Chapter 44: Entangled Without End

Jiang Ran rode a bike carrying Su Ruan, and the handlebars were laden with the spoils they had just purchased.

Next to them rode Jiang Jiaojiao on a bicycle as well; having just scolded Su Yanhua and her daughter to a bloody extreme, she was in high spirits, and the three of them returned home chatting and laughing.

When they pushed open the door, they unexpectedly found the interior quiet; at this hour, Li Huijuan would normally be busy in the kitchen, and Jiang Nainai would be watering flowers in the yard or listening to the radio.

"Mom, Grandma? We're back!" Jiang Ran shouted at the top of his lungs.

The nanny Aunt Zhang emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands and smiling, "You're back?"

"The Factory Director and Sister Huijuan received a call this afternoon about some technical inspection team from the south; a rare opportunity, so they packed and caught the evening train, saying they'd be gone for five or six days."

"As for the old lady, this afternoon her old sister's son drove over to pick her up; she's gone to Linshi to stay a few days at a close friend's house to relax, and won't be back for several days."

As soon as that was said, Jiang Ran and Su Ruan hadn't even reacted when Jiang Jiaojiao's eyes lit up with a "Swish", as bright as a two‑hundred‑watt bulb!

"Everyone really left?" she exclaimed, unable to hide her ecstatic joy, clapping her hands sharply, "Great! Finally liberated!"

She instantly turned, facing Jiang Ran and Su Ruan, speaking at a rapid pace: "Um... my good friend has been inviting me out for a gathering for several days, and I've had no time! My parents and grandma are at home and I'm about to burst, so I won't be coming back tonight, ha!"

"It might not be tomorrow or the day after either! You two take care of the house, I'm off!"

After speaking, she flew like a bird finally freed from a cage, flinging the items in her hands onto the sofa, grabbing her small bag, and dashing out the door at a breakneck pace, fearing that even a second's delay would get her called back.

"Sister! Take care! Call home if anything comes up!" Jiang Ran called after her silhouette.

"Got it—" Jiang Jiaojiao's voice echoed from afar, full of excitement, as she vanished from sight.

In an instant, the spacious two‑story house was left with only Jiang Ran, Su Ruan, and the nanny Aunt Zhang busy in the backyard.

The air seemed to change, just at that moment.

Jiang Ran leisurely closed the door, turned, and looked toward Su Ruan beside him.

The sunset light filtered through the glass window, tracing a soft outline on her profile, her long lashes like a pair of tiny fans.

With the house suddenly just the two of them, a secret, ambiguous atmosphere quietly spread.

His Adam's apple rolled involuntarily; he walked over, took the thing Su Ruan was holding, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "... Everyone's gone, huh."

Su Ruan stared at his suddenly deepening eyes, not understanding what the little wolf dog was thinking.

Her cheeks warmed slightly, she gave a soft "mm," and pretended to be composed as she bent to change shoes, "Yeah, perfect for a few quiet days."

Jiang Ran watched her slender waist and the glimpse of her pale nape when she lowered her head, feeling a surge of heat rise from his lower abdomen, his blood rushing faster.

He recalled the bone‑crushing, soul‑devouring feeling of their wedding night; the following days, with the house crowded, he hadn't managed another chance to be close, and now, seeing Su Ruan's delicate face so near, inhaling her faint fragrance, it was as if countless tiny paws were scratching his heart.

He followed Su Ruan into the living room step by step, watching her sort the purchased items, her focused profile and slightly pursed lips all challenging his fragile self‑control.

"Wife..." he whispered, moving close, wrapping his arms around Su Ruan's waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, his voice thick with grievance and longing, "It's been several days..."

Su Ruan's body stiffened under his embrace, the apple in her hand nearly slipping out.

She, of course, knew what he meant; her face flushed hotter, she nudged him gently with her elbow, "Stop it, Aunt Zhang's still here."

"Aunt Zhang will finish cooking and go back to her own room, so she won't disturb us." Jiang Ran held her tighter, his scorching breath on her ear, pleading, "Wife, please... I miss you so much... just that one time, it's been days... I'm dying to..."

He nuzzled her neck like a large dog, his tone pitiful yet unmistakably urgent.

Su Ruan's whole body went limp from his nuzzling, the skin at her ears reddening as if about to bleed.

She was at a loss against his display; she said she refused, yet her heart fluttered oddly.

After all, once you taste marrow you know its flavor; she wasn't completely indifferent.

"You... you let go first, I'm all sweaty and want to take a shower..." she tried to find an excuse to escape.

At the mention of "shower," Jiang Ran's eyes brightened even more; instead of releasing, he grabbed her sideways and hoisted her up!

"Ah!" Su Ruan cried out, instinctively clinging to his neck, "What are you doing!"

"Shower!" Jiang Ran declared confidently, carrying her toward the upstairs bathroom, a mischievous grin on his lips, "I'll bathe with my wife, saves water!"

"Jiang Ran, put me down quickly! No one asked for you to join..."

Su Ruan, embarrassed and frantic, pounded his shoulder; the force felt to Jiang Ran like a light tickle.

"Regardless, I want to stay, I will stay!"

Jiang Ran, still holding her, took a few steps onto the stairs, kicked the bathroom door open, swung his foot to shut it, gently set her onto the tiled floor, and with a "Clack" locked the door.

In the cramped space, only the two of them remained, along with the slowly rising, ambiguous heat.

Jiang Ran pressed her against the door, his gaze blazing as if to devour her.

He lowered his head, his forehead touching hers, their noses brushing, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.

"Wife, don't push me away... I promise, this time... okay?"

As he spoke, a scorching kiss descended, traveling from her forehead to her nose, then to the long‑desired lips, bearing an undeniable force and days‑long yearning.

Su Ruan was dizzy from his kiss; any faint resistance had long evaporated.

Steam swirled in the bathroom, the temperature climbing step by step...

Steam filled the bathroom, warm water cascading from the showerhead; the hazy white mist blurred the mirror and the surging emotions in their eyes.

Jiang Ran gently pressed Su Ruan against the wall of white tiles; the icy touch made her shiver slightly, then his scorching body tightly enveloped her.

He lowered his head, seizing her lips—not the gentle probing before, but a forceful, days‑long hunger and dominance, charging straight in, entangling without end.

The shower's stream drenched Jiang Ran's hair; droplets slid down his sharply defined jawline, landing on Su Ruan's pinkish skin, evaporating instantly with a shiver.

At first, Su Ruan retained a trace of shyness, her hands pressing against his solid chest, trying to create a gap, but he held her even tighter in his embrace.

Jiang Ran's kiss bore undeniable force, stealing her breath and shattering her reason.

Amid the swirling steam, his scorching gaze was like a wolf locked onto prey—focused and dangerous—making her heart flutter and her limbs go weak.

"Jiang Ran..."

She barely managed to turn her head; her faint whimper was drowned by the water, sounding more like an unconscious invitation.

"I'm here..."

The soaked fabric clung to her skin, outlining seductive curves.

The slightly cool air brushed her skin, stirring tiny particles.

The warm water streamed directly over her skin, and Su Ruan couldn't help letting out a startled gasp, instinctively trying to curl up, but he held her waist tightly.

"Don't be afraid…" his voice was hoarse, his forehead pressed against hers, droplets continuously fell from his hair tips, his eyes held a storm of restrained force, "Look at me, RuanRuan…"