Li Caiyi's head was blank. She couldn't believe what had just happened.

However, that blankness immediately replaced with fuzziness as he started licking and sucking on her lips, which incurred a whimper from her.

"Hmm!"

Meng Renshu didn't miss that chance to kiss her more deeply. It was their second kiss after the wedding, yet it felt different. Their first kiss was awkward and could be described as a mere touch of their lips, but it was very different this time. It was very rushed, hungry, and wet.

The novel sensation overwhelmed Li Caiyi, and she couldn't help but squirm in her place. Little did she know that doing that was akin to pouring oil on an already burning fire in the man's stomach pit. He became even more fervent in his kiss that Li Caiyi found her head spinning.

Every time she tried to pull back, Meng Renshu would chase her and pinch her chin to deepen the kiss again. Their tongues tangled together in dance for who knows how long until Meng Renshu finally took mercy on her and ended their kiss. A trail of saliva fell from the corner of their mouth as they tried to catch their breath.

"Haa..haa.."

Li Caiyi's vision was blurry due to lack of oxygen, but she could still discern the blush on Meng Renshu's face as he looked down at her with a drunken and feverish gaze.

"Brother Renshu.."

"Call me by my name."

Her throat was dry, but she managed to squeeze out his name in a soft voice, which came out like a plea. "Renshu.."

A gulping sound came from him, followed by Li Caiyi's gasp because she could feel his hand slowly trailing her body from up to bottom, pressing and caressing her curves.

Meng Renshu chuckled. "You're so sensitive. Don't worry, just leave it to me. You just need to let me dominate you tonight."

Li Caiyi let out a soft moan when he dipped down again to press his hot lips on her ears. The tingling sensation of his breath on her ears sends shivers down her spine.

It was her first time receiving a foreign sensation like this, so she was scared and clung to him for life. Meng Renshu didn't expect it, but he was happy when she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yes, just like that. Let your instinct lead you. Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Li Caiyi's whole body trembled when he continued his actions. Every part of her skin touched by him felt so hot, and Li Caiyi soon found herself sweaty and letting out more moans as time passed by.

She was so lost in the new experience that she didn't remember when and how her nightgown suddenly disappeared, leaving her bare for him to see.

"Beautiful.." He said in a hitched breath, admiring the woman's body, which was flushed pink from his actions.

"Re-Renshu.. It's cold..." Li Caiyi said as she used her hand to cover her body. It was a very enticing view for the man, who barely could keep his composure.

"Is it? Don't worry. You'll warm up soon enough." Meng Renshu smirked evilly before he continued to touch her body again.

Li Caiyi almost screamed when the pleasure took over her and melted her into a puddle of water. She couldn't remember much of what happened that night, but it was a scorching and passionate night, continuing until late.

It had been almost a year since their marriage, and the couple finally had their first night. Li Caiyi was so happy that she cried a bit during their steamy session. She held on to him tightly as she drowned in the pain and pleasure he gave to her.

"Are you crying? I'm sorry if I'm too rough..."

"No, that's not it. I'm happy."

Meng Renshu chuckled. "You are so cute."historical

Li Caiyi didn't know how much time had passed. Still, a realization that Meng Renshu was actually not against the idea of consummating their marriage gave her newfound confidence. Their marriage felt so hopeless before, but now it was filled with a vision of the future and a new family.

More than anything, Li Caiyi was happy that Meng Renshu was the man who took her first time. All that love and wait felt worth it now.

Or at least, that was what she thought.

After tossing and turning around in bed for a long time, the tired Meng Renshu finally collapsed to the side.

The satiated man sighed with a blissful smile on his face as he muttered a name, which completely shattered her hope.

"Xiaohua.."

It was as if the ground suddenly opened up below her and swallowed her into deep darkness. Li Caiyi's face turned pale as reality slapped her in the face once again. Her body turned stiff and cold. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest while tears pooled up in her eyes.

Her beautiful vision of the future cracked into pieces instantly. That familiar feeling of despair came back to her twice as hard.

She was so devastated that her mind turned blank.

Meng Renshu, who had fallen into a deep sleep, was unaware of this, and Li Caiyi had to suppress her sob so as not to wake him.

Who was she trying to fool here? Of course, there was no way Meng Renshu would ever feel anything for her. Everything that happened last night, every single touch and loving words, all of them weren't directed at her. It was never Li Caiyi who was reflected in his eyes from the beginning.

In the end, she really was just a substitute. A fake that could never be compared to the real one.

Li Caiyi wiped her tears and sat up from the bed. Her body felt so sore, especially her lower body. Traces of their act tonight scattered all over her body. It made her feel even more miserable and lonely.

She tried to stand up, but her legs felt extremely weak, so she immediately flopped down to the floor. However, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand up. It was hard to walk, but the pain was still bearable.

Li Caiyi picked up her clothes and wore them before casting the last sad look on Meng Renshu, who had fallen into a deep sleep. It would be best if he could just forget what happened tonight, so she could act as if nothing happened, too. And everything would revert to how it should be, with no change.

It was better like that.

***

The sound of chirping birds roused her from her sleep. Her body felt sore and as heavy as lead, but the sound of the door being knocked prevented her from returning to sleep.

Li Caiyi sat up from the bed but immediately winced, feeling her lower body's pain. However, that pain was nowhere near the pain in her heart right now.

Li Caiyi took a deep breath before answering, "Who is it?"

"Xiaoyi? Are you... alright? Can I come in?"

A feeling of anxiety immediately engulfed her. She wanted to avoid meeting him if she could help it, at least until she sorted out her thoughts, but it didn't seem like that could happen.

Li Caiyi's hands were shaking. She feared what he wanted to say, but she suppressed it and replied, "Come in."

The door was opened, revealing Meng Renshu, who seemed ready to go to work. He looked very fresh in that suit, with no trace of his drunken state last night.