Zhou Zuizui understood and just went along with it. Instead, she casually strolled with Shen Nan, leading him from one side to another, never letting go of his hand.

At first, Shen Nan didn’t feel much. He just noticed the stark contrast between a man’s and a woman’s skin—her hand was small and delicate, with a soft texture. Zhou Zuizui was a person who valued such details; she was exceptionally fond of beauty and always maintained her routine, no matter how physically demanding her work was.

Furthermore, living in the ancient town, with its good water and sunlight and rarely going out, had left her with skin as smooth and translucent as jade.

He glanced sideways at her and then looked away.

…

Behind them, a man in a black short-sleeve shirt followed for a while before turning back.

In the guesthouse next door, several men were lounging around in the room.

Brother Leopard looked at the returning man and raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure they’re married?”

“Absolutely. They’re strolling on the street, openly.”

Brother Leopard frowned and cast a sideways glance at Qiangzi.

Qiangzi, understanding the situation, grinned lecherously and licked his lips. “Brother Leopard, when I went to the rooftop… they were on the bed doing it.” He recalled the scene he had witnessed, his eyes narrowing with desire. “I have to say… that woman’s figure is stunning, so white it’s blinding… and her voice is so soft…”

Brother Leopard glared at him, scolding, “Look at you, what a disappointment.” But after cursing, he thought of the woman’s figure and sneered; she was indeed a beauty.

He turned to the other two who were gathering information. “Have you asked around?”

One of them replied, “Yes, it seems the man is indeed often away, and few know the guesthouse owner is married. But some people have seen him.”

“Oh?” Brother Leopard sat up straight, slightly surprised. “Has he been here before?”

“Yes.”

Brother Leopard pondered, tapping his fingers on the table, a habit of his when thinking.

Qiangzi watched, impatient. “Brother Leopard, it’s definitely him! Besides, we came here to talk business. We’ve already investigated; this person is indeed involved in smuggling ivory and antelope horns. I don’t think there will be any major issues!”

“You don’t know anything!” Brother Leopard slapped him. “Contact them, and arrange to meet tomorrow night at seven.”

“Got it.”

The whole afternoon, Zhou Zuizui and Shen Nan wandered around the street.

After they left, Shen Nan let go of her hand.

Zhou Zuizui glanced at her hand, then looked at Shen Nan with cold eyes. As she picked items from a street vendor, she asked casually, “Captain Shen, isn’t it a bit inconsiderate to just use me and then let go?”

Shen Nan gave her a brief glance, but didn’t respond.

Zhou Zuizui shrugged, feeling somewhat helpless with the boring old man.

She smiled warmly at a young girl at a stall, holding up a hairpin. “How much for this?”

The girl with braided hair looked at her. “Sister Zuizui, if you like it, I’ll give it to you.”

“That’s not okay!” Zhou Zuizui patted the girl’s head. “How much? I’ll buy two and also bring one back for Qiuqiu. Which one do you think Qiuqiu would like?”

“This one.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Zuizui chose two hairpins and was about to take out her phone to pay when a hand from the side extended and offered a hundred-yuan note to the young girl.

The girl looked at Zhou Zuizui, unsure whether to accept.

Zhou Zuizui chuckled lightly, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. “Take it. He’s my husband.”

“Ah… okay.”

After buying the hairpins, Zhou Zuizui looked at Shen Nan, holding up the two hairpins and thanking him without any pretense. “Thanks.”

Shen Nan glanced at her smile and gave a soft “Hmm.”

After a while, Zhou Zuizui wanted to sit for a while, and Shen Nan naturally accompanied her.

They entered a dessert shop. After ordering, Zhou Zuizui pointed and said, “I’m going to the restroom.”

In just a few minutes, when she returned, a woman was already sitting in the chair opposite Shen Nan. Meanwhile, Shen Nan… seemed to be ignoring her completely, focusing intently on his phone.

Zhou Zuizui raised an eyebrow, involuntarily glancing at the man sitting as stiffly as if standing at attention. She had to admit… Shen Nan was indeed good-looking, a type that both young girls and women liked. He had a rugged, very masculine look, exuding a strong sense of masculinity and good physique, even under his clothes.

Thinking about the physique hidden beneath his clothes, Zhou Zuizui smirked slightly as she approached her seat.

As she got closer, the woman sitting opposite gave her a suspicious glance.

Zhou Zuizui smiled and sat next to the woman, leaning on her wrist on the table as she looked at the man opposite. “Hey there, are you here alone?”

Shen Nan finally looked up from his phone and gave her a look.

“Don’t be so aloof. Let’s be friends,” Zhou Zuizui flirted, throwing a coquettish glance at Shen Nan.

Shen Nan remained indifferent, silently watching her.

The woman beside them couldn’t help but speak up. “Sister, there’s a matter of first come, first served, right?” After all, she had been interested in the man first.

Zhou Zuizui curled her lips into a sly smile. “How do you define first come, first served?”

The woman stared at her for a moment, then decided not to argue but to advise Zhou Zuizui to give up. “This handsome guy isn’t going to be friends with you… He seems to be aloof. I’ve spoken to him ten times, and he hasn’t responded.”

“Really?” Zhou Zuizui assessed her with a scrutinizing look. “You’re just not his type.”

“And you know his type?”

“He likes someone like me,” Zhou Zuizui said confidently, pointing at herself.

The woman scoffed, “I don’t believe it. He hasn’t even acknowledged you.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zuizui nodded thoughtfully, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she teased Shen Nan. “He does seem a bit… aloof. Maybe he’s just not interested in women.”

Before the woman could respond, the man opposite looked at Zhou Zuizui, his voice deep and sensual, with an ambiguous tone. “Whether I’m aloof or not, don’t you know?”

**

Author’s Note: A quick interview: Who’s really aloof here?

Zhou Zuizui: I’m not aloof. I’m passionate.

Shen Nan: It depends on the person.

Author: Are you aloof with Zhou Zuizui?

Shen Nan: I’d rather die in her presence.