The sunlight was quite good today, streaming into the bathroom.

 

Backlit by the light, Zhou Yang’s expression was hard to read. After a brief pause, he reached out and continued fixing the pipe, then asked,

 

“How did you know?”

 

He did not bother to hide it. He admitted it openly.

 

He just didn’t know who had let it slip.
Heh.

 

Su Hao pulled out another tissue and gently wiped the sweat from his neck.

 

“I guessed,” she said softly.

 

“Are you… showing off?” she asked quietly.

 

Zhou Yang let out a short laugh but did not answer.

 

He really had no face to answer.

 

Su Hao smiled faintly as well and watched his long, well-defined fingers working at the damaged spot.

 

It was an old building. The main water valve was downstairs, connected to the grocery store on the first floor. The store needed water, and once it was shut off, the whole place would be unusable. So all they could do was get someone to temporarily block the leak as fast as possible.

 

He was a rich young master who supposedly never lifted a finger—yet unexpectedly, he was quite skilled, working in a surprisingly professional manner.

 

Su Hao tossed the tissue away and asked,

 

“How do you know how to do this?”

 

“I learned,” Zhou Yang replied.

 

He closed the wooden panel, shut the toolbox, stood up, and lightly kicked the door with his long leg. At the same time, he pulled Su Hao into his arms.

 

He leaned against the door. Su Hao leaned into his chest, her fingertips resting lightly on his chest as she tilted her head up to look at him.

 

“Where did you learn it?”

 

Her dress was thin. His palm rested on her waist and gently rubbed against it. She could feel how rough his hand was.

 

Zhou Yang curled his lips.

 

“Back when I was studying at Harvard. All those military-grade guns were assembled by me.”

 

In other words, his hands were very capable.

 

Su Hao nodded.

 

“That’s impressive.”

 

“Then… how about a reward?”

 

He lowered his head slightly, breathing in the scent of her hair. He tilted his head and pressed his lips to her cheek.

 

Su Hao barely dodged. Her gaze drifted toward the pipe. Anyone paying close attention could see that the original damaged spot had already been patched, and the section Zhou Yang had worked on was newly repaired.

 

He placed light kisses along her neck.

 

Su Hao clutched his collar, a flush spreading across her face.

 

“I’m starting to realize you can be quite unscrupulous sometimes,” she said.

 

Zhou Yang paused, his face still buried against her.

 

His voice was low and muffled. “Am I?”

 

Su Hao let out a soft laugh.

 

“You know perfectly well.”

 

He lifted his head slightly and kissed the corner of her lips.

 

“It’s all for you.”

 

“Don’t,” Su Hao said. “I can’t afford that kind of responsibility.”

 

After the kiss, Zhou Yang pressed her face into his chest and looked at the sunlight and dust dancing in the air outside the door. He tightened his arm around her waist.

 

“I’m a good person.”

 

Su Hao laughed.

 

She lightly punched his chest.

 

She realized that the more time she spent with him, the less guarded she became. She could say many things freely now—and he always understood at once. This man understood everything.

 

No wonder he was so arrogant.

 

A knock sounded on the door.

 

Both of them froze for a moment, their breathing stiffening.

 

From outside, Cheng Ling’s voice came through the door.

 

“Su Hao? Zhou Yang? Are you done?”

 

Su Hao immediately pulled herself out of Zhou Yang’s arms.

 

“Yes, we’re done,” she replied.

 

She pushed him away and reached for the door.

 

Zhou Yang stepped aside. The sudden emptiness in his arms made him uncomfortable. Even more uncomfortable was how quickly Su Hao seemed to distance herself from him.

 

After the door opened, Cheng Ling was holding a spatula. Her first glance went straight to the pipe on the floor. Seeing the wooden cover back in place, she finally relaxed.

 

“Where’s Zhou Yang?” she asked.

 

“He’s washing his hands,” Su Hao replied calmly as she walked out of the bathroom and lightly tugged at her collar.

 

“Oh, alright.”

 

Cheng Ling never imagined that Su Hao and Zhou Yang would be involved with each other, so she didn’t think much of it. She turned back toward the kitchen. Two seconds later, she stuck her head out again.

 

“Su Hao, is he staying for dinner?”

 

Su Hao poured a glass of water. Hearing the sound of running water in the bathroom, she guessed he was probably washing his face.

 

“Yes. He’ll eat here. It’s already so late.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Cheng Ling went back into the kitchen.

 

The bathroom light dimmed briefly as Zhou Yang came out with his sleeves rolled up. There were still droplets of water on his neck. He walked to the coffee table, bent down to pick up his watch, turned his wrist, and put it on.

 

His long, narrow eyes settled on Su Hao, who was standing by the dining table.

 

She carried the glass of water over. Their gazes met. She set it down on the coffee table.

 

Zhou Yang straightened his collar and reached for the cup.

 

As he brushed past her, he asked in a low voice,

 

“When are you going to tell Aunt Cheng? I always feel like a secret lover.”

 

Su Hao glanced at him, her eyes clearly saying:
Don’t you look exactly like one? You’ve always been one.

 

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes and read the meaning in her gaze.

 

His chest tightened.

 

A second later, he took a sip of water and said casually,

 

“This matter still needs my mom’s help. But my mom… she tends to sabotage me.”

 

Su Hao was surprised that his thoughts matched hers exactly.

 

“You’re quite self-aware,” she said.

 

Zhou Yang: “……”

 

At that moment, Cheng Ling called Su Hao from the kitchen to help carry the dishes.

 

Two dishes were already ready on the stove.

 

“I don’t know if he’s used to this kind of food,” Cheng Ling said. “I just took out everything I could find in the fridge.”

 

“If he can eat it, he’ll eat more. If not, he’ll eat less. He’s not short one meal,” Su Hao replied.

 

“That’s true.”

 

Cheng Ling instantly felt less pressured.

 

Su Hao carried the dishes out. Shortly after, dinner was ready.

 

Zhou Yang took a phone call during that time.

 

Four dishes and one soup.

 

The three of them sat down together.

 

Su Hao ladled a bowl of soup for Zhou Yang. He picked some food for her. They interacted naturally, but still kept a certain distance.

 

Throughout the meal, Cheng Ling did not notice anything unusual between them.

 

After eating, Zhou Yang checked his phone.

 

“Tonight we’re going to Liu Yan’s bar. It just opened.”

 

Su Hao nodded.

 

“Don’t stay out too late,” Cheng Ling reminded her.

 

“Okay,” Su Hao replied.

 

She helped carry the dishes back into the kitchen and chatted with Cheng Ling for a while before coming out to leave with Zhou Yang.

 

Just as they stepped out, Cheng Ling suddenly seemed to remember something and followed them to the door.

 

“Su Hao.”

 

Zhou Yang’s hand, which had been resting on Su Hao’s waist, was abruptly shaken off.

 

He turned to look at her.

 

Su Hao turned back toward Cheng Ling.

 

Cheng Ling hadn’t noticed their small movement. She only said,

 

“Don’t drink alcohol. Just go have some fun.”

 

“I know,” Su Hao replied with a smile.

 

Zhou Yang stood to the side, watching the scene, feeling inexplicably stifled.

 

Having to hide his identity in front of his girlfriend’s mother was unbearable. He toyed with a cigarette in his fingers until he crushed it.

 

After the door closed—

 

In the hallway, only the two of them remained.

 

Su Hao glanced at him.

 

Zhou Yang put the crushed cigarette back into his pocket, grabbed her hand, and pulled her downstairs.

 

His voice was a little cold.

 

“What’s wrong with me, hm?”

 

Su Hao replied, “What do you think is so good about you?”

 

Zhou Yang stopped in his tracks.

 

He turned back. Su Hao stood one step above him, her brows soft. She smiled faintly.

 

“A girl from an ordinary family can’t afford to play games with a man like you. And ordinary parents… avoid you like the plague.”

 

Zhou Yang stepped up and closed the distance between them, his knee pressing lightly against hers.

 

“If you got pregnant, Aunt Cheng probably wouldn’t be able to object anymore, right?”

 

His breath was very close. His fingers still carried a faint mint scent.

 

Su Hao looked at him. She could feel that, in front of her mother, his pride probably couldn’t hold its head up.

 

His ego must have been hurt.

 

She asked quietly,

 

“Then why didn’t you have a child before?”

 

Zhou Yang toyed with her earlobe.

 

“They weren’t worthy.”

 

That thought lingered in his mind. His fingers slid down and pressed lightly against her abdomen.

 

Su Hao immediately slapped his hand away.

 

Zhou Yang raised his brows but did not continue. He took her hand again and led her downstairs.

 

His restless, stifled mood eased a little.

 

A child… could be a way, after all.

 

After getting into the car, Su Hao saw a message from Liu Yan.

 

Liu Yan: Su Hao, don’t forget to come tonight.
Su Hao: Okay, I’m on the way.

 

The black Bentley started up and merged onto the main road, heading toward the bar district in the city center.

 

Su Hao glanced at the man in the driver’s seat. He took out a cigarette but didn’t light it. Holding it between his lips, he glanced at her.

 

Their eyes met for a moment.

 

With the cigarette tilted between his lips, Zhou Yang reached over, took her hand, and gave it a light squeeze.

 

Liu Yan’s bar was located in the central area, but not on a particularly busy street—more toward a quiet corner.

 

Many cars were already parked outside, all luxury models.

 

Most of the young heirs and socialites of Li City were probably there.

 

The music wasn’t loud—quite soft, actually.

 

After parking, Zhou Yang wrapped an arm around Su Hao’s waist and walked inside with her.

 

At the entrance, they ran into Li Yi, who was leaning against the wall on a phone call, clearly coaxing someone.

 

He gestured for them to go in first and greeted Su Hao.

 

Zhou Yang asked with a half-smile,

 

“Run into some little enchantress?”

 

Li Yi replied, “Su Hao, keep him in check. He has a sharp mouth.”

 

Su Hao smiled and glanced at Zhou Yang.

 

Zhou Yang coughed lightly and obediently held her as they walked in.

 

Li Yi, still leaning against the wall, clicked his tongue.

 

So Zhou Yang wasn’t that impressive after all.

 

Inside, the booths were designed in crescent shapes.

 

Xu Dian, Meng Ying, Jiang Yu, and Yun Lü were sitting together, playing dice.

 

Zhou Yang led Su Hao over. Yun Lü waved at them.

 

Su Hao sat down beside Yun Lü. Zhou Yang casually picked up a glass of fruit wine and placed it in front of Su Hao.

 

Then he sat at the edge of the sofa, one arm around her waist. He accepted a cigarette someone passed over from Liu Yan’s staff and tapped it lightly on the table.

 

Xu Dian tossed a dice cup over. Zhou Yang caught it, rolled up his sleeves, put the cigarette between his lips, and joined in.

 

“What are we drinking?” he asked, lifting his eyes.

 

Xu Dian bit down on a mint candy and said,

 

“Competing in drinking? Let’s wait for Liu Yan and see what she wants to challenge us with.”

 

“She’s probably busy,” Zhou Yang replied.

 

The bar grew more crowded. Liu Yan appeared behind the counter. A group of people cheered, calling for her to come over.

 

Leaning against the bar, she said,

 

“I’m not getting married. Why would I come over to toast you?”

 

Everyone laughed.

 

Su Hao took a sip of her fruit wine and looked toward the bar, which was already packed with people.

 

Soon, several people stood up and headed over to toast Liu Yan. She refused to drink, and in the end, the group came over instead.

 

As soon as they arrived at the booth, they saw Su Hao sitting beside Zhou Yang.

 

A few of them exchanged looks and then bowed slightly toward her.

 

“Hello, sister-in-law! You’re so beautiful!”

 

Su Hao was startled.

 

“Hello.”

 

Her voice was soft and gentle.

 

The moment she spoke, the group went quiet.

 

Her voice was unexpectedly pleasant.

 

Zhou Yang kicked the man in front.

 

“Get lost!”

 

A bunch of playboys.

 

They were used to women who were good at social games. A woman like Su Hao—proper, gentle, and soft—felt entirely different.

 

The man froze for a moment, hastily finished his drink, and fled with the others.

 

Men really had no resistance to this kind of soft, tender woman.

 

Zhou Yang set his glass down and leaned in close, pressing Su Hao back into the corner of the sofa.

 

In a low voice, he said,

 

“Can you be a little fiercer with other people? Like how you are with me. Sharp-tongued and all.”

 

Su Hao pushed his shoulder.

 

“I’ll try.”

 

Zhou Yang snorted.

 

Only now did he realize that women like Su Hao were exactly the kind of “white moonlight” many men secretly cherished.

 

Damn it.

 

For the opening night, Liu Yan organized a lottery. Anyone who drank a special cocktail she created could go up to draw a prize.

 

Zhou Yang actually became interested.

 

After kissing Su Hao on the lips, he said,

 

“Wait here. I’ll win you a big prize.”

 

Su Hao nodded and leaned against the table, craning her neck to watch.

 

Occasional laughter erupted from the bar.

 

She saw Zhou Yang sitting at the counter, surrounded by people, one hand propping his head as he laughed. His collarbone was slightly exposed, still as charming as ever.

 

Xu Dian and Jiang Yu went over to join the fun, leaving only the three women behind.

 

Yun Lü grabbed Su Hao’s hand and chatted nonstop.

 

Su Hao listened attentively. Yun Lü was genuinely cute and often added playful little tones to her words.

 

Meng Ying occasionally joined in.

 

The atmosphere among the three women was warm and lively.

 

Just then, a tall figure appeared at the booth.

 

Su Hao looked up—and met Li Xiu’s delicate face.

 

Li Xiu smiled.

 

“Sister Su Hao, long time no see.”

 

“Long time no see,” Su Hao replied.

 

Li Xiu stood there calmly and greeted Meng Ying and Yun Lü as well.

 

Yun Lü looked at her curiously. Meng Ying glanced at her once and lost interest.

 

Li Xiu glanced at the glasses on the table.

 

“Sister Su Hao, how have you been lately? You’re drinking fruit wine?”

 

Su Hao looked at her glass and nodded.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Fruit wine is still alcohol. You should drink less,” Li Xiu tilted her head slightly, sounding concerned.

 

“I will.”

 

There was a brief silence.

 

“Can I sit for a while and chat with you?” Li Xiu asked carefully.

 

Su Hao glanced at Yun Lü, who nodded.

 

Su Hao shifted slightly and smiled.

 

“Sure.”

 

Li Xiu sat down beside her. She was wearing a black slip dress, revealing a bit of her collarbone.

 

At a glance, Su Hao noticed the tattoo there.

 

A clear, unmistakable letter—

 

Z.

 

Su Hao narrowed her eyes slightly but remained composed.

 

Li Xiu turned toward her.

 

“I’ve been really busy lately and haven’t had time to contact you. I should congratulate you, Sister Su Hao, for being with Zhou Yang.”

 

Such a pretty opening.

 

Su Hao smiled.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Li Xiu’s eyelashes were long, her eye makeup heavy. When she lowered her gaze, she looked slightly melancholic.

 

After a few seconds, she leaned closer to Su Hao and whispered,

 

“Sister.”

 

“Zhou Yang did all those crazy things for you today—fighting, kneeling, roses, balloons—only because you were hard to get. He’ll get tired of it sooner or later. He’s not that kind of person. He will never change for any woman. Freshness always fades.”

 

Her voice was still soft and sweet.

 

It sounded like casual conversation.

 

But every word cut sharply.

 

Yun Lü’s eyes widened.

 

Even Meng Ying straightened up, suddenly interested.

 

Su Hao rested her chin on her hand and looked at Li Xiu.

 

As expected—she hadn’t come with good intentions.

 

After a few quiet seconds, Su Hao smiled gently and said,

 

“You’re right.”

 

Li Xiu’s eyelashes fluttered.

 

She immediately looked at Su Hao, thinking she had won.

 

Su Hao’s eyes curved into a harmless smile.

 

“Then why don’t you ask Zhou Yang to kneel for you?”

 

Her tone remained soft.

 

“Ask him to fight for you. How about that?”

 

Li Xiu’s face changed drastically.

 

She stared at Su Hao in disbelief—at the woman who still looked utterly gentle and harmless.