Two hours prior.

  Huo Qiudong woke up to the pleasant sunlight washing over his tiled floor. It sprawled over his rug, turning it from white into a yellow hue. Surprisingly, he had a very pleasant sleep. The sound of Chapin’s piano piece filled the spacious room. He spent five minutes stretching before rolling out of his bed and shutting off the tiny piano alarm clock by his nightstand. He stretched a bit more before opening his white, linen curtains, allowing more sunshine to seep into the room. He closed his eyes and basked in the warmth. My, what a good morning—


  AHHHHH!

  —Or not.

  He was shaken by the obnoxious shrill cries in his apartment. If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought someone was being murdered next door. What exactly was going on?! He wondered if he should make a noise complaint to the neighbor. Then it dawned on him. He didn’t have a next-door neighbor. There were only two apartments on every floor. That was how large his apartment was.

  ’I screwed up. Big time.’ He thought to himself, grabbing a robe and storming to the guest bedroom. He swung the door open and there she was, in all of her screaming glory.

  "Wh-who?! Y-you?? W-what? H-h-how?!" Yang Ruqin stammered. She was a fumbling mess and was holding onto her blanket like a dress. She acted like she woke up naked when in reality it was just a different set of clothes.

  "D-did we……?" She trailed off, her eyes falling to the floor in horror. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She wanted to fling herself out of the inviting window. It was better than facing this……this predicament!

  "What? Made love?"

  "Don’t say it like that! You make it sound like we’re in love." She buried her face into her hands. ’My God, why did I have to drink so much?! What happened last night?’ It was a blur. She didn’t know how she got here or what prompted her to come here.

  Huo Qiudong was offended. Her words cut deeper than he anticipated. He kept his mouth tightly shut. The rolling clouds in his eyes were an understatement for how enraged he was by her words. He considered her more than a friend, even saw her as a woman.

  Love was still a far stretch, but he knew his heartfelt something for the little fawn on his bed. He didn’t give out nicknames or invite people to sleep in his house to just anyone. He didn’t allow her inside just because she was his boss’ best friend or President Yang’s younger sister. He invited her inside because he actually cared about her. And unlike his incredibly dense boss, he knew what it meant when his heart sped up at the sight of a person.

  "If you’re done with this self-argument, I have to get ready for the day and head off to work. Feel free to make yourself at home and leave whenever you like. The front door locks behind you."

  Yang Ruqin shuddered. The iciness of his voice could freeze the whole ocean. His voice reminded her of Yang Feng, except it had its own unique edge. She felt like she was reprimanded by a Headmaster.

  Guilt swarmed her. "Did……Did I offend you?"

  Yes.

  "No." Huo Qiudong left without looking back. He would’ve dramatically slammed the door, but his door didn’t have that capability. The door, no matter how hard you slam it, would always close with a soft "click." It was designed to be that way since he didn’t like loud noises. At this moment, he wished it didn’t behave so perfectly.

  "I definitely offended him." Yang Ruqin huffed under her breath, climbing out of the bed, groaning in pain at the massive headache that kicked in. She took an eternity to hobble out of the bedroom, but Huo Qiudong was nowhere to be found. She sat on top of the stool tucked below the kitchen counter. She lazily swung her legs and her eyes lit up when Huo Qiudong finally came out of his room, freshly dressed, but very disheveled? Was he lost in thought while getting dressed?

  "What?" He asked her, settling his briefcase on top of the kitchen counter.

  "I-I’m hungry." She sheepishly said with a tiny smile, batting her lashes at him.

  His eyes narrowed. She knew her charm, that was for sure. "I can’t cook."

  Yu Pingluo could. The thought flashed in her mind faster than she could think twice. Her smile slipped. She didn’t want to remember their mornings in the house. Filled with laughter, aromatics, and love, she desperately wanted to go back to those days.

  Huo Qiudong didn’t know how to react to her glum expression. "Trust me, if I knew how to cook, I would cook for you." He gestured to the practically unused kitchen stove. "See, brand new and untouched."

  "Fine. Give me some painkillers and water please." She curtly said.

  His lips twitched. Weren’t wealthy people supposed to be well-mannered? He saw a spoiled brat sitting in front of him.

  "Please." He told her.

  "What?"

  "You have to say please and ask. It’s the least respectful thing you can do if you want something."

  Why this— Yang Ruqin cursed him out inside of her head. She was used to having everything handed to her on a golden platter. "Please give me a painkiller and a glass of water."

  "Where’s the ask part?"

  "I’ll get Feifei to fire you, you jerk!"

  "On what complaint?" His lips curved into a tiny smile that she didn’t realize. This little pup thought she was a German Shepard.

  "You’re bullying me."

  Huo Qiudong wondered what he got himself into. "I’m teaching you manners."

  "I do have manners!" Yang Ruqin found him insufferable. Their blind date went well, but the more she got to know him, the more she was growing annoyed by him. She was constantly teased by Yang Yulong, she did not want another bully.

  His eyes skimmed over her perfect posture. "You have etiquette. Not manners." He sighed and checked the clock. His eyes widened at how fast time had slipped from his hands. He was going to be late if he continued arguing with her.

  Yang Ruqin opened her mouth, ready to argue but he turned his back to her and disappeared. He came back a minute later with a pack of painkillers. He grabbed a clean glass cup, filled it with lukewarm water from the dispenser and then settled it in front of her.

  "I’m going to be nice right now because I am going to be late for work." He swiveled around and was prepared to walk to the shoe cabinet when he felt something tugging at the back of his suit.

  He breathed in through his nose and willed himself to be patient with this woman. He was ready for her to say another remark, like, opening the packet of painkillers for her.

  "Thank you……" She whispered, her hand clutching the suit tighter.

  Huo Qiudong’s tense posture relaxed. "You’re welcome."

  "And I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to sound bratty."

  Maybe it was because Huo Qiudong was too kind-hearted, for he easily forgave her. She sounded very apologetic. It was not every day a woman like her knew how to apologize. He faced her and gave her a gentle pat on the head. "Everyone makes mistakes." He said.

  It was three simple words that anyone could have told her. Oddly enough, hearing him say it mattered a lot. Yang Ruqin pondered his words and stared at her hands. Everyone makes mistakes……? She bit her bottom lip as a wave of emotions rolled over her timid frame.

  Huo Qiudong grabbed his suitcase, slipped on his freshly polished leather shoes, and left before she could respond. He was in a hurry to get to the office and forgot to take a second glance in the mirror.