Song Rou was extremely generous, buying Zhou Yi three sets of clothes in one go.
Every time she spoke to Zhou Yi, her excuse was always, "Your brother Tianrui asked me to take good care of you."
Coupled with her charming way with words, their conversation flowed pleasantly.
Zhou Yi stood in front of the mirror when Song Rou walked over and adjusted his collar for him.
Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes and took a step back.
If this were a private setting, he might have indulged in the attention of a beautiful woman—but they were in public, and he didn’t want to give anyone reason to gossip.
Instead of being discouraged, Song Rou grew even more enthusiastic toward him.
At the very least, it proved Zhou Yi wasn’t like her younger brother, who would fold at the slightest flirtation from a pretty girl.
Sometimes, when a woman wants to seduce a man, the more unattainable he is, the more she desires him.
After that, she maintained a certain distance from Zhou Yi, but her words grew increasingly intimate.
"Ah Yi, why don’t you stay at our place tonight? Hotels are so uncomfortable, and it’s lonely being alone. At home, you’ll at least have Tianrui to talk to."
"I wouldn’t want to trouble you. Coming over for dinner was already an imposition."
"Don’t say that—it’s no trouble at all. Tianrui really likes you. Earlier, he insisted I invite you to stay."
Zhou Yi sensed something unusual.
If Zhang Tianrui hadn’t actually said that, why would Song Rou so boldly invite him to stay?
Unless... Zhang Tianrui had agreed to it?
But if Zhang Tianrui truly wanted him to stay, why would Song Rou be the one to extend the invitation? And why would she openly flirt with him? Something was definitely off.
While Zhou Yi hesitated, Song Rou led him into a women’s clothing store.
"I need to pick out something too. Ah Yi, help me choose. Tianrui is always busy—he never has time for me."
Her tone was a mix of coquetry and complaint.
"Sure, sister-in-law. Take your time—I’ll wait."
Zhou Yi sat on the sofa in the store while Song Rou picked out a dress and entered the fitting room.
After a while, her voice called out from inside, "Ah Yi, could you come here for a second?"
When Zhou Yi approached, she spoke from behind the curtain, "Ah Yi, could you come in and help me with the zipper?"
The store assistant, assuming they were a couple, didn’t offer to help.
Zhou Yi glanced at the indifferent assistant outside and asked, "Sister-in-law, should I call the assistant instead?"
Song Rou pouted in a delicate, spoiled manner. "No, I don’t like strangers touching me. Just help me with it, Ah Yi. It’ll only take a second."
Zhou Yi chuckled softly. What else could he say? His sister-in-law was being this forward, and he wasn’t exactly a saint. Besides, it was just inside the fitting room—what harm could it do?
He pulled back the curtain and stepped inside.
The fitting room was cramped, and with Zhou Yi inside, the space became even more confined.
Song Rou stood with her back to him, revealing smooth, fair skin that was undeniably alluring.
She turned her head slightly, her voice soft and pleading. "Ah Yi, could you help me? I can’t reach it."
Zhou Yi reached out, but before he could even tug the zipper, his fingertips accidentally brushed against her skin.
Song Rou shuddered, letting out a soft, breathy moan—so sweet and seductive that even she seemed embarrassed by it.
Zhou Yi feigned innocence. "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"
Song Rou didn’t even bother with the zipper anymore. She turned around fully, her gaze burning as she grasped Zhou Yi’s hand.
"Ah Yi, stay at our place tonight, okay?"
This wasn’t even a hint anymore—it was an outright proposition.
Zhou Yi stared at her with dark, unreadable eyes. "Sister-in-law, do you realize what you’re doing?"
Song Rou’s expression was utterly bewitching—her eyes slightly upturned, her long lashes casting shadows beneath them, like a fox spirit luring men to their doom.
"I’ll call Tianrui later. Don’t worry—he won’t be coming home tonight."
"Sister-in-law, I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I don’t want to betray Tianrui."
Zhou Yi pretended to be principled, even releasing her hand.
Song Rou wasn’t upset. Instead, she traced circles on his chest with her finger while her foot playfully hooked around his calf.
"Let me tell you a secret, okay?"
"What secret?"
Zhou Yi already had a vague suspicion.
Could it really be what he was thinking...?
"Zhang Tianrui... he can’t perform."
The moment Song Rou said it, Zhou Yi’s eyes widened slightly—unsure whether to pity her or Zhang Tianrui.
"You mean... all these years, you two have never...?"
"That’s right. Ah Yi, sister-in-law truly likes you. Could you... help me?"
Song Rou gazed at him pleadingly. She was beautiful, with a figure to match—how could Zhou Yi refuse such an offer?
He fell silent for a moment, his eyes tinged with something like pity.
Song Rou sensed that she might have a chance.
She pressed closer, clutching his hand as she whispered, "Ah Yi, please? I’ll give you anything you want. My father holds considerable influence in City A. If you ever need the Song family’s help, just say the word."
Zhou Yi sighed helplessly. "Sister-in-law, that’s not what I’m concerned about. It’s Tianrui—he’s been so good to me. I just... can’t bring myself to do this."
077: "Tch. Crocodile tears."
Song Rou wrapped her arms around Zhou Yi’s waist, pressing her face against his chest as she murmured,
"Then how about this? Come home with me first. If Tianrui really doesn’t come back tonight... will you agree?"
Her expression was fragile and pleading, and Zhou Yi played along, pretending to be moved by her vulnerability.
After a few seconds of feigned hesitation, he finally nodded.
Song Rou’s face lit up with joy. Zhou Yi zipped up her dress for her, and they stepped out of the fitting room.
The store assistant gave him a few extra glances.
Soon after, Song Rou went to the restroom to call Zhang Tianrui.
"Hey, husband... don’t come home tonight."
On the other end of the line, Zhang Tianrui’s heart burned with rage—but he still didn’t want to push things to divorce.
"Fine. I’ll just grab some documents and clothes, then sleep at the office."
"Thank you, husband."
Zhang Tianrui hung up, his spirit utterly crushed.
Zhou Yi and Song Rou hadn’t been shopping for long. After the call, Song Rou practically dragged Zhou Yi home in record time.
Right now, shopping was the last thing on her mind.
Meanwhile, Zhang Tianrui had already returned home from work.
He gathered some files, preparing to spend the night at the office.
Just as he stepped into the master bedroom to retrieve his things, he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
Song Rou and Zhou Yi were back!
If he walked out now and ran into them, he might as well die of shame.
No—he had to hide.
For once, Zhang Tianrui was at a complete loss.
His eyes darted around the room before landing on the wardrobe opposite the bed.
Almost as if possessed, he grabbed his clothes and ducked inside.
The door clicked open.