Chapter Sixty-Nine: No Matter How Pleasurable, It Remains a Man's Affair

But things are different now.

Because there will be another woman who will stay by his side. She gave up an immensely important opportunity for him—a bright future she let slip away, or perhaps even destroyed, for his sake. So, he was willing, willing to do anything and everything for her.

Looking at Mai Xijun’s peaceful, sleeping face, Shen Yanlie suddenly wished to remain with her forever, until the end of time. Then, there would never be any “what ifs.” They would spend their lives together, never part until old age.

In some ways, Shen Yanlie’s emotional intensity for those he loves will always surpass Mai Xijun’s. His excellence causes others to view him with lofty eyes. In his world, failure has never been permitted. Yet a man is still just a man; he too has moments of exhaustion.

When tired, he wishes to lose himself in tenderness...

Perhaps, when Mai Xijun realizes all this, she might be moved to tears. Because the Shen Yanlie now places his trust in her. Maybe she should grasp the corner of his shirt and swear never to let him leave again in this lifetime...

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When Mai Xijun woke, the sky had already darkened. Since the night Shen Yanlie left, she hadn’t slept soundly a single night. But this time, perhaps because he was nearby, or simply because of fatigue, she slept more peacefully than usual.

No lights were on in the lounge. As she propped herself up, the first thing she saw was his tall, slender silhouette. He faced the light, his back to her, gazing out at the city’s bustling neon. The flicker of red between his index and middle finger made him seem so lonely, so desolate.

Mai Xijun steadied herself, afraid to make a sound, unwilling to disturb him.

Shen Yanlie flicked his cigarette ash gracefully, slowly. She couldn’t see his expression.

He brought the cigarette to his lips, took a drag, and exhaled a stream of deep green smoke. Mai Xijun wanted to get out of bed, but Shen Yanlie turned his head before she could. In a flat tone, he said, “Awake?”

Xijun pulled back the covers and walked slowly toward Shen Yanlie, standing beside him, looking at the view he saw.

Seeing him about to stub out the cigarette, Mai Xijun reached out to stop him. Shen Yanlie was momentarily startled, looking at her. She smiled innocently, like a child untouched by the world. “What does smoking feel like?”

Mai Xijun’s gaze lingered curiously on the cigarette between Shen Yanlie’s fingers. She reached out, took it, examined it, then looked at his face. When she saw he wasn’t angry, she grew bolder. “Let me try.”

Shen Yanlie chuckled, retrieving the cigarette from her hand. “It feels great. I’ll teach you.”

Mai Xijun frowned—he was clearly smoking himself, how could he teach her? She watched as he placed the golden filter to his lips and took a gentle drag, his cheeks hollowing in a way that looked irresistibly sensual. He turned toward her, his other hand unhesitatingly supporting the back of her head, drawing her toward his lips.

In the instant their lips met, Mai Xijun’s body stiffened. Then, as his lips parted slightly, thick smoke swirled between them. Mai Xijun choked, eyes watering, and pushed Shen Yanlie away, coughing fiercely.

So that’s what smoke tastes like.

Shen Yanlie watched Mai Xijun’s reactions, a smile spreading across his face. Mai Xijun glared at him fiercely. Shen Yanlie took another drag, stubbed out the cigarette, and the ashtray was already filled with golden butts.

“No matter how pleasurable, it’s a man’s thing. Women can’t learn it,” he said, lightly patting Mai Xijun’s back. “Hungry?”

What was he trying to convey with these actions—slapping her one moment, handing her a sweet the next? She scorned him.

Mai Xijun had found Shen Yanlie irritating—he hadn’t even given her a chance to prepare before pressing smoke into her mouth.

But his last simple words, “Hungry?” completely erased any desire to blame him.

She wondered, back then, was he this gentle to Xie Yunting as well?

Shen Yanlie noticed Mai Xijun’s sudden silence, his brows drawing together. He cupped her chin with a leisurely, relaxed gesture, slipping his other hand into his pocket. “I still prefer your smile. I like how you challenge me. Even though you look like you need a beating when you provoke me.”

Xijun disdainfully brushed away his arm, but as she turned, Shen Yanlie pulled her back with force, holding her tightly.

Now, clad in white, handsome and unruly as ever, his sudden—or perhaps perfectly timed—action quieted Mai Xijun completely.

All she could smell was the scent of tobacco on him. She was completely imprisoned in his embrace, held so tightly as if she were his whole world, and he would never let go.

“She was once the woman I loved deeply. Now, I can’t completely say no to her. Give me time...” Shen Yanlie buried his head in Mai Xijun’s hair, his voice monotone, brushing her ear.

Mai Xijun raised her hand, then let her palm gently settle on his back. She knew, from this moment on, many things had moved into territory she’d never imagined before.

Perhaps, just before boarding the plane, she had only thought—five years ago, that woman abandoned him for her dreams. Five years later, she returned. Another woman who had entered his life, also for her dreams, had never stayed for him... Beyond that, she hadn’t considered much.

He was so proud, so deeply in love, yet still a hopeless romantic.

Shen Yanlie said nothing, but after a long while, he cupped her face, slowly drawing closer. Mai Xijun felt her mind in chaos, but when she saw the mischievous curve at his lips, she suddenly widened her eyes and pushed him away. “Seeing you annoys me.”

Shen Yanlie’s lips twitched—but Mai Xijun forgot to tell him that his smile was the most annoying thing of all.

“If you’re annoyed, it just means you were once pleased. Go change. I’ll wait outside.”

With that, he followed her, pinching her waist. “Mm, feels good. Nice to the touch.”

“Hey! Shen Yanlie...!”

Bang! Just as Mai Xijun was about to explode, Shen Yanlie strode away swiftly.