Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the slits in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Yang Tao was still sound asleep, her sleep especially deep due to the emotional upheaval of the previous night and the subsequent "all-night counseling." Lin Bufan was already awake and was dressing carefully, afraid to wake her.

Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the living room outside - "click".

Lin Bufan froze, thinking to himself, "Oh no!" At this time, besides Yang Tao, the only one with the key was Xue Sumei!

Before he could react, the bedroom door was pushed open. Xue Sumei rushed in with a bag of eggs, muttering, "Taozi, Mom brought you some eggs. I saw them for sale on the way to the party this morning. They were really cheap. I..."

The words stopped abruptly.

Xue Sumei's eyes fell on Lin Bufan, who was buttoning his shirt beside the bed. Then, she looked past him and saw Yang Tao, who was sleeping soundly on the bed. The air froze instantly.

Lin Bufan quickly buttoned the last button on his shirt, then gave Xue Sumei an awkward yet polite smile: "Ah... Auntie, good morning."

Xue Sumei's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open, and she nearly dropped the egg bag in her hand. She looked at Lin Bufan, then at her daughter, who was frowning slightly at the noise in bed and seemed about to wake up. Her expression changed from surprise to astonishment, and then to an extremely complex mixture of "as expected," "I caught you red-handed," and "see how you can argue this time."

"Xiao Lin? You...you..." Xue Sumei pointed at Lin Bufan, then at the bed, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Yang Tao was awakened by the sound of voices. She blearily opened her eyes and saw her mother standing at the bedroom door, and Lin Bufan, disheveled, standing by the bed. She instantly woke up, letting out a low "Ah!" and subconsciously pulling the quilt up, her cheeks flushing. "Mom?! Why...why are you here?"

"Why am I here?" Xue Sumei finally found her voice, her tone filled with suppressed excitement and a hint of feigned anger, but deep in her eyes she couldn't hide the smug joy of "the outcome is settled." "If I hadn't come, would I have known you...you're all living together now?! Last time you told me it was a misunderstanding? Huh? What else do you have to say this time?"

Lin Bufan and Yang Tao exchanged a glance, both speechless. After all, this time was different from the last time. This time, they were "caught in bed together," ugh... they were "caught red-handed," and there was really no excuse for them.

Yang Tao sat up wrapped in the quilt, her face still flushed. With the laziness of just waking up and the embarrassment of being caught, she said in a long and coquettish voice: "Mom! You are here so early in the morning... and you didn't even call in advance... It's so scary..."

Xue Sumei looked at her daughter, then at Lin Bufan, who was slightly embarrassed but with a frank expression, and she felt relieved. She suppressed a smile, put on a stern face, and interrupted Yang Tao in a serious tone, "Alright, alright, what's there to hide? I've been through this, so how could I not understand?" She put the egg bag on the cabinet next to her, her eyes darting back and forth between Lin Bufan and Yang Tao, finally settling on Lin Bufan. Her tone was a little "warning," but she couldn't hide her satisfaction. "Xiao Lin, this time... you don't have anything to say anymore, right? Auntie, I saw it all clearly!"

Hearing this, Lin Bufan stood up straight and said, "Auntie, what are you talking about? I didn't evade my responsibility last time. Let me put it this way, I will not marry anyone other than Taozi in this life!"

When Yang Tao heard Lin Bufan's resolute words, "I will marry you," her heart suddenly felt like a honey pot had been overturned, so sweet that it was about to overflow. The corners of her mouth wanted to rise uncontrollably, but she immediately pursed her lips and forced the smile down. She even deliberately turned her head and faced Lin Bufan with the back of her head, snorting softly through her nose: "Hmph! Who... who wants you to marry me... Stop being so self-indulgent and smooth-talking... talking as if anyone cares..."

Xue Sumei's eyes widened when she heard this. She took two steps forward, pointed her finger at Yang Tao, and said with a tone full of "disappointment": "Oh! You silly girl! What are you talking about? Ah? Xiaolin is such a good guy! He has good looks, a successful career, and is sincere to you. He even said such responsible words! And you still don't want him? Where can you find another one as satisfying as this? I think I've spoiled you and you don't know what's good for you!"

After scolding Yang Tao, Xue Sumei immediately changed her expression and put on an extremely kind smile. She turned to Lin Bufan and said in a gentle tone, "Xiao Lin, don't listen to her nonsense! She may be stubborn on the outside, but who knows what she's thinking! Auntie likes people like you, who are down-to-earth, reliable, and responsible! I'm completely relieved to leave Taozi to you!"

Lin Bufan quickly cooperated with a humble and sincere smile: "Auntie, you are too kind. It is my blessing to meet Taozi."

The more Xue Sumei looked at Lin Bufan, the more satisfied she became. Just as she was about to say a few more words, she suddenly slapped her thigh and said, "Ouch! I was so busy talking about you guys that I almost forgot about the important matter! We old sisters have an appointment to go to Xishan for a gathering today. I have to leave quickly. If I'm any later, I'll be late!"

As she spoke, she hurriedly picked up her bag and turned back to remind him, "Well... I left the eggs on the table. They're fresh. Remember to eat them later! Taozi, have a good rest, and Xiaolin, spend more time with her... I'm leaving now!"

Before she finished speaking, Xue Sumei had already hurriedly opened the door and walked out like a gust of wind, while at the same time not forgetting to gently close the door from the outside.

The room suddenly became quiet, leaving only Lin Bufan and Yang Tao, who was wrapped in a quilt with blushing cheeks.

Lin Bufan walked to the bed and sat down. He reached out and gently pinched Yang Tao's red earlobe that was exposed outside the quilt. He asked with a low laugh, "What's wrong? Manager Yang, are you shy? Didn't you just say you didn't care about me?"

Yang Tao slapped Lin Bufan's hand away and glared at him angrily, but her eyes were watery and harmless: "Who's shy? I'm just telling the truth! Do you think that if you say something nice, I'll be grateful and agree to marry you immediately? You wish!"

"Yes, yes, Manager Yang has set a high bar. I have to perform well and work hard to win." Lin Bufan nodded obediently and leaned close to her, his forehead almost touching hers. He lowered his voice and said coaxingly, "Then... Manager Yang, how am I doing now? Do I get any extra points?"

The scorching breath brushed against her face, and Yang Tao's heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously tried to pull back, but Lin Bufan reached out and grabbed her waist. She feigned composure, her eyes wandering as she muttered softly, "It's just so-so... just... okay..."

"Only so-so?" Lin Bufan raised his eyebrows, deliberately showing a hurt expression: "Then I have to work harder and perform well, and strive to get Manager Yang to give me an excellent grade..."

As he said this, he pretended to kiss her.

"Oh, go away... Don't make trouble so early in the morning..." Yang Tao dodged with a smile, and put her hand on Lin Bufan's chest. The two fell on the soft bed with laughter. The early morning sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, enveloping them with warmth, and the room was filled with a sweet and warm atmosphere.

Since Yang Tao was too lazy to get up, it was already noon by the time they finally got up and packed. Lin Bufan dragged the hungry Yang Tao out to find food. They went to a movie in the afternoon and strolled around the commercial district. It was not until the evening that he returned to Yang Tao's apartment, carrying a lot of bags.

Just as she reached the door and was about to take out her key, she found that the door was ajar, leaving a crack. Her heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously looked at Lin Bufan.

"I remembered... locking the door when I went out?" Yang Tao's voice was uncertain and a little nervous.

Lin Bufan's face darkened. He quickly pulled Yang Tao behind him, stepped forward, and gently pushed open the door. The scene in the living room made both of them gasp—the once tidy living room was now a mess, with drawers pulled open and things scattered all over the floor, showing obvious signs of having been rummaged through.

"We've been robbed!" Yang Tao exclaimed, his face turning pale in an instant.

Lin Bufan quickly scanned the area and signaled Yang Tao to stay put. He then carefully checked the bedroom and bathroom to confirm that the thief had left. He walked to the kitchen and found that the window lock had been broken, leaving a few blurry muddy footprints on the windowsill.

"It came in through the kitchen window," Lin Bufan said in a deep voice, his expression unsightly. Although nothing particularly valuable had been stolen, the feeling of being invaded was extremely uncomfortable, especially for Yang Tao, who lived alone.

Yang Tao looked at the chaotic house, feeling angry and scared, and her body trembling slightly. Lin Bufan immediately took out his phone and called the police.

The police arrived quickly, carefully inspected the scene, and took notes. "We'll investigate as quickly as possible, and we'll increase patrols nearby. Please stay safe and remember to lock your doors and windows at night," the police officer instructed before leaving.

After sending the police away, the two looked at the messy living room and smiled bitterly at each other. Lin Bufan rolled up his sleeves and said, "Come on, Manager Yang, let's clean up the battlefield first."

Yang Tao watched Lin Bufan neatly put things away, and her heart warmed as she began to tidy up as well. After working for over an hour, she had finally restored the living room to about its original appearance. Yang Tao rubbed her aching waist and said to Lin Bufan, "Thank you so much for today... It's getting late, and you've been tired all day. Go home first, and I'll slowly clean up the rest tomorrow."

Lin Bufan was putting a cushion back on the sofa when he heard this. He didn't stop and replied naturally, "Go back? I'm not leaving tonight."

Yang Tao was stunned for a moment: "Why?"

Lin Bufan then turned around and looked at Yang Tao seriously: "A thief just broke in, and the doors and windows are not tight. What if that guy gets bold and comes back to kill you? It's too unsafe for you to live here alone. I have to stay, at least to take care of you."

In fact, Yang Tao didn't want Lin Bufan to leave. Being afraid that the thief would come back was secondary. The main thing was that the two of them were together yesterday, and now they were so sticky that they couldn't wait to stick together!

However, Yang Tao still habitually refused: "No need... It's not such a coincidence... Besides, aren't you afraid that my mother will surprise you again tomorrow morning?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Bufan walked up to Yang Tao, put his hands on her shoulders, and looked at her with a frank and sincere look: "I'm afraid of Aunt Xue? What do I have to be afraid of? I have made a fair and square pledge with Aunt Xue to be responsible for you, Ms. Yang Tao, to the end! Let alone if she comes tomorrow morning, even if she pushes the door open now, I will be justified. This is called fulfilling my promise and providing close protection, do you understand?"

Yang Tao's cheeks flushed slightly at Lin Bufan's words, but she felt sweet inside. She hummed softly, "You have so many excuses..."

As the night deepened, the two finished washing up and lay down on the bed side by side. In the darkness, they could clearly smell each other's breath. Yang Tao thought of the intimacy of last night and felt a little itchy in her heart. However, when she saw that Lin Bufan didn't move, she decided to take the initiative!

Yang Tao first quietly turned sideways, pretending to move her fingers unintentionally, little by little, towards Lin Bufan, just about to touch him...

Lin Bufan seemed to have eyes on his back. He accurately grasped her "rebellious" wrist and said with a low laugh, "Manager Yang, be quiet tonight and go to sleep."

Yang Tao's little trick was caught on the spot, but she had no intention of giving up. She asked back in a provocative tone: "What? You can't do it after just one night? Mr. Lin's physical strength...tsk tsk..."

Hearing Yang Tao say "No", Lin Bufan seemed to react with stress. He turned over and pressed Yang Tao under him, pinching her chin and whispering in a feigned ferocity: "Well, you, Comrade Yang Tao, your thoughts are very dangerous! I was originally sympathetic to someone's virginity and thinking that I had important matters to attend to early tomorrow, so I spared your life tonight and let you have a good rest. But you, ungrateful and daring, dared to provoke me? Then don't blame me for being unethical and enforcing the family rules!"

Yang Tao was being pressed down by Lin Bufan, but she wasn't afraid at all. Instead, she poked his chest with her fingertips and asked curiously, "You don't have to go to work tomorrow, what are you doing getting up so early..."

Without waiting for her to finish, Lin Bufan lowered his head and kissed her, blocking the words Yang Tao hadn't asked out loud, turning them into a vague "woohoo" sound.

……

Three hours later, Yang Tao lay limp in Lin Bufan's arms, not wanting to move a finger. After a long pause, she asked lazily in a nasal voice, "Hey, you just said... you have to get up early tomorrow. What's going on?"

Lin Bufan's fingers occasionally twisted around Yang Tao's hair, and he explained, "I was thinking that your place was recently robbed, and the security has been greatly reduced. I'm not sure if I can rest assured. I'm planning to find you a new place to live. Let's go look at some houses tomorrow."

Yang Tao felt warm in her heart and looked up at Lin Bufan: "You want to change the house for me?"

"Yeah." Lin Bufan nodded. "After what happened in this place, it's uncomfortable to live here. I'll feel more at ease if I move to a community with a higher safety factor."

Although Yang Tao was touched by Lin Bufan's thoughtfulness, she still shook her head: "I appreciate your kindness. But I'm fine living here, I'm used to it. Besides, I have a job and can afford it, so there's no need for you to..."