Shen Mu surveyed the room once more, walked to the door, and said, “Lock the door and go to sleep.” He left, locking the door behind him. Soon, the sound of a car starting up came from downstairs. Xu Ke went to the window, watching the sports car backing out of the narrow alley, her smile fading. She took out her phone, looked at the recently dialed number, pondered for a moment, and then saved it. When typing in the name, she instinctively entered three characters: Crane Crest. Back then, in her phone, his name was Puffer Fish—delicious but poisonous, a desire with risk. After that night six years ago, she realized he wasn’t a puffer fish but Crane Crest, not just risky but absolutely off-limits.
That night, she tossed and turned, only falling into a deep sleep as dawn approached. A knock on the door woke her. Glancing at the clock on the table, she realized it was already noon. She opened the door to find Lin Yao standing there, her hair disheveled and looking exhausted.
Xu Ke was surprised. “Aren’t you supposed to be back tomorrow?”
Lin Yao, looking drained, entered the room. “The accommodation was too expensive. I decided to just stay for a day.”
Xu Ke made an acknowledgment sound and was about to close the door when a young girl appeared at the stairwell with a box in her hands. “Is Miss Xu Ke here? I’m from the courier service.”
Xu Ke nodded. “That’s me.”
The girl handed over the box with a cheerful smile and a pen. “Please sign here.”
Xu Ke took the pen, noticing the unfamiliar handwriting on the delivery slip, which was addressed to a department store. Curious, she wondered who had sent something. Lin Yao put down her backpack and came over. Xu Ke signed and opened the box, only to find several sets of underwear inside!
Lin Yao looked at her in surprise. “Who sent these? My brother?”
Xu Ke was both shocked and embarrassed, instantly realizing who it was. She quickly called out to the courier who was about to leave. “Please wait, I need to send this back.”
