Those last two words were said with total certainty.
Zhou Zuizui’s eyes were full of mischief as she looked at Shen Nan, feeling pretty pleased with herself.
Shen Nan knew exactly what kind of woman his wife was—bold and straightforward. She rarely got all shy and hesitant. Heck, even when they got married back then, she was the one who made the decision first.
He sat on the chair, narrowing his eyes slightly as he looked at the woman not far away.
Her long, wavy hair fell over her shoulders. She was sitting on the bed, looking all lazy and relaxed, with a spark of excitement in her brows and eyes. Those bright, shiny eyes were fixed on him. Further down… her red lips curved up in a way that really drew the eye.
Compared to this morning, her lips looked even more seductive now.
All of a sudden, Shen Nan remembered how she looked pinned under him just now. His eyes darkened, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Right under Zhou Zuizui’s gaze, he stood up and walked toward her.
“You… what are you planning to do?”
Only after teasing him did Zhou Zuizui finally realize… When it came to that stuff, men didn’t mess around—and she had just fearlessly poked the bear.
Shen Nan raised an eyebrow slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smile: “What do you think?”
He asked with deep meaning, the hint super strong.
After saying that, he tilted his head a bit, planted both hands on either side of her, trapping her in with overwhelming pressure. When Shen Nan got serious, Zhou Zuizui had zero chance of fighting back.
As he leaned in closer, his breathing got heavier, his jaw tightened—like if she said one more word… he’d really show her what “hard” meant.
Zhou Zuizui choked a little, her eyes dodging as she pushed him away hard. She scrambled off the bed, slipped on her shoes, stood to the side, and looked coldly at the man who turned back to her: “What are you planning to do now?”
At a time like this, changing the subject was the only way to save herself.
Sure enough, once the topic shifted, Shen Nan stopped teasing her.
He stared at her deeply for a long while, went silent for a bit, then said: “I might have to drag you into this.”
This was the one option he least wanted to choose.
Zhou Zuizui let out an “Oh,” nodded, not really minding: “As long as you make sure I don’t get hurt, that’s fine.”
Hearing that, Shen Nan looked at her and smiled a little, giving her two reassuring words: “Don’t worry.”
He absolutely wouldn’t let her get hurt.
Zhou Zuizui listened, her eyes flickering as she gave a cool, casual “Mm”: “Good then.”
The two fell silent again for a few minutes, just looking at each other without a word.
Zhou Zuizui thought for a bit and said: “If we’re putting on an act, we gotta make it look real.” She looked at Shen Nan: “You free this afternoon?”
“No.”
Even if he had plans, they were canceled now.
Zhou Zuizui thought it over, checked the time: “Then how about we go out for a walk? All open and aboveboard?”
She figured, they were husband and wife anyway. If they were gonna act, it had to feel authentic. It was Valentine’s Day after all—no way a couple like them would stay cooped up inside all day, right?
Though—
Staying in could probably be explained too.
But the moment she thought about what that “reason” for staying in would be, Zhou Zuizui felt super awkward.
Better to go out. Prove they weren’t spending the whole day in bed.
Shen Nan nodded: “Sure.”
With that, Zhou Zuizui was about to change clothes and head out.
“Hold on.”
“Why?” She looked at him suspiciously.
Shen Nan avoided her eyes, turned to look out the window, his tone flat: “Not the right time yet.”
Zhou Zuizui was stunned for a second, not quite getting it at first. Then, after pulling out the clothes she wanted to wear from the wardrobe, she suddenly froze—and burst out laughing, bending over and holding onto the wardrobe door!
Shen Nan: “……”
His ears, beyond his control, turned a little red again.
After Zhou Zuizui laughed enough, she grabbed her clothes and quietly shuffled toward the bathroom. When she got to the door, she turned back with a big grin, batting her eyes at Shen Nan like an innocent little girl who didn’t know a thing. Looking at him with the most wide-eyed expression, she asked sweetly: “Captain Shen, are you worried that if we go out now, people will think you finished too quick?”
As soon as the words were out, Zhou Zuizui got scared herself. She darted into the bathroom and slammed the door shut with a bang before Shen Nan could come over and deal with her.
Shen Nan stared at the closed door—it even shook a little—and couldn’t help but laugh from being annoyed.
More than an hour later, Zhou Zuizui and Shen Nan openly went out on a proper date.
Qiuqiu stared at her boss, who was dressed up all gorgeous and sexy, her eyes practically glued. Then she glanced at the man beside her boss, froze for a second, and quickly called out: “Brother-in-law, hi! I’m Qiuqiu.”
Shen Nan kept his face cold and stern, expression blank as he gave a simple “Mm”: “Hello.”
Qiuqiu felt a chill from that icy vibe, turned to Zhou Zuizui: “Sister, are you two going out on a date?”
“Yeah.” Zhou Zuizui curved her lips into a smile. “Just going for a walk. He’s been away so long, he’s not familiar with the place anymore.”
She said this for Qiuqiu to hear—and for anyone else listening too.
Qiuqiu opened her mouth, then let out a late “Oh,” smiling super happily. Her eyes crinkled as she suggested: “It’s Valentine’s Day today! Sister, you guys hurry out—lots of shops outside are doing special events.”
“Mm, we’re off.” Zhou Zuizui glanced around the tavern. Those guys from earlier had already left.
She paused, reminded Qiuqiu: “Sister’s heading out first then. I’ll be back tonight.”
Hearing that, Qiuqiu winked at her, answering cheerfully: “Got it.”
Once they stepped out of the tavern, the street was indeed buzzing with life. Walking a bit further, it was even livelier than the morning.
At first, Zhou Zuizui and Shen Nan walked with a little space between them—not too far, not too close. They looked like familiar people, but whether they seemed like a real couple was up for debate.
As they walked, suddenly a big hand grabbed hers. That hand was huge, totally different from a woman’s—calluses on the palm and the tiger’s mouth area, rough and textured. When their fingers interlocked, she could clearly feel it. Zhou Zuizui glanced down at their joined hands, feeling the rolling heat coming from his, then turned her head to look at Shen Nan.
Shen Nan pinched the spot between her thumb and finger, his hint super obvious.
Someone was still following them from behind.
Zhou Zuizui got it and just went along with it. Instead, she casually pulled him along, browsing left and right, never letting go of his hand.
At first, Shen Nan didn’t think much of it, just noticed how different men’s and women’s skin felt… The hand he was holding was small and slender, super smooth to the touch. Zhou Zuizui always took great care of herself—she was someone who loved looking beautiful like crazy. Sure, she’d do dirty work and heavy lifting, but she never skipped a single step of her skincare routine.
Plus, living in the ancient town helped—the water was good, the sunshine gentle, and she rarely went out much all year round. Her skin was like smooth cream, fair and glowing.
He glanced sideways at the woman beside him, then faintly looked away.
….
Behind them, the man in a black short-sleeve shirt followed for a while, then turned back.
At the Welcome Inn—the inn right next to “Drunk and Walking With You”—a few men were lounging around lazily in the room.
Brother Bao looked at the guy who came back, raised an eyebrow: “Sure those two are really husband and wife?”
“No doubt. They’re out strolling on the main street right now, all open and bold about it.”
Hearing that, Brother Bao frowned, shooting a glare at Qiangzi beside him.
Qiangzi got the hint, let out a sleazy laugh, licked his lips, and said: “Brother Bao, when I went up to the roof to check… those two were going at it in bed.” He recalled the scene he’d spied on, narrowed his eyes with obvious lust: “Gotta say… that woman’s body is fucking amazing, so white it blinds you… and her voice is so damn soft…”
Brother Bao glared at him and snapped: “Look at you, no damn class.” But after scolding, he thought about that woman’s figure too and snorted—she was a real stunner.
He turned to the other two who’d been gathering info: “Asked around the area?”
One of them next to him said: “Yeah, we did. Word is the guy really is always out and about all year, hardly anyone knows the inn boss is married. But some people have seen the man before.”
“Oh?” Brother Bao sat up straighter, a bit surprised: “He’s been here before?”
“Yes.”
Brother Bao thought it over, tapping his fingers on the tabletop—that was his habit when thinking.
Qiangzi watched, getting impatient: “Brother Bao, that proves it! Plus, we’re just here to talk business. We checked beforehand—this guy’s definitely been smuggling ivory and antelope horns! I say no big issues!”
“You don’t know shit!” Brother Bao slapped him upside the head: “Get in touch with the other side. Meeting tomorrow night at seven for details.”
“Yes, sir.”
The whole afternoon, Zhou Zuizui wandered the streets with Shen Nan.
Once the followers were gone, Shen Nan let go of her hand.
Zhou Zuizui glanced at her hand, gave Shen Nan a cold side-eye while casually picking things from a small stall, and said offhandedly: “Captain Shen, that’s a bit cold of you, huh? Use it and toss it aside.”
Shen Nan gave her a flat look, said nothing.
Zhou Zuizui shrugged—pretty helpless with this boring old man.
She smiled sweetly at the little girl in front of her, holding up a hairpin: “How much for this?”
The girl with pigtails looked at her: “Zuizui sis, if you like it, it’s yours—free.”
“No way!” Zhou Zuizui reached out and patted her head: “How much? Sis will buy two, and grab one for Qiuqiu too. Which one do you think Qiuqiu would like?”
“This one.”
“Not bad.”
Zhou Zuizui picked out two hairpins. Just as she was about to pull out her phone to scan and pay, a hand reached over from the side, handing a hundred-yuan bill to the little girl.
The girl looked at Zhou Zuizui, not daring to take it.
Zhou Zuizui let out a light laugh, her eyes showing a bit of surprise: “Go ahead and take it. He’s my husband.”
“Ah… okay.”
After paying, Zhou Zuizui looked at Shen Nan, waved the two hairpins in her hand without any politeness: “Thanks.”
Shen Nan glanced at the smile on her face and gave a faint “Mm.”
After a while, Zhou Zuizui wanted to sit down for a bit, and Shen Nan naturally went along with her.
The two went into a dessert shop. After ordering, Zhou Zuizui pointed and said: “I’m going to the bathroom.”
But in just those few minutes, when she came back, there was already a woman sitting in the chair across from Shen Nan. Though the man himself… acted like he didn’t even see her, just kept his head down looking at his phone.
Zhou Zuizui raised an eyebrow, couldn’t help but glance at the guy sitting there straight as if he was at military attention. Gotta admit… Shen Nan was really good-looking—the type that young girls and women go for. He gave off this tough, super manly vibe… hormones practically bursting, plus great build with smooth lines. Even through his clothes, you could tell.
Thinking about the body hidden under those clothes, Zhou Zuizui curved her lips up a little and walked toward her seat.
As soon as she got close, the woman sitting across gave her a suspicious look.
Zhou Zuizui smiled slightly, sat down right next to the woman, propped her chin on her hand on the table, and looked at the man across: “Hey handsome, here alone?”
Only then did Shen Nan look up from his phone and give her a glance.
“Don’t be so cold. Let’s be friends.” Zhou Zuizui threw him a flirty wink.
Shen Nan stayed totally unmoved, just quietly looking at her.
The woman on the side watched this and couldn’t help speaking up: “Sister, things like this are first come, first served, right?” She’d spotted this hot guy first, after all.
Hearing that, Zhou Zuizui curved her lips, smiling like a little fox: “How does first come, first served work here?”
The woman stared at her for a couple seconds, didn’t bother arguing that point, and instead tried to convince Zhou Zuizui to give up: “This handsome guy won’t make friends with you… He seems like he’s sexually indifferent. I talked to him for like ten sentences, and he didn’t respond to a single one.”
“Really?” Zhou Zuizui sized her up for a moment and commented: “You’re not his type.”
“Then do you know what his type is?”
“He likes my type.” Zhou Zuizui pointed at herself, full of confidence.
The woman beside her let out a light humph: “I don’t believe it. Look, he’s not even paying attention to you.”
Listening, Zhou Zuizui nodded thoughtfully, her eyes full of mischief as she teased Shen Nan: “Seems like he really is a bit… indifferent. Maybe he’s not interested in women.”
The woman next to her was just about to say something when the man across looked up at Zhou Zuizui. His voice was sexy, tone full of ambiguity: “Whether I’m indifferent or not, don’t you know?”
Author’s note:
A little interview: So, who exactly is the indifferent one here?
Zuizui: I’m not indifferent—I’m passionate like fire.
Master Shen: Depends on the person.
Author: Indifferent to Zuizui?
Master Shen: I’d rather die on top of her.