Lu Zhou had never allowed anyone outside his family to stay overnight at his house. His friends had even teased him more than once about how wasteful it was to live alone in such a huge place.
This time, though, he had broken his rule.
No, that wasn't quite right.
After all,
he was a responsible man.
The next morning.
The winter sun rose rather late. Purple Mountain was still shrouded in hazy mist, with no light visible except for a few scattered lamps.
Opening his eyes, Lu Zhou slowly sat up in bed, then slowly turned to look beside him.
Her delicate lips and the tip of her finely shaped, slightly upturned nose moved gently with the rhythm of her breathing. Her peaceful sleeping face radiated warmth, as blissful as a kitten dreaming of dried fish, making him reluctant to disturb her sweet dreams.
Unable to resist looking for another five minutes, Lu Zhou slipped quietly out of bed and went to the bathroom. After his usual quick wash, he slung a towel over his shoulder and headed out for a jog.
When he returned, he was about to call Wang Peng and ask him to bring breakfast for two when he spotted Chen Yushan coming out of the kitchen. Wearing an apron and thick cotton slippers, she carried two plates of freshly cooked egg fried rice.
"I was wondering where you'd gone. So you were out running."
Seeing Lu Zhou's hair damp with mist and sweat, Chen Yushan put down the plates and walked over. She gently dried his wet hair with the towel, unable to resist chiding him.
"Go take a shower. It's damp down south, and the wind outside cuts right through you. Don't catch a cold."
"I'm in great shape. I'll be fine..." Taking the