Please, mature women, have some self-respect. I just want a raise and a promotion.

These words immediately ignited Lin Zheng's anger, and he flipped over and pinned Qiu Xiuqin down.

Qiu Xiuqin lay on the bed, her long hair scattered on the pillow, her full curves encased in black lace lingerie, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

She bit her lip, her eyes glazed over, and her fingers slid down Lin Zheng's chest until they touched his belt.

"Sister Xiuqin..." Lin Zheng grabbed her hand.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you sure Lao Yang isn't coming back tonight?"

"Sure."

"He never comes back until midnight every time he goes to a meeting in the district."

"And he's been drinking, so he won't drive, and he'll be staying in the neighborhood."

Lin Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and released her hand.

Qiu Xiuqin smiled and unbuckled his belt.

Lin Zheng froze as his pants slipped down.

Qiu Xiuqin looked at his erect penis and couldn't help but swallow.

Looking at Qiu Xiuqin's eyes, Lin Zheng knew that the woman was upset.

Before Lin Zheng could react, Qiu Xiuqin took action.

"Sister Xiuqin, you're playing with fire."

"If you're going to play with fire, then play with fire."

Qiu Xiuqin looked up at Lin Zheng: "I just love playing with fire."

As she finished speaking, Qiu Xiuqin kissed him.

Lin Zheng's mind went blank for a moment. He leaned against the headboard and closed his eyes.

A dozen minutes later.........

"Is it comfortable?"

"Comfortable." Lin Zheng nodded.

"Then I'll continue."

As Qiu Xiuqin spoke, she took off her underwear, revealing her full breasts.

She leaned down, pinning Lin Zheng beneath her, kissing his neck with her lips and pressing her chest against his.

Lin Zheng wrapped his arms around her waist, rolled over, and pinned her beneath him.

"It's my turn."

He lowered his head and kissed her neck, then moved his lips down her neck.

Qiu Xiuqin tilted her head back, biting her lip tightly, not daring to make a loud sound.

But a suppressed groan still escaped his throat.

The two became entangled, rolling from one end of the bed to the other, and from the bed to the carpet.

Qiu Xiuqin's hair was scattered on the ground, her face was flushed, and her eyes were glazed.

"Lin Zheng..."

"I want you..."

Lin Zheng could no longer control himself and bent down.

Qiu Xiuqin hooked her arms around Lin Zheng's neck.

The two were pressed tightly together, and the only sound in the room was their rapid breathing.

As darkness fell outside the window, neon lights shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

After nearly an hour of struggling, Qiu Xiuqin finally collapsed into Lin Zheng's arms.

Her face was flushed with satisfaction, and her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.

"You're amazing..."

Qiu Xiuqin said softly, drawing circles on his chest with her fingers.

Lin Zheng lit a cigarette and took a deep drag: "Sister Xiuqin, you're not bad either."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled and looked up into his eyes.

"Lin Zheng, tell me, if I had met you back then, would I have married Old Yang?"

Lin Zheng was taken aback: "I can't answer that question."

Why?

"Because there are no 'what ifs' in life."

Qiu Xiuqin sighed: "You're right, there are no 'what ifs' in life."

"But I really regret marrying Lao Yang."

"He's busy all the time, he has no time to spend with me, and he doesn't have time to care about me."

"I know he has other women, but he doesn't care, and neither do I."

"We just maintain a semblance of civility and go our separate ways."

Lin Zheng held her in his arms without saying a word.

"Sometimes I wonder if this is how my life will always be," Qiu Xiuqin continued.

"Every day is the same routine: going to work, coming home, eating, and sleeping."

"Without passion, without anticipation, it's like a stagnant pool."

"Until I met you."

As Qiu Xiuqin spoke, she raised her head and looked at Lin Zheng.

"You make me feel like I'm still alive."

Lin Zheng felt a warmth in his heart and lowered his head to kiss her forehead.

"Sister Xiuqin, you can't stay like this forever."

"Once my project is finished, I'll take you to the city, to see the sea, to climb mountains, and to do whatever you want."

"Really?" Qiu Xiuqin asked with delight.

"Really." Lin Zheng nodded.

Qiu Xiuqin smiled, her smile revealing fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but it also made her seem more genuine than usual.

"Lin Zheng, you're just good at making me happy."

"I'm telling the truth."

After a while of tenderness, Qiu Xiuqin suddenly spoke.

"Lin Zheng, tell me, who did what happened last night?"

Lin Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "I think Zhou Hailong is the most likely candidate."

Why?

"Because he has the strongest motive."

"He has what I want. If something happens to me, I won't have to hand over those things."

"Moreover, his relationship with Ma Cuihua is unusual, and Ma Cuihua might help him."

Qiu Xiuqin thought for a moment: "But if he is Ma Cuihua's man, then the things he gave you might also be fake."

"right."

Lin Zheng nodded: "That's why I have to be careful."

"I'll take a look at those things tomorrow. If they're genuine, I'll use them."

"If it's fake, I'll think of another way."

"How do you plan to use it?" Qiu Xiuqin asked.

Lin Zheng thought for a moment: "Don't rush to use it. Let's wait for Ma Cuihua's next move."

"She probably thinks something has happened to me now, so she'll let her guard down."

"I'll retaliate when she makes another move."

Qiu Xiuqin nodded: "That's a good idea."

"But you have to be careful, Ma Cuihua is a cunning person."

"She didn't get to where she is today by luck."

"I know." Lin Zheng stubbed out his cigarette.

The two chatted for a while longer when Qiu Xiuqin's stomach suddenly growled.

She blushed and said, "I'm hungry."

Lin Zheng laughed: "I'm hungry too, shall we order takeout?"

"No need, I'll do it." Qiu Xiuqin sat up and put on a bathrobe.

"You can cook?" Lin Zheng was taken aback.

"Of course I will." Qiu Xiuqin rolled her eyes at him. "You think all I do is eat?"

Lin Zheng smiled and followed her out of the bedroom.

The kitchen is small but very clean, and the refrigerator is stocked with vegetables and meat.

Qiu Xiuqin put on her apron and began washing and chopping vegetables.

Lin Zheng stood beside her, watching her busy figure.

The apron straps were tied at the back of her waist, outlining her slender waist and full hips.

The collar of the robe was slightly open, revealing a fair neck and a small patch of chest.

"What are you looking at?" Qiu Xiuqin asked without turning her head.

"It's up to you."

"What's so interesting about it?"

"nice."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled but didn't say anything.

Soon, the aroma of food wafted out.

Stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, shredded pork with green peppers, and a seaweed and egg drop soup.

It's simple, but it looks delicious.

The two sat down at the dining table, and Qiu Xiuqin served Lin Zheng a bowl of rice.

"Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Lin Zheng picked up a piece of food and nodded, "Delicious."

"real?"

"real."

Qiu Xiuqin smiled and picked up her bowl to eat.

The two chatted and ate, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere.

After the meal, Qiu Xiuqin cleared the dishes, and Lin Zheng helped her wash them.

The two stood by the pool, shoulder to shoulder, like an old married couple.

"Lin Zheng," Qiu Xiuqin suddenly spoke.

"Um?"

"You know, if only we could stay like this forever."

Lin Zheng was silent for a moment: "Sister Xiuqin, some things are not up to us to decide."

"I know."

Qiu Xiuqin sighed, her expression darkening.

That's why I cherish every moment I spend with you.

Lin Zheng felt a pang of sadness and reached out to hug her waist.

Qiu Xiuqin leaned against him and closed her eyes.

The two of them just hugged each other, neither of them saying a word.

As night deepened outside the window, the neon lights reflected on the glass, creating a colorful scene, like a painting.

After a long while, Qiu Xiuqin finally spoke.

"Lin Zheng, you should go back now."

"Even though Lao Yang isn't coming back, it wouldn't be good if someone came looking for me and saw you."

Lin Zheng nodded and released her.

"Then I'm leaving."

"Um."

Qiu Xiuqin saw him to the door, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the lips.

"Be careful on the road."

"The same to you."

Lin Zheng walked out of the residential area, the night breeze blowing on his face, dispelling the heat from his body.

He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and his mind was filled with the scene from earlier.

Qiu Xiuqin's madness in bed, her tenderness in the kitchen, and her reluctance at the door.

This woman is becoming increasingly irresistible to him.

Lin Zheng shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and hailed a taxi to go back to his residence.

.............

The next morning, Lin Zheng was still asleep when his phone rang.

It was Li Zhengang calling.

"Manager Lin, I've found it."

Lin Zheng suddenly snapped out of his daze: "What did you find out?"

"I found the person wearing the baseball cap."