After the fishing boat docked, the buyers who had been waiting on the pier immediately signaled the crane and forklift above to prepare.
As heavy boxes of sea urchins were lifted one after another, the entire boat swayed slightly.
After settling the payment, Parker calculated the necessary expenses for the fishing boat and then divided the remaining cash equally among everyone.
Looking at the paper bills in her hand, Zhong Xiwang finally broke into a genuine smile.
Although she had spent some time feeding Ning En, it hadn’t delayed much of the actual work, and her completion rate was about the same as everyone else’s.
Vincent, standing among the crowd, had been watching her out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing the light in her eyes when she received the money, he couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile.
But then, an arm suddenly draped over his shoulder.
“Come on! Little Vincent, let’s go have a drink to celebrate!”
The others also invited Zhong Xiwang to join.
Parker, surrounded by the group, looked at her and said, “Xi, come on, let’s go celebrate?”
“Yeah, don’t worry about what happens after you get drunk—Vincent will make sure you get home safely!”
Amid the teasing laughter of the crowd, Vincent bit his upturned lip and lowered his head.
Everyone had lived in this area for a long time and was particularly familiar with Vincent’s family, knowing that Vincent had been a good kid since childhood.
After realizing he was interested in pursuing Zhong Xiwang, they teased him while also planning to help bring them together.
After tucking the money away, Zhong Xiwang shook her head with a somewhat helpless smile. “Uh… no, I have to go home and check on my puppy. Have fun, everyone!”
With that, amid the disappointed “awws” from the crowd, Zhong Xiwang turned and left.
Hearing that she had a puppy at home, Vincent lifted his eyelids, his gray eyes darkly fixed on her retreating figure.
When Zhong Xiwang returned home, she had just stepped inside the doorway when she heard the sound of rushing water.
Thinking that Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow had taken the initiative to clean something for her, she opened the door with a delighted expression.
But the moment she saw the scene inside, her smile froze.
Water stains were everywhere—on the walls and the floor. In the bathroom, water droplets were still splashing out, and from the bathroom to the bedroom floor, there was a dried trail of dragged water.
Walking further in, she saw that the faucet in the sink was still gushing water violently. The entire bathroom was soaked beyond recognition, and her toiletries were scattered haphazardly.
Moving on, the bedroom was relatively untouched—even the blanket was neatly spread on the bed.
In the corner, Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow’s tall figure was curled up awkwardly.
Thank goodness! A small mercy in the midst of misfortune—the bedroom was fine.
Zhong Xiwang’s chest heaved violently as she suppressed her rising anger.
Seeing her dark expression, Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow, curled up in a ball, looked pitiful, not daring to make a sound.
She raised a finger, pointing at Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow, then gritted her teeth and lowered it.
Thinking about the expensive water bill, Zhong Xiwang felt her heart bleeding.
She quickly contacted a repair company.
In the meantime, Zhong Xiwang glared fiercely at Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow.
Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow felt her gaze was as if she wanted to devour him, so he remained completely still, pretending to be a piece of furniture.
The door was soon knocked on, and Zhong Xiwang was surprised by the efficiency.
A man of robust build stood at the door, dressed in a uniform printed with his company’s name and logo. The uniform, tucked into his pants, cinched his waistline, making his chest and shoulders appear exceptionally broad—so much so that he nearly blocked the entire doorway.
The brim of his baseball cap was pulled low, obscuring his features. Only a glimpse of his chin was visible, with a sharp and well-defined jawline.
This attire lent him an air of mystery while exuding a distinctly masculine presence.
“Hello, I’m Kru, a repair technician from Kate Home Maintenance.”
Without looking up, he introduced himself in a deep, magnetic voice.
Zhong Xiwang didn’t mind and immediately invited him in to fix the broken faucet.
Once inside, Kru glanced around the room’s decor out of the corner of his eye.
The space wasn’t large but was more than enough for a young woman living alone. The furnishings were sparse and visible at a glance. At the corner near the bathroom, presumably hidden from view, was likely the bed.
It seemed… no other sounds could be heard.
Entering the bathroom, Kru set down his toolbox and quickly scanned the small, private space belonging to a woman living alone. The faint, delicate fragrance lingering in the air was similar to the scent on her.
Noticing the woman standing behind him, he calmly opened his toolbox. Suddenly, he looked up, revealing the handsome face hidden beneath the cap. His pitch-black eyes were pure and dark, devoid of any glimmer.
Under the gaze of such eyes, an inexplicable chill crept up Zhong Xiwang’s spine, as if she were being watched by a predator lurking in the shadows.
“I’m sorry, I was in such a hurry that I forgot to bring a wrench. Do you happen to have one at home?”
Hearing this, Zhong Xiwang couldn’t help but frown.
How can you do your job without your tools?!
Though she mentally grumbled, Zhong Xiwang didn’t want to waste any more time.
She turned and rummaged under the TV cabinet.
Seizing the opportunity, Kru stood up. His deep gaze swept over her array of bottles and jars before he reached out, picked up one of her towels, and lowered his head to inhale its scent softly.
By the time Zhong Xiwang returned, Kru was casually inspecting the broken faucet. His nearly six-foot-three, muscular frame made the bathroom feel even more cramped.
“For now, we need something to block the splashing water. Would your towel be alright?”
Zhong Xiwang handed him the wrench. “Use the green one.”
“Thank you.” Kru took it and thanked Zhong Xiwang before grabbing the green towel nearby and covering the water stream with it.
As he bent over, focused on the repair, Zhong Xiwang heard a crisp clinking sound.
She immediately looked at Kru, but he showed no reaction—likely drowned out by the sound of running water.
Zhong Xiwang positioned herself at the corner between the bathroom and bedroom, casting a warning glance at the Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow holding the red pig plushie.
At her signal, the Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow froze as if under a spell, its elbow raised and unmoving.
While she was signaling the Tall and Thin Ghostly Shadow, Kru in the bathroom lowered his eyelids slightly, a faint, elusive glint flashing in his eyes.
Soon, after replacing the faucet, the water flow was stopped.
“All done, ma’am.”
Zhong Xiwang took back the wrench and handed him the prepared cash.
Out of habit, she said, “Sorry for the trouble.”
Kru immediately replied, “No trouble at all, ma’am.”
His voice seemed to carry a hint of a smile.
Kru put away the money and crouched down to organize his toolbox.
“By the way, do you still need this?”
Zhong Xiwang looked at the stains on the towel, frowned, and shook his head. “I don’t want it anymore.”
“Alright, I’ll take it out and throw it away for you.”
Zhong Xiwang nodded. “Thank you.”
Kru lowered his head again, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. After closing the toolbox, he stood up.
“I’ll be leaving now. If you need any help in the future, feel free to call the company. I’ll come as soon as possible!”
Zhong Xiwang nodded casually. “Alright, goodbye.”
“Goodbye!”
After the door closed, Zhong Xiwang watched through the peephole as Kru left.
Immediately afterward, her angry voice echoed in the room, speaking in her native language.
Outside, a playful chuckle sounded.
Kru, who was thought to have left, was now lazily leaning against the wall. One long leg stretched out to support his body, while the other was casually bent.
Listening to Zhong Xiwang’s voice, his thin, sensual lips curved upward beneath the brim of his hat.
Lowering his gaze to the still-dripping towel in his hand, he raised it to his face, took a deep, almost intoxicated breath, then straightened up and quietly walked away.