The first ray of morning sunlight brought no warmth to Qin Zhan.
Because his face was even colder than the sky outside.
The dark circles under his eyes made him look as if he had been beaten up overnight—specifically, the kind of beating that targets only the eyes.
In contrast, Lin Wan looked refreshed and glowing after a good night’s sleep.
She stretched lazily, her joints cracking loudly.
“Morning, Qin regiment commander.”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she sat up in bed.
When she turned her head, she saw Qin Zhan sitting on the floor bedding, staring at her with the eyes of a class enemy.
His gaze was complicated—anger, grievance, and an unexplainable unwillingness all mixed together.
[Whoa.]
Lin Wan was startled awake instantly.
[What’s with that look? Did he get sucked dry by some ghost last night?]
[Those dark circles are practically down to his chin.]
[Did he not sleep well because the floor was too hard? Or because…]
Her eyes drifted downward without control, landing on a certain indescribable area of his training pants.
[Tsk tsk… definitely endocrine imbalance caused by sexual frustration.]
[I knew it. That kind of condition doesn’t stop the body from reacting mentally.]
[Watching a beauty but unable to touch—this is pure torture.]
[Poor guy… should I buy him some kidneys today? Though it probably won’t help, just for emotional comfort.]
Qin Zhan took a deep breath.
His chest felt like it was about to explode.
“Sucked dry by ghosts?”
“Sexual frustration?”
“Kidneys?!”
The rational restraint he had built over more than twenty years completely collapsed.
He didn’t need emotional comfort.
He needed vindication.
“Lin Wan.”
Qin Zhan suddenly spoke.
He stood up, no longer as controlled as usual, but radiating pressure as he walked toward the bed step by step.
Lin Wan was putting on her shoes when she sensed something was wrong and looked up.
Qin Zhan was like a moving black mountain, filled with intimidating aura, closing in on her.
“W-what are you doing?”
She instinctively backed away until her back hit the cold wall.
[Shit! Something’s wrong! Is he going to kill me because I hit a sore spot?]
[System! Help! Any pepper spray? Or a stun baton?]
Qin Zhan didn’t give her any chance to escape.
He placed one hand on the wall beside her head, leaning in and trapping her in his shadow.
A textbook wall-pin.
Full of masculine, overwhelming presence.
The distance between them shrank instantly.
Lin Wan could even smell the faint scent of soap mixed with a man’s natural scent—not unpleasant at all, but dangerously oppressive.
“What were you thinking just now?”
His deep voice carried morning hoarseness and a magnetic tone that made her ears heat up.
“I wasn’t thinking anything…”
[Like I’d tell you.]
[But wow… this nose, this jawline, this eyelashes…]
[Too bad he’s useless.]
Qin Zhan’s eyebrow twitched.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding between us,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Especially regarding my physical abilities.”
“I think I need to clarify this.”
He leaned in a bit more.
The pressure made Lin Wan’s breathing uneven.
“C-clarify what?”
[What, clarify you’re not five centimeters? Six maybe?]
Qin Zhan’s anger surged.
He suddenly lowered his head, leaning close to her ear.
Warm breath brushed her sensitive skin, making her shiver.
“Do you want me to… demonstrate it right now?”
His voice was dangerously low.
Lin Wan’s mind went blank.
[Demonstrate? How? Right now? Here?]
[Even if I don’t mind testing it, we’re at home! The kid is next door!]
[If he really forces it, should I resist? Or half-resist and give in?]
Qin Zhan let out a cold laugh at her thoughts.
Give in?
This woman really had a vivid imagination.
Just as he was about to push further—
“Knock knock knock!”
A sharp knock on the door shattered the tense atmosphere.
Qin Zhan paused.
Lin Wan slipped out from under his arm like lightning.
“I’ll get it!”
She rushed to the door, face burning.
[Thank god! I almost died there!]
[Wait… did I just think he was kind of handsome for a second?]
[Impossible. Must be lack of sleep.]
Qin Zhan stared at the empty space in his arms, annoyed.
Who the hell ruined this?
He followed her to the door with a dark face.
When the door opened, a woman stood outside in a pale yellow dress, holding a basket of steaming dumplings.
She looked gentle and refined, the kind of “flower of the cultural troupe” type.
But her eyes flickered with surprise and faint disdain when she saw Lin Wan opening the door.
She quickly adjusted and smiled warmly.
“Are you the sister-in-law?”
“I’m Su Rou from the cultural troupe. I live in the building ahead.”
“I heard Brother Qin moved in yesterday, so I made dumplings and brought them over.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, almost syrupy.
Then she ignored Lin Wan completely and leaned slightly to look inside.
“Brother Qin? Are you there?”
“I’m Rou Rou—I brought your favorite cabbage and pork dumplings.”
The way she said “Brother Qin” was full of affection and familiarity.
Lin Wan’s eyes lit up instantly.
[Ohhh, here it comes!]
[The legendary green tea side character from the original story!]
[Look at that posture, that voice—pure professional level.]
[“Rou Rou”? Ugh, I’m getting nausea before breakfast.]
[Drama is about to begin!]
Qin Zhan stood inside, temple throbbing.
He looked at Su Rou, then at Lin Wan who was clearly enjoying the show.
He suddenly felt—
This morning might be even harder to endure than last night.