Chapter 65

Sweet Dreams Unaware of Waking (05)

Chapter Sixty-Five

Mu He’s whole body flushed pink, her voice hoarse from shouting, completely melting into a puddle of softness.

Huo Siheng’s short hair was damp with sweat, his gaze moist and carrying a hint of sexual tension. He hugged her again, kissed the tip of her nose, and said in Russian: “I love you.”

Mu He felt all her strength drain away, too exhausted to even move a finger, barely opening her eyelids. Only the wall lamp was on in the bedroom, his features slightly blurred, still excessively handsome. A drop of sweat traced down his chin, past his Adam’s apple, into his chest.

She grasped his hand, wanting to say something, but when their eyes met, she forgot everything, remembering only his name: “Xi Heng…”

Huo Siheng pressed his forehead against hers, responding softly: “Mm, I’m here.”

The air was thick with erotic tension, so dense it was palpable.

The bed and sheets were in disarray, full of wrinkles, and even stained with some suspicious remnants. Mu He’s face burned crimson: “Shall we… sleep in the next room?”

“It’s fine, just change the sheets.”

Huo Siheng sensed her lingering discomfort: “A bath will make you feel better.”

Mu He intended just that, whining coquettishly: “Carry me there.”

He found his close-fitting clothes amidst the mess and sat on the bed to put them on. Mu He glanced out of the corner of her eye. Although she had been with Xi Xiaoheng several times before, each time was a dizzying blur. This time, she saw his full tattoo for the first time—a majestic black eagle, one wing spread, the other half folded.

He got this tattoo the year he returned to the Huo family at seventeen. Spread wings represented freedom; folded wings suggested restraint?

Mu He noticed several red scratch marks on his back. She hadn’t realized at the time how much force she had used.

She sat up, leaning lightly against his shoulder from the side: “Does it hurt?”

Huo Siheng found it amusing: “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”

Mu He’s ears burned. The front hurt terribly, the back was a bit better, but overall still painful. After all, it was so large… If she hadn’t experienced it herself, she wouldn’t have believed that a woman’s tolerance for a man could reach this level. For a moment, she even thought she might…

But it wasn’t exaggerated to the point of being unable to walk.

Huo Siheng lifted her around the waist, heading into the bathroom, realizing it was a misstep—he should have run the water first. He flipped the switch, and hot water gushed out. Mu He felt Xi Xiaoheng awaken…

Two hours later, back in bed, she was utterly spent, collapsing onto the pillow and losing consciousness.

During the three days of cold war, Huo Siheng barely slept. Coupled with the intense physical exertion, he was equally exhausted. After interlacing their fingers, he fell into a deep sleep.

Outside, the cold moon hung like a hook, the chill spreading, unable to dispel the spring heat inside the room.

It was a long night, ordinary yet extraordinary.

Mu He slept until noon, sore in her waist and legs, staring at the ceiling, recalling the previous night, her heart pounding, a sweet smile blooming on her red lips. They finally truly belonged to each other.

The person beside her still slept, his damp breath exhaled gently. In the morning light, his side profile was soft—high cheekbones, straight nose, long thick eyelashes. She brushed his face lightly; he didn’t move.

Mu He recalled the neighbor grandmother’s words: as a girl becomes a woman, her eyebrows change. She picked up her phone, opened the camera, looked closely—no obvious change. But her gaze… seemed more alluring.

No hiding it.

A low, magnetic voice sounded: “What are you looking at?”

Mu He waved her phone: “Looking at how beautiful I am, it’s a bargain for you.”

His stubble pressed against her; she hunched her shoulders to dodge: “It itches.”

Huo Siheng teased relentlessly: “Your boyfriend is handsome, fit, and strong…” After a subtle pause, “…you’re not losing out either.”

Was he about to imply a certain skill?

Ahem.

Mu He pretended not to understand, changing the subject: “Time to get up.”

“No rush.”

After securing a good morning kiss, Huo Siheng finally released her, flipping back the sheets. His skin and warmth poured out; Mu He instinctively covered her eyes, letting out a soft “ah.” Her body almost combusted with heat, thinking it unnecessary—they were already this intimate.

When he finished putting on his pajamas and walked into the bathroom, Mu He slowly put on her nightdress, moving at a snail’s pace to his side.

Huo Siheng had already shaved, and she smelled the faint scent of aftershave: “When I first moved in, I saw the razor and aftershave, and thought they were left by the previous male resident.”

She couldn’t be blamed for her slow reaction; the entire house was too cold and empty, leaving almost no traces of daily life.

Huo Siheng wiped his face with a towel: “I don’t stay here often.”

Mu He understood the underlying meaning—he stayed in City A for her. Counting, he only returned to the Huo family three times that year. As a core family member, he had important affairs to handle, yet he resided in City A. Was this really good?

“No objection from the Huo family?”

Huo Siheng slightly smiled: “They’re pleased about it.”

Really, only the patriarch was anxious, and Steward Zhang had called multiple times, subtly inquiring about the award ceremony.

Mu He roughly understood the twists and turns: “In the future, for your marriage, will the elders decide, like last time?”

“Don’t worry,” Huo Siheng glanced at her meaningfully, “they can’t decide for me.”

“Only you can.”

Who could resist words of this level of sweetness?

Mu He’s face blossomed like a peach, her heart thundering. She shoved the toothbrush into her mouth, brushed twice, and realized no foam had come out—she had forgotten to squeeze the toothpaste.

Huo Siheng ruffled her hair, casually picked up the toothpaste, and placed it in front of her.

Mu He: “…” So he noticed?

After washing up and a simple breakfast, Mu He pulled Xi Heng into the walk-in closet, digging into the depths of a corner cabinet to find the coat she had bought for him. Just as she imagined, when he put it on, he looked radiant and elegant, the epitome of charm.

“When did you buy this?”

“The day I went shopping with Feifei.”

Mu He reacted quickly, trying to save face: “Don’t overthink it. I just thought this coat looked nice, would be a shame to miss it…”

The rest of her words disappeared in his passionate kiss.

Huo Siheng had always known how soft her heart was. Even during their cold war, she still thought of him when out shopping. Meeting her was his greatest fortune.

They had their third time in the walk-in closet.

Afterward, Mu He leaned against him weakly, a sudden impulse: “It would be nice to soak in a hot spring.”

For Huo Siheng, that was no problem at all. He helped her put on clothes: “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

They spent over two hours reaching Qiandao Lake in the outskirts, landed on a small island from the southeast by boat. A middle-aged man, looking like a steward, came forward respectfully: “Young Master Heng.”

Unaware of Mu He’s identity, he greeted her with a polite smile.

Mu He returned the smile.

Huo Siheng took her hand: “My fiancée.”

The steward’s expression shifted to surprise, the smile more sincere: “…Young Madam.”

Mu He wasn’t used to the new title and didn’t know how to respond. Huo Siheng asked: “Is everything prepared?”

“All ready, Young Master Heng.”

The steward walked ahead. Mu He couldn’t resist poking his palm twice: “Why do you say it like that?”

Huo Siheng feigned ignorance: “Say what?”

She obediently fell into his trap: “Just… fiancée.”

Huo Siheng raised an eyebrow slightly, lowering his voice teasingly: “What, after just sleeping together you won’t acknowledge it?”

At this point, what could Mu He do?

She stifled a laugh and nodded: “Yes, yes, yes.”

The scenery on the island was picturesque. Mu He admired it, an idea forming: “Xi Heng, this island… isn’t it yours?”

Last New Year’s Eve, he had brought her here, though she had found it lacking festive atmosphere, so they went to another lively island.

Huo Siheng smiled silently, implicitly confirming.

After walking for over ten minutes, a three-story villa appeared before Mu He. In the small garden at the front, a few flowers bloomed sparsely, while the climbing plants were lush and full of life.

Crossing the long corridor, they entered an empty house, bright and clean, tidy and orderly, clearly well-maintained.

Huo Siheng led her upstairs.

After showering in the master bathroom, Mu He changed into a swimsuit, wrapped in a bathrobe, and followed him downstairs through a small forest. She was delighted to see an outdoor hot spring hidden among the trees, steam rising, a faint medicinal scent lingering. He had prepared a therapeutic herbal bath?

That practically told everyone indirectly…

So embarrassing.

Mu He stepped into the water, the warm layers enveloping her, washing away fatigue. The surroundings were silent; warm sunlight filtered through sparse treetops, golden leaves dancing in the wind. Soft music played from a small speaker. She leaned on the edge of the pool, closing her eyes in comfort.

Time, place, and circumstance—all were perfect.

She liked this arrangement.

Of course, it would be even better if someone gave her a massage.

As if reading her mind, Xi Heng moved behind her, placing his hands on her waist, controlling the pressure as he massaged.

Mu He chatted idly with him, jumping from topic to topic. She brought up Huo Siwen. Considering they were of similar age and both of the “Si” generation, she asked: “You’re fourth in the family hierarchy, what about Huo Zong?”

Huo Siheng’s brows remained calm: “He’s one generation lower than me.”

“Ah?”

Mu He frowned: “Then why do your names sound like the same generation?”

He explained the secret about Huo Siwen being downgraded from the same generation to a junior generation. Mu He’s eyes widened: “The Huo family is too chaotic.”

She had thought it shocking enough that his brother married the woman previously forced upon him, but now there was something even more astonishing.

“The person who called you ‘Fourth Uncle’ on the phone… was it Huo Zong?”

Huo Siheng nodded.

No wonder the voice sounded so mature. He even said the nephew looked urgent.

“This won’t do,” the information was too much. Mu He rubbed her temples lightly, “I need to digest it properly.”

A fallen leaf drifted into her hair. Huo Siheng lifted it away, gently pressing it against her cheek: “Yanyang, is it your turn to help me now?”

Help… with a massage?

Clearly not.

He held her hand, guiding it underwater.

Mu He looked around in a panic. Soaking in a hot spring, how could it be so easy for him to…

“No one’s coming.”

And so, just like that, he got his way.

Mu He’s hands ached unbearably, her snowy skin flushed with crimson, unable to tell if it was from the steam or the blush. She bent her elbows and bumped into him: “No more fooling around!”

Huo Siheng, knowing it tasted good, laughed a little mischievously: “Based on yesterday’s standard, does that mean there’s one more time tonight?”