Chapter 117: Precious, Princess, Little Darling, Baby

After strolling through the lantern festival for a while, the group returned to the hotel around nine-thirty in the evening. They bought a few watermelons and coconuts downstairs before heading up.

Qin Yichi shared a large watermelon with the room next door. Once Qiao Zhen finished her shower, he took a spoon and scooped out the very center of the melon for her. The heart of a watermelon is always the sweetest and most delicious part, and, more importantly, it is seedless.

Noticing this doting detail, Qiao Zhen lowered her lashes, an inexplicable, complex emotion welling up in her heart. It seemed it was always like this; Qin Yichi would always give her the best of everything. Even if they were lost in a desert and Qin Yichi had only one bottle of water, he would surely give it all to her, casually saying, "I’m just not that thirsty anyway."

Qiao Zhen pursed her lips, sighed, and reached out to poke his right cheek with her index finger, her voice clear and sweet. "My boyfriend should have some first."

She wanted him to have that center piece. She wanted to give him the best things, too. But Qin Yichi insisted on feeding it to her, his attitude firm and self-righteous as he asked, "What kind of logic is there for a boyfriend to eat the heart of the watermelon?"

Qiao Zhen puffed out her cheeks, deciding to use his own logic against him, and glared back. "Then you tell me, what kind of logic is there for a girlfriend to eat it instead?!"

She wore a pristine white nightdress, her eyes clear and sparkling. After her shower, her cheeks were flushed a soft pink, and her lips looked exceptionally tender, her entire face full of innocent, obedient charm. Qin Yichi thought she was devastatingly cute; her glare only made her look more lively and spirited, like a flustered little rabbit.

Qin Yichi couldn't help but chuckle, using his other hand to pinch and playfully knead her soft cheek, his voice dropping to a low, husky register. "Qiao Xiaozhen, it’s just a watermelon. Why are you being so polite with me?"

Qiao Zhen shook her head and said very earnestly, "But I really want you to eat it—"

Before she could finish, Qin Yichi seized the moment she opened her mouth to feed her the piece of watermelon.

"..." Qiao Zhen’s eyes widened slowly. How could he do that! He had actually launched a sneak attack!

The next second, however, Qin Yichi put down the spoon and pulled her waist firmly toward him. His deep eyes darkened, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Since that’s the case, then let's—"

"Eat it together."

No sooner had he spoken than he swept Qiao Zhen up, pinning her securely against the floor-to-ceiling panoramic window, locking both her wrists with one hand.

Qiao Zhen was still trying to process the situation when Qin Yichi leaned down and kissed her without hesitation. It was wild, scorching, and aggressive, as if he were releasing all the emotions he had been suppressing until now.

The couple's themed room glowed with the ambient light of fairy lights, and even the air grew thick and heavy with a lingering, romantic tension. Outside the window, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks drifted in from time to time, adding to the subtle atmosphere.

"Mmph..." Qiao Zhen leaned against the cool, transparent glass, her eyelashes fluttering as her heart raced faster and faster. She was nervous and afraid. The window was transparent, after all. What if someone saw them?

But before long, she became completely unable to think. Qin Yichi’s hand rested on her waist, and his kiss deepened, crushing the sweet watermelon juice from her lips and savoring it wantonly. Like a ravenous wolf, he took what he wanted greedily. A scalding heat engulfed her.

Qiao Zhen had never experienced a kiss like this. Pinned against the glass, even her whimpers were ruthlessly swallowed. With the taste of sweet watermelon in her mouth, her gaze blurred, her body went limp, and even breathing became a struggle. Yet, Qin Yichi’s kissing technique only grew more adept, and he refused to let her go.

As the gentle sound of the surf reached her ears, Qiao Zhen felt a tingling sensation throughout her body. She was completely lost in Qin Yichi, her brain deprived of oxygen.

Qin Yichi stayed very close. After savoring the watermelon, he slowly pulled back just a fraction, released her wrists, and asked with a wicked grin, "Is it sweet?"

"Sweet..." Qiao Zhen answered instinctively. She was so overwhelmed by the kiss she could barely stand, her arms wrapping around his neck of their own accord.

Just as Qin Yichi moved to kiss her again, Qiao Zhen turned her head slightly, her voice trembling with nerves. "No, someone might see us from outside."

Back when they were on the beach, they could faintly see into the hotel beds. Even though it was night, it was... it was just too shameful.

Suddenly, Qin Yichi lowered his gaze, spun her around, and pressed her front against the window. He buried his head into the crook of her neck and asked, "Take a look. Is anyone out there?"

Pressed against the glass, Qiao Zhen looked out to see the white foam of the waves and several young men walking in a group along the beach. She even felt as if they had looked up at her, chatting and laughing. Her heart leaped into her throat, pounding wildly. She turned around immediately, burying her face into Qin Yichi’s chest, her ears turning beet red in an instant.

She whispered in a flustered, panicked tone, "There is someone!"

Qin Yichi gave a lazy laugh and leaned down to comfort her. "Don't be afraid. This window is made of a special material. I’ve set it to opaque mode. We can see out, but they can't see us."

Qin Yichi smiled and pinched her cheek. "Besides, how could I ever bear to let anyone else see my precious treasure?"

Hearing this, Qiao Zhen finally relaxed. She puffed out her cheeks and swatted his hand away, acting as if she didn't want to talk to him. So he had been doing it on purpose! He was absolutely incorrigible.

Whenever Qin Yichi leaned in, she would coldly turn her head away and let out a soft "hmpf." This time, Qin Yichi was truly worried. He leaned close to her ear, sounding aggrieved. "Zhenzhen, you're ignoring me."

Qiao Zhen turned away with a cold expression.

Qin Yichi circled back in front of her, hugging her affectionately. "Qiao Xiaozhen, talk to me~"

Qiao Zhen was desperately trying to hold back laughter. She simply closed her eyes and pretended to be angry. Yes, she was very angry right now!

She had expected Qin Yichi to give up, but he seemed to see right through her and became even more pushy.

"Qiaoqiao?"
"Little Zhenzhen?"
"Princess?"
"Little darling?"

No matter what he called her, Qiao Zhen remained unmoved. *I can't hear you, I can't hear you!*

In the end, Qin Yichi actually stopped talking. A full half-minute passed, and the room was exceptionally quiet. Qiao Zhen grew impatient and peeked through a sliver of her eyelids to see what he was doing. Why did he stop halfway through coaxing her?

The next instant, her gaze collided with Qin Yichi’s dark, profound eyes. He curled his lips into a smile, launched a surprise attack, and happily pecked her cheek, holding her tighter and tighter as if he wanted to melt her into his very bones.

His voice was hauntingly seductive, tugging at her heartstrings as it lingered in her ear.

"Baby, I knew you couldn't bear to stay mad at me~"