Dong Hongmei looked at Li Guohao in surprise. "Who? Why would they do that? Zhou Huai'an has been doing a good job."

Li Guohao waved a hand. "Don't ask too many questions. He must have offended someone higher up. So you should keep your distance from that Lin Xiaoxiao too. We don't want people thinking I'm aligned with Zhou Huai'an."

Dong Hongmei still didn't quite understand, but she didn't dare argue. She just muttered under her breath, "Why are people like this? I think Zhou Huai'an is perfectly fine."

As she cleared the table, she resigned herself to keeping some distance from Lin Xiaoxiao for her husband's sake.

It was a shame—just as Lin Xiaoxiao was starting to become more likable.

After leaving Dong Hongmei's place, Lü Zhigang parted ways with Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao to check into the guesthouse and rest. Driving for hours had worn him out.

Lin Xiaoxiao followed behind Zhou Huai'an, her hands clasped behind her back, wondering how he would react when he saw the soaked bed. Would he be angry?

Besides, sleeping together in broad daylight probably wasn't the best time for anything... adventurous.

But she could still take advantage of the situation.

Smirking to herself, she followed him inside and watched as he headed straight for the cot. She asked innocently, "Are you going to rest?"

Zhou Huai'an grunted in reply. "You should get some rest too."

Lin Xiaoxiao made a noncommittal sound and followed him to the cot. Seeing the large, dripping wet patch, she widened her eyes in exaggerated surprise. "Oh no! Where did all this water come from? The bedding is soaked—how can you sleep here?"

Zhou Huai'an glanced at her. Her acting was so transparent she might as well have written I did this, what are you going to do about it? across her face.

Pressing his lips together, he gathered the damp bedding to hang outside.

Lin Xiaoxiao followed him out. Looking up at the faint sunlight, she sighed. "The sun isn't strong enough. It probably won't dry by tonight. Oh well, I guess you'll have to sleep in my room."

She couldn't help smiling, a little pleased with herself.

Zhou Huai'an looked down at her. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in and whispered, "Don't even think about saying you'll stay with Lü Zhigang. I'm scared to sleep alone, and if the neighbors find out you left me here to stay with him, they'll think you don't want me."

Zhou Huai'an swallowed his suggestion and obediently followed her into the inner room.

Lin Xiaoxiao busily made the bed, bringing in his pillow. "Good thing your pillow is dry. I'll sleep on the inside, and you take the edge. I toss and turn—I don't want to fall off."

Zhou Huai'an didn't protest. They'd already shared a bed in the village. He lay down to rest—he hadn't slept well after her surprise kiss, and the journey back had left him tired.

Lin Xiaoxiao stopped him. "Wait, you have to take off your outer clothes first. They're dusty, and you'll get the bed dirty."

She reached out like a little rogue to help him remove his jacket.

Zhou Huai'an wasn't usually so particular—he could sleep anywhere, fully dressed. But seeing her serious expression, he obediently took off his jacket and pants before lying down.

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a twinge of regret. Underneath, she wore a loose red thermal top and garishly patterned long johns—not exactly alluring. She sighed, took off her own outer layer, and climbed into bed, only to find Zhou Huai'an already lying with his eyes closed, not looking at her at all.

She made a point of clumsily climbing over his legs before settling down.

Then she rolled onto her side, propped her head on her hand, and looked at him. "Is everything okay at work?"

Zhou Huai'an opened his eyes and glanced at her. "It's fine."

Lin Xiaoxiao moved a little closer. "You should be careful with Li Guohao. He seems friendly, but I bet he'd stab you in the back."

Zhou Huai'an looked surprised. "You said those things on purpose today?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded smugly. "Of course. If he really supported you, he wouldn't mind Hongmei being close to me. The opposite is also true."

She'd see whether Dong Hongmei invited them for dinner again that evening.

Zhou Huai'an studied her for a moment. "You know a lot about these things."

Without batting an eye, Lin Xiaoxiao lied, "Well, my grandfather is very influential. I picked up a thing or two from him."

Zhou Huai'an clearly saw through it but said nothing.

Does he know? Lin Xiaoxiao thought. Well, so what? He can't prove anything. She glared at him playfully. "If you keep looking at me, I'll kiss you."

Zhou Huai'an's ears turned red again. He sighed. "You're a young woman. You shouldn't say things like that."

Lin Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue and moved closer. "Sometimes I wonder if you're from ancient times. You're so old-fashioned. Aren't we supposed to be into free love now?"

Zhou Huai'an had no response, so he stayed quiet.

Lin Xiaoxiao loved seeing him flustered. She suddenly leaned over and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek. "Zhou Huai'an, do you even know what married couples are supposed to do together?"

She suspected he had no idea about marital intimacy.

Zhou Huai'an turned to look at her face, so close to his, and sighed in defeat. "It's broad daylight. Someone might hear."

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at his bright red ears, lay back, and laughed. When she finally stopped, she turned to him with a mock-serious expression. "Then can we talk about it tonight? We'll talk tonight."

Zhou Huai'an closed his eyes, unsure how to respond.

Thankfully, Lin Xiaoxiao took pity on him—he was tired from the journey, and his injury wasn't fully healed. She didn't tease him further.

Besides, she knew that in his condition, he couldn't do much anyway.

That evening, Dong Hongmei did not invite them over. Lin Xiaoxiao smirked to herself. How predictable—and amateurish.

Zhou Huai'an went to his unit and didn't return that night.

At least he had the courtesy to ask Lü Zhigang to bring her a meal.

The next morning, Zhou Huai'an returned looking as calm as ever. Lin Xiaoxiao asked worriedly, "Is everything alright?"

He shook his head. "It's fine. Are you packed? We need to head back. After we take Third Grandpa home, I have to return for work."

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly grabbed her things and climbed into the car without even eating breakfast.

As they drove out of the compound, she saw Dong Hongmei and Zhang Yimei standing by the roadside. When their eyes met, the two women looked away awkwardly.

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly. Such simple-hearted women.

They made good time and arrived at the guesthouse around noon. From a distance, they could see two women carrying travel bags standing at the entrance, looking around anxiously...