The two fiery bodies pressed together, and Hu Li's hands had already started to explore under Hua Yan's V-neck sweater. Like dry tinder meeting a blazing fire, their long-held desires ignited instantly.

Struggling, Hua Yan opened her hazy eyes weakly and whispered, "Hu... Li..."

"Be good, it'll be over soon," Hu Li reassured her in a husky, soothing voice, suppressing his own burning desires.

At the critical moment, a voice outside the door shattered the silence like a spell: "Xiao Yan, there's a phone call for you downstairs."

The room suddenly fell silent. Besides Hu Li's warm hands, the once fervent bodies instantly turned cold. This chill jolted Hua Yan back to reality, and she quickly responded, "Oh, got it."

Listening until the person outside left, Hua Yan didn't rush to get up. She turned back to look closely at Hu Li, who had already shed his upper clothing, revealing a well-proportioned body glistening with sweat. This sight filled Hua Yan with admiration; even without leaving the house, Hu Li's physique was a stunning sight. She reached out and touched him, the sweat beads almost turning to frost against his icy body temperature.

Watching this scene, Hua Yan couldn't help but marvel. Despite her playful nature, she sensed the shivers running through Hu Li's body, reigniting the desire that had just been suppressed.

With slightly bloodshot eyes fixed on the mischievous Hua Yan playing with his body on the bed, Hu Li sighed helplessly. Indulging, he leaned down to brush his lips against hers. After a moment, they both gasped for breath as they separated.

"You little seductress," Hu Li savored her taste, smiling.

Raising Hu Li's chin playfully, Hua Yan teased, "Give me a smile, and I might just treat you well."

"How may I serve you, Master?" Hu Li sent a provocative, mesmerizing glance, softly asking.

At that moment, the playful and enchanting Hu Li made Hua Yan burst into laughter. Seizing the opportunity, he enveloped her in his arms, whispering tenderly, "Xiao Yan, have you missed me during this time?"

Hua Yan quietly looked into Hu Li's stern face, his earnest gaze, nodding and burying her head against his chest, feeling his warmth.

After spending a while together, Hu Li patted Hua Yan's back and said, "Let's go downstairs and check on things. Otherwise, Lao Yang might worry I've devoured you completely."

Rolling her eyes at Hu Li, Hua Yan playfully scolded, "If anyone's eating anyone, it'll be me eating you!" She then got up to tidy herself.

Hu Li chuckled but didn't argue. He called from the room, "I'll change into something else."

"Okay," Hua Yan replied.

Just before Hu Li left, he picked up the phone from the table and turned it on. Hua Yan sat on the edge of the bed, all cleaned up, recalling Lao Yang's message about a call for her downstairs. But why hadn't her phone rung? Seeing that it was still on, she suspected Lao Yang was genuinely concerned about Hu Li bullying her and used it as an excuse.

As she reached the first floor, Lao Yang in the living room called out, "If you don't come down soon, Jiu Cheng's going to nag my ears off. Hurry and take that call. And your phone, is it dead? Because Jiu Cheng said it's switched off."

After Lao Yang's words, Hua Yan's eyes rolled, recalling some scenes from the bedroom just now. She seemed to have guessed something. A smile crept onto her lips as she sat on the sofa next to the landline, listening to Jiu Cheng's mother-like nagging.

Watching Hu Li come downstairs in simple attire, Hua Yan glared fiercely at him, and Hu Li chuckled nervously. The other three men in the living room watched them exchange glances with meaningful smiles.

While Hu Li was again pulled into a chess game, he watched Hua Yan chatting happily on the phone. Occasionally, she would shout angrily into the phone, though mixed with joy.

"Whose call was it?" Hu Li asked casually.

"It's her colleague, that kid Jiu Cheng," Lao Yang smirked evilly, not hiding anything.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Oh?" Jiu Cheng, that brat, wasn't giving up yet. He glared resentfully at Hua Yan, who didn't even notice him. Her obliviousness only fueled his displeasure.

"You don't need to worry. Xiao Yan is more faithful than anyone. Of course, your kid is also quite faithful."

Hu Li's face remained expressionless, but he let go of the move he was about to make to capture Lao Yang's piece. Instead, he left an opening for Lao Yang to fight back.

Seeing everyone smiling knowingly, Lao Yang seized the opportunity and captured several of Hu Li's pieces in succession. Though Hu Li was distracted by Hua Yan's side, Lao Yang's captures didn't bother him at all. However, Lao Yang couldn't swiftly defeat Hu Li's strong defenses either.

After chatting with Jiu Cheng for a while, Hua Yan learned that he had originally planned to spend New Year's with her but was commanded by his adoptive father and two uncles in Ye Huang City to accompany Bai Hen, San Qing, there.

Jiu Cheng described Ye Huang City as a place where every day was filled with endless variety and surprises, from the sky to the sea. They could enjoy without leaving the city—beautiful women, handsome men, casinos, horse racing, top celebrities, national sports stars—people from all walks of life both domestically and internationally frequently sought refuge, pleasure, and recuperation in Ye Huang City.

"You don't seem entirely happy playing there, so don't act like a jealous wife complaining I don't come to see you. After the fifteenth, we'll meet again. My two uncles invited me to play in Ye Huang City. Look at the time; I really want to go and enjoy myself. But that's impossible. Do you think Hu Li would go with me?

"Don't be so possessive, you're a child. Besides, I belong to myself. Alright, enough said. Have fun in Ye Huang City, and remember to bring me back a gift."

"You made a really amateur move there," Lao Yang teased Hu Li, glancing at him distractedly. In his heart, he couldn't help but feel that heroes are helpless before the beauty.

Hearing Hua Yan say, "I belong to myself," Hu Li felt a little uncomfortable inside. He was inherently quite masculine, but unknowingly, he found himself compromising bit by bit for Hua Yan.

This unconscious change was perhaps the most terrifying, yet facing Hua Yan, Hu Li felt that every change was worthwhile. Her smile, her thoughts, her personality, her character—all were things he would pursue for a lifetime, someone he never wanted to give up on.

Often, Hu Li felt that Hua Yan was a part of his body. Without her laughter, without her presence, he would be incomplete, restless. Perhaps she was even his soulmate, completing him where he was lacking.

Hu Li's emotions were completely unknown to Hua Yan. After bantering with Jiu Cheng, she climbed onto Hu Li's shoulders and watched Lao Yang and the others play chess.

Early in the morning, Da Pang was making dumplings in the kitchen, and Hu Li helped prepare Hua Yan's favorite dishes. Old Black and Lao Yang had just come in from shoveling snow in the yard. After resting for an hour, Hua Yan excitedly came downstairs and greeted them, saying, "Happy New Year! Hand over the red envelopes."

This sudden move momentarily stunned Lao Yang and the others. Eventually, they chuckled and obediently handed over their red envelopes, even Da Pang and Hu Li, who were busy in the kitchen.

"Your lady is quite the money lover," Da Pang nudged Hu Li jokingly. Da Pang loved to joke around, and despite Hu Li's silence, Da Pang would mutter to himself. Hu Li initially found it annoying, but over time, he became Da Pang's loyal listener.

"Hey, who was talking behind my back? But didn't want my red envelope?" Suddenly, Hua Yan appeared at the kitchen door holding a noticeably plumper red envelope than before.

Da Pang looked at the chubby red envelope, about the size of his own palm, his eyes sparkling. He playfully said, "Well then, Xiao Yan, Happy New Year!" He stared intently at the red envelope in Hua Yan's hand.

Seeing this, Hua Yan smiled happily and handed it to him. Da Pang immediately took out the money and counted it—there were over thirty red bills. Amazed, he exclaimed, "Isn't this too much?"

"Not at all. Consider the excess as a bonus."

In the end, Da Pang, Old Black, and the two guards received generous red envelopes. Lao Yang and Hu Li also received one containing sixty-six crisp one-yuan bills each.

While Lao Yang and Hu Li weren't short of money, it was different for Old Black and the others, who came from rural backgrounds and weren't well-off. Although not a large sum, it would ensure they had a good Lantern Festival.

After enjoying the soft, smooth dumplings, Lao Yang pulled Hu Li, Old Black, and Da Pang to play mahjong. Lao Yang boldly declared his intention to fleece the wealthy Hu Li and set his sights on the large red envelope Hua Yan had given to Old Black and Da Pang.

However, Hu Li whispered something to Old Black and Da Pang that left them murmuring to themselves. Faced with Lao Yang eyeing their hefty red envelopes, they were unfazed. Seeing this, Hua Yan suspected Hu Li had a scheme in mind, possibly teaming up with Old Black and the others to win money from Lao Yang.

After reading for a while, Hua Yan remembered it was time to help Cheng Xiang turn over and feed him hot water. Just as she was spoon-feeding him lukewarm water,

Hu Li, who should have been playing mahjong downstairs, walked in. Annoyed, he took the bowl and started feeding Cheng Xiang himself. While feeding him, he said, "Next time, leave these things to me."

Watching Hu Li act like a sulking child, Hua Yan wanted to laugh but dared not at this moment. Jealous women are crazy, and jealous men are also like thunderstorms.

"Alright, got it. Da Pang's been calling for you. Hurry downstairs," she said, thinking Da Pang must have won some money by now for him to sound so cheerful.

"Are you done too?" Hu Li asked Hua Yan without moving.

She nodded, and he finally smiled, taking her downstairs.

"I want some hot water too, warm, not hot," Hu Li muttered as he played mahjong, addressing Hua Yan.

This Hu Li, a grown man, was not afraid of being teased by Old Black and the others because of jealousy, insisting on the same treatment as Cheng Xiang. As Hua Yan poured the water, she couldn't help but shiver at the thought that Hu Li might want her to feed him too.