It had to be said, in certain ways, Serena Feng understood Ninth Royal Uncle all too well. She knew that tonight, there was no way Nolan would let her off easily—after all, opportunities like this were rare.
She had lost count—was it the third time, or the fourth? All she knew was that the first round was long past. Now, drenched in sweat, Serena lay sprawled on top of Nolan, too exhausted to even lift a finger.
After all that intense exercise and sweating, the alcohol had mostly worn off. Serena half-closed her eyes, and as Nolan paused for a break, she seized the chance to rest as well.
Tomorrow—no, now that midnight had passed, it was technically today—she still had a martial arts match to fight. The riding and archery contest was postponed for two days because Su Wan’s horse hadn’t arrived yet.
After passion faded, Serena always became especially docile. Nolan loved this side of her, his large hand lazily stroking her back—his favorite post-lovemaking perk.
Serena wanted to tell Nolan to stop touching her, but she was too tired to speak. She just grunted twice in warning.
“Still want more?” Nolan teased deliberately, knowing full well Serena was spent, but acting as if he was ready to go another round.
Serena shot Nolan a half-angry glare and slapped his hand away, her voice weak: “Are you trying to kill me in bed?”
She prided herself on her stamina, but compared to Nolan, she was hopelessly outmatched—at least in bed, he had her beat by miles.
Nolan obediently withdrew his hand and hugged Serena tightly, leaving not a sliver of space between them. “I’d rather die myself than let you die. How could I ever let you collapse in bed? At worst, I’ll keep you so sore you won’t be able to get up for three days. By my count, we still have time for two more rounds.”
“Nolan Dongling, are you serious?” Serena was startled. The man beneath her seemed to have endless energy—she had no doubt he could actually do it.
“Of course I’m serious. Who knows when the next time will be? How could I let you go hungry?” Nolan’s face was solemn, his tone as grave as if he were discussing matters of state.
“Feed me? Please. You’re the one acting like a starving wolf—no matter how much you get, it’s never enough.” Serena’s fist landed on Nolan, but with her current strength, it was more like a tickle than a punch.
Nolan’s heart stirred. With a swift motion, he flipped Serena beneath him. “You’re right. I am a starving wolf, never satisfied. So don’t even think about escaping me—ever.”
A lifelong promise—he’d already made it. Too bad Serena didn’t take it seriously.
Seeing he really looked ready for another round, Serena was so scared she pleaded, “No, please, not again! Nolan, I was wrong, I take it back, I beg you, don’t do it—I have a match today, if you go again I’ll really collapse, and it hurts… It really hurts down there, I can’t do it anymore. Next time, I’ll make it up to you, okay? Just count it as a debt I owe you…”
“Next time is next time, today is today. Serena, the more debts you owe, the harder it is to pay them back.” Nolan wouldn’t let up, still teasing her, though he knew he truly couldn’t go on—if he did, Serena would get hurt.
But… it really wasn’t his fault. Serena had kept him waiting for over two months, and now that he finally had the chance, of course he wanted to get back everything he was owed—with interest.
“Wuwuwu… If you go again, you can forget about ever getting into my bed.” When soft pleas failed, Serena switched to threats, lifting her head in defiance and baring her snow-white neck to Nolan.
Nolan swallowed hard and forced himself to look away. If he kept staring, he really wouldn’t be able to hold back—when it came to Serena, his self-control was abysmal.
“Fine, I’ll stop. But you owe me now—you have to pay me back next time. Still, if you won’t let me continue, at least give me a little sweetness first.” Nolan was shamelessly fishing for more.
Serena had no idea—when she promised to make it up to him next time, Nolan was so happy he almost jumped for joy. With that promise, he could finally be bold about their intimacy, instead of sneaking around and feeling awkward every time.
“Alright, alright, as long as you don’t go again tonight, anything you want.” Serena hooked her arms around Nolan’s neck, trying her best to coax him.
“You said it—no take-backs.” Nolan’s smile grew even wider. He wasn’t born with a cold, expressionless face; it was just that life had given him nothing to smile about. Serena was the only one who could make him truly laugh.
Serena nodded. “I promise—no take-backs. Only petty people go back on their word.”
Sure enough, once bodies communicated, hearts followed. Tonight, Nolan was easy to talk to—gentle, affectionate, and so loving that Serena’s heart kept sinking deeper, drowning in his tenderness.
“Alright, then give me a little sweetness now. Serena Feng, say you like me.” Nolan coaxed her, trying to calm his nerves as he wrapped her in his arms, his left hand gently massaging her sore waist. Serena let out a contented hum, half-asleep, drifting between wakefulness and dreams.
“No way.” Serena’s mind snapped awake. She opened her eyes and met Nolan’s gaze.
“You promised to make it up to me, and you said you wouldn’t go back on your word.” Nolan pulled the covers up over them, a little disappointed.
Nolan, I like you.
She’d said those words to him before, but he hadn’t treasured them. Now that he desperately wanted to hear them, Serena refused to say it.
Serena grinned slyly. “I also said only petty people go back on their word. Just treat me like a petty person, then.”
“In that case, maybe I can go back on my word, too. I never planned to be a gentleman anyway.” A gentleman—that’s William Wang Jinling. That’s why he’ll never win Serena; he’s too much of a gentleman.
“No, no, no—I’ll say it! Isn’t that enough?” Serena was truly afraid of Nolan now.
“Alright, say it.” Nolan held his breath, trying to appear calm so Serena wouldn’t notice how nervous he was.
He’d wanted to hear those words for so, so long. He wished that every morning when he woke, Serena would say, 'I like you!' to him in bed.
“Then—you first.” Serena’s cheeks flushed bright red. This time, it wasn’t from passion, but from shyness. She’d confessed before, but this time, everything felt different; she no longer had the courage she once did.
“Serena Feng, I like you—very, very much.” Nolan didn’t let her down. He said it solemnly, with a serious expression, as if making a lifelong vow.
Serena’s heart pounded, her eyes stinging. She’d finally heard it—finally heard those words. She’d waited so, so long, and at last, she got what she’d been longing for!