Er Gou, life in the countryside is so carefree!

The mornings in Xiushui Village are always filled with a unique fragrance of earth and the fresh scent of grass and trees.

On the eastern mountaintop, just as the first hint of dawn appeared, the morning mist still shrouded the village like a light veil, casting a hazy, ambiguous glow over this tranquil little mountain village.

In Chen Ergou's courtyard, on the old jujube tree, several sparrows were chirping incessantly, seemingly discussing the silent confrontation of the previous night.

Lin Yuqing got up very early, or rather, she didn't sleep well at all that night.

Last night by the fishpond, Chen Ergou's shameless reply, "I want both," was like a pebble thrown into her once calm lake of heart, stirring up ripples that were hard to calm down.

She tossed and turned, her mind filled with the man's almost shameless, honest gaze and the burning, pounding heartbeat in her palm.

When the first rays of morning light shone through the window onto the earthen bed, Lin Yuqing could no longer lie still.

She quickly got up and folded the bedding neatly, a professional habit she developed as a police officer, and also to conceal her inner panic.

Pushing open the door, the air in the courtyard was cool and fresh.

Chen Ergou was squatting by the water vat in the corner of the yard, brushing his teeth, his mouth full of white foam. Hearing the noise, he turned around and gave a mumbled greeting:

"Hey, Officer Lin, up so early? Aren't you going to take a nap?"

Looking at his casual appearance in baggy shorts and flip-flops, Lin Yuqing found it hard to connect him with the man from last night who had deep eyes and sharp words.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she instinctively avoided his gaze. She straightened her police uniform and said, feigning composure:

"No, I have a bunch of cases waiting to be processed at the station. Last night... I just came to check on things temporarily. Since everything's alright, I'll head back now."

The excuse was rather clumsy, and even she herself didn't find it convincing.

Chen Ergou gargled, spat the water into the drain, wiped his face haphazardly with a towel, and grinned as he approached.

"You're leaving already? Not even having breakfast? My sister-in-law made millet porridge, it smells delicious."

"I'm not eating anymore."

Lin Yuqing took a half step back, seemingly trying to create distance between them. The faint scent of male hormones made her feel a little suffocated.

"I need to go back and give a detailed report to Director Wang about Liu Dahu's case, and... and the security situation here."

When work was mentioned, her expression became slightly more serious, but her eyes still darted away.

Chen Ergou didn't try to keep her any longer, but instead dropped his playful grin and gave her a serious look:

"Alright, then drive carefully. If you run into any trouble, or if that Deputy Director Wang gives you a hard time again, remember to let me know. Even though I'm just a farmer, I should be able to earn back some face in the county."

Lin Yuqing was stunned for a moment, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She nodded and turned to walk towards the police car parked outside the courtyard.

Just as her hand touched the car door, she inexplicably stopped and turned back to give Chen Ergou a deep look.

In the dim light of dawn, the man leaned against the doorframe, the morning breeze ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead. His eyes shone brightly in the morning mist, and a signature wicked smile played on his lips.

That one glance contained so many complex emotions: the rationality and restraint of a police officer, the shyness and excitement of a woman, and an indescribable expectation.

"Chen Ergou," Lin Yuqing suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, "I will take my medicine on time."

After saying that, without waiting for Chen Ergou's reaction, she quickly opened the car door, got in, started the engine, and the police car, like a startled deer, hurriedly drove away from the Chen family's courtyard and disappeared into the morning mist at the village entrance.

Chen Ergou watched the police car drive away, stroked his chin, and smacked his lips:

"Tsk, this girl runs faster than a rabbit. Am I that scary?"

He hummed a little tune in a good mood, then turned and went back into the house.

As soon as you enter the main room, a rich aroma of millet porridge wafts over, mixed with the fragrance of pickled vegetables and scallion pancakes.

Zhang Qiaofen was busy working by the stove with her back to him.

She wore a faded floral shirt with an apron tied around her waist. The apron straps accentuated her slender and alluring waist, and as she ladled porridge, the curves of her hips were faintly visible, exuding the unique charm of a mature woman.

However, no matter how you looked at that back view, it exuded a sense of "coldness".

"Sister-in-law, it smells so good!" Chen Ergou leaned closer, grinning ingratiatingly. "Is breakfast this lavish today?"

Zhang Qiaofen slammed the spoon against the edge of the pot with a loud clang, without even turning her head, her voice cool:

"Does it smell good? I think some people are so captivated they can't even smell the food!"

Chen Ergou's heart skipped a beat, knowing that this was the aftershock of last night.

He quickly put on a smiling face and tried to take the bowl from Zhang Qiaofen's hands:

"Oh dear, sister-in-law, what are you saying? My soul isn't with you, where else could it be? Give it to me, don't burn your hand."

Zhang Qiaofen twisted her body to avoid his hand, slammed the bowl heavily on the stove, turned around, and her big, watery eyes were filled with resentment.

"Chen Ergou, don't try that on me!"

Zhang Qiaofen was still holding a rice spoon in her hand, pointing outside the door.

"Just now in the courtyard, you were exchanging glances with that Officer Lin. Did you think I was blind? 'Drive carefully,' 'Remember to tell me,' and 'Take your medicine on time'... Oh, anyone who didn't know better would think she was your newlywed wife!"

The vinegar smell is even stronger than Shanxi aged vinegar.

Chen Ergou looked at his sister-in-law's sullen face and, instead of finding it annoying, he found it particularly adorable.

Normally, Zhang Qiaofen is gentle, virtuous, and submissive. It is only in front of him that she reveals this girlish coquettishness and possessiveness.

What does this mean? It means that your sister-in-law cares about him and truly considers him her man.

"Sister-in-law, you've wronged me."

Chen Ergou stepped forward, forcing Zhang Qiaofen to the edge of the stove. He braced himself on either side of her, trapping her between his arms and the stove.

Startled by his sudden movement, Zhang Qiaofen instinctively leaned back, nearly dropping the rice spoon she was holding, and her face instantly flushed red.

"What...what are you doing? It's broad daylight, and the door isn't even properly closed!"

"I'm innocent, my dear sister-in-law."

Chen Ergou lowered his head, his forehead almost touching hers, his warm breath spraying onto her face:

"Officer Lin was just doing her job. I only cultivated a good relationship with her to maintain order in our village and to prevent our greenhouses from being vandalized. That's called...that's called united front work!"

"Pah! You're just spouting nonsense!"

Zhang Qiaofen spat at him and reached out to push him away, but when she pressed her hand against his firm chest, she couldn't get any strength out of him.

"What united front work? I think you just want to win them over to your bed!"

"No way!"

Chen Ergou cried out that he was innocent, but his eyes became burning as he looked down her neckline.

"My bed is warm enough with just my sister-in-law; other women are just fluff."

As he spoke, he didn't give Zhang Qiaofen a chance to speak again, and leaned forward, pressing his body tightly against her soft body.

Zhang Qiaofen felt a wave of heat wash over her, the masculine aura unique to men, mixed with a faint toothpaste fragrance, making her feel weak all over.

"No... Er Gou, the porridge... the porridge is getting cold..." Zhang Qiaofen's voice became soft and weak, without any intimidation.

"Even if it gets cold, it can be reheated, but your sister-in-law's heart must not grow cold."

Chen Ergou grinned wickedly, and one of his large hands quietly slid down to Zhang Qiaofen's lower back.

It felt soft and warm to the touch; through the thin shirt, I could clearly feel the smoothness of her skin and her body temperature.

"Ouch...it hurts..." Zhang Qiaofen suddenly cried out softly, her brows furrowing slightly.

Chen Ergou paused, immediately becoming anxious: "What's wrong, sister-in-law? Where does it hurt?"

"My back..." Zhang Qiaofen lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly, her voice barely audible, "Last night... last night you... you were up to your wits' end for too long, and this morning my back feels like it's broken, it's so sore."