But soon, Dai Chengfeng shook his head. He raised his hand deliberately, creating a slight whoosh of air, and then landed a gentle yet firm smack on the curve of her backside.
Smack!
A crisp sound rang out.
"Now, tell me—are you still going to call your master a playboy?"
Dai Chengfeng asked sternly, but the soft, elastic sensation transmitted through the thin fabric sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
Qiu'er let out a short hum—not a cry of pain, but more like the sound of a lazy feline being petted.
Far from apologizing, she countered with a teasing, nasal tone: "...You are a playboy!"
"I saw everything!"
"You and Zhu Zhuqing… and that big fox…"
Her voice trailed off, but the accusatory tone remained strong.
"Hmph! Still stubborn!"
Amused by Qiu'er's unrepentant attitude, Dai Chengfeng raised his hand again. This time, he maintained control over the force but slowed the rhythm. His palm covered a wider area, as if measuring…
"For daring to tease your master, you're asking for it!"
Smack… Smack…
Each slap caused Qiu'er's body to tremble slightly.
"I wasn't teasing! I was telling the truth—Master, you really are… a playboy~"
Qiu'er remained defiant.
"Hmph! You think I can't handle a little brat like you?"
Watching Qiu'er continue to argue, Dai Chengfeng delivered a few more smacks.
"Mmm~"
Eventually, Qiu'er stopped talking and buried her face in the soft bedding. The tips of her ears turned a faint shade of red.
After a while, Dai Chengfeng stopped his actions, but his hand remained where it was.
He gently soothed the area he had just "disciplined," his touch warm and lingering.
The room fell silent, save for the sound of their gradually heavier, intertwined breathing.
"Do you know your mistake now?"
Dai Chengfeng's voice was slightly hoarse. He leaned down, his hot breath brushing against her sensitive neck and ear.
Qiu'er trembled all over, letting out a faint whimper.
When she turned her head, her golden eyes shimmered with moisture. Gone was the earlier defiance and smugness, replaced by a dazed, dreamy expression.
She gazed at Dai Chengfeng's face, which was now inches away. "I… I didn't do anything wrong…"
Her voice was soft, almost a murmur, as if she were answering or unconsciously whispering to herself.
Dai Chengfeng swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing again. His gaze locked onto the person beneath him, burning with intensity.
Qiu'er's golden, tear-filled eyes, along with her stubborn yet hazy expression, ignited the last shred of restraint he had been trying so hard to maintain.
"Still refusing to admit your mistake?"
"It seems… the punishment wasn't enough."
With those final words, Dai Chengfeng gave Qiu'er no chance to argue further.
He leaned down and captured her slightly parted lips, which seemed about to utter another "you're a playboy."
"Mmm…"
A muffled whimper escaped Qiu'er's throat. She stiffened momentarily, her hands instinctively pushing against Dai Chengfeng's chest as if to resist.
But within seconds, her entire body went limp.
Her hands, which had lost strength without her realizing it, curled weakly, clutching tightly at the fabric of his shirt.
The air grew scorching and thin.
Dai Chengfeng's hand had long since moved from its previous position. Now, it cupped her cheek, his thumb gently caressing her heated earlobe and neck, forcing her head back.
Qiu'er's mind went blank. Her earlier defiance and the embarrassment from being "punished" were now completely shattered by this sudden kiss.
It felt as though the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. Her consciousness grew hazy, leaving only the sensation of his lips imprinted vividly on her mind.
Unconsciously, she closed her eyes. Her long lashes fluttered violently like butterfly wings, responding hesitantly yet instinctively with a faint, weak reciprocation.
This small response acted as the best encouragement.
Dai Chengfeng's kiss deepened, becoming longer and more passionate, as if he intended to melt her completely.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly. It wasn't until Qiu'er was nearly dizzy from lack of oxygen that Dai Chengfeng finally pulled back slightly. But his forehead remained pressed against hers, their noses touching, their breaths mingling in heated synchronization.
He gazed at Qiu'er, whose cheeks were flushed, eyes dreamy, and breathing shallow.
"Now… do you know your mistake?"
Qiu'er panted softly, her golden eyes veiled with moisture. Her consciousness hadn't fully returned, and she instinctively shook her head lightly. The gesture wasn't one of denial but rather of dazed submission.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled lowly, his laughter filled with indulgence and a hint of triumph.
"You stubborn little thing…"
He sighed as if exasperated, but before his words fully left his lips, he leaned down again, covering her already slightly swollen, yet even more enticing lips once more.
This time, the kiss was infinitely tender.
...
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting fragmented patterns of light across the bed.
"Mmm~"
Dai Chengfeng lazily stretched and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Qiu'er's peaceful, sweet sleeping face.
She lay curled on her side, her cascading hair spread across the pillow, a few strands clinging to her slightly flushed cheeks.
The silk blanket had slipped down to her waist, revealing her smooth back and rounded shoulders. The sunlight bathed her skin in a honey-like glow.
Thinking back to the unfinished intimacy from last night, Dai Chengfeng let out a resigned sigh.
In the end, they hadn't taken the final step—not because Qiu'er was unwilling…
Rather, certain harmonious age-related factors had intervened.
Shaking his head, Dai Chengfeng traced his fingertips along her exposed back.
The skin beneath his palm was as smooth as jade, rising and falling gently with her breath.
He followed the curve of her spine, lingering at the enticing dimples of her lower back.
"Qiu'er, it's time to get up."
He whispered into her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe.
Still asleep, Qiu'er unconsciously tucked her neck in, emitting a lazy nasal hum: "Mmm… just fifteen more minutes…"
As she spoke, she burrowed closer to him like a cat, her smooth leg brushing unintentionally against the hem of his shirt.
This unconscious provocation caused Dai Chengfeng's breath to hitch.
But soon, he shook his head. "Lazy little kitten."
Suddenly, Dai Chengfeng reached out and tickled her sides. "Looks like I'll have to use some special methods…"
"Ah!"
Qiu'er gasped and wriggled, her tightly shut eyelids trembling.
Her drowsy golden eyes barely opened a slit before the mischievous fingers stole away any remnants of sleep.
"Master… stop… it tickles…"
She laughed and squirmed, not caring that the blanket had completely slipped off, and could only hide her embarrassment by holding a pillow in front of her.
Seeing her ears turn a deep crimson, Dai Chengfeng finally relented. He pulled her, pillow and all, into his arms. "We need to get moving. If we keep dawdling, I won't be able to leave by noon!"
"Mmm~"
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