Ming Yutong was enveloped by Fu Yinxiu's heat and presence, feeling as though she was trapped in his embrace.
His voice, now soft and husky, reverberated against her ear, making her heart race.
"I was waiting for you to bring me the blanket, but you took so long," Fu Yinxiu murmured, his breath warm against her ear. The intimacy of his tone was deliberate, almost teasing, a stark contrast to his usual assertive demeanor.
Ming Yutong's heart fluttered. She was caught off guard by his sudden change in approach, realizing that he was using every tactic at his disposal to get her attention and affection.
The tenderness in his voice, the warmth of his body pressed against her, and the vulnerability he displayed were all new sides of him she hadn't seen before.
"What were you thinking about earlier?" Fu Yinxiu's voice came again, low and enticing, as if he were trying to coax out her thoughts with his presence.
She felt a rush of warmth and a pang of guilt as she met his gaze. His expression was earnest, his eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that was both tender and intense.
Ming Yutong's thoughts were jumbled, her usual clarity clouded by the heat of the moment.
"Nothing important," she finally managed to say, her voice tinged with nervousness. "You should move back a bit. I'll get the blankets."
Fu Yinxiu looked up at the top shelf where several comforters were stacked. "Can you reach them?" he asked, his tone still gentle but with a hint of concern.
"I'll use the stool over there," Ming Yutong replied, pointing to a nearby stool.
"Let me get them," Fu Yinxiu offered, trying to reach the blankets himself. "Sometimes, having a man around is useful, not just for things in the bedroom."
Ming Yutong's cheeks flushed slightly at his comment. "Don't you think you're being a bit presumptuous?" she said, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
Fu Yinxiu's face softened, and he continued, "I know you've grown used to handling things on your own. I forced you to be independent before, but that doesn't mean you need to do everything alone now. I want you to rely on me. Whether it's a big or small task, just let me help you."
Ming Yutong's lips pressed into a thin line as she listened. "So, you pushed me to be independent before, and now you want me to rely on you? You can't have it both ways."
"I never meant to push you away," Fu Yinxiu quickly clarified. "I was a fool back then. Now, I want you to know that no matter what, I'm here for you. I want to support you and care for you, to make things easier for you."
Ming Yutong was moved by his sincerity but still felt conflicted. She wasn't ready to fully embrace the changes in their relationship.
"Let's just focus on getting the blankets for now," she said, cutting him off. She was aware that she needed to process her feelings, but right now, practical matters took precedence.
Fu Yinxiu nodded and reached for the blankets, his arms stretching out and partially obscuring his face from Ming Yutong. He took the comforters down carefully, ensuring he didn't disturb anything.
Ming Yutong watched him, her heart a mixture of frustration and affection.
She knew that Fu Yinxiu was trying his best to make amends, but navigating this new dynamic between them was challenging.
As Fu Yinxiu handed her the blankets, he looked at her with a mixture of hope and determination. "I'm here to stay," he said softly. "Just tell me what you need, and I'll be there for you."
Ming Yutong found herself caught off guard as she bumped into Fu Yinxiu, losing her balance and falling onto the makeshift bed on the floor.
Fu Yinxiu had moved so quietly that she hadn't noticed his approach until it was too late.
As she lay on the blankets, Fu Yinxiu's body was pressed closely against hers.
His arms were planted firmly on either side of her, trapping her in place. The sudden proximity and the warmth of his body made Ming Yutong's heart race.
Fu Yinxiu's face was just inches from hers, and his breath was hot against her skin.
His eyes, dark and intense, were fixed on her with a mixture of longing and tenderness.
"Are you okay?" Fu Yinxiu asked softly, his voice almost a whisper. The concern in his tone was genuine, but the way he hovered over her and the intensity of his gaze betrayed the deeper emotions at play.
Ming Yutong tried to push him away, but her hands were caught between them.
"Let me up," she said, her voice strained as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Fu Yinxiu, however, didn't move. Instead, he let his eyes softened and a small, vulnerable smile appeared on his lips.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just wanted to be close to you."
His confession was both disarming and deeply emotional. Ming Yutong could feel the sincerity in his words and the heat of his body pressing against hers.
It was as if he was laying bare all his feelings, exposing the depth of his desire and vulnerability.
"You don't have to be sorry," Ming Yutong said, her voice trembling slightly. "But you need to let me up."
Fu Yinxiu hesitated for a moment, then slowly lifted himself off her. He moved back slightly, giving her the space she needed, though his eyes never left hers.
"I just... I couldn't help myself," he admitted, a trace of frustration in his voice. "I know I should respect your space, but I can't help how I feel."
Ming Yutong sat up, her cheeks flushed. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "I understand," she said softly. "But we need to talk about this. We can't keep doing this, pushing each other's boundaries."
Fu Yinxiu nodded, his expression serious. "You're right. We need to find a way to handle this better. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I also want to be honest about how I feel."
Ming Yutong nodded, her mind racing with the implications of their conversation.
She knew that navigating their evolving relationship would be challenging, but she also recognized the sincerity in Fu Yinxiu's eyes.
"Let's take things one step at a time," she said, her voice steady. "We both need to be more considerate of each other."
Fu Yinxiu agreed, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Thank you for understanding. I promise to do better."
They both took a moment to compose themselves before Ming Yutong finished setting up the blankets.
The tension between them had shifted, and while it was still palpable, there was now an underlying sense of mutual respect and understanding.
His arms, tense from supporting his weight, felt like iron bars trapping her.
Feeling the heat from his body, Ming Yutong swallowed nervously, struggling not to lie back onto the bedding.
One hand held the bedding, while the other pushed against Fu Yinxiu's shoulder, trying to move him up. "Get up."
But he felt as unyielding as stone and as hot as iron. She couldn't move him at all, and instead, the heat from him burned her palm.
"I want you to make the bed for me every night," Fu Yinxiu said, gazing deeply at her.
"This isn't making a bed," Ming Yutong muttered. "It's just laying out the bedding."
Fu Yinxiu chuckled lightly. "It's the same thing."
Ming Yutong: "…"
How was it the same?
"Get up first!" Ming Yutong said with a hint of frustration, adding more force.
But Fu Yinxiu suddenly wrapped his arms around her soft waist, one hand supporting himself on the floor. "Tong Tong, I… miss you."
His voice was hoarse, sliding from her eyes to her lips, then inevitably dropping to her neckline.
The white skin exposed above her collar made his breathing heavy.
Ming Yutong's face flushed, realizing she couldn't muster even the slightest bit of strength to push him away.
In her nervousness, she instinctively bit her lower lip.
Fu Yinxiu's Adam's apple bobbed, mesmerized, his eyes fixed on her.