First, then, love.

The word "husband" was crisp, soft, and had a slightly moist quality, like someone who had just finished drinking hot soup.

Under the bright kitchen ceiling light, it pierced He Zheng's ears clearly.

He Zheng's fingers trembled as he stared at her upturned peach blossom eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing wildly.

"Say it again."

When he spoke, his voice was so hoarse it was completely distorted, like a wolf whose fur had been stroked.

Shu Yao felt a chill run down her spine looking at his murderous expression.

She took a half step back, put her hands behind her back, and raised her chin slightly.

"I won't call you that anymore. I won't repeat myself."

She turned around, intending to slip back to her bedroom.

He Zheng was not about to let her go.

He stretched out his long arm, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back forcefully.

Shu Yao exclaimed in surprise and bumped directly into his hard arms.

"Should we call or not?"

He lowered his head, his nose almost touching hers, a dangerous glint flashing in his dark eyes.

"Let me go... I'm still sick..." Shu Yao struggled guiltily, kicking his shin with her toes.

"Being sick won't stop you from learning from your mistakes."

He Zheng lowered his head and bit her fair neck, not with force, but just gently grinding it with his teeth.

The red marks left from last night haven't faded yet, and now new ones have appeared.

Shu Yao felt weak all over from his teasing, and a tingling sensation spread through her bones.

"He Zheng, you bastard...you're a dog..."

She blushed and scolded him.

"Call me husband," he said persistently, like a robber, his teeth lingering on her earlobe, his hot breath drilling into her ear canal.

"Don't call me..."

"Really not going to call out?"

He Zheng sneered, and his large hand slid down her waist, supporting her.

Shu Yao froze in fright, fearing that the bandit might actually do something outrageous in the kitchen.

"Husband! Husband! He Lao Er, you're so annoying!"

She shouted with her eyes closed, her voice filled with a sense of shame and resentment at having given up.

He Zheng was finally satisfied. He released his grip and gently placed her on the ground, his thumb rubbing against the corner of her reddened eyes.

"Alright, go back to your room and sleep. Don't cause any trouble these next few days, I'm really struggling to hold back."

He turned around, walked to the sink, turned on the cold water tap, and splashed the icy water hard on his face.

He tried to extinguish the raging fire that was rising from his lower abdomen.

Shu Yao looked at his broad back, bit her lip, and a smile flashed in her eyes.

She turned and ran back to the master bedroom.

*

Time flies, and it's already the end of December.

The southern part of the city has entered the depths of winter, so cold that one's breath freezes into ice.

There's an unwritten rule in the police force that they hold a family reunion dinner every year at the end of the year.

Firstly, it's a reward for the brothers' hard work throughout the year, and secondly, it's a way for the families to get to know each other and strengthen their relationships. After all, in the special police profession, people risk their lives, and the support of their families is more important than anything else.

In previous years, He Zheng always went alone.

He was the captain, with a cold, ruthless face, sitting in the main seat.

He drinks when his brothers offer him a toast, and nods when his family members exchange pleasantries; he is a veritable, emotionless, and malevolent statue.

But this year is different.

The cycad has blossomed, and the King of Hell has taken a wife.

The entire special police detachment, from Deputy Captain Li to the newly recruited interns, was eagerly awaiting this dinner party.

Everyone wanted to see what kind of deity could tether this unreasonable wolf.

Saturday, 6 p.m.

The walk-in closet in the master bedroom was brightly lit.

Shu Yao stood in front of the huge full-length mirror, her face full of worry.

There were already more than a dozen pieces of clothing on the bed, coats, skirts, sweaters, piled up haphazardly.

He Zheng, dressed in a pure black casual windbreaker, leaned against the door frame, casually watching her fuss around.

"Just wear that white down jacket, wrap yourself up warmly, it's cold outside."

He simply couldn't understand this elaborate ritual that women performed before leaving the house, a ritual even more complicated than bomb disposal.

"What do you know?"

Shu Yao rolled her eyes at him, holding up a wine-red velvet dress and holding it up against herself.

"This is the first time I've met your colleagues and family. You look like a ball in your down jacket. It's embarrassing for you."

"I don't need you to save face."

He Zheng walked over, snatched the velvet dress from her hand, and threw it back onto the bed.

"That dress exposes your neck completely, and it's minus three degrees today. Do you want to freeze to death on the street?"

He pulled out a thick, white, turtleneck cashmere sweater and a pair of slim-fitting black fleece-lined trousers from deep inside the closet.

Throw it in front of her.

"Wear this."

The tone was commanding, leaving no room for negotiation.

Shu Yao glared at the turtleneck sweater that looked so hot, and was furious.

"It's awful! How am I supposed to match this?! I'm going to wear that camel coat!"

"Whatever you like, but you must wear this underneath."

He Zheng took a step back, put his hands in his pockets, and watched her change her clothes.

Shu Yao couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she angrily took off her pajamas and put on the turtleneck sweater.

The tight-fitting cashmere fabric, though covering her up completely, perfectly accentuated her slender figure.

She has a full chest and a slender waist.

He Zheng's eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Don't wear too much makeup, hurry up, Lao Li and the others have arrived," he urged, then turned to go to the living room to wait for her.

Half an hour later.

Shu Yao finally finished her ordeal.

She wore a thick white cashmere sweater, over which she wore a high-quality camel-colored handmade double-faced wool coat.

Black trousers hugged her straight, slender legs, and she wore a pair of black ankle boots.

Her long hair was permed into soft waves and casually draped over her shoulders.

She wore delicate, light makeup and chose a soft mauve lipstick.

She looked both warm and exuded a natural air of nobility and radiance.

"Let's go."

She carried a dark green Hermès Birkin bag and went to the entryway to change her shoes.

He Zheng looked at her, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

He casually picked up a few exquisite paper bags from the entryway cabinet and carried them in his hand.

The two went out the door and down to the underground parking garage.

A black SUV roared out of Jinxiu Huating.