Before I could process it, the bedroom door swung open. He was damp from the rain, and without so much as a glance in my direction, he disappeared into the bathroom. Seconds later, the sound of running water filled the silence. With him here, sleep was impossible. I rose, dressed, and pulled his pajamas from the closet, leaving them just outside the bathroom door before stepping out onto the balcony. The rainy season had begun. A fine drizzle was falling outside, the sky already dark. I could faintly hear the soft patter of raindrops against the roof tiles. A sound from behind made me turn. Fu Shenyan had emerged from the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips. His hair was still wet, and droplets of water traced paths down his muscular torso. *This*, I thought, *was the definition of male allure*. He must have felt my gaze, because he looked over at me, his handsome brow furrowing. "Come here," he commanded, his voice devoid of any emotion. I did as I was told, walking to his side. He tossed the towel at me. "Dry my hair," he said, his voice low. It was always like this between us, a routine I’d long grown accustomed to. He sat on the edge of the bed, and I climbed on, kneeling behind him to gently rub the towel through his hair. "Grandpa's funeral is tomorrow," I said, not to make conversation, but because I knew his mind was entirely on Lu Xinran. If I didn't remind him, he would surely forget. "We need to get to the old house early." "Mm," he grunted in acknowledgment, and that was all. Knowing he didn't want to talk, I said no more. Once his hair was dry, I lay back down, ready for sleep. Lately, I’d been feeling overwhelmingly tired. Usually, Fu Shenyan would head to his study after a shower and work late into the night, but for some reason, tonight was different. After changing into his pajamas, he lay down beside me. It was strange, but I didn’t ask. Then his arm snaked around me, pulling me tight against his chest as a shower of kisses fell upon my skin. He tore at my nightgown. Panic seized me, and I instinctively clamped down on his wandering hand, my eyes flying open to look at him in confusion. "Fu Shenyan, I…" "No?" he asked, his dark eyes as black as the night, piercing and wild. I looked away. No, I didn't want this, but it wasn't my choice to make. His brow tightened, but he said nothing more. He simply rolled over, and what followed was anything but gentle. Much later, he rose and went back into the bathroom. A cold sweat beaded on my skin from the dull ache. I thought about getting up for some painkillers, but the bottle was too far away, so I gave up. Buzz… His phone vibrated on the nightstand. It was Fu Shenyan's. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Eleven o'clock. At this hour, there was only one person who would call Fu Shenyan: Lu Xinran. The sound of the shower stopped, and he emerged with a towel around his waist. He dried his hands and answered the phone. I couldn't hear what was said on the other end. I saw Fu Shenyan’s brow furrow as he spoke. "Xinran, don't be ridiculous." With that, he hung up and started to get dressed, ready to leave. Any other time, I would have pretended not to see, but tonight, I lunged, grabbing his arm. My voice was soft, pleading. "Can you stay tonight? Please?" Fu Shenyan’s brow creased, his handsome face turning cold and displeased. "So, you get a little taste and now you’re getting bold?" His words were ice, sharp with sarcasm. I froze, and then a bitter laugh almost escaped me. I looked up at him. "Tomorrow is Grandpa's funeral. I don't care how much you can't let her go, but shouldn't you have some sense of decency?" "Is that a threat?" He narrowed his eyes, his fingers suddenly clamping around my jaw. His voice dropped, low and cold. "You've gotten brave, Shen Shu."