Chapter 4

Holden’s fingers finally stopped. He didn’t lift the veil from her face.

Instead, he looked quietly at the girl sleeping on the bed.

If she opened her eyes, they would surely be beautiful — bright, soft, like a little milk cat. A little creature that looked harmless but would scratch you with tiny paws when irritated.

Innocent, yet charming.

His gaze drifted to the faint red marks on her neck. Her skin was delicate — he had only touched her lightly, yet it bruised.

With an unreadable expression, Holden turned and went back to the sofa, sitting down silently.

His insomnia had grown worse by the day. Her silver needles alone could not cure him.

But her medical skills… were impressive.

And earlier, he had actually fallen asleep in her hands — a luxury he hadn’t felt in years.

Even if it lasted no more than ten minutes.

Ten whole minutes — something he hadn’t achieved in a long time.

Holden’s eyes drifted back to her small figure on the bed.

Why were her hands so tiny?

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The next morning

Elena sat in the dining room, sipping the red date and lotus seed soup the maid served her.

“As soon as I saw you, Elena, I liked you!” Old Madam Lu beamed. “Holden won’t bully you anymore. If he does, tell Grandma — Grandma will help you beat him up! Drink more soup, drink! We must have a little great-grandchild soon. Grandma will hold Mr. Holden in one hand and Lady Elena in the other…”

Elena hid a smile. Mrs. Lu’s hair was gray, but she was energetic, sincere, warm — Elena genuinely liked her.

“Master, good morning,” the maid suddenly announced.

Holden came downstairs.

Elena turned her head. Holden wore a white shirt and black trousers, simple yet expensive enough that anyone with an eye for quality would know they were custom-made.

Beside Mrs. Lu stood a cheerful woman.

“Congratulations, Old Madam! There will surely be good news soon,” she said brightly.

Mrs. Lu happily handed out red envelopes.

“Thank you! You deserve a reward!”

Elena recognized the woman — she was the one who delivered “evidence” of last night’s consummation.

But Elena and Holden had done nothing… so where had that blood mark come from?

Holden stopped beside Elena. One hand slipped casually into his pocket as he lowered his body slightly.

“I did it,” he murmured, voice low. “The mark won’t appear again. Yours is still… intact, right?”

Elena froze, her cheeks burning instantly.

He was being far too direct.

Holden leaned in even closer, as though they were a newlywed couple glued together.

Mrs. Lu covered her eyes.

“I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything! Continue, continue!”

But between her fingers, she was absolutely peeking.

“You’re not even twenty yet,” Holden whispered. His brows lifted slightly, adding a wicked charm to his matured face. “Nineteen… and untouched? No man before me?”

Elena’s cheeks flushed scarlet. Nineteen — young, inexperienced, and completely overwhelmed.

While Holden, at twenty-seven, was the picture of mature male charm.

His breath brushed her ear, warm and dangerous. Instinctively, she leaned away, but he pressed forward again — closing the distance.

“Eat.”

He said it lazily.

Flustered, Elena quickly scooped up the soup and shoved the spoon into his mouth just to shut him up.

“Young lady — that’s your spoon!” the butler gasped.

The young master was a severe clean freak.

Yet she had just fed him with her own spoon.

Everyone froze.

Holden lifted his brows slightly — and swallowed the spoonful of soup.

The butler nearly fainted.

“Master…?!”

Had he forgotten his cleanliness obsession?

Mrs. Lu nodded proudly. Even at her age, she recognized a good match instantly.

This granddaughter-in-law was perfect for her grandson.

“You two shared a bowl of red date and lotus seed soup! My great-grandson must be on his way already!” she chattered joyfully.

Elena stared at the half bowl of soup in front of her.

Was she supposed to eat it after he’d just eaten from the spoon?

Holden sat down, narrowed his eyes at her, and said coolly, “Why did you stop? Eat. It’ll get cold.”

“…”

He was doing this on purpose.

She fed him with her spoon — now he wanted her to finish it?

This was practically… a k!ss.

“Elena, finish it, dear. Eat quickly,” Mrs. Lu encouraged.

Elena gulped down the remaining soup in a hurry.

“I’m full, Grandma. I can’t eat anymore.”

Holden watched her pink cheeks, her flustered expression, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

Good mood achieved.

After breakfast, Mrs. Lu asked, “Elena, are you going out today?”

“Yes, Grandma. I want to visit my family.”

“That’s fine. Holden, go with her — take gifts. A son-in-law must be courteous.”

Before Elena could refuse, Holden answered calmly,

“Alright. Let’s go.”

They exited Green Garden Mansion together.

Holden opened the car door for her.

“Get in.”

“Grandma isn’t watching anymore. No need to act. I’ll take a taxi home,” Elena said softly.

Holden arched a brow.

“I thought you wanted to cooperate with me in front of Grandma. Get in. Don’t make me repeat myself a third time.”

So domineering.

But when he accepted her “peace agreement” last night, she was secretly relieved.

Elena stepped into the luxury car obediently.

The car sped down the road. Silence filled the space. Elena turned her face to the window, avoiding his eyes.

In the reflection of the glass, Holden’s silhouette appeared — broad shoulders, long fingers controlling the steering wheel with steady, confident motions, shifting lanes with ease.

A luxury steel watch adorned his wrist — worth tens of millions.

Elena still didn’t know who he truly was.

But the agreement between them made it much easier for her to survive in the Xia family.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the Xia residence.

Elena reached to unbuckle her seatbelt — but it wouldn’t budge.

“I’ll do it.”

Holden leaned over immediately.

Elena froze.

His scent — clean, cool, masculine — drifted over her.

His fingers brushed her arm.

Her body stiffened as he worked on the buckle.

Last night, he had already memorized her scent.

And now, with their bodies close again, her soft fragrance lingered beneath his nose once more.