The sudden “reversal slap” came too unexpectedly. The tips of Cen Xi’s ears burned hot.
There was no way to keep pretending.
She finally admitted honestly, “I’m afraid. Really… really afraid.”
She even repeated “really” twice.
Shang Hanzhou did not continue teasing her. His cold, dark eyes shifted toward Ace, who was still foolishly trying to pounce over.
In a flat tone, he said, “Go back.”
Ace immediately drooped its ears in grievance.
It did not even dare to bark loudly. With small, careful steps, it obediently returned to its doghouse.
Only after confirming Ace had gone far did Cen Xi finally relax her tightly held posture.
In that short moment, she was already drenched in sweat, her back nearly soaked through.
Only then did she realize something—Shang Hanzhou’s hand was resting on her waist, and their distance was far too close.
She was practically leaning in his arms.
The scent of bergamot was overwhelming.
Lowering her eyelashes, she stepped out of his embrace and said softly, “Thank you.”
Shang Hanzhou’s brows faintly furrowed.
“Dr. Cen.”
He called her in a low voice.
Cen Xi blinked and looked at him.
He said casually, “Next time you say ‘thank you,’ I’ll let Ace play with you.”
“……”
Her eyes widened instantly.
It was clearly a subtle threat, using Ace to scare her on purpose.
Cen Xi took a deep breath and straightened her back.
“I won’t give you that chance,” she said seriously.
Then she pulled her suitcase and walked toward the bedroom.
She had been here once before, so she still vaguely remembered the layout.
The master bedroom was the largest room.
She pushed the door open.
It was clear that Shang Hanzhou had only recently moved in. There were not many personal items, and although the room was well arranged, it lacked a sense of warmth.
The bedroom and walk-in closet were connected.
Cen Xi turned left into the wardrobe room.
Most of her belongings were clothes. She opened her suitcase and squatted on the floor to organize them. The floor was covered in a soft carpet.
After squatting for a while, her knees began to ache, so she simply sat cross-legged on the floor.
“Want some water?”
A deep voice came from above.
She looked up.
At some point, Shang Hanzhou had entered. He had changed into casual loungewear in dark grey tones, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a glass of water.
From her angle, certain details were very obvious.
Cen Xi froze for a second.
Images from her friend Lin Xingyou’s adult comics suddenly flooded her mind.
She quickly lowered her head in panic.
“…Yes.”
Her voice was muffled.
She didn’t dare look up again and obediently took the glass from him.
It was warm water.
She took a small sip and placed it on the table.
“Need help?”
His gaze swept across the walk-in closet.
There were still many clothes in the suitcase.
Cen Xi originally wanted to say no, but after thinking about it, they would be living under the same roof soon anyway.
She nodded politely.
“Can you help me bring my bag from the entrance? There’s a small fox plush inside. Please put it on the bedside table.”
She explained carefully, as if proving she was not casually asking for help.
“Mm.”
He turned and left.
Cen Xi continued packing.
The entrance was not that far, but after a while, he still had not returned.
Just as she was about to go check, Shang Hanzhou came back holding her backpack.
The bag was black and large enough to hold her laptop.
Inside was the small fox plush she usually hugged to sleep, hastily stuffed in before she came over.
She looked up at him.
But his dark eyes seemed slightly shadowed.
“Sorry,” he said calmly. “I couldn’t find it.”
“Huh?”
Cen Xi was surprised.
How could it be missing?
She quickly walked over and took the bag. The zipper was already open—he had clearly searched for it carefully.
Without thinking, she reached inside.
Her fingers brushed against soft, slippery fabric.
She froze.
When she pulled it out—
A black silk strappy nightdress hung in the air.
Lace cutouts. Delicate, provocative, unmistakable.
Her mind went completely blank.
Her hand trembled slightly as she held it. Her face turned red at a visible speed.
She blinked.
Her eyes met his.
Shang Hanzhou’s gaze was calm, even slightly amused, as if he had expected this all along.
Which meant—he already knew what was inside.
Maybe he had even touched it earlier.
Realizing this, Cen Xi’s heart suddenly began to race.
“…I must have remembered wrong.”
She quickly crumpled the nightdress and stuffed it back into the bag.
Her mind was in chaos.
Youzi is going to kill me.
She clearly told her to pack the fox plush—but instead it was this thing she once bought for “creative inspiration” for her little comics.
Her face burned hotter and hotter.
Would he think she arranged this on purpose?
He absolutely must not.
At that moment, the maid’s voice came from outside.
“Sir, Madam, dinner is ready.”
Cen Xi immediately seized the escape route.
She shoved the bag into the suitcase, stood up, and hurried toward the dining area.
Behind her, Shang Hanzhou walked slowly.
Before leaving, his gaze lingered on the bag she had thrown aside.
His lips curled slightly.
As if he were smiling.
……
Grandpa Shang arrived just on time.
“Xi-Xi, is Jingtang Garden too far from your hospital?”
He frowned as soon as he entered.
Cen Xi supported him gently as they walked to the dining room.
“It’s okay,” she replied.
The infrastructure here was good, and transportation was convenient.
“Then let Hanzhou drive you to work. He can be your driver,” the old man said, pointing at him.
Cen Xi, still slightly flushed from earlier, avoided looking at Shang Hanzhou and mumbled an agreement.
The table was full of dishes prepared by the maid.
“Xi-Xi, sit quickly. Don’t go hungry,” Grandpa Shang urged.
Cen Xi hesitated, then sat beside him.
But at that moment, the quiet man across from her raised his gaze slightly.
His position was the farthest from hers.