After You Mingxu entered the house, she went about her routine—drinking water and changing clothes—as if pretending he wasn’t there. Yet she couldn’t truly ignore him; the hair on the back of her neck stood slightly on end, wary of what he might suddenly do. After all, he’d been acting like this quite often lately.

To her surprise, he went straight to the kitchen without making a sound.

You Mingxu lingered in the living room for a while, but curiosity got the better of her. She walked to the kitchen doorway and watched from afar. Yin Feng had hung his jacket on the doorknob, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and was washing vegetables in the sink, his eyes downcast.

“What are you doing?” You Mingxu asked.

“What does it look like?” Yin Feng replied.

You Mingxu was momentarily lost for words, watching his practiced movements. She said coldly, “I’ve already eaten.”

Yin Feng picked up a peeler and began stripping the skin off the cleaned lettuce. “I know, with Luo Yu,” he said, glancing at her.

That look made You Mingxu’s heart skip a beat. She didn’t bother responding and returned to her room.

After playing basketball during the day, she felt sweaty and uncomfortable. You Mingxu took a shower and changed clothes. When she came out, the kitchen had quieted down. Yin Feng stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to the balcony, arms crossed. The door was half-open, the night lights casting a dreamy glow on his face.

You Mingxu suddenly remembered the past.

Yu Yingjun had never stood so elegantly—he would simply sit on the floor, back turned to her, looking dejected yet hopeful.

Now at thirty, he only stood there silently, appearing lost in thought.

You Mingxu sat on the sofa, toweling her hair. “What is it?” she asked.

He turned to look at her, walked over without a word, and took the towel from her hands. You Mingxu tensed, but he began drying her hair with gentle movements. When she tried to grab the towel back, he dodged and said, “Don’t move. You’ve had a long day, rest a bit.”

You Mingxu stared at him as if he’d gone mad. He smiled, continuing to dry her hair with professional ease. You Mingxu turned away, refusing to look at him.

After finishing with her hair, he set down the towel and pressed her forehead. “Lean back.”

Before You Mingxu could react, his hands were already on her head, beginning a gentle massage.

You Mingxu was speechless.

His technique was skillful and incredibly comfortable.

You Mingxu thought sourly about how many masseuses must have taught him these techniques.

“Yin Feng, did you take the wrong medicine today?” she asked.

His hands moved to her shoulders and pressed down. “No,” he said, then returned to the kitchen.

You Mingxu watched TV for a while before Yin Feng emerged with several small dishes, placing them on the coffee table. There were appetizing cold dishes, even some fried peanuts, and two bowls of congee.

You Mingxu hadn’t eaten properly with Luo Yu earlier, both of them were preoccupied with their thoughts. Looking at the food made her realize she was hungry, but her pride wouldn’t let her eat.

Yin Feng placed a bowl of congee and chopsticks in front of her. “Do me a favor and join me for a late-night meal. I haven’t eaten all day.”

“Why haven’t you eaten all day?” You Mingxu asked.

“Couldn’t stomach anything,” Yin Feng replied.

You Mingxu was quiet for a few seconds before picking up her chopsticks. He sat down beside her and, like a magician, produced a bottle of Maotai and two small cups from under the coffee table. You Mingxu watched him fill them. “Just a little,” he said. “We won’t drink much.”

You Mingxu occasionally drank alone when case pressure mounted or loneliness set in. Smelling the rich aroma, her heart stirred, and she remained silent.

They ate while watching a ridiculous drama series. At first, neither spoke. After a while, Yin Feng put down his chopsticks and raised his cup. You Mingxu clinked glasses with him lightly, and took a sip, while he drained his cup and refilled it.

They continued eating and watching TV.

The drama reached new heights of absurdity—the villain’s face was contorted beyond recognition, the leads were still rambling endlessly at a life-or-death moment, and flower petals rained from the sky. You Mingxu’s lips curved slightly.

Yin Feng smiled too.

Their eyes met accidentally, each catching the other’s smile. The atmosphere grew strange again.

But Yin Feng didn’t let the awkwardness linger. He raised his cup again, and You Mingxu clinked with him once more, finishing her drink while he downed his in one go.

“Don’t get drunk in my home,” You Mingxu said.

“I won’t,” he answered. “This isn’t enough.”

They continued eating and drinking slowly, the dishes nearly empty, the bottle more than half gone. You Mingxu felt slightly tipsy, while his expression had relaxed considerably, his cheeks flushed but his eyes still clear.

“How’s my cooking?” he asked.

You Mingxu nodded. “Not bad.”

He smiled. “Thanks for the compliment.” Seeing some wine left in her cup, he poured himself another. Most of the alcohol had gone into his stomach.

You Mingxu pressed down on his cup. “Don’t drink too much.”

He looked at her hand, then at her, silent for a moment before asking, “What about you?”

“What?”

“Do you…” he said slowly, “want me to get drunk?”

You Mingxu froze, speechless.

He moved her hand aside and drained his cup again. His dark eyes seemed to shine with the clarity of the wine. “Xu’er, go wherever you need to tomorrow. I’ve arranged everything—Tuya Champion and Xiao Yan, along with me, will be stationed in the same community, protecting you 24 hours a day.”

You Mingxu remained silent.

Watching him drink cup after cup, his eyes reddening, You Mingxu blocked his cup as he tried to pour again. He put down the bottle and said, “You still haven’t answered my question—do you want me drunk, or not?”

You Mingxu said, “Yin Feng, that’s enough. Stop provoking me.”

Instead, he stood up and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

She closed her eyes briefly and said, “What’s wrong with you today?”

He said, “If you won’t change, then I’ll have to. Isn’t this what loving someone is about? I’ve never experienced it before, so be patient with me.”

You Mingxu’s mind suddenly flashed with images: him standing below her building, his face coldly indifferent, saying “I’m sorry, I really can’t help it.” And in his house, facing those two test reports, saying: “I’ve been lonely for a very long time. Now you’re my only desire.”

“Yin Feng, you still haven’t remembered what I want,” she said.

He replied, “I’m trying.” Then he kissed her. His cool lips carried the scent of alcohol, the kiss slow and heavy. You Mingxu couldn’t quite describe the feeling—pain, sweetness, desire, and unease all intertwined. One hand held her waist while the other slowly caressed her face. They kissed in complete silence, matching the quiet of this night spent together.