The voluptuous and beautiful nanny, Technician Shen fell for her.

The second-floor corridor was quiet.

Shen Huai walked down the stairs.

Liu Huizhen had already gone back to her room to change clothes in the living room.

He walked to the kitchen doorway.

Su Nianhe was plating the stir-fried shredded potatoes, her movements somewhat hurried.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw Shen Huai standing by the door. Startled, she took a half step back, her lower back hitting the stove.

"Are you... done talking?" she asked softly.

Shen Huai went inside and closed the kitchen door behind him.

The space became cramped again.

He walked up to her, his gaze falling on her collarbone, which was hidden by her collar.

"Were you eavesdropping just now?" Shen Huai asked.

Su Nianhe quickly shook her head: "No, I was cooking the whole time, I didn't hear anything."

Shen Huai chuckled lightly: "How do you know we're arguing if you didn't hear it?"

Su Nianhe was speechless, her cheeks slowly turning red.

Shen Huai raised his hand, placed his large palm on her lower back, and pulled her closer to him.

"Don't worry." He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her earlobe. "I didn't mention you. I told you I'd handle things at home, and until then, I won't put you in a difficult position."

Su Nianhe breathed a sigh of relief.

The man's body heat radiated through her thin clothing, making her almost unable to stand.

"You can go out now. The food is ready. Aunt Liu should be coming down soon." She reached out and pushed his chest.

Shen Huai didn't move, letting her push him.

"Remember to come pick it up tonight." He left those words behind, released his hand, and turned to walk out of the kitchen.

Su Nianhe leaned against the stove, panting heavily.

She touched the golden peony under her collar.

To find a partner.

This road seemed to be more difficult to travel than she had imagined.

But seeing how Shen Huai had protected her just now, her fear miraculously subsided.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat somber.

Liu Huizhen ate very little, clearly still angry about the blind date that afternoon.

Shen Wanshan held his chopsticks, remaining silent.

Shen Tao and Wang Liping also sensed that something was wrong, so they lowered their heads and ate their rice, not daring to say a word.

Su Nianhe brought the last soup to the table.

She put down the soup bowl and prepared to return to the kitchen.

Shen Huai sat in the chair and picked up a soup spoon to scoop out a bowl of soup.

"This soup is good," Shen Huai said, breaking the silence at the dinner table.

Liu Huizhen glanced at him and snorted coldly: "No matter how good the soup is, it can't shut your infuriating mouth."

Shen Huai ignored him, picked up the bowl and took a sip.

Su Nianhe stood to the side, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed low.

After dinner, the Shen family members dispersed.

After tidying up the kitchen, Su Nianhe washed and hung up the clothes in the yard.

It was completely dark by then.

The courtyard was quiet except for the chirping of insects.

Su Nianhe returned to the nanny's room and changed into a loose, old cotton nightgown.

She sat on the hard bed, recalling Shen Huai's instructions.

Go to his room and get the box.

She bit her lip, her heart pounding.

The second floor is the Shen family's territory. If a nanny like her runs up there in the middle of the night and gets caught, she won't be able to explain herself at all.

But if she didn't go, given Shen Huai's temper, he might come down and block her door again.

Moreover, she had promised.

She took a deep breath, opened the door, and tiptoed to the stairwell.

The wooden planks on the stairs creaked slightly.

With each step she took, her heart tightened.

We finally made it to the second floor.

A dim wall lamp was left on in the corridor, and Liu Huizhen and Shen Wanshan's room doors were tightly closed.

Shen Huai's room was at the end of the corridor, the door ajar, letting in a sliver of light.

Su Nianhe walked over and gently pushed open the door.

The table lamp was on inside.

Shen Huai had taken a shower and was wearing a white tank top and gray trousers.

He sat leaning against the headboard, holding a book in his hand.

Hearing the noise, he looked up.

Su Nianhe stood at the door, unsure whether to go in or back out.

"Come in and close the door." Shen Huai closed the book and placed it on the bedside table.

Su Nianhe moved inside and closed the door tightly behind her.

The room smelled of his pleasant soapy scent.

Shen Huai opened the drawer of the bedside table, took out a palm-sized wooden box, and placed it on the table.

"Come here." He beckoned.

Su Nianhe walked over and stopped two steps away from him.

"The box is here." Shen Huai pointed to the table. "Put the things in, and keep the key yourself."

Su Nianhe nodded and reached out to unbutton the top button of her collar.

Today she hid the gold necklace inside, unbuttoning one button to reveal it.

Shen Huai's breathing became heavier.

He sat on the edge of the bed, paused for a moment, then looked away.

Su Nianhe took off the necklace, put it in the box, locked it, and took out the key, holding it in her hand.

Shen Huai looked at Su Nianhe.

The sweet, fruity aroma seemed to permeate the not-so-spacious room, wafting straight into one's nose.

Shen Huai felt his throat was a little dry.

He had many questions he wanted to ask her.

Ask her what she was thinking when she heard him arguing with Liu Huizhen in the kitchen this afternoon, ask her what kind of life she lived in Liuhe Village before, and ask her what her plans are for the future.

But the words that were about to come out were all swallowed back by the sweet aroma that filled the room.

"Come here," Shen Huai said, his voice hoarse beyond belief.

Upon hearing this, Su Nianhe stopped what she was doing.

She glanced at him, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot, refusing to move an inch.

"The box is locked." She put her hands behind her back and said softly, "I have to go back."

Shen Huai ignored her excuse.

He stood up, strode over, and walked directly to her.

Su Nianhe stepped back, her waist hitting the edge of the bedside table, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.

Shen Huai lowered his head, his gaze falling unabashedly on the collar.

"Why are you running?" He reached out and grabbed her wrist.

"It's all done, I'm going back..." Su Nianhe exclaimed in a low voice, but before she could finish speaking, Shen Huai grabbed her with his long arm.

The man was incredibly strong; he pulled her over and sat down on the edge of the bed, pressing her onto his lap.

Su Nianhe was so frightened that she put her hands on his chest.

"Shen Huai..." She was so anxious that her face turned pale, afraid of waking up Liu Huizhen and Shen Wanshan next door.

"I'll hug you for a bit, then I'll tell you." Shen Huai wrapped one arm around her waist, rested his chin on the top of her head, and held her tightly.

The two hugged each other.

Shen Huai's Adam's apple swayed violently.

He originally wanted to have a proper talk with her.