Tống Dực pulled open the curtains, letting the sunlight stream in.
The exceptionally hot and humid summer sun shone into the small room, illuminating a delicate figure lying on the bed.
Ca Tiểu Ly found the sunlight in her eyes a little uncomfortable. Her face, flushed red from the heat, scrunched up, and her forehead was already drenched in sweat from being under a thick duvet.
She mumbled adorably:
“Ugh… why is it so hot?—“
Tống Dực, his eyes full of doting affection, wiped the sweat from her smooth forehead:
“Bao bei, wake up quickly.”
Ca Tiểu Ly frowned. She had wanted to sleep a little longer, but the oppressive heat made it impossible.
So, her beautiful eyes slowly opened, and the first thing she saw was the handsome face of her *gege*, who was two years older than her.
Immediately, she threw herself into his firm chest, wanting to be pampered:
“Gege, Xiao Ly really missed you.”
Even though they saw each other every day, this little silly girl’s constant reliance on him made Tống Dực smile a satisfied smile in a spot Ca Tiểu Ly couldn't see.
Yes, she had to rely on him, trust him, like this forever.
Regaining his gentle expression, he tenderly stroked her rosy, fair cheeks:
“Bao bei, wake up. Didn't I say Gege would take you out to eat today?”
Hearing that the most important task of her life was eating, Ca Tiểu Ly’s eyes immediately lit up, and she grinned widely:
“Yes, yes, Gege promised to take me out to eat. Let’s go quickly… Gege!” She herself had forgotten that she was too excited to sleep last night, only falling asleep past midnight, yet this morning her spirits were still so high and enthusiastic.
Tống Dực tapped her small nose:
“You’re all drenched in sweat like a little kitten, where are you going like that? Come on, I’ll carry you to the bath.”
With that, he lifted her into his arms like a little princess, and Ca Tiểu Ly thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the firm hands carrying her.
Then she thought about it. A bath? Oh, her older brother had said that she shouldn't let boys touch or see her body.
Thinking this, when Tống Dực reached out to take off her pajamas, she immediately stopped him, looking at him with embarrassment:
“Dực Gege, let me—I can do it myself.”
After saying it, she felt a little shy, because Tống Dực had always bathed her from childhood until she was in middle school.
He was puzzled:
“What’s wrong, Bao bei? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?” *She dared to refuse him?*
Ca Tiểu Ly, clearly unaware of what he was thinking, retorted:
“I’m fine. But I’m grown up now. Second Brother said that I shouldn’t let men touch my body.”
“Then who do you intend to let touch your body?”
“Second Brother said only my husband can touch me.” She paused for a moment, then continued, “So, you should go out—”
Tống Dực’s gaze turned deep and sharp.
His aura immediately turned unbearably cold, frightening Ca Tiểu Ly, who was pouting her pretty lips.
Her eyes trembled as she secretly glanced at him, then immediately lowered her head.
Just like an incredibly adorable little rabbit.
Tống Dực realized his impropriety, withdrew his gaze, regained his gentle expression, and softly stroked her head:
“Xiao Ly, don’t you like Gege?”
Ca Tiểu Ly immediately retorted:
“Of course I do! Xiao Ly likes Gege!”
“If Xiao Ly likes Gege so much, don’t you want to marry Gege later?”
“Marry? What does ‘marry’ mean?”
Ca Tiểu Ly asked with a bewildered look, which made Tống Dực smile beautifully:
“It means Xiao Ly will become my wife, and later I’ll spoil you, we’ll be together for life, never leaving my side.”
“Then—I’ll marry Gege later, I’ll be Gege’s wife forever!”
Tống Dực seemed very satisfied with her answer, and continued to coax her:
“If you agree to be my wife, then from now on, you’re not allowed to refuse me anything, understand?”
Ca Tiểu Ly nodded her small head.
Tống Dực stroked her soft hair:
“Good girl.”
“Now, shall I bathe you, darling?”
“Yes.”