Chapter 4 How should she take the initiative?

When Sinian returned to the villa, the sky had already turned completely dark.

Unlike most days, there wasn't a single servant in sight.

He changed his shoes and walked upstairs, only slowing his pace when he saw a faint light at the bedroom door.

Pushing open the door, the scene in front of him was somewhat beyond his expectations.

Under the dim light, Zhaozhao was curled up asleep on the sofa.

Her hair, spread out beside her, was still damp with moisture, and if he moved closer, he could smell the sweet scent of oranges on her.

And... the smell of alcohol.

Sinian's gaze swept around and landed on three empty beer cans near the leg of the table.

He slightly raised his eyebrows. From the information Zhao Xi gave, he hadn't noticed that she was fond of drinking.

"Zhaozhao, wake up," Sinian gently called.

"..."

The person nestled on the sofa showed no reaction.

Sinian's eyes drooped under the dim light, reflecting a cold light from his gold-rimmed glasses.

It was the late autumn. Although the temperature during the day was still pleasant, the chill in the room grew noticeable after nightfall.

If she continued sleeping like this, she would surely catch a cold.

Sinian gently tapped her shoulder and raised his voice slightly, "Zhaozhao..."

"Umm..."

Finally, the tiny figure on the sofa showed some response.

Zhaozhao slowly opened her eyes, her gaze dazed for a moment when she saw him, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Her small hand reached out to Sinian, hooking his neck, the coolness of her fingertips on the back of his neck made Sinian shiver slightly.

"Don't die, please" her sobbing voice wasn't loud, but each word pierced his heart like a slender needle.

Sharp, yet heavily suffocating.

This was the second time he had seen her cry.

"It seems every time I see you, I see your tears. What can I do to stop you from crying?"

His tone was gentle, his demeanor indifferent, only when the light hit his eyes could the clarity and restraint be seen.

Zhaozhao's reddening eyes blinked slightly, her eyelashes wet, tinting the corners of her eyes red, "You..."

She sniffled timidly, "Kiss me."

If it was an illusion, she could ask for even the most fanciful of wishes, right?

The shadow in front of her fell, blocking her view, but the warm touch sharpened all her senses.

A closeness she never had in her previous life entangled her already hazy thoughts into a knot.

Her arms tightly embraced his neck, responding to him with all her might.

Their breaths mingled in the narrow space, the faint sweet citrus scent numbing his heart's tip slightly.

How could he describe what he felt now?

His heart seemed to be completely filled with an indescribable emotion, a satisfaction he had never felt before.

"Thump, thump..."

The strong heartbeat seemed inconsequential amidst the deepening breaths.

He wanted more...

Whether it was the soft waistline in his palm or the fair skin that marked easily under slight pressure.

Each aspect ignited a destructive desire within him.

Originally, he didn't want her to cry, but now he wanted to make her cry himself...

"Umm... it hurts..."

Suddenly, a sound emerged in the quiet room.

The figure sprawled on the sofa stiffened suddenly, and he glanced at the small hand interlocked with his.

Only then did he notice that the bandage on the back of her hand had been wet all along.

Had she not noticed while bathing?

Sinian sat up and took her small hand, unwrapping the gauze.

Indeed, the edges of the original wound had turned white from soaking, but the center had become even redder.

It must have become inflamed.

"Stay here and don't run around." After he said this, he stood up and went to the next room.

Zhaozhao blankly got up from the sofa, her thoughts foggy from the alcohol, even duller than usual.

She touched her lips, which had been forcefully kissed by Sinian, feeling like she had forgotten something very important.

Suddenly, her hand stopped on her lips.

The stinging sensation on the back of her hand brought her some semblance of reality.

She ... she had just!!!

Zhaozhao belatedly covered her mouth; she had actually initiated a kiss with Sinian?!

And succeeded?

Thinking of this, Zhaozhao instantly blushed from head to toe.

The alcohol she had just consumed was now mostly sobering.

She had intended to drink some beer, pretend to be drunk, and discuss the dismissal of the maids with Sinian, perhaps even shamelessly play the sympathy card.

But... she kissed him before she could even mention the maids.

How was she supposed to face Sinian later?

Should she pretend to be asleep now?

But it would definitely hurt when the medicine was applied later; she absolutely couldn't keep that up!

As Zhaozhao was thinking this, Sinian came over with a medical kit.

He grabbed Zhaozhao's small hand and started disinfecting and applying medicine without explanation.

Maybe because the wound on her hand was so painful, Zhaozhao bravely spoke up, "Mr. Song, about ... I dismissed all the housemaids..."

"Um."

Sinian didn't even lift his eyelids, meticulously applying medicine to her hand.

He didn't even ask why.

Zhaozhao raised her eyebrows in perplexity, wondering if she hadn't expressed herself clearly.

Other people were one thing, but Liao Yan had been sent by Xiao Jinglan, surely Sinian would show some consideration for her?

Her gaze was fixed on him for a long while, and he still seemed not about to speak.

Just as Zhaozhao was about to give up,

Sinian had just finished applying the ointment.

He shifted his gaze to Zhaozhao, "Are you worried about the house being a mess without any maids?"

"Uh ... " That was part of it.

But what she really cared about was how Sinian viewed this matter.

Sinian's eyes gently swept over her small face, and his soft voice echoed in the room again, "You don't need to worry about this; Zhao Xi will arrange new maids tomorrow."

"Uh ... "

That's it? Is that all?

He isn't angry?

Zhaozhao's gaze toward Sinian carried a mix of complexities.

"Are you not satisfied?" Sinian slightly tilted his head, pulling at his loosened tie.

The cold-colored shirt, opened by two buttons, gained a touch of allure under the warm light.

Zhaozhao couldn't understand how someone could look so abstinent, yet... so desirous.

She pursed her little mouth, her head bowed slightly, "I ... I am not unsatisfied. I know that discharging maids needs to be approved by the owner, that's a rule I..."

"You are my wife now, and your actions at home are the rules of this house."

Sinian's casual words made Zhaozhao's eyes light up.

She suddenly raised her face to look at him, utterly unprepared for the discussion about firing the maids to go so smoothly.

She suddenly felt excited, thinking of discussing with Sinian the prospect of sharing a room... what approach should she take to initiate that conversation?