Chapter 7: Aftermath

The moment I woke up, I felt like my whole body had been run over by a truck. I could barely even move my fingers. When I thought back to what happened last night I wanted to curse someone. Who knew he would be such a lier in bed.

I tried to use my elbows to support myself but they trembled weakly and I collapsed on the bed. Wang Muchen that bas#ard. He clearly said he would stop but he just kept going.

The door was pushed open from outside. I raised my head and met his eyes. He paused and then walked in.

"You're awake?"

I narrowed my eyes and glared at him. He probably knew he was in the wrong . He coughed and placed the tray on the table.

"I'm sorry about last night. I wasn't able to control myself. I promise it won't happen ever again"

I didn't want to talk about that anymore. Besides it's not like I believe him. I picked up the tray from the side and started eating.

"What happened to you yesterday?"

His face immediately darkened.

"Someone put aphrodisiac in my drink. I managed to escape so I decided not to stay the rest of the way. If anyone asks I can just say I was worried about my chastity."

I chocked on my food and glared at him again. What chastity?

"Who is going to believe that?"

"It's not like they have a choice but to believe it. Before you woke up I already got ahold of the surveillance."

"Isn't the flight from city Z back here thirty minutes at least. And you also had to drive back from the airport?"

Something I had previously ignored suddenly came to mind. I pushed away the food tray and dragged him to me.

"Oh. I didn't know you would be so anxious this morning. I'm starting to doubt my skills"

"Shush. Let me see your palm"

He immediately took back his hand

"Show it to me"

He smiled sheepishly

"It's nothing serious."

I dragged back his hand and pried it open.

There was a jagged scar on his palm. Because of our tossing it had started bleeding again.

"It's not as bad as it looks. I just needed something to help me stay sober till I got back"

I didn't answer him. I moved to stand up but froze. I sat back on the bed and motioned to him.

"Go and bring the first aid box"

He stood and and brought back the first aid box.

I disinfected the injury and bandaged it up.

"You can't hurt yourself like that"

"Yes I know. I won't do anything to harm myself again in the future"

"Good. Now let me make something clear. You are not allowed to touch me again for a month!"

"I thought we had forgotten that "

"How to forget? I still can't move my body!"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry it's my fault. I'll apply medicine on you "

I blushed again. Even though we had gone all the way, I didn't want him putting his hands there now.

"You don't have to do that just leave it here. I'll do it myself. "

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Thank you."

He took the tray back and closed the door behind him. I dragged my body from bed and went to the bathroom. After a quick wash I applied the medicine.

When I came out of the bathroom Wang Muchen was sitting on the bed with silver rimmed glasses and his laptop on his legs.

I hurriedly picked my clothes and went back to the bathroom.

The next time I came out, I was fully dressed.

I walked towards the bed and sat down as well

"What are you doing?"

He raised his head and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Just trying up some loose ends."

"About the seminar?"

"Yeah. Someone is already trying to make trouble."

I nodded blankly. He was busy and I didn't want to disturb him so I sat quietly listening to the sound of our breathing.

After a few moments, I stood up slowly, testing my legs. "I'm going to make some tea," I said, more to break the silence than anything else. "Do you want some?"

He looked at me in confusion

"Since when do you make tea?"

"Since now. Do you or do you not want some?"

He nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly in a faint smile. "I'd like some please. Thank you."

I made my way to the kitchen, moving carefully to avoid straining my sore muscles. As I filled the kettle, I couldn't help but replay our conversation in my mind. Wang Muchen had downplayed what happened, but I could tell it had affected him more than he was letting on. The Wang family had never taken him seriously and it shows. Even after helping them avoid disaster last time, they still don't have a good face against him. If someone from the Wang family hadn't acquiesced how could anyone dare to touch him. Much less when he was representing the Wang family.

I put those thoughts aside and concentrated on my task. Since he doesn't want to talk about it I won't bring it up.

When the tea was ready, I returned to the bedroom with two steaming cups. Wang Muchen accepted his with a quiet word of thanks, his fingers brushing against mine briefly as he took it. The contact was brief, but it carried a sense of warmth and reassurance.

We sat in companionable silence, sipping our tea. The quiet between us wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that came with familiarity and understanding. Even without words, there was a sense of connection between us.

After a few minutes, I spoke up again. "Do you think the people who drugged you will try anything else?"

Wang Muchen's expression grew more serious, but he remained composed. "I've taken precautions. It won't happen again."

I nodded, trusting his judgment. Even though I haven't asked explicitly, we both knew what I was talking about.

"Good," I said simply, not pushing the topic further. I knew he didn't like dwelling on these matters, and frankly I couldn't be bothered with those people.

We unconsciously stayed like that for the whole day. I got bored at some point and started browsing on my phone.

As the evening drew closer, the light outside dimming, Wang Muchen set his empty cup aside and stood up. "I should check on a few things, will you be alright here?" One would not know that this seemingly cold and rigid man was so different in bed. Tsk men.

I nodded. "Yeah. Take your time "

He gave me a small nod before leaving the room. As the door closed softly behind him, I let out a slow breath. The events of the past day had left me feeling drained, but I was glad we had talked, even if it was only a little. I was working with what I knew in my previous life which, concerning him, wasn't much at all. But he didn't know anything. I know he believed me but he didn't fully trust me yet. He might not notice it himself but I could see it clearly. We'll just have to take it one day at a time. We still have a while lifetime ahead of us.

After a while, I lay back down on the bed, the softness of the mattress providing some relief to my still-aching body. My mind drifted to Wang Muchen's words, his careful demeanor. He was always so composed, so in control, but I knew that underneath it all, he carried burdens that he didn't easily share.

It was moments like these that reminded me of how much I had come to care for him. Wang Muchen wasn't perfect, but he tried his best, even when he struggled to open up. And in turn, I wanted to be there for him, to support him in the way he needed.

Eventually, I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the room lull me into a light doze. When I woke up, the room was darker, the only light coming from the soft glow of a lamp on the bedside table. Wang Muchen was sitting at the desk across the room, his back to me as he worked quietly on his laptop.

For a moment, I just watched him, feeling a sense of calm settle over me. Despite everything, I knew we would be alright. That was one thing I was sure of.

As I slowly sat up, the slight rustling of the sheets caught Wang Muchen's attention. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes meeting mine.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I shook my head, offering him a small smile. "No, I'm fine. Just… thank you."

He didn't ask what I was thanking him for; he didn't need to. He simply nodded, a subtle warmth in his gaze before he returned to his work.