“Follow me.”

He suddenly stood up and pulled Lin Zhixia toward the upstairs.

Compared to the last time he did this, his grip was much gentler now, and his pace also slowed to match hers.

Lin Zhixia stood up in confusion and obediently followed his lead.

Two minutes later.

She was pressed down onto the edge of the bed by Xie Jingheng.

Then the man turned and took out an old, ordinary wooden box from a drawer and placed it in front of her.

“Is this for me?” Lin Zhixia asked in surprise.

Xie Jingheng nodded slightly. “Mm. Open it and take a look.”

Curious about what was inside, Lin Zhixia quickly opened the box. The moment she saw it, she froze completely.

She instinctively closed it again.

A few seconds later, she reopened it and looked carefully. Her eyes swept over each small, delicate, charming gold ingot.

Only then did she lift her gaze in shock and delight. “Th-this… where did this come from? Wasn’t it confiscated by the Revolutionary Committee?”

Xie Jingheng shook his head. “Grandmother secretly kept it for me. Father, Mother, and Qingshu don’t know about it.”

Hearing his implication, Lin Zhixia became delighted. “So, the Revolutionary Committee doesn’t know either? We can take it away quietly, right?”

Her eyes lit up with excitement, sparkling like brilliant stars in the sunlight.

Xie Jingheng smiled faintly and nodded. “Mm.”

Then it’s all hers!

Lin Zhixia became even happier. She couldn’t help but touch each tiny gold ingot one by one. She even picked one up, weighed it in her hand, and bit it.

As expected of gold—it was solid. She bit down hard, but not a single mark was left.

Ten minutes later, her excitement finally faded, and she suddenly remembered to ask, “Why are you giving this to me?”

“For you to keep.”

He answered simply.

Lin Zhixia was satisfied inside, but still couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll spend it all recklessly?”

“No.”

Xie Jingheng’s expression was calm. He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and looked into her eyes. “It’s meant for you to spend.”

“So, you don’t need to sell your clothes.”

This man—handsome, well-built, responsible, and most importantly, willing to give her a box of gold ingots.

It was too unfair.

It was hard not to be moved.

Lin Zhixia felt her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Their eyes met. Her gaze slowly drifted across his dark, indifferent eyes, his straight nose bridge, and finally landed on his pale, thin lips.

They looked so soft… it made her want to taste them.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Almost unconsciously, she reached out and pressed her finger against his lips. They were soft, like jelly.

Nothing like how firm his body was.

After a few presses, his breathing suddenly deepened. Lin Zhixia snapped back to her senses.

Realizing what she had just done, her face flushed instantly. She panicked and tried to pull her hand away.

But a hot hand grabbed her wrist.

“You asked for it.”

The next second.

Everything flipped.

Lin Zhixia was effortlessly lifted and placed across his lap.

Then warm, soft lips pressed against hers. He moved slowly at first, letting her adjust. Once her body relaxed slightly, he forcefully parted her lips with his tongue.

Hot and damp, it invaded her mouth, exploring every corner without restraint.

Lin Zhixia felt like a fish deprived of oxygen, barely able to breathe.

She struggled to push him away, but he only held her tighter, pulling her closer.

Their bodies were pressed together, and she could clearly feel—

After a moment of shock, she realized what it was and became both embarrassed and annoyed. How could he—

So shameless!

She glared at him, but her tearful, watery eyes only made her look even more alluring.

Considering her pregnancy, Xie Jingheng didn’t go too far. After about ten minutes, he finally released her and went to the bathroom to take a cold shower.

The door closed softly. Lin Zhixia sighed in relief, completely exhausted, and soon fell asleep on the bed.

There was only one day left before they left for the countryside, and everyone in the house was busy.

Even Xie Qingshu was sent up and down the stairs by Mother Xie, while Father Xie and Xie Jingheng were busy packing luggage.

Only Lin Zhixia was completely idle.

After breakfast, she slung a small bag over her shoulder and went out.

Everything she needed to buy had already been bought. Now only one last thing remained…

According to the original owner’s memory, Lin Zhixia went familiarly to the deepest part of a narrow alley and approached the door of the leftmost room.

Just as she was about to knock, a middle-aged woman washing clothes in the courtyard smiled and said, “Xia, Xingyu isn’t in his room. He just went out.”

“You can come to my place and wait for him.”

Lin Zhixia had always been generous. In order to get the people in the courtyard to take better care of Chen Xingyu, she always brought things not only for him but also for the neighbors.

Everyone had received benefits from her before.

Moreover, they all believed Lin Zhixia and Chen Xingyu were a couple planning to marry after she gave birth.

They had no idea about the truth of their inappropriate relationship.

So, everyone in the courtyard treated her kindly.

Lin Zhixia’s eyes lit up. Good—he wasn’t home.

Perfect timing for something a little… framing and setting someone up.

She remembered the fake young master had once given her a key to this place to please her.

“Thank you, Sister Zhang. I brought the key today,” Lin Zhixia said with a smile. “What time did he leave?”

While speaking, she searched her bag for the key.

“Oh, I didn’t pay attention to the exact time. Probably about six or seven minutes before you arrived.”

“Oh, alright.”

“Sister Zhang, I’ll go in and rest for a bit. My feet are really sore from walking all the way here.”

“Alright, go rest. Don’t worry about me.”

After closing the door, Lin Zhixia quietly locked it from inside.

The room was small, about ten square meters, with only a bed, a table, and a wardrobe. A washbasin and thermos sat on the floor.

After scanning the room, the wardrobe was the only possible hiding place.

She quickly stepped forward and opened it quietly. Clothes were placed on top, and leather shoes below.

After thinking for a moment, she tore a few pages from the forbidden books she had taken from the study and stuffed them into the bottom of a short-sleeved shirt.

Still not satisfied, she tore two more pages and stuck them behind the bed board.

After finishing, she clapped her hands and was about to leave when she heard the sound of a key turning at the door.

Chen Xingyu had returned…