After teaching Jin Liwei, Yi Mei left the two alone in the bedroom. The housekeeper looked visibly reluctant to leave and couldn't help but throw warning looks at the lusty brat, to which Jin Liwei failed to notice. He was preoccupied in massaging his Xiulan.
"Be gentler!" Iris slapped his hands.
"Sorry," he mumbled. He made sure to control the strength in his hands.
She felt guilty for snapping at him. "Sorry. I don't feel well today."
"Don't worry about it."
"You must be exhausted from the long flight and yet I'm having you massage me."
"Like I said, don't worry about it. Anything for my baby."
"Thanks." She stretched out her arms, inviting him for an embrace.
Of course he accepted, hugging her like she was his most precious treasure.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I got you something. Wait here," he said.
Iris sat up, curious.
Jin Liwei opened the box which was slightly smaller than the other one. It was a platinum bangle. A dragon and a phoenix were lightly yet intricately carved on the surface of the entire bangle, facing each other as if looking at one another's souls. The centre of the bangle had a rose gold finish with the letters "LX" delicately engraved in an interlocked manner.
"For you."
She studied the bangle, admiring the exquisite design.
"Let me," he said before she could reach for it. He fastened it carefully around her left wrist.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, smiling softly. Then she looked at him. "Thank you."
He opened the other box. It was another bangle, but this time it was bigger and thicker. The design was exactly the same as hers but this one had a black rhodium finish in the centre rather than rose gold. "Put it on me?" he asked. "Okay." She took the bigger bangle and put it around his left wrist as well.
They placed their wrists side-by-side, their matching bangles glinting in the light.
"Why matching ones?" she asked. "You really like matching things, don't you? You made us wear matching outfits on our first date and now you got us this matching bangles."
"For what reason?"
"To commemorate our relationship, baby. And they also serve as concrete symbols and proof that we're together."
"Oh. Just like wedding rings. But without the marriage."
His smile widened, his gaze on her becoming more intense. "Yes, baby. Just like wedding rings. You like them?"
"Yes. Thank you." She leaned forward and gave a lingering peck on his lips.
Jin Liwei wanted more, to kiss her more deeply, but controlled his desire instead before he lost control of it. He didn't want her to push him away again. He didn't want her getting angry at him. This was such a sweet moment. He didn't want to ruin it because of his insatiable hunger for her. And besides, he was realizing that these light touches and gentle gestures of intimacy could actually feel even more sensual than their usual intense kissing and touching.
The kiss ended.
He inwardly sighed.
She studied the engraving on her bangle.
"Not 60, baby. You can also consider it as your initials. But it's actually both of our initials. LX is for Liwei and Xiulan."
"Oh."
"I commissioned a Canadian jewelry designer to make it for us while I was in Toronto. Good thing she finished it in time."
"I see." In a good mood, she held his hands. "Tell me what you want."
"Hm?" He didn't know what she meant.
"You gave me this beautiful bangle. I also want to give you something."
His mouth curved into a teasing smile. "Baby, I only want you."
She frowned. "That's not what I mean. What gift do you want to receive from me?"
"I already answered. I only want you, baby. You're more than enough to make me happy."
"Don't overthink. Whatever you give me, I'll surely like."
"Hmm…" Iris ignored him, continuing to think of what return gift to get him while stroking her new bangle.
Jin Liwei tested his luck and scooted nearer her, cautiously wrapping his arms around her. He released a breath of relief when she didn't push him away. He kissed her forehead and released her.
"Why don't you lie down again and I'll continue to massage you?" he suggested.
"Oh, okay. Thanks."
He poured massage oil on his hands, rubbing them together, and began massaging her again like how the housekeeper taught him earlier. He made sure to monitor her expression. He would immediately lighten his touch whenever she showed even just a tiny hint of discomfort.
"I don't want to get you something that you can easily buy for yourself," she told him. "How about this? If you have a major need for a hacker―" She coughed. "I mean, for a 'computer expert', then just call me. I won't charge you. But only for one time, okay? If you need me more than once, you'll have to pay. But since you're my boyfriend, I'll give you a small discount. I'm expensive, you know."
He chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?! You think I'm joking?! Jin Liwei, are you looking down on me?!!!"
"Really?"
"Yes. I'll never look down on you," he said. Not ever again. He already made that stupid mistake before of judging her character too early before personally knowing her.
Long Xiulan was now his woman. And she was the most amazing woman he had ever met in his life. She was his. And he was hers. He would show her and prove to her that despite of all the things that happened in the past, they belonged together.
"Mmn…'kay," she murmured.
He massaged her until she fell asleep. Then he put the boxes of condoms in the drawers of their bedside table. He already discarded all the ones with weird flavours. There was no way he was going to use the chili pepper one. What was his butler thinking?
When he was done, he turned off all the lights and climbed under the covers beside his sleeping baby girl. Only the dim golden lights from the wall-mounted waterfall fountain remained.
He carefully pulled his Xiulan in his arms. Sighing in satisfaction, he fell asleep.
