I slept with my sister's classmate, and she turned out to be my boss.

At eight o'clock on Sunday morning, Chen Dapeng was still asleep when there was a knock on the door.

dong dong dong.

The pace was fast, with an undeniable momentum.

He groggily opened his eyes and glanced at his phone—8:03.

Who's here so early?

He got up, put on a T-shirt, walked to the door, and looked out through the peephole. He instantly became fully awake.

Chen Yang stood outside the door, wearing a beige trench coat, carrying a bag in his hand, with no expression on his face.

Chen Dapeng took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Sis? Why are you up so early..."

"I brought you breakfast." Chen Yang walked in, put the bag on the table, and looked around his place. "It's quite clean."

Why didn't you call ahead?

"You called ahead so you could prepare?" Chen Yang turned to look at him, his gaze sweeping over his face. "So you could hide what you could, and prepare an explanation for what you couldn't?"

Chen Dapeng's heart tightened, but he pretended to be nonchalant: "Sis, what are you saying?"

"You know what I'm saying." Chen Yang sat down on the sofa and patted the seat next to him. "Come sit down."

Chen Dapeng sat down next to her, his back ramrod straight, like a primary school student waiting to be scolded.

Chen Yang opened the bag and took out a box of steamed buns and a cup of soy milk.

"Eat first, then we'll talk."

Chen Dapeng picked up a small steamed bun, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, but was too nervous to taste anything.

Chen Yang sat beside him, watching him eat without saying a word.

Chen Dapeng ate one after another very quickly, as if he wanted to shut his mouth to avoid answering questions.

When they reached the fifth one, Chen Yang spoke up.

"Dapeng".

He stopped chewing and looked up.

"Did you offend someone?"

Chen Dapeng swallowed the bun in his mouth and shook his head: "No."

"Then why were you transferred to the Information Technology Department?"

"Normal job rotation."

"Normal job rotation?" Chen Yang's voice rose several octaves. "Da Peng, do you think I'm easy to fool, or do you think I'm clueless?"

Chen Dapeng remained silent.

Chen Yang stared at him for a few seconds, then took a deep breath, as if suppressing his emotions.

"I've inquired about it. The Information Technology Department is the most peripheral department in the government office. Usually, only people nearing retirement or those who have been marginalized are transferred there. You're a newcomer who's only been here for less than a month, and you're telling me it's normal job rotation?"

Chen Dapeng lowered his head, looking at the half-eaten bun in his hand, and suddenly lost his appetite.

"Sister, there are some things I can't tell you right now."

"Why not?"

"Because..." he paused, "because it wouldn't be good for you to tell you."

Chen Yang was stunned for a moment.

She looked at Chen Dapeng, the anger in her eyes slowly receding, replaced by a complex emotion—worry, heartache, and a hint of unease.

"Dapeng, have you gotten yourself into some trouble?"

Chen Dapeng remained silent.

"Look me in the eyes."

Chen Dapeng raised his head and looked into Chen Yang's eyes.

From childhood to adulthood, he had lied countless times in front of those eyes, and each time he was exposed on the spot.

This time, he didn't want to lie.

But he couldn't tell the truth either.

"Sister," his voice was hoarse, "I really can't tell you. But believe me, I won't do anything illegal, nor will I do anything against my conscience."

Chen Yang stared at him for a long time.

"Then tell me something."

"What?"

"Does this have anything to do with He Ying?"

Chen Dapeng's fingers tightened slightly.

He hesitated for a fraction of a second.

It was that fraction of a second of hesitation that Chen Yang caught.

"It's related," Chen Yang said, providing the answer for him.

Chen Dapeng neither denied nor admitted it.

He lowered his head, stuffed the remaining half of the bun into his mouth, and chewed for a long time.

Chen Yang stood up, took a couple of steps around the room, then stopped, turned around and looked at him.

"Dapeng, is there something you're hiding from me about He Ying?"

"No!" Chen Dapeng raised his head, his voice a few decibels louder than before, "Sis, don't overthink it..."

"Then why are you protecting her?" Chen Yang walked back, squatted down in front of him, and looked into his eyes. "I just asked you if this had anything to do with He Ying, and you hesitated. You've always hesitated before lying, from childhood to adulthood. Do you think I don't know that?"

Chen Dapeng opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.

Chen Yang stood up, picked up the bag on the table, and put the unfinished buns into it.

"Sis, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to check on He Ying." Chen Yang picked up the bag and walked towards the door.

Chen Dapeng stood up and chased after her, saying, "Sis, don't go looking for her!"

Chen Yang stopped, turned around, and looked at him.

"Dapeng, I'll ask you one more time—what exactly are you and He Ying hiding from me?"

Chen Dapeng stood in front of her, his heart pounding like a drum.

He knew that if he told the truth, his sister would definitely explode.

But he also knew that if he didn't tell her, his sister would go to He Ying.

How will He Ying respond?

Will she tell her sister everything?

Or will she help him cover up the lie?

He dared not gamble.

"Sister," he took a deep breath, "go find County Chief He. You can ask her about other things, but don't question her about my transfer. She's the county chief, she's your classmate, and it's not good for you to be caught in the middle."

Chen Yang looked at him, his gaze holding something indescribable.

"Dapeng, do you know what you just said?"

"What?"

"You call her 'County Chief He' instead of 'Sister Ying'," Chen Yang said, emphasizing each word. "When you're nervous, you subconsciously use the most formal form of address. It's a habit you've had since you were little."

Chen Dapeng was stunned for a moment.

He himself didn't realize it.

"And another thing." Chen Yang took half a step forward, getting closer to him, "You just said, 'Don't question her about my transfer'—how do you know I was going to question her? When did I ever say I was going to question her?"

Chen Dapeng's mind raced, but he couldn't find a reasonable explanation.

"I just..."

"You're just feeling guilty," Chen Yang said for him.

She looked at him, and the scrutiny in her eyes slowly turned into confirmation.

"Dapeng, something's definitely going on between you and He Ying. And it's not a small matter."

"sister……"

"You don't need to explain," Chen Yang raised his hand to interrupt him. "I'm going to find He Ying now. I'll come back to you after I've found out."

She turned around, opened the door, and went out.

The door clicked shut.

Chen Dapeng stood at the door, staring at the closed door, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his throat.

He picked up his phone, wanting to send a message to He Ying to remind her, but his finger hovered above the screen, unsure of what to say.

My sister went to look for you.

"Handle this with care."

This is tantamount to telling He Ying that his sister is suspicious of something.

He hesitated for a long time before finally putting his phone down.

My sister has passed away.

It was too late to say anything.

Chen Dapeng walked back to the sofa, sat down, stared at the unfinished cup of soy milk on the table, his mind a complete mess.

My sister is so smart, she understands him so well, and she understands He Ying so well.

What will she see?

What will she guess?

If she knew what happened that night...

The two of them, in a drunken stupor, slept soundly through the night...

Chen Dapeng closed his eyes, not daring to think any further.

He picked up his phone, scrolled to He Ying's WeChat, and typed: "My sister went to see you." He then deleted it.

He typed another line: "My sister is suspicious of us. Be careful." and then deleted it.

In the end, he didn't send anything. He threw his phone on the sofa, leaned back against the cushion, and stared at the ceiling.

Knowing Chen Yang's personality, she would definitely get to the bottom of things...

The truth will definitely come out.

It’s over.

This time it's really over.

……

at the same time.

In a coffee shop in the county town, He Ying sat by the window with a cup of Americano in front of her.

She didn't have any plans for today. She originally intended to stay at her place and look at some documents, but Chen Yang messaged her saying he wanted to meet and chat, so she came out.

Before I could even take two sips of my coffee, the coffee shop door was pushed open.

Chen Yang walked in, glanced around, locked onto He Ying's location, and strode over.

He Ying looked up and saw Chen Yang's expression, her heart sinking slightly.

There was no smile on Chen Yang's face.

"You're here? Have a seat."

He Ying pointed to the spot opposite.

Chen Yang sat down, put his bag aside, looked at He Ying, and didn't order coffee or exchange pleasantries.

"Chen Yang, what's wrong? You look terrible."

He Ying picked up her coffee cup, took a sip, and tried her best to make her voice sound natural.

Chen Yang stared at her for a few seconds, then cut to the chase: "Yingying, I have a few questions for you. Tell me the truth."

He Ying put down her coffee cup, leaned back in her chair, and looked at Chen Yang.

"Go ahead and ask."

"Was Dapeng transferred to the IT department because of you?"

He Ying tapped her fingers lightly on the table.

She had thought about this problem last night.

Chen Yang will definitely come and ask.

She had also mentally rehearsed how to answer many times.

But now, facing Chen Yang's eyes, she found that the words she had prepared were hard to say.

"Yes and no." She chose her words carefully. "The transfer is an organizational procedure, not something I can decide on my own. But this matter does involve me."

Chen Yang frowned: "What do you mean?"

"The situation in Qingshun County is more complicated than you imagine," He Ying said calmly. "Dapeng was transferred to the Information Department, partly for work-related reasons, but also... other factors."

"What factors?"

He Ying remained silent for a few seconds.

She was wondering how much to say.

Saying too much will put Chen Dapeng in an even more dangerous situation.

If you say too little, Chen Yang won't let it go.

"Chen Yang." She looked into Chen Yang's eyes. "Da Peng is doing something for me. Someone doesn't want him to do it. So they transferred him to the information department, wanting to keep him away from core work."

Chen Yang's expression changed.

"What is he doing for you?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you that." He Ying shook her head. "It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that the fewer people who know, the safer it is."

Chen Yang stared at her for a few seconds, then took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his emotions.

"Yingying, Dapeng is my younger brother. I've watched him grow up since he was a child. I know him better than anyone else. He's kind, but sometimes too impulsive; he's smart, but sometimes too naive. I'm worried about him getting involved in your affairs."

"I know," He Ying's voice lowered, "but I need him for this."

Chen Yang was stunned for a moment.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I need him." He Ying repeated, her tone more determined than before, "There aren't many people I can trust in this county. Dapeng is one of them."

Chen Yang looked at her, and the scrutiny in his eyes slowly turned into something indescribable.

"Yingying, you and my brother..."

"No," He Ying interrupted her, her tone decisive. "Nothing at all. He's your brother, I'm your classmate, and I'm six years older than him. Chen Yang, you're overthinking it."

Chen Yang stared at her for a long time.

He Ying did not avoid her gaze, but steadily looked back at her.

The two women stared at each other for nearly ten seconds.

Finally, Chen Yang looked away.

"Okay." She nodded. "If you say no, then no. But I have another question for you."

"you say."

"Is it dangerous for Dapeng to be transferred to the Information Technology Department?"

He Ying remained silent for a few seconds.

"No," she finally said. "There's no danger in working in the IT department."

"Yingying, I'm entrusting my younger brother to you. You have to ensure his safety."

"I promise," He Ying said, looking into Chen Yang's eyes, "as long as I'm in Qingshun County, I won't let Dapeng get into trouble."

Chen Yang looked at her and nodded.

Okay. I believe you.

She stood up and picked up her bag.

"I'm leaving."

"Chen Yang," He Ying stood up as well, "aren't you going to have a cup of coffee before you leave?"

"I'm not drinking anymore." Chen Yang shook his head and turned to walk out.

She took two steps, then stopped and turned around.

"Yingying."

"Um?"

"You and Dapeng..." She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, "...be mindful of your words."

He Ying's expression remained unchanged, but her fingers tightened slightly under the table.

"I know."

Chen Yang glanced at her, then turned and left.

The café door closed, and a bell rang.

He Ying stood there, watching Chen Yang's figure disappear into the street.

She slowly sat back down in her chair, picked up her now-cold coffee, and took a sip.

very bitter.

She put down her cup and picked up her phone.

On the screen, Chen Dapeng's WeChat account lay there quietly, without a single word posted.

She hesitated for a moment, then typed: "Your sister is gone. She didn't find anything."

Less than ten seconds after I sent it, the other party replied.

"She didn't ask you anything, did she?"

He Ying thought for a moment and replied, "I asked. I handled it all."

"That's good."

He Ying stared at those three words for a few seconds, then typed another line: "Da Peng, your sister cares about you a lot. Don't let her worry."

"I know."

He Ying put down her phone, leaned back in her chair, and looked out the window.

The streets were bustling with people, and the sun was shining brightly.

But in her heart, there was a place that felt heavy.

Just now, Chen Yang asked her, "You and my brother...", but she interrupted him.

But she knew exactly what Chen Yang wanted to say.

Chen Yang was suspicious.

Although she denied it, Chen Yang is the kind of person who, once he becomes suspicious, won't easily let go of it.

"Be mindful of your limits"—these were Chen Yang's last words.

He Ying closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

"He Ying, you really need to be more careful about what you say."

She said to herself.

But another voice asks—

"Discretions? Between you and Chen Dapeng, what discrepancies have been left since that night?"

She opened her eyes, picked up the now-cold coffee, and drank it all in one gulp.

It was bitter, but it couldn't compare to the feeling in her heart.