Volume One, Chapter 97: Hunger and Thirst

Song Qingyu was not worried that Pei Jingmo would be seduced away. Still, knowing he was waiting outside made her feel a restless urgency. She wrapped herself in her down coat and stepped out.

The heavy snow, like goose feathers, danced under the dim streetlights, blanketing the once lively tourist spot in a rare tranquility. At the entrance of the hotel, Pei Jingmo stood silently, dressed in a tailored dark overcoat with the collar slightly open, revealing a high-necked sweater beneath. His stature and striking features made him stand out even more against the snowy night.

Xie Liuzheng had guessed right—many people slipped notes with phone numbers into his pocket, some even tried to invite him to the hot springs, but he refused them coldly.

“Jingmo—” Song Qingyu called out. Pei Jingmo turned at her voice, and the face that usually seemed as unyielding as an ancient glacier melted instantly into a smile. He ran toward her, grinning, holding a carefully chosen bouquet of roses; snowflakes dotted the petals, making them look all the more vivid and alluring.

At some point, Pei Jingmo had developed a habit of giving her flowers. Whenever the blossoms in her vase wilted, he’d buy fresh ones to replace them. The scent of fresh flowers every day brought a sense of contentment.

Song Qingyu hugged the roses, her heart pounding wildly, never quite settling. “Why are you here?”

“The photos you sent were beautiful—I wanted to see them with you.”

Song Qingyu couldn’t help but wonder if he’d sensed her disappointment and had come deliberately to keep her company.

“But it’s night now, you can’t see much of the scenery.”

“I’ve already seen it.”

“Huh?” She suddenly realized, as Pei Jingmo’s dark eyes fixed on her, that the scenery he referred to was herself. Her cheeks flushed instantly.

“Are you done with work? Do you need to go back tomorrow?”

“No.”

“Then… would you like to try the hot springs? They’re very relaxing here, perfect for unwinding.”

“Will you keep me company?”

“I’ve already soaked earlier.”

Seeing Pei Jingmo’s downcast gaze, Song Qingyu quickly added, “I can sit beside you and keep you company.”

Pei Jingmo’s smile returned in a flash. “Good.”

There were many kinds of hot springs—private baths for couples, large public areas, as well as beauty and medicinal types. They found a quiet couple’s private bath.

Pei Jingmo settled Song Qingyu onto a sofa, wrapping her in a scarf, hat, and gloves before going to change. Song Qingyu hugged the roses, unable to hide the upward curl of her lips.

Soon, Pei Jingmo emerged in a bathrobe. When he slipped it off, Song Qingyu’s heart skipped, and she quickly looked away.

Don’t look, don’t look—

“Qingqing…” Pei Jingmo’s voice sounded close by, making Song Qingyu’s heart race even faster.

“Hmm?”

“Weren’t you here to keep me company? Why won’t you look at me?”

Song Qingyu bit her lip. The word ‘won’t’ made her seem guilty. She drew a deep breath and looked over boldly.

She’d seen men’s physiques before, but every time she saw Pei Jingmo’s, she felt unsettled. This time, however, her gaze was drawn to the scars scattered across his body.

She hadn’t dared ask before, but now their relationship was closer, she could.

“Are those all from your time in the military?”

“Some are, some aren’t.”

“Hmm?”

Pei Jingmo didn’t hide it; he turned to let her see. “These whip marks on my back aren’t.”

The scars crisscrossed his back, shocking even now—she could only imagine how brutal it had been.

“Who did it?”

“My father.”

Song Qingyu remembered him mentioning his mother’s death. His father was best left unspoken; evidently their relationship was strained.

“Why did he beat you?”

“He thought I wasn’t obedient.”

“He’s not royalty, you don’t have to obey him.” Song Qingyu was angry—having a terrible father herself, she hadn’t expected Pei Jingmo to have one too.

“You must never let him hurt you again!”

Pei Jingmo turned and leaned on the pool’s edge, chin propped in his palm, smiling at her. “Are you feeling sorry for me?”

Song Qingyu: …

For some reason, she felt he was flirting with her.

“I just think—” Before she could finish, a commotion erupted in the neighboring pool, cutting her off.

!!!

Hearing the sounds of panting, Song Qingyu stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Were they really… next door? In the hot spring pool…?

The voices, sharp and relentless, made it clear how intense things were. Song Qingyu’s face turned red.

“Come here.” Pei Jingmo suddenly called. She couldn’t fathom why.

Before she realized it, she was in front of him, his hands covering her ears.

The hot spring water was steaming; Pei Jingmo’s arms radiated heat after being immersed. The warmth made Song Qingyu’s face flush deeper. Through the mist, she stared at Pei Jingmo, both of them motionless for a moment.

Even with her ears covered, the sounds from next door weren’t entirely blocked. The muffled moans seemed even more provocative.

Only then did Song Qingyu feel the awkwardness sink in. Was it the cold that had frozen her brain? Hearing those sounds, she should have hurried away, but instead, she had run to Pei Jingmo.

The atmosphere grew ambiguous. Just as Song Qingyu was about to pull away, Pei Jingmo murmured, “Don’t move.”

She froze, afraid to move.

Next door, in the hot spring pool:

Choked by Sheng Yurou’s words, Chu Xingzhi pressed her head down, forcing her to kneel in the water for him.

Chu Xingzhi wasn’t a fool—he knew why Sheng Yurou had brought him here. He hadn’t planned to touch her; Sheng Yurou wasn’t Lin Tiange, whom he could use and discard without consequence.

But Sheng Yurou’s mouth was too wicked.

As soon as they entered the pool, she clung to him like a water snake, her hands roaming over his body.

“Xingzhi, you know why I brought you here. I’ve prepared everything. You won’t disappoint me, will you?”

“You saw it just now—Song Qingyu’s laborer husband came looking for her with roses. They chose a couple’s bath, probably right next to us. Guess what they’re doing now?”

As Sheng Yurou spoke, she kissed Chu Xingzhi’s body, face, and ear, seducing him with all her might.

“I bet Song Qingyu is being pressed against the pool’s edge by Pei Jingmo. Your beloved, your white moonlight, letting someone else dominate her body.”

“You always thought she was pure, couldn’t bear to touch her. But how do you know she isn’t just a slut at heart? Why else would she marry someone else right after breaking up with you—wasn’t she just too desperate?”

Sheng Yurou’s words inflamed Chu Xingzhi’s body, but his heart burned with anger.

He grabbed her throat, staring coldly into her eyes. “Don’t you dare speak about Xiaoyu like that.”

“I can stop talking about her,” Sheng Yurou’s hand slid lower, eyes locked on him, “but I’ve helped you so much, shouldn’t you give me something in return?”

Chu Xingzhi sneered, “Fine, I’ll satisfy you.”

When it was over, Chu Xingzhi looked at her coldly as she coughed. “Your technique is terrible.”

He stood up to leave, but Sheng Yurou clung to him from behind. “You can’t just leave after your own pleasure. If I don’t get mine tonight, you’ll never have a peaceful day in your life.”

He was fed up with her threats. He tore off her underwear and pinned her to the pool’s edge, venting his anger mercilessly.

The noises next door grew louder, more fierce.

Song Qingyu, too, worried Pei Jingmo’s ears would be sullied, frantically reached up to cover them.

Pei Jingmo gazed deeply at her. Her bare face shone, and though she wore no lipstick, the steam had reddened her lips until they looked fuller than the roses beside them.

His Adam’s apple moved sensually, his gaze darkening as he slowly leaned closer.