First, then, love.

Actually, she doesn't like men smoking.

Back in college, Gu Jinzhi never smoked, and he always had a clean, fresh scent of laundry detergent on him.

She had met those blind date men who smoked.

When he opened his mouth, his teeth were yellow, and his breath smelled of fermented tobacco oil that had been accumulating for years, so unpleasant that it made people nauseous.

My clothes and fingers were covered in an indelible tarry smell.

She has a slight case of mysophobia and can't stand the smell.

But He Zheng is different.

He had strong, handsome features, and his smoking posture was very attractive. His fingers were long and slender with distinct knuckles, and he held a white pipe, exuding a rugged and fierce sexiness.

Amidst the swirling smoke, his dark eyes seemed unfathomable.

He Zheng took two puffs.

Turning her head, she met Shu Yao's scrutinizing gaze.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, hovering in mid-air.

The early autumn night wind changed direction, blowing a faint smell of tobacco towards Shu Yao.

Shu Yao wrinkled her nose slightly but didn't say anything.

He Zheng glanced at her and accurately caught the small gesture of her wrinkling her nose.

He didn't say a word.

He turned around and stubbed out the cigarette he had only taken two puffs of into the metal ashtray on the wooden railing next to him.

The crimson sparks died out completely, leaving only a wisp of smoke.

Shu Yao was stunned for a moment.

"Why did you pinch him?"

"The wind has changed." He Zheng threw the remaining half cigarette butt into the trash can. "It smells strong, it's pungent, and the smell of smoke sticks to my hair and I can't wash it off."

He turned around, leaned against the railing, and braced his arms on the edge of the wooden railing.

He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a small metal box.

He pushed open the sliding cover with his thumb, poured out two small white pills, and threw them directly into his mouth.

Close the lid and put it back in your pocket.

The pill was crushed by the teeth, making a crunching sound.

Shu Yao smelled a strong minty scent.

It was icy cold and pungent, instantly overpowering the faint smell of tobacco from before.

"What do you want to eat?" she asked.

"Breath freshener." He Zheng licked his cheek. "Old Li bought it, mint flavor, to get rid of the smell of smoke, it's strong."

He chewed the candy, the muscles at the angle of his jaw bulging slightly with the chewing motion, their lines sharp.

Shu Yao looked at him, and a feeling she couldn't quite explain suddenly welled up inside her.

This man looks rough, barbaric, and unreasonable.

But deep down, he was surprisingly clean.

His fingers had no yellow smoke marks, his nails were cut very short, his teeth were gleaming white, and he always smelled of fresh soap.

He would put out his cigarette when the wind changed direction, and he would chew chewing gum immediately after finishing his cigarette.

This is a kind of upbringing that doesn't annoy people.

Shu Yao likes clean-cut men.

He Zheng is wild, but not rough at all.

Shu Yao looked away, placed her hands back on the railing, and gazed at the cars below that looked like ants.

"Your dad seems to be in a good mood today," she said, starting the conversation.

"Mmm," He Zheng responded, his voice slightly muffled because of the sugar in his mouth.

"The old man hasn't drunk like this in a long time. Usually at home, no one dares to force him to drink; my mother is very strict."

"My dad is the same." Shu Yao smiled, her eyes crinkling. "He usually cares most about his scholarly pride. Today, your dad praised your mom so much that my dad's tail is practically wagging in the air. He'll probably be so happy he won't be able to sleep when he gets home."

"You're even more impressive." He Zheng turned his head, his dark eyes fixed on her profile. "With just a few words, you've got the old man and my mother completely under your thumb. The private banquet—that was a brilliant idea."

His tone was filled with undisguised admiration.

Shu Yao's lips curled up, her chin slightly raised, and her smugness returned.

"Of course, don't you know who I am?" she said shamelessly. "If I hadn't shown up, your mother and father would have been fighting in the private room."

He Zheng chuckled softly, his chest heaving.

"Yes, you're the best." He went along with her words, his tone full of indulgence.

He turned to the side, rested his elbow on the railing, and leaned his body slightly towards her.

"From now on, all these household matters will be handled by you; I won't interfere."

"Dream on." Shu Yao rolled her eyes at him. "I can't be bothered with your family affairs. I'm only responsible for spending money."

"Sure, plenty of money," He Zheng replied readily.

The two stood by the railing, enjoying the night breeze, chatting idly.

The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Shu Yao stood for a while and felt her legs getting a little sore.

She wore a pair of five-centimeter stilettos today. To match her clothes, the toes were very pointed, making them too tight for her feet.

She bent down slightly, reached out and rubbed her calf, then shifted her weight to her other foot.

The soles of the high heels made a soft scraping sound on the wooden floor.

He Zheng looked down, his gaze falling on her feet.

Black low heels, revealing a large expanse of fair instep, ankles so thin they looked as if they could be broken with a single hand.

"Does your foot hurt?" he asked.

"A little." Shu Yao didn't try to be brave; she frowned. "Standing for a long time is tiring."

He Zheng frowned. "Take it off if you're uncomfortable."

"Standing barefoot on the ground? How dirty! And there are splinters." Shu Yao glanced at the anti-corrosion wood flooring with disdain.

He Zheng didn't say anything.

He suddenly straightened up and took a step forward.

His tall figure blocked Shu Yao's path.

Shu Yao paused for a moment, then looked up at him.

He Zheng lowered his eyelids, his dark eyes fixed on her.

Then, he suddenly bent down and knelt on one knee on the wooden floor.

Shu Yao was so startled that she took a step back, her lower back hitting the railing.

"He Zheng! What are you doing!" she exclaimed in a low voice, looking around.

Fortunately, no one was on the balcony.

What's wrong with this man? Why is he kneeling down like that?

He Zheng ignored her overreaction.

He knelt on one knee, his back straight, and reached out his large hand to grab her slender left ankle.

"Don't move." His voice was deep and commanding.

Shu Yao dared not move and froze in place.

He Zheng lowered his head, his fingers groping for the edge of the heel of his high heels.

Gently pull it down.

He took the pointed high heel off her feet.

Shu Yao's body swayed as she lost her footing.

He Zheng's other hand steadily supported the soles of her feet.

His hands were enormous, cradling her delicate soles.

The contrast between roughness and smoothness is extreme.

Shu Yao's breath caught in her throat, and her cheeks instantly burned bright red.