His physiological preference

Grandma Qin stood beside the coffee table, still holding the unfinished cup of tea in her hand.

Yang Zhiyan walked over, took out the maple-red shawl, and handed it over with both hands.

The bag was off-white, with a plain ribbon tied at the top. She tied it several times in front of the mirror before leaving in the morning, finally tying a neat, simple knot that was secure but not flashy.

"Grandma Qin, this is a gift for you." Her voice was earnest. Regardless of whether her relationship with Qin Yuzheng ultimately ended, she would always remember Grandma Qin's help during her most difficult time.

Wishing you a peaceful and healthy Mid-Autumn Festival.

Grandma Qin took the cloth bag and ran her fingers along the fabric.

"Zhiyan," Grandma Qin's voice was filled with worry, "what happened at home? Should Azheng stay with you?"

Yang Zhiyan shook her head. "No need, Grandma Qin, I can handle it myself."

She gave Grandma Qin a slight bow. "Grandma, something has come up at home, so I can't stay for dinner. I'll come see you another day."

She turned around and walked towards the entrance of the main room. As she passed Qin Yuzheng, her gaze did not linger for a moment.

Qin Yuzheng chased after her. Her shoulder brushed past his arm, the fabric rustling against the fabric.

Grandma Qin stood in the middle of the main room, still holding the off-white cloth bag in her hands, watching the two young people's backs disappear into the courtyard, one after the other. Her face was full of worry.

As Yang Zhiyan stepped out of the courtyard, Qin Yuzheng followed. His steps were quick, his leather shoes clicking rapidly on the bluestone pavement.

There was no one in the alley except for the two of them and the osmanthus branches peeking out from over the wall. The sweet fragrance filled the air, so strong it was almost cloying.

"What happened at home?" Qin Yuzheng's voice came from behind her. "Do you need any help?"

Yang Zhiyan didn't stop or turn around. She continued walking forward, ignoring Qin Yuzheng.

Yang Zhiyan was in a state of confusion and just wanted to leave this place.

Qin Yuzheng quickened his pace and walked to her side.

"Baby," he called her, his voice soft and gentle, as if he were coaxing an angry child.

"What's wrong? I'm your boyfriend. You don't have to be strong all by yourself; you can rely on me."

As Qin Yuzheng spoke, he reached out his hand, wanting to hug her.

His arms opened towards her, like a harbor, like a promise.

Yang Zhiyan felt only mockery when she saw his outstretched arms.

I depend on you. Do you want me to deceive you without any burden?

She didn't cry. She swallowed back the surge of bitterness that welled up inside her, reached out, and pushed him hard.

Qin Yuzheng hadn't expected her to push him, so he took a half step back and pulled his arms back to his side.

His face showed a blank expression, as if he hadn't yet realized what was happening.

"Depend on you?" Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and distinct. "So you can lie to me without any burden?"

Qin Yuzheng's bewilderment deepened. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

He didn't know what she meant by "deception," he didn't know what Mo Yunyun had told him, and he didn't even know what he had done wrong.

All he knew was that she was angry, speaking to him in a very aggressive tone, and looking at him with a cold, hard gaze.

After saying that, Yang Zhiyan turned around and continued walking forward. Her pace was much faster than before.

Qin Yuzheng chased after him.

He ran a few steps, caught up with her, reached out and took her hand.

Her fingers were cold, icy cold. He held her hand in his palm, trying to warm it with the warmth of his own.

"I'm sorry, baby, I was wrong."

He spoke very quickly, as if afraid that if he spoke slowly he would be too late. His voice carried an urgent, humble, and pleading tone, as if he were willing to admit anything and change anything. "Please forgive me."

Yang Zhiyan stopped. She stood in the middle of the alley, the branches and leaves of the osmanthus tree overhead, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled patterns on her face. She turned to look at him, a cold smile playing on her lips.

"Where did you go wrong?" she asked.

Qin Yuzheng opened his mouth. He hadn't let go of her hand, but his fingers were frozen.

What did he do wrong? He didn't know. He really didn't know. He thought that an apology would solve everything, just like last time. He said sorry, she said it was okay, and then they went back to being "Brother Qin" and "dinner buddy."

He thought an apology was a master key that could open all locks. But this time, he held the key but couldn't find the keyhole.

Looking at his expression, Yang Zhiyan saw that his face seemed to say, "I don't know what I did wrong, but I'm willing to admit it as long as you're not angry."

She suddenly felt very tired. There was a huge gap between them. He was a high-ranking leader. How could she expect him to truly value her without reservation?

He didn't know where he went wrong. He didn't even know where he went wrong. He didn't even understand what the word "deception" meant.

"Baby, tell me where I went wrong, and I'll admit it." He looked at her, his tone sincere, making a humble concession.

Yang Zhiyan pulled her hand out of his. Her fingertips slid through his palm, like water flowing through his fingers.

"Don't follow me," her voice suddenly became very soft, so soft it was as if she were saying to herself, "or else we..."

She paused for a moment.

"separate."

She was startled when those two words came out of her mouth.

She never thought she would say those two words to him. She never imagined that there would be a day when they would need to say those two words to each other.

But those two words were there, stuck in her throat, like a pill stuck in her esophagus, impossible to swallow or spit out.

When Qin Yuzheng heard those two words, it was as if someone had pressed the pause button on his entire body.

His body froze, his hand still in the same position as when he held hers, his fingers slightly curled, as if he were still grasping something that didn't exist.

His eyes were filled with sadness and fear. He had lived for thirty-five years, seen all the storms and situations in officialdom, and had never been afraid of anything.

But he was afraid of those two words. Those two words that came out of her mouth.

He slowly lowered his hands, then raised them above his head in a gesture of surrender. The movement was slow, as if he were making a very difficult decision.

"Baby," his voice trembled slightly, "we can't break up. As long as we don't break up, I'll do anything you say."

Yang Zhiyan turned around and continued walking. Her figure receded further and further into the distance among the branches and leaves of the osmanthus tree, finally disappearing at the alley entrance.

Qin Yuzheng stood still, his hands still raised above his head, like a student who had made a mistake and was being punished.

Osmanthus blossoms drifted down from above his head, landing on his shoulders and hair; they were small and golden.

He didn't slap it off; he just stood there for a long time.

The alley was quiet. In the distance, children were laughing, dogs were barking, and bicycle bells were ringing.

The sounds came from a great distance, as if from another world.

He lowered his hands, letting them hang at his sides, and turned to walk back to the old house.