Facing Nan Yu's pestering, Tan Linyuan remained unmoved and still replied methodically, "It'll be done soon."
He didn't move, and the light cast a slender side shadow of him.
Nan Yu felt a strange feeling in her heart.
He always showed a detached attitude towards the outside world, as if he was always so indifferent.
But his aggressive and possessive side was only known to Nan Yu.
Only Nan Yu had seen it.
"It seems that what you said in the car was all lies," Nan Yu looked into his eyes and continued, "You always have two faces. You say you love me, but actually you have other plans."
"You're a few years older than me, and your thoughts and schemes are deeper than mine. You can always guess what's on my mind." Her tone sounded rather annoyed. "I've been deceived by you again, haven't I?"
Tan Linyuan looked up at her, with a half - smile on his face.
Under his gaze, Nan Yu felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Finished?" he asked.
Nan Yu nodded seriously.
"Come here when you're done." Tan Linyuan put down his brush and opened his arms to her. "Keep me company while I copy the scriptures."
Nan Yu got up cheerfully and walked to his side, then sat on his lap.
There was a scent on him that made people indulge in it, like drowning in a sea of temptation.
Tan Linyuan did as she asked. He held her with his left hand while copying the scriptures with his right.
Afraid that she might sit unsteadily, he tightened his left hand around her waist.
He managed to do both without any delay.
Nan Yu looked up and could see his slightly rolling Adam's apple.
She inexplicably thought of those demons and ghosts in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" that could seduce people's emotions.
She felt like one of them now.
But Tan Linyuan remained calm and continued to copy the scriptures steadily, which made her feel a bit irritated.
Her hand became restless and she poked his protruding Adam's apple.
He lowered his head, and their breaths were almost intertwined. They could have kissed in the next second.
His gaze fell on her clear eyes.
"Master Tan, is it in line with Buddhist rules to hold a woman while copying scriptures?"
Tan Linyuan ignored her provocation.
So Nan Yu continued to fan the flames, "Neither a monk nor a layman."
Tan Linyuan finally stopped writing.
Expressionless, he placed the brush aside slowly and gracefully.
His fingers were long and his fair skin made his knuckles stand out clearly.
These were the hands that usually twirled Buddhist beads and copied scriptures.
From Nan Yu's perspective, they were also hands suitable for playing the piano.
Nan Yu stared at them for a long time and couldn't help swallowing.
Tan Linyuan looked calm and said in a soothing tone, "Yu Yu, you can't do that within the first three months of pregnancy... Just bear with it for now."
With a flush on her face, Nan Yu stood up directly from Tan Linyuan's lap.
"You're crazy!"
Nan Yu was both ashamed and annoyed. She picked up the brush on the table and threw it at him.
Her movement was clumsy, and Tan Linyuan easily caught it. He looked at the shaft of the brush and said thoughtfully, "Want to use this? That's okay too."
Nan Yu: "..."
She was the one who had started the teasing at first, but in a blink of an eye, their roles had reversed.
It was hard to say if she had just overestimated her own abilities.
She felt her earlobes burning and began to stutter, "I... I'll sleep in the guest room tonight!"
After she said this, Tan Linyuan's playful expression turned serious.
"No."
"I don't want to sleep with you." She stammered, "Who knows if you'll misbehave at night."
Tan Linyuan paused for a moment, understanding what she meant. "Then you rest here. I'll go to the guest room."
His voice was gentle and calm. "You're used to your own bed. I don't want you to sleep poorly."
It was for her and for the baby.
Even though he didn't show much excitement about her pregnancy, Nan Yu could feel that he attached great importance to it and cared about it.
Everything should be based on her needs.
Nan Yu looked at him blankly. She watched as he really started to tidy up the rice paper on the table and then walked towards the bedroom door.
"Get some rest early." After saying that, he reached out to turn off the light. "Good—"
Suddenly, Nan Yu whispered, "Tan Linyuan."
Tan Linyuan's hand froze slightly. He looked at her and patiently waited for her to continue.
Nan Yu felt a bit embarrassed. She stood there with her hands hanging in front of her, not knowing how to say what was on her mind.
When she saw Tan Linyuan about to leave the room, she felt a sense of uneasiness in her heart.
She didn't want him to go.
Nan Yu walked up to him, stood on tiptoe, and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "Don't go."
Tan Linyuan's Adam's apple rolled involuntarily.
When she was being so restless just now, wriggling on his lap, his heart hadn't been affected. One reason was that he thought she was just acting like a little girl throwing a tantrum, and the other was that he was concerned about her pregnant body.
But now, with her looking at him with her moist eyes and pleading with a muffled voice for him not to go, he felt himself starting to lose control.
His hand slowly landed on her back and gently patted her. "So what should we do? Sleep separately or together? It's up to you."
Nan Yu's ears turned pink.
It took her a long time to nod slightly and whisper, "...Let's still sleep together."
Tan Linyuan couldn't help but smile. "Okay."
——
The light in the bedroom was turned off, and the two of them lay in bed.
In the darkness, Tan Linyuan smoothly pulled her into his arms, making her back press tightly against his chest.
He was very careful, letting her fall gently into his arms, but she felt so significant to him.
Their bodies fit together perfectly, and the sense of fullness in this embrace made Tan Linyuan involuntarily let out a sigh of relief.
Nan Yu let him hold her obediently. She could feel that she was being held and protected like a precious treasure.
Her heart was beating fast.
Her hands were held by him from behind, and his fingers gently rubbed her wrists.
"Why are you so excited?" he asked hoarsely.
The heat around her waist was obvious. Nan Yu wanted to take back her previous illusion.
He was anything but calm.
He was clearly just waiting for the right opportunity.
However, Tan Linyuan didn't make any further moves. He just maintained this position, encircling her with his arms.
After a long time, he whispered, "I want to kiss you."
Nan Yu's palms suddenly tightened.
She felt her breathing tremble. It took her a long time to softly say "Okay".
With her permission, Tan Linyuan lowered his head and kissed her lips.
His tongue was cold. The moment it entered her mouth, Nan Yu felt her body tense up.
In the darkness, his kiss was more lingering and profound.
He tried his best to restrain himself, but his arms still tightened around her, as if he wanted to crush her.
His kiss was all - consuming, going deep into her body.
Nan Yu felt him holding her tighter and tighter, and she began to feel a bit suffocated.
She didn't dislike it. In fact, she liked it very much.
Her legs curled up and rubbed against each other unconsciously.
Soon, a hand landed on her thigh, and his fingertips gently brushed over it.
"No..." Nan Yu struggled slightly.
Tan Linyuan's breathing became heavier. He paused for a moment and couldn't help but sigh with a smile. "Now you know it's not okay. Why were you so restless just now?"
Nan Yu's voice was muffled as she weakly pleaded, "You're blaming me."
"I'm blaming myself."
"..."