First, then, love.

The cello's final notes slowly faded away in the rehearsal hall.

Lin stood on the stage, looking down at Shu Yao.

This woman endured two whole weeks of intense rehearsals.

Not only did it not collapse, but it also raised the overall momentum of the cello section to an unprecedented height.

"That's all for today." Commander Lin put down his baton, his tone unusually relaxed. "Everyone go back and get some rest. Dismissed."

A collective sigh of relief filled the rehearsal hall.

Shu Yao loosened her grip on the bow; her fingertips were numb.

She stood up and put the cello back into its case.

"Yaoyao, let's go grab a late-night snack? To celebrate surviving the training camp." Her colleague came over and put her arm around her shoulder.

"I'm not going." Shu Yao slung her violin case over her shoulder. "I have to go home."

It's been a week.

That man went to the provincial department for closed training; today is his last day.

She was eager to return home.

*

It's 11 p.m.

Shu Yao pushed open the car door, picked up the violin case, and walked into the elevator.

As I approached my front door, the fingerprint lock emitted a crisp "beep".

The door opened.

A warm yellow motion-sensor light was shining in the entryway.

The air was filled with the familiar, refreshing scent of minty shower gel.

Shu Yao's gaze went downwards.

On the black marble floor of the entryway, a pair of gleaming uniform shoes lay casually tossed about, next to a black work bag.

He is back.

"God of War?" Shu Yao exclaimed.

No dog responded.

The big black dog that usually pounces on you long ago is nowhere to be seen today. He Zheng probably locked it on the balcony because he thought it was in the way.

Shu Yao put the violin case aside.

I changed into slippers and went inside.

From the direction of the bathroom, the sound of running water could be heard, and a warm yellow glow emanated from the frosted glass door.

She walked to the sofa, just about to put her bag down.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped.

The door was pulled open with a "click".

He Zheng walked out from inside.

He had just finished showering and wasn't wearing a shirt; his lower body was only casually wrapped in a white bath towel.

His short hair was dripping wet.

Broad shoulders, well-defined eight-pack abs, water droplets sliding down the muscle lines and disappearing into the edge of the bath towel.

He was holding a towel and haphazardly wiping his hair.

Looking up, I saw Shu Yao standing in the center of the living room.

Their eyes met in the dim air.

He Zheng stopped drying his hair and casually tossed the towel onto the single sofa next to him.

He strode over.

Shu Yao hadn't even had a chance to speak.

A tall, hot body pressed down on her, its thick arms grabbing her slender waist and lifting her up sharply.

Shu Yao gasped in surprise, her feet leaving the ground.

He pinned her against the cold entryway wall.

"He Lao Er..."

The man's face loomed closer, sealing her lips with his own. His tongue pried open her teeth, carrying the coolness of mint and the domineering nature unique to men, penetrating deep inside.

Shu Yao was breathless from his kisses, and her hands instinctively clung to his broad, warm shoulders, her nails digging into his firm muscles.

"Did you miss me?"

During a pause to catch his breath, his thin lips brushed against her earlobe, his voice hoarse and irritating.

His hot breath sprayed onto her sensitive neck.

"I didn't expect..." Shu Yao said stubbornly, but her eyes were filled with tears.

He Zheng sneered.

His large hand slipped under the hem of her silk shirt, kneading the soft flesh of her waist with his palm.

"Didn't think about it? Then why are you having insomnia?"

He lowered his head and bit her collarbone.

It wasn't forceful, but rather a punitive gnaw.

"I can't handle the pressure of this tour!" Shu Yao winced in pain. "Are you a dog...?"

"Is the sleeping soup tasty?" He looked up, his dark eyes fixed on her.

"It tastes good. It's so bitter."

"Of course, you have to swallow the poison too."

He Zheng supported her thigh with one hand and lifted her up.

He strode to the center of the living room.

The two of them slumped heavily into the large, genuine leather sofa.

He Zheng rolled over and pressed down on her, squeezing his legs between her knees.

"How was your violin playing? Did you embarrass yourself?" He looked down at her, his fingers roughly unbuttoning her shirt.

"I didn't lose it, I'm still the chief." Shu Yao raised her chin, her eyes full of pride.

"Okay, you didn't embarrass yourself."

He Zheng's eyes darkened, a fierce fire burning within them.

"Now it's my turn to test your physical strength."

The bath towel was pulled off and fell onto the carpet.

The sofa made a dull creaking sound.

"He Zheng... the curtains aren't drawn..." Shu Yao pushed his chest in a panic.

"On the 22nd floor, who can see it?"

He let out a low growl, silencing all her resistance.

The temperature in the living room rose sharply.

A violent storm.

There was no tender preamble; it was all about direct demands.

More than an hour later.

The living room carpet was a mess.

Shu Yao slumped on the sofa like a dehydrated fish, panting heavily, her whole body so weak that she couldn't even lift a finger.

He Zheng sat up, his chest heaving violently.

He glanced down at the woman on the sofa, whose eyes were red and whose body was covered in red marks.

His eyes darkened; his anger hadn't subsided at all.

He bent down and picked her up horizontally again.

"What are you doing... I don't want it anymore..." Shu Yao was so frightened that she shrank into his arms.

"You're all sweaty, let me take you to take a shower."

He Zheng carried her and strode into the bathroom.

With a "bang".

The bathroom door was kicked shut.

When the showerhead is turned on, warm water cascades down.

The narrow shower room was filled with steam.

He Zheng pinned her against the frosted glass, which was covered in water droplets.

A large hand gripped the back of her neck, forcing her to tilt her head back.

"Still hiding?" His voice was even lower than the sound of flowing water.

They pressed it down again.

This time, accompanied by the sound of water, the movements were even more unrestrained.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one.

the next day.

When Shu Yao woke up, it was already 10 a.m.

My whole body feels like it's been disassembled and reassembled. I'm incredibly sore.

He Zheng was not in bed.

On the bedside table was a glass of warm water and a note with wildly written handwriting.

[Going to the provincial government building, will be back in the evening. There's food in the fridge, heat it up yourself.]

Shu Yao rubbed her aching back, blushing as she muttered "beast" under her breath.

*

At the same time.

Jiangcheng No. 1 Detention Center. Visiting room.

The iron fence divided the room in two.

Wang Lei, wearing a blue and yellow detention center vest, sat on an iron chair.

His head was wrapped in gauze, and his wrist was in a cast.

Sitting opposite him was a young man with dyed yellow hair and a roguish look on his face.

"Brother Lei, your hand..." Huang Mao gasped as he looked at Wang Lei's miserable state.

"Damn it, don't even mention it."

Wang Lei spat. His eyes were sinister.

"That kid in black was ruthless. When I get out of here, I'm going to kill him."

Huang Mao lowered his voice: "Brother Lei, I inquired at the South Ring Police Station. Deputy Director Sun said that the guy who arrested you is a tough nut to crack. He's from the Municipal Special Police Team. He wants you to stay in there for a few days to lay low until the injury assessment comes out. You'll only be detained for fifteen days at most."

Wang Lei sneered, his face contorted with rage.

"That bitch dared to have someone mess with me. I won't let this go."

He leaned forward, close to the glass.