My online dating circle has millions of followers, why would she put a collar on me?

The room wasn't big; a large bed took up most of the space. On the bedside table were two bottles of mineral water and a box of condoms sold by the hotel, clearly priced at fifteen yuan each.

Jiang Yi's gaze quickly swept over the box of condoms, pretending not to see it.

Xia Anmian was calmer than him. She walked into the room, put her bag on a chair, looked around, and commented, "It's cleaner than I expected."

"Hmm, it's quite clean." Jiang Yi stood at the door, unsure whether to go in or stay put.

He found that he could make up all sorts of lies without blinking when faced with messages from Su Xiaoyue, but when he was alone in a room with his girlfriend, he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.

Xia Anmian turned around, looked at him standing helplessly at the door, and suddenly laughed.

"Jiang Yi, are you planning to stand at the door all night?"

"No, I just am..."

"Come in and close the door, it's cold outside."

Jiang Yi said "Oh," closed the door, and walked to the bedside to sit down. The mattress was softer than he had imagined; he sank in as soon as he sat down, which startled him, and he quickly moved to the side.

Xia Anmian took off her trench coat and hung it on the hanger, revealing a black knit sweater underneath.

The clothes fit her perfectly, highlighting her slender waistline and the fair skin below her collarbone.

Jiang Yi glanced at it and quickly looked away, staring at the box of condoms on the bedside table, feeling as if his face was burning hot enough to fry an egg.

"I'm going to take a shower." Xia Anmian took out toiletries from her bag and went into the bathroom.

The door closed.

The sound of rushing water filled the air.

Jiang Yi sat alone on the bed, finally having the chance to take out his phone.

As soon as the screen lit up, he knew why it was shaking so violently.

Su Xiaoyue sent a voice call request, but after it was not answered, she sent several messages in succession.

Little Moon: Honey, why aren't you answering the phone?

Little Moon: Didn't you say you'd contact me tonight? (╥﹏╥)

Little Moon: You didn't fall asleep again, did you?

Little Moon: Honey, please talk to me...

The last message was posted two minutes ago.

Jiang Yi took a deep breath and quickly typed a reply: "I was outside just now and couldn't answer the phone. I was just about to call you, what's up?"

After sending the message, he stared at the screen, straining his ears to listen to the sound of water in the bathroom, making sure Xia Anmian wouldn't suddenly come out.

Messages are replied to almost instantly.

Little Moon: Honey! I thought something had happened to you!

Little Moon: You scared me to death, you know that!

Jiang Yi: "I'm really fine, I'm just a little busy today."

Little Moon: The doctor said I'm recovering exceptionally well!!! I'm already home!!!

Little Moon: Honey, I have to tell you, I weighed myself today and I've lost another pound!

Jiang Yi: "It's good to be thin, but don't skip meals just to lose weight. Your body is still in the recovery period, so you need to make sure you get enough nutrition."

Little Moon: Okay (´•ω•`)

Little Moon: Honey, you're so good to me.

The sound of water running in the bathroom stopped.

Jiang Yi's heart jumped, and his fingers flew as he typed: "Baby, I have something to do here, let's talk tomorrow. You go to sleep first, goodnight."

After sending the message, he didn't wait for a reply, immediately put his phone on silent, and tucked it under his pillow.

Then, as quickly as possible, pick up your phone and pretend to be looking at your WeChat Moments.

The bathroom door opened.

Xia Anmian came out wearing a nightgown, her hair wrapped in a towel, and her face flushed from just taking a shower.

Her nightgown was light pink, made of cotton, and had a conservative style that looked like it had been picked up from a supermarket shelf. The neckline was neither too high nor too low, and the hem reached her knees.

But even in such a conservative nightgown, she looked inexplicably beautiful.

Jiang Yi's gaze lingered on her for a second before quickly shifting away.

"Go wash up." Xia Anmian said casually, drying her hair with a towel, as if she were at home.

Jiang Yi grunted in agreement, took his change of clothes, and went into the bathroom.

The bathroom still smelled of Summer Sleep Shower Gel, a light, sweet, milky scent.

He stood under the showerhead, hot water pouring down from head to toe, his mind a complete mess.

Su Xiaoyue's message was still under his pillow. He dared not imagine Xia Anmian's expression if she had come out two seconds earlier and seen him holding that phone.

He rubbed his face vigorously, pulling himself out of those chaotic thoughts.

After taking a shower, Xia Anmian was already in bed.

She was leaning against the headboard, looking at something on her phone. When she heard the noise, she looked up at him, then put her phone on the bedside table and moved it aside to make room for him.

"come over."

Jiang Yi walked over, lifted the blanket, and lay down.

The mattress sank deeper under their weight, and the distance between them was less than twenty centimeters. He could feel the warmth emanating from her body.

The light is still on.

No one bothered to close it.

The room was so quiet that you could hear the hum of the air conditioner on the wall.

"Jiang Yi," Xia Anmian suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

Are you nervous?

"...A little bit," Jiang Yi honestly admitted.

Xia Anmian turned her head to look at him and suddenly smiled. Her smile appeared especially soft under the warm yellow light; the curve of her lips was not large, but her eyes were full of laughter.

"I have a little bit too."

Jiang Yi was taken aback.

He had known Xia Anmian for over two years, and this was the first time he had heard her say she was nervous.

In his memory, Xia Anmian was always calm, composed, and able to handle anything calmly.

If she says she's not nervous, then she really isn't nervous at all; if she says she's a little nervous, then she's probably extremely nervous.

"Mianmian." He reached out and covered her hand, which was outside the blanket.

Her hands were much smaller than his, with slender fingers and distinct knuckles; holding them in her palm felt like holding a warm piece of jade.

Xia Anmian's fingers twitched, and she clasped his hand in return, their fingers intertwined.

Neither of them moved.

They held each other's hands quietly, as if they wanted to convey all the feelings they had accumulated over the past two years through this simple gesture.

After a while, Xia Anmian released her grip.

Then she turned over to face him, reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

Jiang Yi's body stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

He raised his hand and placed it on her back, feeling the warmth of her body emanating from through her thin nightgown.

"Jiang Yi." Her voice was muffled, coming from his chest.

"Um."

She slowly lowered her head, buried her face in his chest again, and softly uttered a single word: "Okay."

Then she drew a small circle on his chest with her finger.

The movement was very light, like a butterfly flapping its wings.

But Jiang Yi's breath caught in his throat for half a second.

"Mianmian..." His voice trailed off.

Xia Anmian didn't speak, but simply removed her hand from his chest, then propped herself up and looked down at him.

Her nightgown's neckline drooped slightly, revealing a small section of her collarbone, which looked like meticulously carved white jade under the dim light.

She lowered her head and kissed him.

The kiss was light, fleeting, like a test, or perhaps an invitation.

Jiang Yi's mind went blank for a moment.