Autumn nights carried a crisp chill. Lin An and Xu Qinghuan headed downstairs for a quiet stroll.

As for Su Yuejin—after Lin An brushed her off with a few vague replies, she fell silent. She must have realized her attempts to stir his heart were futile. Huffily tossing her phone aside in a petty huff, she vanished into her own world.

Just a short walk from their building lay the riverside. Moonlight shimmered across the water in gentle, rippling layers. Distant searchlights blinked through the dark. Lin An and Xu Qinghuan paused at the bank, gazing at the flowing river. A soft evening breeze swept past. Neither spoke.

“When will this ever end, Xu Qinghuan?” Lin An murmured suddenly, out of nowhere.

A question only she understood. Xu Qinghuan gave no answer. Instead, she reached out, gently ruffled his hair, her eyes soft with affection, and let out a faint, tender chuckle.

Lin An said nothing more.

...

Meanwhile, Su Yuejin took out her frustration on the teddy bear in her room—punching, kicking, muttering under her breath. She’d sent him such tempting photos! Any teenage boy would’ve gotten flustered, heart racing, itching to... do something, right?

Yet Lin An barely blinked. Just a casual, “Black stockings are a nice touch. They look good,” and silence. Her follow-up messages went unanswered.

What was he even doing?

Boredom settled deep.

She lived alone in this 180-square-meter apartment. Her father was in the same city but always busy. Her mother was abroad on business—unlikely to return before year’s end.

The space felt hollow. Empty.

Past eight o’clock. No dinner yet. Normally, she’d skip it or open a food app. Tonight, something shifted. *Maybe... learning to cook would help?* she thought. *Looks, talent, dancing—sure. But a girl who can cook? That’s real charm.*

She opened Bilibili, searched for simple dinner recipes. Stir-fried luffa. Tomato and egg stir-fry. Baby steps.

But her kitchen was bare. She changed clothes before heading out—*no way wearing that provocative outfit outside!* Though... if he visited again someday? She’d wear it just to tease him. Then deny him. *Serve him right.*

Smirking to herself, she bought two luffas, two tomatoes, one egg from the neighborhood supermarket.

Back in the kitchen, lights on, she followed the tutorial. Simple on screen. In reality? She gripped the knife cautiously, slicing slowly. Whisked the egg with care.

Twenty minutes later—grayish luffa. Slightly burnt tomato and egg. She stared, disheartened.

*Why so easy in the video?*

Still, she scooped a small bowl of pre-cooked rice, carried the dishes to the balcony. Alone under the lamplight, she took small bites.

It tasted bad. But it was hers. *Not that terrible.*

Earlier, she’d planned to send Lin An a photo: *“Look! I’m learning! Try my cooking next time~”* But seeing the results? She deleted the draft.

*He’d just laugh.*

Yet she finished the bowl. *Next time I’ll do better. One dish at a time. I’ve got time. So much time. All alone.*

She drifted to the window, pushed it open. Cool night air brushed her skin. She lightly licked her lips.

*Lin An never spoiled me... So why that night did I feel possessed—so desperate to prove myself, to claw for his love?*

*He said it was all a trick. An illusion. A fantasy I built myself.*

Still... she wished someone were here. Preferably him.

But he wasn’t. Didn’t want to be. In his world, even after what she gave, she was still... insignificant.

*Why do I feel this way, Su Yuejin? What’s wrong with me?*

She tapped her forehead. A faint, bittersweet smile. After washing up, she returned to her room. On the desk—the note he left last time:

*“Congee’s in the pressure cooker. Careful—it’s hot. Skip takeout. Sore throat means less oil, less salt.”*

She hadn’t thrown it away. Kept it. Treasured it.

Phone lit up. The pink loli-avatar account replied:

*“Stepped out earlier. Just got home.”*

*“...Okay.”* She paused. *“I tried cooking. It’s awful.”*

*“First time’s always like that.”*

*“But I want to learn.”*

*“Next time I cook, watch closely. I’ll teach you, Su Yuejin.”*

*“Mmm! This house is so empty... I’m bored.”*

*“Bored? Or lonely?”*

*“Both! No one here. You’re not here. No one.”*

*“Aren’t I talking to you now?”*

*“But you’re not *here*... Lin An, I hate you. You ignore me.”*

*“You should hate me, Su Yuejin.”*

*“But I miss you... so much.”*

*“What are you doing now?”*

*“Lying in bed. Phone in hand.”*

*“Go to the window. Look down. You’ll see me.”*

Su Yuejin froze. In one motion—*springing up like a coiled spring*—barefoot, she yanked the curtains open. Below, the boy looked up.

Her eyes widened. The dull gray in them ignited—suddenly blazing with fireworks.

Lin An gave a helpless wave.

*“I’ll wait upstairs,”* she typed.

*Change into something pretty. Tease him. Make him beg.*

*Finally took initiative, huh, Lin An?*

A honeyed thrill bloomed in her chest. She didn’t notice the sweetness was poison.

...

Lin An hadn’t come without reason. He’d accept desire once—but never twice.

Xu Qinghuan had sent him.

Back home, she’d curled her slender legs on the sofa and said softly, “Go see Su Yuejin.”

“...Huh?”

“Fun idea. You can share a bed—but no going all the way.”

“...You feverish?” He reached for her forehead.

“Nope. A test, my silly little brother. Pass it? National Day holiday—I’ll go on a date with you. Anything. Like... a real couple.” She tilted her head, blinked playfully.

Lin An couldn’t refuse.

“You’re serious? I’m going.”

“Mm. Go. Fail? No punishment. But... maybe I’ll rethink things. Still—I trust you. Just tell me truthfully later: did you, or didn’t you?”

Her eyes held pure sincerity. Lin An stared, dazed. Kissed her forehead. Stepped out.

...

Elevator up. Door opened. Apartment silent. Empty.

Two seconds later—Su Yuejin emerged.

A sheer black camisole. Gauzy fabric hinting at fair skin beneath. Snowy shoulders. Overhead light tracing delicate shadows along her collarbone. Black stockings—thin as cicada wings—clad her long legs. Barefoot. She glided closer, hem swaying with hypnotic grace.

Lin An’s gaze locked onto her.

Three seconds of silence.

“Why’re you here? Hmm?” A soft, coquettish hum. Her fingers caught his collar. He stepped back. She advanced.

A faint, strangely warm fragrance drifted from her. Heat flushed Lin An’s cheeks. He struggled to stay composed.

She wore the look perfectly—not vulgar, but a captivating blend of allure and innocent shyness.

Then she pinned him to the wall.

“Talk.” Her eyes held a teasing glint of dominance.

“Saw you were lonely. Thought I’d check.” Lin An kept his voice even.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Keep that up... and you won’t get to touch me tonight, Lin An.” She leaned to his ear, whispered each word, then gently nipped his earlobe.

“Mm. Not changing my answer.”

Lin An nodded. Su Yuejin’s resolve shattered. Eyes wide, her cool hands slipped under his shirt. Seeing his calm defiance, she surrendered.

She pouted slightly, voice laced with playful grievance. “You’ve got me figured out, don’t you, Lin An?”

Her tone shifted instantly. She swayed his arm, hugging it tight. “Okay, okay... I want it. Give it to me, Lin An?” Her voice turned sweet, honeyed with coquetry.

She expected a yes.

Instead—Lin An turned to leave.

...How could he do that?