Cheating on her husband's mistress? I seduced her third son.

Su Yutang immediately hung up the phone, threw off the covers, got out of bed, ran to the entrance, and opened the door.

Outside.

Shen Jibai was putting away his phone.

He was wearing a beige casual jacket and trousers, looking clean and refreshing, with a gentle and handsome air that was completely non-threatening.

He gave Su Yutang a warm smile: "Tangtang!"

Just as Su Yutang was about to speak, Shen Jibai's gaze fell on her bare feet.

He frowned slightly, and almost immediately stepped forward, picked her up in his arms without saying a word, and closed the door behind him.

He carried her all the way back to the bedroom, gently placed her on the edge of the bed, and then knelt down on one knee.

He held her slightly cool feet, lowered his head, gently breathed warm air on them, and rubbed them a few times with his palms until he felt warmth. Then he took the slippers next to him and carefully put them on her.

After doing all this, he looked up and said with concern, "The ground is cold. You're not allowed to run around without shoes in the future."

Looking at her best friend, who had been so considerate and attentive to her for years, Su Yutang felt incredibly warm inside.

She couldn't help but reach out, hug his head, and gently press him into her arms.

"I was wondering why I hadn't seen you these past few days. Turns out you went to my parents' place and even helped them fix their house and bought them a new house in my name."

She paused, her fingers unconsciously stroking his soft hair, her tone a mixture of sincere gratitude and a hint of helplessness.

How can I ever repay this favor?

Shen Jibai buried his face in her chest and wrapped his arms around her waist, maintaining this almost snuggling position.

"Tangtang, this is what I should do. Your parents are my parents too. I'm good to you, so naturally I should be good to them as well. Besides, they're getting old and have worked hard all their lives. They deserve to live comfortably. You don't need to thank me or think about repaying any favors. There's no need for such formality between us!"

This perfectly timed thoughtfulness and intimacy enveloped Su Yutang like warm water.

Touched, she subconsciously wanted to find a more stable position for the relationship because of his meticulous care, which she had developed over a long period of time.

She gently stroked his hair, her tone sincere.

"Ji Bai, shall I acknowledge you as my older brother? Although I already have an older brother, I don't mind having another one. From now on, I'll treat you as my own brother, okay?"

"not good!"

Shen Jibai seemed to have been struck by the suggestion, his most sensitive nerve, and he recoiled almost instantly.

His voice was a few decibels higher than usual. After a moment, he realized that he had overreacted and quickly steadied his voice, but still shook his head resolutely.

"I don't want to be your brother!"

The true feelings that were about to burst out of his mind were held firmly between his lips.

He hastily lowered his head, avoiding her surprised gaze, his chest heaving almost imperceptibly.

The air froze for a few seconds.

When he looked up again, he had already tried to adjust his expression, and even tried to curve the corners of his mouth into the usual smile of a close female friend.

"I still prefer being your best friend. Being called 'brother' or something is too formal. Being best friends is so much better. We can talk about anything and there's no distance between us."

His explanation instantly dispelled Su Yutang's surprise.

She smiled and reached out to ruffle his soft hair.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. Let's be best friends for life and take care of each other. If you ever need any help, just let me know."

"I know I may not be able to help you much right now, but just ask. As long as it's within my power, I'll do my best to help you."

Her smile was warm and genuine, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Shen Jibai's hands, hanging silently at his sides, tightened silently, his fingertips sinking slightly into his palms.

Best friends for life...

He silently repeated the words in his heart, as if he were holding a bitter melon coated in honey.

What he wanted was never just to stand beside her and share her joys and sorrows.

What he wanted was to be uniquely etched into her life, to weather storms together, and to be the only place he could find solace in.

Now, he can only carefully hide this burning ambition within the safe yet heartbreaking identity of "best friend".

He looked up and gave her a smile that was equally flawless and incredibly gentle.

"good!"

He responded softly, his voice so steady that not a trace of emotion could be detected.

Sudden.

His gaze inadvertently swept over her neck and shoulders, and he paused.

There were several fresh, ambiguous-colored hickeys scattered there.

His mood instantly plummeted.

Su Yutang noticed his gaze, followed it and looked down, her fingers unconsciously touching her neck, a hint of embarrassment appearing on her face.

"Um... Gu Xizhou slept here last night, but... I didn't let him have his way! We just kissed, nothing more."

After the explanation, her curiosity seemed to resurface.

She turned her head and looked curiously at Shen Jibai's neck and shoulders, even reaching out to gently tug at his collar.

It was spotless, without a trace.

She looked up, puzzled, and asked bluntly, as if sharing a secret with a close friend:

"How are things between you and your partner? Have you been intimate lately?"

Shen Jibai paused slightly. This question was like a small hammer, gently tapping on his already aching heart.

He looked at the unsuspecting woman in front of him, who even seemed concerned, his Adam's apple bobbed, and in the end he could only shake his head helplessly, managing a very faint, bitter smile.

"No, we're still in the Cold War."

Looking at the disappointment and gloom on his face, Su Yutang felt a pang of pity.

She reached out and stroked his handsome face, her tone tinged with helplessness.

"Poor child, alright, stop looking so gloomy. Here's what we'll do: come to my place tonight, and we'll finish what we didn't do last time! Let me teach you how to please your man, hmm?"

Seeing Shen Jibai stunned, she added with a smile.

"I'm busy during the day, I have some things to take care of at the Gu family's. How about we have a proper discussion about the anatomy of the body tonight?"

Shen Jibai's heart clenched suddenly, then began to pound wildly.

A surge of scalding heat rushed to the top of his head, burning his ears bright red.

"I...I..."

He took a deep breath, trying to appear calm, but his voice was still trembling with excitement.

"Okay! I... I'll take a good shower when I get back and make sure I'm clean..."

Su Yutang shook her head, her fingertips tracing his burning earlobe.

"No need for that."

Looking into his expectant eyes, she uttered a few words that made his blood almost boil.

"Let's shower together tonight!"