He slammed his fist on the bed, only to hurt his own hand instead. How shameless! An old bull trying to eat tender grass, how utterly shameless!

Suddenly hearing a knock on the door startled Zhang Hongmei. Zhang Shouyi, not hearing an immediate response, pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing Zhang Hongmei staring at him in terror, Zhang Shouyi approached with a smile. Zhang Hongmei immediately jumped off the bed, so fast that Zhang Shouyi laughed even more heartily.

How could you come in without permission?

"I came to see you because I was afraid you'd cry from joy!"

"You, how could you distort the facts like this? Which eye of yours saw me smile?" Zhang Hongmei was losing her temper; talking to someone like this really tested her patience.

"Are you unhappy? Why? Come and tell me. I'm only giving you this one chance. It will expire after this."

Zhang Shouyi sat on a round stool, touched the teapot which was still warm, and poured tea for the two of them.

"Come and sit down. You know me, you don't want this one and only chance, do you?"

"Do I need you to give me a chance?" Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes. But she still sat down. In a huff, she picked up her teacup and downed it in one gulp.

Zhang Shouyi poured her another cup, finding the sulking girl rather amusing.

"Brother Zhang, you're not just acting on impulse, are you? Or are you just thinking of playing around?"

"You are demeaning yourself, and you are also humiliating me." Zhang Shouyi's handsome face, devoid of any expression, was still quite unsettling.

"But it's not possible for us either, is it?"

"Tell me what you're saying. I'm listening."

“First of all, we are ten years apart in age, and I have always treated you as my uncle.” Zhang Hongmei felt that this was not strong enough, so she added another blow, hardening her heart, “I also treat you as my father.”

Seeing Zhang Shouyi's face suddenly turn a little pale, Zhang Hongmei felt that half of her resentment had dissipated.

"Go on, tell me all your grievances and disagreements," Zhang Shouyi said calmly, wanting to hear what this girl could possibly say.

Zhang Hongmei thought to herself: Let me say it, what are you afraid of?

"Secondly, there's the difference in identity and social status. You're the first person here, and I'm just an ordinary person. There are differences when we live together."

Zhang Hongmei didn't care anymore, "And another thing, you don't mean you don't want to return my gold, do you? It's okay, I don't want it."

"Anything else?" Zhang Shouyi remained expressionless. "This is your only chance. I'll explain everything to you after you finish speaking, but if you raise any more questions after that, I won't answer them. You can think about it some more?"

Zhang Hongmei thought for a while but still couldn't come up with anything else. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "I don't have any feelings for you."

Is that all?

Zhang Hongmei nodded, thinking to herself, "Isn't this enough?"

“Well then, now it’s my turn to explain.” Zhang Shouyi said, then suddenly stood up, took a step to Zhang Hongmei’s side, and picked her up. He sat on the stool and let her sit on his lap.

"Let me go."

Zhang Shouyi patted Zhang Hongmei's bottom and said, "Behave yourself, or I'll punish you. Listen to me quietly."

Zhang Hongmei struggled a few times without success. Seeing Zhang Shouyi's serious face, she chickened out and obediently sat still.

"First of all, there's the age issue. I'm ten years older than you, that's an unchangeable fact. But being older has its advantages. I know how to be considerate of you, respect you, pamper you, and cherish you. Isn't that better than young men who are impulsive, easily angered, and don't know how to care for others?"

Furthermore, if I have social status, you will too. In reality, all of that is fleeting. I can't let go of it now, because that would be the end, a dead end.

As for the gold, I simply refuse to give it to you. What can you do about it?

Finally, what does it feel like to be moved? We're going to be together for life, sharing the same bed in life and the same grave in death. I'll give you the excitement and passion you crave, but not now. You're too young, and I respect that.

After Zhang Shouyi finished speaking, he hugged Zhang Hongmei tightly for a moment, then let go and let her jump down on her own.

Zhang Hongmei walked around to the other side and sat down, resting her chin on her hand. "You're not bewitched by my looks, are you?"

"That's part of the reason. No matter how attractive your personality is, if you have the face of a shrew, I won't be moved. Don't you like my appearance? Don't deny it. Once when you woke up and I was next to you, you even touched my face with adoration."

"You're really honest."

"I never lie to you, haven't you realized that?"

Zhang Hongmei frowned. "We've known each other for several years, but there's no spark, no passion, that's a fact."

"Cough cough cough! That's because you're young. Alright, it's good that you know how I feel about you. I'll wait for you for a few years. I'm just settling down first, so your heart won't wander off. Remember, you're a married man now. From now on, stay away from those who have ill intentions towards you."

"Hmph! Nonsense, I am a free person. Besides, you are the only one with ill intentions around me." Zhang Hongmei rolled her eyes at Zhang Shouyi, who was the one who was eyeing her covetously.

"Now that we've talked things out, there's no need to hide anything anymore. Don't worry, I'll treat you even better than I treat myself. And you can only be with me. Or are you prepared to be alone for the rest of your life? Can you really keep something from someone you're close to and living with?"

Hongmei, I'm not forcing you, but I want you to face reality. Although we didn't fall in love at first sight, it's entirely possible we could develop feelings for each other again. So, stay away from other men; I'm very petty.

"See, nothing has happened yet, and you're already threatening me."

"How is this a threat? It's advice."

"Hmph! That's still a few years away. Maybe things will change. You're right, I might as well just stay single for the rest of my life and adopt a few kids. That way I won't have to be threatened and controlled by you when I'm with you."

"Hehe, you're thinking quite far ahead, but you don't have that kind of opportunity. I can tell you, there's no one else in this world but you. Do you think you can run away? Do you have a chance? Relax, I'll give you everything you want. Your business is my business, even more so than my own."

"Don't talk nonsense now. I have the right to choose. You have to give me at least five years. We can talk again when that time comes. I will also respect you. I will not fall for anyone else before there is a result. Even if I do, I will let you know first."