He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

Zhou Yan stood at the door, the steam from his recent shower creating a hazy glow around him.

His dark hair hung wetly over his forehead, water droplets sliding down his sharp jawline, rolling over his prominent Adam's apple, and finally disappearing into the half-open collar of his bathrobe.

The dark silk bathrobe was loosely tied around the waist, the front slightly open, revealing a firm chest.

The watermarks shimmered under the light, meandering down the grooves of the muscles before disappearing beneath the belt.

Wei Yinuo's breath hitched, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened their grip on the cup in her hand.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment, and she could clearly hear her own heart pounding.

Zhou Yan seemed surprised to find her still in the living room. He paused slightly, his gaze falling intently on her.

"Still not asleep?"

His voice was lower and hoarser than usual, with a hint of languid weariness.

Wei Yinuo's gaze involuntarily swept over his bare collarbone, then quickly looked away, her ears burning: "Get ready to sleep."

Zhou Yan walked slowly closer, still carrying the warm, damp scent of his body after his bath.

Zhou Yan's figure loomed over her, trapping her in a small space.

too close.

She was so close that she could smell the faint scent of cedar on him, and so close that she could see the water droplets still clinging to his eyelashes.

He reached out and took the empty cup from her hand, his fingertips lightly brushing against the back of her hand, sending a slight shiver down his spine.

"Go to bed, it's late."

Wei Yinuo unconsciously took a half step back. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Zhou Yan's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he suddenly chuckled softly, "Why is your face so red?"

Wei Yinuo shook her head hastily: "No, I, I'm going to sleep."

After saying that, he ran away in a panic.

Zhou Yan watched the girl's retreating figure and sighed helplessly.

He looked down at his half-open bathrobe and sighed helplessly.

It seems the little girl has good self-control.

Wei Yinuo tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to fall asleep.

She told herself not to overthink it, not to overthink it, but the room seemed to be filled with Zhou Yan's presence.

With my eyes closed, all I could see in my mind was Zhou Yan's image flashing before my eyes.

My cheeks were burning hot.

So she got up and went to the balcony.

A gentle breeze swept by, and the temperature on my cheeks dropped considerably.

She gazed at the distant lights, lost in thought.

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Wei Yinuo was so startled that she bumped into the small round table next to her with a bang.

Hearing the noise, Zhou Yan pushed open the door without thinking.

Seeing Wei Yinuo standing safely on the balcony, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Still not asleep?" Zhou Yan looked at her.

Wei Yinuo nodded: "Yes, let's enjoy the evening breeze."

"Can't sleep?"

Wei Yinuo remained silent.

Zhou Yan walked over, holding a cup of hot milk: "Drink some milk, it helps you sleep."

Wei Yinuo took the cup, but her fingertips accidentally touched his hand, and she pulled back as if she had been electrocuted.

The warmth of the milk seeped through the glass, and she whispered, "Thank you."

Zhou Yan gave her a deep look, then suddenly said, "Wei Yinuo, let's talk."

Wei Yinuo's heart skipped a beat, and she gripped the cup tightly: "I... I'm a little sleepy."

He yawned as he spoke.

Zhou Yan's eyes darkened: "Then rest, goodnight."

Wei Yinuo nodded: "Okay, goodnight, Uncle Zhou."

……

Perhaps because she stayed up late last night, when Wei Yinuo woke up, the sunlight had already filled the entire room through the gauze curtains.

She opened her eyes groggily, stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for several seconds, her mind blank.

"Where is this?" she muttered softly, her voice still hoarse from just waking up.

After recovering in bed, Wei Yinuo finally remembered her situation.

Wei Yinuo sat up abruptly, the blanket slipping down to her waist.

She looked down at her wrinkled T-shirt, which Zhou Yan had lent her last night. The wide neckline was askew, revealing half of her collarbone.

She tiptoed out of bed, her bare feet touching the cold wooden floor, and she couldn't help but twitch her toes.

Wei Yinuo walked out of the bedroom and into the living room.

The living room was quiet, with only the regular ticking of the grandfather clock's second hand.

"Uncle Zhou?" she called out tentatively.

no respond.

Wei Yinuo let out a long sigh of relief, and her tense shoulders relaxed.

She rubbed her messy hair and muttered softly, "Thank goodness he's not here..."

"Yinuo, did you call me?"

A deep, magnetic male voice suddenly came from behind, startling Wei Yinuo so much that she almost jumped up.

She turned around abruptly and saw Zhou Yan standing at the corner of the corridor, holding a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

Today, Zhou Yan was completely different from his usual self; he wasn't wearing a sharp suit, and his hair wasn't neatly combed.

He was wearing a loose gray loungewear set, with the collar slightly open, revealing his collarbone.

His black hair fell naturally over his forehead, making him look much younger, like a college student.

"I... I thought you went out."

Wei Yinuo stammered, unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.

She suddenly realized how disheveled she looked; her hair was a mess like a bird's nest, there were definitely sleep marks on her face, not to mention the ill-fitting clothes.

Zhou Yan smiled slightly and walked towards her.

As they drew closer, Wei Yinuo caught a faint scent of coffee mixed with his distinctive, cool aura.

He stopped a step away from her and bent down slightly.

"Go wash your face." His voice held a hint of amusement as his gaze fell on the corner of her eye. "There's some sleep in there."

He raised his hand in a gesture.

Wei Yinuo subconsciously took a half step back, her cheeks burning up instantly.

She rubbed her eyes hurriedly, gave a dry laugh, and said, "I, I'll go right now!"

After saying that, he dashed into the bathroom.

Wei Yinuo braced her hands on the sink, looked at her flushed face in the mirror, and bit her lower lip in frustration.

"That's so embarrassing."

She complained softly, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water on her burning cheeks.

Then she noticed a new pink toothbrush on the sink, with toothpaste already squeezed onto it.

Wei Yinuo was somewhat puzzled.

Did Zhou Yan forget to brush his teeth?

But there weren't any extra toothbrushes here.

Just as Wei Yinuo was hesitating about whether to ask Zhou Yan, Zhou Yan's voice came from the bathroom door.

"That's for you. I don't use pink toothbrushes."

Wei Yinuo paused for a moment, then whispered, "Thank you."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "You're welcome."

Wei Yinuo felt her cheeks getting hot, so she quickly lowered her head to brush her teeth.

Zhou Yan looked at her blushing ears, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

The little girl is so cute.

……

After washing up, Wei Yinuo came out of the bathroom.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the dining area, where an elegant brunch was already laid out on the tables.

"Come and eat, we'll have brunch together."

Zhou Yan's voice came from beside the dining table.

Wei Yinuo obediently walked to sit opposite him, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you."

She spoke in a low voice, deliberately maintaining a polite and distant tone.

Zhou Yan's hand paused slightly, and the silver knife flashed a cold light in the sunlight.

He looked up at her, a hint of displeasure flashing in his deep eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I'll take you home after you finish eating."

His voice was a little deeper than usual.

"No need, I can manage on my own," Wei said.

Before Yi Nuo could finish speaking, a "snap" was heard as Zhou Yan placed the knife on the porcelain plate.

Do you have to talk to me like that?

Zhou Yan's voice remained calm, but Wei Yinuo could sense the suppressed emotions within it.

"I..." Wei Yinuo opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

She lowered her eyes and looked at the plate in front of her.

Zhou Yan sighed softly, "Never mind, let's eat."

A subtle silence fell over the restaurant.

Wei Yinuo chewed her food mechanically.

She could feel Zhou Yan's gaze falling on her from time to time, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

After finally finishing the last bite, Wei Yinuo gently put down her chopsticks.

"Well, I'll head back now. Thank you for last night."

She stood up, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"I send you."

Zhou Yan also stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow in the sunlight.

"Really, you don't need to..."

"I'm going to change my clothes, wait for me."

Zhou Yan interrupted her, his tone leaving no room for argument.

He turned and walked towards the bedroom, leaving Wei Yinuo standing there at a loss.

She bit her lower lip, walked quickly to the guest room, and her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up her bag.

Reason told her she should wait for Zhou Yan, but some inexplicable emotion drove her to tiptoe towards the entrance.

The door lock made a soft "click" sound. Wei Yinuo held her breath, afraid of disturbing the people inside.

She finally let out a long sigh of relief after the elevator doors closed, leaning against the cold elevator wall, her heart pounding like crazy.