Lin Mian's face flushed crimson in an instant.

The heat spread to her neck and the tips of her ears, burning so fiercely it felt like her skin might bleed.

She clenched her fists, hesitation and fear warring within her.

But she had no other choice...

Eight Directions City wasn’t far from A University—just four bus stops or two subway stations away.

Following the navigation, Lin Mian boarded the last subway train of the night. The car was nearly empty, save for the automated announcements echoing through the silence.

She’d barely sat down before her stop arrived.

Stepping out of the station, it took her a moment to locate Building 6 as described. This was a high-end apartment complex—access to the elevators required keycard entry.

Standing in front of the elevator, Lin Mian dialed Shi Lin’s number.

“I-I’m here. I can’t get upstairs—the elevators need a keycard.”

When Shi Lin answered, he hadn’t expected her to actually show up. heavy silence passed between them before, almost against his better judgment, he said,

“Wait there.”

Moments later, the elevator doors slid open for her—no keycard needed, no button pressing required. It took her straight to his floor.

Inside the elevator, Lin Mian’s nerves were on edge.

The apartment’s design was sleek and luxurious, with only two units per floor. The moment she stepped out, she spotted the door number he’d mentioned.

She walked over, swallowed hard, and raised her hand to knock.

Click.

The door opened. figure emerged into view.

Lin Mian instinctively looked up—and met a pair of sharp, strikingly defined features.

He stood before her, one hand tucked casually into his pocket, towering over her with an air of quiet dominance. A faint scent of shower gel and something distinctly masculine clung to him.

The moment their eyes met, Lin Mian’s mind short-circuited.

Her entire body froze.

She hadn’t expected the cold, indifferent man from the phone call to be so... refined and clean-cut. Just standing there, he was unbearably handsome—so much so that she couldn’t look away.

And then it hit her—she knew him.

Last week, during the university’s anti-fraud charity event, student volunteers had been offered free pulse diagnoses. He had been the doctor who’d examined her.

He must have just finished showering—his short hair still damp, his expression a mix of cool detachment and lazy ease. sudden wave of nervousness washed over Lin Mian, rooting her to the spot.

Shi Lin glanced down at her. plain white T-shirt, loose jeans, black canvas shoes—an unremarkable outfit that only emphasized her awkward, almost comically timid demeanor.

Just as he’d imagined from her soft-spoken voice.

“Come in.”

He uttered a single word before turning and walking away.

Lin Mian swallowed again, carefully stepping inside.

The apartment was massive—easily over two hundred square meters. The interior was minimalist, dominated by muted gray and white tones, with subtle details that hinted at understated luxury.

She’d heard these units were astronomically expensive, reserved for high-earning professionals. The lavish lobby alone spoke volumes; an ordinary person would need decades to afford even a fraction of this place.

Standing in the entryway, Lin Mian felt her thoughts whirl.

Wait... this was supposed to be a medical exam, right?

Why are we in an apartment?