Chapter 279: Chapter 279

Tang Zan was left somewhat speechless, yet he also felt a bit pleased.

He and Pei Shu’er had come to this point.

He knew that if it weren’t for Pei Shu’er’s sudden abdominal pain, they would have become husband and wife in the truest sense.

Seeing Pei Shu’er looking pale, he felt a pang of pity and wiped the sweat off her cheeks with a handkerchief.

His voice, for the first time, was so gentle, as if she were a precious fragile item.

"Does it still hurt?"

He reached out, gently massaging Pei Shu’er’s abdomen.

Pei Shu’er’s pain slowly subsided, and her body relaxed as she leaned gently against Tang Zan’s embrace.

Tang Zan held Pei Shu’er in his arms. Despite the cold outside, it didn’t feel as chilly with Tang Zan holding her.

On this cold winter’s night, the two warmed each other under the quilt, and Pei Shu’er found the moment serene and beautiful.

Moreover, her menstrual flow hadn’t started; it was just a feeling much like the prelude to it, or was her stomach really hurting?

Yet, now the mood had passed, her rationality returned, and she was no longer interested.

Tang Zan peppered small kisses on Pei Shu’er’s neck, and Pei Shu’er was startled, her body curling up from the tickling sensation.

Tang Zan’s eyes deepened, drawing closer to Pei Shu’er, embracing her from behind.

He took on the posture of a protector.

But given Pei Shu’er’s recent pain, he didn’t want her to suffer more.

He just held her, kissing her repeatedly, as if to soothe her.

At this moment, he was unbelievably gentle, as if all his rough edges had been smoothed away.

Tang Zan didn’t say a word nor did he confess anything, thinking that his current demeanor had already proven much.

Pei Shu’er felt a little sweetness in her heart, but she also waited for Tang Zan to express himself, perhaps with words of affection, especially since they had come so close.

But she waited for a long time without Tang Zan taking the next step or saying anything, only kissing her back.

She wanted to ask Tang Zan, but the words were stuck in her throat.

Between her and him now lay a vast chasm of resentment. If Tang Zan didn’t hate her, it was already magnanimous; how could he possibly like her?

Perhaps he was just suddenly interested.

In ancient times, weren’t there maidservants for intimacy? Did it mean the young master liked them if he slept with them?

No, it was just a need.

Moreover, some married couples remain without love even when their children are quite grown.

Given her predicament with Tang Zan, lacking hatred was already a blessing.

With these thoughts, it felt like a cold bucket of water had been poured over her head, quelling any warmth in her body.

She was confused, wondering how she could let Tang Zan, who might be leaving her forever, overcome her, even considering giving herself to him?

He had prodded her not just once or twice.

Think of it more positively; it was because he desired her.

But does desire equate to affection?

No, or else why would modern hookups exist?

It’s clearly loveless sex.

Luckily, her stomach pain had flared up just in time, preventing them from crossing that line, which would indeed have been a disgrace to herself.

To give her first time to someone who didn’t like her, how pitifully naive.

She didn’t know about others, but she personally couldn’t accept such a relationship.

Pei Shu’er slowly sat up, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall down her shoulders, covering her fair and jade-like back; she was unbelievably beautiful.

Tang Zan placed a hand on her shoulder, kissing her rounded shoulder once.

"It’s too cold, lie down quickly."

Perhaps due to the recent intimacy, Tang Zan’s naturally cool and magnetic voice softened a bit, adding a touch of warmth to the chilly night.

She didn’t turn back: "I think I should go back."

As she was about to get up, Tang Zan pulled her back, drawing her into his arms with a smile on his lips.

"Where are you going? Aren’t we husband and wife?"

Pei Shu’er could feel the searing presence behind her.

Upon hearing this, Pei Shu’er felt a tinge of sorrow.

Is it because they’re husband and wife, so she’s expected to fulfill her marital duties?

However, such obligations were not part of their prior agreement.

Pei Shu’er lifted her eyelids and said, "Tang Zan, are you in need of a woman?"

Tang Zan’s formerly gentle expression grew cold.

He didn’t say a word.

Actually, he could have easily said he wanted her.

However, her tone made it clear it was just his own wishful thinking.

Pei Shu’er took a deep breath, yet when she tried to leave, Tang Zan once more tugged her into the bed. Follow current novels on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩

With his long legs pinning her wriggling ones, and seeing Pei Shu’er still unsettled, he bit her on the neck.

Pei Shu’er paused, turning around to glare at Tang Zan, protesting.

Tang Zan’s mood improved somewhat, murmuring, "Sleep, I have to wake up early tomorrow."

Upon saying this, Tang Zan realized his, um, wasn’t very convincing, so he gritted his teeth and added.

"Don’t worry, Pei Shu’er, I won’t touch you."

Pei Shu’er’s tense body relaxed, yet a layer of sadness welled up inside.

She thought, if only the original hadn’t made that mistake, how great it would be.

Now, she couldn’t even talk about feelings with Tang Zan.

Perhaps, in Tang Zan’s eyes, she was merely an efficient atonement partner.

And a loveless wife to warm the bed.

She buried her head under the covers, not speaking for a long time.

Tang Zan turned off the lamp, returning to bed, now dressed in his undergarments.

Pei Shu’er sighed and donned her clothes as well; they were only sleeping together anyway.

It’s not like it hadn’t happened before.

In Tang Zan’s embrace, Pei Shu’er soon fell asleep.

Tang Zan used his fingertips to gently trace Pei Shu’er’s features; hers was a supremely beautiful face, the most beautiful person he’d ever seen.

Clearly, when in the Capital, Pei Shu’er hadn’t seemed that stunning in his eyes, but over the past year, she had grown more and more beautiful.

She was like a pearl wiped clean of dust.

This time, he could only take a thousand men with him, and when he arrived, he needed to investigate a particular mine. Now that winter was here, without coal, surviving the winter with just firewood would be difficult for everyone.

He wasn’t very concerned about his family anymore; with his father there, they could weather any storm.

His sole worry, who tugged at his heart, was this person before him.

Yet all she did was infuriate him; did she think he was that casual?

Clearly, he only felt something for her, only wanted to hold her, kiss her, sleep with her.

He longed to bite her again, but drew close and switched to kissing instead, holding her even tighter.

Nevermind, as long as she was in his arms, it was enough.