They almost fought in the water.

As Fu Xiling pulled Shi Zhi back, she kicked him squarely in the chest with surprising agility.

Unfortunately, her strength was no match for his. She failed to use the momentum to escape and was instead dragged back into his arms, her wrists firmly pinned.

The sound of water surrounded them, drowning out the serene moonlit breeze from the rooftop.

The pool water, warmed by the scorching sun all day, felt like smooth silk. Beside them was the deep end of the pool, stretching down to 1.8 meters, a serene expanse of glimmering blue.

Shi Zhi glared at Fu Xiling.

The water’s clarity stung a bit, making her skin around the eyes slightly red, giving her a delicate, pitiful appearance. But her strikes showed no mercy.

Fu Xiling had just caught her wrist when she bit down on his arm without hesitation.

Her lips were beautiful—soft, pressing against his skin firmly.

Amused, Fu Xiling silently smiled, tilted her chin, and kissed her.

They were like two water beasts, wrestling and tangling in the pool. Eventually, Fu Xiling restrained both her wrists with one hand, pressing them against his chest as he kissed her again and again, pulling her into the depths of the pool.

Only when they were almost out of oxygen did he bring them both back to the surface.

Shi Zhi climbed onto the pool’s edge stairs, returning to the shallower 1.5-meter area.

Her senses tingled, an intoxicating rush coursing through her.

She leaned back against the pool’s edge, panting softly, trying to steady her breath.

They looked like they had weathered a storm, their hair dripping endlessly.

Fu Xiling waded over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and lifted her to sit on the pool’s edge. Then he effortlessly hoisted himself out of the water as well.

Shi Zhi remained silent.

To be honest, she could be a bit heartless, the type to turn her back quickly. The kiss with Fu Xiling had been undeniably enjoyable, but now that her emotions had settled, she didn’t want any interference—especially not the kind of hesitant, apologetic remarks like:

“About earlier…”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

She had to admit, in some ways, Fu Xiling was perfect for her taste.

He had a laid-back, roguish charm. Direct, unrestrained, and without the pretense of post-mistake guilt or compensatory gestures.

Composed and straightforward, he casually asked, “Want a drink?”

Today, Shi Zhi had come to help Fu Xiling, so she didn’t need to worry about paying for drinks.

Without hesitation, she pointed to the priciest bottles in the ice bucket. “Champagne.”

Fu Xiling didn’t hold back either.

He grabbed the most expensive bottle, shook it a few times, and expertly twisted off the cork without any tools, tossing it into a nearby trash can.

There weren’t any champagne flutes by the pool—safety measures to avoid broken glass—so they’d have to fetch some from the terrace entrance.

Too lazy to bother, they drank straight from the bottle, sitting side by side by the shimmering pool.

The night deepened, the distant buildings now mostly dark, only a few scattered lights twinkling.

The moon remained bright, but Shi Zhi didn’t find herself musing about its beauty.

She stubbornly believed that the moon was only more beautiful in the world of the wealthy.

Even though the moon hung timelessly in the sky, it wasn’t beautiful during those ordinary nights—nights when she was either buried in her studies in the dormitory or handling drunk customers’ unruly behavior at the bar.

Checking the bar’s daily earnings, inspecting utilities, turning off the neon signs, pulling down the rusty shutters, spraying insecticide in the room—there were always mundane tasks. She never had the leisure to admire the moon.

Fu Xiling finished the last of the champagne, set the bottle down, and called the staff, instructing them to send someone up to clean the area.

Holding his phone, he walked to the lounge area and returned with two robes and towels, handing one to Shi Zhi.

Shi Zhi dried her hair, slipped on the robe, and turned to look at Fu Xiling.

He pulled his drenched black tank top off with one hand, revealing his toned upper body.

He casually donned a robe and draped the towel over his head, giving his hair a few quick rubs.

Throughout the process, Fu Xiling didn’t shy away from Shi Zhi’s gaze.

When he noticed her watching him, he met her eyes boldly, maintaining the connection.

Someone on the other end of his call said something, and Fu Xiling responded with a curt “Mm,” his gaze still locked on Shi Zhi.

After hanging up, he raised his arm, deliberately glancing at the bite mark she had left on him.

Shi Zhi followed his gaze.

The mark was still there, deep and visible.

“You really went hard,” Fu Xiling remarked, his damp hair sticking up slightly as he tied the robe belt. “Want to stay for a midnight snack?”

She couldn’t deny the underwater kiss had been amazing, a unique kind of pleasure she’d never felt before.

Shi Zhi didn’t refuse. She slipped her phone into her robe pocket and followed Fu Xiling to his room.

The room was adjacent to his office, filled with personal belongings—clearly his usual resting spot.

Several 1000%-scale Bearbrick figures lined the entrance. A gaming controller and tablet were tossed on the couch.

There was no TV; a projector screen dominated an entire wall.

“I need to shower,” Shi Zhi said.

Fu Xiling nodded, leading her to the en-suite bathroom. “Use this one. Grab some clothes from my wardrobe; there are new ones.”

Though he said so, Shi Zhi avoided touching the ridiculously expensive T-shirts in his closet.

Not wanting to owe him, she simply showered and came out wearing the robe.

She picked up a hair dryer, inspecting it curiously—it was evident Fu Xiling indulged in life’s finer things, even with something as simple as a dryer. The airflow was comfortable and gentle, unlike her cheap one that sometimes snagged her hair.

When she emerged with her hair softly dried, Fu Xiling was lounging on the sofa.

He must have showered too, his short hair half-dried. Without any deliberate styling, the soft strands on his forehead gave him a less menacing appearance than usual.

Still, when he looked up, his face screamed “player.”

“You’re just in time,” Fu Xiling said, motioning for her to come over. “Help me pick what to eat for the midnight snack.”

Shi Zhi frowned, her instincts as a frequently exploited worker kicking in. “Who’s making it for you? The hotel chef?”

“Chefs have shifts. Who’s cooking at 1:30 in the morning? I’m not the kind of boss who abuses authority. I’m ordering delivery—come, choose something.”

Unlike many, Fu Xiling didn’t mind someone else handling his phone. He tossed it to Shi Zhi. “Pick whatever.”

The hotel’s prime location meant plenty of 24-hour options nearby.

Shi Zhi loved spicy food—no spice, no joy, the spicier, the better. She even drowned her morning dumplings in chili oil. Naturally, she gravitated toward spicy hotpot, sour-spicy noodles, and mala dishes like spicy crab and crawfish.

Fu Xiling leaned over, catching a glimpse of her selections. He began to discern her preferences.

Midway through the order, his phone rang. Shi Zhi handed it to him, but he didn’t take it, instead leaning in and swiping to answer with speakerphone on.

“Xiling, we’re playing Werewolf at 8911 downstairs. Wanna join?” a friend asked.

“No,” Fu Xiling replied. “You guys play.”

He didn’t explain, but his friend quickly caught on, laughing knowingly. “Ohhh, got it, got it. We won’t disturb you then!”

The call ended, and the app returned to the delivery page.

Shi Zhi ignored the interruption, completing the order. When she realized Fu Xiling still hadn’t taken his phone back, she asked, “What, are you paralyzed?”

Fu Xiling quipped, “Got bitten. It hurts.”

“…You need to enter the payment password!”

“Do it for me,” Fu Xiling drawled lazily, leaning back on the sofa. “Use the card ending in 7777. Password’s 991107.”

Once the order was placed, silence settled over the room.

Shi Zhi and Fu Xiling sat less than half a meter apart, the faint hum of laughter from a distant room downstairs breaking the quiet.

Shi Zhi turned toward Fu Xiling, their gazes locking, an almost palpable tension hanging between them.

Fu Xiling reached out, and Shi Zhi placed her hand in his.

He pulled her into his arms, his hand on her waist as he leaned in to kiss her.

The kiss deepened, their proximity intensifying the moment. Shi Zhi’s palm pressed against his chest, feeling his strong, rhythmic heartbeat.

Fu Xiling suddenly pulled back slightly, smirking. “Isn’t this a bit too much? Just the robe?”

The belt of her robe had loosened, the neckline dipping low.

His fingers brushed lightly against her skin, stopping at a particular point.

Shi Zhi tensed, her breath hitching.

He teased, “You know, my mom gets acupuncture here for her digestion issues. It’s called the Zhongwan acupoint, apparently.”

Then, with an infuriating composure, he retied her robe neatly, even re-knotting the belt.

Shi Zhi felt utterly played. Frustrated, she bit his ear in retaliation, only to be blocked by his hand.

“I don’t have as much self-control as you think,” Fu Xiling said, his tone half exasperated.

Noticing the faint redness on his ears, Shi Zhi finally felt satisfied and backed off.

Just when she thought she’d regained the upper hand, she realized Fu Xiling had taken her phone from her robe pocket at some point.

“Fu Xiling.”

He didn’t seem to have snooped, returning the phone after doing whatever he’d intended.

Shi Zhi glanced at her screen. Sure enough, he’d removed himself from her blacklist.

“You have quite a few people in your blacklist. All admirers?” Fu Xiling asked.

“I don’t add admirers’ contacts,” Shi Zhi replied flatly.

“Why not? Too much trouble?”

In the past, Shi Zhi might have picked up on Fu Xiling’s peculiar tone. He was fishing for information—obviously so.

But when he’d retied her robe earlier, his hair had brushed against her neck, tickling her enough to distract her.

She answered casually, “I don’t date because someone chases me or does something to impress me. If I want to date, I will. Adding their contact is unnecessary.”

Fu Xiling studied her for a moment, as if mulling over her words. “What about now? If you meet someone suitable, would you want to date?”

“Not at all.”

Shi Zhi snapped back to reality, growing slightly suspicious of his line of questioning.

But Fu Xiling simply looked at his phone, still teasing, “I saw a few teachers in your blacklist too. Blacklisting even teachers—impressive.”

The food arrived quickly. A hotel staff member called to inform them.

Fu Xiling hung up and fetched the delivery himself.

When he returned, he placed the spicy crab and crawfish on the table. Despite his cold exterior, he expressed a rare warmth toward the hotel’s delivery robot, even thanking it.

Shi Zhi was momentarily stunned.

She had encountered countless late-night bar patrons—many leaving behind trashed tables or burnt sofas. Fu Xiling, despite his icy demeanor, was unexpectedly considerate.

As they ate, Shi Zhi noticed that Fu Xiling couldn’t handle spicy food well. After a few bites of the spicy crab, his lips had darkened, and he guzzled half a bottle of water.

Then he turned his gaze to her.

Shi Zhi, accustomed to spice, effortlessly devoured the meal.

“Want me to peel it for you?” Fu Xiling offered, his tone ambiguous.

Shi Zhi instinctively felt he was up to something, her eyes narrowing. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Fu Xiling smirked. “I’ve seen someone else do it for you near University B’s crawfish restaurant.”

Shi Zhi instantly understood—he’d seen Shen Jia peeling crawfish for her before.

“Boring.”

She dismissed the memory, but a faint unease lingered. She had liked Shen Jia’s gentlemanly demeanor, but his overly accommodating gestures, like peeling all the crawfish for her, or his cautious forehead kisses, had always left her feeling underwhelmed.

What was wrong with her preferences?

The alcohol and late hour muddled her thoughts, leaving her without an answer.

After finishing their meal, Fu Xiling declared it too late to send Shi Zhi home. He offered her the bedroom to rest instead.

“Breakfast is served until 9:30. Just take the room card with you,” he said before leaving.

Shi Zhi woke up around 9 a.m. and got dressed in clothes Ling Ling had sent over—a pale yellow shirt dress that wasn’t her usual style. Ling Ling had assumed Shi Zhi liked light colors, drawing from her time with Shen Jia.

Dressed and ready, Shi Zhi went downstairs for breakfast.

The restaurant was bustling, with familiar faces from the pool party, including Yao Yao.

Fu Xiling entered shortly after, carrying his tray. Shi Zhi smiled at him briefly as he approached, maintaining a polite demeanor.

They didn’t talk much, as the boundaries of their “contract” were clear now that it was over.

But Shi Zhi couldn’t shake the complexity of her feelings toward Fu Xiling.

His attentiveness during their “cooperation” had benefited her, but now, she suspected he might have ulterior motives.

If he truly had feelings for her, it would complicate things. She preferred their relationship to remain purely transactional—easier, cleaner.

After Yao Yao left, Shi Zhi and Fu Xiling simultaneously set down their utensils and looked at each other.

The air between them was charged with unspoken thoughts, sharp and tense like drawn blades.

Earlier, Fu Xiling had received a call from hotel staff about a jade bracelet found at the rooftop pool. A “Miss Shi” had claimed it.

Fu Xiling glanced at Shi Zhi’s wrist—the white jade bracelet she had retrieved was now back in its place.

Her reaction to the bracelet puzzled him. Her intense attachment didn’t seem sentimental, as if it didn’t stem from emotional ties.

But Shi Zhi’s guarded glance revealed she was wary of him, perhaps suspecting his involvement in her personal matters.

Fu Xiling smiled faintly, breaking the tension. “Hi, Lin Meng.”

Shi Zhi’s reaction was sharper than he anticipated. Her brows furrowed deeply, her gaze fierce, as if she might grab a butter knife and lash out at him.

“You investigated me?”

Fu Xiling shook his head. “Why wouldn’t you think I already knew you?”

Shi Zhi’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

He began recounting the story of the girl he’d encountered years ago during a family business trip—a girl named Lin Meng.

The girl had left a lasting impression, her fierce rejection of a boy’s confession and her audacious actions painting a vivid memory.

Fu Xiling concluded, “So, when I met you, wouldn’t I feel a bit surprised?”

Shi Zhi frowned. “You’ve got the wrong person.”

Fu Xiling chuckled, unconvinced. “My memory’s quite good—I even won a memory competition in school. The chances of me being wrong are slim.”

Shi Zhi didn’t acknowledge the name Lin Meng, nor did she explicitly deny it.

Instead, she fell silent, lost in thought.

Fu Xiling continued, “My reason for approaching you—it’s tied to this. I even asked you about it the first time we struck a deal.”

He set down his coffee. “Now, you can tell me why you stayed last night and joined me for breakfast this morning. What do you want to discuss?”