Chapter 114: A Kiss Shouldn't Cause Any Trouble, Right? (First Update)

Wen Yichen’s question instantly chased away Jiang Muwen’s sleepiness. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with pleasant surprise.

“Well?” Seeing her silence, Wen Yichen prompted her again. His voice was low and husky, as if it resonated directly from his throat, blending perfectly into the tranquil morning.

“May I?”

Seeing her ask with such trepidation, a faint, involuntary smile touched Wen Yichen’s lips. If it was her, anything was fine. He gave a soft hum of affirmation, his gaze filled with gentle warmth.

With his permission, Jiang Muwen shyly shuffled closer to him. She leaned her head toward his shoulder, moving slowly, gently, and with a flutter of anticipation. Finally, she rested against him. Through the thin fabric of his clothes, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. She had never leaned on him like this before; it was the first time she felt such an overwhelming sense of stability and security—as if, in this one lean, she could stay for a lifetime.

In the quiet morning, the occasional chirping of birds pierced the stillness, drifting into her ears like a lullaby that lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

Finally, a sliver of light broke through the clouds in the sky, washing the horizon in a soft, golden hue. The rising sun was not yet blinding; its gentle radiance felt extraordinarily comforting.

“Jiang Muwen,” Wen Yichen murmured her name as he looked at the sky. Receiving only silence in return, he paused, realizing the girl beside him must have fallen asleep.

He turned his head and looked down. The girl was resting on his shoulder, her eyes closed. The soft, gentle sunlight bathed her delicate face, and her long, thick eyelashes cast shadows upon her skin. Beside his ear, he could hear the steady rhythm of her breathing.

Time seemed to freeze. She looked like a fairy who had wandered into the mortal realm, innocent and pure, making him want to shield her from the world forever.

Watching her, Wen Yichen’s eyes filled with a tenderness as deep as water. He parted his lips, speaking so softly he feared she might hear him. “Silly girl. You woke up so early, yet you didn’t see a thing.”

She remained fast asleep—she must have been truly exhausted.

Wen Yichen smiled to himself. Never mind, the sunrise was enough as it was. He had never been particularly fond of watching sunrises anyway; the only reason he had been sitting here on time was because of her.

Jiang Muwen probably felt so secure that she didn't worry about catching a cold as she drifted off to sleep.

“Dummy, aren’t you afraid of getting sick?” he whispered. He chuckled again, his lips curling upward. His expression was seven parts doting and three parts helpless. Perhaps fools were immune to colds.

Wen Yichen carefully reached out, his arm draping behind her back to hold her close. The ethereal air about her was enchanting, and he found he couldn’t bear to wake her, yet he couldn't resist the urge to steal a taste of her sweetness.

His gaze drifted downward, settling on her pink lips. *Just one secret kiss—she wouldn't notice, right?* And if she did, he would follow the traditional virtue of reciprocity and let her kiss him back.

A lovely, faint flush rose on his clean-cut face. He didn't know when he, the "ice block," had begun to change under her influence. He had started to smile more, his threshold for amusement had lowered, and in front of Jiang Muwen, he had become increasingly childish.

He stared at her, his clear eyes clouded with hesitation. *Should I? Just one kiss. She won't know.* It was like when he was a child—taking one extra bite of something wouldn't hurt.

With that thought, he leaned in. Their breaths mingled, warm and hazy, brushing against his face and making his heart flutter. He lowered his eyes, his focus fixed on her soft lips, and closed his own, filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness.

When their lips finally met, all his tension vanished. Her warm breath brushed against his nose, carrying a sweetness that made him linger. Her lips were incredibly soft—so soft he felt an urge to bite them.

Ultimately, he suppressed the thought. After a moment, he pulled away, though with evident reluctance.

He then scooped her up into his arms. As he rose, Jiang Muwen let out an unconscious hum, her small hand instinctively climbing to his chest and scratching lightly. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through him, causing him to stiffen. He looked down at the girl in his arms, the corners of his mouth lifting again.

If she were ever stolen away by another man, he thought, he would surely go mad.

“Let’s go, back to the room to rest,” he said softly. He knew she couldn't hear him, but he said it anyway. “So sleepy, yet you still insisted on coming out for the sunrise.”

He muttered to himself, his voice raspy. He knew very well that they had likely been stood up by the others, and he was tired too, but the thought of Jiang Muwen rushing down to keep the appointment had forced him out of bed.

“Wen Yichen...” Jiang Muwen mumbled in her sleep. The voice was hazy, but he caught it. He looked down at her. “I only came down to keep you company so you wouldn’t have to watch the sunrise alone. Touched, are you?”

Seeing her dazed state, he couldn't help but smile. He didn't know what she was dreaming about to make her talk like that, but even knowing she couldn't hear him, he replied with a smile, “Touched. I’m incredibly touched.”

Carrying her, he walked toward the villa. Just as he looked up, he found Gu Niancun standing there, facing them. Wen Yichen didn't know how long he had been there or what he had seen.

Their eyes met, and neither looked away. Wen Yichen stopped before him. After a moment, his lips curved into a slight, greeting-like smirk.

“Morning.”