Chapter 4: Alcoholic Neighbor.

The cramped bathroom was filled with a mix of perfume, sweat, and the scent of hibiscus.

Yan Ruyue’s stunning face became hazy, distorted in Lu Zhao’s eyes, enveloping him completely.

Feeling the person in her arms tightly clutching her waist, Yan Ruyue’s heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment, her desire for control immensely satisfied.

Hmph, all that tough talk, but your body’s so honest, isn’t it?

Her high heels rhythmically tapped the floor with each sway of her body.

Knock, knock, knock. An untimely knock at the door, followed by a voice that made both their hearts skip a beat.

“Baby, are you in there? Is your stomach really bad? Should we go to the hospital?”

Yan Qingxin’s concerned voice reached the two entangled in their moment.

The sudden interruption made Lu Zhao cling to Yan Ruyue, stifling any sound.

Outside the thin wooden door was a voice full of care; inside, stifled breaths and heated closeness.

Snapping back to reality, Lu Zhao glared at Yan Ruyue, yanked the lace from his mouth, tossed it aside, and tried to push her off.

But even in this situation, the woman pinning him down merely paused, watching him with a mocking expression, as if curious to see how he’d handle the innocent girl outside.

Lu Zhao tried to push her again, but his hands were swiftly pinned above his head.

Yan Ruyue leaned close, her hot breath against his ear as she whispered something unbelievable.

“Either you get rid of Qingxin, or let her find out and hate me. Choose. The future of our mother-daughter relationship depends on you.”

Her words, like a devil’s whisper, plunged Lu Zhao into deep turmoil.

He’d been with Yan Qingxin for a year, and he genuinely liked this slightly clumsy, headstrong girl.

Thanks to this world’s rules, he’d experienced what it was like to be pursued by a woman.

Clichéd good mornings and good nights, consistent breakfasts and dinners, frequent “chance” encounters, and her nervous confession in front of him.

His two lifetimes of experience made him treat Yan Qingxin like a rebellious younger sister, a point she’d protested more than once.

“I’m the woman, you’re the man. You’re supposed to stay behind me and let me protect you, got it?”

At times like that, Lu Zhao would just smile. “Alright, I’m counting on you then.”

And, predictably, she’d mess things up, leaving Lu Zhao to clean up the mess.

He thought those days would last forever, but now… now…

This woman had ruined everything!

“I’m fine. Go ahead and head back. I’ll be out soon.”

His voice sounded normal enough to ease Yan Qingxin’s worry, but as she turned to leave, she noticed something on the sink.

Her footsteps faded, and Yan Ruyue cupped Lu Zhao’s face, planting a heavy kiss.

“I knew it, Little Lu Zhao. You couldn’t bear to let Qingxin hate me. Shall we continue? You’re not satisfied yet, are you?”

But instead of the heated embrace from before, she was met with Lu Zhao’s cold, deeply disgusted gaze.

The moment their eyes met, Yan Ruyue felt her heart skip a beat.

“You…”

“Get up.” His tone was devoid of emotion.

“Hm?” Her voice trembled, confused by the sudden shift.

“I said get up. What do you take Qingxin for? You really disgust me.”

Knowing he couldn’t overpower her physically, Lu Zhao didn’t bother trying, just staring at her coldly.

The intimate atmosphere vanished, replaced by stiff awkwardness.

“I…”

A self-mocking smile tugged at Lu Zhao’s lips. “What? Not getting up? Fine, go ahead. Do whatever you want. I can’t resist you anyway, can I?”

With that, he relaxed completely, closed his eyes, and looked like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

A sudden fear gripped Yan Ruyue—a fear of losing something.

She’d always excelled, always gotten what she wanted, as long as she desired it.

But now, she felt that if she kept pushing this young man she liked so much, she might truly lose him.

This uncontrollable feeling made her panic, made her want to avoid, to flee.

Silently, Yan Ruyue stood, the faint pop of their separation making both their hearts lurch.

In the past, she’d tease him with a sly smile, but now her face held only embarrassment.

Too flustered to clean up, she hurriedly pulled on her stockings, grabbed her glasses, and fled the bathroom.

Lu Zhao quickly shut and locked the door, letting out a long breath.

“Phew… thank goodness. That woman has at least a shred of conscience. If she’d gone all out, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

With a bitter smile, he shook his head, desperately wanting to go online and ask for advice on handling this mess—urgently.

He wiped himself with a tissue, ensuring no traces remained. Just as he was about to leave, he spotted something Yan Ruyue had dropped.

“Tch.” Despite his disgust, Lu Zhao picked it up.

He liked Yan Qingxin and, until today, hadn’t hated Yan Ruyue. But her twisted nature was far worse than he’d imagined.

It left him at a loss. The thought of facing her daily made him sigh again.

He couldn’t tell Yan Qingxin about this. He’d have to find a chance to talk to Yan Ruyue seriously. If they couldn’t sort it out, breaking up was the only option.

Lu Zhao made the decision silently.

*

In the private room.

“Feeling any better? Should we go to the hospital?” Yan Qingxin asked, full of concern.

Her genuine care deepened Lu Zhao’s guilt. He gave a slight smile.

“No need. I’ll grab some medicine later.”

“Okay, but don’t push yourself. Tell me if something’s wrong, alright?”

Yan Qingxin looked only faintly like her mother; otherwise, Lu Zhao would’ve been suspicious long ago.

Pinching her cheek, he looked into her bright eyes. “Got it.”

Yan Qingxin didn’t pull away, just frowned slightly. “Sometimes I feel like you’re the woman here.”

“Maybe.” Even now, that comment felt odd to him.

Then Yan Qingxin’s nose twitched. “You smell nice… and familiar.”

Lu Zhao’s hair stood on end.

Impossible! I covered it with the bathroom’s air freshener!

“Oh, I know—air freshener, right?”

Seeing her smug “I cracked the case” look, Lu Zhao’s heart rode a rollercoaster.

“Yeah, your nose is sharp.”

“Heh, you bet.”

With her mother gone, Yan Qingxin was livelier, chattier.

“By the way, I heard we’re getting a new counselor next semester.”

“Hm? Who? What about Old Liu?”

“No idea, just something I heard.”

“Oh.”

A trivial matter. Lu Zhao didn’t care.

After dinner, they stopped by a pharmacy for medicine—to keep up the act.

Yan Qingxin walked him to his place.

Since starting university, he’d rented a place off-campus, unable to adjust to his roommates’ lifestyles.

“Wanna come up?”

“Uh… my mom just texted me to come home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She wanted to stay, but her mother’s orders came first.

Watching Yan Qingxin’s figure fade, Lu Zhao’s gaze darkened. What did that woman want to say to her?

Lost in thought, he reached the third floor and froze.

What the hell? A scam?

His rental was a one-bedroom in a building with two units per floor.

Now, a woman was sprawled at his door, wearing black strappy heels, denim shorts revealing pale thighs, and a sheer white off-shoulder top.

Her face was hidden, long hair messily draped to one side.

For a moment, Lu Zhao considered calling the police, but then he caught a whiff of alcohol.

He suddenly recalled what his landlord had mentioned.

“Your new neighbor’s a drunk, some kind of teacher. If she knocks when she’s wasted, don’t open the door.”

Lu Zhao cleared the alcohol fumes from his nose. “Drunk like this? Some role model.”

Deciding to give his neighbor a chance, he leaned on the idea that neighbors should help each other.