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nLate at night, in the laboratory on the top floor of the teaching building, a table lamp glowed, emitting dim, yellow light.

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nQu Xiao’s back ached, and her shoulder muscles twisted into knots.

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nShe saved the two documents and sent them to Lei Qiming’s mailbox.

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nBefore leaving the laboratory, she adjusted and cleaned the temperature-control display cabinet and threw the dregs of residual drugs into the hazard disposal bin.

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nBy the time she stepped out of the building, the sky over the eastern horizon had lit up with the first rays of dawn. Sunlight peaked through the clouds ushering in the new day.

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n“Return tomorrow night. The medicinal herbs in the temperature control box need to be replanted and the soil replaced. I’ll leave you in charge of both tasks. Be careful not to damage the roots; the plants must be cleaned one at a time.”

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n“I’ll leave the key in its original position. After the medicinal herbs are sorted out, photograph your work for me to check.”

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nQu Xiao read Lei Qiming’s text message, gnashing her teeth and angrily stomping her feet.

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nShe wished she could send two contemptuous emojis in response. Qu Xiao withheld the urge to do so, knowing it would be counterproductive. Instead, she took a deep breath, in and out, to stabilise her emotions, squeezing out a smile and a respectful tone of voice as she replied with a voice message, “Yes, Professor. Please rest well; you’re getting on in age, and your health is most important to the research program’s success.”

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nThe last few words were particularly difficult to say through clenched teeth. Dragging her exhausted body out of campus, Qu Xiao headed home.

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nWhen Qu Xiao arrived home and opened her bedroom door, she saw Shang Yan in her bed, his eyes piercing her with startling clarity.

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nQu Xiao was so tired she did not pause to consider what Shang Yan was doing on the bed. She offered him a tired greeting before meandering to the bathroom to soak in the tub.

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nHalf an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and Shang Yan grew worried when Qu Xiao did not come out of the bathroom. It was too quiet. Hesitantly, he knocked on the door, asking, “Qu Xiao? Are you okay?”

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nHe received no response. Shang Yan nervously twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open, hoping to see if everything was alright. Qu Xiao was soaking in the tub, her skin rosy against the transparent sliding glass. Shang Yan judged that she was asleep from her gaping mouth to the soft snores issuing from her still form.

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nHe heaved a sigh of relief, slowly rolling his wheelchair into the bathroom, and stopped by her side.

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nShower foam and soap bubbles clung to her skin; the warm waters of her tub turned it baby pink.

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nShang Yan’s eyes darkened. He wrapped his arms around Qu Xiao, the sudden motion causing the water in the tub to overflow around the edges.

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nThe cold air caused Qu Xiao to shiver. She groaned in a daze and returned Shang Yan’s hug, subconsciously nuzzling against the bundle of warmth close to her chest.

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nQu Xiao tittered contentedly. She was like a cat basking on the windowsill, soaking up the warmth that Shang Yan’s body provided.

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nShang Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He picked up the towel beside him and helped wipe her body dry. The coarse fabric brushed against her smooth and tender skin, eliciting a moan of happiness. In her semi-awake state, she noticed Shang Yan at her side, and she offered him a sweet smile. “Hubby, I’ve found a way to help you stand. Professor Lei will certainly help. He… He may be annoying, but his skill and expertise in Chinese medicine are unparalleled.”

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nQu Xiao raised her arm and coquettishly hooked it around Shang Yan’s neck, rubbing against him like a cat. “I’m tired.”

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nShang Yan propped Qu Xiao up against him and wheeled them out of the bathroom and to the bed, where he lay her down gently.

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n“My leg condition… Why do you care so much?”

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nShang Yan heard Qu Xiao’s words and wondered why she would go so far to help him.

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nHe thought Qu Xiao did not care whether he had a healthy body or not, and a hint of gloom entered his eyes.

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nQu Xiao heard Shang Yan’s voice through her sleep-induced haze, and she flopped up into a seated position, her head shaking back and forth like a rattle-drum, “I want you to be happy. Although you don’t show it, I know it’s something that bothers you a lot. I still remember the words you said in front of grandfather… Those words have always been here, inscribed in my heart.”

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n“I don’t want you to feel sad. If you’re sad, I’ll be sad too.”

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nQu Xiao poked the spot over her heart. Her eyes swam in and out of focus, but she spoke seriously with a deep-seated conviction.

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nHer comforting words amused Shang Yan. He smiled evilly and pinched her in revenge.

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n“Ah…!”

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nQu Xiao squealed sweetly, rousing Shang Yan’s uncontrollable desire.

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nHe hugged Qu Xiao and allowed her to sit on his waist. A fire burned in his loins, desire and sexual need intermingling in a heady cocktail, one he found himself unable to stifle completely.

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n“Ah…!”

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nQu Xiao bared her neck, unconsciously swaying in Shang Yan’s lap.

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nContact burned, and it felt like an inferno, a haze of heat and pleasure as they sat entranced by each other’s company. Had anyone seen them together, they would have thought Shang Yan a womaniser with the expression of unadulterated greed on his face.

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nCrystalline tears flowed freely from Qu Xiao’s eyes; it seemed like it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, causing Shang Yan to see red. He ploughed forward with renewed strength kneading her body with his hands, the motions becoming a blur in their debauchery.

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n“Shang Yan, stop…!”

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nQu Xiao’s voice was hoarse. Her whole body felt numb, and she lay helplessly against Shang Yan’s broad chest. Perhaps it was a sign, but Shang Yan stopped.

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nHe sighed happily. He used his hand to hook up the hair on Qu Xiao’s temples, wanting to kiss her ruby-red lips.

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nA soft exhale interrupted his thoughts.

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n“You’re asleep already?”

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nShang Yan rubbed his forehead with his fingers and could not help but chuckle as he muttered, “Looks like I didn’t satisfy you.”

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nIn her sleep, Qu Xiao rolled away uneasily. She hoped it would be a while before they engaged in such intimacy again.

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