Chapter 112: Passionate Night

For someone as irresponsible as Xiao Tianci—who doesn’t notify others when he has matters to attend to and comes home late—Tian Ni chose the most effective and ruthless method: she completely ignored his existence.

Huofeng took charge of cooking. Having grown up with her brother, she was quite skilled at it. However, since she grew up abroad, she wasn't familiar with the cuisine of Z Country, so she could only lend a hand to Tian Ni. Meg also hovered nearby, following the two around, especially since Xiao Tianci was wandering about as well.

“Huofeng, do you think I was delayed because of something?” Xiao Tianci kept sending her glances, but Huofeng and Tian Ni were engrossed in their lively conversation, seemingly oblivious to him.

“Wife, the dishes you made are amazing. I’m hungry; may I try some first?” he said eagerly.

“Slap... slap...” came two crisp sounds as Xiao Tianci’s hand trembled and withdrew.

Meg watched her poor brother, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. Xiao Tianci gestured under the table for her to come up.

Meg obediently tugged at Tian Ni’s arm. Tian Ni turned to look at Meg and said, “Little Princess, are you hungry?” She picked up a crispy fried rib and fed it to Meg; it was just the right temperature. Meg glanced at her brother, helplessly stuffing her mouth, knowing it was better not to look at him or she might laugh while eating.

“I actually prefer abalone—three-headed abalone, no, it’s good... really good...” Tian Ni lifted a plate and said, “Everyone, try this. I haven’t cooked it in a long time; I don’t know if it’s any good.”

Once the food was all distributed, everything was gone. Xiao Tianci stared at Tian Ni in disbelief. Could she really be this ruthless?

Tian Ni continued ignoring him as if he were invisible, going about her business.

No, Xiao Tianci thought, munching on rice and pondering how to come up with a plan. Hmm, what kind of plan?

Chief Steward Lin Jian shook his head silently, sighing, “Men, no matter how strong, have times they get bullied. Boss, take care—there’s really nothing I can do.”

Huofeng was delighted, chatting warmly with Tian Ni, thinking, “Ha… finally someone can keep that big flirt in check. But Tian Ni is so beautiful, how could he still... Hmph, I’d better warn Tian Ni to be careful. But then again...”

“Hmm…” Xiao Tianci suddenly felt someone tugging at his clothes under the table. Looking down, he saw Little Princess had crawled under the table. The nickname was given by Tian Ni today, who explained that in Z Country, “Ge Ge” means princess, so Little Princess was very pleased.

“Oh…” Xiao Tianci’s eyes lit up as Little Princess emerged holding chopsticks with an abalone skewer on them. “Shh…” she carefully put a finger to her lips, signaling him to keep quiet.

“Ugh… ugh… ugh… so touched… gotta say, she’s a good sister!”

He couldn’t let down his sister’s kindness, and eating plain rice was unpleasant. Hastily, he set down his bowl. Little Princess placed the abalone into his bowl and hurriedly crawled back under the table. Xiao Tianci’s heart was overwhelmed with gratitude.

While chatting with Huofeng, Tian Ni fed Little Princess some food, then realized she hadn’t called out: “Little Princess…”

“I’m here,” came the reply as Little Princess climbed back up. Tian Ni was surprised: “Little Princess, why did you go under the table?”

Little Princess reacted quickly, raising her chopsticks, “I dropped it…”

Tian Ni took the chopsticks from her hand and said, “If you drop them, just get a new pair.” She handed her another set. Little Princess hurriedly sat down to eat.

“Hmm…” Tian Ni felt something was missing. Right, Xiao Tianci hadn’t spoken for a while, which felt strange. Looking up, she saw him eating with his back to the table. Her heart sank. Had she gone too far? But there were still so many dishes left—wouldn’t he eat something else? How could he just eat plain rice? But…

How could she call him out in front of so many people? Silly fellow, you’re usually so talkative, why are you silent now? You’re so shameless; why are you like this now? Besides, you were the one who made the mistake… and I haven’t even scolded you…

Tian Ni looked at her bowl, the table full of dishes she couldn’t eat. She felt so sad. Had she truly been too harsh?

Seeing everyone forcing a smile, she said, “I’m feeling a little unwell; you all go ahead and eat…”

With that, she stood and went upstairs. By then, Xiao Tianci had finished eating quickly. Hearing Tian Ni’s words, he hurriedly swallowed the abalone in his mouth, then turned to see only her back…

Everyone lowered their heads… speechless…

Xiao Tianci wondered why Tian Ni had gone upstairs. Was it really that serious? His heart felt uneasy. Maybe she never really loved him—perhaps it was all one-sided.

Otherwise, how could such a small matter cause such a rift? What was it? Actually, he had felt a slight sweetness from their earlier squabble. If they were still bickering, it meant they weren’t strangers. But now, what was this?

Had he really become someone who forced her? And what kind of person was he then?

“Bang…” Xiao Tianci slammed his hand on the table, shaking the dishes so some soup spilled. Everyone kept their heads down, speechless.

He stood up and hurried upstairs. The door was unlocked; he pushed it open to find Tian Ni sitting quietly by the dressing table. Hearing the noise, she turned and froze upon seeing him, unsure what to say.

The two stared at each other. Downstairs, Huofeng led Little Princess and the chief steward, standing nearby to watch over Meg, while King Kong sat with eyes closed.

“Bang…” Suddenly, Xiao Tianci slammed the door shut with a fierce thud. The sudden, rough action startled Tian Ni’s heart. What was he about to do?

Xiao Tianci grabbed Tian Ni’s hand and pulled her toward the bed. Tian Ni panicked, “What… are you doing?”

Recently, Xiao Tianci had become much stronger physically. With one pull, he pulled Tian Ni onto the bed. She was stunned, feeling her heart sinking. Was this his true nature?

He yanked the crimson bedspread over both of them. Tian Ni’s heart turned cold; she didn’t even have the strength to resist or call out.

Her father had sold out his own daughter for money—she never expected Xiao Tianci would be such a man...

“Look, my watch glows in the dark,” he said.

What? What did he just say? The light shining through the crimson bedspread cast a reddish glow on their faces. Tian Ni looked at Xiao Tianci, and he smiled back, repeating, “Look, my watch glows in the dark.”

Suddenly, she understood. It was the most ordinary little joke—she had heard it before but never thought...

“Pfft… uh… uh…” She laughed, tears streaming down her face.

Xiao Tianci hadn’t anticipated such a reaction. He had just remembered the joke and wanted to cheer her up, to make her laugh and talk peacefully. He hadn’t expected this.

He quickly wiped her tears, heart aching. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did I scare you? I... I just wanted to make you laugh…”

Tian Ni punched his arm a few times, “You… you’re… crazy… joking like that…”

Xiao Tianci didn’t dodge her blows. “I’m sorry, I really didn’t know what to do. You know, when you went upstairs, my heart hurt so much—I thought I was going to lose you.”

Tian Ni snapped, “You say that, but you wouldn’t eat when I didn’t let you… Ah! You just ate plain rice… Are you mad at me? You were the first to be wrong… I didn’t even talk to you, and you couldn’t go a moment without me... There were so many dishes, and you didn’t eat any…”

Good heavens!

Xiao Tianci grasped her hand, moved, and said, “Really…”

Tian Ni’s tear-streaked face nodded, bathed in the red glow, making her look enchanting and delicate. Xiao Tianci pulled her into his arms. “You scared me… scared me… After so many years, finally, the clouds part and the moon shines. Heaven rewards those who persevere—the wife becomes the mistress…”

What nonsense!

Tian Ni worriedly reached to touch Xiao Tianci’s head, checking if he was still angry or had lost his mind. But he held her too tightly; she couldn’t move.

She tried once, then gave up. The two of them lay close under the bedspread. Xiao Tianci was so excited he didn’t even know what to say. But he knew one thing: she truly cared for him, and that was what mattered most. Everything else was insignificant.

He looked at her face, lowered his head, and gently kissed her forehead. Tian Ni shivered slightly.

She was clearly nervous. Xiao Tianci moved decisively, their lips meeting. His blood pressure soared; his brain lost all thought and sensation. The world seemed to vanish. All worries disappeared. In that moment, only the two of them existed, locked in a tight embrace.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the kiss ended. Xiao Tianci cupped Tian Ni’s face and said, “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?”

Tian Ni bit her lip and nodded softly. Xiao Tianci joyfully exclaimed, “But it doesn’t matter. Even if I have to wait another century for this moment, I have no regrets. Because now, I have finally received your love.”

So this is what happiness feels like.

Tian Ni looked at Xiao Tianci and said with concern, “You only ate rice just now. Should I cook something for you later?”

Xiao Tianci, overwhelmed with happiness, shook his head. “It’s nothing, haha. Actually, I ate with my back to you because Little Princess gave me the abalone. I was afraid you’d notice, so…”

Ah… oh…

Xiao Tianci realized he had messed up. He saw the change in Tian Ni’s expression as she suddenly pushed him away from under the bedspread. The light became piercing.

Xiao Tianci also slipped out and solemnly declared, “Wife, I really won’t do it again. Next time, I definitely won’t sneak food you don’t let me have. I’d rather starve!”

Of course, that made Tian Ni laugh. Xiao Tianci reached for her hand, but she pulled back. Confused, he wondered what was wrong. Didn’t laughter mean she was happy?

Tian Ni looked at his puzzled face, thought for a moment, and finally said, “Tianci, don’t worry. I’m not upset because of this. Actually…”

Xiao Tianci anxiously said, “What is it? Tell me quickly!”

Tian Ni asked, “Don’t you really know?”

Xiao Tianci shook his head, “Know what? What are you talking about? I don’t know anything.”

Tian Ni considered, then said, “Huofeng… she likes you. Don’t you know?”

Women are the most sensitive creatures when it comes to such matters, especially regarding the one they like and the opposite-sex friends around him. It’s like how Xiao Tianci is sensitive about Dongfang Yi. Even if he knows Tian Ni wouldn’t like him, it’s the same. And Tian Ni was just as smart—very smart.

Xiao Tianci’s mind was swirling, utterly stunned. No way—the Dragon Queen likes me? How could that be?

Ah, it must be because Ni’er saw me bringing her home and always being around me, so she misunderstood. Yes, it must be because of that.

Just as he was about to explain, he hurriedly said, “Ni’er, listen, actually Huofeng stays by my side because…”

Tian Ni thought for a moment and added, “Maybe even she doesn’t fully understand herself yet…”

Xiao Tianci felt dizzy. Tian Ni’s words were too profound; even she didn’t quite know what to call ‘liking.’ Looks like he’d better explain everything carefully…