*Knock, knock, knock.*
Amid the gushing water, the knocking on the door rang out, each strike hitting my heart.
"Who is it?"
I already knew the answer, but I still asked against my will.
"It's me."
The lazy voice from outside sent shivers down my spine.
"What are you doing here? I haven't finished washing yet." My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to jump out.
"I'm hungry." Si Jiangchen's voice came through the door.
"This is a bathroom, not a dining hall! Go ask Aunt Yang for something to eat."
I was speechless. He refused to eat just now, and now he's hungry!
He's even more difficult to please than a child!
"I don't like to eat."
The bathroom door lock clicked twice, and Si Jiangchen pushed the door open.
"Ah!!!"
I was so startled that I grabbed the towel on the stool. "How did you get in?!"
"Silly Xiaohe."
Si Jiangchen waved a small key in his hand. "The key was right there on the lintel. Didn't you see it?"
"Uh..."
It was so unfair! The houses in the countryside were so tall, and the doorframe was so high that I couldn't even see it when I stood on tiptoe. How was I supposed to know there was a spare key up there?
"Well, I'm done. You can wash now!"
Looking at the bloodstains on his body, I didn't think he had any cleanliness issues.
"Did I say I wanted to take a shower?" Si Jiangchen raised an eyebrow. "Xiaohe, I've been hungry all afternoon."
He came closer and effortlessly pulled me into his arms, pressing me against his chest. "No... I've been hungry for more than ten days!"
I was on the verge of tears. He even counted the days when I ran away!
"How can one meal fill me up... huh?" His thin lips were already on my neck.
"You knew where I was all along. Were you just playing with me?"
I struggled to break free from his grasp, and my voice was as weak as if it had been soaked by the water from the shower.
"You were so determined to run away. I thought you had someone else."
Si Jiangchen let out a deep laugh and skillfully played with my nerves. "I was reluctant to let you give your first time to me so easily..."
"I didn't!!"
Pinned against the cold white tile wall, I was kissed by him until I felt like a puddle of melting water. My last bit of sanity was about to disappear.
"I know..."
Si Jiangchen's hair was soaked by the warm water and stuck to his forehead. His eyes were filled with the familiar affection. "I thought you liked that Peacock Song..."
"Um... so you sent him to me?"
I was out of breath from his kisses and managed to turn my head to ask, "You've always known where the Lvyuan Apartment is?"
"Heh."
Si Jiangchen was in a good mood. "Xiaohe, there's no one in the capital I can't find..."
"Um!!"
His aggressive invasion made me cry out.
"I need to make sure you don't have someone in your heart. Understand? An old man doesn't like to do useless things. I want both your body and your heart..."
I couldn't hear the rest of his words. My mind was completely submerged in the boundless deep sea, rising and falling with the terrifying undercurrent, and then shattered against the rocks.
The water from the shower had gradually turned cold. It tickled my burning skin and seeped into my heart, bringing back some of my senses.
*Bang, bang, bang...*
Someone knocked on the door again. I bit my lip hard to stop the shameful sounds from escaping.
"Mr. Du, remember not to take too long."
Aunt Yang's voice came in. "The water heater has a limited water supply. Make sure there's still hot water for your boyfriend when he takes a shower."
"Okay..."
As soon as I opened my mouth to reply, Si Jiangchen smiled wickedly and increased his strength. I couldn't control my voice and let out a startled cry.
"What's wrong? What's going on?!"
Aunt Yang knocked on the door worriedly.
"Aunt... I'm fine. I almost... almost slipped."
I endured Si Jiangchen's mischievous invasion and managed to reply.
"Oh, you need to be careful. The tile floor is a bit slippery." Aunt Yang continued outside the door.
Then, I heard Uncle Yang calling her from afar.
"Coming, coming!" Aunt Yang replied and then said to me inside the door, "I've put a set of my daughter's dresses on the stool outside the door."
"Th... thank you..."
I felt like I was going to die!
Si Jiangchen, that dog man, didn't give me a chance to be distracted. I only managed to say thank you before he covered my mouth again and I couldn't make a sound...
"... Xiaohe, don't run away again, okay?"
Si Jiangchen's voice came into my ear, sounding like a threat and an invitation at the same time. I nodded unconsciously, just wanting him to finish quickly.
"Move in with me!" He continued to tempt me.
"Um..." My mind suddenly cleared for a moment.
If I moved in with him, what would I be?
His bed partner? His plaything? Or... his girlfriend?
Something was wrong... I was supposed to avoid him!
... But why did I want to avoid him... Um...
Si Jiangchen noticed that I was distracted and immediately bit my neck. This time, he didn't control his strength, and my momentary sanity was once again squeezed out of my body...
Aunt Yang had prepared her daughter's room for me, which was located in the middle of the second floor.
The whole set of powder-blue bedding exuded the innocence of a young girl.
I woke up after sleeping for less than two hours because someone was knocking on the Yang family's front door downstairs.
Si Jiangchen wasn't in my room. Aunt Yang had arranged for him to stay in the Yang family's son's room.
I endured the discomfort all over my body and lifted the curtain. I found that two police officers had come for a routine inquiry.
Aunt Yang replied according to what she and Uncle Yang had discussed last night. The police officers thanked her for her cooperation and then went to the next house.
At breakfast, Uncle Yang wasn't there. He should have gone to the town to buy the things I had listed.
I was particularly fond of the pickled side dishes made by Aunt Yang's family. I ate two bowls of porridge with the sweet and sour cucumbers.
Aunt Yang was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth.
"My pickles are top-notch. Every time I take them to the market in the town to sell, they're all sold out in less than half a day. Mr. Si, don't you want to try some?"
Aunt Yang looked at the bowl of porridge in front of Si Jiangchen, which was hardly touched. She thought this man was a bit picky.
Si Jiangchen smiled and politely picked up two fresh vegetables with his chopsticks and put them in his mouth. "They're really delicious, but... I'm full."
"Hey, it's so early in the morning..."
Aunt Yang originally wanted to say that there wasn't much to eat in the morning, but suddenly seeing my blushing face, she immediately laughed awkwardly.
"Really, young people!" She sighed.
"Aunt Yang, don't worry about us. I'm going to take a look around later..."
My face turned even redder. I quickly finished the porridge in my bowl and dragged Si Jiangchen out of the main hall.
This time, I wanted to help Uncle Yang and Aunt Yang not only to let Xiaoshanzi rest in peace but also to break the bad luck of the couple so that they could live a long and healthy life.