A smile played upon my lips as I gently withdrew my hand from his grasp. "Your understanding is all that matters. Today, at the school gates, your wife... before everyone, she accused me of harboring ill intentions. Not only did she claim I was trying to win over the young master, but she also..." My voice trailed off, a blush creeping up my neck as I stole a fleeting glance at Gong Li'an before quickly averting my eyes.

"She also insinuated that I had ulterior motives towards you. I'm relieved you don't share her suspicions."

"I will speak with her and clear this misunderstanding. Your integrity is evident. Please, continue your role as Xiao Jue's tutor without worry." Gong Li'an's gaze softened, his voice laced with concern.

I shook my head, a wave of sadness washing over me. "It's best if I step away, sir. I have no desire to intrude upon your relationship with your wife or become the subject of idle gossip. I hold my reputation dear. I thank you for your trust, but please, find another tutor for Xiao Jue."

With a heavy heart, I rose from my seat. "For tonight, I must impose upon you to sleep on the sofa. I wish you a restful night."

Ignoring the unspoken plea in his eyes, I retreated to my bedroom, closing the door softly behind me.

A bitter smile twisted my lips. Sleep? I doubted slumber would come easily for either of us this night.

And as the hours crept by, the sound of Gong Li'an's restless tossing and turning confirmed my suspicions. Only as dawn approached did an uneasy quiet settle over the house.

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Just before the first rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, I rose in the darkness, guided by the faint moonlight filtering through the window. My destination: the bathroom.

But as I stepped out, fate, it seemed, had other plans. I stumbled over Gong Li'an's outstretched legs, my body plummeting towards the floor.

He had chosen to sleep just outside my door, his long frame stretched out on the floor, still fully clothed in his shirt and trousers. I landed upon him with a soft thud, my breath catching in my throat.

My chest pressed against his, sending a jolt of pain through me. I gasped, attempting to scramble away, but as I lifted my head, I found myself lost in the depths of his gaze.

Gong Li'an was awake, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"I... I apologize," I stammered, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I struggled to regain my composure. His breaths came in ragged gasps. "Are you hurt?"

Clumsily, I reached out to examine him, but his hand shot out, encircling my waist and pulling me close. His voice, husky with sleep, sent shivers down my spine. "Don't move."

I obeyed, my body stiffening in his embrace. It was then that I became acutely aware of the hard contours of his body pressed against mine. The fall had caused my nightgown to ride up, and now his hand rested intimately against my bare skin, sending waves of heat through me.

Uncomfortable with the sudden intimacy, I shifted slightly, but his grip only tightened, his presence becoming more dominant, more possessive.

Slowly, he sat up, bringing me with him. Finally, I had some leverage, and I trembled, desperate to break free from his hold.

But then, a soft murmur reached our ears from the bedroom. Xiao Jue was talking in his sleep. Reacting instinctively, I clamped my hand over Gong Li'an's mouth.

When the young boy spoke in his sleep, the slightest sound could wake him.

However, as Gong Li'an's hand loosened its grip, my own grasp faltered, and I lost my balance once more. This time, I landed squarely on his lap, my body molding against his through the thin fabric of his trousers.

Though there was no penetration, the unexpected intimacy sent a jolt of electricity through me. My breath hitched, and I could feel Gong Li'an's body responding in kind. His gaze, once clouded with sleep