The next day.
Friday morning.
Dong Xuebin got up early on purpose. After brushing his teeth, washing up, and eating breakfast, he looked out the window and saw that the district government's Audi A6 had already parked downstairs.
It looked as though it had arrived only a few minutes ago. Dong Xuebin casually grabbed his bag, held the doorknob, and listened carefully.
Creak. The sound of a door opening came from downstairs.
"I'm leaving." It was Geng Yuehua's deep voice.
"Will you be coming back here tonight?" That was Mother Geng.
"We'll see."
"If you're coming back for dinner, call ahead."
Click, click. The sound of high heels gradually faded, as though she was heading down the stairs.
The moment Dong Xuebin heard it, he pulled open the door and hurried downstairs after her. By the time he reached the fifth floor, the door to Geng Xinke's apartment had already closed. Fourth floor, third floor, second floor—the sound of heels below was quick and sharp. Every step was steady and forceful. Dong Xuebin had to hurry to barely catch sight of Geng Yuehua's neat bun and stern back in the corridor between the first and second floors. She had not dressed up deliberately today either, though she had changed into a different pair of high heels from yesterday. Her smooth ankles rested in the shoes, and the tops of her feet were wrapped in a thin layer of short black stockings.
Every step exuded the charm of a mature woman.
The moment they left the stairwell, Dong Xuebin finally caught up with her. "District Governor Yuehua, morning."
Geng Yuehua turned around and looked at him. "...Mm."
"Have you had breakfast?"
"Mm."
Yet Geng Yuehua did not stop walking. She went straight to the Audi, quickly opened the door, got in,