The Devil's Charm

Two years ago, while rushing to complete a project, I took a taxi from Urumqi to Yili. The driver only had this CD in the car. Under the azure sky, amidst the desolate Gobi Desert, Tengger's voice sounded so desolate and profound, accompanying me through so many

barren landscapes. Unexpectedly, today, in the snow-covered north, I'm experiencing a different kind of joy from that voice. I laughed, "You listen to Tengger too?" Hao Lu glanced at me, her face still flushed. "What, is that a problem?"

"No," I chuckled, "I was wondering if you liked 'Meteor Shower' or 'You Are the Wind, I Am the Sand' or something."

Hao Lu rolled her eyes at me. "Do you think I'm still a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl?" "Haha--" I laughed loudly. "So you're jealous of those young girls, huh?" Hao Lu lightly spat and giggled too.

The project sites are all in the suburbs and scenic areas, far from the city center, so most are unmanned server rooms.

Hao Lu and I entered the server room and were greeted by a man in his forties. Hao Lu introduced them, "This is Captain Li, and this is Engineer Chen from our company."

Captain Li hurriedly took out a cigarette case from his pocket, but I stopped him. I glanced at the half-burnt cigarette butt he was holding between two fingers and said coldly, "Do you know that smoking is not allowed in the server room?"

Captain Li was taken aback, quickly stubbed out the cigarette, and said with a forced smile, "I didn't notice for a moment..." I interrupted him, walked behind the server racks, glanced around, and my face darkened.

Seeing my expression, Hao Lu quickly came over and asked, "What's wrong?" I glanced at Captain Li, who quickly and tactfully said, "You two are busy, I'll go down and check how things are going down there."

After he left, I pointed to the top of the rack and said, "The power cord colors and sizes are wrong, they don't meet the standards, they need to be rectified immediately." Hao Lu was stunned for a moment: "Really?" "

The wiring is not neat, the fiber optic cables are not separated, that also needs to be rectified immediately." Hao Lu's face darkened. I pointed down and said, "Although the anti-static floor under the rack has been pried open, no brackets have been installed, that won't do, we need to make brackets and reinstall them immediately."

Hao Lu's face became even more serious, and she said, "Making brackets will take a long time, I'm afraid it won't be in time. Chen Cuo, do you think we should not rectify it for now, wait until the commissioning is finished..."

I said angrily, "Are you listening to me or me? This kind of project will definitely fail the initial inspection, do you still want to get the next order?" Hao Lu's face turned red, probably because she had never seen such a formidable person as me.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, and I couldn't help but say again, "I reminded you before that the construction team had to be professional, and look at you now..." Tears welled up in Hao Lu's eyes, which she barely managed to hold back.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, my heart softened, and I sighed, "I'm sorry, my attitude was bad." Tears dripped onto her face, and Hao Lu turned her head to wipe them away gently, then turned back and said, "No, you're right, I was too hasty. Chen Cuo, what should we do now?" She looked at me anxiously, as if I had become her savior.

I handed her a handkerchief and smiled, "Hurry up and wipe them, I can't afford to admire these pear blossoms in the rain and weeping crabapple blossoms anymore, or people will really think I did something to you."

Perhaps seeing my smile, Hao Lu seemed to feel reassured, her face flushed slightly, and she gave me a charming glance, saying with a half-smile, "What can you do to me?"

Red cheeks, full breasts, and watery eyes—she had all the qualities a woman needs to attract a man. I leaned close to her ear and chuckled, "I'm going to devour you."

Hao Lu turned her face away, revealing a section of her slender, fair neck to me, her flushed cheeks so vibrant they seemed to drip with moisture. My gaze lingered on her delicate neck; even from several centimeters away, I could clearly feel the smoothness and delicacy of her skin. After

shamelessly feasting my eyes on her beauty for a while, I withdrew my gaze and said with a smile, "Alright, now let's get down to business."

Hao Lu's face was still burning hot. She turned back and gave me a reproachful look, as if to say: You know what we were talking about wasn't important? My face flushed slightly, and I chuckled, "Don't look at me like that, it'll make me think I'm irresistibly charming."

Hao Lu burst out laughing, giving me a flirtatious glance, and said, "I don't know if your charm is irresistible, but I know your nonsense is absolutely irresistible."

I laughed too, "Am I talking nonsense? Don't be so harsh on me." Hao Lu glanced at me sideways, pursed her lips, and then smiled gently, "But you're also a pleasant person."

"Really?" I chuckled, thinking, "I guess you haven't experienced the real pleasure I bring you yet." Seeing the mischievous grin on my face, Hao Lu seemed to realize something, and her face turned red.

Mature women and little girls are just different; they dare to think and act. Even a small hint can trigger certain associations in them, I thought to myself with a smile.

After a moment of wicked thoughts, I remembered my serious business. Seeing Hao Lu's face and eyes flushed with a captivating blush, I couldn't help but sigh inwardly: women are indeed far less principled than men. If we continue flirting with her like this, she'll probably never remember the serious business we're supposed to be doing.

I coughed a few times, and Hao Lu looked up at me, saying, "Tell me, what should we do? Is there really no other way?" I shook my head firmly and said, "There's no other way but to rectify the situation."

Hao Lu frowned and said, "But the time..." I interrupted her, "Make them rush the work. Tell them it must be completed by tomorrow morning." Hao Lu hesitated, "What if they can't finish?"

I said coldly, "There are no 'what ifs.' If they can't finish on time, they won't get a single penny of the project fee." Seeing that Hao Lu was still somewhat hesitant, I patted her shoulder, "This is a commercialized era. Everything must be done according to the rules. We can't be too soft-hearted, or we'll be the ones who suffer."

Hao Lu nodded, still looking somewhat reluctant. A woman's weakness can always ruin things unnecessarily.

I sighed and said, "Don't worry, these things are nothing to them, just small things. They're just being lazy. Giving them some pressure will get them serious. Trust me, I'm absolutely confident they'll finish on time."

Hao Lu looked into my eyes and nodded, "Okay, I'm counting on you." Her expression was somewhat pitiful; after all, this project was so important to her, and she had been under a lot of pressure.

I smiled at her, "What, don't you trust me? I made your own choice." Hao Lu's face flushed slightly, and she glared at me.

I was startled, suddenly realizing there was something else going on in her words. But heaven knows, I hadn't had any ulterior motives when I said that; who knows what she was thinking?

A woman with a restless heart. Watching her graceful figure turn away, I smiled inwardly.

Ten minutes later, Hao Lu returned, a hint of excitement on her face. "They agreed, saying they'll definitely finish by tomorrow morning." She seemed relieved; perhaps this outcome was unexpected.

I smiled slightly: "That's what you call profit-driven. But..." Looking at her excited expression, I lowered my voice: "This kind of thing could have been avoided if we had supervised it properly..."

"Oh, don't lecture me, okay? I'll admit my mistake, alright?" Hao Lu suddenly laughed, revealing two small dimples on her face.

She suddenly started acting like a little girl, acting all coquettish in front of me. This contrast was a bit hard for me to accept, and it made me understand the old saying even more deeply: a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

Seeing my stunned expression, Hao Lu giggled, looking smug. "So you're the type who responds better to gentleness than force, hehe." Her body trembled like a flower in full bloom, her smile as radiant as a May flower. Her breasts, tightly wrapped in her sweater, rose high, trembling slightly, like waves crashing in the ocean, making me a little dizzy.

Ripe, ripe, I suddenly remembered the old poem Tan Huo always recited to me before sneaking out to pick up girls: "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, for ye may ye have no flowers left to pluck." Hehe, so true, Tan Huo, you never lied to me.

We went to see a few other spots, and I pointed out some problems with each one, giving them a deadline for rectification. Fortunately, none of them were major issues and relatively easy to fix. It's not that I'm being harsh, it's just that some operators are too picky. Their initial inspections are much stricter than mine. Rather than being deemed unqualified by them, it's better to proactively find fault ourselves, so we can be confident in our abilities. I've learned this the hard way too many times before, and these seemingly worthless lessons have only come from repeated painful experiences.

Hao Lu followed me nervously the whole time. "Oh, oh, I was so worried." After checking the last point, Hao Lu touched her chest, still shaken, looking like she'd escaped a disaster.

"Thank goodness, there aren't any major problems, otherwise..." I scoffed. Hao Lu laughed and said, "Okay, okay, stop scaring me. Even if there are problems, you can handle them. After all, you're Chen Cuo, the top expert in the service department."

I laughed and said, "Your flattery won't work. I'm not buying it." But the smile on my face showed her that her approach was still effective.

Hao Lu glanced at me and said, "But seriously, you really scared me when you got angry." I smiled slightly, "I don't get angry often, just occasionally to vent."

Hao Lu exclaimed, "Then I became the object of your venting, you rascal..." I chuckled a few times without answering. Hao Lu called out a few more times, seeing my smiling face, seemingly unmoved by my antics, her pretty face flushed slightly, and her voice softened a bit: "But seriously, it's been a long time since anyone dared to lecture me like that."

I teased, "Even the branch office bosses don't dare to reprimand you like that?" Hao Lu gave a disdainful look and laughed, "Them?..." Her expression seemed to say, I'm the branch office's top sales manager, they're too busy currying favor with me to dare reprimand me.

I smiled inwardly. From the fact that she could drive out the branch office's only Audi, it was clear that Hao Lu's position in the branch office was definitely not low, at least she was highly valued. On the one hand, it might be because her sales performance was indeed excellent, and on the other hand, what boss would bear to scold a voluptuous and beautiful woman like her?

"Shouldn't you thank me properly? I gave you a feeling you haven't had in a long time," I chuckled. Hao Lu blushed, glanced at me lightly, and whispered, "Thank you, Chen Cuo."

I chuckled inwardly and asked, "How will you thank me?" "Let's go." Hao Lu grabbed my arm and giggled, "I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

The moment I opened the car door, I suddenly said to Hao Lu, "You'll treat me to drinks." "What?" Hao Lu seemed slightly surprised.

"What? You don't want to?" I sat down, lit a cigarette, and took a light drag. "Oh, no." Hao Lu sat in the driver's seat and smiled, "I just didn't expect you to suddenly want to go drinking. How about we go to Sister Feng's bar?"

I quickly waved my hand and said, "No, no." Hao Lu smiled and said, "What's wrong?" "I'm afraid of her gaze." "Giggle," Hao Lu giggled as she started the car.

When we parked in front of a bar, I said to Hao Lu, "Let's park the car in the parking lot." Hao Lu gave me a strange look.

I reached out and gently brushed away the smoke rings I'd created around her head, laughing, "You don't want to drink and drive, do you?" Hao Lu giggled, understanding my meaning.

We found a secluded corner to sit down. The colorful neon lights of the dance floor flashed, and the energetic disco music vibrated in our ears. Men and women in brightly colored clothes swayed wildly in the neon lights, the flickering lights creating an eerie effect on them.

Hao Lu stared blankly at the center of the dance floor. Her gaze was distant and unfocused, shimmering with alluring blackness in the dim light.

"What, want to join in?" I took a sip of the beer the waiter brought, a refreshing sensation instantly coursing through my body. Drinking beer in winter feels pretty good.

"No." Hao Lu turned around, picked up her glass, and took a sip. "I was just thinking about my youth," Hao Lu said softly.

"Hey, don't be so pessimistic. If you put it that way, wouldn't I be a decrepit old man?" I chuckled, tilting my head back and gulping down half a glass.

"Women are different from men. A woman's youth only lasts a short ten years." Hao Lu's face showed a hint of sadness. She picked up her clear glass, clinked it against mine, and then looked at me softly, saying, "Cheers."

The atmosphere became a little heavy. I downed my drink in one gulp, watching the golden liquid in the clear glass slowly flow into her beautiful throat.

"Chen Cuo, what do you think of me?" Hao Lu asked, staring into my eyes, her eyes full of expectation.

"You're a woman," I said quietly. Hao Lu giggled. Perhaps the alcohol had stimulated her senses; she became a little unrestrained, grabbing my arm: "You silly Chen Cuo, don't I know I'm a woman?"

I gently held her arm, her delicate skin stimulating my pores. "You should be a good woman," I said softly.

"Hehe," Hao Lu laughed, "In your men's eyes, women are probably only either good or bad, right?" I shrugged and smiled, noncommittal.

"Hehe," Hao Lu's laughter grew louder, then she picked up a glass and took a few sips. "Want to know what you're like in my eyes?" Hao Lu smiled.

"Few ladies are willing to comment on me, perhaps I'm an unlikable person." I said modestly, a tactic of feigned retreat that wasn't bad.

"In my opinion, you're a somewhat strange person." Hao Lu glanced at me, her deep gaze revealing a captivating quality.

"Sometimes you seem incredibly romantic, and sometimes you become very realistic..."

"It's nothing, everyone has both romantic and realistic elements in their bones, you just see different expressions." I took a big sip and stared at her.

"Sometimes you seem careless, and sometimes you seem very considerate and thoughtful..."

"I can't help it, it's just how I am." I gave her a hearty smile.

“Sometimes you make people happy, but sometimes you always seem to have a strange sadness about you, and this sadness is very infectious.”

“You’re doomed!” I interrupted her with a smile. Her eyes widened, looking at me curiously: “Why?”

“Because—” I said, emphasizing each word: “You—have—fallen—in—love—me—”

Hao Lu’s face flushed, she glanced at me, and suddenly swung her fist and punched my arm several times, scolding: “What nonsense are you talking about? You bad guy.”

I chuckled and leaned back. Hao Lu chased after me, her fists raining down on me, her voluptuous body drawing ever closer.

When I realized I had nowhere to retreat, my back pressed against the sofa arm, Hao Lu was already leaning to one side, her entire body seemingly about to press down on me.

I suddenly stopped, smiling slightly, staring intently into her eyes. Hao Lu froze, her small mouth agape, her fist frozen in mid-air, her hot body pressed against mine, a burning sensation washing over me.

The dim light illuminated her face, allowing me to see the complex expression on her face in that instant: surprise, hesitation, shyness, longing—like a cocktail with added flavor, its vibrant colors unable to mask her fragrance.

I slowly leaned in and gently kissed her forehead. Her body seemed slightly stiff; I could feel her trembling as I kissed her.

She blinked a few times, about to speak, when I shushed her, putting my index finger to my lips: "Don't speak." She looked at me curiously, her cheeks burning hot.

I gently kissed her left cheek, then closed my eyes, clasped my hands together, and said, "Great Lord, your faithful servant prays to you, may this holy kiss bless the beautiful and kind Hao Lu, and grant her the happiness she desires. Amen!" Hao Lu's eyes sparkled with a captivating light as she gazed at me, lost in thought.

I sighed deeply and said, "Alright, I've sworn an oath to the Lord. You must believe that the kiss just now was pure, a blessing from my heart—"

"Pure my foot—" Hao Lu suddenly punched me in the chest. This time it wasn't a joke; Korean girls are surprisingly strong.

I grinned, licked my lips, and chuckled, "May the great Lord bless you, Amen!"

Perhaps seeing my grin, Hao Lu suddenly giggled, her heaving breasts shimmering alluringly in the dim light.

I chuckled too, raising my glass to my lips, when a flash of light revealed something glistening in Hao Lu's eyes.

I froze, my glass hanging in mid-air. If someone were to capture this moment in close-up, my descendants years later would see their ancestor staring wide-eyed and mouth agape, resembling an underdeveloped ape.

"Hao Lu, I'm sorry—" Before I could finish, Hao Lu's hot red lips pressed against mine, two warm streams sliding down our cheeks.

A surge of heat coursed through me, and I wrapped my arms tightly around Hao Lu's hot body. Her full breasts pressed against me, and even through her coat and sweater, I could almost feel their smooth texture.

"To hell with the great Lord!" I thought fiercely. Even the Lord wouldn't forgive me for refusing a feast delivered to my door.

Hao Lu clung tightly to my neck, our tongues intertwined. I was certain Hao Lu hadn't been like this in a long time; her slightly trembling body told me everything.

Hot tears streamed down my face; her almost frenzied passion seemed to melt me. I held her tightly, vigorously massaging her back. In the dim light of the bar, in this secluded corner, we no longer cared about the stares of others.

"Ouch!" In the midst of extreme ecstasy, Hao Lu bit my lip hard, and I couldn't help but let out a soft cry. Hao Lu straightened up, tidying her disheveled hair. The tear tracks on her face shimmered in the neon lights, creating a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors.

She gazed at me silently, her deep gaze like the starry sky I used to look at from the rooftop as a child—distant and profound, seemingly trying to draw me in.

My throat felt dry. For some reason, under her gaze, I felt completely naked, as if she could see right through me.

I raised my glass to my lips, but under her intense gaze, I couldn't bring myself to drink it. To relieve the pressure, I forced an awkward smile and said, "Hao—"

"Chen Cuo—" she interrupted, glancing at me before picking up her glass, tilting her head back, and pouring the golden liquid down her throat.

Her cheeks glowed red, the strong alcohol making her beautiful eyes even more moist, as if tears might well up at any moment. Her slightly drunken gaze was fixed on mine, her dark pupils like finely carved black gems, shimmering with dazzling light.

"Chen Cuo—," she said, staring at me, enunciating each word clearly, "you—are—a—devil—" then suddenly burst into laughter, a wanton and unrestrained air.

"Devil is another name for angel," I said with a laugh, downing my drink in one gulp.

I don't know how much we drank in the end, and there are many details I can't recall. I only remember that Hao Lu swayed as she stood up and shouted, "Chen Cuo, take me home!" Then she slumped into my arms.

By the time I helped Hao Lu upstairs, I was mostly sober. When a drunk man and a drunk woman are together, the man usually wakes up first.

As I helped Hao Lu upstairs, I felt her stiff body gradually soften and become lighter. I knew Hao Lu was awake too; women are always more alert than men.

Hao Lu curled up in my arms, seemingly without any intention of pulling away. Her body became hot again, and I could even clearly hear her pounding heartbeat. If I didn't play dumb at this moment, I wouldn't be a man. Hao Lu nestled in my arms,

took out her keys, and opened the door. As soon as I closed the door, before I could even look around the room, Hao Lu's fiery body pressed tightly against me.

Her breath was rapid and hot, as if it were about to burst into flames. Her two smooth arms seemed to possess boundless strength, tightly embracing my neck. Her bright red lips pressed against mine, a soft and stimulating sensation.

We kissed passionately. This was an era without tomorrow; all we cared about was tonight.

My hand slipped inside her sweater, unhooking her bra. Hao Lu let out a soft "woo," her body trembling slightly. Her unprotected breasts pressed tightly against my chest, the softness so real.

My hand slowly moved to her lower abdomen; her delicate skin was like newly woven satin, exceptionally smooth and soft. I gently caressed it, from bottom to top, stroking the soft mound. Hao Lu let out an "oh," her body stiffening slightly, her fragrant breath brushing against my cheek.

I slowly inhaled, grasping her full breasts, the smooth, milky feel of them. Hao Lu's body was incredibly hot. I kneaded her breasts, sometimes lightly, sometimes firmly, and Hao Lu moaned softly.

I pinched her fiery red, burning bud between two fingers, and Hao Lu's small mouth opened wide, her body trembling. I couldn't resist, and gently pressed that scarlet spot with my thumb. Hao Lu let out an "Ah!" and her body trembled violently. Hao Lu had indeed not experienced anything like this in a long time; the look of a long-suffering, resentful woman couldn't be faked easily.

The raging fire burning in my chest made me forget about any further foreplay. I swept Hao Lu up in one scoop, and she clung tightly to my neck, her eyes seemingly burning with fire.

I don't know how I found the bed; perhaps Hao Lu led me there. As for whether I started undressing her first or she started undressing me first, I couldn't tell anymore, and it no longer mattered.

Hao Lu's naked, white body was displayed before me, her high, firm breasts trembling slightly in the dim light streaming in from the window. I swallowed hard, leaned down, and took one of the bright red buds into my mouth, gently tapping it with my teeth.

Hao Lu wrapped her arms around my head, pressing it tightly against her chest, her smooth breasts rubbing against my face. I used my tongue to tease her burning nipples, and with a gentle push, Hao Lu's body tensed, letting out a soft moan.

I pressed her breasts together, my tongue probing the deep cleavage, the scent of milk filling my nostrils. I kissed every inch of her skin from top to bottom.

Hao Lu's body burned like fire, her breathing growing heavier. I gently parted her legs, revealing her vibrant red vulva. I extended a finger, lightly tracing her vulva, lifting a glistening silver thread that shimmered in the dim light.

I looked up, and Hao Lu gazed into my eyes, whispering, "Chen Cuo, you're a devil!"

I smiled slightly, my burning member revealing its menacing head between Hao Lu's legs. Hao Lu closed her beautiful eyes, her small mouth opening and closing, an indescribable allure of debauchery.

My burning hot member rubbed gently against the entrance of Peach Blossom Spring a few times, the moist sensation making it even more vibrant. Hao Lu's legs tensed, but her buttocks leaned forward slightly, as if welcoming my member's arrival.

I took a deep breath, and my enormous member broke through the walls, stretching open the shallow passage of Peach Blossom Spring. Hao Lu let out a long "Oh," and her legs suddenly rose high and pulled back, landing precisely on my shoulders.

The narrow entrance stimulated my member, making it swell even more. I held Hao Lu's legs, gently twisting them a few times, and suddenly thrust in all the way. Hao Lu cried out "Ah!" and gasped for breath, clinging tightly to my waist and back, her hazy eyes seeming to hold fine raindrops, becoming misty before my eyes.

I slowly withdrew my member a little, Hao Lu's body softened slightly, and I seized the opportunity, suddenly thrusting in with all my might, my thick member completely disappearing into the passage. Hao Lu opened her mouth wide, but couldn't utter a sound. Her chest heaved violently, her purple nipples tossed like a small boat on a stormy sea.

Hao Lu's body flushed a dazzling rose-red, and the heat of her passage further stimulated me. I twisted my body, my fully inserted member swaying from side to side, pressed tightly against the walls of her passage.

"Chen Cuo, you devil!" Hao Lu finally cried out, and as soon as the words left her lips, I gave her a hard thrust.

Hao Lu cried out "Ah!" indignantly, "Chen Cuo, you devil!"

With each of her cries, I thrust again and again. Her cries grew weaker and weaker, until only her moans of "Oh-oh" could be heard.

Finally, she suddenly let out a long, frantic scream, clinging tightly to me, her sharp fingers digging into my flesh. Her passage began to contract forcefully, and a torrent of hot fluid gushed out.

My already exhausted member could no longer withstand the gentle impact. I let out a low growl, and my enormous member made its final thrust, scattering the seeds of pleasure deep within our passage.

Perhaps it was the new environment, but when I woke up, I looked out the window and saw that it was just beginning to get light. I took a deep breath. Hao Lu's hot body pressed tightly against me, the softness reminding me of Yu Jia.

I wondered which man she was in now, and to whom she was displaying her allure. I sighed inwardly and turned my head, only to see Hao Lu's bright eyes fixed on my face.

I couldn't remember how many times I'd experienced this awkwardness. When a man and a woman who were once strangers reached harmony in bed, the first glance between them was always awkward. Although Hao Lu and I had been in contact for some time, I still couldn't escape this pattern.

Hao Lu lowered her gaze, her face as red as the morning glow outside the window. Although her body had moved slightly away from me, the heat remained. We'd already had the most intimate contact, yet now she was acting reserved. This is typical of respectable women seeking a one-night stand; it's time to show your charm and tenderness.

"Good morning," I greeted her with a slight smile. Hearing my voice, Hao Lu's expression relaxed slightly. She looked up at me and softly replied, "Good morning."

I moved closer to her, my warm breath brushing against her face. I gently asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Hao Lu's face flushed quickly, but she bravely met my eyes. Her fiery cheeks, like the rosy hue of her body during her climax the previous night, aroused a strong desire.

"I slept wonderfully," she said, her breath tickling my face, carrying a faint fragrance.

"That's good." Her gaze grew even more intense. I could barely withstand her fiery gaze and lowered my eyes, giving up the chance to meet her eyes.

"However, you don't seem to have slept very well," she said, smiling at me, her tone teasing yet subtly alluring.

"Really?" I asked in surprise. "How did you know I didn't sleep well?" She glanced at me but didn't speak.

"That's impossible. With such a comfortable bed and a beautiful woman beside you, it's impossible for any man not to sleep well," I argued.

Hao Lu giggled, her full breasts a magnificent sight even through the blanket. Thinking of their firmness and smoothness, my heart fluttered, and my hand reached out to touch her chest.

"Who is Aqi?" My hand paused, stopping abruptly, Hao Lu's sweet voice echoing in my ears. I forced a smile that was hard to believe was a laugh or a cry, and stared into Hao Lu's eyes. "How do you know Aqi?"

Hao Lu shook her head. "I don't know Aqi, but last night you were dreaming, and you kept calling her name." I made an exaggerated expression. "Really? I have that kind of hobby? I had no idea."

"What, didn't the women you were with before tell you?" Hao Lu's tone became sharp, clearly realizing she wasn't the first decent woman I'd seduced. She just realized it too late, hehe.

I sighed and said, "Sigh, being too devoted in love has always been my biggest flaw." Hao Lu chuckled and pinched my thigh hard. "You have the nerve to say that."

Seeing her smile, I breathed a sigh of relief, composed myself, and sighed, "She was my girlfriend when I was in school." "Oh," Hao Lu said softly, "No wonder! Was she your first love?"

"Hehe, talking about my first love now feels a little strange, but it really was my first relationship." I said with a smile, but the memories that stirred in my heart couldn't be hidden by the smile on my face.

"And then what happened?" Hao Lu was clearly interested in my past, her body unconsciously moving closer to mine, her right hand propping up her head, her gaze fixed on my face.

"There was no 'afterward'," I said calmly. Looking at Hao Lu's curious gaze, I continued, "Like most campus couples, we couldn't escape the fate of parting ways—after graduation, she went to America."

"Oh," Hao Lu sighed deeply, "Why didn't you go with her?"

I shook my head, "Everyone has their own dreams. Her dreams are on the other side of the ocean, and I—I seem to be someone without dreams." I laughed.

Hao Lu stared intently at me and asked, "Do you still love her?"

I looked at Hao Lu strangely, "Lying in one woman's bed, yet talking about whether I still love another woman, seems a bit ridiculous."

Hao Lu didn't laugh, but said softly, "It seems you're a rather devoted man." I was somewhat dumbfounded. I slept with a woman, and this woman knew I was still thinking about another woman, yet she said I was devoted. I really didn't know what she was thinking; a woman's mind is always unfathomable.

"And who is Yujia?" Hao Lu looked at me mischievously. "You called her name several times yesterday!"

"No way," I exclaimed, a scene from a classic movie flashing through my mind: "Did I call Qingxia's name 431 times and Zixia's name 432 times?"

"Pretty much, haha." Hao Lu laughed. "I feel like I'm that grape."

I smiled bitterly. "Yujia is a girl with a tragic fate." "Oh," Hao Lu glanced at me. "Is she as tragic as me—being smitten by you?"

Ignoring the strong sourness in Hao Lu's words, I sighed. "There are always some things in this world that make me feel regretful, and Yujia's story is one of them."

"Then am I also part of your story?" Hao Lu said softly, a trace of undisguised sadness showing in her beautiful eyes.

I stroked her smooth back, gently kissed her earlobe, and whispered in her ear, "Even in a story, you are the heroine." Hao Lu leaned on my shoulder, her eyes brimming with tears that soaked my back.

"Chen Cuo, Chen Cuo—" In my frenzied thrusts, Hao Lu called my name again and again, her teeth biting tightly into my shoulder, her fingernails digging fiercely into the flesh of my waist, as if trying to fuse us together through this excruciating pain.

"Oh, oh, Chen Cuo, I, I beg you for something—" The walls of her vagina began to contract tightly, her body turning a strange rose-red, as she gasped for breath.

Suppressing the overwhelming pleasure from my erection, I roughly kneaded her soft breasts, took a breath, and asked, "What is it?"

Hao Lu thrust her hips forcefully a few times, meeting my final assault, wrapped her arms around my neck, and shouted in my ear, "Chen Cuo, oh, I want you to remember, oh, in another woman's bed, don't forget to call—call my name—"

She kissed my lips tightly, gently biting my tongue, then hugged me tightly, her fiery lips seemingly trying to melt into my mouth.

A warm current surged from my passage, the thick semen from my erection seeping into the deepest part of my tunnel.

I pressed my cheek tightly against hers, the scalding heat slowly flowing down our cheeks, making it impossible to distinguish which was hers and which was mine…

Perhaps I'm not a good man, but I am definitely a man who yearns for family life. These years of wandering have been filled with loneliness and solitude, but my longing for the warmth of home has only grown stronger.

Watching Hao Lu's voluptuous figure bustling about in the kitchen, I had a strange feeling. I seemed to be a happy husband, sitting at the table waiting for my gentle and virtuous wife to bring out the breakfast she had prepared.

A long-lost emotion welled up in my heart, so much so that even when Hao Lu placed the sorghum porridge in front of me, I was still lost in thought.

"Hey, hey, wake up!" Hao Lu waved her slender fingers in front of me a few times. I grabbed her hand, brought it to my nose and sniffed it a few times, then closed my eyes and said, "It smells so good."

Hao Lu giggled and withdrew her hand, saying, "You've only just woken up, and you're already daydreaming again." I opened my eyes and looked at her, shaking my head, "This isn't a dream, this is real life."

Hao Lu lived in a two-bedroom apartment, which was filled with her photos—contemplative, smiling, cheerful, shy—all kinds of expressions, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe them as dazzling.

I clicked my tongue and exclaimed, "Really nice." Hao Lu smiled and said, "Are you saying I'm nice, or that the photos are nice?" "The photos are nice, but you're even prettier." "You're such a flatterer." Hao Lu's face lit up with a smile.

"By the way, where's your husband's photo?" As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it. It was clearly inappropriate to bring up these things in this atmosphere. This also proved the old saying once again: "When a man is at his most proud, that's when he's most prone to making mistakes."

Sure enough, Hao Lu's face darkened. She picked up a spoonful of porridge and put it in her mouth without saying a word.

"I'm sorry." I was genuinely regretful. A man's occasional mistakes can be the most fatal.

"It's nothing." Hao Lu sighed. "I burned his photos."

"Yes, yes, yes, learn to forget so you can live a better life." I quickly said, using Fang Ning's words to comfort Hao Lu.

“This person isn’t worth mentioning again.” Hao Lu’s tone was somewhat agitated. “Do you know how he got into the car accident? He finished drinking at a bar, called two girls to go for a drive, and then the three of them drove off a bridge together—”

I fell silent, unsure how to comfort her. I often saw stories like this in the newspapers, but I never imagined I’d experience it firsthand.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore, let’s eat, the food’s getting cold.” Hao Lu smiled and urged me on.

I took her hand, looked into her eyes, and said gently, “Forget all the unhappy things from the past. Every day is a new beginning; seizing the present is the most important thing.”

“Seizing the present?” Hao Lu’s gaze was fixed on my face, and she sighed softly. An unspeakable sadness filled my heart.

Outside the window, the warm winter morning sun was surrounded by thick clouds, with a few golden rays piercing through the clouds and shining on the earth. Despite the bright sun, Hao Lu and I felt no warmth whatsoever.

I sighed, closed my eyes, and murmured to myself: Will today truly be a new beginning?

Unexpectedly, things went surprisingly smoothly. When Hao Lu and I arrived at the construction site after breakfast, the construction team had already completed the modifications according to my requirements. Seeing the smile on my face, Hao Lu exaggeratedly patted her chest a few times, saying, "Finally, it's over."

My gaze fell on her trembling chest, recalling the warmth and softness of last night, and I laughed, "This is just the beginning; it's far from over."

Hao Lu glanced at me, saying seductively, "For me, this is over. The rest is up to you, Engineer Chen—if I can't even trust you, who can I trust?"

Though her tone was ambiguous, there was genuine sadness in her eyes. I took out my laptop from my bag, staring at the Windows startup screen, Hao Lu's words, "Who can I trust?" still echoing in my mind.

Men always trust themselves most in crucial moments, while women always trust men, especially men with whom they have intimate relationships, in crucial moments. In today's world, where gender equality is advocated and even some women are considered superior to men, the saying "women are inherently weaker" still holds true.

I plopped down on the static-free floor; when I'm working, I rarely care about my appearance. Hao Lu slowly squatted down beside me, watching my hands fly across the keyboard.

"How's it going?" Seeing my frown, Hao Lu became a little nervous. I glanced at the rows of green lights on the equipment, listened to the slight noise it was making, and turned back to Hao Lu with a smile, saying, "No problem, everything's normal."

My luck was exceptionally good today. The physical links like the fiber optic cables connected instantly; I finished all the data in just half an hour.

After doing a few small tests, I stood up, patted my backside, and said with a smile, "Done, that's a wrap." Hao Lu's eyes widened, looking at me in surprise: "So fast?"

"Fast?" I glared at her: "I thought it was too slow!" Hao Lu was naturally a little skeptical and started running around testing with her laptop. After working for more than twenty minutes, he ran back happily and said, "OK, it worked on the first try."

I laughed, "You still don't believe me?" Hao Lu waved her hand and said, "No, it just feels too fast." I nodded and said, "Network equipment isn't like those transmission devices. During the engineering phase, you don't need to worry about error codes. Generally, as long as the link is established, there won't be any major problems. Of course, the bureau will have some specific technical requirements during the final acceptance test."

Hao Lu said, "Is it that simple?" I laughed, "What? Are you regretting inviting me?" Hao Lu blushed slightly and said softly, "If I hadn't invited you, I might regret it even more."

My heart warmed, and looking at her beautiful face, I felt a faint impulse—if I took her right there and now, I thought she wouldn't refuse.

Having barely suppressed my wandering thoughts, I couldn't resist giving her plump buttocks a couple of gentle strokes, then licked my chapped lips and said, "Don't worry, I'm worth the money. We haven't encountered any complicated network situations yet. If we do, that's when I'll be needed."

Hao Lu nodded, her face flushed, her eyes full of shyness, probably because my playful touch on her buttocks had worked.

That day, I went all out and completed six points in a row, all of which went smoothly without any major problems. Hao Lu was naturally delighted to see that I had solved most of the problems in one day.

When I was about to do the seventh point, Hao Lu suggested taking a break for the day. The remaining four points were in the suburbs, in relatively remote locations, and besides, at today's pace, completing those four points tomorrow would be a piece of cake. I thought about it and agreed. Indeed, there was no need to work so hard.

Although it was already past six in the evening, Hao Lu was in a great mood, even humming a little tune while driving. I was tired and didn't care what she was singing. I slumped back in my chair and let out a long yawn.

Hao Lu, though looking straight ahead, managed to squeeze my leg with her right hand and scolded, "You don't know how to appreciate things." I was about to protest when Hao Lu suddenly yelled, "It's raining!"

I quickly turned my head to look outside. Raindrops were pounding against the car window, then slowly trickling down, obscuring my view. The distant mountains and nearby trees had become blurry. Even the lush green had turned into a deep black in the winter rain.

Hao Lu seemed to particularly enjoy the rain, and the tune she hummed sounded even more vivid: "Last night in my dream--there was a place--the pasture of the Red Leaf Forest, I vaguely heard--someone playing--a song called Rain Night Flower, I've already forgotten--what this song was about. The rain is beautiful--the night is cool--the flowers are fragrant, it's the flowers fluttering in the forest--it's the flowers fluttering in the forest..."

Hao Lu's voice sounded somewhat lonely and desolate in the lonely winter night. She seemed to be singing, and she seemed to be speaking at the same time. The tears floating in her eyes seemed to be the best expression of her state of mind at this moment.

"Mountain peaks, streams, dogs, cooking smoke, hot soup, wooden table—who's missing?

Birdsong, insect chirps, warbling, swallows' chatter—why stir up trouble?

Last night in my dream, in a pasture of red maple forests, I vaguely heard someone playing a song called 'Rainy Night Flower, Rainy Night Flower, Rainy Night, flowers fall in profusion, so cool, so fragrant, so beautiful…'" Perhaps I was truly sleepy; as Hao Lu's voice grew softer, I drifted off to sleep, the melody of "Rainy Night Flower" seemingly echoing in my dreams.

When we got off the bus, Hao Lu seemed like a completely different person, full of energy. I, on the other hand, despite having slept for a while, felt even more listless.

Hao Lu, however, completely disregarded my spirits, casually finding a small restaurant, ordering a hot pot, and then two glasses of draft beer. The scalding hot soup, the icy cold beer—a stark contrast.

I took a sip of beer, smacked my lips, and sighed; drinking beer in winter is quite refreshing. Hao Lu, in high spirits, ordered two more glasses of beer. Perhaps because I was too tired, I felt a little dizzy after just one glass. Hao Lu, however, downed two glasses, then laughed and pointed at me, saying, "How come you're so weak so quickly?"

I misunderstood her meaning; even though I was dizzy, it easily made me think of a certain connotation. I snapped, "Let's try it at a hotel!" Hao Lu glanced at me with her watery eyes, then said, "Okay, we'll drink in your room."

Perhaps I was truly drunk, because by the time Hao Lu took a beer from the refrigerator, I was already lying on the bed. Hao Lu giggled and pulled me up, then handed me a can. Hao Lu's face was flushed, and her eyes held a flirtatious glint that any man could understand.

I took a small sip of beer, and for some reason, I thought of Yu Jia, letting out a soft sigh. Hao Lu sat down beside me, her body pressed tightly against mine. "Why are you sighing?" she asked.

I smiled and said, "Nothing, just a bit sentimental from being away from home all the time." Hao Lu pressed even closer, saying, "You're always out there alone, of course it must be tough. Why don't you find a girlfriend? That way, someone will care about you."

I chuckled, "Who would want a guy like us who's always on the go?" Hao Lu sighed, "What's wrong with being a guy who's always on the go? A guy who's always with a woman isn't necessarily a good guy." After this morning's experience, I naturally didn't dare bring up the topic again. "

Chen Cuo, I'll be your girlfriend," Hao Lu suddenly said, and I almost spat out the beer I was drinking.

Perhaps because of the alcohol, I couldn't tell whether Hao Lu's eyes were more sincere or teasing anymore. But I was sure Hao Lu was drunk, because she would never say something like that when she was sober.

Seeing my confused look, Hao Lu suddenly chuckled, "Look how scared you are! I was just kidding." I didn't laugh, just quietly looked at her.

Hao Lu gently brought her face closer to mine, the mist in her eyes not yet completely gone. She lightly kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, "Chen Cuo, didn't you say we should only care about today? So what are you waiting for?"

I hugged her tightly, letting her hot tears slowly stream down my cheeks. Women are always vulnerable at night; I can't remember whose famous quote that was.

I offered her a broad shoulder, and she finally couldn't hold back and cried loudly. She sobbed, pounding her fists on me. I suddenly felt a pang of regret; Hao Lu wasn't suited to be the protagonist in this emotionless game. Maybe I shouldn't have bothered with her in the first place.

Hao Lu sobbed in my ear, "Chen Cuo, I need to ask you for something." I nodded gently.

Hao Lu stopped crying and stared into my eyes, saying, "I want you to lie to me just once." "Lie to you? Why?"

Hao Lu didn't answer me, but said, "I want you to lie to me just once, to tell me—" She licked her lips and whispered, "I—love—you—"

I was stunned. I had never encountered such a request before. Looking into Hao Lu's longing eyes, I didn't know what to say. Hao Lu started sobbing softly again: "Can't you even give me a lie?"

I choked back a sob and finally managed to say, "I—" Hao Lu looked up, her eyes burning with a fire, staring intently into my gaze. My

breathing quickened. Looking into Hao Lu's intensely longing eyes, I hesitated for a long time, but the second word still wouldn't come out. Finally, I lowered my head and whispered, "I'm sorry, Hao Lu, I can't lie to you!"

Hao Lu suddenly hugged me tightly, sobbing loudly in my ear, "Chen Cuo, I—love you! I—love you!"

Her hands seemed to dig into my flesh through my clothes, her burning body seemed to want to completely merge with mine.

Feeling her trembling all over, her scalding tears seemed to have soaked my shoulder. I seemed to be unable to bear this silent pressure any longer, lowered my head, and whispered in her ear, "Hao Lu, I—love you!"

At that moment, I finally became a love scammer!

Tan Huo once confided in me, his face full of distress, saying that several young girls were head over heels in love with him, and that they would rather die than lose him.

Dying wasn't the worst part; the worst part was that each of them forced Tan Huo to say "I love you" to him. Normally, with Tan Huo's thick skin, saying it ten or eight times wouldn't be a problem. But Tan Huo innocently said, "I'm afraid that if I say it too much, damn it, I won't feel the same way when I confess to Fang Ning again."

I gave him a hard smack on the head and said, "You still remember Fang Ning? You're almost as obsessed as Qin Xianglian's husband now!" Tan Huo didn't react for a moment and asked, "Who's Qin Xianglian's husband?" I almost fainted on the spot, gritting my teeth, "The one you always sing about, the one who serves you with dog-headed skewers."

I didn't know how credible Tan Huo's words were, but for his happiness, I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands. I ran to the classroom desk and copied a little poem that some guy had carved on it: "I love you—but I dare not say it—I'm afraid that after I say it—I will die—I'm not afraid of death—I'm afraid that after I die—no one will love you like I do."

Tan Huo made me copy six copies overnight. I cursed, "You motherfucker, even with all that stuff, you only have five limbs, yet you're juggling six relationships!" Tan Huo said smugly, "Of course, multitasking is my specialty, Tan Huo."

At least this guy had some conscience; the first copy was given to Fang Ning. At that time, Fang Ning didn't recognize my handwriting and thought Tan Huo was crazy. According to Tan Huo, the direct consequence was that Fang Ning clung tightly to his neck, calling him "Da Ling" again and again with infinite coquettishness.

As for the others, they were even easier to deal with. When Tan Huo treated me to drinks, he said, "Old Cuo, where did you get that weird poem? It's incredibly powerful! Those girls were all crying their eyes out, and their eyes—you wouldn't believe it—tsk tsk."

I told him to mind his own business and not to bother me with cleaning up his messes anymore. Tan Huo chuckled and said, "Of course not. To show my gratitude, I've specially prepared a beautiful woman for you."

I've never been interested in the "beautiful woman" he was talking about. The reason is simple: this guy isn't at the level of wanting to give up a beautiful woman to his brothers.

I said, "Come on, those girls who shout 'beautiful woman, beautiful woman, turn heads' on the street, I don't care for them."

Tan Huo said mysteriously, "Don't worry, this one's top-notch. Here, this is her information." He rummaged in his pocket for a while before finally pulling out a crumpled piece of paper and handing it to me.

The words on the paper were clearly divided into two parts. The top line was written in black fountain pen, with neat handwriting: "Shen Yuqi, 165cm, June 8, 1977, Chengdu." Following that were three numbers written in blue ballpoint pen: "85/56/85." The last few characters were jagged and disorganized, clearly Tan Huo's handwriting.

Seeing that I had finished reading, Tan Huo kept asking me what I thought. I said, "What do you mean, what's this nonsense?"

Tan Huo said, "Don't be ungrateful, this is another beauty from the Foreign Languages Department, introduced by Fang Ning, who is just as famous as her. Look how good we are to you, we even know her name, height, hometown, and date of birth."

I chuckled and said, "No wonder you didn't make a move, it turns out it was Fang Ning's classmate who did the work." Although at that time I was still an idealistic and ambitious young man, far from my rebellious youth, I had already heard of the two beauties from the Foreign Languages Department, especially since one of them was Tan Huo.

Seeing that I was somewhat interested, Tan Huo pointed to the numbers on the back and chuckled, saying, "I knew you were smitten! Look, take a look." I asked, "What's this?"

Tan Huo said smugly, "Hehe, you know what I mean, these are Shen Meinu's measurements." "Damn!" I exclaimed, "How did you know? Did Fang Meinu tell you?"

Tan Huo waved a finger in front of me, "No, no, this is my own estimation, with an error margin of less than 10%." I chuckled, and Tan Huo patted my shoulder, "Brother, it's your turn to shine."

This was the first time I heard the name Aqi. At the time, I never imagined that this girl named Aqi would leave such a deep mark on my life.

Love is like that; it sneaks into your heart when you're not paying attention, and quietly disappears when you least expect it, leaving behind unforgettable love and hate, leaving those who didn't have time to cherish it to taste and savor the bittersweetness of love alone.

Cherish both laughter and tears, for love won't always stay between us, Tan Huoyu. It wasn't that pigs flew; he just recited a mark left on the desk by some unknown talented student from W University.

The reason I recalled this past event is because Hao Lu's request forced me to think back. Licking my chapped lips, the embarrassment of last night is still vivid in my mind. I dare say, if it weren't for exchanging words for writing, I would have no problem at all.

The destructive power of that little poem far exceeded my imagination; this was not only proven with Tan Huoyu's girls, but later, during a period of boredom, I used it to deal with some unfamiliar female netizens in chat rooms, and the effect was surprisingly good. Generally, the first sentence would get a "humph," the second a silence, the third a "how about it?", the fourth a "then go die," the fifth a "what are you afraid of?", the sixth a "?", and the last sentence was often a long silence, followed by two words, "Thank you!"

If I used this little poem to deal with Hao Lu, even if it couldn't completely move her, it would at least relieve me of that guilty, uneasy feeling.

Hao Lu, however, seemed to have forgotten my lie from last night, or perhaps she remembered it vividly. Her pretty figure bustled about, the joy on her face making it hard for me to tell whether she remembered or had forgotten.

"What's wrong? Not working?" Seeing my gaze fixed on her face, Hao Lu blushed slightly, just like when we first met.

"Hurry up and finish, this is the last point, you can go back to head office tomorrow." Hao Lu's expression was calm; I couldn't see any fluctuation in her heart. Of course, that might be because my own heart was churning.

"Do you really want me to leave?" After typing the last letter and pressing Enter, I stopped looking at the equipment and focused my gaze on Hao Lu's beautiful face.

"Can you not leave?" Hao Lu wasn't backing down, bravely meeting my gaze, the burning flame in her eyes warming my heart as well.

Finally unable to withstand her intense gaze, I could only lower my head and softly say, "I'm sorry, Hao Lu."

She shook her head: "Why apologize? You haven't apologized to anyone." Her tone was calm, a calmness that was somewhat frightening. She held my hand and gently said, "Chen Cuo, you don't need to blame yourself. It was all my own choice."

I didn't know what to say. In this matter, I was a man who couldn't take responsibility, or rather, I didn't want to take responsibility at all. Selfish men are all like that, but I believed that Hao Lu had already prepared herself before being with me; after all, she wasn't an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl anymore.

"Chen Cuo, I want to tell you that I've been very happy these past few days." Her expression was serene, as if she truly lived in happiness.

"It's all because of you. When I'm with you, I feel like I've gone back to when I was twenty. If I had met you then, I would have fallen madly in love with you. We might have had a love that shook the world, and you wouldn't have met Aqi or Yujia. Maybe there would only be Hao Lu in your life." She seemed to be talking to herself, her voice trembling slightly, and tears welling up in her eyes. I ignored the no-smoking rule in the computer lab, lit a cigarette, and put it to my lips.

"It's just a pity we were seven years too late, seven years." She closed her beautiful eyes, and two crystal tears slowly rolled down her smooth cheeks. I took a deep drag and remained silent.

"But I still want to thank," she suddenly opened her eyes, "I want to thank God for letting me meet you, for giving me something to cherish in my life from now on. Although it was a little short, it felt really wonderful." The smile that suddenly bloomed on her face was like a pure white lotus flower in the middle of a summer pond, noble, holy, and radiantly beautiful.

I suddenly realized how despicable I had been. I seemed to have never thought about giving anything, yet I received the most precious things. My lofty vanity and pride were worthless in front of Yujia and Haolu. I squeezed the cigarette butt in my hand tightly, a feeling of being stripped naked welling up inside me again.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Haolu finally showed her sweet smile again, took her small hand from mine, and waved it a few times in front of me: "How's it going now? My great engineer?"

I couldn't recover my mood immediately. I glanced at her and said lazily, "Don't worry, everything is done."

Haolu nodded, took an envelope from her bag and handed it to me: "Here you go, your plane ticket for tomorrow afternoon."

I was stunned, suddenly feeling like I'd been played. It turned out she had already arranged everything, even booked the plane ticket. In that instant, my self-esteem seemed to be torn to shreds.

I threw the envelope on the ground and yelled, "Why did you book my ticket? Who said I was leaving? Do you really want me to leave that badly?" I shouted, my chest heaving violently. Although I couldn't see my face, I knew it must be ashen.

Hao Lu seemed surprised by my reaction, staring blankly at me, two tears welling in her beautiful eyes.

My heart suddenly softened. I didn't know why I was angry; seeing Hao Lu's pitiful appearance, all my resentment vanished.

Watching Hao Lu pick up the envelope, I suddenly hugged her tightly, pressing my face against hers, and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry, I don't know why it turned out this way."

Hao Lu's shoulders trembled, and she began to sob softly, tears soaking my shoulder. I sighed inwardly, took the envelope from Hao Lu's hand, and gently tossed it into my bag.

Perhaps I never imagined things with Hao Lu would unfold this way. Hao Lu gripped the steering wheel, her gaze fixed blankly ahead, as if trying to see through the road.

The Audi sped along the road, the headlights of an oncoming car illuminating Hao Lu's face. But on her face, I seemed to find no trace of myself anymore.

I sighed inexplicably, as if this scene was an essential part of any story. I pulled a cigarette from my pocket; the flickering light of the lighter flushed Hao Lu's face. Beautiful features! I stared at her unabashedly, my gaze slowly sweeping over her body.

Hao Lu remained fixed on me, but I could easily feel the heat on her face. Something unintentionally flashed in her eyes, and I finally felt a pang of emotion: women are the most adept at disguise. I

took a light drag, and the smoke drifted through the car, lingering on Hao Lu's forehead. I reached out and waved my hand above her head, and the smoke slowly dissipated. I remembered an old movie, "Addiction," where Fang Yan gently brushed away the smoke from Du Mei's face.

"Damn it, I'm insane," I muttered to myself. What kind of time is this to be thinking about those pointless soap opera plots?

Feeling a bit stifled, I slowly rolled down the car window. A cool breeze blew in, temporarily clearing my groggy mind. My right index finger, extended out the window, lightly touched the cigarette, and a long streak of ash silently drifted away with the speeding Audi.

"Cough, cough," Hao Lu's face flushed slightly. She moved one hand to gently cover her lips, revealing an incomplete silhouette of a sickly beauty.

I took a deep drag, then quickly threw away the cigarette butt, rolled up the window, and tilted my head to ask, "What's wrong? Got a cold?" Thinking about it, she had indeed been working very hard these past few days, managing so many things: confirming delivery dates, communicating and explaining to the client while enduring their scolding, contacting the construction team for surveying, and worrying about whether the project could be completed on time. Such a mountain of work would be overwhelming for anyone, let alone such a frail woman. The pressure she was under was unimaginable.

"Women aren't suited for this line of work," Tan Huo told me two years ago. The days of exorbitant profits in this industry are long gone; now, equipment manufacturers operate on thin margins or even operate at a loss. I recall recently seeing it ranked as one of the top ten most profitable industries online, and I felt a pang of disdain.

Women in this line of work need to put in many times more effort than men, and be prepared to handle all sorts of unexpected situations—situations perhaps unique to women. But women also have advantages, especially in sales; their power there probably far surpasses that of men.

Tan Huo chuckled at the time, saying, "That depends on the woman." For a woman like Hao Lu, the hardships she endures are probably only known to herself.

I placed my left hand on her back and patted her gently twice. She rolled her eyes at me, then quickly looked ahead. "I don't have a cold, why are you taking pictures?"

I secretly found these two completely unrelated statements amusing. I smiled and said, "I was just worried." She snorted coldly. "If you really care about me, smoke less."

"Really?" I protested. "I already brushed off your ashes." "Ugh—" she sneered. "You men are all good at making excuses."

I pursed my lips and remained silent, but she seemed unsatisfied and added, "Men are all hateful." I naturally feigned innocence.

She still seemed unsatisfied, gritting her teeth as she was about to launch another personal attack on men. I quickly interrupted her, "Men are also adorable."

She glared at me, her cheeks twitching a few times, and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Men are all shameless." Her voice was much softer now, almost to herself.

I smiled slightly and didn't argue further. There are many things in this world that are incomprehensible. I don't know if shameless men, as Hao Lu suggests, exist in this world, but I do know for sure that women in this world tend to prefer shameless men. Between the honest Guo Jing and the shameless Yang Kang, if I were a woman, I would definitely choose Yang Kang and let Guo Jing go to hell.

"Women don't love bad men" is a product of men's fantasies, but it's also a truth women acknowledge.

When a woman talks about men and elevates the topic from one man to a group of men, it means she absolutely doesn't dislike the man she's talking about. Hao Lu is like that now. Looking at her beaming face, I gave her a silly smile and unconsciously pulled out a cigarette from my pocket.

Hao Lu gave me a slight glare, and I quickly put the cigarette back. She suddenly sighed and said, "Smoke it, smoke it. A cigarette might be your second wife."

I was somewhat surprised by her sudden enlightenment, yet I couldn't help correcting her self-righteous mistake: "No, cigarettes are our lovers; perhaps only they will always be the most pleasing to us."

She scoffed, "That's not bad either. Sleeping in the same bed for decades, it's easy to get tired of your wife. A lover, on the other hand, is always fresh." I exclaimed, "How do you understand so clearly? This sounds so familiar!"

She rolled her eyes at me: "Don't think no one will go to the movies with me." I shook my head, sincerely admiring the director who made this profound film reflecting the essence of men, yet also somewhat afraid. What would he reveal about men next? Most importantly—what would he teach women to be like?

"Truly a man's nightmare," I muttered to myself, which only elicited a cold laugh from Hao Lu, who then fell silent.

I don't know how we ate dinner; although Hao Lu was no longer silent, she rarely smiled. After I told a few jokes that weren't really jokes, the situation still didn't improve, so I obediently shut up, deciding it was best not to make a fool of myself. The atmosphere became more awkward than ever before.

Hao Lu parked the car in the hotel parking lot. I opened the car door and got out, but when I looked back, Hao Lu didn't seem to be moving.

"Come on, let's go upstairs and sit down," I said, walking around to the left window and bringing my head close to her face. She shook her head and didn't say anything. "Don't worry, I won't eat you," I said, not giving up, staring into her eyes.

Perhaps because of the dim light, her eyes were so dim that I couldn't even tell if she was looking at me.

After a long silence, she finally spoke: "Could I have a cigarette?" I was taken aback. Her eyes were empty, as if she hadn't said those words. I quickly said, "Hao Lu—" "Give me a cigarette!" she interrupted me, saying indifferently.

I didn't say anything more, took one out of my pocket, lit it, took a puff, and then handed it to her. She stared at the red glow of the cigarette butt, took a deep drag, and coughed, wisps of smoke rising from the unburnt tobacco swirling around her.

I snatched the cigarette from her hand, took a deep drag myself, threw it on the ground, and stomped on it a few times. Then, almost numb, I stood by the car window, staring at her, silent. Her gaze seemed sharper than the biting wind, making me feel a chill standing in the winter night. I shifted slightly, as if gaining some strength, and then met her gaze without fear.

She stared at me for a while, sighed, and said slowly, "Chen Cuo, I'm a little tired." Her voice was hoarse, as if she were truly exhausted.

I nodded, a warmth spreading through me. I touched her cheek, then placed my hand on her soft shoulder: "It's alright. Go home early, take a hot shower, and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow morning you'll find—Hao Lu is actually the most beautiful person in the world." I grinned at her.

She smiled at me, her voice hoarse, "Is this how you always comfort women who are about to part with you?" I pursed my lips, speechless.

She smiled again, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. Though her smile was as beautiful as a flower, it gave me such a bitter feeling.

"I'll see you off tomorrow," Hao Lu said as I turned away. Her voice was soft, like a spring drizzle, rustling in my heart, yet like a greedy silkworm, chewing on my soul that had long since disappeared.

"Thank you." I didn't turn back, striding towards the hotel entrance.

Just as I was about to step onto the stairs, a long horn beeped. I turned my head and saw the Audi's headlights all on, the bright lights shining on my face.

When I regained my composure and looked into the car, I saw two lines of tears streaming down Hao Lu's face. The horn blared, and Hao Lu sat quietly in the car, like an angel under a spell.

"Chen Cuo, you're a devil," Hao Lu's words from last night echoed in my ears.

"Chen Cuo, you're a devil," I whispered to myself.

I didn't know how long I'd been standing there, or even when Hao Lu had left. I felt completely drained, my mind blank, unable to remember anything.

My body felt tired too, my steps becoming heavy. Carrying my laptop, I slowly walked towards the elevator. Just as I pressed the button, a soft voice called out, "Are you Mr. Chen Cuo from 1208?" I turned around and saw it was the receptionist, her face flushed and quite beautiful.

I looked at her curiously and smiled, "Am I that famous? Do people recognize me on the street?" The receptionist blushed slightly and smiled, saying, "Mr. Chen, here's a letter for you."

"Oh, thank you. You haven't told me how you know me yet?" Taking the envelope from her, looking at her pretty face, I felt a surge of energy and chuckled, teasing her. Looking at her slightly red face, I felt a mix of shame and pride: this was the allure of a devil.

The girl seemed quite shy, blushing several times when she saw me. I chuckled inwardly, but knew it wasn't the right time to cause more trouble, so I suppressed my interest.

Looking at the letter in my hand, a thick leather envelope with only four words on it: "To Chen Cuo," the handwriting faint and delicate, clearly a woman's. A woman? A thought struck me. I only knew two women in this city; one had just left, and the other—had just entered the room. I eagerly tore open the envelope, gave it a gentle shake, and a thick wad of RMB spilled onto the floor. I plopped down on the bed, Yu Jia's image vaguely appearing in my mind. A lovely girl had nourished me for seven days with her youthful body, leaving behind everything beautiful she could, and the only thing I could give her, she had returned.

I sat there, stunned, my thoughts in turmoil. A cigarette sat in my mouth, but the lighter wouldn't light. "Damn it!" I slammed the lighter on the ground and cursed. "I'll get a Zippo tomorrow and never put up with this crap again."

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