyuan had also been drinking. The scent of alcohol lingered between their lips, weaving a subtle, intoxicating intimacy.

Chun Xi’s heart thumped wildly.

So this was what a kiss felt like…

And it was quite… nice.

Just as Chun Xi was starting to enjoy it, she suddenly felt wetness on her lips and froze.

Kiss all you want—but why is Lord Shen licking her?

Instinctively, she sensed something was off and quickly withdrew her hand from his eyes to push him away, but her wrist was caught.

With his eyes now fully visible, Shen Qingyuan’s gaze was filled with dark, unrestrained desire, as if he wanted to consume her entirely.

Chun Xi had never seen him like this; even the alcohol in her system sobered her a bit.

“Lord…”

She wanted to say something, but he pressed closer, their breaths mingling. “Don’t be afraid. It’s just a kiss. I won’t do anything else.”

His voice grew huskier, almost enchanting, mesmerizing Chun Xi.

Her eyelashes trembled. She didn’t push him away, and his lips met hers again.

Eyes, nose tip, and finally lips.

His movements were gentle, yet firm—invading her entirely, taking almost all her breath.

Lightheaded, Chun Xi felt her recently cleared mind spin again, and she didn’t even remember how she ended up back on the bed.

The next day, Chun Xi slept until well past mid-morning.

Her side of the bed was empty—Shen Qingyuan wasn’t there.

Had she just dreamed it, or had Lord Shen really kissed her?

She was dazed until she saw her swollen, red lips in the mirror. It was real.

He had really kissed her!

And deeply!

She thought he wasn’t the type to do such things!

The lingering sensation of teeth and lips intertwined remained. Chun Xi realized that Shen Qingyuan was far more experienced than she imagined.

Had Lord Shen learned from his previous two wives?

The thought made her heart sink.

Trying to distract herself, she saw Shen Qingyuan enter calmly.

“Why didn’t you go to the government office?”

Startled, she forgot even to use his title in her panic.

He placed a steaming bowl of porridge on the table, explaining calmly, “I had a bath and rest today, as I told you yesterday.”

Ah, that was right.

Chun Xi rubbed her temples, her eyes wandering to his lips.

They were slightly red and swollen, not as distant as usual, looking very kissable.

Ah! In broad daylight, what am I thinking?!

She forced her gaze away, looking at the ceiling and floor, determined not to look at him.

She wanted an excuse to escape but hadn’t thought of one yet when he said, “You drank quite a bit last night. Come eat some porridge and soothe your stomach.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Even if you’re not, eat a little. I cooked it for a long time.”

“You made this porridge yourself?”

Chun Xi looked up in shock. Shen Qingyuan, unfazed, replied calmly, “The small kitchen is very useful.”

This was his gesture of thoughtfulness—she couldn’t waste it.

She couldn’t refuse and sat down to eat.

One bite, and her eyes lit up.

Delicious!

Shen Qingyuan’s vegetable porridge was soft, sweet, and flavorful. The vegetables were finely chopped, cooked just right, still green and fresh.

Chun Xi forgot she’d said she wasn’t hungry and finished the bowl in one go, giving him a thumbs-up: “The porridge is amazing, Lord, you’re really skilled.”

“If you like it, that’s enough,” Shen Qingyuan accepted the praise calmly and asked, “Do you remember what happened after you returned to your room last night?”

Chun Xi froze.

I finally stopped being embarrassed, and now he brings it up again!

She withdrew her thumb, her gaze drifting. “I remember. I kept losing at finger-guessing, and you carried me back to the room.”

…And then kissed me.

She didn’t have the courage to say the last part, but Shen Qingyuan didn’t press her. “Good, I was worried you’d regret it after waking up and deny it.”

“Of course not! I, Cao Chun Xi, never regret what I promise!”

Shen Qingyuan stared at her. When she looked up, she met his dark, shining eyes. He asked, “If you don’t regret it, then why were you avoiding me?”

“I wasn’t avoiding you,” Chun Xi said stubbornly. Seeing him still looking, she added, “I just felt too inexperienced… not as practiced as you. I was afraid you’d dislike me.”

Right, she was a young maiden; the first kiss would naturally be awkward. And he had already married three women—no big deal to him.

Thinking this, her chest tightened. But then Shen Qingyuan said: “It’s my first time too.”

“Ah???”

Chun Xi’s eyes widened in shock. Shen Qingyuan wasn’t embarrassed, calmly explaining, “I married first at twenty. Before the engagement, I met my first wife only three times. On our wedding night, she confessed she was unwell. I was angry and stayed in the study, never touching her.”

At twenty, Shen Qingyuan was still a confident top scholar. He had some illusions about Mrs. Mo until that night, when he realized she had no feelings for him, only hostility.

“My second wife was my mother’s niece. At that time, I was away investigating a case. I couldn’t even attend the wedding, let alone consummate the marriage.”

He paused, looking straight into Chun Xi’s eyes: “So last night… it was my first kiss too.”

Lord, you were so proactive last night, and now you’re calmly explaining it? That doesn’t feel like a first time!

Chun Xi inwardly grumbled but couldn’t help feeling a bit happy.

Even though she was a later wife, she was the first he had been this close with.

Feeling reassured, she asked curiously, “How come your first time felt so practiced?”

Shen Qingyuan didn’t answer, instead asking: “You don’t like it?”

“I’m just asking. I do like it.”

She quickly clarified, afraid of hurting his pride.

Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “So you liked it?”

Chun Xi froze.

Why am I worrying about Lord Shen’s pride?