Cheng Qiaobei ca out carrying two large bags of freshly brewed traditional dicine. Seeing the two people in the yard, he said, "Let’s go."
Ding Yuan glanced at him and whispered to Chen Ningxi, "Who does he get that bad temper from? I’m doing this for his own good."
Chen Ningxi chuckled and said, "No one’s blaming you. He gets it."
Outside the door, Cheng Qiaobei called out, "Ningxi."
"Coming!" Chen Ningxi tugged Ding Yuan and walked out.
On the way back, Ding Yuan started instructing Chen Ningxi, "While he’s taking this dicine, avoid giving him raw, cold, or spicy food, and no greasy stuff either. Also, no tea—this is really important. I’m worried he’ll forget, so you’ll need to remind him."
Chen Ningxi listened carefully. "Got it, Mom."
From the car’s rearview mirror, Cheng Qiaobei sneaked a glance at the two won in the backseat. He had already made up his mind—those herbal concoctions were going straight into the trash when they got back.
After dropping Ding Yuan off at ho, the two of them prepared to head back.
Before they left, Ding Yuan pulled Chen Ningxi into the other room for a private chat. She mysteriously took sothing out of the wardrobe and shoved it into her arms.
"Don’t open it. When you get back, put it under your pillow."
A small, square fabric pouch wrapped in red cloth—its contents impossible to tell by touch.
"Mom, what’s inside?" Chen Ningxi asked.
Ding Yuan cupped her hand over her lips and whispered a few words into Ningxi’s ear. Upon hearing it, Chen Ningxi’s eyes widened, and her cheeks turned visibly red.
Impatient from the wait, Cheng Qiaobei shouted toward the house, "Ningxi, we need to go! If we don’t leave now, we’ll be driving through the night."
Chen Ningxi ca out, blushing but trying her best to act normal. "I’m here," she said.
Ding Yuan followed closely behind her, lowering her voice to remind her, "Don’t let Qiaobei find out."
Chen Ningxi nodded. "Okay."
As the elevator doors closed, Cheng Qiaobei let out a breath. "What was my mom talking to you about earlier?"
Chen Ningxi thought about Ding Yuan’s reminder. If she said "nothing," he wouldn’t believe it. So she made up an excuse: "She reminded to make sure you drink your dicine and avoid certain foods."
Cheng Qiaobei didn’t suspect anything and comnted flatly as they exited the elevator, "I’m not drinking it. I’m throwing it out when we get back."
"Mom knew you’d say that, which is exactly why she told to keep an eye on you," Chen Ningxi said, wrapping her arm around his. "Just listen for once, okay? The doctor’s right—you’ve been overworking yourself, constantly pushing your body to its limits. I worry about you."
Cheng Qiaobei fell silent for a mont. "...Fine."
Before bedti, Chen Ningxi brought a bowl of warm herbal dicine to the study. "Qiaobei, drink this and get so rest. The doctor said no late nights."
Cheng Qiaobei was busy working on a proposal. Without looking away from the screen, he picked up the bowl and downed it in one go.
Chen Ningxi watched him intently. "Isn’t it bitter?"
Cheng Qiaobei’s expression remained unchanged. "Not at all."
Chen Ningxi took the bowl from him and muttered to herself, "When I used to drink traditional dicine, it was so bitter. My mom always gave candy after."
Cheng Qiaobei curled a finger at her. Curiously, Chen Ningxi leaned closer. "What is it?"
"Co closer. I want to tell you sothing."
"What?"
Cheng Qiaobei stood up suddenly, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
The next second, he kissed her deeply, tasting the bitter dicinal flavor lingering in her mouth.
"Mmm..." Chen Ningxi struggled, but Cheng Qiaobei held the back of her head firmly, deepening the kiss.
She pushed against his chest, but her wrists were quickly pinned. Cheng Qiaobei kissed her more intensely, his wandering hands becoming increasingly audacious.
"Qiaobei..." she gasped in shock as he lifted her onto the desk.
With a sweep of his arm, the docunts on the desk scattered to the floor.
Qiaobei’s eyes darkened, filled with desire. His breath grew heavier as he toyed with the strap of her nightgown. His husky, magnetic voice asked:
"Am I not working hard enough, or am I not strong enough, to make you doubt ?"
Chen Ningxi wanted to say no, but the allure in Qiaobei’s eyes made her lose all rational thought. It was as if he had captured her very soul.
"Say it," he demanded, pulling the strap free and wrapping it around her wrists. "If I’d known you were dissatisfied, I wouldn’t have held back."
"!" Not holding back?
He was already so wild normally—what more could he do?
"Let’s test the effectiveness of this dicine today," he said with a roguish grin, sliding his hand under her clothes.
"Qiaobei..." She squird uncomfortably, legs twisting together.
Cheng Qiaobei seed pleased with her loss of composure, savoring the sight in front of him.
Under the light, her skin was as fair as snow, soft like a baby’s. He was intoxicated by her touch, completely entranced by her body.
"Honey, let’s try sothing different," he said.
Chen Ningxi panicked, sensing this was going sowhere unusual. Before she could react, her nightgown was pushed up to her wrists.
Blushing, she turned her face to the side and whispered, "Qiaobei, let’s go to the bedroom."
Cheng Qiaobei chuckled softly, slowly undoing the rest of her gown. "No, we’ll stay right here."
He was usually indulgent, willing to do whatever she asked. But today, he was rebelliously different.
When Chen Ningxi glanced over, she was captivated by his dark eyes behind rimless glasses. The look in them was profound, like they were undressing her layer by layer under the lenses. It felt as if his gaze carried heat, licking over her body.
She couldn’t deny it—he exuded an irresistible, devilishly seductive charm when wearing those glasses.
"Turn off the lights," she murmured.
Cheng Qiaobei leaned down, pressing her hands over her head, and kissed her lips deeply.
The study door was ajar, letting out hints of intimate shadows.
...
Since returning from Ningkou, Chen Ningxi monitored Cheng Qiaobei’s daily dicine intake. And as for the results? Cheng Qiaobei could certainly vouch for its effects.
The dayti fatigue was gone, replaced by newfound energy—particularly at night.
It seed the traditional dicine was working.
Before leaving for work, Chen Ningxi reminded Cheng Qiaobei that they were out of bedside supplies. "Don’t forget to restock after work."
Every few days, Ye Yujun would drop by to check on the couple. Ever since they moved closer to the Chen Family’s neighborhood, visits had beco more convenient.
After work, Cheng Qiaobei swung by the pharmacy and casually bought five boxes, tossing them onto the passenger seat.
Just as he got into the car, Lin Hanrui called. "Where are you?"
"Just got off work. What’s up?" Cheng Qiaobei replied.
Lin Hanrui said, "Perfect, give a lift. My car got rear-ended yesterday and is in the shop."
"Wait for ," Cheng Qiaobei said.
Before reaching Lin Hanrui’s office, Qiaobei spotted him waiting by the roadside.
After parking, Lin Hanrui opened the passenger door and sat down. Cheng Qiaobei grabbed for the items on the seat but was a second too late.
"Holy crap—what’s this?" Lin Hanrui exclaid, picking up one of the boxes. "Damn, bought five at once? Respect, man! You’re making us n proud."
Cheng Qiaobei snatched the items back and threw them into the backseat. "Not everyone’s as weak as you."
Lin Hanrui, offended but trying to save face, retorted, "I’m not weak."
"Take it easy, young man. Rushing things can lead to kidney yang deficiency," Cheng Qiaobei said, quoting an old practitioner’s wisdom to Lin Hanrui. "Let ask you—do you get backaches or fatigue?"
Lin Hanrui’s eyes widened. "How do you know?"
With the air of a sage, Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Kidney deficiency cos in two forms: yin deficiency and yang deficiency."
"Whoa, you even know this?" Lin Hanrui looked at him with admiration.
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