Tao Zhixiang smiled like that, reaching out to cup his face.

This man, she had hidden in her heart for many years, loved for many years.

The reason for falling in love with him was very simple.

Just because back then, he appeared before her like a heavenly savior when she was most afraid.

Since then, the roots of affection had grown deep.

She could no longer pull them out.

She knew they were not from the same world, knew he wasn’t a good person, knew he never remembered if he ever had any past encounter with someone like her.

But so what, she truly fell in love.

Once, this love she could only silently suppress in her heart, but now, he was right in front of her.

Tao Zhixiang gazed at him, her moist and clear eyes seemed to have gentle emotions surging within, like the rising tide, wave after wave, so turbulent, so passionate, so... resolute.

And Chu Mucheng squinted his eyes, looking at the little woman in front of him, catching the tenderness in her eyes, as if wanting to burn fiercely with all she had.

That tenderness carried the tragic determination of a last stand.

Suddenly, Tao Zhixiang kissed his lips.

That kiss, hot and wild, yet seemed to carry despair and sorrow.

At that moment, Chu Mucheng’s heart quivered.

He didn’t have time to ponder what was on Tao Zhixiang’s mind at this moment, and what he gave back to her was to deepen the kiss.

Came fiercely, wilder than before.

The droplets on their bodies slowly slid down.

Drop by drop, falling into the bath, onto the water’s surface.

And as if each drop fell into Tao Zhixiang’s heart.

Whether it was pain or joy, she could no longer tell.

She cast all her thoughts aside, reason starting to dissipate bit by bit along with the ever-expanding ripples on the water surface.

*

Tao Zhixiang lay in the bed, completely exhausted.

She lay there with her eyes closed, somewhat drowsy, truly... worn out!

But just then, she suddenly heard the sound of a lighter.

Tao Zhixiang opened her eyes, seeing Chu Mucheng lounging lazily against the headboard, taking out a cigarette, ready to light it.

"Don’t..."

Tao Zhixiang hastily spoke, and Chu Mucheng raised an eyebrow, looking at the woman before him with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

At this moment, Chu Mucheng’s expression seemed to return to normal, the previous tenderness in his gaze also shrouded in a faint aloofness.

Tao Zhixiang’s heart trembled.

After all, such tenderness was only shown at specific times!

She hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke softly:

"Could you... not smoke?"

Actually, she really didn’t like men smoking.

But, at this moment, it seemed she had... no right to interfere.

Chu Mucheng’s gaze was deep, the corners of his lips curled, that smile seemed to carry mockery and sarcasm.

Tao Zhixiang thought he might say something cold to rebut her.

So, she closed her eyes, ready to endure it.

Yet moments later, she heard Chu Mucheng’s soft laughter.

"Can’t stand the smell of smoke, afraid of choking?"

And as Chu Mucheng spoke, his hand holding the cigarette gently brought it to her nose.

The faint smell of tobacco reached Tao Zhixiang’s nose, and she couldn’t help but open her eyes, annoyed, and pushed Chu Mucheng’s hand away.