This voice made Chen Cheng feel as if his bones had turned to jelly, and his heart utterly soft.
And even softer than his heart was she, who was in his arms.
Meng Wanning’s body was light and pliable, like a frightened little deer huddled in Chen Cheng’s embrace.
The fragrance from her body, mixed with the faint scent of shower gel, wafted into Chen Cheng’s nostrils, stirring his desires.
And that smooth hair, occasionally sweeping over his neck, tickled him incessantly.
But surprisingly and as expected, her smooth skin was covered with goosebumps, Chen Cheng thought he was holding a little motor trembling continuously, which was quite amusing.
Meng Wanning wasn’t faring well either.
Her body felt cold, but the person holding her was so warm, especially his breath, still tinged with a bit of alcohol, made her afraid to breathe deeply.
She felt like a snow bunny that had inadvertently hopped into a furnace, about to melt away.
The sense of shame, nervousness, and that indescribable anticipation made her even more reluctant to move; all she could do was tightly close her eyes, allowing Chen Cheng to hold her.
Chen Cheng felt her shivering in his arms, and tightened his embrace.
His warm hands gently stroked her back, soothingly, as if pacifying or perhaps testing.
Chen Cheng chuckled, "Then what are you trembling for?"
"I... I’m nervous..."
"Uh..." Meng Wanning quickly denied, "No... not afraid..."
Chen Cheng let out a light laugh, "How about we switch roles?"
"How about you hug me?"
Chen Cheng released his arms, and Meng Wanning mechanically wrapped her arms around Chen Cheng’s waist.
Her hands were cool against Chen Cheng’s warm skin, making him shiver subconsciously.
"Sir, am I too cold for you?"
Meng Wanning, thinking she had done something wrong, started to retract her hands in fear.
But the next second, they were held in the palm of Chen Cheng’s hand, fingers interlocked.
"Does this feel a bit better?" he asked softly.
"Mhmm... a little bit..."
Chen Cheng sighed softly, and Meng Wanning, ever sensitive, grew puzzled again, "Sir, did I upset you?"
Chen Cheng gazed at the face in the dark, "Wan Wan, why are you always so cautious?"
Meng Wanning was silent for a moment before she whispered, "I... I don’t know..."
Her voice carried a tint of grievance and confusion.
Her entire upbringing and theater experience had been in a relatively oppressive environment.
What she possessed now, the glory on the stage, was built from ten years’ sweat behind the scenes and countless instances of carefully observing others.
She had grown accustomed to reading other people’s minds and being cautious in her speech and actions; it had become a part of her personality, and she didn’t know how to change it.
Moreover, this was the first time she had ever been held this way.
Chen Cheng hugged her tighter, his chin lightly resting on top of her head, "Wan Wan, you don’t need to be ."
"With me, you can relax. Just be yourself."
"You don’t need to try and figure me out, or worry about saying or doing something wrong. I will always be by your side, protecting you."
She lifted her head to see Chen Cheng’s face, only to be comforted by the dim light from the window.
His gentle eyes and faint smile comforted her and gave her a sense of security.
In her past, few had treated her so tenderly, encouraging her to let her guard down.
The strict instructions of her master, the competition with her peers, all forced her to build walls around herself.
"Sir..." she called softly, sounding both dependent and vulnerable.
"Can I... can I always be ?"
"Of course." Chen Cheng touched her cheek, "I hope you’ll always be , genuine and unafraid in front of me, to cry when you want to cry, to laugh when you want to laugh."
Chen Cheng’s words were a calming pill, allowing Meng Wanning to completely relax.
She drew closer to Chen Cheng, hugging him tightly, listening to his heartbeat, basking in this unprecedented warmth.
"You’re making me uncomfortable."
Chen Cheng lifted Meng Wanning’s chin, her fluttering eyelashes enticing.
"Where is it making you uncomfortable?"
"Your... your arm..."
It was only then that Chen Cheng realized that having kept the same embrace, his arm indeed might be making her uncomfortable.
He adjusted his position slightly so that Meng Wanning could rest more comfortably.
"Is it still uncomfortable?"
"Yes?" replied Meng Wanning softly.
Chen Cheng didn’t continue the conversation, but instead lowered his head and kissed her forehead. Then he followed her nose, and finally found her lips.
Meng Wanning tensed instantly but quickly relaxed again.
But in the next second, her eyes flew open, and at that moment, she understood what a first kiss was.
Her lips were soft and sweet, like a ripe cherry.
Chen Cheng’s kiss was nine parts tender and one part domineering. Meng Wanning’s breathing grew hurried, her hands clutching Chen Cheng’s shoulders, not daring to let go.
But that wonderful sensation made her lose herself...
The next day, an itching sensation awoke Chen Cheng.
Blurrily opening his eyes, Meng Wanning was using her hair to gently brush his face.
Seeing Chen Cheng awake, Meng Wanning stopped and her cheeks reddened, "Sir, you’re up?"
Rubbing his eyes, Chen Cheng smiled and said, "Not yet, I want to hold you and sleep a little longer."
Saying so, he pulled Meng Wanning back into his embrace, "Why are you up so early?"