Her earlier silent yet thunderous psychological plea seemed to have been heard by Zhou Wang.

Occasionally glancing down, she met Zhou Wang’s sacred and burning gaze.

Qi Jiayi’s heart trembled, and she ultimately couldn’t say any "blaming" words. Just as Zhou Wang had initially requested of her, she slowly closed her eyes.

...

Tick tock! Tick tock!

The old-fashioned clock on the bedroom wall emitted a rhythmic and slight sound in the midst of silence, yet Qi Jiayi, lying in Zhou Wang’s embrace, couldn’t hear anything.

Oh, it’s not that she couldn’t hear; it’s just that more intensely, the chaotic heartbeat, indistinguishable whether it was hers or Zhou Wang’s, was near at hand.

By this time, it was already deep in the night, nearly an hour later.

Qi Jiayi’s mind was still in a daze.

The tangled sweat on her body made her feel uncomfortable all over, especially as this originally spacious bed now felt filthy everywhere in her perception. She couldn’t find any space to curl up comfortably.

However, Zhou Wang thoughtfully wrapped her in his arms, dispelling her troubles.

Qi Jiayi felt she should take a shower, but she had to admit she was somewhat reluctant to leave Zhou Wang’s embrace.

"Is it... always like this?"

In the silence, Qi Jiayi eventually couldn’t help but speak first.

With the tide slowly receding, the remnants of sobriety began to gain the upper hand, making Qi Jiayi increasingly at a loss. She felt that if she didn’t say something, the subtle atmosphere might shift back to awkwardness.

But Qi Jiayi was indeed curious; is this the real process?

Truly... is it so wonderful?

"Yes, and no."

Zhou Wang heard Qi Jiayi’s question and chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, because these things, while a natural human desire, have many pleasures to explore. It just depends on the emotions of both parties and... the thickness of their skins."

Zhou Wang explained with a smile, "Not, because most normal couples can’t reach this level, perhaps due to shyness, lack of experience, or unwillingness to lower themselves so much for the other..."

Listening to Zhou Wang’s eloquent talk, Qi Jiayi couldn’t help but recall the many details from earlier.

Zhou Wang... apparently did a lot and also guided her to do a lot.

Even though Qi Jiayi was indifferent, it didn’t mean she knew nothing about that aspect.

Not every man would do... would do that, right?

"Then why did you..."

Thinking of this, Qi Jiayi bit her lip and asked.

"Why was I willing to lower myself?"

Zhou Wang completed her sentence for her.

Qi Jiayi nodded.

Zhou Wang, seeing this, became somewhat serious, "Jiayi, I think you misunderstand me."

"Huh, what kind of misunderstanding?"

"I said from the beginning, I want to help you."

Zhou Wang admitted frankly, "Yes, I don’t deny I have improper thoughts about you, but you’re so beautiful, so mature, so charming. Isn’t it normal for me to have some mixed-up ideas?"

"But I’m not someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong, nor am I a criminal. I like you, and I would straightforwardly tell you, but when doing this, I really wasn’t fully driven by that kind of thought. I truly want to heal you, so to make you less resistant, of course, I’m willing to show my respect and gentleness..."

"Don’t think I am very happy. After all, I am not doing this entirely for enjoyment. I might even feel some pain during it, but as long as I can heal you, everything is worth it."

Zhou Wang spoke earnestly. Regardless of whether Qi Jiayi believed it or not, he almost believed it himself.

Qi Jiayi, hearing this, fell into silence.

This silence lasted for several minutes. Zhou Wang didn’t know what she was thinking, but he could clearly feel that her embrace... seemed a bit tighter?

Zhou Wang knew his words had somewhat moved Qi Jiayi, and he nodded in satisfaction secretly.

It seemed that tonight’s visit wasn’t in vain. At least the anticipated goals were reached. When Qi Jiayi’s mental illness relapses next time, she shouldn’t avoid him, should she?

While Zhou Wang was pondering this, Qi Jiayi suddenly spoke softly: "Can you... teach me?"

"Teach you what?"

This time, it was Zhou Wang’s turn to be dumbfounded.

Qi Jiayi bowed her head, not letting Zhou Wang see her expression at that moment. But her cheek against Zhou Wang’s chest emitted an astonishing warmth, making Zhou Wang, even without seeing her face, aware that Qi Jiayi was in an extremely shy state.

"I... since you’re helping me, this kind of thing should be fair at least."

Qi Jiayi said in a low voice, initially hesitant but growing determined as she spoke, "I don’t know how to repay you, but you just said you’re not only unhappy, you might even suffer a bit. If there’s a way to let you also..."

"Enjoy it" — Qi Jiayi ultimately couldn’t say this phrase. Otherwise, wouldn’t she be indirectly admitting to her own feelings?

So Qi Jiayi, after a bit of hesitation, directly skipped it, "Anyway, if you know, you can teach me."

Though Qi Jiayi spoke ambiguously, with Zhou Wang’s level of IQ and EQ, he understood it immediately.

Holy crap!

Zhou Wang was jolted.

By this time, the clock on the wall already pointed to one in the morning. Although Zhou Wang felt a bit unfulfilled, he also feared overdoing it, so he originally planned to stop here.

He thought he’d hold Qi Jiayi quietly and sleep for a while, get some proper work done the next day; everything seemed appropriate.

But now, having understood the implication in Qi Jiayi’s words, Zhou Wang suddenly felt a renewed vigor.

It’s one in the morning... the nightlife is just beginning!

What Qi Jiayi said was "teach me," but Zhou Wang’s mind automatically filled in an extra word, a very crucial word.

He didn’t know if Qi Jiayi had a wire crossed or if his tone was too sincere, or maybe she lacked similar experiences and genuinely believed him, but still, the saying goes...

Some opportunities come only once.

With Qi Jiayi’s IQ, she’d inevitably figure it out sometime. If he didn’t take advantage of her current state to tame her a bit more, would he have to start all over when she came to her senses?

So Zhou Wang went along with it immediately, "What you said makes some sense. In that case, I’ll reluctantly endure a bit more hardship."

Zhou Wang sighed, yet that didn’t stop him from getting up instantly, lifting Qi Jiayi completely in his arms.

"What... what are you doing?"

Although the light was dim, Qi Jiayi was still startled, now completely exposed outside.

"From now on, Jiayi, before we leave this room, you should consider me the person you can entrust everything to, or put bluntly, I am now your husband. Only this way, do we have the trust foundation to continue."

Zhou Wang said seriously, "This is the first point I want to teach you, understand?"

"Uh, yes... understand."

"Then let me hear it first?"

Qi Jiayi fell silent again, but her trembling conveyed her extreme shame to Zhou Wang.

Zhou Wang wasn’t in a hurry either; he waited a few seconds and seeing no response from Qi Jiayi, he planned to skip this step, to revisit it when the atmosphere felt right.

But just as Zhou Wang was stepping forward, a voice, faint as a mosquito hum yet so clear in the quiet room, reached Zhou Wang’s ears:

"... Husband."

Zhou Wang felt utterly comfortable; with his experience, it should have been an ordinary term of address, but hearing it coming from the mouth of the ever-proud, aloof Qi Jiayi, who had never been close to any man, gave him immense satisfaction.

Zhou Wang silently grinned broadly, not delaying a step, carrying Qi Jiayi towards the bathroom.

This night was destined to be long...