The night in New York had a gentle chill, but inside the hotel suite, the air was warm and tinged with the faint scent of wine and luxury. Su Zhan lounged on the sofa, watching Eden McCain as she stood before the full-length mirror, examining herself in the new pajamas he had bought for her. The pajamas were a new Victoria's Secret design, costing nearly thirty thousand dollars. The fabric was so sheer and delicate that it seemed to shimmer in the low light, clinging to Eden's figure in a way that left little to the imagination.
Su Zhan could not help but sigh, half in admiration and half in mock distress. "Are you really going to wear it like that? Do you know you're insulting this dress? If the designer saw you pairing it with regular underwear, they'd probably faint on the spot."
Eden grinned, unbothered by his teasing. "The pajamas are beautiful, and I'll admit, they feel amazing. But honestly, they're so transparent that I might as well not be wearing anything at all. I'm not about to put on a show for you just because you spent a fortune."
She wore the pajamas but kept her undergarments on, creating a look that was neither fully daring nor entirely demure. Su Zhan watched her, half amused and half disappointed. He had been hoping to see the full effect of the designer's vision, but Eden was resolute. No amount of cajoling or flattery could persuade her otherwise.
After a while, Su Zhan gave up, shaking his head in defeat. "Fine, you win this round. Are you sleeping in the bedroom or out here in the living room?"
Eden considered for a moment, then shrugged. "I'll take the sofa tonight."
"Alright," Su Zhan replied, his tone light. "Get some rest."
Eden paused at the doorway, glancing back at him with a mischievous smile. "You're not upset, are you? Just because I didn't let you see what you wanted?"
He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Not at all. Honestly, if you had let me see everything, I'd probably be too excited to sleep."
Eden laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "Good night, Su Zhan."
"Good night, Eden," he replied.
She hesitated for a moment, then added quietly, "Thank you… for today." With that, she slipped out of the room.
Su Zhan watched her go, a sense of contentment settling over him. He had teased her, but only in good fun. He respected her boundaries, and the playful banter between them brought a warmth to the suite that lingered long after she left.
After the day's excitement and their gentle sparring, Su Zhan felt exhaustion creeping in. His body was still recovering from the strain of absorbing so many abilities at once, and he could feel the fatigue in his muscles and bones. He lay down on the bed, letting the softness envelop him, and soon drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
He did not know how long he slept, but when he awoke, the sky outside was still dark. The city was quiet, the usual hum of traffic muted in the early hours. Su Zhan stretched, feeling the pleasant ache of muscles slowly returning to normal. He could sense that his body had healed significantly overnight. The desperate virus and his self-healing ability were back to almost full strength, and he could feel the familiar tingle of his positioning power. Other abilities were also gradually returning, rising to the surface one by one.
He lay still for a moment, focusing on the sensations in his body. A strange new awareness filled his senses. He could hear the faintest sounds—the steady rhythm of Eden's heartbeat in the next room, the gentle rise and fall of her breathing, even the distant hum of the hotel's elevators. The world seemed to have grown sharper, every sound magnified and crystal clear.
"So this is super hearing," Su Zhan murmured to himself, marveling at the clarity. He listened for a while, enjoying the novelty, but soon realized that without control, the ability could become a curse. Every small noise was amplified, threatening to overwhelm him. He concentrated, gradually learning to dampen the effect, tuning out the background until only the sounds he wanted to hear remained. With effort, he found he could even shut off his hearing entirely, plunging himself into complete silence.
Satisfied with his progress, Su Zhan decided to test another new ability. He focused, willing his body to become transparent. Slowly, his form faded, and after a few moments, he was completely invisible. He grinned, pleased with the result.
"Invisibility… This would be such a waste if I didn't use it," he thought, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Moving silently, Su Zhan crept out of his room and made his way to the living room, where Eden was sleeping. She was sprawled across the sofa, clutching the quilt to her chest, one long leg exposed to the cool air. Her sleeping posture was anything but graceful, but there was a certain charm to it.
Su Zhan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "So tough during the day, but now… you're really not shy at all, are you?"
He moved closer, unable to resist the temptation to tease her just a little. He reached out and gently scratched the sole of her foot. Eden stirred, frowning in her sleep, but did not wake. Emboldened, Su Zhan let his fingers trail up her calf. Eden shifted, muttering something under her breath, then rolled onto her back, exposing her chest. The black, transparent pajamas left nothing to the imagination, and Su Zhan's eyes widened as he realized she had removed her underwear before falling asleep.
He was about to take a closer look when Eden suddenly opened her eyes. "Have you seen enough?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with warning.
Su Zhan froze, startled. "Wait—how did you know I was here? I'm invisible!"
Eden's eyes did not focus on him, but she continued, "I know you're looking at me. That's enough, or I'll get angry."
For a moment, Su Zhan wondered if she was bluffing. He held his breath, waiting to see if she would react further. Eden lay still for a while, then muttered softly, "Maybe I was imagining things…" She turned over and went back to sleep.
Su Zhan let out a silent laugh, both impressed and amused by her vigilance. "What kind of life has she lived to be this alert, even in her sleep?"
He shook his head and quietly slipped back to his room, deciding not to push his luck any further. Eden was not someone to be taken lightly, and he respected her boundaries.
When morning came, sunlight streamed through the windows, filling the suite with a golden glow. At nine o'clock, Eden knocked on Su Zhan's door, dressed and ready for the day. She looked refreshed, her hair neatly brushed and her clothes perfectly arranged.
Su Zhan smiled as he greeted her. "How did you sleep last night?"
Eden studied him for a long moment, her gaze steady and thoughtful. Finally, she nodded. "Not bad."
He grinned, sensing the unspoken challenge in her eyes. "Well, let's get started. We have a lot to do today."
As they prepared to face the day, Su Zhan felt a surge of excitement. His new abilities were settling in, and with Eden by his side, he knew that whatever challenges awaited them, they would face them together.