After dinner, Ye Shuang began unpacking the day's deliveries—mostly computer equipment, since a computer was essential for long-term living here, and the internet had already been installed.
Ye Shuang skillfully assembled the computer. Once the screen lit up, he went outside to install a surveillance camera.
Noticing Ye Shuang busying himself nonstop, Bai Yuyou wanted to help but could only stand by quietly, unable to contribute. A neighbor passed by and showed no surprise at the surveillance installation—after all, recent incidents had occurred. It was said the son of the seventh-floor household was still in custody, awaiting prosecution and imprisonment.
"Almost done."
After fixing the camera in a corner and pasting a "You Are Now in a Surveillance Area" sign, Ye Shuang felt more at ease. The primary purpose of the camera wasn't recording but deterrence, which explained why fake surveillance devices sold well online.
Back inside, Ye Shuang closed the door and checked the camera feed on his phone. Satisfied that it worked, he nodded. "Good."
He then turned to tinker with the computer, while Bai Yuyou sat on a small chair beside him, watching silently. She didn't understand what he was doing, but simply being near him brought her peace.
Noticing her lingering presence, Ye Shuang said, "Go take a shower first. You must have sweated in PE class today, right?"
"Together," she said, pulling at his sleeve. When he didn't respond, she asked, "No good?"
"Taking showers together is something only married couples do," Ye Shuang explained, amused by her clinginess.
Bai Yuyou released his sleeve, her gem-like eyes dropping, even the tuft of hair on her head drooping dejectedly.
Sensing her disappointment, Ye Shuang relented. "Come on, then."
"Are we husband and wife now?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
"No, this is a reward for your performance today," he said. But as he looked at her beautiful face, he wondered if this "reward" was for her or for himself.
Bai Yuyou didn't fully understand, but she was happy just to shower together.
Minutes later, in the steamy bathroom, Bai Yuyou sat on a small stool while Ye Shuang washed her hair from behind. After rinsing, he applied body wash.
"Raise your arm."
"Okay."
He lathered her gently. Suddenly, she turned and pointed to her chest. "No bubbles here."
Ye Shuang: "..."
"Bubbles," she repeated.
With a guilty conscience, he reached over to apply the soap evenly.
When she noticed him spacing out, she blinked and leaned closer. "What's wrong?"
Bubbles onto his clothes. Ye Shuang chanted "I am not a degenerate" mentally hundreds of times, then cleared his mind, his voice suddenly formal and upright. "Let me rinse you off."
After the ordeal, Ye Shuang dried her hair with a hairdryer. Gazing at her fair neck, he decided this couldn't happen again. He was acutely aware of their age gap—eight years—not just in years, but a whole adolescence apart.
Many things Bai Yuyou didn't understand, but he did. He didn't want to ruin her future with his own selfish desires.
"Bai Yuyou."
"Hm?" She turned.
"Come here. Let's watch some educational videos about gender differences," Ye Shuang said, sitting at the computer desk. He searched for a science documentary and beckoned her over.
Men and women are different; they couldn't just bathe or sleep together casually.
She sat beside him obediently, and they watched the video. Half an hour later, he asked, "Did you understand the concepts in the video?"
She nodded.
"Do you know men and women are different now?"
"Mn."
He sighed in relief. "Good."
But her eyes locked onto him as she declared seriously, "I'll only show myself to you and only bathe and sleep with you."
Ye Shuang: "..."
"Wait, did you really understand?"
"The video said these things are only for the closest married couples..." she explained. "We'll be husband and wife someday, so I'll only do them with you..."
Her logic was irrefutable, leaving Ye Shuang speechless. He couldn't bring himself to say, "We might not become husband and wife."
Fine, he thought, let's focus on other lessons. He picked a movie—after all, visual storytelling was more engaging, and humans remembered scenes better than text.
By the time the movie ended, night had deepened. Bai Yuyou knelt on the futon with her pillow, clearly intending to sleep beside him. He didn't protest, turning off the light and lying down beside her.
The scent of flowers from her skin filled the dim room. She leaned against him and fell asleep quickly, her breathing steady. Ye Shuang stared at the ceiling, memories flooding back. Suddenly, he craved a cigarette.
Quietly rising, he headed for the balcony, but felt his clothes tugged. By the faint moonlight, he saw her hand tightly gripping his shirt.
"Don't leave... I'll be good..." she mumbled in her sleep.
He froze, then sat back down and found his lighter. As he lit a cigarette, he wondered what had happened in her past. Murderer father? Mistress mother? Was the rumor true, or what was the real story?
"Ahem—" A cough interrupted his thoughts. He noticed the curling smoke in the moonlight and her furrowed brow. Remembering someone's words, he looked at the nearly finished cigarette in his hand.
He took one last puff, then tossed the pack and lighter into the trash can.
I'll quit smoking starting today, he decided.