How much love would it take to reach such a degree?

The fine rain and cold wind made this unexpected embrace feel particularly warm.

The moment she was pulled into his arms, Sheng Sui hid under the man’s broad black windbreaker and suddenly felt like she was being treasured and cherished.

Although she wasn’t clear on the reason, she could clearly sense the emotional fluctuations behind Zhou Shiyu’s embrace of her. Even so, the man didn’t forget to carefully wrap her in his dry, clean windbreaker, preventing her from getting touched by the cold dampness on his coat.

After the fresh woody fragrance came Zhou Shiyu’s impossible-to-ignore masculine hormonal scent sweeping over her. Like this sudden embrace, it was gentle enough, but more than that was the man’s innate desire to conquer and his overwhelming presence that left her powerless to resist.

In just a few seconds, Sheng Sui felt like she was about to drown in this wordless contest.

With her head pressed against Zhou Shiyu’s solid chest, clearly unable to push him away with her hands, Sheng Sui’s muddled brain struggled to function. Finally, like a turtle retreating into its shell, she mumbled:

“…Holding me like this, it seems like we can’t walk anymore.”

Low laughter rang beside her ear. Zhou Shiyu leaned against her shoulder, his voice deep and seductively enticing: “Without trying, how would you know?”

“But like this, I can’t breathe.”

Sheng Sui felt the strength in the hands around her waist ease up. When she straightened up, looking at Zhou Shiyu again, he was back to his familiar gentle and refined demeanor, as if the momentary panic that had flashed by was just her imagination.

Their eyes met, and she said softly: “The keys to your house, are you still going to give them to me?”

She had always been keenly sensitive to emotions, instinctively caring for others’ feelings and trying her best to satisfy everyone.

Even though she hadn’t heard clearly what the man had said before the embrace, Sheng Sui knew this unpleasantness was because of her hesitation about cohabitation.

Before their marriage, Zhou Shiyu had clearly mentioned more than once that he wanted a long-lasting, stable marriage. She had actively proposed marriage, yet wanted her husband to bear the consequences of her momentary impulse.

“I have no experience with romance, and I don’t know how to handle intimate relationships.”

Zhou Shiyu’s calm and focused gaze made her feel even more ashamed. Sheng Sui lowered her eyes, her hands fidgeting restlessly under her long sleeves, speaking softly but firmly: “But I will learn and adapt quickly.”

Afraid that empty promises would be too perfunctory, she hurriedly looked up to add: “The kind where I strive to improve a little every day.”

Hearing her describe things so childishly yet sincerely, Zhou Shiyu held the umbrella and stepped closer, unwilling to let a single drop of rain wet her shoulders. He joked: “It sounds like you’re paying off a loan.”

Sheng Sui’s nervous mood was instantly disrupted by the metaphor. She saw the man extend his hand toward her, his fingers distinct and long.

Under her confused gaze, Zhou Shiyu smiled as gently as jade: “Since it’s borrowing, I should also collect some interest.”

“……”

Obediently grasping the man’s left hand, Sheng Sui looked down at her small hand being enveloped by his large palm, couldn’t help but smile: “This also requires interest? Are all capitalists as shrewd as you?”

Zhou Shiyu gladly accepted the assessment: “Thank you for the compliment.”

The two, now newlyweds, no longer dwelled on the pickup issue. Zhou Shiyu drove Sheng Sui home, but because the street across was under construction, he could only drop her off at the residential complex entrance.

There was an elderly woman selling fruit at a stall in the complex. Sheng Sui remembered that Xiao Ming loved eating mangoes, so she picked a few and carried them home in a bag.

The empty house was silent without a soul. After Sheng Sui returned to her room to pack simply, she calculated Xiao Ming’s usual homecoming time and washed and cut the mangoes in advance, arranging them on a plate and placing it on the dining table.

But even by 6:30 in the evening, no one had returned home.

Xiao Ming usually informed her in advance when working overtime. Sheng Sui remembered the stalker she had mentioned last night, and her heart sank. She immediately took out her phone to call.

After six rings, the phone was answered. Sheng Sui said urgently: “Are you okay?”

The background noise was vague and chaotic. After a few seconds, a choked sob came through the receiver: “…I, I’m at the police station.”

When Sheng Sui rushed to the police station like flying, Xiao Ming had already switched to combat mode.

“Officer, please get this straight – this person has been stalking me for several days, and today my cousin caught him red-handed. Even with all this, you don’t need to detain him?!”

Seeing her emotional agitation, the police officer across from her stood up to pour her a cup of hot water, patiently explaining: “Miss Xiao, we don’t doubt what you’re saying, but his behavior doesn’t constitute criminal responsibility. According to regulations, the police cannot detain him.”

“But he posed a serious threat to my personal safety!” Xiao Ming shot up, pointing at the man beside her. “He follows me home every day, and today he rushed out from the emergency exit. If my cousin hadn’t been there, who knows what he would have done!”

“Who said I was looking for you? I have friends who live here too, can’t I?” The well-dressed man sneered repeatedly, pointing at the wound on his face. “Is there anyone who can prove I was stalking you? I think you people assaulting others without cause is more real. Believe it or not, I’ll sue you for intentional assault—”

Xiao Lang behind Xiao Ming also had a hot temper. Hearing this, he slammed his fist into the man’s head: “Go ahead and sue! You think I’m afraid of you!”

“What are you doing?! Still daring to fight in the police station!”

The police officer slammed the table hard, looking at the smug man in the suit: “And you! You really think you can do whatever you want without surveillance?”

“I’m warning you, if you dare to grab her, that’s forced indecency! I can easily detain you for ten days to half a month!”

In the end, it was merely the unwilling apology from the man in the suit.

The stalking and harassment was real, but so was the fact that his behavior was attempted and there was no evidence. No matter how angry Xiao Ming was, she couldn’t make the bad person pay the deserved price.

Instead, she might lose the project investment she had worked hard on for half a year because of this falling out with the man in the suit.

She turned around and saw Sheng Sui hurrying over from not far away, her eyes immediately reddening.

She rushed over to hug Sheng Sui tightly, aggrieved like a child: “I should have listened to you earlier.”

“It’s good that you’re okay,” Sheng Sui gently patted her back to comfort her. “Let’s move quickly. You can’t live there anymore.”

“Alright, my cousin wants me to stay at his place for a while,” Xiao Ming agreed in a muffled voice, worried about her. “What are you planning to do? Do you want to squeeze into one room with me first?”

Xiao Lang couldn’t help but interject: “Sheng Sui should come along too. What if that beast comes back for revenge? You two can take the master and guest bedrooms, I’ll make do in the living room.”

Sheng Sui declined their kindness: “My younger brother lives at school during weekdays. I should be able to borrow a place at my mother’s for a couple of days.”

The siblings both knew her family situation. Despite their earnest persuasion being useless, Xiao Ming could only instruct: “Then after you get home, you must remember to call me.”

“I know.”

Watching the two get in the car and leave, the curve of Sheng Sui’s lips dropped.

Going to the rental was impossible, hotels also had the risk of being followed and retaliated against, and going to her mother’s house was even more hopeless—her stepfather Xu Xu didn’t like her appearing. Even calling her for holiday dinners was his biggest concession. Requesting to borrow a place would be purely self-humiliating.

Few people passed by outside the police station. Sheng Sui leaned against the railing and saw it was already past 8 PM, smiling bitterly.

How had she fallen to the point of having nowhere to go?

Taking a taxi from the police station to a hotel and staying until daylight should be safe. Sheng Sui thought this in her heart, lowering her head to search through her chat list, her fingertip stopping on a cat avatar.

She finally remembered that someone had once said he would always wait for her to come home.

When she dialed Zhou Shiyu’s number, Sheng Sui only realized after speaking that she had stood waiting in the cold wind too long—even her voice was trembling:

“Sir.”

The man’s patience in waiting for her to continue remained as always. Sheng Sui listened to the steady, long breathing, suddenly feeling somewhat wronged:

“…I want to go home.”

“Where are you?” Zhou Shiyu didn’t ask for reasons. Learning that Sheng Sui was at the public security bureau, he remained unperturbed, warmly agreeing: “I’m coming over now.”

At this time, an inquiring voice came from the background: “Mr. Zhou, where are you rushing to? Several good dishes haven’t been served yet.”

“Let’s gather another day,” the man’s voice in the receiver became muffled, apparently Zhou Shiyu had moved the phone away.

“I need to go pick up my wife.”

“Mr. Zhou actually got married? Then how many young ladies in our company will have their hearts broken—alright, go quickly. Bring your wife along to gather sometime.”

“Good.”

Only after the background noise completely quieted did Sheng Sui dare to ask in a small voice: “Do you have a dinner engagement? Am I being too bothersome?”

“Just eating with acquaintances,” Zhou Shiyu was starting the car on his end, suddenly chuckling softly. “Besides, this is the first time Mrs. Zhou has actively asked me for help. It’s truly a rare opportunity.”

“……”

Sheng Sui’s ear tips grew slightly warm, then she heard the man report information: “I’m driving over now, about fifteen minutes’ drive. If you’re cold, go inside to take shelter.”

After answering dryly, Sheng Sui couldn’t think of other topics to chat about and didn’t particularly want to talk. She looked up at the pitch-black ahead, hesitating whether to end the call.

“Sheng Sui.”

Zhou Shiyu suddenly called her name, his calm and gentle voice soothing her anxiety and unease: “Even if there’s nothing to say, you don’t have to hang up the phone.”

After speaking, the man said no more. For a moment, only two steady breathing sounds remained in the receiver, faint and shallow, yet profoundly comforting.

Fifteen minutes later, the man arrived as promised.

During the waiting time, the duty police officer, following orders, came out several times with hot water and blankets, asking if Sheng Sui wanted to go inside to rest, but she politely declined each time.

First, she didn’t want to appear pitiful, and second, she could see the familiar Aston Martin driving over from afar. Under the gradually approaching illumination, her watery eyes sparkled brightly.

The driver’s door opened. Zhou Shiyu stepped down from the car with long strides, a black coat draped over his arm. The desolate moonlight outlined his tall figure as he walked straight toward her with unwavering focus.

Stopping in front of her, Sheng Sui obediently let the man drape the coat over her, hearing him bend down to ask quietly: “Why didn’t you go inside? Aren’t you cold?”

Sheng Sui tilted her chin up slightly and shook her head.

Her docile and serene appearance made people’s hearts soften. Zhou Shiyu raised his hand to gently ruffle Sheng Sui’s hair, telling her to get in the car first.

The air conditioning had been turned on in advance in the car, and there was a thick blanket emitting a clean scent on the passenger seat. Sheng Sui placed the blanket flat on her lap, watching Zhou Shiyu negotiate with the police officer through the car window, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

So this was what it felt like to be cared for with someone’s heart.

Soon the sound of a door closing rang out. After Zhou Shiyu got into the driver’s seat and lowered his head to fasten his seatbelt, a faint smell of alcohol permeated the enclosed space.

Sheng Sui was particularly sensitive to the smell of alcohol and instinctively asked: “Did you drink?”

“No,” Zhou Shiyu looked down and saw her ice-cold fingertips had turned white, so he turned up the car’s temperature. “I know you don’t like others drinking.”

Sheng Sui had heard something about drinking culture at business dinners. She didn’t want her husband to make sacrifices for her preferences and explained: “When I was little, my father had a bad temper. Every time he came home drunk, he would constantly smash things, curse, and hit people.”

Being candid about the dark side of her family wasn’t easy. Sheng Sui took a deep breath and continued: “Actually, I don’t object to drinking. I’m just afraid of people who lose emotional control.”

Contrary to usual, Zhou Shiyu didn’t respond to her revelation, just silently started the car. The sudden silence left Sheng Sui thoroughly puzzled.

She had the vague feeling that the four words “lose emotional control” seemed to be the reason for the current awkward silence.

But Zhou Shiyu was the person with the most stable emotions she had ever seen. Even that day when he was angry at the hospital, he had always maintained his gentle smile, sometimes being so good-tempered that Sheng Sui marveled that he didn’t seem like a normal person.

The two drove home in silence the entire way.

Zhou Shiyu lived in a luxury apartment building in the city center. In this prime location where every inch was worth its weight in gold, one could enjoy a 360-degree panoramic ocean view, and even the elevators were one unit per floor with excellent privacy.

Just as she had seen during their video call last time, the over 200-square-meter large flat was decorated in a light gray minimalist style. The few colorful accents were cat toys, food bowls, water dispensers, soft beds, and scratching posts scattered everywhere.

Sheng Sui’s move was sudden. Although she had gone home to get a few sets of clothes to change into, she could only use Zhou Shiyu’s daily necessities.

“This side is the dining room and living room. The gym, computer room, and conference room are in the east corridor. The west side has two studies and the bedroom.”

Zhou Shiyu took Sheng Sui on a simple tour around the house. When passing by one of the studies, his steps paused slightly: “The usually locked study is used for work. I don’t let the housekeeper come in here.”

Sheng Sui understood his meaning: “Okay, I won’t wander around.”

The bedroom connected to a walk-in closet with four floor-to-ceiling cabinets against the walls and a glass display case in the center specifically for jewelry, all very impressive.

Zhou Shiyu pointed to the large empty spaces in the floor cabinets and display case, indicating: “The housekeeper cleared them in advance. You can put your things anywhere.”

Sheng Sui thought that even if she moved her entire home closet here, it wouldn’t fill half of one floor cabinet. Her necklaces and jewelry could be counted on two hands, so she nodded silently.

After putting away her clothes, the two returned to the open dining room. Sheng Sui was just thinking about where she could get water when she heard cat meowing from the east corridor.

A black and white cat peeked its head around the corner, its glass bead-like round eyes staring at Sheng Sui. After a few seconds, it trotted toward her cheerfully, raising its tail to brush against her ankle.

Ping’An was much rounder than she had imagined. Sheng Sui bent down to pick up the little cat and heard him purring non-stop in her arms.

She couldn’t help but scratch the cat’s chin and asked curiously: “Why is he called ‘Ping’An’?”

Among colleagues and friends who kept pets around her, names were either in English or had special meanings. This was Sheng Sui’s first time hearing such a down-to-earth name for a cat.

“He was always getting sick when he was little,” Zhou Shiyu took fresh milk from the refrigerator and poured it into a small pot to simmer on low heat. “I just hoped he would be safe and healthy.”

Taking glass bottles and jars from the cupboard, he turned around to lean back against the marble counter, watching intently as Sheng Sui indulgently let Ping’An stretch out his tongue to lick her face, her eyebrows curved and smile radiant.

One person and one cat—his Sui Sui and Ping’An.

Sui Sui Ping’An.

Peace and safety year after year.

Zhou Shiyu quietly watched the scene before him, suddenly remembering that summer six years ago.

He had worn a mask to that coffee shop and seen Sheng Sui working part-time, playing with a cat in a secluded corner, wearing the same carefree smile.

Even to this day, he still remembered that scene—the afternoon slanting sunlight falling on her hair and shoulders. In the dancing golden light spots, she bloomed quietly in that unnoticed corner.

Only he was the sole witness to that brilliance.

“I used to think about keeping a cat at home too, but unfortunately my roommate was allergic to cat fur.”

The woman’s voice pulled his thoughts back. Zhou Shiyu saw Sheng Sui holding the cat on her shoulder, saying regretfully: “Actually, she really loves cats. We tried many methods, but she still had allergic reactions.”

Turning off the low heat, Zhou Shiyu poured the warm milk into a milk frother, then added turmeric and cinnamon powder from the bottles and jars in sequence, starting the machine: “Have her go to the respiratory department first to test her immunoglobulin levels. The doctor will administer omalizumab based on the values—it’s a targeted therapy specifically for asthma and allergies that can reduce allergic reactions. Each course of treatment lasts about six months.”

When the machine stopped, Zhou Shiyu selected a milky white mug from the wall cabinet, poured the thick pale yellow foam into the cup, and finally sprinkled some turmeric powder on top as decoration.

“Later, if conditions permit, she can also go to the allergy department for desensitization treatment. It’s also injections, twice a week, with timing varying by individual.”

Confirming the cup walls weren’t hot, he handed the mug over: “The cost isn’t high, it’s just frequent injections and time-consuming. The desensitization medication also requires low-temperature storage.”

Zhou Shiyu’s description was so detailed that Sheng Sui had a moment of confusion, as if the person allergic to cat fur was standing right in front of her.

“…How much love would it take to go to such lengths?” she couldn’t help but sigh, her attention drawn to the drink before her. “Is this for me?”

She thought it was goat milk warmed for Ping’An.

Zhou Shiyu took the cat with one hand and placed the cup in her palm: “After being blown by cold wind outside in the evening and then sleeping in a new place, you might not adapt well.”

“This has turmeric and cinnamon, which can dispel cold and aid sleep. It’s also beneficial for diabetic patients. Try it.”

Sheng Sui was always casual about eating and drinking. This was her first time seeing milk prepared this way. Taking the cup for a few light sips, her lips and teeth were filled with rich milk fragrance mixed with a hint of turmeric flavor.

She found it novel and couldn’t help taking a few more sips.

Seeing her amazed expression, Zhou Shiyu’s eyes softened completely. He couldn’t help but think of Sheng Sui’s earlier sigh, smiling ambiguously.

Yes, how much love would it take to reach such a degree?

After drinking the milk, Sheng Sui’s entire stomach felt warm, her tense nerves relaxed, and drowsiness swept over her.

Fortunately, Zhou Shiyu had healthy sleep habits. During the time she played with Ping’An in the living room, the man had already finished washing up. When Sheng Sui returned to the bedroom, she saw him leaning against the headboard looking at a tablet.

The man’s freshly washed hair was particularly fluffy and soft, his bangs slightly covering his eyebrows. Unlike during the day when he buttoned his shirt to the top, his pajama collar was open, revealing a large expanse of pale skin and his solid chest.

This Zhou Shiyu lacked the elite noble abstinence of daytime, instead adding homey approachability and several degrees of heart-stirring allure.

Sheng Sui didn’t dare look anymore, hurriedly taking her change of clothes into the bathroom. She slowly bathed, then blow-dried every strand of hair until not a trace of dampness could be found, before gritting her teeth and pushing the door open.

There was only one bedroom in the house. She couldn’t possibly go sleep in the living room on the first day of cohabitation.

Sharing a bed seemed to be the only option.

So she could only shuffle step by step to the bedside. Not knowing what to say to Zhou Shiyu, she carefully lifted the covers.

Zhou Shiyu saw she had already lain down and put down his tablet, removing his glasses, calmly asking: “Should I turn off the lights to sleep?”

“…Okay.”

The man appeared too composed and calm. If she continued to be overly shy, it would instead seem affected.

Amid thunderous heartbeats, Sheng Sui felt the bed surface beside her sink slightly as Zhou Shiyu lay flat beside her, closing his eyes without a word.

So, what should she say?

For newlyweds sharing a bed for the first time, what did she need to do?

Lost in wild thoughts, Sheng Sui only felt rigid as steel. Various scenes played repeatedly in her mind, yet she never saw Zhou Shiyu make any move.

Secretly glancing sideways, she discovered the man lying quietly and peacefully, breathing steadily, apparently already fast asleep.

But Sheng Sui still had no sleepiness at all. Not daring to toss and turn, she could only silently count sheep in her heart.

“…Can’t sleep?”

A low, hoarse male voice rang out in the quiet bedroom. Sheng Sui’s heart jumped violently, and she hastily apologized in a small voice: “Did I disturb you?”

Hearing this, Zhou Shiyu turned on his side to face her without opening his eyes. Under the covers, he quietly grasped Sheng Sui’s hand and slowly brought it to his chest where his heart was.

Through the fabric of his pajamas, Sheng Sui could feel the man’s heart beating violently beneath his bones and flesh.

She didn’t know how to speak for a moment. In the darkness, she felt Zhou Shiyu’s body continuously approaching her direction, finally stopping just inches away.

The man’s lips were nearly touching her cheek, his burning breath almost scorching her.

Sheng Sui’s breathing stopped abruptly, her mind going completely blank.

Sensing her panic even with his eyes closed, Zhou Shiyu chuckled softly. Accompanied by violent heartbeats that no longer belonged to either of them alone, he spoke word by word into Sheng Sui’s ear: “…Let me tell you a secret.”

“Actually, I’m very nervous too.”