“Hey—where are you going? Take me with you!”

Gu Yao stumbled after them, but Shen Chen blocked her path with a grin. “What’s the point of drinking alone, pretty lady? Come have one with me.”

Gu Yao squinted at him, dazzled. “Wow, you’re really pretty. Sure, beautiful sister, let’s drink!”

Half-drunk, Shen Chen waved his hand. “I’m not some ‘beautiful sister.’ I’m a handsome little brother. I’m younger than you—you should be calling me your little bro.”

Hearing the nonsense from the private room behind her, Sang Ning felt her head throb.

“Your sister’s still in there with a bunch of grown men. Aren’t you worried?”

Her wrist was still tightly held as Gu Yezhou strode forward like he had somewhere urgent to be. She had to jog just to keep up, or she’d be dragged along.

The moment they stepped outside, a biting cold wind hit her face. Sang Ning shivered.

Suddenly, her wrist was released. The next second, his coat landed over her shoulders.

She glanced down—the coat was so big she could practically wear it as a dress.

“No need to worry about her. Let her blow off some steam,” Gu Yezhou said, bracing his hands on her shoulders and locking eyes with her. “Do you still like him?”

“Like who?” Sang Ning instinctively looked away.

What was wrong with this man? One drink and he turned handsy—his tolerance was terrible.

“Him.” Gu Yezhou pulled out his phone. The moment he unlocked it, the gallery opened—right there on the screen was a photo of Lin Zehui.

Sang Ning stared, stunned. “You… why do you have another man’s photo saved?”

A man keeping another man’s photo?

What kind of situation was this?

“Do you still like him?” Gu Yezhou asked again, his voice thick with alcohol.

“Can we go back first? It’s freezing out here. You’re going to catch a cold like this.” Sang Ning pushed him toward the parking lot.

They’d all been drinking, but they’d arranged for a driver. One was already waiting by the car.

The moment they got in, the man beside her tilted his head and dropped heavily onto her shoulder.

She froze, then slowly turned to look at him.

Only then did she notice a faint scar at his temple.

When had he gotten that?

Usually, his bangs hid it well. She’d never noticed before. And with how tall he was, looking up at him all the time was exhausting.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep! If you pass out, how am I supposed to drag you home?” she said, patting his face.

No response.

The restaurant wasn’t far from the station. By the time they reached the neighborhood, the driver was quick to leave—leaving Sang Ning to deal with the aftermath.

She had originally planned to return to Ping’an Apartments to tidy up. Now that the case was solved, it should be safe again.

Li Xiaoqiang was gone. Shi Li was dead. The unit next door probably wouldn’t be rented out anytime soon.

“Do you still like him…” Gu Yezhou muttered again.

“I don’t. Who’d like that rotten cucumber?” Sang Ning tugged lightly at his ear.

To her surprise, after she pulled it, his ear twitched—like a dog’s.

Her eyes lit up. “Captain Gu, your ear moves!”

Since he was drunk and probably wouldn’t remember, she boldly reached out and flicked it again.

But before she could, her wrist was suddenly caught.

Those deep, piercing eyes snapped open, locking onto hers.

For a moment, Sang Ning felt like she’d been caught doing something wrong. Her heart pounded wildly.

“Sorry…” she said awkwardly, trying to pull back.

But instead, he pressed her against the seat, his cool lips suddenly covering hers.

Their eyes met.

Sang Ning blinked, her mind blanking out.

What the hell? Does he just kiss people when he’s drunk? Wait—does he still have his first kiss?

Gu Yezhou’s gaze darkened. “You’re not focused.”

“Me? Not focused?”

What?

Before she could react, a hand cradled the back of her head. Their teeth collided, a sharp sting blooming across her lips. She tried to push him away, but he was immovable.

The sense of suffocation built, her head spinning—

Only then did he reluctantly pull away.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

“Mhm… wife… You married me. You’re my wife now. You can’t think about other men anymore… That Lin Zehui… he has a problem…”

“What problem?” Sang Ning’s voice came out hoarse, her lips stinging as she spoke.

She touched them—burning pain.

Great. He’d actually broken the skin.

“Gu Yezhou?” She nudged him. “Hey, don’t fall asleep on me! At least make it upstairs first!”

No response.

Sleeping in the car in this weather would definitely get him sick.

Sang Ning had no idea how she managed to drag such a tall man inside. The house was empty. She hauled him into the bedroom—

Only to realize his bed wasn’t even made.

“How did you sleep the other night? Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep at all?”

A faint “Mm” was all she got before he passed out again.

Sang Ning felt despair.

In the end, she dragged him into her own room and made do for the night.

…

Early the next morning, loud knocking rang out.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Each knock louder than the last.

Sang Ning groaned, pulling the blanket over her head—but the knocking continued.

She shot upright. “Who is it? It’s barely morning—can’t people sleep?”

She’d gone to bed late. It was only six.

Less than four hours of sleep.

As she looked around the unfamiliar room, her mind snapped awake.

Last night… she had dragged a man onto this bed… and then she’d fallen asleep.

But now—

He was gone.

She bolted upright, rubbing her head. “I didn’t even drink last night. So who exactly was drunk, me or him?”

The door stood open. From outside came a familiar, pleasant voice.

“You’re awake?”

She looked up to see Gu Yezhou in a white T-shirt.

In this weather?

Short sleeves?

“Yeah… aren’t you cold?”

He smiled. “Day off today. I’ll help you move the rest of your things from Ping’an Apartments. Sound good?”

“Oh… okay.” She nodded blankly.

Then suddenly, she dashed forward and grabbed his arm. “Wait—who’s at the door?”

Before he could answer, a bright voice rang out:

“Sis-in-law, open up! It’s me—your brother!”

Sang Ning: “…”

Your brother is standing right in front of me.

“My sister, Gu Yao,” Gu Yezhou explained calmly. “She’s your assistant. That’s just how she is—loud and energetic.”

His gaze dropped.

Sang Ning was barefoot, standing on the cold floor, shivering.

Without warning, he bent down and scooped her up.

“Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!” she yelped.

“Wear shoes when you get out of bed. It’s cold—you’ll catch a chill,” he said softly, ruffling her hair.

As for last night—

Neither of them mentioned a word.

Sang Ning snorted inwardly.

What a hypocritical man.