“Tao...” Bai Ru’s disheveled hair framed her delicate face as she emerged from the sleeping bag, resting her head against Lin Tao’s chest. Her breath was warm and unsteady, her eyes filled with emotion as she gazed at him. Slowly, she parted her lips and whispered, “I want to give you something… the most precious thing I have.”

  Lin Tao stiffened, conflicted. Taking Bai Ru in a situation like this—what would that mean? How could he bring himself to leave her afterward?

  “Don’t make me look down on you, okay?” Bai Ru’s voice was almost fused with his, their lips barely apart. Her breath carried a soft, intoxicating sweetness as she spoke gently, “This isn’t a transaction, nor is it a shackle. It’s simply the natural course for lovers. I’ve fallen for you… and you’ve fallen for me too, haven’t you?”

  Her expectant gaze made Lin Tao hesitate only for a moment before he finally nodded. There was something about Bai Ru that deeply attracted him—her honesty, her ck of pretense. He admired that quality in a woman, and he admired her even more for possessing it.

  “I knew it,” Bai Ru chuckled softly, her ughter like a delicate melody. She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the lips. Her voice was barely a whisper, fragrant with warmth. “Neither of us wants to leave behind regrets, right? Even if you must leave me tomorrow, at least we’ll have this beautiful memory.”

  “But you have to understand… once we do this, I won’t be able to let you go.” Lin Tao’s voice was strained, his hands trembling as he resisted the urge to touch her. He knew her body must be exquisite, yet what would he become if he gave in? A heartless man who abandoned her afterward?

  Bai Ru’s expression turned serious as she looked directly into his eyes. “Would you rather I end up giving my first time to someone I don’t love? Or worse, be forced into it by someone vile just to survive? Do you want me to suffer the same fate as Ah Xue—so lost that she doesn’t even remember who took her innocence?”

  Her voice rose slightly, her conviction unwavering. But seeing Lin Tao at a loss for words, she softened again. Resting her head against his chest, she traced his face gently with her fingers, murmuring, “I know you’re thinking of me, but I don’t want this kind of kindness. At least this way, my first time will be with someone I chose. If one day, I’m left with no choice but to escape this world, then at least I’ll have one less regret.”

  Lin Tao sighed deeply, inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair as he held her tighter. “Bai Ru… but if you do this, the regret will be mine.”

  Bai Ru suddenly lifted her head and pyfully punched his chest, gring at him. “What kind of man are you? I’m practically throwing myself at you, and you—you’re hesitating like some indecisive fool! Where’s that decisive, fearless attitude you always have? Did your courage get eaten by a dog?”

  “Uh…” Lin Tao scratched his head awkwardly, caught off guard by her sudden shift in demeanor. He watched as she blushed deeply, hurriedly tugging at her own T-shirt. Stunned, he could only stare, two words fshing in his mind—desperate hunger. But he knew it wasn’t mere physical desire; Bai Ru’s ‘hunger’ carried the weight of helplessness and despair.

  “You useless man, do I have to take the lead myself?” She grasped the nearly torn fabric of his shirt, panting softly, her chest rising and falling. The sight of her delicate, snow-white curves left Lin Tao dazed.

  Then she gritted her teeth and decred, “Fine, no more talk of love. Let’s make this a deal, then. You sleep with me, and you take responsibility for me for the rest of your life. That way, you won’t be conflicted anymore. So? Are you in or not? If you refuse, I’ll look down on you forever. You’ll be the coward who had the desire but not the guts—even with a naked woman in front of him!”

  Lin Tao stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. He had never expected such a fierce, headstrong side beneath Bai Ru’s gentle exterior. But then, he smiled. Looking into her eyes, his gaze softened. He cupped her face gently and whispered, “Then you’ll be my wife for life.”

  Bai Ru’s eyes widened slightly, then she rolled them in exasperation. “Wife it is! What, did you think you could use me and leave?” With that, she pounced, capturing his lips in a kiss—eager, but clumsy. Despite her on-screen experience in romantic roles, her technique was unpracticed, her pink tongue hesitating and uncertain. It was only when Lin Tao took the lead, drawing her in deeper, that she melted against him completely, her body going limp in his arms.

  As his calloused hand slid down to her soft curves, a sudden wet warmth under his fingers made Lin Tao’s breath hitch. It was the undeniable proof of her desire, and it sent fire rushing through his veins. With a swift motion, he turned her over, pinning her beneath him.

  But no matter how poised she seemed in the world’s eyes, Bai Ru was still untouched. Feeling his hands explore the st sacred pce on her body, she shuddered violently. A moment ter, she gasped and pushed against his chest, breathless. “W-wait!”

  Lin Tao stopped, his burning gaze locked onto her flushed face. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out now.” His voice was thick with restraint, his body aching for her. She was breathtaking—full, curvaceous, and utterly captivating. He was barely holding himself back.

  “It’s just… this isn’t how I imagined it,” Bai Ru panted, her fingers pressing against his chest. She wrinkled her nose, looking both flustered and aggrieved. “You’re being too rough.”

  Lin Tao exhaled a shaky ugh. “Well, you should’ve said something earlier. You looked so eager that I… I got carried away.”

  Gently, he peeled her hands from his chest, lowering his head to kiss her once more—this time, with patience and tenderness. Each kiss sent ripples of sensation through her, making her body tremble beneath him.

  “Tao…” Bai Ru whimpered, gripping his shoulders. Her voice was breathless, her skin flushed a delicate shade of red. She bit her lip before whispering, “Tell me… earlier, when you said I’d be your wife… you weren’t just saying that to coax me, were you? Be honest. Even if you leave right after this, I won’t bme you.”

  Lin Tao didn’t hesitate. “I meant every word.”

  Bai Ru’s arms tightened around his neck, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, “If you ever lie to me… I’ll never forgive you.”

  Lin Tao kissed her forehead softly. “I’ll never break my promise.”

  Tears welled in Bai Ru’s eyes, but she smiled. Slowly, she wrapped her legs around his waist, surrendering herself completely. Her voice was barely audible, trembling with anticipation. “Then take me with you. No matter what we face… let’s face it together.”

  Lin Tao held her closer, his heart pounding. “I will protect you… with my life.”

  The night deepened outside the service area, but within the cocoon of their sleeping bag, a new bond was forged—one that neither time nor fate could easily break.