CHAPTER 49: 49. HE SAID THIS IS A MAN’S NORMAL NEED

"I know I’m wrong." Xiang Yuan stepped forward and gently held Shi Nian’s hand, pulling her into his embrace. "I dare not ask for your forgiveness, but I beg you, don’t leave me, alright?"

"A Yuan, at least make me understand. You must answer me tonight!" Shi Nian forcefully tried to push him away, her tearful eyes full of resolve.

Xiang Yuan gritted his teeth: "Alright. I’ll give you an answer tonight, come with me."

Xiang Yuan dragged Shi Nian upstairs, into the bedroom. Seeing the King-size bed, Shi Nian couldn’t help but tremble uncontrollably: "A Yuan, what are you going to do? I don’t like you treating me this way!"

"Give me a chance, alright?" Xiang Yuan cupped Shi Nian’s cheeks with both hands, his eyes fixed on hers: "Tonight I’ve gathered the courage to open up myself for you to see. Give me a chance too, let’s face the issues together, okay?"

Despite her uncontrollable fear of the big bed, Shi Nian was trembling all over but still nodded forcefully: "Okay."

Xiang Yuan held Shi Nian’s hand, pulling her to lie side by side on the bed.

As Shi Nian lay down, even her teeth were chattering against each other.

Xiang Yuan stubbornly grasped her hand, not allowing her to escape. He turned his head to look at her: "Shi Nian, don’t you understand yet? Look, we’re just lying side by side now, I’m just holding your hand, we haven’t made any further intimacy, and yet you’re already this scared."

"And today at noon, think carefully about my actions towards you, it was just the most normal affection between a couple, but your reaction was so intense..." He took a deep breath: "It’s not that I want to betray our marriage, but you make me, have no choice."

He turned around and reached out to stroke her eyebrow: "You know, a man has his needs. Here in M Country, sexual needs are like food, something a person can’t do without. I’m a lawyer, sometimes I need sex to relieve my work pressure."

His gaze was gentle: "But I don’t want to force you, I’m afraid of hurting you. My dear, I’ve always loved you, I only love you. With Rosa, it’s just sex, if you hate her, I can fire her anytime and have no more contact with her, alright?"

Despite the warmth of his palm, Shi Nian was still cold beyond control. She shivered as she looked at Xiang Yuan.

He’s a lawyer, meticulous in thinking, excellent in eloquence. His reasons were simply impeccable, yet she just felt—something was wrong.

"A Yuan, can you speak Chinese, please?" At such a crucial moment, he chose to speak English with her, the subtle differences in vocabulary left her mind in a blur.

Xiang Yuan declined: "Sorry, I’m used to using English during debates and statements. Just as you’re not accustomed to English, I’m not used to using Chinese at important times."

Shi Nian insisted on gathering her spirits, trying hard to recall the key words he used earlier. But those unfamiliar words fell like a heavy rain, overwhelming her, leaving her with nowhere to hide. They gradually knitted into a dense, heavy net, covering her entirely. She reached out in vain to struggle, but couldn’t break free.

.

Outside, Tang Yanqing had never left.

If any sound of arguing or something being broken came from inside, he would rush in immediately.

But his worries never happened. Inside, it was quiet, and later on, the lights even went out.