In the dark quiet room stood an old, gold grandfather clock—its pendulum bob swinging from left to right.

 The breathing next to him grew urgent. He tilted his head slightly and saw her eyebrows furrowed, lips slightly parted, as if she was having a nightmare.

 He turned to his side and reached out a hand to smooth out her wrinkled brows.

 Maybe it was his movement that heightened Gu Qingqing’s insecurity, she rolled towards him and wrapped not just her arms but also her legs around him like an octopus. Her body was fastened to his in a firm embrace.

 Leng Sicheng slept in his clothes. Even though there was temperature control in the house, he could still feel the warmth and shocking suppleness of her skin and the softness of her body through his trousers and formal shirt.

 Whenever he looked down just a little, he could see her deliciously perfect curves under her slip dress. The red marks that he had inflicted on her snow-white skin were visible too… Leng Sicheng closed his eyes and did his best to calm his breathing. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down when he swallowed.

 Gu Qingqing’s nightmare was at the climax, the most dangerous part—the river was rushing and no one could save her and he… was standing at the riverbank, watching and doing nothing.

 She had to struggle on her own, flailing her arms to grab at something, desperately trying climb up the shore on the other side. But that floating piece of wood was bobbing up and down in the water. It did not look like it was going to be able to ‘save her’ so easily. No matter how hard she clung to it, it felt like…

 Gu Qingqing’s eyes flew opened and in the darkness, she saw a pair of piercing eyes looking right back at her! In the calmness, there was this distant look in the eyes that she would never ever forget!

 It was Leng Sicheng! Why was he here?

 Every time before he had sex with her, he would always have his secretary call to inform her so that she could tidy up and prepare to welcome him.

 Was he not supposed to be at a dinner party with Chen Wenjie? Did he not just get together with her? They were supposed to be at the most titillating stage… Why was he even here?

 And… was she in his arms? She was on her side, arms and legs wrapped around his body like a squid.

 Leng Sicheng hated having bodily contact with her. Except for when he wanted to shag her, he always kept his distance—as far away from her as possible. Why was he lying next to her right now… hugging her?

 Gu Qingqing was baffled. Her heartbeat seemed to have slowed down what with her face only inches away from the man’s handsome face.

 It was quiet in the room. His smell, interlaced with a subtle smell of alcohol and cigarette, permeated the room.

 When he saw that she was awake, something inside Leng Sicheng’s tranquil eyes flickered. He reached out, and jabbed a finger on her forehead—and then, little by little, pushed her away from him. Then he swung his leg in one swift move and sat upright on the edge of the bed.

 Only then did Gu Qingqing realize that he was fully clothed.

 Before she even spoke, Leng Sicheng scoffed. “Gu Qingqing, I didn’t know you were so… thirsty. Are you really that desperate to get onto my bed?”

 Whatever words that Gu Qingqing was going to say was choked up in her throat.