When Chen Yi stirred, Miao Jing instantly woke up. After curling up on the sofa all night, both were stiff and aching all over.

When one’s body is comfortable, one can temporarily reconcile with the world. Light whistling came from the bathroom. A few minutes later, Chen Yi threw his half-damp towel onto her head, his light tone insufferably arrogant: “Going to shower?”

Yesterday they’d been at each other’s throats, then that incident in the early morning – the situation seemed strange from any angle.

Speaking of which, who won and who lost yesterday?

Miao Jing wore only underwear, her dress by the sofa spotted with stains, her inner thighs still bearing lingering sensations. Her body wasn’t exactly comfortable. She lifted her eyelids to give him an ambiguous look. Chen Yi pressed his tongue against his inner cheek, giving a wicked, unrestrained smile.

Even dump trucks were more classy than him.

He lazily sat on the sofa smoking a cigarette, his hand holding it casually draped over the sofa edge. Something crossed his mind, making his brows unconsciously furrow, until he saw Miao Jing come out and walk straight into his room, opening his wardrobe to pick through it, finally pulling out some of his clothes.

What? Had she emptied her room, left herself with nothing to wear, and now had to wear his clothes out?

Miao Jing calmly put on his white T-shirt, rolling up the too-long sleeves, then chose a pair of floor-length trousers to put on. She grabbed the waistband and went to the next room to find something, using a silk ribbon as a belt, tucking in the shirt, rolling up the trouser legs to her ankles. With high heels and a jacket on, her cold beautiful face set.

Chen Yi really couldn’t help but whistle – the visual effect was both sweet and soft yet clean and sharp. A beautiful girl wearing his clothes – dressed or undressed, both were the peak of sexiness.

She noticed his gaze sticking to her: “Look good?”

He leered: “Looks better without anything on.”

Miao Jing tossed her long hair, took out lipstick from her bag, and painted her lips a bright color.

“See me out? I’m going to meet Cen Ye.”

“What’s the rush? Such a grown man still needs someone to accompany him for breakfast?” He lounged bonelessly, taking a final drag of his cigarette. “How old is he?”

“Early thirties, but he takes good care of himself – no smoking or drinking, exercises regularly. Looks about your age.” Miao Jing tossed the lipstick into her bag. “He likes having company for breakfast, especially hotel buffet breakfasts.”

Chen Yi pursed his lips, his good morning mood evaporating. He scowled, straightening his hunched back: “I’m different. I’d like someone to make breakfast for me at home.”

Miao Jing smiled slightly: “Hire a housekeeper then.”

When views don’t align, there’s no point talking more. The man’s face instantly darkened. They went out together – Cen Ye had work later, leaving Teng City this afternoon. This trip had no secretary involved. Miao Jing went to meet him at the hotel, skillfully helping arrange his later schedule.

Chen Yi dropped Miao Jing at the hotel, watching her graceful steps enter, the wide trouser legs fluttering in the wind, utterly alluring.

–

Cen Ye waited in the buffet restaurant, raising an eyebrow at Miao Jing’s outfit, his gaze playful.

Given their previous intimate relationship, it was hard not to mind such comparisons, but adults all know that fucking love saying: one can love many times in life, but there’s always one person who can make us laugh the brightest, cry the most thoroughly, think the most deeply.

“I only roughly checked some information yesterday, there’s very little online, basically all cleaned up,” Cen Ye asked her, “That nightclub has closed down?”

“It was sealed off long ago, still abandoned.”

Cen Ye smiled: “Investigating someone’s information through illegal means is against the law, but going completely without entry-exit records or any domestic activity traces for two whole years is quite strange, unless he’s deliberately avoiding detection, or has another identity.”

As long as someone lives in a city, they leave traces – network communications, bank information, public transport, hotel stays, hospital visits, various residence investigations – there’s always some trail. Miao Jing had obtained some of Chen Yi’s records from the past six years, but there was a complete blank of two years. She asked Cen Ye for help, showing him an online news article – the nightclub’s verdict. Zhang Shi got life imprisonment, along with over ten accomplices convicted of crimes including intentional homicide, gang fighting, forced trading, illegal control, and loan sharking, with sentences ranging from life to several years. But notably, neither Zhai Fengmao’s nor Chen Yi’s names appeared.

Teng City was a small city without much information online. Among the few news reports found, an important one was that a few months after she left Teng City, there was a malicious gang fight at the nightclub, with special police responding. There were also some business information changes, but she didn’t know many details. Knowing Cen Ye’s legal background and connections across all walks of life, asking for his help was most appropriate.

Calling in favors and connections takes time. Cen Ye had to leave, agreeing to keep in touch by phone. Miao Jing saw him off at the high-speed rail station, still using Chen Yi as a driver.

At the station entrance, Cen Ye patted Miao Jing’s shoulder.

“You’ve been here several months, when are you planning to return?”

“Soon.”

“What you want, give me some time.”

“Thank you.”

Cen Ye glanced at Chen Yi smoking nearby, his dark eyes flickering. His lips lightly bumped Miao Jing’s cheek as he gently ruffled her hair.

“I’ll wait for your return, throw you a welcome back party then.”

Chen Yi’s form wavered slightly, his heart jolting, cigarette ash falling straight to the ground, scattering at his toe, blending invisibly with the dust.

The atmosphere in the car on the return trip was terrible.

“He wants you to go back?”

“Mm.”

“What position has he arranged for you?”

Miao Jing looked down at her phone messages, voice flat: “Salary over eight thousand – the kind you can’t afford.”

Chen Yi gave a cold laugh, gripping the steering wheel.

“Great, since you came back for a vacation, come happy, leave happy.”

He ground his teeth: “Though, too bad for Lu Zhengsi, the foolish boy’s still in the dark, right? Does he know how many men you’ve been involved with?”

Having a man in her pocket! How fucking impressive!!

What’s that saying? The student surpasses the teacher?

Speak of the devil – Lu Zhengsi called right then, asking if Miao Jing was coming to the company today. Yesterday some parts arrived, and the quality inspection paperwork had reached his desk. He asked if she needed to sign the acceptance form when she returned. Miao Jing asked a couple of questions, told him to handle it directly, and then hung up. Her expression slightly tensed as she fell into thought. Seeing a mall by the road, her slender finger tapped her phone screen as she turned to speak to Chen Yi: “I’ll go back to work overtime later. Lunch first? I need to buy some things?”

Buy what?

Clothes, of course! To return what she was wearing to Chen Yi.

Using Chen Yi’s money, going to the most expensive brand stores, Miao Jing spent over an hour properly choosing two dresses – she’d ruined two of her dresses because of him, now determined to get them back. Chen Yi sat on the sofa in front of the fitting room mirror, body deeply hunched, both arms propped on his knees, holding a cup of red tea, its steam swirling around his face as his dark eyes watched Miao Jing and the sales assistant assess her figure in the mirror.

He remembered scenes of her buying clothes many years ago, from the farmer’s market to roadside shops to budget malls, her beautiful eyes always fixed only on the discount rack.

Miao Jing suddenly turned to ask him: “They have men’s clothes too, want to try some?”

His expression was cold, his tall frame like an iceberg as he shook his head firmly.

The bill approached ten thousand, actually exceeding normal consumer standards. While swiping the card, Miao Jing peeked at the person signing beside her. Two large, crude characters – Miao Jing liked men with nice handwriting, like Cen Ye, but Chen Yi’s writing wasn’t ugly either. His straight brows remained level, his expression unchanged as he tossed the pen onto the counter and turned away from carrying the fancy shopping bags.

Miao Jing also went to the electronics counter, buying a nice pair of headphones for Lu Zhengsi. When paying, she glanced at Chen Yi, slowly and hesitantly pushing the bill under his nose. Chen Yi’s face instantly turned gloomy and grim. Face taut, his gaze swept over viciously, finally gritting his teeth hard as he grabbed the bill and went to the cashier, furiously taking out his card.

Refreshed after shopping, it was late, so they settled for a casual meal. Miao Jing casually pointed at a tea restaurant in the mall atrium, and they each ordered a lunch set.

Music played in the mall, people coming and going outside. Neither spoke much. Chen Yi chewed his food in big bites – he certainly didn’t have the refined manners of slowly savoring each bite, but rather an unrestrained, generous air. Miao Jing pushed the leftovers from her set onto his plate.

Seeming to notice a gaze from afar, Chen Yi turned his head. From that end of the mall came a woman with an enchanting figure clicking along in high heels – who else but Tu Li?

Miao Jing followed his gaze to see Tu Li, both their gazes equally calm and quiet.

Tu Li dialed her phone while walking: “Did you see the photos? If you still don’t believe it you’re just stupid. Want me to let Miao Jing say something to you?”

Her perfectly manicured hand extended toward Miao Jing, the screen showing Lu Zhengsi’s name and the ongoing call duration.

“Lu Zhengsi’s call.” Tu Li’s eyes were cold and beautiful as she stood before Miao Jing, snorting, “If you have the guts, talk to him.”

“Tu Li!!” Chen Yi’s brows deeply furrowed, his face impatient, voice rough, “What are you doing?”

“What am I doing? Just letting everyone know the truth.” Tu Li flicked her hair. “What a coincidence, following behind you two this whole way, you were so absorbed you only noticed me now?”

“Are you fucking looking for trouble?”

“Don’t talk about morals, at least be less hypocritical. On the surface acting so proper, claiming innocence, treating people as true friends with all your heart, what’s the logic in secretly messing around? I just can’t swallow this, what’s wrong with coming over to say hello?”

“How generous, willing to buy such expensive clothes?” Tu Li’s eyes landed on the high-end shopping bags nearby, her lips twisted sarcastically. “How come you were never willing to buy me such fancy things, never willing to spend this kind of money on me?”

Miao Jing stared quietly at the two people before her, also watching as Lu Zhengsi directly cut off the call in Tu Li’s hand.