Yu Qingwei let out muffled whimpers, her fair face flushing crimson in an instant. Tears welled up in her frightened eyes as she stared at Chen Liedong, her legs kicking wildly against the door with loud bangs.

Chen Liedong narrowed his eyes at her, then slowly lowered his head, drawing nearer.

Just then, Chen Hanshuo, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, suddenly blushed and, unable to bear listening any longer, fled downstairs to tattle to Madam Chen.

"Mom, just as you said—Yu Qingwei is nothing but a vixen. The moment Liedong returned, she had him pinned to the bed."

Madam Chen gasped in shock. "Is that true?"

Chen Hanshuo immediately exaggerated, "Absolutely. The noises were deafening. Young people these days really do have stamina." flicker of worry crossed Madam Chen’s brow. Her concern wasn’t that they were intimate—rather, she feared Chen Liedong’s indulgence might spoil Yu Qingwei, making her forget her place.

No, tomorrow I must find another chance to put her in her place.

Once the commotion outside ceased, Chen Liedong finally loosened his grip on Yu Qingwei.

But the moment he straightened, something darted toward his lower abdomen. Instinctively, he caught it—just as he was about to twist it forcefully, Yu Qingwei let out a muffled gasp. His movements faltered, and instead of forcing her, he pressed downward.

Unfortunately, Yu Qingwei was over twenty centimeters shorter than him. This downward motion drove her hand straight onto his firm abs.

Time seemed to freeze. The air hung suspended in that single moment.

Yu Qingwei’s gaze dropped, her eyes wide as she stared. For the first time, she truly understood the difference between men and women—women were soft, but men… were hard.

Wait, is it really okay to just grope someone’s abs right after they get back?

Not only was she flustered—even the ever-composed Colonel Chen’s brain short-circuited for three full seconds before he barked, "You’re seducing me!"

Yu Qingwei yanked her hand back, stammering, "I-I didn’t mean to… I just… I was—"

Her eyes darted around, refusing to meet his, while her palm burned as if clutching a branding iron.

Heavens, she had only meant to push him away in frustration—but she forgot one thing: Chen Liedong, a seasoned soldier, reacted ten times faster than her.

To him, her panicked fluster looked like a guilty defense. Scowling, he reprimanded her like a drill sergeant. "Don’t talk back. Stand against the wall."

Yu Qingwei pouted but obeyed.

Chen Liedong found her posture lacking. "Straighten up. Heels together, chest out, stomach in."

Gritting her teeth, Yu Qingwei stood as rigidly as possible—just to avoid his disdain.

Chen Liedong paced before her, hands behind his back. After five minutes, he finally spoke. "Know why I’m punishing you?"

Yu Qingwei thought, Because you’re a lunatic.

He coldly ordered, "From now on, answer my questions immediately—no delays, no silence. Understood?"

"Yes!" she snapped.

"Too quiet. Say it again."

"YES!!!" Her voice cracked, on the verge of tears. She wasn’t even his soldier—why was he treating her like one?

"Mm, good." Finally satisfied, Chen Liedong resumed his pacing.

After a while, he turned his back to her, as if making a grave decision. "Next time, if you want to touch me or seduce me, warn me first. No more ambushes. Do you know your hand almost got broken just now?"

Yu Qingwei’s face burned scarlet. "I-I wasn’t trying to—"

Chen Liedong cut her off, relentless. "Stand still. Don’t move until I dismiss you."

With that, he unbuttoned his military-green trousers right in front of her, revealing a perfectly tailored pair of briefs—and the sculpted physique beneath.

Then, with long, powerful strides, he entered the bathroom, turned on the shower, and began washing.

Yu Qingwei, meanwhile, was desperate to disappear into a hole in the floor. Because she was standing directly in front of the bathroom’s glass door, every movement inside was visible—him massaging shampoo into his hair, lathering body wash, the rich foam, the spray of water as he rinsed, the way he shook his head, sending droplets flying… His sun-kissed skin glistened under the light.

She sniffled. She had no idea a man could be so damn sexy.

Another sniff—and suddenly, something warm was trickling down her face.

She reached up, her fingers coming away stained crimson.

She had actually gotten nosebleed from peeping at a man…

Mortified, Yu Qingwei quickly wiped the blood away, stuffing the tissue into her pocket before Chen Liedong could notice.

When he emerged from the shower, he was pleased to see her still standing obediently. "Good. Dismissed."

Relieved that he hadn’t caught on, Yu Qingwei exhaled silently—but her gaze couldn’t linger on him for even a second. Instead, it drifted, almost helplessly, to the large black-bed in the room’s center.

Her chest tightened.