The clock in the room made a crisp “tick-tick-tick” sound, accompanied by the vibration of a phone. A white arm stretched out from under the covers, with elegant fingers pressing the volume button on the phone out of habit, causing the alarm to snooze for another five minutes.

Five minutes later, the alarm rang again by Gu Yuan’s ear. His hand still rested on the volume button, and he reflexively pressed it again, then turned over to continue sleeping.

On the third ring, just as the phone emitted a “tick,” the person beside him picked it up and decisively ended the endless alarm.

Mo Lin gently pulled back the covers, taking a moment to admire the other’s sleeping face.

Gu Yuan’s hair was fine and soft, and after a night’s sleep, a few strands stuck up. His eyelashes were long and thick, slightly fluttering with his breathing. His skin was pure white, and his eyebrows were furrowed, showing he really didn’t want to get up.

Mo Lin took out his phone and silently snapped a photo for memory, then playfully brushed a finger down Gu Yuan’s nose, smiling as he said, “Not getting up yet?”

Upon hearing the voice, Gu Yuan’s eyelids twitched, then suddenly opened. The moment his dark pupils opened, the milky white serene scene suddenly gained a hint of gloom.

He furrowed his brows slightly: “What are you doing?”

“Trying to wake you up… what else?”

Gu Yuan threw off the covers, put on his slippers, and glanced back at Mo Lin, who was already dressed and ready, looking all set to go.

Gu Yuan was a bit annoyed: “Why didn’t you wait for me to wake up before getting ready?”

Mo Lin pocketed his phone: “Is there a problem?”

“You’re not within my line of sight.”

“If you’re worried, you can monitor me 24/7. I don’t mind.”

Gu Yuan thought for a moment, figuring Mo Lin probably didn’t have the chance to do anything. He checked his phone for the time; half an hour ago, when he got up to use the bathroom, Mo Lin was still asleep.

“No need, I’ll trust you this time.”

With that, he headed to the bathroom.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Mo Lin sat on the sofa, replying to various messages he received last night. After replying to all the messages, he opened his photo album and admired Gu Yuan’s sleeping face from all angles, a satisfied smile on his lips.

Just then, the doorbell rang; it should be the breakfast he ordered.

Mo Lin opened the door to find a young waiter with a breakfast cart standing outside: “Mr. Mo, your breakfast order.”

When Gu Yuan came out after drying his hair, he smelled the aroma of food and saw Mo Lin browsing his phone while eating the Western breakfast on the table. The morning sun slanted into the room, half falling on the warm yellow curtains and half on Mo Lin, making the whole morning look peaceful and cozy.

Gu Yuan walked over to the sofa, ready to grab his backpack.

“Aren’t you going to have some breakfast?”

Gu Yuan: “I don’t usually eat breakfast.”

Mo Lin wiped his hands: “It’s still early, there’s plenty of time for breakfast.”

Gu Yuan put down his backpack and reluctantly sat at the table, eating a bit. Although it looked like an ordinary Western breakfast, it tasted pretty good. The pastry chef was skilled, and the ingredients were high-quality, so he couldn’t help but eat a few more bites.

Mo Lin watched him eat, a smile always on his lips: “Actually, the breakfast I make is pretty good too. If you like, you could stay at my place for a few days and try my cooking.”

Gu Yuan swallowed the last sip of milk: “Your place is too far, not going.”

That was the truth. Living 5 kilometers from work, with the morning rush hour at eight or nine, plus traffic, it would take about half an hour to get to the police station. For Gu Yuan, it was better to sleep an extra half hour.

Mo Lin was just testing the waters, already prepared for Gu Yuan to refuse. Fortunately, the only issue was the distance.

“Hmm…” Mo Lin thought for a moment: “That’s easy to solve.”

After breakfast, the two got into the car one after the other. Once at the police station, Gu Yuan went to his office to drop off his things, then took his laptop to Mo Lin’s office, sitting opposite him to work on his thesis.

Mo Lin was reviewing the bloody photos on his computer screen, as well as the crime scene investigation photos and evidence. After providing a criminal profile, he looked up at the diligently working Gu Yuan.

Having Gu Yuan around like this felt nice—quiet and not at all noisy.

Gu Yuan’s thoughts were always written on his face, but inwardly he was as calm as still water, occasionally showing a bit of impatience.

Mo Lin, skilled at uncovering people’s masks, found himself at a loss with Gu Yuan, because this guy had no hidden thoughts. His body was honest, but his brain couldn’t interpret the signals his body sent.

Thinking of this, Mo Lin rubbed his temples. It had been a long time since he encountered such a tricky problem.

Gu Yuan suddenly stopped typing: “Why are you looking at me?”

“Do you want to try?”

“Try what?”

Mo Lin’s lips curved up: “Try getting close to me and see if your heart still races.”

Gu Yuan glanced at the time in the bottom right corner of the computer; it was exactly 11 o’clock. Twelve hours had passed since the experiment began.

“We can definitely test it now. Even if you used pheromones, they should have dissipated by now.”

Mo Lin reached into a drawer and pulled out a box, taking out a smartwatch: “A friend’s gift, finally useful today.”

He walked over to Gu Yuan and handed him the smartwatch: “It can monitor your heart rate changes.”

Gu Yuan put the smartwatch on his left wrist, setting it to heart rate monitoring.

Mo Lin: “Shall we start?”

“Sure.”

“Hmm… how do you want to start?”

Gu Yuan: “You can get a little closer to me.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Lin suddenly leaned down, placing his hands on the table on either side of Gu Yuan. His shoulders were broad, and his arms long enough to encircle Gu Yuan.

“Like this?”

Gu Yuan’s body suddenly tensed, the watch’s reading jumping from 70 to 75.

Mo Lin chuckled, his breath falling on Gu Yuan’s left ear: “I told you, I didn’t use any pheromones. Why don’t you believe me?”

A blush slowly crept up Gu Yuan’s ear, his heartbeat now at 80.

“You’re too sensitive. I haven’t even touched you,” Mo Lin said.

Heart rate 85.

Mo Lin lifted his left hand, his fingertip lightly brushing Gu Yuan’s earlobe: “Doctor Gu, can you give me a reasonable explanation?”

86, 87, 88…

Gu Yuan’s thoughts were in disarray, the ever-increasing numbers on the smartwatch telling him things weren’t as he thought. Something must be wrong!

When the reading broke 90, he took off the smartwatch.

Mo Lin stepped back, standing behind him and looking down: “Want me to tell you why?”

Gu Yuan furrowed his brows: “No need.” He angrily packed up his laptop and mouse, standing up abruptly: “I’ll figure it out myself!”

“Okay,” Mo Lin said, “I’m not in a hurry. Take your time. If you really can’t figure it out, you can come to me.”

After Gu Yuan left, Mo Lin sat back in his chair, leaning back heavily. He loosened his tie, picked up the phone: “Could you bring me a glass of ice water, please…”

*

Just as Gu Yuan returned to his office, his phone vibrated with a message from Wang Yue: [Today’s my birthday, inviting you and Teacher Mo to my birthday party, 7 PM at Tianlong Bay Gangfu Seafood. See you there!]

At that moment, Li Meng looked at Wang Yue typing the message, puzzled: “Didn’t you just have a birthday last month?”

“You don’t get it. You can have two birthdays a year, one lunar and one solar!”

“Why have two birthdays?”

“Are you stupid? How else can I invite people to dinner legitimately?”

“Oh~” Li Meng finally understood: “I almost forgot, but today’s Thursday. Why not wait until Friday to host?”

“You don’t get it. If I host on Friday, no work the next day, everyone drinks to their heart’s content. The alcohol at Gangfu Seafood isn’t something I can afford. Hosting on Thursday, with work the next day, no one dares to drink too much, saves money,” Wang Yue analyzed.

Li Meng had to give him a thumbs up: “Smart, really smart!”

“Actually, it’s not just that. The case just wrapped up, everyone can finally breathe. It’s rare to have a free day, gotta seize the chance to have fun!”

Li Meng nodded in agreement: “Who did you invite?”

“Just us two, Meng Lan, the captain, Teacher Mo, and Doctor Gu.”

“Doctor Gu, will he come?”

Just then, Wang Yue’s phone vibrated with a message.

Gu Yuan: [Happy birthday, I’ve got something to do, won’t make it.]

Wang Yue jumped up from his chair: “Oh no, got rejected!”

Li Meng: “I told you, he won’t come. You can’t just drag him there, can you?”

Wang Yue paced the office, looking frazzled: “I promised Teacher Mo I’d definitely get him to come out…”

Li Meng was a bit confused: “If Teacher Mo can’t handle it, you think you can?”

“It means Teacher Mo trusts me, don’t you get it?”

Li Meng scratched his head: “I think this is a bit tricky.”

A sudden inspiration hit Wang Yue: “What did you just say?”

“What did I say?” Li Meng had a brief memory lapse.

“You mentioned dragging him over. Can’t kidnap him, but we could…”

Li Meng’s eyes widened: “Are you sure?”

Wang Yue downed half a bottle of water: “Doesn’t matter, I’m going for it!”

*

Gu Yuan spent the afternoon writing his thesis, feeling a bit dizzy. He checked the time; there was still half an hour until the end of the workday. His coffee cup was empty, so he planned to finish this section before heading home.

As he got up to refill his coffee, Wang Yue sneaked into his office, with Li Meng keeping watch outside. When Gu Yuan returned with his coffee, Li Meng gave a heavy cough, and the two disappeared down the hallway.

Back in his office, Gu Yuan noticed the mouse cursor had been moved. He frowned, sensing something was off.

But with ideas flowing, he didn’t dwell on it and continued typing away…

Author’s Note: If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll update earlier tomorrow~