Suffering from excessive internal heat.

The rice was cooked.

The dishes were ready too.

Even the lily bulb, lotus seed, and white fungus soup was done.

Xu Mingyao returned to the bedroom full of anticipation, planning to watch some shows and wait for Tao Yaoyao to come back so they could eat together.

But after watching for only a short while, Xu Mingyao started to feel sleepy.

She originally wanted to hold out until Tao Yaoyao returned, but the drowsiness hit her fiercely.

In just a moment, Xu Mingyao felt like she couldn't even keep her eyes open.

She drifted off into a hazy sleep.

When she woke up again and opened her eyes, she saw Tao Yaoyao, who had already returned, standing by the bedroom door.

She looked like she had just taken a shower and was wearing a bathrobe.

Her wet hair was wrapped in a drying towel, revealing her fair, slender neck and smooth, rounded shoulders.

Above her prominent, straight collarbones, the two sunken hollows looked incredibly alluring and sexy.

Tao Yaoyao was facing the kitchen, standing sideways to the bedroom.

Lying on the bed, Xu Mingyao could see her sculpted features and exquisite, moving side profile. For a moment, she felt a sense of novelty.

She did not know why.

In her groggy state, Xu Mingyao suddenly felt that the Tao Yaoyao before her was somewhat different from usual.

Exactly what was different, Xu Mingyao could not say.

But she just felt that the current Tao Yaoyao somehow looked even more beautiful.

If her previous dynamic with Tao Yaoyao was like that of an old married couple, having been together for years, sharing deep affection, but with most of the passion faded and life settling into a mundane routine.

Then right now, Xu Mingyao suddenly felt like she was experiencing a second spring of romance.

It was a feeling she had not experienced in a long time.

Intense.

A heartbeat so loud it drummed against her eardrums.

Xu Mingyao had forgotten how long it had been since she last felt this way.

Even when she first met Tao Yaoyao, her heart had not fluttered as strongly as it did now.

Back then, she just thought the girl was pitiful and very pretty, making her a perfect girlfriend to nurture and raise.

Actual romantic fluttering had only played a small part.

But now, Xu Mingyao was suddenly struck by this intense infatuation.

Looking at Tao Yaoyao's exquisite side profile, a face she had seen thousands of times.

Xu Mingyao was a bit dazed.

She just felt that suddenly, a brand-new radiance was blooming from Tao Yaoyao.

It was so captivating that she could not tear her eyes away.

After staring blankly for a moment, Xu Mingyao snapped out of it, got out of bed, and walked toward the living room.

Xu Mingyao's figure was definitely considered tall among women, and she was very curvaceous and well-endowed.

But she was not heavy.

Wearing cotton-soled slippers, she was like a light-footed kitten, making almost no sound.

Sitting on the living room sofa, Tao Yaoyao completely failed to notice Xu Mingyao approaching.

Her gaze was loosely scattered on the floor diagonally in front of the sofa, looking somewhat distracted.

Her delicate face did not show much emotion.

There was only an indescribable docility and a post-satisfaction lethargy hidden between her brows.

In any case, overall.

She did not look like she was recalling anything painful.

But she was deeply engrossed in her memories.

It was not until Xu Mingyao's long, snow-white legs flashed into her line of sight that she suddenly snapped back to reality.

Oh, you're awake?

Tao Yaoyao seemed a bit startled, her body instinctively shrinking back, but she quickly masked the panic on her face and said apologetically,

Did I wake you up?

Xu Mingyao shook her head. She walked over to sit on the sofa next to Tao Yaoyao, picked up the hairdryer nearby, and looked at Tao Yaoyao's face, which for some reason seemed exceptionally charming tonight, and said gently,

No.

I woke up on my own.

Come, let me dry your hair.

As she spoke, Xu Mingyao took off the hair-drying cap on Tao Yaoyao's head and picked up the hairdryer Tao Yaoyao had just brought out from the bathroom onto the coffee table.

She plugged it in, gently shook out her dark hair, and began to softly blow-dry it.

Taking this opportunity, Xu Mingyao began to earnestly study Tao Yaoyao.

Trying to figure out why she looked so heart-stirringly beautiful tonight.

She obviously hadn't gotten plastic surgery.

Nor had they been apart for a long time.

Why had Tao Yaoyao's charm suddenly increased so much?

Xu Mingyao couldn't quite understand it.

A moment later.

Xu Mingyao seemed to understand a little.

Tao Yaoyao's complexion was excellent tonight.

Her snow-white skin and a pale pink flush were perfectly layered together.

Like a flower bud brimming with moisture.

Sweeping away the decadence and exhaustion from the recent period.

Furthermore, there was an indescribable, unique charm around her eyes and brows, and even her eyelashes seemed thicker.

Whether it was due to the hot shower she just took or not, her skin had become firm and smooth, making one want to caress it like a freshly peeled egg.

Xu Mingyao stared at Tao Yaoyao in fascination, the movements of her hands unconsciously becoming gentler.

I'm sorry.

Tao Yaoyao, who had been quietly enjoying the hair-drying service, suddenly spoke up without warning.

Hearing this, Xu Mingyao was stunned, not knowing why Tao Yaoyao was suddenly apologizing.

Before she could react, Tao Yaoyao quickly added in a somewhat flustered manner:

Making you wait so late tonight.

Originally, after the meeting tonight, I just had to handle a few simple things and then I could have come back.

But I haven't been resting well these past few days, and I accidentally fell asleep at the company.

When I woke up, I realized it was already this late.

Hearing this, Xu Mingyao nonchalantly breathed a sigh of relief and said softly,

It's fine.

Don't worry about me.

Just make sure you get enough rest.

Saying this, Xu Mingyao continued to lift Tao Yaoyao's dark hair with one hand while waving the hairdryer with the other to dry the excess moisture from the strands.

The hot temperature quickly baked the moisture out of the hair.

At the same time, an elegant shampoo fragrance became increasingly distinct in the air.

Smelling this pleasant scent at the tip of her nose.

Her hands gradually started to become restless.

She really liked Tao Yaoyao tonight, and her desires grew restless accordingly.

Her arms first wrapped around Tao Yaoyao's waist, pressing her body tightly against Tao Yaoyao's back.

Then, regardless of whether Tao Yaoyao would resist or comply, she forcefully and skillfully leaned in for a deep kiss before the other woman could respond.

Amidst the increasingly romantic atmosphere, Xu Mingyao's hands began to go further.

But this time, she did not succeed; instead, she was firmly rejected by Tao Yaoyao.

Mmm.

Tao Yaoyao shrank back, escaping Xu Mingyao's kiss and breaking free from her embrace.

I'm really tired today, and I still have to go back to work after resting for a bit.

Let's do it next time.

Okay?

Tao Yaoyao negotiated in a soft and gentle whisper.

Ah.

Sure, of course.

You should rest.

Xu Mingyao realized her recklessness, and thinking about how it was already past 3 AM, she hurriedly agreed to let Tao Yaoyao go rest...

...