When An Xin realized that Bai Yichen had washed all her clothes, including her underwear, her face couldn’t help but flush red.

The thought of her underwear being scrubbed by his long, slender fingers made her feel deeply embarrassed.

While An Xin’s expression was filled with shyness and awkwardness, Bai Yichen appeared completely composed. His tone was calm, almost indifferent, as he said, “What’s the big deal? We’re husband and wife. Washing clothes is nothing.”

After all, they had shared far more intimate moments. He had once used his hands to measure every inch of her skin.

Truthfully, since that one night, there hadn’t been any further intimacy between them. Despite sharing the same bed every night, they lived like strangers, with An Xin treating him like family yet keeping him at a distance.

Bai Yichen could sense that An Xin seemed reluctant to let their relationship develop further.

An Xin sighed inwardly. Well, since the deed was done, there was no point in making a fuss. They’d already seen everything there was to see, even if her memory of that night was hazy. Facts were facts; there was no denying them.

As night deepened, An Xin dreamt once again of her favorite “body pillow.” But tonight, the pillow seemed different—it felt warm and alive. When she hugged it, it hugged her back, tightly.

Under the dim glow of the moon, Zhang Fan exited the pub. The night was quiet, and the moon hung high in the sky. After bidding farewell to Director Zhou and the others, Zhang Fan did not return to his rented single dorm in the provincial city.

Instead, he strolled along the bustling streets of the city. As he passed a shop, he lightly knocked on its door.

After a few knocks, a coquettish female voice came from inside.

“Who is it so late at night?”

Zhang Fan stood tall at the door, his voice steady and deep. “It’s me.”

The door quickly opened, revealing a drowsy-faced An Linger. She looked at Zhang Fan in surprise. “Why are you here? What brings you by so late?”

Zhang Fan’s response was casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I missed you, so I came.”

“You and your sweet mouth!” An Linger blushed at his words but still stepped aside to let him in.

Zhang Fan entered her clothing store, glancing around at the new seasonal designs displayed. It was clear her business was thriving. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he walked straight to her living quarters at the back.

Before entering, he called out, “Linger, give me 500 yuan later.”

An Linger frowned slightly. “Didn’t you already take 300 yuan this morning? Why do you need more now?”

“It’s all for our future. That money is needed to smooth things over.”

Zhang Fan had spent the day entertaining and treating various people to meals and tea. It was impossible not to spend money.

“Fine.”

An Linger reluctantly agreed, thinking about her dream of becoming a government official’s wife. For that, she was willing to endure and contribute.

Since Zhang Fan’s transfer to the provincial government, An Linger had sold two smaller stores and rented a prime location in the busiest part of the city to open her new shop. She lived modestly in the living quarters behind the store, as most shopkeepers did at the time.

Though she and Zhang Fan were still dating, they couldn’t live together openly without raising eyebrows or inviting gossip. As a result, their meetings were infrequent and discreet.

However, Zhang Fan, being a hot-blooded man, couldn’t always resist the urge to see her, especially tonight. After a round of social drinking, he’d had some deer blood wine. The resulting heat coursing through his body drove him straight to An Linger’s door.

Once inside her living quarters, Zhang Fan began undressing and headed toward the bathroom.

An Linger stood there, watching him strip down to reveal his toned physique. Her face turned red as she timidly asked, “Are you planning to stay here tonight?”

They had spent nights together before, but Zhang Fan had yet to cross the final line with her. It’s not that Zhang Fan didn’t want to; it was because An Linger always stopped him.

An Linger was playing the long game. She wouldn’t let Zhang Fan take full advantage until they were legally married. To her, giving in too early would be a loss.

Men, after all, were like fish—they needed to be hooked carefully. If they were allowed to eat their fill all at once, they’d swim away.

Zhang Fan paused mid-step, then turned back to face her, his bare torso on full display. With a mischievous smile, he walked toward her.

“What’s wrong? We’ve been together for so long, and you still won’t let me stay? We’ve already been this close. Why keep teasing me and holding back?”

Frustration flickered across his face. Despite their long relationship, he’d never fully had his way with her. She always gave him just enough to keep him interested—letting him touch and kiss, but nothing more.

But tonight, emboldened by the deer blood wine, Zhang Fan was determined not to spend another lonely night.

An Linger’s cheeks flushed as Zhang Fan closed the distance between them. She mustered a coquettish tone and said, “Fine, you can stay. But first, go wash up properly.”

Internally, she resigned herself to the situation. While she wouldn’t let him go all the way, she could allow some compromises—just enough to keep him hooked.

Zhang Fan’s grin widened at her coy demeanor. He gently pinched her chin and said, “That’s my good girl. Wait for me on the bed, darling. I’ll be right back.”

Whistling, he disappeared into the bathroom.

The night deepened, and the weather took a sudden turn. By morning, the rain was still falling steadily.

When An Xin woke, she found herself nestled against Bai Yichen. Their foreheads touched, and her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist.

Her face flushed as she wondered how the two of them, who had gone to bed on opposite sides, ended up so intimately entwined.