代练牛

Fortunately, the hotel room was soundproof, shielding their actions from the ears of neighboring guests.

However, the bed was not so robust, groaning and creaking under the strain until it finally cracked.

Yet, even this mishap did little to curb their enthusiasm.

Their journey spilled from the bed to the window, into the bathroom, and across the entire room, lasting several exhaustive hours.

When it all finally came to a close, Zhang Wei lightly kissed Cai Wenxi on the cheek before gently laying her back on the compromised bed.

It wasn't until the evening, when she awoke from a deep, exhausted sleep, that she noticed the stark crack in the bed frame and frowned, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance crossing her face.

She was now burdened with the hellish task of concocting a plausible explanation for the hotel staff about how she managed to break the bed while she was allegedly alone in the room.

She was convinced that Zhang Wei must have stealthily slipped in and out undetected.

It dawned on her just then that she hadn't even noticed him sneaking into her room—a troubling realization.

"That guy is terrible..." she thought, her lips curling into a bitter smile. She was convinced Zhang Wei was employing some cunning stealth technique, cloaking his movements in mystery.

Regardless, she noted ruefully, the second encounter had been far easier to succumb to than the first.

Zhang Wei, for his part, was convinced that the third time would be even more straightforward.

In his view, once a woman decides to step over the line, there's no turning back.

With such a cynical view of human nature, Zhang Wei had grandly decided that day to offer his dubious 'support' to all the lonely widows of the world, believing he was providing them with some much-needed warmth.

____

Outside, in this fresh evening, Zhang Wei stormed about, his thoughts filled with plans to confront Chu Yaoyao and deliver a fierce reprimand for her betrayal.

[Ahem, host, may I remind you, you're the one who's been chasing shadows for days, not her.]

Zhang Wei shrugged off the comment with a scowl. "It's her fault, without a doubt."

System, [...]

Well, if brother is convinced it's her fault, then it must indeed be!

There's a glaring error in the scenario she's oblivious to!

Because she must realize, at any moment, brother will unveil the truth—that it's not only Chu Yaoyao at fault here but the system as well!

And then he'll surely wrest some valuable concessions from her!

Sensing the turbulent currents beneath this quiet, the system opted to remain silent, observing the drama with wary eyes.

Ring... Ring...

Zhang Wei's mood was uplifted, about to place a cheerful call, when his own phone interrupted with its insistent ring.

"Anna?" Confusion knit Zhang Wei's brows as he eyed the unexpected caller ID—Anna, calling today?

He remembered her well: the striking blonde foreigner employed as a bodyguard for Xiong Mei, who seldom ever made a call herself.

As he answered, Anna's voice came through, urgent and distressed: "Master Zhang, something is terribly wrong here."

Zhang Wei, taken aback: "What happened? And where is Meimei?"

Anna: "It's the Miss; she's been exhibiting bizarre behavior ever since she returned from her hometown."

Zhang Wei: "Bizarre... how?"

Anna: "Her eating patterns are all over the place, she's completely stopped preparing for her entrance exam in June, and she's up alone, sitting in silence until the early hours—three, sometimes five AM. She hasn't been in touch with you, so I felt compelled to reach out."

Zhang Wei remained silent for a moment, his expression deepening into a frown of concern.

He wondered, troubled, what could have suddenly happened to his canary?

Why had she stopped flapping her wings?

Zhang Wei: "I'll come back to check on her myself. Please, keep a close watch on her until I arrive."

Beep...

Zhang Wei ended the call, his features twisting with apprehension, only for his expression to change once more as another caller ID flashed across his screen.

"Xie Meirong?" His brow furrowed deeper, sensing yet another impending issue.

With a resigned exhale, he answered the phone.

Xie Meirong: "Hubby, I have fantastic news for you!"

Zhang Wei, skeptical: "Fantastic news?"

Xie Meirong: "Indeed, it seems your concubine is nearing her departure, doesn't that mean I can freely use her body for my art? Hehe! Isn't that delightful news?"

Zhang Wei, utterly speechless, felt a surge of frustration.

Despite his rising ire, he pressed on: "What exactly happened to her?"

Xie Meirong: "Oh, just a bit of crying here and there, aimlessly pacing her room, probably counting the steps as she measures the length of the walls."

Zhang Wei remained silent, his tolerance finally reaching its limit.

He curtly responded to Xie Meirong: "I'll be coming tonight. Just make sure she doesn't die."

Xie Meirong: "Of course, darling, but do bring me a gift, plea—"

Beep!

Before she could finish her sentence, Zhang Wei abruptly ended the call, his fingers pressing firmly into his temples.

First Xiong Mei, and now Chen Yulan?

"Why doesn't one more person call, and make it a hat trick?" he grumbled under his breath.

Ring... Ring...

As if on cue, his phone vibrated again. Zhang Wei's face contorted with irritation. "Leng Yan?" he whispered, his voice laced with bewilderment and a hint of dread.

What in the world was going on today?

He had only been out of town for a few days!

Once Zhang Wei accepted the call, Leng Yan's voice came through, her tone tinged with reservation.

Leng Yan: "Oh, Hey, what are you doing?"

Zhang Wei: "Are you sick?"

Leng Yan, puzzled: "Huh, why?"

Zhang Wei: "Are you staying up until 5 AM?"

Leng Yan: "No!"

Zhang Wei: "Are you pacing around your room aimlessly, counting tiles?"

Leng Yan, clearly bewildered: "Why would I do that?"

Zhang Wei, his suspicion evident: "Then why did you call me?"