You Mingxu had barely stepped through the door when she heard footsteps from his room. Without a glance, she went straight to the tea table and poured herself water. After chain-smoking earlier, her throat was parched.

Yin Feng appeared behind her, watching intently. You Mingxu muttered to herself, “Exhausting day at work. I’m going to rest for a bit. Don’t disturb me.”

A hand caught her arm.

You Mingxu’s heart skipped, filled again with regret. She looked up casually. Yin Feng wore a T-shirt and loose shorts, his tall frame pristinely clean from staying in all day. His eyes sparkled, barely containing his joy.

The weight in You Mingxu’s heart silently grew heavier.

She smiled. “What is it?” Playing dumb was her specialty.

But Yin Feng missed her casual tone, grinning broadly, “You’re back.”

You Mingxu’s temple throbbed again.

“Mm.” She replied flatly. “I’m going to my room.”

Even with his current emotional limitations, Yin Feng sensed how different she was from last night’s passionate woman. He hesitated, blocking her path before she reached her door. “I… we…”

You Mingxu looked up with practiced composure. “We? What about us?”

“You kissed me,” Yin Feng’s brows furrowed slightly, eyes bright. “I kissed you too. Many times. From now on… you’re mine.” His handsome face flushed.

You Mingxu thought: But I don’t want to own up to it. Yet this innocent boy’s demeanor made even her face warm. She smiled naturally, “Who taught you such nonsense? What are you saying!”

As Yin Feng froze, You Mingxu walked to the sofa and patted the space beside her. “Come here, let me explain something.”

He sat down, arms on his knees, fingers interlocked, smile gone. You Mingxu knew he was upset. But she had no choice—she needed to make him forget about last night right now.

You Mingxu began, “Yin Feng…”

He interrupted, “Call me Yingjun.” His tone carried a hint of coldness, suddenly showing a man’s temper.

You Mingxu paused. “Alright, Yingjun. Tell me, aren’t we good friends?”

He nodded once.

“Haven’t you always thought of me as a sister?”

He nodded again, but quickly showed doubt, shook his head, and pressed his lips together.

You Mingxu ignored this, smiling, “You lost your memory, hurt your head, and haven’t fully recovered. There are things you don’t understand yet, things you assume. Sometimes when men and women kiss, it doesn’t mean they’re dating or getting married—it just means they’re close. Let me ask you, aren’t we close? Am I not your best friend?” By now, even You Mingxu felt her shamelessness.

He kept his lips pressed together, looking away. After a while, he reluctantly mumbled an “Mm.”

You Mingxu thought, damn, I’m trying to distance myself from him, but why does it feel like I’m forcing an innocent person into something unseemly?

She continued, “So don’t think we’re dating just because of a kiss. That puts me in a difficult position. I kissed you yesterday only because… because it was a reward, to thank you. Just a reward.”

Yin Feng asked confused, “Reward?”

You Mingxu nodded. “For helping me solve the case and catch the two killers.”

Yin Feng was quiet for a moment, then turned to look at her, his gaze clear yet puzzled. “A-Xu, is that… true?”

For a moment, You Mingxu actually felt guilty, made uncertain by this half-naive man’s gaze. But she was skilled at defense, her tone growing cooler: “Of course it’s true, why would I lie? Why else would I kiss you? There’s no other reason, right?”

His dark brows knitted together slightly. “Oh, so that’s how it is.” You Mingxu thought his voice couldn’t have gotten any lower.

But she couldn’t let herself soften.

She patted his shoulder, about to stand, when he asked, “Then with Xu Mengshan or your police colleagues when you’re happy and want to reward them, do you kiss them too?”

You Mingxu’s heart dropped, a horrifying thought flashing through her mind—them? I couldn’t bring myself to! But she maintained her composure and shamelessly replied, “Yes… I do.”

Yin Feng sat motionless, expressionless. After several seconds, he suddenly slammed his fist on the tea table, lips pressed tight, looking away, refusing to meet her eyes.

The atmosphere grew awkwardly tense. You Mingxu felt the suffocating air. Inexplicably, she felt unsettled too, just wanting to leave. As she stood to return to her room, he also rose, asking, “Then do I get a reward today?”

You Mingxu hesitated, but before she could react, she felt his breath near her ear. His clear voice, tinged with hurt, said, “I behaved well today. Didn’t go out, didn’t disturb your work, didn’t let last night’s events trouble me or worry you. I’ve been waiting for you, but you haven’t rewarded me. Also, did you reward anyone else today?”

You Mingxu felt her heart trembling at his earnest questioning.

“Of course not. I…” She was about to say rewards weren’t so easily earned, trying to brush him off. But seeing his face so close, suddenly bloomed with a bright smile.

“Good that there’s no one else.” He murmured, leaning down to kiss her.

Damn…

That fresh, gentle, sensual presence captured her lips again. You Mingxu tried to push him away, but deep down she found herself yearning for more. In that moment of hesitation, Yin Feng had already pressed her against the wall. A soft sigh escaped You Mingxu’s lips, making him close his eyes tighter. Like last night, like savoring the remaining half bottle of fine wine, he began to drink deeply. Each time You Mingxu tried to resist, he responded with an even more passionate assault. That dazed feeling from last night once again overwhelmed her mind. She felt the urge to let go rising within her.

His hands, initially around her waist, gradually moved with natural instinct or muscle memory, following her curves upward until they reached two peaks, covering them. You Mingxu heard him sigh too, as his hands began to knead and play…

Much later, they had slid to the floor. She sat on his lap, both their clothes rumpled, her hair disheveled, eyes misty with desire, while his face and eyes were flushed red. His slightly furrowed brow still showed signs of unresolved tension.

His hands had made their way under her clothes. Her bra was loosened, some sensitive spots still tender from his attention. After she finally regained enough sense to stop him, his hands ceased their upward exploration. They remained on her smooth waist, gripping tightly.

You Mingxu broke free from his embrace, adjusted her hair and clothes, and entered her room without a word. Yin Feng sat still for a long while, then lay back on the floor, closed his eyes, and smiled. He lay there alone, smiling for a long time.