Chapter 74
“Nan Xu, get up. Don’t forget what we’re supposed to do today.”
Seeing that she was still sleeping soundly, Xie Hejing tugged at her ear and lifted it a little.
“Mmm…” Nan Xu responded vaguely, then rolled over to the other side and even pulled the blanket—the one Xie Hejing had just lifted—back over herself.
Still not getting up.
“It’s already so late. You’re still trying to stay in bed?”
Nan Xu curled her whole body under the blanket, only a few strands of hair slipping out onto the pillow. Her muffled voice came through.
“It’s not late… we can go get the marriage certificate this afternoon too.”
Xie Hejing couldn’t help laughing. Nan Xu really was the definition of someone who couldn’t get out of bed.
Clearly, calling her wasn’t going to work. Xie Hejing pulled the blanket away and scooped her up, heading straight for the bathroom.
The sudden lift made Nan Xu jolt, flailing a little before grabbing onto his arm.
“What are you doing?” she muttered, lips pursed.
She noticed the curtains he had drawn open and glanced outside. The sky was still a hazy gray-blue, and the streetlights were still on, glowing through the early morning fog.
“It’s… it’s not even fully light yet.”
Drowsy and nestled against his chest, she pleaded, “How about you just put me back in bed? We can go in the afternoon…”
Xie Hejing hadn’t forgotten what she said yesterday. If he slowed down even a little, it would only give her more chances to run away or change her mind. So he refused immediately. “No.”
Being carried in his arms, Nan Xu had no way to fight him off, so she simply gave up and let him do as he pleased. She even closed her eyes, trying to squeeze in a bit more sleep during the short walk.
Xie Hejing couldn’t help laughing. “You’re that tired?”
“I am,” Nan Xu yawned. “You’re the one who wouldn’t let me sleep properly last night.”
As if remembering something, Nan Xu suddenly snapped her eyes open and stared at Xie Hejing in confusion. “Why aren’t you tired? Weren’t you the one who went to sleep later than me? And you were also… doing all the work.”
She really couldn’t figure it out. Every time, she ended up so exhausted she could barely stay awake, yet Xie Hejing somehow still had the energy to bathe her and change her clothes.
By the next morning, she was the one drained, while he was full of energy.
“Maybe I’m just naturally gifted,” Xie Hejing said with a raised brow.
“…” Nan Xu had no words. Of all the answers he could have given, that was not the one she expected.
Xie Hejing squeezed toothpaste onto a toothbrush and handed it to her. “Brush. Then come out to get dressed and eat.”
After all that, Nan Xu’s sleepiness had mostly faded. She stared at herself in the mirror. Even though she slept so late last night, thankfully she didn’t have dark circles today—otherwise she’d have to work hard to cover them up.
Xie Hejing had been waiting at the table for quite a while, but Nan Xu still hadn’t come out.
Did she crawl back into bed to sleep again?
He pressed his lips together, thinking he might as well just scoop her up, throw her into the car, and head straight to get the marriage certificate first.
But the moment he pushed the door open, he saw Nan Xu standing in front of the mirror, midway through changing her clothes.
Hearing the door, she turned her head and saw Xie Hejing leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, a hint of amusement in his eyes as if he were admiring her. Nan Xu called out, “Why are you coming in? I’m still changing!”
Xie Hejing lifted his chin slightly. “Go on.”
“With you standing there, how am I supposed to keep changing?” Nan Xu clutched her clothes to cover herself. “Hurry up and close the door, don’t you want to leave early?”
“Oh? So you do know I want to leave early?”
He shut the door behind him with one hand and walked toward her step by step.
His hunter-like gaze never strayed, locking onto her as if he had already seen through everything beneath her clothes.
Nan Xu clutched her shirt even tighter and stepped back until her spine pressed against the cold mirror, making her shiver.
Even though it was broad daylight, she couldn’t help swallowing nervously—when Xie Hejing lost control, he didn’t care whether it was day or night.
She forced herself to sound calm as she warned him, “Don’t you dare mess around. I need to look presentable today, we’re taking photos later.”
Xie Hejing walked right up to her and easily took the clothes from her hands. With that, everything was fully exposed to his view. On a normal day, Nan Xu wouldn’t have stood a chance of escaping, but today they still had something important to do, so Xie Hejing had no choice but to let her go for now.
“I know,” he said casually. “I’ll dress you.”
“…” Nan Xu gritted her teeth. “No need. I know how to dress myself.”
Today she had picked a cream-colored long dress. The neckline was decorated with intricate embroidery, and the waist had a cutout design that traced her figure perfectly.
She originally planned to just put it on and leave. If he told her to change, she was going to claim there was no time. But now that plan was completely ruined.
Sure enough, when Xie Hejing shook the dress open, he naturally noticed the cutout waist. He glanced at Nan Xu.
Nan Xu cleared her throat. “What? It’s normal. It just… shows a bit of waist.”
She had thought about choosing another dress—the one that reached her knees—but when she looked in the mirror earlier, she noticed Xie Hejing had left quite a few marks on her legs.
Thankfully, the rest weren’t too visible and could be covered. Otherwise, in this unbearable heat, she would’ve had to wrap herself up from head to toe. Just thinking about the marks on her legs made her mutter angrily, “It’s all your fault. There are still marks on my legs. I told you to be careful, but you never listen.”
Nan Xu reached out to grab the dress back, but Xie Hejing turned his body sideways, easily dodging her.
“What? You’re not in a hurry anymore?”
“Are you sure you want to wear this one?” Xie Hejing asked.
“I’m sure. This is the one I want to wear.” Nan Xu folded her arms. “Are you trying to control what I wear now?”
He raised a brow. “Did you even check if there are any marks on your waist?”
The moment he said that, it was like a bolt of lightning struck her. She had spent ages choosing this dress. She didn’t see anything when she checked in the mirror earlier, but who knew—there could be marks she missed somewhere else.
Her feet shifted nervously. Forget blaming him; she turned around and said, “Help me check if there’s anything. I don’t know if foundation can cover it.”
She kept muttering under her breath.
Xie Hejing’s fingertips tightened around the dress.
Nan Xu’s skin was delicate, just the moment she had leaned against the mirror had left a faint blush on her back. Her shoulder blades rose and fell slightly as she shivered.
Her smooth, pale back was completely unmarked, but that only stirred Xie Hejing’s most primal instincts.
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
He suddenly wanted to leave a mark on her again—preferably right on her waist—just to see if she’d dare wear something that showed it next time.
But since they were going to get their marriage certificate today, he didn’t want to go too far.
“…None.”
Even in that short moment, Xie Hejing’s voice had already turned a little hoarse.
Hearing his answer, Nan Xu finally let out a breath of relief and turned around. “Then why did you…”
Before she could finish, Xie Hejing slipped the dress over her and slowly pulled it down. One of his hands came up to cover her eyes.
Darkness fell instantly. Nan Xu asked, “What’s going on?”
“Don’t look. I won’t be able to hold back.” Xie Hejing sped up as he helped her into the dress.
At the end, he didn’t forget to pinch her waist, clearly fascinated by that exposed curve.
Nan Xu hadn’t expected that wearing a dress would actually make things easier for him.
She bit her lip, unwilling to let it slide. “You’re so annoying… Believe it or not, I’ll touch you back.”
“You can.” There was even a hint of anticipation in his eyes. Tugging at his collar, he said, “Where do you want to touch? I’ll take my shirt off right now.”
Nan Xu: “…”
How could someone like him exist?
“I was joking. I don’t want to touch you anywhere, least of all you.”
“Move.” Nan Xu deliberately squeezed past him and headed out of the room.
She was truly furious. No matter what, she could never win in an argument with Xie Hejing. Even when she tried to act shameless, he out-shamelessed her every time.
All she could do was pinch his arm in passing, quietly and viciously.
Xie Hejing willingly let himself get shoved aside. He glanced at the faint crescent-shaped mark she left on his arm, smiling. It faded quickly, and he even looked a little disappointed.
When they stepped out, she didn’t see him at the table. Turning her head, she spotted Nan Xu on the sofa, venting her irritation on the sugar cake—biting into it one aggressive mouthful after another.
Xie Hejing shook his head, amused. “Let’s go. Eat in the car.”
“Aren’t you afraid the crumbs from my sugar cake will get all over your precious car?” Nan Xu lifted the pastry like a threat, waving it in front of him.
“What precious? I only have one precious thing—and that’s you.”
Nan Xu had never seen him smile this much in one day. From the moment they left home, all the way to the civil affairs bureau, and even after they picked up the marriage certificate—two little red booklets in hand—he wore a smile the entire time.
Earlier, the clerk had even said to her, “Your husband seems to have such a warm personality and smiles a lot. Wishing you both a happy marriage.”
Nan Xu couldn’t exactly explain to a stranger that most of the time he looked intimidating, that he was hardest to approach when he wasn’t smiling at all.
She could only smile back and say, “Thank you.”
Back in the car, Nan Xu originally wanted to take a nap, but when she saw the smile still lingering on Xie Hejing’s lips, she couldn’t help asking, “Xie Hejing, are you really that happy today?”
Xie Hejing countered, “You’re not happy?” He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if warning her. If she dared to say no, she could forget about sleeping tonight.
“I am happy,” Nan Xu said. “But does being happy mean handing out flowers and red envelopes to every single person we meet? Even the dog on the street got some.”
She had no idea when he had even prepared all those flowers and red envelopes. Every staff member they encountered received one, and he had even given a flower and an envelope to the little yellow dog outside the civil affairs bureau.
Nan Xu: “…”
She was completely stunned.
“And also, you’ve been staring at those two red booklets for half an hour. Weren’t we supposed to go have dinner with our parents? My mom already messaged asking why we’re not there yet.”
“Mm. Let’s go.”
Xie Hejing finally put the two marriage booklets away.
Today, both families had arranged to meet for a celebratory dinner after the two got their marriage certificate.
Xie Hejing had prepared gifts for both mothers. When he handed Nan Xu a gift as well, she paused in surprise. “I get one too?”
He already gave her more than enough on a normal day. On an occasion like this, he only needed to prepare gifts for the parents.
“Others can go without. You can’t.”
Hearing that, Wen Qiu smiled with satisfaction. “Jiaojiao, what did you prepare for Hejing?”
Nan Xu frowned and lowered her head. She hadn’t even thought that far.
Zhang Huiwan took a sip of her wine. “Jiaojiao doesn’t need to prepare anything. Marrying Xie Hejing is already enough.”
Xie Hengzhi and Nan Xiaocheng exchanged a glance. Xie Hengzhi cleared his throat first, reminding Xie Hejing, “And the two of us don’t get anything?”
Nan Xiaocheng pressed his lips together. “It’s fine if we don’t. As long as you two are good together.”
Of course Xie Hejing had prepared something. He turned around and brought over the wine that Xie Hengzhi liked and the tea that interested Nan Xiaocheng.
The gifts were clearly well-chosen and hard to find, thoughtful enough to make both men beam with satisfaction.
“These are things Nan Xu and I prepared together. Dad, Mom, see if you like them.”
All four parents were very pleased with the gifts, it was exactly what each of them liked.
Nan Xu had only given a few suggestions; almost everything was prepared by Xie Hejing himself.
Watching him handle everything so perfectly while she had forgotten to prepare anything for him, Nan Xu couldn’t help feeling guilty.
When he sat down, she tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Sorry… I didn’t think that far today. Let me make it up to you tomorrow.”
Xie Hejing took a sip of wine, leaned close to her ear, and murmured, “You can make it up to me tonight.”
Nan Xu clutched the gift in her hands, her ears instantly turning red. “W-What are you saying…”
She hadn’t had any alcohol. After they parked the car in the garage, she was just about to get out when the Xie Hejing in the passenger seat suddenly reached out to stop her.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick from the wine?”
She knew Xie Hejing was happy today, and when he was happy, he drank without restraint. But Nan Xu didn’t want to ruin the mood, so she hadn’t stopped him.
A faint flush spread across his face, and even his voice had a lazy, drunken drawl.
“No.”
“Then why are you stopping me? Why aren’t you getting out?” Nan Xu reached for the car door, but Xie Hejing grabbed her hand before she could open it.
“I want you to kiss me.”
“Here?” Nan Xu stared at him.
Xie Hejing nodded. “Mm.”
“Wait till we’re home.”
“No.”
Nan Xu couldn’t understand why he refused to wait even a little longer, insisting she kiss him right here.
“Why not? Why does it have to be in the car?” she asked again.
Suddenly, Xie Hejing leaned in. He tugged his collar open loosely, his breath warm against her ear.
“I want to try it in the car.”
His lashes lowered halfway, the sharpness in his eyes completely softened by drunken affection.
His words were thick with unmistakable intimacy.
“Okay? …wife?”
!!!
Nan Xu’s heart thumped faster and faster, and she couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She had to blink rapidly just to hide it.
“What did you just say? I didn’t hear you clearly.”
Xie Hejing buried his face in the crook of her neck, laughing quietly. His warm breath seeped through her thin clothes, burning against her skin.
The tip of his nose brushed along her collarbone, slow and teasing. “Didn’t hear it?”
Nan Xu felt that Xie Hejing was practically a demon—always finding ways to make her lose her rationality little by little, until she couldn’t help agreeing to him.
“But… we don’t have anything in the car…”
“I brought it. In my pocket.”
Nan Xu blinked in surprise. “You carry that around?”
Xie Hejing didn’t bother to explain. He got out of the car, swaying slightly, opened the driver’s door, pulled Nan Xu into the seat, and climbed in after her.
It was their first time in the car, and Nan Xu was visibly nervous.
He noticed. He slipped a small package into her hand.
“Help me put it on, okay? Wife.”
He was being way too unfair tonight, using that word over and over, making Nan Xu feel as if she were a little drunk herself.
But she managed to squeeze out a bit of sanity, refusing to completely fall apart. Lowering her gaze, she said, “I… I don’t know how.”
Xie Hejing let out a soft laugh. “I’ll teach you. Step by step.”
He placed her hand on his belt. “Can you undo this? If you can’t, I’ll…”
“I can.” Nan Xu cut him off immediately, afraid he’d say something outrageous again. “I can do it.”
“Then open it.”
Xie Hejing leaned back slightly, his posture completely open—letting her do whatever she wanted. His gaze stayed fixed on Nan Xu’s tense hands.
“Wife, faster. It hurts holding it in.”
“Don’t… don’t call me that.”
Nan Xu couldn’t handle the way he said that word, especially with his drunken, slightly aggrieved tone.
With a soft click, heat surged forward. Nan Xu’s palms were damp, the edge of the package digging into her hand and repeatedly jolting her nerves.
Her fingers trembled, but she forced herself to tear the package open.
Xie Hejing’s eyes lifted at the corners, his whole body turning boneless as he leaned against her. His hand covered the back of hers, not allowing the slightest retreat.
“Put it on.”
Nan Xu’s fingertip accidentally brushed along the edge, and Xie Hejing let out a low, muffled sound from deep in his throat. Her heart stumbled in panic, and she tried her hardest to ignore the sounds by her ear. Only when everything fit properly did the tension in her muscles finally ease.
“And then…”
Xie Hejing had been holding back for too long. He couldn’t wait for her to finish her sentence. He lifted her skirt, even guiding her hand to hold it up—but Nan Xu didn’t want to hold it.
Xie Hejing said, “If you get it dirty later, there’s nothing in this car for you to change into.”
Hearing that, Nan Xu had no choice but to hold up her skirt herself, and no matter how she did it, the whole posture was embarrassingly suggestive.
To Xie Hejing, though, it was breathtaking. He watched her sit stiffly, afraid to make any unnecessary movement.
Then, with deliberate mischief, Xie Hejing nudged her up slightly. Nan Xu let out a startled cry, her free hand grabbing his shoulder to steady herself. “Don’t…”
Xie Hejing’s hands were carelessly igniting the fire, and as he did so, he asked, “Don’t what?”
He held her completely in his arms, letting their breaths tangle like climbing vines.
“Mm—!” Nan Xu couldn’t get a word out; even her breathing stalled in that moment.
The alcohol had faded from Xie Hejing’s face as he spoke in a low, husky voice, “Is this the part where you want me to stop?”