Touching the side of his cheek absentmindedly, Lin Weihao coughed and leaned both arms on the countertop, his heart pounding loudly in his ears. "Do you need anything else?"

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"Not for now." Nanzhi replied, her voice calm.

"Well, if you do..." The astonishment in his voice was still evident.

He couldn’t believe Zhi Zhi had kissed him. He must be dreaming.

Dinner was soon ready, and Lin Weihao ate more than he should have.

Yu Baoyin, always mindful, finished her meal, helped with the dishes, and quietly slipped off to her room, leaving the two alone

The door to the bathroom opened, and out stepped Lin Weihao, freshly bathed. Steam still clung to his skin as he walked, a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. Water droplets slid down his defined torso, tracing the lines of his muscles before vanishing at the edge of the fabric.

Nanzhi sat on the couch, absorbed in a book. Her attention never wavered as she skimmed through the pages. She was searching for information on bees—how to harvest them, how to build a place for them, and where to find them.

Lin Weihao couldn’t help but smile slightly. "Zhi Zhi, if I keep eating your cooking, I’ll get fat in no time…"

Nanzhi didn’t look up from her book as she replied, "A little fat isn’t so bad. It’s fun to squish."

She didn’t even glance at him, but she felt his presence as his silhouette moved closer. She glanced up briefly, just in time to notice him standing there, fresh from the bath.

Her eyes traced the sharp lines of his abdomen, following the way the light cast shadows over every ridge and dip of his sculpted muscles. The firm definition of his upper abs, the way they tensed slightly with each movement—her gaze drifted lower following the faint trail of water running down his stomach, slipping past his navel, that mermaid line, and disappearing into the towel at his waist.

When Lin Weihao caught her eye, his lips curled into a deeper smile.

He walked past her slowly, deliberately, his movements unhurried. Reaching for his clothes, he stretched, just enough to accentuate the muscles along his back. The subtle flexing of his abs didn’t go unnoticed. He picked up a glass of water from the table, making the motion casual, yet somehow deliberate. His throat shifted as he drank, his muscles moving beneath his skin.

Despite his attempt at appearing casual, Nanzhi could see the sly, knowing smile on his face.

"Zhi Zhi, if I gained a bit of weight and developed what they call a ’dad bod,’ would you still cuddle with me—"

Lin Weihao couldn’t finish the rest of his words because his wife suddenly stood up and walked to him.

He froze in surprise.

Did my wife take the bait? Am I finally regaining my charm?

His entire body abruptly tensed.

He looked down and saw his wife touching his abdominal muscles.

Warm fingers pressed lightly against his abs, grazing the taut muscles with a gentleness that made his breath catch in his throat.

He could feel the warmth of her touch as it lingered, each light brush sending a ripple of heat through his body, a heat that burned far deeper than he expected.

The man’s body tensed. His heart skipped a beat, the sudden sensation of her fingers against his skin making him feel exposed in ways he hadn’t prepared for. A strange discomfort crept through him, and he quickly took a small step back, breaking the contact. His body felt too hot, the warmth inside him building with a force he couldn’t quite control.

A sharp breath left his lips.

Lin Weihao thought he would a chance at her tofu, just as he was about to lean and kiss her, he heard her say in utter curiosity, "So that’s how it feels like…firm and hard."

She suddenly grabbed his clothes behind him and hung them on his exposed shoulders and without another word to him, she walked to her bedroom, opened the book again, and mumbled, "What page was I again?"

Meanwhile, he stood there, muscles coiled tight, heart pounding, heat simmering beneath his skin.

His lowered his sight on the bulge on the towel and flopped on the sofa.

His plan had backfired spectacularly.

Lin Weihao returned to the bathroom and took a cold bath.

The door of Nanzhi’s bedroom opened, it was Lin Weihao. He sat on her bed with his hair still drenched with beads of cold water.

Lu Nanzhi saw his face full of grievance.

Well, be careful of teasing a fox.

But, she had to admit, the allure of his abs is more deadly than the 20, 000 EXP, if she wasn’t busy with something, she might not be able to restrain herself jump into the net he cast.

(A/N: I got diabetes writing this scene. XD)

A moment passed before Lin Weihao broke the silence. "Ah, right. My mother and grandfather wanted to invite you for New Year’s dinner."

Nanzhi lifted her head, clearly surprised. "What?"

"They’re curious about the woman I like," he said with a grin. "They want to meet you."

Nanzhi gave him a thoughtful look. She didn’t have the slightest idea how his family but she had been planning to leave the base after winter, "Weihao, I’m planning to leave the base after winter. I’ll head to the city center first, then to Jade City."

Lin Weihao sat down on the floor, his eyes studying her intently. "I know. I’ve already guessed about your plans." He paused before adding, "And as I’ve said before, wherever you go, I’ll follow."

His words brought a warmth to her chest. She hadn’t expected such steadfast support, though there was still a nagging concern. "But your family…"

"Don’t worry about them." He smiled reassuringly. "They’ll probably like it if I follow you." He sighed. They’ve already been asking about our marriage date and when we’re having kids. They’re eager for details.

Nanzhi gave him a long, measured look.

"Whatever happens, I’m with you."