39: Chapter 39 Comforting Shiraki Yu

After leaving the Law Enforcement Bureau,

Cao Kun hailed a taxi back to his rented apartment, got in his car, and drove straight to the new home rewarded by the system.

He couldn't wait to see his new place.

The Fenghua Li Residential Complex was located near the North Third Ring Road of Zhongzhou City, a mid-to-high-end residential area developed in recent years.

The surrounding amenities were well-established.

Large shopping malls, top-tier hospitals, and a Subway station were all within walking distance, making life extremely convenient.

The Residential Complex's entrance was strictly controlled at night, but as Cao Kun's car approached, the recognition system emitted a soft 'beep', and the barrier gate automatically rose. The system had already registered his license plate in the resident database.

The car smoothly glided into the underground parking garage, and he found the area corresponding to Building 6 according to the signs.

After parking, Cao Kun took the elevator directly to the 26th floor.

Apartment 2601.

The thick, dark gray security door was fitted with a brand-new smart digital lock.

Cao Kun took a deep breath and entered the initial password: 666888.

With a soft 'click', the bolt retracted.

Pushing the door open, the unique scent of a new home—a mix of faint wood fragrance and cleaning agents—wafted over him.

Cao Kun pressed the switch by the door, and soft light instantly filled the entire space.

What greeted his eyes was a spacious, bright living room with a minimalist, modern decor style.

Featuring a palette of premium gray and off-white, complemented by natural wood-toned flooring and some furniture, it felt warm yet stylish.

The living room connected to a spacious balcony with an open view. The city's nightscape unfolded like a scroll painting.

He stepped inside for a closer look.

The apartment was a standard three-bedroom, two-living-room, two-bathroom layout. The floor plan was square and well-zoned, separating active and quiet areas.

The master bedroom had an ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet. A large double bed was made with elegant gray-blue bedding, soft and fluffy, clearly brand new.

The second bedroom was empty.

The smallest room was set up as a study, fully equipped with a desk and bookshelves, and even an unopened desktop computer.

The kitchen was open-plan, connected to the dining area. The cabinets and appliances were all well-known brands. Surprisingly, basic kitchenware and condiments like pots, pans, bowls, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were also fully provided, all unopened and new.

The double-door refrigerator was empty but already plugged in.

Both bathrooms had separate wet and dry areas with high-end fixtures. Towels, bath towels, toiletries, and even brand-name shampoo and shower gel were neatly arranged.

The living room had an oversized LCD TV. The sofa was soft and comfortable. A pot of vibrant snake plant sat on the coffee table.

This was truly a move-in-ready, showroom-level setup! The system's reward was considerate to an outrageous degree!

Joy welled up inside Cao Kun, almost overflowing.

He flopped onto the comfortable large sofa in the living room, feeling his body sink in, and let out a long, relieved sigh.

Without further hesitation, he decided to stay here for the night.

He plugged in his phone to charge and sent a message to Ji Guangli asking for time off.

Then, he enjoyed a wonderful hot shower using the fragrant, brand-new bath towel and shower gel.

Lying on the soft, spacious bed in the master bedroom, the clean, sun-dried scent at his nose, Cao Kun almost instantly fell into a deep sleep. The fatigue of recent days and the dangers of the night seemed washed away by the comfort of his surroundings.

...

He slept exceptionally soundly and didn't wake up naturally until past 11 AM.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains onto the bedsheet, warm and bright. He stretched luxuriously, feeling completely at ease.

"Now this is living!" he muttered contentedly, getting up to wash up.

He went downstairs and had a bowl of spicy soup.

Then, he drove to his landlady, Bai Muyou's, home to handle the lease termination.

Bai Muyou had already divorced her husband.

She was quite surprised to see Cao Kun.

"Xiao Cao? What brings you here? Come in, quick!"

Bai Muyou warmly welcomed him inside. She was wearing loungewear, yet it couldn't hide her mature, charming allure.

The two sat on the sofa and chatted for a while. Bai Muyou asked what he had been busy with these past few days.

Cao Kun was vague. The atmosphere gradually grew ambiguous.

It was unclear who made the first move, but soon, they were embracing and kissing, naturally tumbling onto the bed in the bedroom.

...

After the passion subsided, they snuggled together to rest.

Only then did Cao Kun bring up the main matter: "Sister Bai, I came here to terminate the lease. I don't plan to continue renting that apartment."

Bai Muyou's originally lazy, smiling face instantly stiffened.

She propped herself up, looking at him in surprise. "Terminate the lease? Why suddenly move out when you were living there just fine? Is it... is it because the rent is too high? It's okay, I'll waive it for you!"

"Or..." She bit her lip, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, her voice dropping. "You... you could move in and live with me. This place is big anyway, and I'm alone..."

After that night, her heart had been completely conquered by Cao Kun.

It made her develop an attachment to this young, vigorous man that was hard to let go of.

Although she knew Cao Kun probably wouldn't consider marrying a divorced woman in her thirties like her,

and was even less likely to give her any promises,

she still held onto a sliver of hope.

Now, that hope was finally shattered.

With Cao Kun moving away, they probably wouldn't cross paths much in the future.

Actually, she was quite mistaken.

A beautiful, wealthy woman like her—it was only because Cao Kun now had the system.

In the past, if Bai Muyou had dared to suggest Cao Kun marry her, if he had hesitated even for a second, it would have been a sign of disrespect towards her money and her looks.

Cao Kun noticed the change in Bai Muyou's mood.

He quickly shook his head to explain. "No, Sister Bai, don't misunderstand! It's not about you, and the rent is very reasonable. It's me... I bought an apartment myself. I'll be living in my own home from now on, so I don't need the rented place anymore."

"You... bought a place?" Bai Muyou was even more surprised. Housing prices in Zhongzhou weren't cheap, and she had some understanding of Cao Kun's previous financial situation.

She lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, forcing a smile. "Then... congratulations, Xiao Cao. Having your own place is good, stable..."

Although Bai Muyou offered congratulations, her mood grew increasingly low.

Her voice involuntarily dropped, carrying an unconcealable despondency.

At her age, divorced, even with money and looks, she felt exceptionally insecure in matters of the heart.

Cao Kun's appearance had been like a ray of light, briefly illuminating her dim emotional world. Now, that light was about to move away.

Looking at the beautiful, vulnerable woman before him, feeling lost, Cao Kun's heart softened a little too.

He reached out, gently pulling her into his arms, stroking her smooth long hair, and comforted her in a low voice, "Sister Bai, don't be like this. Me moving away doesn't mean we'll cut off contact."

He lifted her chin, making her look into his eyes, his tone sincere. "I mean it. Whenever you need me, whenever you miss me, just call or message me anytime. I'll definitely come to be with you."

"What's between us... won't end just because I'm not renting from you anymore, okay?"

His words were like a shot of adrenaline, bringing a faint glimmer back to Bai Muyou's dimmed eyes.

She knew this might just be comfort, or an excuse from him to avoid making things too awkward. But at least he had given a promise, even if it might be fragile.

"Really? You won't find me annoying? You won't... with your new place, and..." She trailed off, guessing that with Cao Kun's qualities, he probably wouldn't lack young, pretty girls around him.

"I won't," Cao Kun interrupted her, stating firmly. "Sister Bai, you're very special to me."

The words were half-true, half-false, but enough to soothe Bai Muyou's unsettled heart at that moment.

She leaned back into his embrace, tightly wrapping her arms around his lean, strong waist, as if she could hold onto something this way.

Feeling the warm, soft body in his arms and that sense of dependence, a warmth stirred in Cao Kun's heart. He lowered his head to kiss the top of her hair, then his arms tightened slightly.

Pressing Bai Muyou back down onto the soft bedding.

...