"Is this bean a new invention? It tastes great."
Shen Muhan rarely spoke at the dining table, mostly spending his time serving Xia Muxin. Today was no exception, until he noticed her bowl piled high like a small mountain. Only then did he take some beans and put them in his mouth, and after a moment, he spoke up.
Although Aunt Jihua's cooking was quite good, it still couldn't compare to Xia Muxin's. Moreover, Xia Muxin had cooked so few times lately that each occasion felt precious. To Shen Muhan, the dishes made by Xia Muxin were the best in the world. However, he felt sorry for her, not wanting her to be busy in the kitchen after all her other tasks. The beans today were indeed fresh; they were a vibrant green and had a nice crunch. After speaking, he took more and put them in his mouth.
Shen Muhan was generally picky about food, but that depended on the environment. Today, however, it was the first time he had been so fixated on one dish, his chopsticks spinning around the beans. Xia Muxin smiled as she said:
"If it tastes good, eat more! These are seasonal vegetables. After a while, we won't be able to stir-fry these beans anymore; they'll be used to make tofu."
At the same time, her double entendre explained the origin of the beans.
Su Xiuning had stayed at Muxin's home before and had tasted her cooking, but today’s meal was so delicious that it nearly left her speechless. Looking at Xia Muxin's eyes, she felt a twinge of resentment.
Why did this country bumpkin have such skills? At this moment, she had to admit that compared to Xia Muxin, even with her own talents, she felt like a mere clown because here, no one appreciated her exceptional abilities.
As for Su Rong, she dove headfirst into the dishes and would pause after every few bites to ponder with an odd expression, making Xia Muxin shake her head helplessly.
Yan Zhouwan showed no visible emotions as she ate slowly, embodying the principle of "food should not be spoken of." Meanwhile, Shen Muqing occasionally glanced at her; seeing her cold expression made him furrow his brow and continue eating quietly.
Shen Muhan didn't intend to let Xia Muxin get involved in their matters anymore. They weren't three-year-olds throwing tantrums all day long. If someone liked something, they liked it; if they didn't, they didn't. It was silly to act like enemies when they met but miss each other when apart—just a way to create unnecessary troubles.
"Is there any wine?"
Amidst the busyness, Xia Muxin did not forget to observe Yan Zhouwan and Shen Muqing. The two seemed to be conversing; although their words were few, it was still a good start. Shen Muhan had also mentioned that if Shen Muqing had no feelings for Yan Zhouwan, she wouldn't have come to Tea County. However, he placed too much importance on pride to lower his head. Yet, time would eventually change everything.
Xia Muxin had no doubts about Shen Muhan's words.
After Su Rong left, they moved into Shen Manor. The manor was large with many rooms. Shen Muhan took Xia Muxin to a room on the east side of the second floor. The location was excellent; opening the window revealed a lush green view and the rich fragrance of osmanthus flowers. Yan Zhouwan initially tried to decline and suggested staying in a tent with everyone else, but Xia Muxin strongly disagreed. Before she could voice her objections, Shen Muhan covered her mouth with his hand and directly pulled her into the room. She didn't know what happened afterward, but surprisingly, Yan Zhouwan settled in obediently. Moreover, Shen Muqing was staying in the room next door. With them living above and below each other, Xia Muxin often leaned against the window, fantasizing about how sparks might fly between the two.
"Are you tired? Is it sore?"
At that moment, under the dim flickering candlelight, Xia Muxin lay on the bed in a pink camisole, her smooth back exposed to Shen Muhan's gaze. He sat at the head of the bed with his long legs crossed, his large hand kneading Xia Muxin's smooth shoulder. Noticing her half-closed eyes growing drowsy, he playfully pinched her waist and asked in a charming voice.
He was dressed quite lightly as well, in a thin, semi-transparent shirt that often made Xia Muxin swallow hard at the sight of him. Shen Muhan had an excellent physique—tall and slender with broad shoulders and a narrow waist; his abs were faintly visible beneath the sheer fabric. Xia Muxin was utterly captivated by him and always wanted to touch him. With Shen Muhan's guidance, she gradually became more open in their intimate moments and occasionally even managed to pin him down, which greatly pleased him. He knew Xia Muxin's weakness well and often wore this outfit to tease her. She usually couldn't resist his playful torment and would end up tackling him down. However, the next day, it was definitely Xia Muxin who struggled to get out of bed, complaining of sore muscles and back pain; it was also her who would cling to his leg, acting cute and playful.
This tactic worked wonders on Shen Muhan; every time Xia Muxin acted this way, he would pounce on her again early in the morning, leaving her in tears of laughter yet utterly helpless.
Shen Muhan's pampering had reached an outrageous level; everyone working below knew about it. The women were envious while the men felt compelled to care for their own wives even more. Occasionally, Ming Yi and others would look at Xia Muxin with confusion—was this really their master?
In truth, Xia Muxin wanted to cover her face and ask back—was this really that uncle?
"Much better now! Little Shenzi, your massage technique is getting more skilled! What kind of reward do you want?"
When Shen Muhan asked in such a charming tone, Xia Muxin shivered slightly. Did he really need to sound so seductive? Also, was nibbling on her ear really that fun? Why did he always nibble on her ear while giving her a massage? Didn’t he know it would drive her wild?
Shen Muhan smiled slyly and snapped his fingers; the cord holding up the curtains loosened, causing them to billow and cover the window. The candlelight illuminated the pink curtains, casting a soft hue over Xia Muxin's creamy skin. With a swift motion of his hand, he turned Xia Muxin over so she faced him directly.
Xia Muxin's face flushed as she looked into Shen Muhan's eyes, which resembled a tranquil pool. Instinctively, she raised her hands to shield her chest, but Shen Muhan was quicker. With a flick of his fingers, her bodice vanished without a trace.
A chill spread across her chest, and Xia Muxin gasped, her gaze darting to the flickering candlelight on the table.
Shen Muhan lowered his head, capturing her still-closed lips with his own. He pressed against her softness until a rosy hue enveloped Xia Muxin, and then he leaned close to her ear and whispered:
"I like the candles lit."
A buzzing sensation filled Xia Muxin's mind, as if something had exploded within her, leaving her feeling both tender and overwhelmed.
Throughout their encounters, Shen Muhan had always respected her boundaries. She seemed to dislike being intimate in brightly lit places, as it made her feel extremely shy. However, in settings like a bathhouse or hot spring, it was an entirely different matter.
But now, Shen Muhan disregarded her silent protests. His hands roamed eagerly over her body, his heated lips igniting fire wherever they touched.
Caught off guard by this sudden advance, Xia Muxin tensed up, her mind racing to keep up. Yet she felt like a pool of clear water—soft and pliable—her fingers tingling with surprise. She widened her eyes in astonishment; where had Shen Muhan just kissed?
Still unsatisfied, Shen Muhan continued his exploration.
Only when Xia Muxin began to vocalize her responses did he finally relent, initiating the most primal rhythm between them.
- End of Chapter -
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