I Will Always Like You

Zhou Yi heard the sound of bells approaching from afar, a delicate jingling that was almost melodious.

Holy shit! It couldn’t be what he was thinking, could it?

He stared fixedly at the door, his heart brimming with anticipation.

When You Man appeared in the doorway dressed like that, Zhou Yi’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

This was way too damn tempting...

Delicate silver chains, little bows with tiny bells, thigh-high stockings clinging tightly to her legs, and the absence of any undergarments—You Man was an absolute vision.

Leaning against the doorframe, You Man tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lip. "Well?" she asked.

Her eyes held a wordless allure, a damp lock of hair falling beside her cheek as a droplet of water trailed down her collarbone, slipping into the soft swell of her chest.

Zhou Yi didn’t answer with words—he responded with action.

He stood, pulled You Man into his arms, kicked the door shut, and pinned her against it, their lips crashing together in a heated kiss.

Zhou Yi cupped her backside and lifted her effortlessly, and You Man instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms looping around his neck as they lost themselves in each other.

Her body trembled faintly, her fair skin flushing a delicate pink, her beautiful eyes glistening with unshed tears as she gazed at him through half-lidded lashes.

The heat between them was unbearable, their breaths scorching. When You Man exhaled against his neck, the warmth sent a shiver down his spine. Zhou Yi swallowed hard, his voice rough with desire.

"You’re so beautiful right now. Let’s go look in the mirror, okay? Even you should see how stunning you look."

Zhou Yi’s wardrobe door had a full-length mirror, and he carried her over, standing behind her as they both stared at their reflections.

You Man, already flushed, turned even redder.

"Gorgeous. Looking at you, I finally understand what it means to be utterly bewitching."

Pleased by the praise, You Man couldn’t help but laugh.

This was the boldest thing she’d ever done. Clothes like these—she wouldn’t have dared glance at them before. But after becoming intimate with Zhou Yi, she wanted nothing more than to make him happy.

Maybe if she stayed too reserved, he’d grow bored of her. She didn’t know if Zhou Yi was like that, but she didn’t want to risk it.

Out in the world, she was just an ordinary, modest woman. But with the person she loved, she could let herself be daring.

And seeing the awe and hunger in Zhou Yi’s eyes? That made her happy too.

Zhou Yi dipped his head, pressing open-mouthed kisses along the delicate column of her neck, his low, ragged breaths sending sparks through her.

"Should I get a chair?"

"H-Here?"

"Let’s try it, okay? Please, jiejie."

The moment he called her "jiejie," You Man melted, surrendering completely.

"Okay."

The sound of his breath against her ear was more intoxicating than any aphrodisiac.

She glanced at her reflection again.

Despite the provocative outfit, when she blinked at the mirror, her gaze was startlingly innocent—like a girl who knew nothing of the world.

By the time Zhou Yi brought over a chair, the air was thick with passion.

Later, soft, pleading whimpers slipped past her lips. "No more... ah... please, no more..."

Zhou Yi rested his chin on her shoulder as You Man stared dazedly at herself in the mirror.

Her dark hair was a mess, her skin glistening with sweat, her face painted with desire. Her eyes fluttered shut before drifting open again, hazy with pleasure as she looked at Zhou Yi, her expression overflowing with tenderness and devotion.

Her swollen, red lips parted with each heated exhale, sweet moans spilling forth uncontrollably. Her fair skin glowed as if glazed with syrup, radiating temptation.

"Zhou Yi... I love you so much..."

Every time pleasure overtook her, You Man whispered these words against his ear, laced with so much love and longing that Zhou Yi couldn’t hold back.

He kissed her cheek in response.

"I love you too, jiejie."

"Then say you’ll love me forever."

"I’ll love you forever."

In the heat of the moment, Zhou Yi would say anything to please her. If she’d asked for the moon right then, he’d have promised to pluck it from the sky.

But how much of what a man says in bed can you really believe?

Maybe one percent.

And even that one percent might be a lie.

An hour later.

Clothes were strewn across the floor in front of the mirror.

Zhou Yi had thoroughly indulged himself, and You Man was so exhausted she could barely lift a finger.

He carried her to the bathroom, and as they soaked in the tub, You Man asked again:

"Zhou Yi, will you really love me forever?"

"I’ll love you forever."

The same answer. A light, carefree smile curled her lips.

"I’ll love you forever."

She repeated his words playfully.

Whether Zhou Yi was just humoring her or not, in that moment, she chose to believe he meant it.

But "forever" was too distant a concept. She knew it wasn’t realistic—very few people in this world truly loved each other for a lifetime.

Living together didn’t always mean love. Many couples, after marriage, watched their affection fade with time.

Some turned into family. Some became like strangers. And some ended up bitter enemies.

Marriage bound them together, but it couldn’t chain their hearts.

Most couples simply endured, growing old side by side—the "happily ever after" a facade, the reality a compromise.

So You Man only wanted to hear the answer now. Whether he could actually keep that promise? She didn’t hold him to it.

Zhou Yi noticed she’d asked twice. Was she feeling insecure?

You Man wasn’t the type to constantly ask, "Do you love me?" If she brought it up today, something must be bothering her.

A player’s intuition—when something felt off, there was always a reason.

But no matter how he probed, You Man refused to explain.

"Jiejie, are you afraid I’ll leave you?"

"Mm. You’re so wonderful—of course I’m afraid."

"But that’s not the only reason, is it?"

Zhou Yi had an inkling. He pressed further. "Do you want to get married?"

The question made You Man go silent.

Maybe every woman dreamed, at least once, of wearing a beautiful wedding dress and marrying the man she loved most.

You Man was no exception. She wanted to marry Zhou Yi—but she knew it was impossible.

Just the thought of him someday holding another woman’s hand at the altar made her heart feel like it was being crushed.

She kept longing for things that could never be hers. Even though she told herself not to be greedy, human desire had no limits.

You Man quickly shook herself out of the fantasy.

She denied it firmly. "No. I don’t want to get married."