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

The two sat on the sofa for a while when He Ying's phone vibrated.

She glanced down and saw it was a notification from the food delivery platform, but ignored it.

Chen Dapeng glanced at her phone screen: "Are you hungry? Let's go out and get something to eat."

He Ying then realized that her stomach was empty; she hadn't eaten anything properly since leaving Beijing that afternoon.

She nodded: "Okay."

Chen Dapeng stood up, took a coat from the hanger, and handed it to her: "Wear this, it'll get colder tonight."

He Ying took the coat, put it on, and followed him out the door.

The two didn't go far, finding a small restaurant near their residence.

Chen Dapeng pushed open the door and stepped aside to let He Ying go in first.

The two sat down by the window.

Chen Dapeng didn't look at the menu and directly named a few dishes—all of which He Ying liked to eat.

He Ying sat opposite him, watching him order food, and suddenly felt a little dazed.

She recalled their first meal alone together; he was somewhat reserved, taking a few seconds to consider his words before speaking.

Now he doesn't need to look at the menu when ordering food.

The dishes were served one after another, steaming hot.

He Ying picked up a piece of fish and ate it slowly with her head down.

Chen Dapeng also picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, but didn't eat it right away. He first looked at her expression before speaking:

"What are your plans to do about your grandfather's matter?"

He Ying paused for a moment, then continued picking up food: "Wait for him to speak. It's better for him to say it himself than for me to ask for him."

Chen Dapeng nodded: "Then let's wait."

After finishing their meal, Chen Dapeng paid the bill, and the two walked out of the small restaurant.

A cool night breeze blew by, and He Ying wrapped her coat tighter around herself, subconsciously taking a half-step closer to Chen Dapeng.

Chen Dapeng noticed this, and naturally reached out to pull her hand into his coat pocket.

He Ying didn't pull away, and the two of them walked slowly along the street hand in hand.

When passing by a fruit shop, Chen Dapeng stopped and bought a bag of oranges. He Ying asked why he suddenly bought oranges.

He said, "You can eat if you're hungry at night."

He Ying glanced at him, said nothing, and smiled slightly.

It was almost nine o'clock when I got back to my place.

He Ying changed into slippers, put the bag of oranges on the coffee table, and sat down on the sofa.

Chen Dapeng went to the kitchen and poured two glasses of water. He placed one glass in front of her and carried the other glass himself, then sat down next to her.

He Ying leaned on his shoulder and after a while whispered, "Da Peng, what do you think would happen if my grandfather really told everyone about that?"

Chen Dapeng thought for a moment: "Let's do what needs to be done. If what he said is true, then that person should take responsibility. If no one believes him, at least he can put his mind at ease."

He Ying didn't ask any more questions.

She leaned back quietly for a while, then sat up straight and turned her head to look at Chen Dapeng.

She looked at him for a while, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't speak.

Chen Dapeng noticed her gaze, turned to look at her, and their eyes met. Neither of them looked away first.

He Ying leaned over and touched the corner of his mouth.

It was very light, like a test, or a confirmation.

Chen Dapeng turned his head slightly and met her lips.

The kiss came naturally, as if it were perfectly reasonable.

They both knew they wouldn't be separated again tonight.

Chen Dapeng's palm was pressed against He Ying's back, his fingertips slightly curled up.

He Ying placed her hand on his shoulder, her fingertips gripping it slightly.

Chen Dapeng's lips were warm yet firm, carrying an undeniable tenderness.

He Ying's hand slowly moved from his shoulder to the back of his neck, her fingertips gently running through his hair.

Chen Dapeng gently lifted her up and kissed her all the way from the sofa to the bedroom.

Chen Dapeng gently placed He Ying on the bed, then pressed himself against her soft, fragrant body.

He placed his hands on either side of He Ying's body, kissed her forehead, then stopped and looked down into her eyes.

He Ying's breathing was lighter than usual. She didn't speak, but gently tugged at his collar.

Chen Dapeng lowered his head and kissed her again, from her forehead to her eyes, to her nose, to her lips, to her chin, to her neck...

His kiss was gentle, moving downwards with each kiss.

Their clothes were removed one by one, leaving the two of them completely naked.

Under his gentle yet profound advances...

He Ying was completely melted, occasionally letting out low, joyful sounds...

I don't know how much time passed...

The room quieted down, and an intimate atmosphere lingered in the air.

He Ying turned to the side and buried her face in Chen Dapeng's shoulder.

Her arm was still draped loosely over his waist, neither tightening nor loosening.

Chen Dapeng didn't speak, he just lay quietly with his arm around her shoulder, occasionally gently brushing the ends of her hair with his fingers.

He Ying's voice came from the hollow of her shoulder, muffled:

"Dapeng".

"Um?"

Will you always love me? Love only me?

"Of course. I've already said that."

"I know, I just want to hear it one more time."

Chen Dapeng tightened his arms around her a little, pulling her closer to him: "Sister Ying, I will always love you, and only you."

He Ying smiled and snuggled closer to him.

"Dapeng, I'm going back to Qingshun County tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll take you."

He Ying didn't say "no need," but buried her face a little deeper into his shoulder.

The room fell silent again.

Their breathing gradually synchronized, as if they had become accustomed to each other's presence.

……

The next morning, when He Ying woke up, Chen Dapeng was no longer in bed.

She turned her head and saw a glass of warm water on the bedside table, with a note under the glass that read: "The porridge is in the pot. I'm going downstairs to buy something. Drink some water when you wake up."

He Ying picked up the note and read it over, a slight smile curving her lips.

She sat up, drank half a glass of water, then threw back the covers and got out of bed.

As I walked to the kitchen doorway, I saw a small earthenware pot on the stove with its lid on.

She lifted the lid, and a wave of steam rushed out. Inside was cooked white porridge, the rice grains already cooked until they dissolved, with a thin layer of rice oil floating on the surface.

She stood in the kitchen for a while, then turned and went to the bathroom to wash up.

When she came out again, she heard the sound of a key turning at the door.

Chen Dapeng pushed open the door and came in, carrying two plastic bags, one containing fried dough sticks and the other containing pickled vegetables and salted duck eggs.

He saw that He Ying had already gotten up and smiled:

"Perfect timing, the porridge is still warm."

He Ying walked over and took the bag from his hand: "What time did you get up?"

"A little earlier than you."

Chen Dapeng did not mention a specific time, but took off his coat and hung it on the hanger.

"The porridge has been simmering for a while, so it should have dissolved by now."

The two sat down at the dining table.

Plain congee with fried dough sticks, pickled vegetables, and salted duck eggs—simple yet piping hot.

He Ying lowered her head and took a sip of porridge. The rice grains had been cooked until they dissolved and were smooth in her mouth.

Chen Dapeng sat opposite her, slowly drinking from his bowl, occasionally putting a piece of pickled vegetable into her bowl.

He Ying drank more than half a bowl of porridge before putting it down, and looked at Chen Dapeng, asking, "Are you sure you'll make it to work today?"

"There's still time. I'll take you to the high-speed rail station."

He Ying did not refuse.

After finishing breakfast, He Ying put the dishes and chopsticks in the kitchen and washed them quickly.

She walked into the living room and said to Chen Dapeng:

"Dapeng, let's go out."

"it is good."

Chen Dapeng stood up, picked up He Ying's suitcase with one hand, took her hand with the other, and walked out side by side.