CHAPTER 127

In their previous int!mate moments, Xiaoyuan had always been able to see Wei Zhuang's face—those deep, icy pools of eyes containing flickers of scorching heat.

But now she couldn't see. The woman's hair brushed lightly against her knees and the surrounding skin.

"Xiaoyuan, let me kiss..." came that magnetic voice.

Xiaoyuan felt enveloped in a vacuum, utterly breathless, her face completely flushed. Suddenly, the seal broke—the moment Wei Zhuang touched her, the humid air rushed in with tingling electricity.

She surrendered instantly, utterly defenseless, covering her burning face. A low chuckle vibrated through the air, flowing into her ears, unbearably alluring and provocative in this moment.

The teasing was simply undeniable. Xiaoyuan let out two soft whines of embarrassment. Just as she was about to say something, she cried out again with an "ah!"

Wei Zhuang didn't stop but continued instead.

Most of the time, she was aloof and very much a gentlewoman, even in bed. Only occasionally, very occasionally, after seeking Xiaoyuan's opinion, would she display her dominance.

She was like a scorching undercurrent beneath a cold river, making one willingly drown.

It felt as if she had returned to a vacuum state, seeing nothing, hearing nothing, her consciousness a blurry mess. She couldn't imagine Wei Zhuang pleasuring her like this again and again. Yet, she also felt that this wasn't mere pleasure, for her, it was a complete, unreserved surrender of her whole being.

Finally, once more, she felt a long, dense wave of pleasure, like a fish flicking its tail, nearly fainting. Only when Wei Zhuang's soft, familiar embrace held her did air—and unprecedented, overwhelming love—rush back.

Xiaoyuan inhaled deeply, savoring Wei Zhuang's scent, her arms, and her wildly pounding heart.

Circling the woman's neck with both hands, she gazed into her eyes and couldn't help murmuring, "I love you."

Being so close, she clearly saw Wei Zhuang's shocked expression.

Someone as composed and self-possessed as her, who always had everything under control, actually displayed an expression that was "beyond her capacity to handle." She was completely stunned.

Xiaoyuan caressed Wei Zhuang's cheek, finding her expression utterly adorable at that moment.

'I don't mind,' she heard her inner voice say. 'I don't mind if she can't respond now, or doesn't know how to respond.'

'My love right now is enough for both of us.'

She leaned in to kiss the woman's lips, pulling her down the moment she froze, flipping over to cover her, kissing her tenderly, lingeringly kissing her long, cool, pale neck, biting her collarbone, boldly continuing to press further...

It seemed Wei Zhuang had only just reacted, letting out an extremely soft hum. She gently touched Xiaoyuan's hair, about to voice her protest against the increasingly bold movements. But this time, Xiaoyuan, having learned from previous experiences, leaned in again to kiss her lips, murmuring between kisses, "Zhuang Zhuang, I love you."

Xiaoyuan could feel Wei Zhuang stiffen slightly, once again at a loss for how to respond to such words. Raising her face, Xiaoyuan gazed tenderly at the woman.

Wei Zhuang's deep, dark eyes were clouded with confusion and complex emotions—subtle, like mist, yet carrying a tenderness that made Xiaoyuan's heart race.

Xiaoyuan bent down to kiss her eyelids, then her lips, whispering softly, "Let me kiss you too, okay?"

She kissed the back of Wei Zhuang's hand before slipping lower. The woman seemed startled, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes, but Xiaoyuan soothed her with gentle caresses and kisses.

"...Xiaoyuan, get up," Wei Zhuang inhaled deeply, her low voice struggling to suppress some unbearable emotion. "...I'm not used to this."

Xiaoyuan didn't answer, only deepening her tender, gradual affections.

All the fleeting glimpses of beauty Xiaoyuan had never been able to linger on before were now unveiled beneath the woman's wavering resistance. Her beauty was cool and aloof, yet with a rare softness—a hidden realm no one else had seen, now unfolding under Xiaoyuan's sweet persistence.

Wei Zhuang's breathing grew rapid, her gasps carrying an unconscious tremor. The hand that had meant to stop her finally fell limp...

When it was over, Wei Zhuang leaned half-upright against the headboard, her eyes downcast, strands of hair cascading over her smooth shoulders, silent and still.

Xiaoyuan sat wrapped in a thin blanket across from her, her rationality returning as she reeled in shock—both at her own audacity and the fact that she had succeeded. Now, observing Wei Zhuang's expression, she felt a pang of guilt and scrambled for words to coax her.

She leaned in closer, lowering her head. "...Are you mad with me?"

As she drew near, Xiaoyuan was astonished to see a faint blush coloring the woman's pale, cool skin.

'She—she's blushing?'

'Oh my god!'

Could the famously decisive, abstinent President worth billions actually blush?

Xiaoyuan felt like she'd hit the jackpot in that moment, finding her utterly adorable!

Suppressing a smile, she moved to embrace her, but Wei Zhuang dodged slightly. Her lips parted as she avoided Xiaoyuan's gaze, murmuring, "...I'm going to shower."

Grabbing her robe, she draped it over her shoulders. Xiaoyuan tugged at her wrist, her eyes pleading. "You're really not mad at me?"

Wei Zhuang still didn't look at her or speak. After a pause, she reached up to pat Xiaoyuan's head before turning away.

Xiaoyuan tilted her head, barely containing her laughter as she watched her leave, then got out of bed herself to shower in another bathroom.

The warm water cascaded down at just the right temperature. The showerhead was a German-made Dornbracht, equipped with its Forte shower series tailored for Chinese preferences, featuring a specially designed Spaxue spray pattern. As it turned on, soft streams of water flowed over jade-like skin, tracing the curves and contours of the woman's body.

Perhaps it was the steam, but Wei Zhuang's thoughts drifted momentarily.

"Zhuang Zhuang, I love you~"

She had said it more than once, murmuring it between her lips, whispering it into her ears, letting it seep into her heart.

Thinking back, Wei Zhuang still felt her mind go completely blank, unsure how to process it.

She wiped the water droplets from her face, her damp lashes fluttering slightly as she gazed at her own legs. In her mind's eye, she saw Xiaoyuan's flushed cheeks, her eyes shimmering like spring water, and that agile, soft little tongue...

Wei Zhuang steadied her breathing, stepped out of the bathroom, and changed into her pajamas. Looking at herself in the mirror, she noticed a faint pink flush on her usually cool, flawless skin—something she had never seen before.

She froze again.

After her shower, Xiaoyuan was already exhausted. She checked Wei Zhuang's room but found no one there. The living room was empty, and so was the lounge area in the side hall. Passing through the dining room, she turned toward another side hall connected to the balcony, where Wei Zhuang stood pouring herself a drink at the bar, gazing at the view outside.

Xiaoyuan watched her back for a while. Looking at her like this, she seemed both near and far, elusive. In the past, she would have gone over to tease her, to act spoiled, to chatter away.

But this time, she took a step back instead. Pressing her lips together, she lowered her gaze.

Maybe pushing her too hard wasn't the right thing to do. She needed to give her time and space.

She turned and went back to Wei Zhuang's room, changed the sheets and light quilt, then took the old ones to the laundry. Returning again, she lay down in the faintly lavender-scented bed. She closed her eyes. Even though she was very tired, she couldn't sleep.

Eventually, she propped a pillow behind her back, and drowsiness slowly crept in. Just as she was about to drift off, the bed dipped slightly. Her heart skipped a beat, and she cracked her eyes open just a sliver.

Then the lights dimmed. Xiaoyuan clenched her palm quietly, pretending to be asleep without turning over.

The pillow behind her was gently taken away, and Wei Zhuang's familiar scent enveloped her. Xiaoyuan bit her lip, smiling silently in sweet contentment.

......

A few days after the National Day holiday, the "Feihe Awards"—one of China's three major TV drama awards—took place as scheduled. This time, Xiaoyuan felt much more at ease. With The Long Night currently a hit, her momentum was strong. Many colleagues came to greet her, and seniors praised her. The first half of the evening was spent socializing, while the latter half was spent sitting back and watching the awards ceremony—far more relaxed than her experience at the "Magnolia Awards."

Among the three major TV drama awards, the "Feitian Award" was the government-backed honor, the most prestigious and orthodox, with certain thematic requirements. The "Magnolia Awards" represented the tastes of industry veterans, being more professional and seniority-conscious.

The "Feihe Awards," in third place, was the only one where both the audience and the judging panel voted. It was relatively less strict, more down-to-earth, but also more susceptible to manipulation. The judging panel awarded the title of "Best Actress," while the audience voted for the "Most Popular Actress."

This was Xiaoyuan's first drama released simultaneously online and on TV, so it wasn't surprising that the judges didn't select her. The audience vote, however, was a better reflection of her popularity.

"Don't underestimate this award. You beat out many popular young actresses, and their fans must hate you now!" Ruan Qing said with a laugh, her eyes brimming with pride and satisfaction. "I didn't buy any votes for you! Your 'gardeners' are too proud to do that either."

"Of course!" Xiaoyuan smiled, squinting her eyes. "Ah, hearing you say that makes me a little nervous again."

"You'll get used to it after attending a few more times, Little Yuanyuan." Ruan Qing chuckled.

"Then I'll need to keep getting nominated~" Xiaoyuan murmured.

"I believe you can do it," Ruan Qing winked at her. "Go get 'em, baby!"

As they were whispering, the award presenter on stage suddenly announced—"This year's Feihe Award for 'Most Popular Actress' goes to—Xiang Xiaoyuan!"

Xiaoyuan froze in surprise.

The venue's host followed up—"Congratulations to Xiang Xiaoyuan for her role as Ling Yao in 'Drunken Wanderer'..."

Ruan Qing clapped and laughed. "Hurry up and go accept your award!"

Xiaoyuan stood and walked toward the stage, where the spotlight converged. Everyone applauded for her, all the camera flashes and gazes following her every move.

At this moment, she was the undisputed star of the show.

She accepted the trophy from the presenter and bowed. The award was a pair of gleaming golden wings—heavy and substantial. This was her first mainstream, heavyweight accolade.

Though she had prepared herself to accept whatever outcome, the feeling of actually holding the trophy was entirely different.

Xiaoyuan smiled.

She raised the award toward the audience and began her speech. "Thank you, everyone. Thank you to the director of 'Drunken Wanderer,' to the hardworking cast and crew, and especially to my benefactor, Mr. Shi Hai. This award means so much to me."

She paused, her eyes growing warm as countless emotions surged within her. "Right now, I feel incredibly fortunate. The people I love most—my family and friends—are all by my side. I also believe this award isn't my destination, but my starting point, my guiding light. I will work even harder to go further on this path of acting."

Holding the trophy, she bowed again. As thunderous applause filled the air, she lifted her head, smiling under the admiring gazes of countless onlookers.

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT