Zhou Huai'an pushed the door open and froze at the sight before him. Her skin was a vision of pure white, smooth and warm like fine jade.

Scarlet red strings were tied around her neck and waist. As Lin Xiaoxiao turned, the movement hinted at glimpses of something even more alluring.

He swallowed hard, a fire igniting within him. It burned from his core, spreading through his body until his mouth felt dry.

Lin Xiaoxiao, finally sensing someone in the room, remembered in panic that she'd left the door unlocked for Zhou Huai'an—and in her earlier excitement, she'd forgotten to close it.

Covering her chest, she turned to find Zhou Huai'an standing there. The light carved out the intensity of his features, and in his eyes flickered two small, burning flames.

Her heart, which had nearly stopped from fright, began beating again. She patted her chest. "You scared me to death!"

Then she knelt up, looking at him with a shy, coy expression. "Do you like it?"

Zhou Huai'an swallowed again and managed a low "Mmm." His feet seemed to move on their own, carrying him toward the bed.

Lin Xiaoxiao was all talk but had little real experience. A mix of anticipation and nervousness made her blush—a rare show of shyness as she watched him approach. Whether from embarrassment or the reflection of the red cloth, her cheeks were flushed a deep rose, like a tender peach blossom in full bloom.

Zhou Huai'an reached the bedside. Almost instinctively, his hand came to rest on her shoulder.

The soft, smooth feel of her skin shattered the last traces of his restraint. He leaned down, pulling her firmly into his arms...

In the midst of their growing passion, a sliver of rationality returned to Lin Xiaoxiao. "The door... is it closed?"

"It's closed," Zhou Huai'an replied, his voice rough. But his grip remained firm, making her feel as though her waist might break under his hands.

Somewhere in the background, the radio had begun playing music—a soft, lingering melody reminiscent of Jiangnan's rainy seasons, evoking a hazy, indescribable intimacy.

Lin Xiaoxiao whimpered that it hurt, and Zhou Huai'an coaxed her gently, "Bear with it a little, alright?"

Later, Lin Xiaoxiao was too exhausted even to murmur. Drifting in and out of sleep, one clear thought surfaced: Zhou Huaian's appetite in bed was relentless. She needed to start exercising—the strength difference was too great, and she was at a distinct disadvantage during sex.

She didn't know what time she finally fell asleep. As she drifted off, she could've sworn she heard a rooster crowing somewhere. Half-conscious, she still managed to ask dutifully, "Have you eaten?"

She didn't hear his answer. When she opened her eyes again, her body felt clean, but she could barely lift her arm.

She sighed. It seemed she'd gotten the short end of the stick.

After lying still for a while and hearing no movement outside—though Zhang Yimei's mother-in-law was already yelling again—a sudden thought occurred to her: How good was the soundproofing in these houses? Could the neighbors have heard them last night?

It took some effort to sit up. Looking down at the marks on her body, she shook her head. She'd clearly provoked a starving wolf.

Moving slowly, she got out of bed. There was no sign of Zhou Huai'an in the main room, but a lunchbox sat on the small table with a note underneath reminding her to eat and saying he wouldn't be back until evening.

It was a dry, practical note—just his whereabouts and a reminder to eat. Not a single sweet word in sight.

Lin Xiaoxiao pouted, tossed the note aside, and touched the lunchbox. It was still slightly warm.

Inside was a portion of tomato and egg noodles, now somewhat soggy.

She figured Zhou Huai'an must have made it early that morning. The noodles were unevenly cut, but he hadn't skimped on the eggs.

Her mood lifted. They say there's nothing like a bowl of congee in the morning—well, she had tomato and egg noodles. In this day and age, not everyone could afford eggs and white flour noodles.

She waddled outside like a duck to wash up, then picked a pepper from the garden, washed it, sprinkled some salt on it, and had it as a side dish—a trick she'd learned from their previous landlady.

It tasted pretty good.

Sitting on a small stool, she slowly enjoyed her rather late breakfast when Zhou Xiaoling burst in energetically. "You really are back! Why didn't you tell me? If I hadn't seen my brother at work today, I would've gone to the city looking for you!"

Tears streamed down Lin Xiaoxiao's face from the spicy pepper. "We got back late the night before last," she said, breathing heavily. "Your brother went to work, and I was busy cleaning—I just forgot to let you know."

She felt a little guilty. She really had forgotten yesterday.

Zhou Xiaoling didn't mind. She pulled up a stool and sat opposite Lin Xiaoxiao, pouring her a cup of water when she saw her tearing up. "If you can't handle spice, why eat it? You're just making yourself suffer."

Lin Xiaoxiao protested, "I can handle spice! It's just that the peppers Sister Dong grew are too hot." She changed the subject. "What do you want for lunch? I'll cook."

Zhou Xiaoling shook her head. "Anything is fine. I'm just so glad you're back. Does this mean I can come over for meals every day? Don't worry, I'll pay for my share."

Then she noticed the red marks on Lin Xiaoxiao's neck. "Do you need mosquito coils? I have some from work that I haven't used yet. I can bring them over."

Lin Xiaoxiao choked on her water and quickly declined. "No, no, we have mosquito coils."

Zhou Xiaoling touched her own neck. "Then what bit you there?"

A moment later, it seemed to dawn on her. "Don't tell me it was my brother?"

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "If your brother hears you saying that, he'll have words with you. Do you have the day off today?"

Zhou Xiaoling nodded. "Yeah, I haven't had a day off in ages. I'm off today and tomorrow. I was actually at the logistics department waiting for a ride into the city when I saw Director Li heading that way too. I thought about catching a ride with him, but then I saw my brother."

She sighed with relief. "I almost made a pointless trip."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt apologetic again. "That's on your brother. He should've told you he was at the unit."

Zhou Xiaoling agreed. "Yeah, it's his fault. But let me tell you some gossip." She leaned in close and lowered her voice. "That Director Li Guohao—he actually wore cologne to go into the city today! I almost choked on the smell. Good thing I didn't end up riding with him, or I'd have been fumigated to death like a mosquito."

She couldn't help adding, "I mean, an older man like him, going to meetings in a starched white shirt, creased trousers, and those formal leather shoes... It's weird, right?"

After yesterday's suspicions, Lin Xiaoxiao was now certain: Li Guohao had someone in the city. It was a shame Dong Hongmei didn't know and still defended him so fiercely.

She couldn't help but wonder: Who was Li Guohao's lover?