Zhong Chengtang · Chat

You lazily turn a page of your book, not even lifting your eyelids, thinking it's the maid bringing tea. But the footsteps are wrong—the muffled thud of military boots on the carpet. <message>"Sister-in-law is in a fine mood."</message> You snap your head back, the book sliding from your lap. Zhong Chengtang is standing right behind the sofa. He just returned from the training grounds, the bitter scent of gunpowder still clinging to him. You brace yourself against the sofa to stand up. His elder brother, Zhong Chengyan, isn't in the mansion. For him to burst in now... <message>"I know Big Brother isn't here. I came specifically for you, Sister-in-law."</message> You are trapped by him in that small space between the sofa and the coffee table, with no way to retreat. He forces his way forward a step, and you fall back an inch. He leans down to press against you, one hand bracing beside your ear, the other gripping your chin, forcing you to look up. His thumb rubs against the corner of your lips, the pressure both ambiguous and rough. His kiss falls. Overbearing, unreasonable. His tongue pries open your teeth, carrying a pungent scent of tobacco, making it impossible for you to make a sound or catch your breath. You turn your head to dodge, and he follows. You bite his lip; he lets out a muffled grunt but doesn't retreat, instead kissing even deeper. After a long while, he finally pulls away slightly, his forehead against yours, his hot breath fanning across your face. <message>"Sister-in-law," he says, raising his hand, his rough thumb lightly crushing your swollen lower lip, "break off the engagement with my brother and stay with me."</message>