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

Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Shen Huai gently rubbed her head with his fingers and then withdrew his hand.

He changed his sitting posture, his long legs casually spread out, the collar of his white shirt unbuttoned, exuding an unusual air of leisure.

"Alright, enough laughing, let's get down to business," Shen Huai said calmly.

Su Nianhe placed her hands on her knees, looking like she was listening attentively.

"I probably won't be able to come to see you every day these next few days," Shen Huai said bluntly.

Su Nianhe paused, the smile that had been on her face fading slightly, and subconsciously asked, "What's wrong? Do we have to work overtime at the factory?"

"Not at the factory." Shen Huai looked at her, his silhouette particularly clear in the night. "It's my dad. The doctor said he absolutely cannot be subjected to any more stimulation and must rest."

He paused, then laid it all out: "If I disappear every day after work and don't stay in the compound, he'll definitely know I'm out looking for you. Then my blood pressure will spike and I'll have to go to the emergency room."

Su Nianhe understood.

"I understand," she said softly and understandingly. "You need to stay home with him. Don't worry about me; I'm thinking about setting up the stall, I'll be busy."

Hearing her sensible demeanor, Shen Huai's chest heaved, and he let out a soft chuckle.

"I'm telling you this not so you can assign me tasks." Shen Huai stretched out his long arm, pinched her cheek, and pulled it outwards. "I'm just worried that you'll be lost in thought, wandering around this courtyard all day without me."

"What am I thinking about?" Su Nianhe slapped his hand away, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"You're wondering if I've been set up on blind dates by my family, or if I'm being pressured into leaving you." Shen Huai mercilessly spilled all her little schemes. "The sour smell of you cutting meat in the kitchen—if you didn't see me for a few days, you could drink the whole vat of vinegar in the yard."

Su Nianhe was so embarrassed by him that she couldn't stand it anymore and tried to push his arm away with both hands.

"I'm not jealous, don't talk nonsense."

"It's best if you haven't eaten." Shen Huai took the opportunity to grab her wrist and pull her closer to him. "I'm telling you all this today to lay everything out in the compound. Anyway, I've already laid everything out there."

Su Nianhe's wrist was held by him, and the warmth of his palm flowed continuously through her.

"Did you argue with Uncle Shen again?"

"We didn't argue. He just got angry on his own, and I told him the result," Shen Huai said casually. "I told my family I wanted to marry you. It's a done deal, and no one can change that."

Su Nianhe's heart skipped a beat.

The word "marriage," when uttered by him, always carries an irresistible weight.

"But your parents..."

"Whether they agree or not is not important." Shen Huai interrupted her, cupping her hand in his palm and gently rubbing the back of her hand with his fingertips. "But don't feel burdened."

He leaned back in the bamboo chair and looked at her.

"I know you're young, only eighteen. The reason I spoke so definitively in the compound today was purely because of my own eagerness. I want to settle things with you as soon as possible, to put an end to their attempts to force someone else into your life, and to prevent those shady people outside from eyeing you."

Shen Huai spoke very clearly.

"If we really want to get married and have a wedding banquet, it'll have to be at least two years. We'll get married when you're ready. You can get married whenever you want, I won't force you."

Su Nianhe sat in the chair, listening to his words, and her eyes inexplicably welled up with tears.

From childhood to adulthood, in that village where sons were favored over daughters, all she heard was scheming.

Su Dahe calculated how much dowry she could get with her figure, while the bachelors in the village plotted how to take advantage of her.

No one has ever paved the way for her like Shen Huai has, and shouldered all the pressure himself.

He could even see through her anxieties about marriage and the future, and reassured her in advance.

He always verbally taught her how to scheme and how to take advantage of him, but in reality, he left her with all the escape routes.

Su Nianhe stood up and took a step forward.

Shen Huai was still sitting in the chair, thinking she was going inside to get something. Just as he was about to let go, Su Nianhe stepped directly between his long legs, bent down, and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

This happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.

Shen Huai froze for half a second, then naturally opened his arms, his large hands gripping her lower back and pulling her into his embrace.

Su Nianhe's face was pressed against his broad chest, her nose filled with the pleasant, refreshing scent of soapberry.

"What's wrong?" Shen Huai rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice a little hoarse. "Trying to throw yourself into my arms?"

Su Nianhe ignored his teasing and hugged him even tighter.

"I know you're in a difficult position." Su Nianhe's voice was muffled, revealing an unusual submissiveness and heartache. "You should talk to Uncle Shen properly first, and don't upset him. I'm doing fine here, I have things to do, and I'm not overthinking things."

As Shen Huai listened to her soft, sweet voice, he stroked her back with his large hand, applying just the right amount of pressure.

"Are you really not overthinking it?"

"I won't overthink it," Su Nianhe assured him.

"What about that female college student in the yellow dress?" Shen Huai deliberately brought up old grievances.

Su Nianhe blushed deeply and bumped her head against his chest.

"You still bring her up."

"I'm just letting you know in advance, so that Boss Su won't get distracted and miscalculate the accounts." Shen Huai let her bump into him, and pinched her waist with his large hand.

"That's right, not even ten minutes." Su Nianhe was unusually stubborn about this, but her voice was sweet and innocent.

Shen Huai's chest trembled, and he burst out laughing.

"Okay, I'll avoid her from now on." Shen Huai agreed readily, even with a hint of teasing. "Our Boss Su is so petty, I wouldn't dare to do that again."

Su Nianhe nestled in his arms, listening to his strong and powerful heartbeat, and felt a sense of security she had never felt before.

The two hugged for a while, occasionally a dog barked in the alley, and the sound of a model opera playing on a television set in the distance.

Shen Huai simply put his arm around her and chatted casually.

It was late at night, and the wind blew through the clothesline in the yard, making a slight swaying sound.

Shen Huai patted her on the back.

"Alright, get up." His voice was even hoarseer.

Su Nianhe released her grip, straightened up, and straightened the wrinkled corners of her clothes.

Shen Huai stood up, but instead of leaving immediately, he turned and walked into the main room.

Su Nianhe followed behind him, wondering what he was up to.

The lights were off inside; only the moonlight from outside shone in.

Shen Huai walked to the window, reached out and pulled on the window sash, pushed the iron latch all the way down, and tested its sturdiness.

"This pin is a bit loose. I'll have Li Tiejun bring a screwdriver to tighten it tomorrow," Shen Huai said as he inspected the pin.

After confirming that the windows were closed tightly, he went to the kitchen and checked the faucet.

"Be careful at night if you live alone," Shen Huai said as he came out. "Although everyone living in this alley is a factory worker, there's no guarantee that no idlers won't wander around."

"I'm a very light sleeper; I wake up at the slightest noise," Su Nianhe said.

"Even if you're a light sleeper, you still have to lock the doors and windows. Don't open the door if someone knocks." Shen Huai walked into the courtyard and picked up the black briefcase from the stone table.

He walked to the courtyard gate and pushed open the mottled red lacquered wooden door.

Su Nianhe followed him to the door and looked at him.

"Go in." Shen Huai stood outside the door, his figure blending into the night, only his white shirt standing out.

"Then ride your bike slowly on the road," Su Nianhe instructed.

"Close the door." Shen Huai didn't move, but gestured with his chin towards the door. "I'll watch you lock it."

Su Nianhe had no choice but to close the two wooden doors.

Through the crack in the door, Shen Huai stood there watching her. His tall figure was extremely imposing, yet gave her a great sense of security.

She picked up the thick wooden bar behind the door, stuck it across the door, and closed it with a crisp "click".

"It's locked," Su Nianhe said through the door.

"Hmm." Shen Huai's voice sounded from outside the door, sounding very close. "I'll have Li Tiejun bring you breakfast tomorrow morning on his way."

"No need to trouble Section Chief Li, I can cook noodles myself," Su Nianhe quickly refused.

"It's no trouble for him, he's going that way anyway," Shen Huai said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Then came the sound of a bicycle kicking open, followed by the fading sound of a chain turning.

Su Nianhe leaned against the door, listening to the sounds outside completely disappear, and couldn't help but smile.

She turned and went back into the house, her heart filled with enthusiasm for tomorrow.