Oh no! The leader's young wife is demanding a divorce every night!

Hearing that Lu Yanzheng didn't dislike her made He Yingying feel much better, and a shy smile bloomed on her face again.

She leaned back in her seat, licked her dry lips, and finally quieted down.

Lu Yanzheng drove even faster. As night fell, they finally arrived in Chongqing.

He Yingying, who was a little carsick, suggested several times to stop at the nearest hotel, but Lu Yanzheng never stopped.

He simply said, "Wait a little longer, we'll rest up ahead."

After waiting for another half hour, He Yingying was so shaken that she almost threw up.

Finally, we stopped in a narrow alleyway with a cow-horn shape.

"arrive!"

He Yingying got out of the car in a daze and looked up.

Huimin Hostel.

This shop is small and shabby, and its shabby appearance is glaringly obvious.

The light was dim, and the paint on the gray wooden door panels was peeling off. Looking inside, a musty smell mixed with the smell of mildew, smoke, and old bedding hit you first.

The counter was an old wooden table with peeling paint, a yellowed price list hung on the wall, and the light bulbs were so dim they looked like they were covered in fog, making it difficult to see even the depths of the corridor.

He Yingying stood at the door, feeling a little uncomfortable.

The Lu family is not short of money, so there is absolutely no need for them to stay in such a smoky and shabby little hotel.

"Brother Zheng, this place is so small. How about we go to another one?"

Without hesitation, Lu Yanzheng carried his suitcase upstairs.

"This is fine. It's a bit small, but it has everything you need, like hot water. It's not as good as home when you're away from home. Conditions will be even tougher when you get to the army."

He Yingying stood there, her fingertips slightly clenching the hem of her clothes. She swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, afraid that Lu Yanzheng would find her spoiled.

"Okay. We'll stay here, as Zheng-ge says."

Thinking about being able to share a bed with the man she loved, He Yingying felt a sweet warmth in her heart, and her cheeks began to flush.

As long as she could be with him, she would be willing to stay in any place, even a pigsty, let alone a small hotel.

But the dream shattered in the next second.

Lu Yanzheng actually booked two rooms. And they were even separated by a north-south orientation.

He Yingying followed behind dejectedly, very unhappy.

"Brother Zheng, why do we need two rooms? It's such a waste of money. We're already husband and wife."

Lu Yanzheng's brows furrowed into a deep frown.

How could he bring up the matter of his marriage to Xiao Re to He Yingying?

"Yingying, I snore when I sleep, I don't want to disturb you. We have to travel tomorrow, so get some rest. This room faces south, the air is fresh, you'll be more comfortable here."

After Lu Yanzheng carried He Yingying's luggage upstairs, he went to the innermost room on the north side, which was next to a private house.

Open the window and you can see the small house where Xiao Re lives across the street.

If it weren't for the proximity, why would I have chosen to stay in such an old and run-down little hotel?

I'm exhausted after a long day, both physically and mentally.

Lu Yanzheng quickly took a shower, preparing to get a good night's sleep.

But as soon as I lay down on the bed, a damp, musty smell hit me.

The choking made him sneeze twice.

The old, yellowed sheets were speckled with gray-black mold and smelled of foot odor and sweat, making them quite filthy and unpleasant.

Although he was a rough and unrefined man, he had stayed in even worse huts during disaster relief efforts.

But now, looking at those messy stains, I feel disgusted.

He threw the bedding aside, and lay down on the headboard with two pillows and his clothes, thinking he would just make do for the night.

But looking at the warm light in the small house across the street, I just couldn't fall asleep.

That woman wasn't asleep either.

The hazy silhouette on the window swayed and flickered in the lamplight.

Like a cluster of blazing little flames, it stirred his heart.

Just as the moon rose above the willow branches, the lights across the street suddenly went out.

Time stood still at that moment.

The whole world seemed to freeze suddenly, and even breathing seemed to freeze.

Lu Yanzheng closed his eyes, calmed down, and prepared to rest.

Suddenly! A startled female voice came from the opposite building's hallway—

"ah--"

Short and sharp.

It sounded like a scream after falling down, or a trembling voice as if someone had witnessed something horrifying and was scared out of their wits.

A sharp cry pierced the night, making one's eardrums clench.

Lu Yanzheng suddenly sprang out of bed, not even having time to put on his shoes properly, and rushed out the door, running towards the small house across the street.

dong dong dong!dong dong dong!

The heavy knocking echoed in the quiet night, urgent and frantic.

Who is it?

Xiao Re's lips curled into a playful smile.

The woman's soft voice drifted through the door, carrying a hint of allure.

Lu Yanzheng's earlobes twitched, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

"It's me. Lu Yanzheng!"

A long while passed!

The wooden door slowly opened a narrow crack.

Xiao Re leaned lazily against the door, half of his face hidden in the shadows, his eyebrows and eyes slightly lowered, even the way he opened the door was a bit of a nonchalant laziness.

She wore only a simple silk nightgown, the fabric clinging to her body and outlining her slender, delicate shoulders and neck. Her slightly wavy long hair fell loosely, winding down her shoulders to her chest, with a few unruly strands clinging to her fair neck, rising and falling gently with her breath.

She looked tired, and her sleepy eyes still held a hint of drowsiness.

Upon seeing Lu Yanzheng, he slowly yawned.

"Why are you here?"

The moment Lu Yanzheng's gaze fell upon her, his heart began to flutter uncontrollably.

The person in front of me was dressed in light clothing, with slightly flushed cheeks and long, thick, slightly curly hair casually draped over her shoulders, exuding both the weariness of just waking up and an innate charm.

Every single strand of hair exudes an alluring charm.

Lu Yanzheng's throat tightened after just one glance.

His previously steady breathing suddenly became rapid and labored. His voice became deep and somewhat hoarse.

"I heard some commotion over here and was worried you might be unsafe, so I came to check on you."

"oh!"

Xiao Re responded with a faint "yes".

"What's going on? I didn't hear anything!"

She was the one who made that scream, but she pretended not to know.

The two of them stood quietly at the door, neither of them saying a word.

After a long pause, seeing that Xiao Re had no intention of inviting him in, Lu Yanzheng touched his nose and shamelessly asked.

"Is there any water in the house? I'm a little thirsty."

Xiao tucked a stray hair behind her ear and lazily gave way half of her body.

"The thermos is on the table, go pour yourself some."

As soon as Lu Yanzheng turned around, she lay back down on the bed.

Her long, seaweed-like hair almost covered half the bed, her long, slender legs were half-bent and half-hidden, and her delicate waist was curved into a graceful curve.

Because she was wearing a nightgown, the soft, warm fabric at the neckline was faintly visible.

Her snow-white skin was still stained with the red marks left during the day.

When Lu Yanzheng turned around, he saw this vivid and beautiful painting.

He had just finished drinking a whole glass of water when he started feeling thirsty again.

Lu Yanzheng's jaw tightened, and he quickly closed the half-open door tightly.

"Xiao Re!"

"Aren't you ashamed to dress like that!"

Xiao Re's long, light hand blinked slowly. His tone was as indifferent as Xiang Shui's, yet carried a hint of nonchalant provocation.

"Commander Lu, I don't wear pajamas to bed, what should I wear?"

"But what about you, coming to my room in the middle of the night? What's the meaning of that?"

Lu Yanzheng's Adam's apple bobbed violently a few times. He turned his head away, not daring to look at the bed anymore, but the tips of his ears were burning red.

"You...you should put your clothes on first!"

"I have something to tell you!"