Chapter 61: Mr. Li Next Door: But I’m on Duty!

Rong Xuelin glanced at Zhang Ya, then at the piano. “Is it imported?”

“I’m not sure myself…”

She couldn’t tell, only recognized the brand, and triangular pianos this small were rare—at least, none of the stores she’d visited had one.

Rong Xuelin thought for a moment before saying, “Forget it. I’m not much of a pianist anyway.”

“Let’s play cards. We’re here to have fun, not fuss with those things.”

“I’m in.”

The four of them played cards. Cheng Yao fiddled with his phone while Cheng Cheng teased the puppy. After a while, Zhang Ya looked at Cheng Yao and said, “You should go back to your room. We’re about to shower.”

“All right.”

Cheng Yao nodded and returned to his room, continuing to play with his phone.

Laughter filled the air; before they knew it, it was already ten o’clock.

He read a novel for a bit, but nothing particularly gripping lately.

Knock knock knock…

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Cheng Yao opened the door and saw Zhang Ya, freshly showered, hair still damp, cheeks flushed. He wondered, Has spring arrived? Is it the season for all things to awaken?

Zhang Ya’s expression was odd. She asked, “The noise next door is pretty loud. Can you come over?”

“What’s going on?” Cheng Yao followed, bewildered.

Inside, Rong Xuelin, Cheng Linlin, and Li Yingshan were all pressed against the wall, listening at the corner. When Cheng Yao entered, their faces were awkward beyond measure.

Soon, Cheng Yao understood.

The neighbors were making strange noises—mmm, ahh. The woman might have been eating spicy snacks, perhaps a well-known brand. The man kept gasping, likely a fitness enthusiast.

But even eating spicy snacks and working out at night shouldn’t make so much noise.

Cheng Yao rubbed his chin. With his years of experience, he could even guess the angle involved—it was all about functions…

He respected Blue Xiang Driving School for excavators, but for well-digging, the Cheng family took the crown.

Zhang Ya pinched him irritably. “What are you thinking?”

“I figure the guy’s on a treadmill, and the woman’s eating spicy snacks…”

Cheng Yao spoke uncertainly. As long as he wasn’t embarrassed, the embarrassment belonged to someone else.

Treadmill, really?

Is that how you eat spicy snacks at home?

The girls rolled their eyes, amused and helpless. Clearly, it was… well, something else.

Truth be told, their curiosity was piqued.

Cheng Yao thought a moment. “Just bear it for a bit. It’ll probably quiet down soon.”

“Alright then.”

The girls were mortified. No TV in the room to distract them—if this kept up, they’d be grinding beans all night.

Sure enough, the noise next door soon faded.

But just as they were about to turn off the lights and sleep, the strange sounds started up again. They could vaguely make out, “Civil service, go harder…”

“Maybe she said ‘husband’?”

“….”

“I’m going to get Cheng Yao.”

Zhang Ya went out, exasperated. Moments later, Cheng Yao returned, his face dark. He’d already crawled into bed.

Zhang Ya, half-laughing, half-crying, said, “We need to get up early tomorrow. Go knock on their door and remind them.”

“…That’s not ideal. I’ll call property management for a contact.”

“Hurry up.”

“Alright.”

Rong Xuelin complained, “The neighborhood’s nice, but the soundproofing is terrible.”

“It’s mostly your side. Mine’s quiet. If you want, sleep in my room.”

“…That could work.”

So, the girls grumbled and headed out.

Cheng Yao lay on his bed. The neighbor’s room was adjacent, so once things quieted down, the sounds were crystal clear. His expression grew strange.

What was this?

He contacted Fang Ting, who was still awake, and got the homeowner’s number. But several calls went unanswered.

He had to add them on WeChat.

Fortunately, the WeChat request was accepted, and by then, the noise next door had stopped.

Cheng Yao: Hello, is this Mr. Li Jiguang of unit 1102?

Neighbor Li: Hello, and you are?

Cheng Yao: I’m your neighbor next door. I got your number from property management, but couldn’t get through.

Neighbor Li: I was in a meeting, couldn’t answer. What’s up?

Cheng Yao: Just wanted to discuss something. Could you keep it down at night? It’s hard to sleep with all the noise.

Wait—a meeting?

Ah, embarrassed from being overheard, perhaps. I get it.

Neighbor Li: Uh, I’ll be more careful next time. Sorry, I tend to be a bit… energetic.

Cheng Yao tsked twice, feeling this guy was a bit too “Versailles”.

Cheng Yao: Yes, it was especially loud just now. I could hear everything from next door. I have guests staying over, and it was really awkward.

Neighbor Li: ??? I’m on duty at the office tonight, not at home…

Cheng Yao: (⊙＿⊙；)…

Neighbor Li: …?

Cheng Yao: ?

A chill ran through Cheng Yao. He smelled gossip in the air and looked at Mr. Li Jiguang’s profile picture with a hint of pity.

Here it comes.

The sounds started up again.

Cheng Yao didn’t dare message him further. Things felt about to go south, and any sleepiness vanished. He walked into the living room and found Zhang Ya on the sofa.

“All settled?”

Cheng Yao shook his head. “I feel something’s about to happen.”

“What do you mean?”

Cheng Yao showed Zhang Ya the chat log. Zhang Ya’s eyes widened. Grabbing her phone, she rushed back into the room. “Don’t sleep! Wake up, quick!”

“What? I’ve already undressed.”

“We need to get up early tomorrow.”

“I think the neighbors are cheating…” Cheng Linlin grabbed her clothes and threw them on. “No way, let me see!”

“That neighbor Mr. Li—what a miserable man…”

“No more sleep. Where’s Cheng Yao? Get him up, let’s play cards in his room!”

In an instant, the girls perked up, dressed, and marched straight across the hall.

The sounds continued, though much quieter now—perhaps strength was running low…

Cheng Yao leaned against the door, too exhausted to comment, his gaze saying it all: these girls were truly gossips. “Are they still at it?”

The girls glanced back at him, then continued eavesdropping.

Cheng Yao: “….”

No more noise from neighbor Li—he was probably on his way home.

Cheng Yao didn’t message him again, lest it get too awkward.

If he were in this situation, he’d definitely move to another city.

Suddenly, Zhang Ya said, “Wait, I think there’s movement…”

“Looks like someone’s returned,” Cheng Yao, with superhuman hearing, caught the faintest sounds.

He hadn’t expected such a ridiculous talent to be used for this.

Sure enough, they started hearing someone kick the door.

Soon, there were several men shouting in the room, accompanied by a woman’s screams. Something was knocked over—it sounded like a fight had broken out…

At this, Zhang Ya and the others actually grew anxious.

Cheng Yao decisively called the police and recounted the situation. “I’ve reported it already. The station’s close; they’ll be here in five minutes.”

“Let’s hope nothing bad happens. Are we doing the right thing?” Cheng Linlin said, unable to hold back.

Zhang Ya sneered, “You were the most enthusiastic just now, weren’t you?”

Rong Xuelin said, “Poor neighbor Li, his wife is disgusting. If she wanted someone else, she should’ve divorced first.”

“Seriously disgusting. No matter what, cheating can’t be forgiven—right, Zhang Ya?”

“I agree, cheating is revolting. Cheng Yao, remember this: if you ever dare…”

Zhang Ya grinned and made a scissor gesture at Cheng Yao.

A chill ran down Cheng Yao’s spine. He forced a smile, increasingly aware of the importance of secrecy. He would never repeat the mistake he made with Lu Mengyao.

“It’s the woman who cheated this time—why am I the target?”

…

…