"No, I can't... anymore..."

In the silent corridor, the woman stifled her moans with all her might.

Zhang Lei's forehead pressed against her cheek as he let out a muffled grunt, abruptly halting his movements.

Her gaze was hazy, arms wrapped tightly around his neck as her tongue licked her parched lips.

"Stop... please..."

Listening to Xie Yuwei's pleading, Zhang Lei pulled her even closer, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. "Satisfied?"

"Mhm."

Sweat beaded on Xie Yuwei's forehead as she wiped it away gently, her voice soft with affection. "You're so much better than him... If he ever..."

Zhang Lei cut her off, steering the conversation elsewhere. "How’d it go with the job I mentioned last time?"

"All set. I start tomorrow."

Xie Yuwei blinked, her fingers brushing his cheek as her eyes shimmered with adoration.

"Good." Zhang Lei helped her to her feet, smoothing her wrinkled skirt before glancing at his watch. "Almost eight. I need to head back and pack—running into him would be bad..."

"Okay."

She nodded, adding, "Be careful. Come earlier next time."

"Mhm."

With that, Zhang Lei descended the stairs and made his way home.

He used to work as an editor at the Jiangzhou Daily, diligent and hardworking, on track to become deputy chief editor—until his superior, Li Youwei, dragged him down. Now, he was being transferred to Sanjiang County to work as a lowly clerk.

Fortunately, fate intervened when he met Xie Yuwei, a married woman.

Thanks to her husband’s connections, Zhang Lei secured a position in the propaganda department.

But the thought of facing Xie Yuwei’s spouse—his new boss, Zhou Bingchen—filled him with conflicting emotions.

Meanwhile, back home, Zhang Lei found his wife, Zhang Mei, still hadn’t returned.

This month alone, she’d spent seven or eight nights away. What was she up to?

He had his suspicions but hesitated to call and confront her. Just as he reached for his phone, he paused.

The entire night, he tossed and turned, his mind flickering between Xie Yuwei’s face and Zhang Mei’s...

The next morning, Zhang Lei arrived at the Sanjiang County Government compound.

After completing the necessary paperwork, he reported to the propaganda department.

Following the security guard’s directions, he found himself outside the Office of Propaganda Group Two.

Raising his hand, he knocked on the door.

It opened moments later.

The man who greeted him made Zhang Lei instinctively hold his breath.

Standing before him was a woman in her early thirties, around his height, with silky shoulder-length hair, a delicate heart-shaped face, a slender nose, and lips painted a seductive pink—like a bewitching succubus.

"Hello, leader."

Zhang Lei quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look too closely.

The woman frowned in confusion. "Can I help you?"

"I’m here to report for duty. Name’s Zhang Lei, assigned to Propaganda Group Two."

"A new colleague, huh?" smile curled her lips. "Come on in."

He stepped inside, catching a faint whiff of her perfume as he passed her.

"There are three empty desks. Pick whichever you like."

She gestured toward two seats near the window and one in the far corner.

"Anywhere’s fine."

Zhang Lei glanced toward the window and started walking that way—until a muffled groan stopped him in his tracks.

He turned to see her crouching, clutching her stomach, her face contorted in pain.

"A-are you okay?"

Dropping his things, he rushed to support her.

"My stomach... it hurts so bad." Her face was deathly pale, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Let me take you to the hospital."

Seeing her agony, Zhang Lei knew there was no time to waste. He gently hoisted her into his arms and carried her downstairs.

The warmth of her body against his sent a jolt through him—but he pushed the thought aside, focusing on getting her medical attention.

By the time they reached the hospital, drenched in sweat, he breathed a sigh of relief as she was rushed into emergency care.

Her diagnosis? Acute gastroenteritis, requiring an IV drip.

As Zhang Lei arranged her admission, he learned her identity—Chen Wenxin, deputy director of the county propaganda department and his direct superior.

By dusk, the IV finally finished.

But she couldn’t leave yet; the doctors wanted to keep her under observation for a few days.

After completing the hospital formalities, Zhang Lei returned to her room to find her pale but calm, the pain apparently subsided.

When she saw him, she reached for the bedrail, trying to sit up.

"Stay lying down," Zhang Lei urged, stopping her.

She sank back with a grateful look. "Thank you."

"No trouble at all. I’m just glad you’re okay."

He forced a smile, mindful of his subordinate status.

Just as he considered saying more to strengthen their rapport, a loud gurgle interrupted them.

Chen Wenxin’s face flushed—she hadn’t eaten since noon, and her stomach was loudly protesting.

"Oh, it’s almost six-thirty. Let me grab you some congee and light dishes to tide you over."

Pretending not to notice her embarrassment, Zhang Lei checked his watch, casually brushing it off.

"Sorry to trouble you."

He waved her off.

After returning with the food and chatting for a while, he headed back to his dormitory.

The following Monday, Zhang Lei officially started his new job.

Unfortunately, his coworkers gave him the cold shoulder, making it hard to integrate.

But in Group One, he met Shen Yan, a friendly colleague he got along with well.

The rest of the week passed uneventfully—Zhou Bingchen was away on a business trip, and Zhang Lei hadn’t seen him yet.

Whenever he had free time, he visited Chen Wenxin’s hospital room, a fact known to only a few in the county government.

Aside from Ning Hailong, Chen Wenxin’s husband (who came down from the city police force to check on her), no one else had visited.

With this rare opportunity, their conversations grew deeper. Zhang Lei learned she’d also transferred from the Jiangzhou Daily, further bonding them.

By the weekend, Zhang Lei had planned to return to Jiangzhou—to check if Zhang Mei was home and spend time with Xie Yuwei.

But he was on duty that week, stuck in Sanjiang County.

As Sunday’s shift ended, he packed up his files and prepared to return to his dormitory.

Passing by an office, he suddenly heard voices inside:

"Hurry up, baby... I can’t wait anymore..."

Zhang Lei’s eyes narrowed. He recognized the voice instantly.

It was County Chief Pan Changlin?!