Volume One, Chapter 21: Ah, the Fragrance of Ripe Peaches

“Stay in your room?” He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Are you sure?”

Lu Miao pouted helplessly. “Yes, what else can I do? My uncle is guarding outside.”

Fu Shiyue wanted to say he could just call Lu Guoxun and have him leave immediately.

But the words faltered on his tongue.

Lu Miao didn’t hear Fu Shiyue’s voice. She turned to find him watching her with an unusual look. “What are you doing? Don’t even think about making a move on me!”

The laughter in Fu Shiyue’s eyes faded away as he quietly stared at Lu Miao.

Beneath his sharp brows, his deep, dark eyes were like a tranquil pool, so profound they seemed to pull her in.

Suddenly, he leaned closer.

Lu Miao instinctively backed away, but her back was already pressed tightly against the sofa armrest. “I—I warn you, don’t be disrespectful!”

His heavy masculine presence engulfed her, his breath warm against her cheek and neck like rolling waves of heat. Lu Miao’s heart raced, and her ears flushed red.

Just as their noses were about to touch, Fu Shiyue stopped abruptly, a rich chuckle whispering in her ear. “If I wanted to make a move on you, do you think you could stop me?”

“...” No, absolutely not!

Lu Miao tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge an inch. Her heart pounded wildly as she bit her lip and turned her face away.

Fu Shiyue watched her flustered and frustrated expression, his own face reddening like a ripe persimmon.

He couldn’t resist the urge to nibble her.

Clearing his throat, he stepped back and glanced into the room. “Where should I sleep?”

With his breath finally gone, the warmth still lingered on Lu Miao’s cheeks. Hearing that, she stood up indignantly. “You can sleep on the sofa.”

He turned calmly. “I’ve been sleeping on the sofa for three days.”

“So what?” Lu Miao rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she sat on the bed. “At first, the sofa was your choice. Now it’s the only place for you, but are you saying you want the bed?”

His eyes were deep and unreadable, silently fixed on her.

Lu Miao stiffened. “You don’t mean you want to sleep in my bed and make me take the sofa?”

His gaze was strangely suggestive, as if to say yes.

“Please stop those dangerous thoughts! That’s my bed!” Whether or not he intended that, she had to put a stop to it immediately.

Fu Shiyue withdrew his gaze, speaking softly, “The sofa is too small. I can’t sleep there.”

It was indeed too small—he looked cramped sitting there, let alone lying down. Did they expect him to sit stiffly all night? That was cruel.

“I’ll make a floor bed for you!” Lu Miao blushed with anger but didn’t neglect him. She dragged two heavy quilts from the wardrobe and laid them thickly on the floor.

The man folded his arms and leaned against the wardrobe, watching the girl who was preparing his bedding.

Her petite form squatted by the bed, curled into a soft bundle in his arms.

Her ears were pink, and her small hands fumbled with the quilts, trying unsuccessfully to straighten them. It was obvious she had never done this before.

His heart stirred. “I’m going to shower.”

Lu Miao glanced at him over her shoulder. “Go ahead, I’m not stopping you.”

“My clothes are outside.”

“...”

Lu Miao sized him up, noticing his black tank top and tapered pants accentuated a model-like figure that made her blush. “Maybe you shouldn’t change clothes?”

“No.” Fu Shiyue frowned, clearly uncomfortable. “The clothes smell. Wearing old ones is worse than nothing.”

Lu Miao was horrified. “Are you crazy?”

“Then I’ll go wash outside?”

“No! I’ll get them for you!”

Defeated, Lu Miao got up and crept to the door, opening it a crack.

She saw Lu Guoxun lying on the sofa, the TV on, seemingly asleep.

She tiptoed closer, even taking off her shoes to muffle her footsteps.

The paper bag holding the clothes was trapped under Lu Guoxun’s leg.

Lu Miao’s face twisted in a frown. What now?

She glanced at Lu Guoxun, gritted her teeth, and decided on a course of action.

She tickled Lu Guoxun’s leg, and when he moved it, she swiftly grabbed the bag.

But Lu Guoxun had already woken up. Seeing Lu Miao, he was momentarily stunned before sitting up. “Miao Miao... what are you doing?”

Lu Miao quickly hid the bag behind her back, trying to appear calm. “I came out for water and to check on you. Uncle, you’re sleeping here tonight—don’t catch a cold.”

Lu Guoxun sensed something off, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “You said you were tired earlier. It’s already midnight—why aren’t you asleep?”

“I’m just getting some water. I’m going back to my room now. Good night, Uncle.”

She backed toward the door and hurried inside.

Lu Miao locked the door quickly.

Just as she was about to relax, a whisper like a ghost appeared by her ear. “What are you sneaking around for?”

Startled, she stumbled back into a man’s chest, unaware he had been standing behind the door all along.

Seeing her panicked expression, the man chuckled softly.

She glared. “Why did you scare me on purpose?”

Fu Shiyue pinched her cheek. “You look like a thief. Is this something you often do?”

“Or what? Is the police coming to arrest me?” she retorted boldly.

“Do you really need to be arrested?” Fu Shiyue chuckled, lifting her effortlessly. “You’re in my hands—where could you possibly run?”

The double entendre made Lu Miao’s ears burn instantly.

He was her guardian, so she couldn’t go anywhere, but why did it feel like there was another meaning?

Fu Shiyue’s dark eyes narrowed as he looked at her face. Lu Miao’s throat tightened, and she pushed him away irritably. “Aren’t you going to shower? Hurry up!”

She stuffed the paper bag into his arms and dashed onto the bed, quickly wrapping herself in the covers.

The whole motion was seamless.

Watching her flee like that, Fu Shiyue couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

In a good mood, he took the clothes to the bathroom.

After a while, the room grew quiet except for the sound of water flowing from the bathroom. Lu Miao lay under the covers, her cheeks gradually heating up.

This old man looked so serious, but he must have teased girls like her plenty before!

Fu Shiyue stood under the water, noticing the shampoo and body wash were in translucent pink bottles, filled with a crystal-clear pink liquid.

He squeezed some into his palm—it was soft and slippery, with a peachy fragrance wafting up.

Just like her.

Tsk, so sweet.

Not only Lu Miao, but these past few days felt like a dream to Fu Shiyue as well.

The girl who had first rejected him now allowed him to use her bathroom and even let him stay in her room.

It was quite strange.

Lu Miao lay on the bed, the more she thought about tonight, the crazier it seemed, yet she inexplicably trusted this man’s integrity.

If he had truly wanted to harm her, he would have acted while she was asleep on the sofa last night. Instead, he just sat quietly by her feet, guarding her through the night.

No wonder Lu Yan trusted him enough to leave her in his care.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. She didn’t hear footsteps but peeked out from under the covers.

The man came out barefoot, his tall, heavy frame moving lightly across the wooden floor.