That afternoon, I slept soundly on Pei Shi Yu's large bed. When I woke up, I found her sleeping next to me. I didn't wake her because she had one hand on my waist. It felt like happiness had come too suddenly.

I was sleeping on my side, with my back to Pei Shi Yu. I used my heart to feel the touch of her against my back. It was very warm, and it warmed my heart. I gently grasped the hand on my waist. It was very delicate, and the palm was a little sweaty. Instinctively, I tightened my grip slightly. Pei Shi Yu moved a little, as if her sleep quality wasn't very good. Because of my life experiences, I really enjoyed moments like these, which sketched the most beautiful picture of a man and woman together.

Then I turned around and reached out to hug her head. She exclaimed softly, "My hair."

I gently arranged the fragrant strands of hair and stroked them lightly with my hand. Her hair was particularly soft and fine. Not every woman looks good with long hair, but Pei Shi Yu was different. She was the most charming woman I had ever seen, especially feminine.

I took a deep sniff and said, "This morning at the cemetery, I had very extreme thoughts. I felt that each of us was too fragile, so fragile that we couldn't even control our own lives. Like Lin Yang, he probably had endless imagination about life before he turned into a wisp of a ghost in the blink of an eye."

"You risked your life to protect the two people who killed him a few days ago, and now you suddenly feel sorry for Lin Yang?"

"It's not about feeling sorry for anyone. I just want to handle things more perfectly. After all, they are young lives. They have parents at home, and they weren't the masterminds. What's more, the punishment won't be light. By the time they get out, they'll be old."

"So don't think about those sad things. Life is short. In another ten years, we'll be entering our forties. Youth is the shortest. You should do what you should do at each age. You should focus on your career now."

"Yes, starting tomorrow, I will go to my mother to learn about the catering business. She has spent decades in that industry, and it's time for her to retire. I will work hard to support her efforts."

"Your father's extreme personality must have something to do with your mother, right?" Pei Shi Yu suddenly blurted out.

"That's their business. Besides, they've been divorced for so long. Lin Hai is still holding grudges. My mother's life is quite harmonious now. I didn't dare to draw a conclusion before, but after a period of contact, her temper is fine. I haven't seen her say anything extreme to anyone. But Lin Hai speaks as if he doesn't use his brain, and he's self-centered. It's difficult for such people to give others a good impression or to get along with, just like me and him."

Pei Shi Yu wasn't a meddlesome woman, but she would interject a word or two every time we talked about their affairs. When it came to the point, she would silently avoid it. Just like now, she intentionally pinched the flesh on my waist. Because it was too firm, she slipped and didn't pinch it. She laughed in amusement, and then she tried a few more times until she finally pinched it. Of course, I was secretly tensing my muscles, deliberately making them tighter.

After fooling around for a while, I started to feel lustful again. I looked at her sideways. Now I had energy and strength, and we had created such a good environment. It would be strange if I didn't have any impure thoughts!

In front of Pei Shi Yu, I had completely come out of the shadows of the morning, and I started to be playful again. I leaned up, looking at her reaction. I saw her ask defensively, "What do you want to do?"

"What do you think?"

"Not today."

"Why?"

"My dad will be here later. If you don't want to be caught like last time, don't take the risk."

"Why don't you move in with me?"

"I don't want to."

"My house is okay, and it's big enough, more than a hundred square meters."

"It's not about the size."

"Then what is it?" I asked, pressing the issue.

Pei Shi Yu didn't answer me directly. After breaking free from my grasp, she asked in a very delicate voice, "Living here was originally to take care of my dad."

"Where did you live before?" I asked curiously.

"I lived on Zhijiang Road. This is where my parents live."

"Aren't there several rooms?"

"My brother and sister-in-law often come to stay, too."

"Zhijiang Road is very close to me."

"Don't come visiting in the future," Pei Shi Yu said, intentionally using a warning tone.

"That won't do. Either I live at your place, or you live at mine. We better get married by the end of the year."

"Who agreed to that?"

"Aren't I asking for your opinion?"

This time, Pei Shi Yu looked me in the eye very seriously and said, "I don't know you very well yet. You have too much *jianghu* air about you."

"What do you mean by *jianghu* air? You can tell me directly, otherwise I won't know how to change."

"It's best not to interfere in things like the one the other day, especially since he was the one who killed Lin Yang. And don't always give people ideas. I don't have many requirements for you. I just hope you can be a little more refined."

I could do what Pei Shi Yu said before, but the words "refined" didn't seem to fit me. I didn't have much education, and I didn't have an environment to cultivate that. Even if I did now, my whole personality had been shaped by my previous life into what it was now.

But I didn't reject her request. I agreed in a very tactful and ambiguous tone, "I will try my best to move closer to the path of refinement, but don't have too high hopes. I think being with you will naturally make me more refined."

"Do you know what attracts me to you the most?"

"Tell me," I said, throwing the question back to her.

"What I find most unforgettable is the way you handle things without showing your emotions. It makes you seem very manly."

Pei Shi Yu's unreserved praise was a form of confidence for me, and even more of an encouragement. Some people like to focus on each other's shortcomings when they are together, which is the most foolish thing to do. It was obvious that Pei Shi Yu was quite wise in this regard. Saying words of praise not only made me feel motivated, but also allowed me to understand her inner thoughts and what she cared about most.

I smiled and teased her, "Want me to be manly now?"

"Get up. You're cooking today."

"Your refrigerator is empty."

"I went to the supermarket this morning to buy groceries, especially for you to cook lunch. I was just afraid you'd come back late."

"I'm happy to cook, but I'll say it upfront. Although I hang out in restaurants, I'm just a helper."

"It doesn't matter. I'll eat it no matter how it is."

I looked at her. Pei Shi Yu had been praising me repeatedly today, and I felt like I was starting to float.