Volume 1, Chapter 38: Come to My Room

It could only be Zhou Shutong knocking on my door at such a late hour.

When I opened the door, she was wearing a black nightgown, her slender, graceful silhouette fully on display. She raised her hand and handed me a bag.

"This is for you."

I was taken aback, hesitating as I asked, "What is this?"

Zhou Shutong smiled brightly. "Aren't you going on a business trip tomorrow? I prepared some food for you and Manager Mei. It’s over five hundred kilometers, after all, and the food at service areas is usually mediocre and expensive. I happened to have some at home, so I packed it for you both."

I paused, a sudden warmth rising in my eyes. For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

I thanked her and rummaged through the bag. It was quite large, containing several smaller packages. Beyond the food, there were even bundles of clothing.

I dug through it and pulled out a few pairs of disposable briefs, asking in astonishment, "You prepared these for us, too?"

Zhou Shutong’s cheeks flushed immediately, as red as cinnabar.

"Those are for you. I just bought them from the convenience store downstairs."

I was stunned. "How did you know I was out of underwear?"

"Before we went to the office today, I came to your place to wait for you, didn't I? I saw your laundry basket was overflowing, and there were briefs right on top, so I guessed you must have run out of clean ones."

She rolled her eyes at me and added, "There are some socks in the other bag, too."

I chuckled, holding up the disposable briefs. "Hey, you really know my size well. It seems you’ve been observing me quite a bit!"

Zhou Shutong’s face turned crimson. She shot me a glare and turned to leave.

Watching her walk away, a complex, indescribable emotion stirred in my heart. Drifting alone in a strange city, it felt truly wonderful to have someone care.

The next day, I woke up very early. At eight o'clock, I stood at the entrance of the residential complex with my suitcase, waiting for Manager Mei. As I approached the gate, bleary-eyed, a white Jeep Compass nearby honked at me.

I followed the sound, and as the window rolled down, a flawless, palm-sized face appeared.

I froze. I hadn't expected such a soft, delicate beauty to drive such an aggressive car; it gave her a unique charm.

After putting my suitcase in the trunk, I walked to the front and said with a smile, "Should I drive?"

Manager Mei tossed her seaweed-like long wavy hair behind her shoulders and lifted her vermilion lips. "Look at how sleepy you are; you must not have slept well last night! You take a nap, I'll drive."

A warmth spread through me. I opened the passenger door and climbed in. She handed me a paper bag, and upon opening it, I saw two servings of breakfast.

Inside were coffee, croissants, and a fruit cup. It was the first time I’d had such an exquisite breakfast, and I felt a bit flattered.

I might skip sleep, but I could never skip a meal.

"Eat something first! Who knows when we’ll get to have lunch."

I smiled. "I brought some food, too. Zhou Shutong prepared it for us yesterday."

Manager Mei gave me a meaningful look, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful smile. "Well, I’m riding on your coattails, then!"

I gave a wry smile. "Not at all. She’s concerned for both of us."

Manager Mei just smiled, tossed her flowing hair again, and stepped on the gas, the car speeding off like the wind.

This was my first business trip with her, and being alone together made me feel both expectant and nervous. Being in the company of such a charismatic beauty made my blood feel as if it were ignited.

"If you're sleepy, take a rest. I can handle the highway just fine on my own."

I looked at her in surprise. "You're that good?"

Manager Mei tugged at the corner of her lips. "That's right. I used to drive hundreds of kilometers on the highway alone all the time. Impressive, right?"

"Impressive, very impressive."

She pouted. "Not as impressive as you—you ate both of our breakfasts."

"..."

We took turns driving, snacking on the treats Zhou Shutong had prepared whenever we got hungry. Five hours later, we finally arrived at our destination. We checked into a hotel near the warehouse first, intending to head to the site early the next morning.

After a day of traveling, we were both exhausted and went to our separate rooms to rest. I took a shower and spent some time on my phone in bed. Suddenly, I remembered that this trip had been so rushed I hadn't even told Lin Feifei. After a moment of hesitation, I sent her a message.

After hitting send, I couldn't help but rub my face. We weren't relatives or close friends, yet I had instinctively "reported" to her. It made me re-evaluate her place in my heart.

Before I could think too deeply, my phone rang. I looked down, and my heart skipped a beat.

Lin Feifei had initiated a video call. This was completely unexpected. After a brief moment of shock, I checked myself in the mirror before answering.

A beautiful face popped up on the screen, wearing a fox-like smile.

"Why did it take so long to answer? Are you hiding someone in your room?"

I laughed. "If we were going to talk about that, I wouldn't be sleepy anymore. I just checked; the floor is littered with those little cards in the door cracks. It’s testing my iron-clad willpower!"

Lin Feifei’s lips gradually curled upward. "Then find one and give it a try—test their service."

"I’d love to! But I have no money. If air weren't free, I wouldn't be alive right now."

Lin Feifei burst out laughing and pouted. "You're so annoying."

I couldn't help but smile, too. Beyond her sarcasm, I could vaguely detect a hint of coquetry in her tone.

Lin Feifei pursed her lips. "You’ll definitely have to drink with the clients, right? Don't drink too much; it’s bad for your health."

"Since you care so much, I’ll quit smoking and drinking."

"Pfft... men’s words are like the devil’s lies. If a man doesn't smoke or drink, what’s the point?"

"But I’m a lecher!"

"..."

The conversation ended pleasantly. After hanging up, I drifted off into a deep sleep. I hadn't slept well the night before, and having driven hundreds of kilometers today, I felt completely drained.

Having just passed thirty, I often find myself tiring easily. Aside from my stamina not being what it used to be, the pressures of life are mounting. Perhaps that’s why we jokingly say we’re getting old.

I was dozing when Manager Mei’s call woke me.

"Hey, Yu Bin, are you busy? If not, come to my room for a moment."

Her voice was soft, like a cool night breeze, uniquely alluring.

Go to her room?

My heart skipped a beat. Being on a business trip with such a mature beauty was already a test of my resolve; being asked to her room made my face flush and my heart race.

Afraid I had misheard, I hesitated. "Go... to your room? Is something the matter?"

"You'll see when you get here. What? Are you afraid I'm going to eat you?"