A faint scent of perfume wafted through the air, stirring something inside him.

Her lips were just like her name—soft and warm.

They kissed quietly for a while, and seeing that Wen Ruan wasn’t resisting, Tang Song grew a lot bolder.

After a moment, Wen Ruan lightly bit his tongue and playfully pushed him away. She rolled across the bed, swiftly dodging his “attack.”

Looking at his slightly flushed face, Wen Ruan licked her lips, feeling a bit puzzled.

How could his mouth be so fresh? He ate a lot of barbecue tonight and hasn’t even brushed his teeth…

She pulled her legs up, resting her chin on her knees, and put on an innocent expression. “Hey, little brother, what was that all about? You scared me! Aren’t you afraid I’ll call the police?”

Her legs had the perfect mix of curves and muscle—not overly slim, but emphasizing a healthy, toned look. Strong and shapely, her legs had a smooth, firm elasticity. Cuddling up like that only made her more tempting.

“You were clearly enjoying it too,” Tang Song sighed. “Besides, you admitted in front of everyone that I’m your boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend…” Wen Ruan murmured, then flashed him a teasing smile. “That kiss, and the way you grabbed my leg, felt like you’ve done this before. You don’t seem like an innocent programmer. I think Lili’s info on you might be a bit off. I’ll need to observe you a bit more.”

Tang Song blinked, his gaze shifting with a hint of guilt, but he didn’t argue.

He was aware of his own character. Without the system, he’d just be an ordinary guy who’s honest but has his share of faults.

He knew he wasn’t perfect; even with his first crush, it had initially been her looks that drew him in.

Yet everyone has at least one time in life when they pursue something wholeheartedly.

During that time, he’d been a young and idealistic student, trying his best to improve himself. After deciding not to pursue further studies for the sake of his family, he’d set off to work in Beijing.

They had dated for a year and a half, and the deeper he understood her world, her social circle, and her ambitions, the clearer the gap between them became. After a certain conversation with her mother, his passion began to fade.

So, when she asked, “The investors want us to move to Shenzhen. Will you come with me?” he chose to let go.

Seeing Tang Song suddenly fall silent, Wen Ruan’s heart tightened, a suspicion forming in her mind.

But she chose not to press. With her years in the workplace and her high emotional intelligence, she’d long outgrown the innocence of her youth.

Considering how outstanding Tang Song seemed, it would be naive to think he had no competition. The looks from the female colleagues downstairs had already prepared her for that.

“Humph!” Wen Ruan got off the bed, put on some disposable slippers, and turned away. “I should get going. Staying here is too dangerous.”

“Why not stay the night?” Tang Song’s voice was slightly hoarse as he looked at her mature, shapely figure. “It’s cold tonight, and I’m worried you might feel unwell.”

Wen Ruan smiled. “I have the heat patch and painkillers, so I’m much better now. Don’t worry.”

She headed toward the door, albeit slowly, with a hint of hesitation.

Watching her leave, Tang Song suddenly spoke softly, “I like you, Wen Ruan.”

Wen Ruan froze, a smile tugging at her lips though she kept her back to him.

“Knock, knock, knock”—a gentle knock came from the door.

Outside, two cheerful female voices called out.

“Tang Song! We’re playing Werewolf in Room 412 and need one more player. Wanna join?”

“It’s the weekend tomorrow. Let’s have some fun!”

Wen Ruan raised an eyebrow, recognizing the voices of two of their colleagues. Her tone was frosty as she replied, “He’s pretty tired today and has to drive tomorrow. You all have fun without him.”

“Oh! Got it, sorry to bother you.”

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

The footsteps retreated quickly, and Wen Ruan muttered something under her breath before clutching her stomach and crouching down in pain.

“Ouch! It hurts! I must’ve caught a chill on my way up here—my stomach is killing me.”

Tang Song hurriedly approached, rubbing his hands together. “Let me massage it for you.”

“Fine.” Wen Ruan bit her lip. “Come closer.”

Tang Song stepped up, and their bodies pressed tightly together.

“Turn around, face me,” Wen Ruan instructed.

Tang Song paused, then obediently turned, looking her in the eye.

Wen Ruan turned slightly, pressing her back against him as she leaned into his chest.

Her soft, full figure fit perfectly against him, her long hair brushing against his face, filling his senses with the scent of her shampoo.

Lowering his head, he could see her delicate neck, her graceful collarbone, and the swell of her chest.

With her figure this full, she had to be the most curvaceous woman he’d ever known.

Taking a deep breath, Tang Song exhaled slowly, his warm breath grazing Wen Ruan’s smooth skin, sending a light shiver through her.

She trembled slightly, rubbing her legs together before tapping his arm. “Weren’t you going to massage my stomach? What are you spacing out for?”

Tang Song took off his slippers, spreading his legs to draw her even closer. His chest pressed against her back as he held her.

He wasn’t clueless; he could clearly sense Wen Ruan’s feelings.

Wen Ruan’s body relaxed against him, lazily resting in his embrace.

Tang Song wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands settling over her lower abdomen.

Feeling the tight lines of her abs beneath his touch, his heartbeat quickened.

The room warmed up instantly, their skin radiating heat where it touched.

Wen Ruan opened her eyes slightly, glancing down at his hand, noting how large and warm it was.

What if he tried something more intense? She bit her lip, holding back a smirk at the thought.

A soft hum escaped her lips, gentle and sweet, filled with allure.

Tang Song leaned down, placing his lips on the curve where her shoulder met her neck, inhaling deeply.

The intimate, passionate atmosphere was almost intoxicating.

Especially with someone like Wen Ruan—a mature, confident woman—this experience was truly beyond anything he’d ever imagined.

Wen Ruan softly closed her eyes, her cheeks tinged with pink.

After nearly half an hour, she let out a deep breath, speaking in a low voice, “Alright, little brother. I’m feeling much better now.”

She meant it; her whole body felt warm, like she’d just soaked in a hot spring or enjoyed a soothing spa session.

Tang Song’s hands gradually stilled.

Wen Ruan gave a small smile and asked, “Would you tell me about your recent work? If that’s okay?”

“Of course.” Tang Song adjusted his position, pulling her closer, and began speaking softly by her ear.

He spoke about setting up the company, recruiting a team, and the progress of their live-streaming business.

With the effects of the “Magic Throat Candy,” his voice was deep and magnetic, making Wen Ruan close her eyes in contentment.

After he finished, she asked, “By the way, that business partner of yours—are they male or female?”

“Uh… female.” Tang Song didn’t hide the truth. “She’s my age and very capable. With her around, I don’t have to worry much about the company.”

Wen Ruan’s eyes widened slightly. She sat up. “What time is it?"

Tang Song grabbed his phone from the nightstand. “11:36 p.m.”

Stretching with a yawn, Wen Ruan said, “Alright, I’d better get to bed.”

Tang Song held onto her waist, not letting go. “Stay here tonight.”

Wen Ruan patted his hand, pretending to be serious. “Are you trying to force me?”

“Of course not.” Tang Song shook his head, about to say more when his phone buzzed with a new message notification.

Xu Qing: Photo.jpg

Wen Ruan’s eyebrow arched as she leaned back against him, her voice teasing. “Who’s messaging you this late? If you let me see it, I’ll stay the night.”

Tang Song hesitated briefly but then smiled confidently. “Deal!”

He and Xu Qing weren’t very close and mostly chatted about work. Just yesterday, she’d helped him draft a contract.

There was no way she’d send him anything inappropriate, right? It had to be work-related.

Wen Ruan rested her head on his shoulder, her gaze locked on the screen.

Tang Song opened the message, and a photo appeared.

It was Xu Qing dressed in a Lolita outfit with a wig—a cosplay look, slightly suggestive.

Tang Song’s mind went blank. Xu Qing! What are you doing sending this at this hour!?

Back in college, she’d been the president of the cosplay club and had often shared such photos in group chats. But why now?

“Wow,” Wen Ruan commented dryly, zooming in. “She’s young, cute, and clearly loves cosplay. Just your type, isn’t she?”

Tang Song’s mouth twitched. “She’s our freelance legal consultant. We’ve only talked about work, and I have no idea why she suddenly sent this. You can check our chat history if you want.” The most update n0vels are published on novel⟡fire.net

“No need. I don’t have the habit of reading other people’s messages.” Wen Ruan shook her head, then paused before saying, “Go wash up.”

“But… are you staying?”

“I brushed my teeth ages ago. Didn’t you notice?” She tapped her lips and added, “Relax, since I promised, I’m staying tonight.”

“That’s great, give me a sec. I’ll be quick.”

As Tang Song headed to the bathroom, Wen Ruan bit her lip, a hint of worry in her eyes.

I really do like him… but the competition feels intense.

She had confidence in herself right now, but what about the future? She couldn’t deny she’d be turning 30 soon, and the thought made her anxious. How could she compete with the fresh-faced eighteen or nineteen-year-olds, with their flawless skin and youthful charm? She’d once had that too and knew exactly how alluring it was.

North Garden Community

The steady “click-clack” of a mechanical keyboard echoed in a white-toned bedroom.

The screen displayed lines of text as Xu Qing typed away, yawning frequently.

She’d been out all day, unable to work on her web novel until she returned around 8 p.m., so she was pulling a late night to catch up.

When her mind went blank, she would post parts of her story in her group chat, “Second Dimension’s Best Moments,” hoping her friends’ discussions would spark inspiration.

An outstanding graduate from Yan City University’s Faculty of Arts, Xu Qing had strong writing skills but sometimes lacked life experience and story ideas. If her friends offered useful suggestions, she could quickly turn them into creative content.

Finally, at 11:30 p.m., she uploaded the latest chapter and leaned back, resting her head on the keyboard as a line of random characters filled the screen.

“Ding-dong”—a notification sounded on her phone.

Xu Qing groggily picked it up, seeing a dozen beautiful photos sent by her friend Qian Qian, who had taken them with her DSLR earlier that day.

Scrolling through, Xu Qing selected her favorite, pressed and held it to forward it, planning to send it to another friend who did design work to get it retouched.

Yawning widely, she scrolled down, found her friend’s icon, and sent it.

Then she dragged herself to bed, snuggling into her blankets with a content sigh. Soon, she was fast asleep, a faint smile on her lips as if dreaming of something delicious.

Back in the fourth-floor room…

After washing up, Tang Song returned to see Wen Ruan lying in bed, already under the covers and seemingly asleep.

The room’s main light was off, leaving only the soft glow of a warm-colored nightlight by the bed.

Tang Song lifted the blanket and slid in beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and burying his face in her hair, breathing in her alluring scent.

Wen Ruan’s eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she shifted to lie with her back to him, her arm draped protectively across her chest as their bodies pressed close together.

Tang Song sighed inwardly. She’s definitely someone who values fitness!

In the dim light, Wen Ruan’s cheeks were red-hot, and finally, she opened her eyes and whispered, “Tang Song!”

“Yes, Sister Wen Ruan?”

“There’s something in your pocket poking me.”

“Oh, that’s just my Mercedes car key.”

“Oh. Put it on the nightstand.”

A few moments later, Wen Ruan wrinkled her nose. “You’ve been in those clothes all day. They smell like hot pot.”

“I forgot to bring a change of clothes, and besides, I usually sleep in the nude.”

“Nude sleeping… is actually good for health.” Wen Ruan tugged lightly at his shirt sleeve, speaking softly, “Take off your shirt and pants. It must be uncomfortable sleeping in them.”

“Alright!” Tang Song’s heartbeat sped up as he quickly stripped off his clothes.

He slipped back under the covers and snuggled up to her, feeling the warmth of their bodies pressed together, a completely different sensation.

Wen Ruan kept her legs tight together, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Your body is surprisingly warm. Like a little heater.”

Under the blankets, Wen Ruan’s whole body was aflame, trembling slightly.

Her face was flushed with excitement.

Biting her lip, Wen Ruan suddenly sat up.

“What’s wrong, Sister Wen Ruan?” Tang Song jumped slightly, wondering if he had done something to make her uncomfortable.

Wen Ruan bit her lip, her eyes dark and intense as she looked at him. Her voice was a little husky. “Nothing. I just need some water.”

She picked up the glass of warm water by the bed and took a few gulps.

After setting it down, she glanced back at Tang Song’s bare torso, her gaze lingering on the contours of his developing muscles.

“Sleeping in a bra is uncomfortable. I can’t fall asleep like this.”

To Tang Song’s shock, Wen Ruan reached behind her and unclasped her bra with practiced ease, slipping the straps off her shoulders one by one beneath her shirt.

Soon, a white bra appeared in her hand—large, wireless, and without padding.

Tang Song stared, eyes wide as he sucked in a breath.

Sister, what are you doing!?

With a “click,” Wen Ruan turned off the bedside lamp.

In the darkness, the only light came dimly from outside the window.

Wen Ruan quickly slipped back under the covers, turning her back to him.

Tang Song took a deep breath, pulling her close once more, feeling a sense of complete fulfillment.

In the darkness, Wen Ruan’s face was flushed with excitement. This was a new experience, filling her with curiosity, anticipation, and a strange thrill.

Soon, faint rustling sounds filled the room.

Wen Ruan leaned close to his ear, her voice low and sultry. “You like cosplay, right? Well, I could do that too… Spider-Woman, Catwoman, a schoolgirl…”

As she spoke, her words had a mesmerizing effect, her voice sultry and teasing, tinged with a mature allure.

Tang Song’s face reddened, completely captivated by her words.

“Ding! Congratulations, player. Your Heartthrob Aura has activated, triggering a critical bonus reward.”

“Ding! You have received a special item: Heartthrob Kidney Boost Capsule*1.”