Chapter 1061: Hours of Intimacy

Su Li listened attentively, nodding earnestly. “Mommy, I won’t do that again. I’ll do better next time.”

Gu Zi felt a surge of warmth as she gazed at him. He was becoming more thoughtful, more mature, and that filled her with quiet pride.

She had never borne children of her own, but over time, these three had come to feel like hers in every way that mattered. If she had children of her own, would she not have wished for them to grow into their best selves? To her, whether by blood or by fate, her devotion remained the same.

Upon learning that the medicine he had provided had helped Xu Sheng, Su Li’s mood lifted considerably. In high spirits, he took Su Le to an open field to fly kites, with Su Bing eagerly trailing behind. Their laughter rang through the air, an uninhibited melody of childhood joy.

Meanwhile, Gu Zi leaned comfortably against Su Shen’s chest, savoring the peaceful afternoon.

After dinner, Su Shen entrusted Su Le to her older brothers and disappeared upstairs.

By the time Gu Zi followed, he had already showered and, to her surprise, had prepared a warm bath for her as well. She sank into the fragrant water, sighing in relief. The afternoon spent on the lawn had left her sticky with sweat, but now, immersed in the soothing warmth, every bit of tension melted away.

Emerging from the bathroom, she unwrapped the towel from her hair, and a cascade of jet-black silk tumbled down her back. The movement, effortless and unintentional, was utterly mesmerizing.

Su Shen wrapped an arm around her waist, his eyes narrowing slightly as he bent close, his breath warm against her ear. “The children are all sound asleep,” he murmured. “You can relax now.”

His voice was low, intoxicating, carrying a hint of mischief. The window curtains remained open, the city’s nightscape glittering beyond, and though they were high above prying eyes, Gu Zi hesitated. “Close the curtains,” she whispered.

Su Shen let out a quiet chuckle, leading her toward the window. With one hand, he drew the heavy drapes shut, and with the other, he pressed her gently against the cool glass. His dark eyes roamed her delicate features with an intensity that made her breath hitch. “Gu Zi, you’re beautiful,” he murmured. “Do you have any idea how much I adore you?”

A blush crept up Gu Zi’s cheeks. She knew exactly where this was going. Su Shen, once restrained and reserved, was becoming far too skilled at this. “Su Shen, you–”

She barely got the words out before he leaned in, lips brushing hers before shifting past–teasing, lingering by her ear. His voice dropped into a husky whisper. “Being with you, has made me realize–some things are beyond even my control.”

His confession was sudden, disarming. Gu Zi felt a shiver down her spine, a mix of exhilaration and apprehension. This man–so composed in the daylight–was anything but when the night deepened around them.

The hours stretched on in quiet intimacy, the outside world fading away. By the time dawn’s first light began to filter in, their movements had softened and slowed.

Su Shen, still holding her close, kissed her temple and murmured against her skin, “Did I do better this time? Were you happy? You’re still so distant with me, even now.”

Gu Zi let out a breathless sigh, too spent to argue. She was content, that much was undeniable. Real love, she had come to learn, was both exhausting and addictive. Yet, Su Shen’s words made her pause–what did he mean, distant? After everything, what distance could possibly remain?

As he slowly pulled away, he studied her with an unreadable expression before exhaling deeply. “In the past, I always held back. I worried you’d find it too much, that you’d grow tired of me. Every time I wanted more, I swallowed the words. But Gu Zi, from now on, I won’t hold back anymore. I am your husband–we don’t need to be strangers.”

Gu Zi felt her face flush, her mind briefly blanking at the sheer audacity of his words. What exactly was he implying? Did he mean that, going forward, he would have no reservations whatsoever?

And then it hit her–tonight, he hadn’t used protection.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she balled her hand into a small fist, lightly thumping his chest. “Su Shen! You may have thick skin, but I’m still in university–I can’t be walking into class with a baby bump!”

Su Shen paused, guilt flickering across his face as he realized his own growing recklessness. He had been greedy, wanting more, but seeing her panic, he immediately softened. Gently, he smoothed a hand down her back. “Alright, alright. Go take a bath. I’ll get you the pill.”