The warm spring sun softened the late-spring air. The Shen family's cloth shop opened early. Shen Ruoxi carried a basin of freshly washed rags, head bowed, from the backyard to the front hall. Her fingertips were pale from cold water, her slender shoulders slightly hunched, looking gentle and timid.
Master Shen was busy with his abacus without lifting his eyes. "Don't wander around today. Tend the shop and greet customers. Don't cause trouble."
Madam Shen sorted silk fabrics beside him, her tone sharp. "A young lady should stay grounded, not run wild all day."
Shen Ruoxi replied softly, "Yes, Mother. I understand."
She knew she could not leave the shop. Her parents favored sons over daughters, controlling her tightly, using and oppressing her. Without outside help, she could never escape, let alone complete the mission Brother Ruhai had given her.
Thinking of Qin Ruhai's instructions that night in his study, her heart trembled with nervous devotion. Beside him was the cold and glamorous Yunxiu; she was to handle Zhao Sanduo on one side and seduce Zhou Hu on the other, shattering the upright guard's mind completely.
Brother Ruhai's gentle yet venomous words echoed in her ears:
"Get close to Zhou Hu. Take care of his mother, make him fall for you, and believe you are the purest person in the world."
"Meanwhile, keep Zhao Sanduo satisfied. Let him cover for you."
"Make him love you, then hate you. Let him suffer, collapse, and become my obedient dog."
Shen Ruoxi clenched her fingers lightly, obsession shining in her eyes.
She would do anything Brother Ruhai wanted.
At noon, the street grew busy. Zhao Sanduo sauntered over, short and fat, his small yellow eyes leering at Shen Ruoxi.
Master Shen greeted him eagerly. "Sanduo! Come in!"
Zhao Sanduo grinned. "Uncle, I'll take my cousin out for a private chat."
Madam Shen nodded repeatedly. "Of course. Ruoxi, go with him."
Shen Ruoxi obeyed quietly.
Once around a quiet corner, Zhao Sanduo grabbed her roughly. "Little slut, I've missed you."
Shen Ruoxi softened her voice, tugging his sleeve. "Brother Sanduo, I'm bored at home. Can you cover for me so I can go out?"
"Where do you keep running off to?"
"I just want some fresh air."
Zhao Sanduo was charmed. "Fine. As long as you behave."
They entered a deserted house. Zhao Sanduo took liberties with her. Shen Ruoxi endured the humiliation, telling herself it was all for Brother Ruhai.
Afterward, Zhao Sanduo left her satisfied. "I'll handle your parents. But next time I call, you come."
Shen Ruoxi tidied her clothes, her fragile expression gone, replaced by gentle innocence. She changed into a plain linen dress, simple and unadorned, like any ordinary neighbor girl.
She had long observed Zhou Hu: he worked as a guard for the Su family, rarely home, but deeply filial to his sick mother. Today was the day she had planned.
The Zhou house was poor, with cracked earthen walls. Zhou's mother lay weak in bed.
Shen Ruoxi pushed the door open gently. "Madam Zhou, I've come to see you."
Zhou's mother's eyes lit up. "You're the girl next door! Come in."
Shen Ruoxi helped her lie down, poured water, and massaged her thin wrists gently. Zhou's mother held her hand, praising her endlessly. "Such a kind, sensible girl. Any man would be lucky to marry you."
Shen Ruoxi smiled faintly, her heart cold. She was not here out of kindness — she was here to destroy.
Just then, the gate creaked open.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped in, looking travel-worn but upright. It was Zhou Hu.
He served the Su family day and night, barely free, but rushed home whenever he could to visit his mother. Inside, he saw a gentle girl in simple linen clothes sitting by his mother's bed, pure and harmless.
It was the first time Zhou Hu had ever seen Shen Ruoxi.
He paused, bowed politely. "Miss…?"
"I'm from the Shen family next door. I saw Madam Zhou was alone, so I kept her company."
Her voice soft and polite, Zhou Hu immediately felt grateful.
Zhou's mother grinned, seeing how her son looked at the girl. "Hu'er, it's getting late. Walk Miss Shen home. It's not safe for a young lady alone."
Zhou Hu nodded. "Yes, Mother."
They walked down a quiet alley. Zhou Hu walked steadily, silent and proper. Shen Ruoxi followed quietly, looking innocent as a lamb.
At an empty corner, she suddenly stopped.
Zhou Hu turned, confused. "Miss Shen?"
In the next instant, he froze, blood rushing to his head, his mind going blank.
The gentle, innocent neighbor girl
calmly, expressionlessly, untied her dress.
Her outer garment slipped off, then her inner clothes. Her pale, slender body was fully exposed before him. Her expression was serious, as if stating a grave truth, without shame or seduction.
Zhou Hu quickly turned away, his voice shaking. "W-what are you doing? Put your clothes on! This is improper!"
Inside, he screamed: I learned to fight bandits, not deal with this!
Shen Ruoxi stood still, her eyes empty yet determined. She spoke slowly, clearly:
"I lack love."
"I lack love very much."
Zhou Hu stood frozen, terrified. He had faced thieves, fights, and death, but never something so absurd and shocking.
Only when he heard her dressing again did he dare not move. Shen Ruoxi left calmly, with dignified, ladylike steps, as if she had done nothing out of the ordinary.
He knew he would never forget this scene.
Zhou Hu returned home dazed, his face red and pale.
Zhou's mother saw his state and smiled, thinking her son had fallen in love. She had long hoped he would marry.
"Son, what do you think of Miss Ruoxi?"
Zhou Hu hesitated, speechless.
Seeing his shyness, she grew excited, patting the bed. "I knew you liked her! She's gentle, kind, sensible — perfect! You're always at the Su family, leaving me alone. She takes good care of me. Don't let her go! I'll even go to the Shen family to propose marriage tomorrow!"
Zhou Hu opened his mouth, but no words came out.
What could he say?
That the perfect girl his mother adored had stripped naked in front of him the first time they met?
That she calmly told him she lacked love?
No one would believe him. They would only call him shameless, accusing a good girl.
He swallowed his words, his heart in chaos, unable to explain a single thing.
Zhou's mother thought he was bashful and kept praising Shen Ruoxi, eager to arrange their marriage.
Zhou Hu sat listening, feeling absurd and suffocated.
Late at night, he lay awake, eyes wide open.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he saw it:
the girl in linen, undressing calmly.
Her empty gaze, her determined tone.
Two words echoed in his head like a curse, repeating endlessly:
"I lack love…"
"I lack love very much…"
Unshakable, inescapable, burned into his soul.
Zhou Hu covered his face, despairing.
He was never going to get rid of this girl.