Dismissing the servants
After some time, Qin Yuheng stood up, stretching slightly. "I'll go to the room and take a shower."
Shen Ning nodded, settling back onto the sofa. "Okay. Go ahead."
Before he walked away, Qin Yuheng leaned down close to her ear, his deep voice teasing her. "Wanna join me? I can help you scrub your back."
Shen Ning snorted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "No need. I already took a shower."
His gaze darkened as he pulled back, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Too bad. I was hoping we could share something more than just a shower tonight."
He finally stepped away, heading to the bathroom after teasing her.
Half an hour later, he came back downstairs, his hair was slightly damp.
"Let's go, eat," Shen Ning said as she stood up and walked to the dining table.
They sat together, quietly enjoying their meal. Halfway through the meal, Qin Yuheng suddenly spoke, his voice calm but commanding. "There's no need for so many servants. Uncle Zhao, you can return to the old mansion."
Hearing this, the servants froze in their place, housekeeper Zhao's face turned pale, and he stammered, "Sir, A-are you upset with something?"
Qin Yuheng shook his head and said reassuringly, "Uncle Zhao, don't misunderstand. It's simply that my wife and I are newly married, and we want more privacy. You can return to the old mansion and assist there as needed."
He glanced at the other staff. "As for the rest of you, your services are no longer required. You'll be paid fairly before you leave."
The servants exchanged uneasy glances, bowing respectfully before stepping away.
Shen Ning looked at him in confusion, her chopsticks paused mid-air.
Qin Yuheng leaned back slightly, his expression softened. "Aunt Rong will be sufficient to help us with the household tasks."
He thought to himself, 'The traitor is among the staff. It's better to let them leave this place sooner. Uncle Zhao and Aunt Rong have been loyal to the Qin family for years. They will not betray the Qin family.'
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At 10 o'clock, Shen Ning went to bed. By the time Qin Yuheng entered the bedroom, it was already past midnight, and Shen Ning was fast asleep.
He slipped under the comforter quietly, careful not to disturb her. Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.
"Good night, my dear wife," he whispered.
In the morning, when Shen Ning woke up, the first thing she saw was Qin Yuheng lying beside her, his dark eyes fixed on her. His slightly disheveled hair and relaxed expression made him look like he'd just woken up as well.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and husky from sleep.
"Good morning," she replied.
"Do you have any holidays these days?" he suddenly asked.
Shen Ning blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah. Five days, starting from today."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Perfect. Let's go on a pre-honeymoon."
"Pre-honeymoon?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.
He nodded, looking completely serious. "Yes. You aren't giving me a formal wedding now. At least I deserve a honeymoon, right?"
His voice carried a hint of grievance.
Shen Ning stared at him in amusement. She didn't know before, that he had a childish side too.
Without warning, he reached out and pulled her on top of him, making her lie against his chest. His deep eyes sparkled with mischief as he asked, "Tell me, are you agreeing or not?"
She didn't reply.
His gaze lowered, and he suddenly noticed the way her nightgown slipped slightly, revealing a glimpse of her cleavage. His smirk deepened.
Slowly, his hand moved inside her gown, cupping her softness gently and giving it a light squeeze.
Shen Ning gasped in surprise and a moan escaped from her lips.
He leaned in, his lips grazing her ear as he whispered, "Do you agree?"
Her heart was beating erratically and her thoughts became scattered.
Without waiting for her response, he tugged at the fabric of her nightgown once more, exposing one of her breasts fully. His lips followed, brushing against her skin before he took her nipple into his mouth, sucking it gently.
"Not agreeing?" he teased, his voice rich with amusement.
She struggled to find her voice, her body trembling under his touch. "You... you're being a hooligan."
Qin Yuheng chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver through her, his warm breath against her skin. "Whatever it is, I am doing this with my wife." He bit down lightly, sending a jolt through her, "So? Not agreeing?"
She finally managed to say, "Agree, agree."
Satisfied, he cupped her face and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
Breaking away just enough for her to catch her breath, he panted heavily, his voice husky. "Four days without meat, my dear wifey. Do you know how torturous that is?"
Shen Ning flushed deeply, trying to catch her breath. "We're going on our honeymoon soon. Can't you wait until we get there?"
His lips curled into a wicked grin as he slid his hands to her hips, pulling her against him so that she could feel his arousal. "But I'm already rock hard," he growled, grinding her lower body against his.
Her cheeks burned as she tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her shiver. "Let the hands do the work?"
Her breath hitched as she glanced down, unable to ignore the bulge pressing against her. The heat radiating from his body seemed to burn through the fabric between them.