First, then, love.

The next day, at 7:30 in the morning.

Shu Yao stood in front of the full-length mirror in the dressing room, scrutinizing her outfit with a critical eye.

It was still snowing outside, and the temperature had dropped to minus ten degrees Celsius.

She chose a high-necked black cashmere undershirt and wore a thick, off-white short down jacket over it.

She wore a pair of slim-fitting dark blue fleece-lined jeans that perfectly hugged her straight and slender legs, and a pair of warm Martin boots on her feet.

Neat and warm, yet unable to conceal her innate radiant charm.

Step out of the dressing room.

He Zheng had already changed his clothes and was waiting for her in the entryway.

Today he changed into a crisp SWAT training uniform.

The dark blue fabric was cold, stiff, and austere, its cut fitting his broad shoulders and muscular chest.

He wore a tactical vest over his clothes, with the words "SWAT" printed prominently in white on his chest. The belt around his waist accentuated his muscular physique. Although he wasn't carrying a gun, his masculine aura was still undeniable.

He was wearing black high-top military boots.

He stood there like a drawn blade, and even the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.

Shu Yao was stunned for a moment, her gaze sweeping over him, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes.

Are you wearing your uniform today?

"Yes, there's a general meeting at the bureau this morning," He Zheng glanced at her, seemingly satisfied with her well-covered outfit.

He strode over and picked up the cello case.

"Come on, I'll take you to work."

*

The car drove out of the residential area and merged into the congested traffic of the morning rush hour.

The heating in the carriage was on full blast, dispelling the bitter cold outside.

Shu Yao sat in the passenger seat, watching the snow rushing past the car window. In a great mood, she hummed a cheerful tune.

He Zheng held the steering wheel with one hand, his eyes focused intently on the road ahead.

"Once you get to the lobby, go straight to the elevator. Don't linger in the corridor. Have a colleague bring you lunch. Try not to go downstairs."

As he drove, he gave instructions like a worried old father.

"Send me a WeChat message ten minutes before you leave work. Don't come out until I'm at the main gate."

Shu Yao found him too long-winded and covered her ears.

"I know, I know, Aunt He, you've said it eight hundred times already, I'm not a three-year-old."

He Zheng snorted coldly, ignoring her complaints, and sped up the car a few more times.

Twenty minutes later.

The SUV arrogantly turned into the gate of the Starry Sky Art Center.

He Zheng slammed on the brakes, stopping aggressively at the bottom of the steps leading to the main entrance of the art center's first-floor lobby.

Parking is strictly prohibited in this location under normal circumstances; it is a fire lane.

But the security guard was about to take the alarm and go forward to drive them away.

I glanced at the massive SUV, then looked through the windshield at the man in the driver's seat wearing a SWAT uniform.

The old man silently put the alarm back in his pocket, turned around, and pretended to study the thickness of the snow today.

Ok.

It's quite thick.

Did it cover your feet?

Yeah, it's over.

It was the morning rush hour.

People were coming and going at the entrance of the hall; they were all colleagues and staff of the orchestra, holding umbrellas and hurrying about.

The off-road vehicle's engine stalled.

He Zheng pushed open the car door, took long strides out, walked around the wide front of the car, and walked to the passenger side, opening the door.

With one hand protecting the edge of the car roof to prevent her from hitting her head, and with the other hand holding Shu Yao's hand, he helped her down.

Shu Yao, wearing a white down jacket, stood next to the tall and imposing He Zheng, looking as petite as a white dove protected under his wings.

Colleagues passing by all subconsciously slowed down their pace.

Their eyes all turned to look this way.

The air was filled with barely suppressed gasps and whispers.

"That's Shu Yao's husband? My goodness, that physique is so reassuring!"

"Didn't you see their uniform? They're from the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Special Police Unit!"

"That aura is terrifying. Just looking at it makes my legs go weak. I wonder if Shu Yao gets beaten up at home?"

"What do you know? This is called Beauty and the Beast. Look at how carefully he protects his wife. It's so sweet."

Qiaoqiao had just bought two hot Americanos from the coffee shop next door and walked to the door when she bumped into this scene.

I almost dropped the coffee in my hand.

The spectacle and the scale of it were like bringing a scene from a novel into reality.

He Zheng completely ignored all the gossipy and inquisitive gazes around him.

He opened the trunk and lifted the cello case out with one hand.

"Come on, I'll take you inside."

"No need, just stay at the entrance. There are too many people inside," Shu Yao said, her cheeks slightly flushed. She felt a little embarrassed being surrounded by so many people and reached out to take the violin case.

"Stop talking nonsense."

He Zheng avoided her hand, picked up the violin case, and strode towards the glass revolving door.

Shu Yao could only obediently follow behind him.

Two figures, one in black and one in white, entered the magnificent lobby of the art center.

He Zheng's cold, sharp gaze swept across the entire hall like a hawk's radar.

Any gaze that lingers on Shu Yao for more than three seconds will be met with a fierce glare from him.

People around them quickly made way for them, creating a spacious, barrier-free passageway in the crowded morning rush hour hall.

The journey was smooth and unobstructed, leading directly to the employee elevator.

"Ding," the elevator doors opened.

He Zheng placed the heavy violin case into the inner part of the elevator car.

He stood outside the door, raised his hand, and helped Shu Yao straighten the collar of her down jacket, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Wait for me after get off work, don't wander off."

He whispered his instructions.

Shu Yao nodded, her peach blossom eyes filled with a bright smile.

"Okay, honey."

The elevator doors slowly closed.

It blocked He Zheng's tall and straight figure.

As Shu Yao watched the floor numbers change, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up in a wide smile.

My heart felt like it had been filled with a soft cloud, swelling up and burning with warmth.