In her previous life, Jiang Si had never been in a proper romantic relationship, but she still understood these basic physiological matters.
Not to mention, she had a group of girlfriends who never shied away from risqué topics in their chats.
Just how explicit conversations between girls could get was something boys could never even imagine.
Every time Jiang Si glanced at their messages, her face would burn, and her heart would race.
But there was a big difference between discussing such things in theory and actually experiencing them firsthand.
At this critical moment, Jiang Si didn’t dare move recklessly, afraid she might accidentally fan the flames.
Her personal dictionary didn’t include the word "shyness"—but that only applied between the two of them.
In front of their elders, she still had some sense of propriety to maintain.
Noticing her slight distraction, Huo Tingzhou leaned in again, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.
"The walls in this house aren’t soundproof, and Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and Dad are all light sleepers…"
At these words, a faint blush spread across Jiang Si’s cheeks, her ears burning fiercely. "You… you’re different from before."
"How so?"
"You never used to… say things like this."
In the past, though he’d been domineering and assertive, that side of him had only been directed at outsiders.
Not like now.
His entire aura had shifted.
Huo Tingzhou buried his face in the crook of her neck, wanting to say that the past was the past—now they were husband and wife. But the words stuck in his throat, and he swallowed them back.
As expected, he still couldn’t bear to pressure her, even a little.
Taking a deep breath, his voice came out hoarse and resigned.
"If you don’t want to go—"
"I never said I didn’t want to." Jiang Si was just surprised.
The man who used to ask permission before even getting close to her was now taking the initiative.
Huo Tingzhou seemed momentarily stunned by this pleasant surprise, taking a long moment to process it.
The next second, he suddenly leaned over, bracing his hands on either side of her. "Sisi, does that mean… you’re agreeing?"
Jiang Si didn’t answer with words. Instead, she tilted her head up and lightly brushed her lips against his.
Her actions made her stance perfectly clear.
She was willing.
Seeing the darkening intensity in his eyes, Jiang Si didn’t dare stoke the fire any further. She pushed lightly against his chest. "Can you let me go now? I still need to wash my pajamas, and also—"
"I’ll wash them. You rest a little longer."
With that, Huo Tingzhou rolled off the bed and was out of reach before she could stop him.
Watching his boundless energy, Jiang Si sighed inwardly.
Fine, let him burn off some steam. Otherwise, she’d be the one exhausted tonight.
Still, Jiang Si didn’t linger in the room. While her mind was still clear, she headed to the study.
Huo Tingzhou came in once during that time, knowing she disliked being interrupted while drawing.
He quietly set a plate of sliced apples and a glass of water within her reach before slipping out just as silently.
Jiang Si stayed in the study for nearly three hours, emerging only when the sky outside had darkened.
After dinner, Huo Tingzhou sought out Mother Huo. His wife was too shy, so he couldn’t possibly bring this up in front of the whole family.
The moment they stepped into the room, Mother Huo gave him a once-over.
She’d noticed during dinner—her third son had been sneaking glances in her direction every now and then.
Having raised him, she knew his tells all too well.
That expression meant he had something on his mind.
"Out with it. What’s the matter?"
"It’s nothing major." Huo Tingzhou rubbed his nose. "Mom, I want to take Jiang Si to stay at the Western Hills compound for a few days."
"You’re perfectly comfortable here. Why move her there?"
It was no wonder Mother Huo and her daughter-in-law got along so well—her reaction was identical to Jiang Si’s.
Father Huo, who’d entered just a step behind them, immediately understood.
As someone who’d been through it himself, he recognized the look. Back when he and Mother Huo had just married, hadn’t he been the same way?
His eyes had been glued to his wife every waking moment.
Seeing Mother Huo about to protest, Father Huo chuckled. "It’s quieter over there. Let the young couple have some time to themselves."
He tossed over a key. "Here, take this."
"Oh, and Jiang Si really likes the Eight-Treasure Tofu and Four-Joy Meatballs from the second cafeteria. You’d better get there half an hour early, or you’ll miss out."
Huo Tingzhou committed it all to memory. "Thanks, Dad."
Father Huo waved him off. "No need for thanks among family. Oh, and go tomorrow after dinner. Old Fourth and his family are coming over."
"Tomorrow?" Mother Huo asked.
They’d been meaning to invite Old Fourth’s family for a meal, but the police bureau had been tied up with that serial murder case. It seemed they hadn’t had a day off in half a month.
"Yeah, Old Fourth called this afternoon. Said they’re off tomorrow."
"Ah, Old Huo, do you think they might’ve cracked the murder case? Maybe the killer’s already been caught!"
The possibility sent a thrill through Mother Huo.
Father Huo shook his head. "Hard to say. You know how Old Fourth is with his words—unless the criminal is caught, he won’t let slip even a hint."
He wasn’t entirely sure about the specifics, but Old Fourth’s tone today had been unusually calm.
Because of that, Father Huo thought the possibility was slim.
Mother Huo, however, disagreed. "They’ve been investigating for so long now. Every major factory in the capital has been turned upside down. If this person is still in the city, there’s no way there wouldn’t be any leads."
"Tingzhou, don’t you think I’m right?"
Huo Tingzhou paused for a moment before responding, "What if he’s not in the city?"
Not in the city?
Mother Huo blurted out, "How is that possible? What kind of lunatic would travel all the way to the capital just to kill someone? Does he have nothing better to do?"
"Besides, I remember the newspapers back then said it was likely someone the victim knew."
Mother Huo had a habit of keeping old newspapers. No sooner had she finished speaking than she went to the cabinet to dig them out.
In no time, she had retrieved the relevant issues.
"Look, it’s written right here in black and white—this case must have been committed by someone familiar with the victim."
Hearing this, Huo Tingzhou took the newspaper from her, and Father Huo leaned in to read as well.
When they looked up again, their expressions had visibly changed.
Without delay, Father Huo stood up. "I’ll call your fourth uncle."
What was going on?
Mother Huo was momentarily stunned before she snatched the newspaper back for another look.
"Was I wrong? It’s clearly written here—this was a crime committed by someone who knew the victim."
"Otherwise, what are the odds? The child’s parents had just left for a business trip, and that very same day, the killer went to their home."
"After murdering the child, he even stayed in their house until the day before the parents returned."
As she spoke, the hairs on Mother Huo’s arms stood on end.
"That person is truly a monster. How could he not spare even such a small child?"
Jiang Si happened to overhear this last remark as she walked in, fresh from her bath.
Learning there was a new development, she grew curious.
Noticing her interest, Huo Tingzhou explained briefly.
"Based on the reports, all we can say for now is that the killer was aware of the victim’s parents’ movements."
"But whether it was someone they knew personally is still unclear."
Mother Huo was baffled. "If he knew about the parents’ schedule, how could he not be someone familiar?"
Just then, Jiang Si’s eyes caught the bold print on the newspaper: "Jingxi Mining Bureau."
