Smiling at him, Su Hao pressed the call button.
“Hello, Mom?”

“Su Hao, where did you put the blood pressure medicine? I can’t find it.” Cheng Ling’s voice came from the other end, accompanied by the rustling of drawers and cabinets. Su Hao’s mood softened as she said, “It’s under the TV cabinet. I told you last time.”

“Oh, really? I forgot,” Cheng Ling said, sounding a little frustrated.

Su Hao replied, “No problem. Don’t hang up yet. Take it once you find it. Has your blood pressure gone up again?”

“No, I just want to have it ready. I feel a bit dizzy and I’m worried.”

“Mm.”

But then Su Hao noticed a change in Zhou Yang’s body. She paused and glanced at him. Zhou Yang pressed his lips together and let out a low laugh in her ear, then held her tightly, pulling her against him as he moved closer. Su Hao quickly covered her mouth, listening as Cheng Ling finally found the medicine. “Got it, got it. Found it,” she said, relieved.

“Good. Go to bed early and don’t stay up too late,” Cheng Ling said again.

Su Hao, still covering her mouth, shot Zhou Yang a warning look. Zhou Yang kissed her cheek and said in a low voice, “Hang up and tell your mom you’re asleep.”

Su Hao punched him lightly.

Zhou Yang chuckled and paused, and Su Hao collapsed onto him. She turned to the phone and said, “Got it, Mom. I’m going to sleep now.”

“Alright, good night.” Cheng Ling had taken her medicine.

“Good night.”

After hanging up, Su Hao finally relaxed. Zhou Yang bent down, laid her on the bed, leaned over, and kissed her again.

The night went on. Su Hao was exhausted; after taking a shower, she was completely drained and collapsed onto the bed. Zhou Yang held her waist, pulled her into his embrace, and casually turned off the bedside lamp, leaving the bedroom in silence.

The next morning, Su Hao woke up to find the bed empty. Startled, she sat up instinctively.

Wasn’t he supposed to leave in the afternoon?

Hastily, she got up, adjusted her dress, and went to the door. She saw the study door open and a man in black pajamas standing by the desk, flipping through files.

Su Hao let out a sigh of relief, ready to leave.

But Zhou Yang looked up, saw her, and a second later, waved.

Su Hao pressed her lips together and walked in. As soon as she got close, he pulled her into his arms while still looking through the files. Su Hao wrapped her arms around his neck and looked back at him.

“What are you looking at?”

“Boiling Point’s files,” he replied.

Su Hao suddenly remembered that Zhou Yang had been under tight supervision at Military Tech for days. How were the company files handled? Were they sent in and out by Lu Qi?

She asked, “At Military Tech…?”

“No internet,” Zhou Yang said.

“So where are the files?” Su Hao asked.

Zhou Yang smiled. “Qi Lin has them.”

“Oh, right,” she said, thinking for a moment. “How do you get through each day?”

After finishing the last page, Zhou Yang put down the files and gently lifted her chin with his fingertip. “By thinking about you,” he said.

“An honor,” Su Hao replied.

Zhou Yang paused.

This woman was completely unromantic.

Still holding her, he kissed her.

They stayed like that for a while, then freshened up and went downstairs. Aunt Zhang had just delivered some food to the people outside. Su Hao glanced at the car with the window half-open, inside sat two men with buzz cuts, looking tough. She quickly looked away and walked with Zhou Yang to the living room.

“Did they say when it will be over?” she asked.

Zhou Yang smeared some bread with a spread and handed it to Su Hao. “Almost.”

“Will you be off for the New Year?” she asked.

“Mm, probably,” Zhou Yang said with a smile, resting his chin on his hand. “Do you want to spend it with me?”

Su Hao bit into her bread and licked her lips, then nodded. “I hope you can come out and enjoy the New Year properly.”

“I will.”

After breakfast, Su Hao wanted to check on Cheng Ling at home. Zhou Yang picked up his coat, put it on, and even tied her scarf for her. “I’ll accompany you back. Lunch at your place, then I’ll return to Military Tech,” he said.

Su Hao nodded and straightened his collar. The two held hands and walked out. The car window of the men outside slowly rolled up, but Zhou Yang’s sharp, calm demeanor showed he didn’t care at all.

Seeing Zhou Yang’s calmness, Su Hao decided to stop noticing the men as well.

Though she had been annoyed with him before, Su Hao realized that ever since she arrived in Li Cheng, there was nothing Zhou Yang couldn’t handle.

He was truly exceptional, the smartest man she had ever met.

Back in their school days, his arrogance had only been attractive because of his looks. But as an adult, he revealed his charm in small, subtle ways.

He was ruthless, yes—but with reason and skill.

The car arrived at Huahui Community. Su Hao got out and looked at Zhou Yang. He adjusted his collar several times, coughed lightly, and then opened the rear door to take out a New Year gift box. He reached for her hand, and Su Hao felt his fingertips slightly cold but said nothing.

Inside the hallway, Zhou Yang adjusted his collar again.

Su Hao asked softly, “Are you nervous?”

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow. His deep voice replied, “No.”

Stubborn man. Su Hao just nodded, thinking she’d let him stay ‘not nervous.’ Her mom had probably already guessed they were dating anyway.

She decided to let him continue being nervous.

Cheng Ling, wearing a sweater and coat, came out of the room. Seeing Su Hao and then Zhou Yang, she tensed slightly. She covered her mouth and coughed. “You’re back?”

“Yes. Mom, how are you?” Su Hao walked over and helped her. Cheng Ling coughed again. “I’m fine.”

Su Hao, still concerned, helped her sit on the sofa and reached for the medicine kit. Zhou Yang set down the gift box and helped open it, taking out a thermometer for Su Hao.

Cheng Ling looked at Zhou Yang, her feelings mixed. “Zhou Yang, how have you been lately?”

Zhou Yang smiled. “I’m fine. Cheng Yi, you need to take care of your health. With the New Year coming, why not get a full check-up after the holidays?”

He remembered that Su Hao hadn’t arranged it last time. Zhou Yang’s manners were impeccable—charming, yet considerate. Cheng Ling nodded. “Alright, let’s do that after the New Year. Thank you, Zhou Yang.”

“You’re welcome.”

The temperature was normal. Su Hao sighed in relief, closed the kit, and asked, “Mom, what do you want to eat? I’ll cook.”

“I’ve got porridge simmering,” Cheng Ling said.

“Okay, I’ll make some side dishes.”

“Make one for Zhou Yang too,” Cheng Ling added from behind.

Su Hao replied, “No need. We’ve already eaten.”

“Oh.”

In the living room, only Zhou Yang and Cheng Ling remained. Cheng Ling leaned on the sofa, stealing a glance at the tall man on the single seat beside her. He was imposing, and she had always felt more awe than familial warmth toward him.

Zhou Yang’s eyes swept over the apartment. The lighting was decent, but it was a little outdated. He rubbed the corner of his lips, thinking of what to say.

He didn’t yet know Su Hao had reconciled with Cheng Ling.

Smiling, he said, “Cheng Yi, Su Hao is doing quite well at Meitong.”

“Yes. I think it suits her better than your company. Su Hao’s personality thrives in a freer environment,” Cheng Ling responded.

Zhou Yang tapped the armrest lightly. “Yes, but she can achieve even more.”

“Let’s take it slow. For now, I just hope she can be with the person she likes,” Cheng Ling said, subtly testing Zhou Yang.

She had guessed from her daughter that they were dating, though Su Hao hadn’t explicitly said. Hearing it from Zhou Yang would make her feel reassured.

Zhou Yang choked slightly on his throat.

“The person she likes?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Does Su Hao have someone she likes?”

Cheng Ling looked at him, speechless. She stammered, “…Yes. You didn’t know?”

She could only like me—even if it’s a tiny liking. Zhou Yang scratched his brow, probing, “Did Su Hao tell you?”

Cheng Ling was even more at a loss. “Yes…”

“Really? Did she tell you who?” Zhou Yang asked.

Seeing him like this, Cheng Ling hesitated. Are they dating? Perhaps Su Hao’s hints weren’t even toward Zhou Yang. Cheng Ling forced a laugh. “I… haven’t asked the name. Zhou Yang, who do you think she likes?”

Zhou Yang thought: it must be me.

He nodded. “Hmm… maybe me? Cheng Yi, what do you think of me?”

Finally, he asked.

Cheng Ling glanced toward the kitchen, seeing Su Hao moving about. She muttered, “You’re good, but a little clumsy.”

Zhou Yang: “???”

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