Chapter 511: Do not disturb

Penny and Zoren lay flat on their backs, staring at the ceiling as they tried to catch their breath. Their chests rose and fell heavily, their mouths open.

Penny didn’t need to recall last night’s events because she had just experienced them all over again. The intensity left her speechless. Last night, she had fallen asleep early after a long, exhausting day and an equally tiring night. But this morning, she still had energy to spare.

Zoren turned his head to the side and grinned before rolling onto his side to face her. Casually, he wrapped an arm around her.

"Love you," he murmured, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

It wasn’t the kiss that made Penny flinch—it was what he said so casually. Her eyes widened, and she turned to him, shock clear on her face.

"Hmm?" His eyebrows rose, noticing her strange gaze. "Want to do it again? I’m ready."

"Renren, what did you just say?"

"Hmm?" He tilted his head innocently. "I’m ready anytime you want."

Penny bit her lip and huffed. "Not that part."

"What did I say?"

"That... what you said before you kissed me... just now," she stammered, finding it difficult to bring it up, but Zoren only smiled.

"Ah." He nodded. "What about it?"

"Why would you say that?"

Now it was Zoren’s turn to look confused. "Am I not allowed to say what I’ve always wanted to tell you?"

"You love me?" she blurted out, realizing how silly she sounded.

They had kissed plenty of times, and not just simple kisses. They had been intimate the night before and just moments ago. Judging by the look on his face, he was ready for another round of passion.

So, the question sounded so misplaced.

"I do," he nodded, blinking in mild confusion. "I thought that was obvious."

"Ha... ha..." Penny laughed awkwardly, trying to recover from her moment of foolishness. "Yes, right, you do."

Her response only made him tilt his head. ’Did I say it wrong? Or did I sound insincere?’ Zoren blinked, pondering what made her react so awkwardly after he confessed his love.

Now that he thought about it, Zoren had never actually said those words to her before. Even though his actions had always conveyed it, he had never spoken them aloud. It wasn’t that he thought the words were unnecessary, but her presence alone had always been enough for him.

"By the way, Renren, isn’t it getting a little late?" she asked, changing the subject, not wanting to dwell on the unexpected declaration she had never heard in either of her lifetimes.

Even though Penny was loved in this life, no one had ever told her directly that they loved her. It wasn’t something she fixated on, but hearing those words out loud still came as a slight surprise. Yet, it wasn’t worth dwelling on, as she already knew he loved her. It had just caught her off guard.

"It’s still early," he replied, noticing she didn’t want to continue the conversation. But his mind lingered on it. "You can rest some more."

"But I promised I’d go home today. We even agreed to have breakfast at my parents’ house."

"Right." He nodded, smiling. "Shall we shower, then?"

"We?" Her brain tingled as his eyebrows wiggled. Penny instinctively slapped his chest in surprise. "Renren!"

Zoren laughed out loud, prompting her to say, "You’re teasing me too much!" He replied with a sincere, "I’m not joking, though."

Her face flushed, and she held her breath, lips sealed tightly. She couldn’t help but question the diagnosis the professionals had given him. Even in her own field, she began to wonder how he could be so energetic!

Then again, the surprise on her face gradually faded as she noticed the color in his cheeks—the pink blush, the redness at the tips of his ears, and his lips. He looked healthier. Zoren had been improving physically, mentally, and in his lab results.

But right now, he looked... normal. No signs of the paleness he once had.

’Come to think of it,’Penny thought, ’Everything we’ve done has been like exercise... with a good reward.’

Penny closed her eyes and giggled, realizing how perverted her thoughts had become. Even though there was some logic to it, deep down, she knew she was just finding an excuse for their behavior.

"Why are you giggling?" he asked, genuinely curious. "And it sounds mischievous. Am I in trouble?"

"Oh, come on! Of course not!" This time, she playfully slapped his chest. "Renren, want to shower together?"

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. Moments ago, she had been complaining and nearly crying. Now, she was asking the very question that had flustered her.

"Well..." His confusion didn’t last long as he grinned. He pulled her close, his face mere inches from hers. "I can’t promise I won’t do anything, though."

Penny bit her bottom lip, mentally shooing away the angel on her shoulder that was begging for mercy. "Mhm. It’s okay," she said bravely, stealing a quick kiss from him.

Zoren squinted as he felt an electric thrill travel from his lips all the way to his toes—and then to his growing arousal. "I guess we’re not going anywhere today, are we?" he murmured before claiming her lips, eliciting a giggle from her as they kissed.

Whatever had made her giggle surely had something to do with her newfound willingness. This time, she didn’t freeze or question him. She welcomed him, responding with the same hunger for more.

And just like that, Penny and Zoren ended up skipping the shower entirely as they rolled beneath the sheets, refusing to let go of each other. For this morning, they stayed locked in their little world, a world that was theirs alone.

---

Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the old Pierson residence, Old Mrs. Pierson laughed heartily. Butler Hubert, standing beside her, smiled in satisfaction as he straightened his posture after whispering the latest news to the old madam.

"Haha! I see, I see!" the old madam clapped happily, casting a knowing look at the butler. "If they haven’t left the bedroom yet, they’re probably still busy. Just let them be. Don’t let anyone near their room. Renren will come out when they’re hungry, but I’m sure he won’t let her leave today! Wahaha!"

After all, the night before, Zoren had made her a promise when he set down the tea she had given him: "I’ll prove to you that I don’t need this tea, Grandma. Though I might need a favor from you—please don’t let anyone disturb us if we don’t come out of the bedroom. I’m not letting her go."