Volume One, Chapter 11: The Thrill of Forbidden Indulgence

At that moment, the door opened from the inside.

“Housekeeper Zhang, is there something wrong?”

Shao Ting’an’s neat white shirt was a bit creased, his hair slightly tousled, and his lips unusually red and moist.

Housekeeper Zhang stared at him, stunned. She knew Shao Ting’an was handsome, but now, with his rosy lips and white teeth, there was an indescribable aura about him.

“Housekeeper Zhang?”

“Oh, Teacher Su was worried you’d be hungry if you came back late, so she asked me to bring you some food.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Housekeeper Zhang. I was just about to take a shower.”

Seeing his calm demeanor and thinking about his relationship with Su Li, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Then you can take it inside and have a bite when you’re hungry.”

She knew Zhao Xinran definitely knew how to cook, after all, Su Li had mentioned that girl was very diligent, always helping with cooking and laundry at her home.

“All right, thank you!”

Housekeeper Zhang glanced at Aunt Liu at the corner of the stairs, who smiled awkwardly as she headed downstairs. Her heart felt strangely full.

No matter how she thought about it after returning home, something felt off—an unmarried man and woman alone in a room, and Shao Ting’an still needing to take a shower. This...

She had to warn Teacher Su!

Su Li didn’t go straight home from her parents’ house. Instead, she ordered a bowl of wonton soup at a shop across the street. After seeing Shao Ting’an ride his bike home, she leisurely finished her meal and returned.

She saw Housekeeper Zhang sitting absentmindedly on the stone stool by the door and smiled, “Housekeeper Zhang, have you eaten?”

Housekeeper Zhang had been waiting for Su Li and hurried forward upon seeing her.

“Teacher Su, I’ve already brought the food to Section Chief Shao.”

Su Li locked her bicycle and repeatedly thanked her, “Thank you, thank you! I ate a little at my mother’s place but was worried he might be hungry.”

“Teacher Su, you’re really kind to Section Chief Shao.”

Su Li smiled, “Between husband and wife, isn’t that what’s supposed to be?”

Housekeeper Zhang opened her mouth but seemed at a loss for words.

“Housekeeper Zhang, is there something you want to say?” Su Li patted her hand encouragingly. “Feel free to speak up.”

“Teacher Su, technically speaking...” Housekeeper Zhang looked up at Su Li but hesitated, which made Su Li chuckle.

“Hehe, Housekeeper Zhang, when did you become so shy, like a little wife?”

Housekeeper Zhang pulled Su Li to sit on a nearby stone stool. After looking around cautiously, she whispered, “Teacher Su, don’t blame me for being overcautious, but your Section Chief Shao is quite the charmer with women. Your student is also quite pretty. With just the two of them alone at home, what if...”

Though she didn’t say anything explicit, anyone hearing her words to this point would understand her meaning.

Su Li smiled without the slightest offense, “Housekeeper Zhang, you’re overthinking it. Xinran’s mother owes me and Ting’an a favor. When I was sent to the countryside, I even stayed at their house. Ting’an has always treated her like a sister.”

Housekeeper Zhang saw Su Li was completely unconcerned and scratched her head, feeling she might have been too suspicious.

When Su Li returned home, Zhao Xinran had just finished stir-frying a dish and brought it out.

“Teacher Su, just in time for dinner.”

Su Li glanced at Housekeeper Zhang’s bowl of stewed vegetables, then at Zhao Xinran’s plate of stir-fried green beans — the difference was clear.

“Housekeeper Zhang’s cooking can’t compare with yours.”

Zhao Xinran smiled, “It’s nicer to eat when the mood is good. Oh, Brother Ting’an went to shower. You should call him out to eat.”

She then slipped back into the kitchen.

Su Li glanced around the room. Shao Ting’an’s belt was draped over the back of a chair.

Everything seemed normal, yet somehow not.

Shao Ting’an was meticulous; he would never take off his clothes in the living room, and his belt was never left there.

So, something must have happened earlier...

Su Li picked up Shao Ting’an’s belt and headed toward the bedroom.

Shao Ting’an came out of the bathroom, fully dressed.

“Su Li!”

He called her and followed her into the bedroom.

“Your belt was left in the living room.”

Su Li smiled and handed the belt to him.

Shao Ting’an’s expression stiffened. He took the belt, smiling awkwardly, “I was just wondering where my belt went. Maybe I left it there when I was putting away clothes.”

“Ting’an, Xinran is a grown young woman. You need to be more careful.” Su Li looked at him sweetly and tapped his chest with her hand. “As her brother, you should be even more cautious.”

Watching Shao Ting’an’s face gradually soften, images of him and Zhao Xinran in compromising situations flashed through Su Li’s mind. Her heart felt like it was being pierced by a knife, but she was also secretly relieved that fate had revealed their affair to her early on.

She had once believed their love was unbreakable and could withstand any storm.

But reality had dealt her a cruel blow.

Her most trusted husband and her most beloved student had betrayed her right before her eyes. Did they have any conscience left?

“Wife, your reminder is right. I’ll be careful.”

Shao Ting’an tried to hug Su Li, attempting to ease his guilt.

Su Li deftly evaded him. “Xinran’s still outside. Since when did you become such a lecher?”

Shao Ting’an flushed and smiled, “What nonsense are you talking about? Let’s eat.”

“You eat with Xinran. I already ate at my mother’s.”

Su Li’s face showed weariness, burdened by obvious worries.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen with your parents?”

“Shao Ting’an, you’re paying less and less attention to me. Do you remember what I did this morning?”

Su Li’s words prompted Shao Ting’an to tap his forehead. “My memory’s terrible. The factory has been so busy. How was your hospital checkup?”

“Not good.”

Su Li took medicine from her bag and caught sight of a figure at the door.

She handed the medicine to Shao Ting’an, looking at him pitifully while leaning on his shoulder. “The doctor said I need treatment. During this period, no... intimacy.”

Shao Ting’an looked at the medicine in his hand without suspicion and nodded silently. “Then take good care of yourself. My mother’s still waiting to hold grandchildren.”

Su Li nodded, “You go ahead and eat. Tell Xinran I’m not feeling well; I already ate a little at my mother’s.”

Seeing Su Li’s mood, Shao Ting’an didn’t press her. He patted her back gently and said softly, “Then you rest first.”

Su Li watched Shao Ting’an’s retreating figure and half-reclined on the bed, fanning herself absentmindedly.

Unexpectedly, she saw Zhao Xinran’s leg brushing against Shao Ting’an’s calf beneath the door curtain.

He had just showered, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. When their legs touched, Shao Ting’an shifted slightly.

Su Li smiled faintly, but inside, she felt disgusted.

Is adultery addictive?

That night, Zhao Xinran did not leave. Instead, she stayed at Su Li’s home as she usually did on weekends, helping with chores and tidying up.

Before sleeping, Su Li softly said, “Ting’an, you sleep on the balcony. It’s not good for us to sleep together right now...”

Shao Ting’an understood Su Li’s meaning and agreed.

Su Li lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep. Thoughts of her tragic fate in her past life filled her heart with resentment once more.

This time, everyone who had hurt her would pay the price.

She would live—truly live—so they could watch her flourish.

Outside, a bright moon hung in the night sky, casting its cold, dazzling light.

Just like Su Li now, harboring both hatred for her past and hope for the unknown future.

Deep into the night, Su Li was awakened by the sound of light footsteps.