“Knock knock knock.”

Twenty minutes later, the door was knocked three times in an unhurried manner.

“Is that Little Li?” Shi Yue was about to open the door.

Shi Sui’s fingertips rubbed against her phone screen, hesitating for a moment before stepping forward first: “Let me get it.”

Shi Yue raised an eyebrow with interest and sat back down.

This person could move freely through her house, yet could pretend to be the most gentle and polite in front of her parents. Shi Sui’s mind was full of messy complaints as she tried to ignore the slight dampness on her fingers.

She hadn’t cared about that bouquet.

If she opened the door and Yan Tingli had nothing, she wouldn’t mind either.

She just assumed he was making up nonsense on a whim.

Shi Sui opened the door with an inscrutable expression.

Meeting the visitor’s gaze.

She still couldn’t help but look around him from top to bottom.

Empty-handed.

Yan Tingli leaned forward slightly, seeming puzzled as he looked at her: “What is Sui Sui looking for?”

“…”

Shi Sui wouldn’t admit she was somewhat disappointed.

She turned and walked away without a word.

A light laugh like a feather came from behind.

Shi Sui’s arm was grabbed.

Then a bouquet of pink tulips that he had deliberately hidden behind his back appeared before her eyes, their fragrance filling her nose.

When Yan Tingli wasn’t attending formal occasions, he wore casual clothes even to the company. Dressed in the simplest light-colored jacket, he looked young and beautiful, just like during their school days.

Shi Sui glanced up at him quickly, her heart pounding like jumping off a building.

Her expression was also somewhat expectant, and she forgot to reach out to take the flowers for a long while.

Until Li Yin’s amused voice came: “Sui Sui?”

Only then did Shi Sui snap out of it, feeling deeply embarrassed as she quickly took the flowers with her head down.

Her fingers were burning hot, and tiny bubbles kept popping at the tip of her heart.

The bouquet was the most ordinary gift.

But compared to that legendary hundred-million-yuan pink diamond ankle chain, she seemed to like this bouquet more.

Yan Tingli entered and turned to hand Li Yin a bouquet of carnations: “Auntie, this is yours.”

Women of any age would be happy to receive a beautiful bouquet. Li Yin was pleasantly surprised, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Yan Tingli: “…I have one too.”

“Of course.” Yan Tingli nodded.

Li Yin beamed as she held the flowers, arranging them properly and formally.

Only Shi Yue stood aside watching with pursed lips, his expression unpredictable.

After Li Yin finished arranging the flowers, she gestured for Yan Tingli to sit down and couldn’t help but curiously ask: “Little Li, did something good happen today?”

Shi Sui also looked up, glancing over from the corner of her eye.

Based on her understanding of Yan Tingli, she instinctively felt it wasn’t what would conventionally be considered a “good thing.”

Yan Tingli’s smile deepened: “I suppose so.” He leisurely added a chicken leg to Shi Sui’s bowl with his chopsticks: “My father came to Hangzhou.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Yue immediately said, “Does Zecheng have time? I’d like to treat him to dinner.”

“Probably not.”

Shi Yue nodded: “That’s true, Zecheng has always been quite busy…”

Before he finished speaking, Yan Tingli smiled and said, “He’s not busy now, I’m handling all the business.”

“Then why…?”

“My father fractured his bones and was hospitalized.”

Li Yin couldn’t help but ask with concern: “Ah, how did he fracture his bones? Is it serious?”

“Car accident.”

Everyone at the table couldn’t wrap their heads around how Yan Zecheng’s “car accident” connected to “good news.”

Yan Tingli thought for a moment and said, “He didn’t die, just fractured bones.”

“That should count as good news, right?”

Shi Sui bit her chopsticks, looking at him in confusion.

A strange intuition made her feel that Yan Tingli might be calmly saying some crazy things.

“Ah…” Li Yin uttered a sound, using high emotional intelligence to smooth things over: “Then indeed, it’s a blessing in disguise.”

Shi Yue: “Ah, yes, yes, yes.”

Yan Tingli smiled: “Indeed very lucky.” As long as Sui Sui was safe, Yan Zecheng wouldn’t have major problems—how lucky.

Since Yan Zecheng had an accident, Shi Yue naturally couldn’t do anything: “Which hospital is Zecheng at? Your Aunt Li and I should go visit him.”

“Uncle and Auntie don’t need to worry.” Yan Tingli smiled warmly, “My father will be transferred back to Beijing soon.” Stay away from his sight.

The topic ended there, basically having to be dropped.

Speaking of Yan Zecheng, Shi Yue’s expression also fell into some kind of memory: “Back then, your father and I were mixed-dorm roommates. He studied computer science, I studied architecture.”

“When I first went to the big city, I didn’t understand anything. Your father taught me many things.”

“Even many years later, when I asked him to help find Sui Sui a place to live, your father agreed right away. Really a good person.”

Yan Tingli smiled carelessly: “Mm, a great person.”

But Shi Sui could hear the mockery in his laughter, couldn’t help but glance at him, using her eyes to ask what the hell he was up to.

He blinked innocently.

It wasn’t appropriate to speak at the dinner table, so Shi Sui could only hold back her words and eat with her head down.

Lady Li seemed to suddenly fall in love with taking walks. After dinner, she again suggested that Shi Yue accompany her out for a stroll.

So forced, making Shi Sui speechless.

“Sui Sui and I also agreed to go out tonight.” Yan Tingli suddenly said.

Shi Sui immediately turned to look at him. How come she didn’t know she was going out?

Shi Yue didn’t want to go out wandering at all—it was tiring. He immediately asked: “Where to?”

Yan Tingli said without blushing or his heart racing: “A date.”

Shi Yue simply and directly took off the shoes he had just put on: “Then you two go.”

“…”

Yan Tingli’s leisurely gaze turned to her.

Shi Sui’s temple twitched.

She did have things to ask him.

Plus that bouquet.

Occasionally, rewarding him with a date wasn’t impossible.

Shi Sui could only say: “I’ll go change clothes.”

She went back to her room and searched through the closet for a long time—all pants.

She had to dig to the very bottom to find the goose-yellow long-sleeved dress that Li Yin had newly bought for her.

After changing clothes, Shi Sui looked at her complexion in the vanity mirror—completely bare-faced, really couldn’t match this beautiful new dress.

So she sat in front of the makeup mirror again, applying this and that.

Not knowing how much time had passed, until 3.0’s voice suddenly rang out: [Sui Sui, Mr. Yan says he’s been waiting for you for a long time]

“Let him wait.”

As soon as the words fell, the room door was opened.

“Bang.”

Yan Tingli closed the door.

Her parents were still outside, yet he brazenly entered like this.

Shi Sui jabbed at him: “Why aren’t you continuing to pretend to be a gentleman?”

“We slept in the same bed, Mom saw it all.” Yan Tingli’s tone was like treating this as an honor badge: “Pretending is politeness, not pretending is also human nature.”

“They’re all experienced people, they can understand.”

…All twisted logic.

Shi Sui was too lazy to waste energy arguing with him, finally examining her makeup in the mirror and curving her lips with satisfaction.

Usually Shi Sui basically just applied a layer of primer and lipstick to improve her complexion. Such elaborate full makeup was rare.

In the past, when meeting Yan Tingli, she had appeared in all kinds of strange and ugly states.

Her being so serious about this made Yan Tingli bend down, tilting his head to examine her, his tone puzzled: “Why apply so much powder?”

Like a small arrow piercing Shi Sui’s heart, making her feel ashamed and angry about her sudden grooming behavior.

She put down the brush heavily: “Mind your own business.”

Yan Tingli even reached out, rubbing her cheek with his fingertip.

Looking down at the powder on it, he said with displeasure: “This way I’ll get a mouthful of powder.”

Shi Sui forcefully slapped his hand away, emphasizing: “I never agreed to let you kiss me.”

Yan Tingli: “You agreed to go out with me.”

Shi Sui laughed in anger: “…Is there a necessary connection between these two things?”

“Today is Saturday,” Yan Tingli said as if stating a fact, “We need to do it three times. I thought you knew.”

Shi Sui was full of question marks: “What three times?!”

Yan Tingli: “On the plane, we agreed—meet seven times a week, do it three times.”

Shi Sui exploded: “When did I agree with you—”

Just then, the main door was knocked.

Li Yin said outside, “I see it’s already dark, are you still going out?”

With elders present, and them not being married, staying in one room together for so long still didn’t conform to propriety.

Yan Tingli’s voice became humble: “Right away, Sui Sui just finished her makeup.”

Having done full makeup, even if it was raining knives outside, Shi Sui had to go out.

She grabbed her bag and got up with a cold face.

As soon as they got in the car, before Shi Sui had even fastened her seatbelt, Yan Tingli leaned over.

Burning breath swept across her cheek.

Knowing his habit of being forceful whenever aroused couldn’t be changed, Shi Sui reached out to block his lips: “Did I let you kiss me?”

Yan Tingli didn’t speak, instead gripping her wrist and pressing his cheek against her palm to kiss it.

Shi Sui’s bottom line for him was refreshed again, to the point where she was afraid even slapping him would result in being licked.

“Aren’t you chasing me?” She raised her voice, “When a pursuer does this, it’s called sexual harassment.”

Hearing her words, Yan Tingli paused, his dark eyes narrowing.

Being restrained by such invisible thin threads around his neck made him very displeased.

He said flatly: “You already agreed to my date.”

Shi Sui angrily retorted: “Agreeing to date you isn’t agreeing to give you a room key.”

A few seconds later.

Yan Tingli gripped her hand tightly, slowly guiding it to his face, stroking from top to bottom: “Then you touch me.”

“I’ll let you sexually harass me.”

When people are speechless, they do laugh.

Shi Sui angrily pressed her thumb against his Adam’s apple without mercy: “How about I slap you?”

Due to this pressure, Yan Tingli’s throat emitted a muffled sound.

His neck also leaned back, slowly swallowing.

Touching his Adam’s apple had made him very comfortable, his body temperature rapidly rising.

Shi Sui couldn’t stand it anymore and pulled her hand away.

Having finally put on makeup to come out, she didn’t want to waste time on such vulgar matters.

“Drive, I want to go to the cinema.” Shi Sui commanded.

She wasn’t clear what other people’s dating process was like, only remembering that in university, Zhu Wei often went out with newly hooked fish to eat, watch movies, do crafts, or do nothing at all—just stroll the streets.

She and Yan Tingli had done crafts before—two extremely ugly ceramic dolls were their masterpieces.

Strolling the streets was even worse—they’d probably start fighting on the street.

Only watching movies could make Yan Tingli shut that mouth that spouted crazy talk at any moment, and public places wouldn’t allow him to do anything too outrageous.

Sure enough.

Yan Tingli was exceptionally uninterested in the suggestion to go out and watch movies, his gaze fixed on her: “Movies can be watched at my house too.”

Shi Sui was ice-cold: “Rejected.”

Yan Tingli’s gaze became like a thorny tongue again, licking over her skin.

Sharp and prickly.

Shi Sui sensed this and softened her tone at the right time: “Brother Tingli, I put on makeup today, I want to go out.”

“After watching the movie,” she deliberately paused for a few seconds before saying, “I’ll kiss you.”

Yan Tingli suddenly sneered.

Not knowing if he was laughing at her childish methods or the light bargaining chip.

Shi Sui snorted coldly in her heart: “You don’t want to?” She pulled her seatbelt. “Then I’ll go home right now—”

Before she could move, Yan Tingli suddenly leaned over forcefully.

Gripping her hand heavily, with indescribable annoyance, he captured her lips.

Just as he was about to deepen the kiss.

Yan Tingli suddenly paused, pulled back, and wiped the thick lipstick he’d gotten on his lips with his finger.

With an expression like he’d eaten chemical weapons.

Shi Sui was also annoyed that he’d messed up her lipstick, saying flatly: “I didn’t let you kiss me, yet you kissed me.”

“Points deducted.”

Yan Tingli seemed to hear something funny, continuing to wipe his mouth while sneering: “Points deducted? What points?”

“Your score in my heart.” Shi Sui said, “Only full marks can become official.”

Although he found it ridiculous, Yan Tingli was still curious: “Then how many points do I have now?”

“Negative points.”

Yan Tingli’s lips curved with a cold arc.

He grabbed her hand forcefully, leaning over with darkness flooding his eyes: “Since I’m negative points no matter what, then do I still need to listen to you—”

Shi Sui’s spine prickled with fear, as if she’d accidentally over-trained him again.

She quickly cupped his face with her hands, softening her tone: “But you sent flowers to me and Mom today, and I was very happy. I haven’t had time to add points yet.”

“Once I add them, it’ll be positive.” Shi Sui said quietly, “Above ninety-nine percent of the opposite sex, one percent being my dad.”

Yan Tingli’s expression was like hearing a mentally deficient statement.

But his grip on her wrist gradually relaxed.

“I know Brother Tingli is changing for me,” Shi Sui continued, observing his expression, “I’ll love you a little more each day.”

Yan Tingli’s eyelids drooped, his face showing a ridiculous and dismissive expression.

He returned to the driver’s seat, his tone also carrying condescending judgment: “You think these shallow tactics can deceive me for how long?”

After speaking, he had 3.0 navigate to the nearest cinema.

Shi Sui ignored him, looking ahead at the street scene with bright eyes.

Although every tug-of-war with Yan Tingli was like riding a roller coaster with ups and downs, not knowing how many brain cells died.

But ultimately, being able to make Yan Tingli restrain his claws because of her gave a sense of achievement like winning a battle.

After all, in the past, it was always only her compromising for him.

The movie was mediocre—a third-rate domestic commercial film using sentiment as a guise to trick box office sales.

Even Shi Sui felt drowsy watching it, turning to look at Yan Tingli midway.

He was already leaning back in his chair, quietly asleep.

His breathing was even and long, his profile like the most exquisite modeling.

Today was Saturday, but due to the delayed schedule from America, Yan Tingli still needed to work overtime.

All of Zhilian’s core business was pressing on him.

Like a heavy suspended beam, forcing him to operate like a precise machine.

But at least this was their first date outing.

The movie was boring, and the couple in front was also whispering.

The girl affectionately rested her head on the boy’s shoulder—a couple in passionate love.

Shi Sui watched.

Her heart suddenly beat twice.

Some nameless emotion swelled.

If she had to describe it, it was similar to the anticipation before receiving flowers, the grooming before a date.

More precisely, it could perhaps be summarized as indescribable girlish feelings.

This emotion also drove Shi Sui to slowly tilt her head and rest it on Yan Tingli’s shoulder.

Like sitting in a time machine.

Some memory also entered her mind with her movement of leaning on his shoulder.

That was a few years ago when watching cartoons, he had, thinking he was being subtle, awkwardly pressed her head onto his shoulder.

Shi Sui suppressed a laugh. Suddenly, his palm touched her head again.

Yan Tingli was awake.

“The movie’s been watched, now it’s time to kiss me.”

“…”

Not wanting to become surveillance footage at the cinema, Shi Sui forcibly held down his face until they got back to the car.

Only then did she let Yan Tingli wipe off her lipstick.

He cupped the back of her head, kissing and panting.

“Sui Sui,” Yan Tingli swallowed, unable to control himself, “touch me.”

Shi Sui’s hand was pressed against his body by him, unable to break free, could only say: “Don’t forget, you’re still the pursuer—”

“So I’m letting you,” Yan Tingli closed his eyes, smoothly finishing the second half of the sentence, “harass me.”

Shi Sui: “…”

His entire body was tainted by desire, all exposed skin turning pink.

“Haven’t done it since returning to the country.”

“Can’t monitor you at night either.” His voice carried a seemingly weak tone, but behind it was shameful lust: “Can’t get off.”

Shi Sui wouldn’t be shocked by anything that came out of Yan Tingli’s mouth anymore.

Monitoring was illegal to begin with, but with Yan Tingli’s concept substitution, it seemed like he’d made some great sacrifice for her.

Shi Sui saw through everything and didn’t take his bait.

“I want to do it with you tonight,” Yan Tingli grabbed her hand, his burning body temperature transferring to her, “I’ve thought about it for a week.”

Shi Sui didn’t want to entangle with him and immediately tried to withdraw her hand.

Then she heard him say: “Haven’t I been obedient?”

Yan Tingli opened his eyes to look at her, the depths flooded with lustful moisture.

“Things you didn’t let me do, I didn’t do any of them.”

Even after crashing his father into the hospital, he didn’t tell her because he was afraid she’d be scared.

Obedient?

Now it could only be called reluctantly obedient, and he might strike back at any time.

Shi Sui said flatly, “But every time it takes me great effort before you listen.”

Yan Tingli blinked: “I also endure very hard.”

More sophistry.

Shi Sui couldn’t help saying: “…Being obedient is what you should do.”

Yan Tingli was silent for a few seconds, then gripped her fingers again: “Even training dogs requires occasional surprise rewards, doesn’t it?”

“…”

Sometimes, Shi Sui didn’t know where Yan Tingli’s bottom line was.

He was so proud externally and dismissive of the tricks she used on him.

But when wanting to extract value from her, the words “training dogs” came out of his mouth so easily.

In summary, he had no bottom line.

Shi Sui probed: “What reward do you want me to give you?”

“I want to do it with you in the car, really want to.”

As Shi Sui’s expression changed in a second, Yan Tingli blinked and immediately changed direction: “But I respect you. If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”

“…”

Shi Sui, who had never felt “respected,” fell silent.

“So,” Yan Tingli gripped her hand, slowly guiding it upward from his thigh.

“Help me get off, Sui Sui.” His voice was muffled and hoarse, looking at her with dark, clear eyes, “Been blocked up for a long time, uncomfortable.”

Making Shi Sui hallucinate a dog using its tail tip to please her.

To achieve this lewd goal, he was even willing to temporarily pretend to be a dog.

Shi Sui knew clearly how strong his libido was—being able to do this much showed he really couldn’t hold back anymore.

In the past, except for that month when she secretly ran away for field sketching, they never went over a week without doing it.

Sometimes when she had her period, other places had to provide relief.

Shi Sui didn’t think about how he spent those three years.

Making Yan Tingli abstinent was impossible.

So he probably used every means to find ways to monitor her.

Thinking about being monitored and fantasized about by Yan Tingli through various means without her knowledge made Shi Sui angry.

She suddenly tightened her grip.

Her strength also suddenly increased.

Successfully making him emit a muffled groan.

Opening his eyes to look at her, misty: “Sui Sui, be gentle with Little Li.”

That “Little Li” made Shi Sui’s cheeks burn.

Her parents called Yan Tingli every day.

Shi Sui felt her teeth ache and vengefully rubbed hard with her fingertip.

Yan Tingli groaned with pleasure.

As if her revenge made him even more comfortable.

Shi Sui certainly wasn’t trying to make him comfortable.

She had other plans in mind, leaning close to look straight into his eyes, suddenly asking: “Why did Uncle Yan suddenly get hospitalized?”

Yan Tingli glanced up at her, seemingly still caught in the whirlpool of desire.

“Mm, probably bad luck that heaven wanted to collect him.”

Shi Sui’s intuition told her something was wrong.

Looking up into Yan Tingli’s calm eyes, he completely ignored her question and was still joking: “Don’t get distracted, tighter, Little Li likes Sui Sui to be rougher.”

Shi Sui’s anger “whooshed” up.

She glared at him and continued asking: “Did you do it?”

Yan Tingli panted: “I don’t know.”

“I want to come.”

Shi Sui gritted her teeth and nodded: “Won’t say, huh.”

She brought him to the edge, when Yan Tingli’s forehead hair was damp with sweat, and his pupils dilated.

Her fingertip suddenly blocked him completely: “Don’t climax.”

This got to Yan Tingli—his beautiful brows furrowed tight, his cheeks even redder.

Blue veins showed on the back of his hands, his whole body like being pulled from water.

“Let go.”

“Now.”

Shi Sui wouldn’t let go: “So was it—”

Yan Tingli opened his eyes and suddenly pressed her down.

At the same time, something burst out, staining her brand-new goose-yellow dress.

The way he looked at her was also like a beast released from its cage.

“Yes, I crashed Yan Zecheng.”

“I didn’t want to tell you.” Yan Tingli pinched her chin, cold fury rolling in his eyes, “I was trying to change.”

Now it seemed like she’d gone too far.

Shi Sui’s scalp tingled as she waved her hands in panic: “I, I just wanted to know the truth, you, don’t get angry, calm down.”

“Too late,” Yan Tingli sneered, “Now I only want to crash into you.”