52: Check into room 301, the eavesdropping corner next door

The next morning, the sunlight was like diluted egg yolk, barely managing to spill into Room 301 through the dust-caked glass windows.

The move wasn't a big deal. Wang Fugui didn't have much property to begin with—a bed of tattered cotton wadding, a few sets of work clothes, and that enamel washbasin he treated like a treasure. It only took two trips to empty the storage room.

Although Room 301 also had concrete floors and lime-washed walls, it was at least a proper suite. It had a bedroom, a living room, and an independent bathroom. Most importantly, it was too close to Room 302.

The two rooms were actually originally one large office. Later, in order to make room for management dormitories, the factory built a wall in the middle to separate them. The wall was built sloppily—a single-layer wall with red bricks laid vertically, finished with a layer of putty to get the job done.

Wang Fugui tossed his bedding onto the iron frame bed, and the bed legs made a sharp, ear-piercing screech against the concrete floor.

From the other side of the wall, a cough came almost instantly.

It was a woman's cough, kept very low, yet it was so clear it sounded like it was right against his eardrums.

Wang Fugui froze, his eyes staring at the yellowing wall. With this kind of soundproofing, let alone talking, the person next door could probably smell it if he farted. He subconsciously shrank his neck, lightened his movements, and tiptoed into the living room like a thief.

"Finally, I don't have to queue for the public toilet anymore!"

Lin Xiaocao rushed in from outside clutching a pile of toiletries—the spoils of her recent shopping spree at the supermarket.

She was in an excellent mood today, even somewhat excited. Her signature baseball cap was worn backward, revealing her smooth, full forehead. Although she was still wearing that dusty set of men's work clothes, her gait was as light as a lark just out of its cage.

"I'm going to take a shower!"

Lin Xiaocao dumped the bottles and jars in her arms onto the bathroom shelf and turned to close the door.

"Why are you showering in the middle of the day?" Wang Fugui muttered without looking up as he organized the chipped washbasin. "You're not even dirty."

"None of your business! This is my private territory!"

*Click.*

The bathroom door lock engaged, deadbolted twice.

Immediately after, the sound of the shower spray rang out. It wasn't the subtle, gentle flow of water, but the characteristic roar of old-fashioned pipes; the water crashed against the bottom of a plastic bucket with a rumbling sound.

Lin Xiaocao had indeed been holding back for too long. After living in the storage room for so long, she had to be like a thief every time she wiped herself down, terrified of being caught. Now that she had this locked door, the sense of security made her unable to resist humming out loud.

"Big Windmill~ creaking and spinning~ the scenery here is so beautiful~"

The out-of-tune nursery rhyme, mixed with the splashing sound of water, echoed in the empty room... Across the wall, in Room 302.

Chen Yun was lying on her side on a soft Simmons mattress, covered by a thin silk quilt.

She hadn't gone to work. She had taken a sick day.

Her right wrist was still so sore she couldn't lift it. With even a slight movement, that aching sensation would crawl up her tendons, constantly reminding her of the ridiculous thing that happened in that cramped bathroom last night.

At this moment, the humming from next door was like someone banging a gong in her head.

It was too close.

So close she could even imagine the water droplets sliding down skin.

"That tomboy..." Chen Yun rolled over, buried her face in the pillow, and irritably ran her fingers through her hair.

She knew it was Lin Xiaocao showering. But that splashing sound was too easy to associate with other things. Her thoughts uncontrollably drifted toward last night—toward that man whose whole body was burning hot and whose muscles were like blocks of iron.

If it were Wang Fugui showering over there right now... Chen Yun's breathing skipped a beat. She suddenly sat up, grabbed the glass of plain water on the nightstand, and took a large gulp, trying to douse that inexplicable fire in her heart.

*Clang!!*

A loud bang suddenly erupted from next door, as if some metal vessel had crashed to the floor, shaking the wall so much that flakes of plaster fell on Chen Yun's side.

Chen Yun's hand shook in fright, spilling water all over herself, the coldness soaking through her silk nightgown.

"What happened?!"

This question was entirely subconscious, asked without any thought. The voice escaped her lips, penetrated that thin red brick wall, and exploded in the living room of Room 301... Room 301.

Wang Fugui was crouching on the ground picking up the enamel basin he had accidentally kicked over. Hearing Chen Yun's voice coming through the wall, he sprang up like a startled rabbit.

"Sis?!"

Wang Fugui stared at the white wall, his Adam's apple bobbing.

This was way too clear. So clear it was as if Chen Yun were standing right in front of him; he could even hear the sleepiness, laziness, and alarm in her voice.

The air froze for a few seconds.

Wang Fugui gripped the basin, his palms covered in sweat. Memories of last night flooded back like a tide—that proud female supervisor kneeling before him, her hair disheveled, her eyes glazed... As if possessed, he leaned closer to the wall and asked in a low voice: "It's nothing... I slipped and kicked the basin over. Sis... are you awake?"

There was a moment of silence next door, followed by the sound of fabric rubbing, as if Chen Yun were lying back down on the bed.

"Yeah." Her voice from the other side became somewhat cold, carrying a hint of deliberate distance. "Keep it down in the future. This wall isn't soundproof."

"Oh, I got it," Wang Fugui replied honestly.

But he didn't leave.

He stood right at the base of the wall, his fingers unconsciously picking at a protrusion in the plaster. That sense of intimacy across a wall made his heart race even more than talking face-to-face. Not being able to see the other person's face and only hearing their voice actually made his senses exceptionally sharp.

"Sis..." Wang Fugui hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't hold back the question that had troubled him all night, and it slipped out: "Is your hand... still sore? I have some Safflower Oil; should I bring some over to you?"

...Room 302.

Chen Yun's face instantly turned as red as a freshly steamed shrimp.

This bastard!

Was he doing it on purpose? He definitely was! Bringing up exactly what shouldn't be mentioned!

Those shameful images from last night replayed in high definition in her mind again. That right hand that was still trembling slightly even now.

Chen Yun grabbed a pillow and slammed it hard against the wall with a muffled *thud*.

"Wang Fugui! If you dare mention a single word about last night again, I'll deduct your entire salary! I'll fire you! I'll make you go back to the countryside to farm!"

She growled in embarrassment and anger, yet her voice carried a hint of coquettishness and a tremor that even she hadn't noticed.

This feeling of shouting at each other through the wall was too strange.

It was like a couple arguing at the head of a bed; although the words were harsh, they carried an inexplicable sense of intimacy... Room 301.

Wang Fugui shrank his neck and made a face at the wall.

"Why so fierce... I was just being kind."

Just then, with a *click*, the bathroom door opened.

A cloud of hot steam wrapped in the scent of cheap soap billowed out.

Lin Xiaocao walked out.

She was wrapped in a brand-new large bath towel—one that Wang Fugui had specifically gone to the canteen to buy last night. It was pure cotton, thick, and could wrap a person from their neck to their ankles.

Her wet short hair clung to her scalp, with water still dripping from the tips. Her skin, steamed by the hot water, took on an alluring pink hue, like a freshly peeled lychee. Those eyes that were usually full of wariness were now misted over and moist, exuding a natural charm.

While drying her hair, she looked up and saw Wang Fugui sticking his backside out as he leaned against the wall, with that silly yet lecherous smile still on his face.

"What are you doing?"

Lin Xiaocao stopped warily, her toes under the towel gripping the floor. "What are you smirking at the wall for? Are you possessed?"

Wang Fugui jumped in fright and spun around, his back against the wall.

"No! It's nothing!" He waved his hands in a panic, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xiaocao's exposed collarbones and rounded shoulders before quickly shifting away as if he'd been burned. "I... I'm checking the wall! This wall... it seems to have some cracks!"

Lin Xiaocao narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

She walked up to Wang Fugui and sniffed the air like a little dog.

There was no sign of Chen Yun's annoying orchid perfume.

"Checking the wall makes your face turn that red?" Lin Xiaocao extended a finger and poked Wang Fugui's hard pectoral muscle. "Tell me, did that Old Woman next door seduce you again?"

"No! Really, no!" Wang Fugui flatly denied it, breaking into a cold sweat. "Sis is sleeping; how would I dare disturb her?"

"Sleeping?" Lin Xiaocao caught the keyword, her gaze instantly becoming sharp. "How do you know she's sleeping? Did you hear her?"

Crap. The more he explained, the worse it looked.

Wang Fugui had a sudden brainwave and dropped to the floor.

"I'm exercising! Right! I'm too full of energy; I have to vent a bit! This wall isn't sturdy, and I'm afraid of knocking it down, so I'd better do push-ups!"

Having said that, without further ado, he propped himself up with both arms and his body began to rise and fall rapidly like a pile driver.

"One! Two! Three!"

His form was standard and powerful. His back muscles stretched his work undershirt tight, constantly bulging and relaxing with his movements, full of explosive power.

Lin Xiaocao watched his guilty behavior, her eyes darting as a mischievous smile curled her lips.

She didn't expose him, but walked barefoot to Wang Fugui's side.

"Bursting with energy, are we?"

Lin Xiaocao hung the towel she was using to dry her hair around her neck and suddenly sat down on Wang Fugui's back.

"Ugh!"

Wang Fugui groaned, his arms trembling violently, nearly causing him to fall flat on the floor.

Although Lin Xiaocao was light as a feather, this sudden weight and sensation still made him lose his composure. Through two layers of fabric, he could clearly feel her warmth, and those two soft... "Since you want to train, I'll add some weight for you."

Lin Xiaocao sat cross-legged on his broad back, her hands gripping the clothes on his shoulders like a little general riding a horse.

"Giddyup! Up!"

Wang Fugui gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging. This wasn't weight training; this was clearly a test of his self-control.

But he didn't dare stop. If he stopped, he'd be found out.

"Four... five... six..."

He panted heavily while mechanically repeating the movements. With every downward press and every push back up, the little person on his back bounced up and down with his rhythm.

"Slower! Steadier!" Lin Xiaocao slapped his backside in disapproval. "Why so fast? Do you not want your waist anymore?"

...Room 302.

Chen Yun had originally lain back down, preparing to cover her ears with a pillow and go back to sleep.

But that damn sound came again.

*Huff... huff...*

It was the heavy, suppressed panting of a man.

Then came Lin Xiaocao's voice, carrying a hint of playfulness and a touch of suggestive softness.

"Faster... haven't you eaten? Use some force!"

"Do another one! Hold on!"

There was also that rhythmic, slight creaking sound from the bed frame (or was it the floor?).

Chen Yun's body instantly stiffened.

She stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, her fingers death-gripping the silk quilt, her knuckles turning white with force, nearly tearing the expensive fabric.

What are they doing?!

In broad daylight, they started right after moving in?

Isn't that Lin Xiaocao a guy?

No... the scenes from last night flashed back. That thin figure's anxious appearance at the bathroom door, that protective look in those eyes.

Although Chen Yun had no evidence, her woman's intuition told her that the relationship between these two was definitely not simple.

"Shameless..."

Chen Yun squeezed those three words out from between her teeth.

Listening to the increasingly rapid panting next door, and Lin Xiaocao's cries of "Giddyup" and "So fast," Chen Yun only felt as if a jar of old vinegar had been poured into her heart, the sourness making her insides twitch.