Chapter 56: Sleeping Fire Lotus

More than three months later.

Qin Mang was soaked as if she'd been drenched in water; her lips were moist and rosy, exuding a kind of indescribable allure and enchantment. When her lashes lifted, the sight was breathtaking.

He Lingji leaned in close to her ear and chuckled softly, "Were you thinking about it?"

Qin Mang, caught red-handed, almost bristled on the spot. Her husky voice was soft and tired, “You say that like you weren’t thinking about it.”

She just refused to admit defeat.

But she underestimated He Lingji’s shamelessness.

His long fingers slowly pressed against her palm, their fingers interlocking. Then he gently touched the corner of her moist eyes with a scent that was both cool and faintly fragrant. He whispered, “I was.”

“So, may I trouble Mrs. He today?”

Polite inquiry.

But—

He wasn’t waiting for her answer.

Qin Mang was caught off guard: “?”

When He Lingji said “trouble,”

he meant it—literally.

It was really exhausting.

…Three hours later.

Outside the still-open French windows, moonlight hung in the night sky like silk, cascading down and trailing from the sofa to the foot of the bed.

A brightly colored bottle had tipped over on the white carpet—almost full, barely used.

Because there was no need for any lubrication.

“You’re not done yet?”

Qin Mang felt like she was about to dehydrate.

One round after another.

And He Lingji, unlike ordinary men, was insatiable.

“It’s still early,”

He Lingji helped her sit up, speaking unhurriedly.

Originally, he was supposed to spend a whole day and night at the boxing club.

But just after warming up, Qin Mang interrupted him—so naturally, she had to help him “wind down.”

Qin Mang leaned into his ear. What she saw was the black manjusaka flower inked with dewdrops, mysterious tattoos curling downward, blooming amid icy hues.

Thankfully she had just wrapped filming—otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to get up the next day. And she’d have to face the camera, makeup on, with all the post-session marks still on her body.

What a sight that would be.

She slept until the afternoon.

That day marked the first onset of Qin Mang’s "little furnace"

constitution for the year.

Catching a glimpse of her nightgown and the neatly placed sheer blue lingerie on the pillow beside her, she curled her red lips, then pressed them flat again.

Hmph.

She wouldn’t be touched by such a small gesture.

After half an hour of waking up groggy, Qin Mang dragged her sore body into the bath, called for a massage, and arranged for a full-body beauty treatment.

Only then did she feel a bit more relaxed.

The masseuse looked at her radiant face and couldn’t help but sigh, “Ma’am, you seem even more beautiful than before.”

“Your skin looks so nourished too.”

She barely needed skincare products.

Qin Mang rested with her eyes closed, lazily replying.

But images from last night surfaced in her mind.

Nourished?

More like drained dry.

Her clean fingertips brushed against her smooth cheek. In a drawled, hoarse voice, she muttered, “Better rehydrate a little.”

By the time the whole treatment ended, the sky was beginning to darken.

Qin Mang figured He Lingji, the workaholic, had gone off to work.

But as soon as she stepped out, she ran into the refined man heading upstairs to his study from the living room.

Gone was yesterday’s wild abandon—He Lingji now wore a tailored, elegant suit, shirt buttoned all the way to the top. Pristine and restrained.

As if the beast beneath the surface could be sealed by merely changing clothes.

Qin Mang leaned lazily on the staircase railing, lashes lifting as she sized him up unabashedly. Then she muttered under her breath, “A beast in gentleman’s clothing.”

Secretary Cong, who followed behind, kept his eyes down and pretended he hadn’t heard anything.

He Lingji heard her clearly—but didn’t get mad.

Seeing her pouting face full of grievance, he handed the documents to Cong and casually asked, “Still not feeling well, Mrs. He?”

Qin Mang froze for a moment. She was in no mood to look at He Lingji right now. No matter what he said, it automatically translated in her head as mockery.

She couldn’t stand his smugness.

She exhaled slowly to stay calm.

After a few seconds of eye contact—

Her eyes, like fallen peach blossom petals, lifted ever so slightly, lips curling into a cold smirk.

Innocently, in a soft, teasing voice:

“Yeah, hubby. You’re so young and already not up to the task—of course I don’t feel well.”

“Look at President Zhou, nearly seventy, and still takes pills to please his young lover.”

“And you?”

“You can’t even satisfy your own wife!”

“Not satisfied?”

He Lingji’s eyes narrowed, a hint of danger glinting within. He gently traced her flushed cheek with his fingertip, lips curving slightly, “Where exactly are you not satisfied?”

Forget pills—last time he accidentally drank deer-blood wine, she couldn’t take it and ended up in the hospital with skin abrasions.

Always playing hard but couldn’t handle it.

Qin Mang slapped his hand away, knowing he was twisting her words.

She wanted him to finish quickly!

Why did it always take so long?

Trying to prove his endurance?

She stormed past him down the stairs, muttering word by word: “Nowhere is satisfied!”

Secretary Cong didn’t dare say a word.

But inside, he was giving her a standing ovation.

Legendary.

Since graduation, Cong had worked for Mr. He for years, and never seen anyone dare provoke him like this.

He didn’t even dare look at He Lingji and quickly changed the subject: “Mr. He, do you still have the video meeting later?”

Or will he be dealing with “domestic affairs”

?

“We’ll proceed with the meeting,”

He Lingji replied faintly, eyes lingering on the girl’s swaying silhouette before heading to the study.

Qin Mang had a bite to eat.

She rested her cheek on her palm, staring out the French window in boredom.

She really didn’t feel like reading any scripts today.

The butler offered her a parasol.

“Madam, would you like to take a walk in the garden?”

“Many flowers are blooming now—even the sleeping fire lotus we transplanted last year has blossomed.”

“Sleeping fire lotus?”

Qin Mang finally showed some interest.

The butler nodded.

“The sleeping fire lotus has a short bloom and is very delicate, but its beauty is exceptional.”

There were covered corridors from the door to the garden, so she wouldn’t be in the sun.

Qin Mang hated the heat.

But now the temperature had dropped a little.

Under the covered walkways, a special pond had been prepared for the fire lotus. From a distance, the pale purple petals stretched open, crowded together. The breeze swayed their branches, ripples forming in the clear water—dreamlike and surreal.

Even Qin Mang was stunned by the beauty.

“I’ve lived here so long and never seen this.”

The butler smiled.

“The He estate is huge. There are still many places you haven’t explored. Take your time.”

“There’s plenty of time.”

Indeed.

With such a big place—

Even after two years, she might not have seen every room.

Especially the backyard.

She rarely went there.

At first, she held back.

Then she started to let loose.

It was hot. A gardener was watering nearby.

Qin Mang lifted her skirt, revealing her slender pale legs, and took the hose.

Clear, cool water gushed out. She pinched the nozzle—turning the gentle stream into a playful spray, splashing everywhere.

A small rainbow even formed.

She played with the water happily.

Forgot the umbrella entirely.

Who knew how long it had been—

By the time He Lingji finished his meeting, he unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt as he walked, casually asking, “Where’s my wife?”

“In the garden.”

The garden?

He Lingji knew how lazy and pampered Qin Mang was.

In this heat, she was willing to go to the garden?

He paused, then headed downstairs and out.

Before seeing her, he heard her laughter—bright and clear, like wind chimes.

Under the dusk sky—

A field of pale purple fire lotuses swayed in the crystal-clear pond.

The girl wore a long white dress, the hem soaked and clinging to her calves, which she didn’t seem to mind. She held a green garden hose—not watering flowers, but clearly just playing.

Like a child.

So easily delighted by the simplest toy.

He Lingji stood under the great bodhi tree, no longer wearing his suit, just a pale blue silk shirt with the top buttons undone, revealing delicate, pale collarbones. Less of the usual dignified elegance—more of a youthful charm.

Qin Mang saw him and immediately remembered his high school graduation photo at his mother’s place the day before.

Same bodhi tree.

A crowd of fangirls in the background.

As He Lingji walked toward her—

Qin Mang’s eyes curved, full of mischief, like a little fox plotting trouble.

Sure enough, in the next second, she suddenly blocked half the water outlet with her finger and sprayed it at him—

The hose suddenly angled down like rain, soaking He Lingji through and through.

This time, He Lingji really laughed.

He casually ran a hand through his dripping short hair, his stunning and refined features sharp and striking.

Qin Mang tried to flee after her mischief.

But she had barely taken two steps—

Before a pair of strong arms caught her slender waist.

He abruptly pinned her against the railing beside the sleeping fire lotus pond.

Qin Mang’s waist went weak.

Her whole body was nearly leaning back, the sense of danger from being half-suspended made her instinctively grab the damp fabric of the man's shirt.

Unfortunately, because of her prank just now—

The silk on He Lingji’s body, soaked with water, clung tightly to his defined muscles. There was barely anywhere to hold on to—

Qin Mang could only think: hoisted by my own petard.

Who would have thought this dog of a man wouldn't play by the rules?

Wouldn't a normal person go change clothes after getting soaked?

But He Lingji!

His first reaction was to grab her and make her get soaked too.

“He Lingji!”

The girl's eyes, shimmering like a pool of clear spring water, seemed even more dazzling than the ripples on the water behind her stirred by the evening breeze.

Right now, they were full of panic.

He Lingji's thin lips curled into a smile.

“Do bad things, and you have to be ready to be caught.”

Caught under the eaves, Qin Mang played the pity card, trying to wrap her arms around his neck.

“Hubby, I’m scared.”

With her Golden Jue Award-nominated acting skills, she was flawless.

But alas—

He Lingji slowly leaned in, his gaze locking on hers as his long fingers rested on her wet skirt.

“Oh?”

…A few seconds later.

His voice deepened with laughter.

“But the more scared you are, the more excited you seem, Mrs. He.”

Qin Mang: “!”

Ahhhhh!

Someone was being a pervert in broad daylight with witnesses around!

However—

The He family's servants were all very well-trained.

They had already retreated when He Lingji arrived.

By the vast sleeping fire lotus pond, only the two of them remained.

Even if she screamed herself hoarse, no one would come.

The dusk sunlight was perfect—

Not glaring, not burning.

The hose Qin Mang had thrown aside still gushed water, splashing over her fair, jade-like feet.

Cool water beneath her—

But her body felt like it was being baked by the sun, getting hotter and hotter.

Yet He Lingji’s expression remained calm as ever as he asked, “Unsatisfied here, or here?”

Qin Mang: “Why are you so petty?”

He Lingji actually paused to consider, then said lightly, “Maybe… we’re cut from the same cloth?”

Qin Mang: “…”

Would it kill him to stop with the innuendos?

The goddess gave up.

She didn’t resist anymore, letting her full weight fall into He Lingji’s arms.

She didn’t believe he’d actually throw her into the pond.

If he dared—

She’d make sure to drag him in with her!

Fortunately—

The moment she gave up, He Lingji effortlessly caught her around the waist.

…

Last time on the rooftop beneath the starry sky, Qin Mang’s reaction was already intense.

This time—

Even more so.

No matter how bold He Lingji got, she wouldn’t get hurt anymore.

She was slowly learning to take more.

And so—

After that outdoor session beside the sleeping fire lotus pond, He Lingji rarely went to the boxing club or did extreme sports like flying helicopters or racing.

Before, Mrs. He had delicate skin and a tender body. A mere touch could hurt her, so he could never fully enjoy himself. Naturally, he needed other outlets.

But since that seven-day yacht trip, Qin Mang’s tolerance kept growing.

Every night, the routine was:

Pretend to be pitiful — get rougher treatment — throw a tantrum — try to take charge — get pinned again.

Over and over.

Defeated again and again, but never giving up.

What annoyed her most was how petty He Lingji was—just because she once teased him with “Mrs. He can't get satisfaction,”

he now used that every time to deny her normal sleep.

She had to be “completely satisfied”

before bed.

A few days off—

Qin Mang felt like she had lived half a lifetime.

So when Fu Yuan called with a job offer, Qin Mang jumped at it.

She loved her work.

This time it was a private appearance—

She had been invited to the wrap party of Our Time.

She had finished filming early on.

Now the entire movie was finally done.

The cast were all college students, mostly seniors. The director was young too, so everyone was relaxed and having fun.

Everyone had genuine love for this film—no ulterior motives.

Not yet tainted by the entertainment industry.

Full of hope for the future.

Qin Mang had been on many sets, but this was the most relaxed she’d ever felt. The filming had gone smoothly, without a single hiccup.

Just like the youth in the film, she relived a time of ambition and dreams.

Qin Mang rarely attended private parties, but this time she did.

Not just because of He Lingji.

In the nanny van—

Qin Mang held up a mirror to examine her face.

Since He Lingji returned home, they had been at it nearly every night. Every morning, she’d wake up and feel like her face no longer held that pure, innocent fairy vibe—but more of a seductive demoness look.

Her rosy eyes lacked makeup, yet they looked flirtatious, like she was winking without trying.

She grumbled, “All He Lingji’s fault.”

Fu Yuan, who was free today and had come to pick her up, glanced at her.

“What did the noble concubine do to displease the emperor this time?”

“Hasn’t she been obedient in bed every day?”

Qin Mang pressed her fingertip against the corner of her eye, trying to tone down the seductive aura.

“Too obedient.”

“This fairy no longer looks youthful and innocent.”

“More like a seductive fox spirit.”

“So annoying.”

Even more annoying was that no matter how many times they did it, He Lingji still looked abstinent and cold when dressed—like nothing happened at all.

Fu Yuan stared at her for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

“Well, that’s funny.”

Qin Mang: “Hm?”

Assistant Atong added, “You are the ultimate little demoness!”

“Look—next week’s fashion magazine shoot has a theme: the nine-tailed fox.”

Even the usually composed Fu Yuan couldn’t help but tease, “Noble Consort He really is the emperor’s capable aide.”

Qin Mang hadn’t expected the coincidence.

She glanced down.

Well.

Noble Consort He deserved her title.

The wrap party was in North City.

Everyone had changed into their characters’ graduation uniforms.

Qin Mang had worried her “just slept with a man”

face would clash with the school uniform.

But unexpectedly—

Wearing the school skirt, her smooth long hair tied up in a high ponytail, she revealed her beautiful face, full of youthful glow. Gone was the sultry allure—replaced with simple, exquisite purity. A picture-perfect schoolgirl.

On the rooftop banquet hall of the hotel, a group of people leaned against the railing, gazing at the starry night.

They exchanged looks—

And suddenly burst out laughing.

The director asked the female lead, Qin Mang, to say a few words.

Qin Mang rarely felt so relaxed, lounging lazily on a big leather sofa by the railing, sipping wine.

Even found the champagne too weak—

Asked the waiter for something stronger.

She wanted to refuse the director’s request.

After all, she never liked giving grand speeches.

But—

Under the night sky, a group of young people looked at her with eyes full of hope.

She was the most well-known in the cast.

The rest were all brand-new faces.

Qin Mang fell silent.

She thought of how she had once felt lost after graduation.

The search for dreams is a long journey—some never find the entrance their whole life.

She herself was still exploring.

Qin Mang thought a lot, but finally, she just slowly raised her glass, her eyes like galaxies: “May you all go forth and brave the thorns, bask in the highest glory—may youth and love never grow old.”

“This is—our time.”

The director personally recorded and edited the moment, posting it to the official Weibo.

A girl in a blue-and-white uniform under a sky full of stars, glowing like light itself.

> “Sobbing—this high school senior is crying. This is our time—what’s there to fear?”

> “Youth and love never grow old! If you have a crush, confess! Don’t leave regrets—after this, we may never meet again.”

> “Brave the thorns, bask in glory! Suddenly full of confidence!”

> “Whether we succeed or not—this future is ours!”

Qin Mang’s official fan club reposted the video:

> “This is your and my time—especially Qin Mang’s!”

It was originally a small-scale post.

Until an unexpected big name liked it—

The fans: Holy—He Lingji V?

The real one?

Am I blind?

Blind!?

Blind!!!