First, then, love.

The sunlight gently shone on the two of them.

Shu Yao ate the bowl of bird's nest slowly, and broke out in a fine sweat.

He Zheng took the empty bowl away and casually ruffled her hair, the gesture natural and affectionate.

However, this warm and affectionate scene, even with a touch of domesticity, did not last long.

At night, the man completely shed the mask of a hardworking "farmhand" he had worn during the day.

After breaking through the defenses, He Zheng completely shed the label of "cold noodles and abstinence".

The SWAT captain who used to be so disciplined, cold, and aloof about women is dead.

He Zheng now is simply a thug in police uniform, insatiable.

Relying on his superhuman physical abilities honed through special training, he managed to keep the pampered Shu Yao completely under his thumb every night.

And they come in all sorts of creative ways.

*

Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.

Starry Sky Art Center, Teachers' Lounge.

With the air conditioner blowing warm air, Shu Yao leaned back on the fabric sofa, yawned three times, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Last night I was up until two or three in the morning again. When I finally finished cleaning up, I looked up and saw... it was 4:30.

I have to get up at seven in the morning, what's the point of sleeping?

Everyone says love is nourishing, but she's too weak to absorb it now...

My whole body ached and felt weak; even my wrist, which held the cello bow, was sore and trembling.

Even with concealer, my dark circles are barely covered.

Qiaoqiao brought over a glass of iced Americano and plopped down next to her, staring intently at her neck like a searchlight.

"Tsk tsk tsk, even a turtleneck sweater can't hide it, Captain He has really good teeth." Qiao Qiao grinned mischievously and nudged her with her elbow.

Shu Yao quickly pulled her white turtleneck up, her cheeks burning.

"Shut up and drink your coffee." She glared at Qiao Qiao without much confidence.

"Stop pretending. Who was doubting his abilities just a few days ago?" Qiao Qiao lowered her voice, winking. "Now you know the combat effectiveness of the SWAT team, right? Does this count as a work injury? Can it be reimbursed?"

Shu Yao was so angry that she reached out and pinched her mouth.

Just then, the phone on the table vibrated.

The screen lights up, and a new message pops up on WeChat.

[He Lao Er]: I'll pick you up after get off work.

Shu Yao stared at the screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

【杳】: No need, I'll drive myself.

The other party replied instantly, so fast it was as if they were constantly staring at the screen.

[He Lao Er]: Your legs aren't weak anymore? You can step on the brakes now?

Shu Yao gasped, nearly smashing her phone in Qiao Qiao's face.

This man, how can he say anything like that! Shameless!

Where did that taciturn guy who couldn't utter a single word for ages go?

She replied through gritted teeth, her fingers slamming against the screen with tremendous force.

【杳】：Get lost! If you keep talking nonsense, I'll block you!

He Zheng was not afraid of her threats at all. The messages kept popping up, and he was so self-righteous and shameless.

[He Lao Er]: The box at home is finished. I'll go to the supermarket on my way home from get off work and buy the ones we usually use. I'll make sure I don't buy the wrong brand.

[He Lao Er]: The sink was a bit cold last night, so I'm trying out the sofa today.

Shu Yao's face instantly turned bright red as she looked at the two messages, the redness spreading all the way to the roots of her neck.

My heart was pounding, like I was carrying a rabbit.

She quickly turned her phone screen upside down on the table, as if to cover up some incriminating evidence, afraid that Qiaoqiao next to her would see it.

My mind is filled with the absurd scenes from last night in the bathroom.

The cold marble sink, the burning hot chest, and the huge mirror that was covered in steam and then wiped clean.

Shu Yao felt that she couldn't live like this anymore.

From initially being half-heartedly acquiescing, to now, every night whenever she sees him unbuttoning his police uniform, her legs tremble, and she wants to find an excuse to escape back to her room.

*

Six o'clock in the afternoon.

Shu Yao drove back to Jinxiu Huating.

She kept stopping and starting along the way, wishing the evening rush hour traffic would last until midnight.

Unlock with fingerprint and push open the door.

The aroma of food wafted over—it was the smell of pan-fried steak and borscht.

He Zheng was busy in the kitchen, wearing a black tight-fitting vest.

The arm muscles are firm and full, with hard, cold lines.

He turned his head when he heard the noise from the security door.

His dark eyes locked onto her, like looking at prey on a plate, his gaze carrying a tangible sense of aggression, sweeping from her face to her waist.

A sly smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"You're back. Wash your hands and eat."

"..."

thank.

He didn't say he would wash his hands before eating her.

Shu Yao swallowed hard, changed into slippers, and dawdled her way to the restaurant.

At the dinner table, He Zheng kept watching her eat.

"Eat more beef to build up your strength," he said, pushing a thick-cut steak toward her.

That sounds reasonable; it shows concern for her.

But paired with his meaningful gaze, it was practically a blatant threat.

Shu Yao chewed on the finest Australian Wagyu beef, but it tasted like wax.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

After finishing his meal, He Zheng washed the dishes in the kitchen.

Shu Yao nestled on the black leather sofa in the living room watching TV, holding a cushion in her arms, her mind completely elsewhere.

There was some kind of variety show playing on TV, it was very noisy.

Her mind was uncontrollably replaying the nighttime activities of the past few days.

In the late autumn night, the cold wind howled outside, and the autumn rain lashed against the glass curtain wall, making a mournful sound.

The indoor temperature was warm as spring, with the underfloor heating making the air dry.

The temperature difference and body size difference on the bed were so obvious that they made one tremble.

He was so big and broad-shouldered that he could easily encircle her in his arms like a fierce beast protecting its prey.

Shu Yao is prone to feeling cold; her hands and feet are always icy.

The man's hot chest pressed against her back, like a red-hot iron plate, continuously transmitting astonishing heat.

The heat made her weak all over, and his palm rubbed against the soft flesh of her waist.

Every touch, every press, sent a tingling sensation straight to the scalp.

The man's heavy breathing and lewd words sprayed onto the back of her neck and earlobes, carrying the scent of mint and a strong hormonal aroma.

The heat made her skin red and raised a layer of fine goosebumps.

Now, Shu Yao can feel that chilling tremor as soon as she closes her eyes.

She shifted her body and felt that her waist was still sore, her bones felt weak, and the muscles on the inside of her thighs were still aching.

Those beasts, relying on their physical strength, recklessly torment themselves.

Shu Yao bit her lower lip, cursing inwardly.

This absolutely cannot continue.

If she doesn't get a night's rest, she won't even be able to hold the bow properly tomorrow, and she'll be staggering as she walks.

10 PM.

He Zheng took a change of clothes and went into the master bedroom's bathroom.

The sound of rushing water filled the air, and steam began to rise.

Shu Yao sat at the dressing table in the master bedroom, her ears perked up, holding a bottle of face cream but not applying it to her face for a long time.

The sound of water in the bathroom was like a death knell for her.

Men shower quickly; they emerge steaming in less than five minutes and pounce on you like wolves.

Shu Yao looked at the red marks on her neck and collarbone that hadn't faded yet in the mirror.

He gritted his teeth and slammed the face cream heavily onto the table.

No, we must sleep in separate rooms tonight.

She stood up, not even bothering to put on slippers, and walked barefoot on the solid wood floor.

I tiptoed out of the master bedroom, like a thief, and ran quietly into the guest room at the end of the corridor.

She hasn't been to this room since the last time she threw a tantrum and came here with her blanket, only to be carried back by him with one hand.

He Zheng later turned on the heating and fresh air system here.

The room is quite warm now, and the bed is covered with clean bedding.

Shu Yao slipped inside.

I gripped the cold metal doorknob and pulled the door shut with all my might.

"Click".

Press the deadbolt button.

The crisp sound of the lock clicking shut was especially clear in the quiet night.

Upon hearing this voice, Shu Yao breathed a long sigh of relief, her tense nerves finally relaxing.

She patted her chest to calm herself down.

I walked to the bedside, lifted the blanket, and crawled inside, wrapping myself up tightly.

Safe.

The sturdy wooden door was locked from the inside.

Even if He Zheng is very strong, he can't just tear the door down.

As long as she remains silent, no one can get in.

That bandit with excess energy can spend the night alone in the master bedroom, let him taste what it's like to be alone in an empty room.

Shu Yao smiled smugly, her eyebrows curving upwards, like a beautiful fox who had successfully stolen a bite.

She found a comfortable position in bed, closed her eyes, and prepared to enjoy a peaceful sleep without any disturbance or exploitation.