The night air outside the club was cool and quiet.
City lights reflected across the smooth surface of the black luxury car waiting near the entrance.
Chen Liang leaned against the vehicle with an amused expression as he watched Gu Zhen carefully help the unconscious Lin Yue into the back seat. Zhao Min stood nearby, still visibly shaken.
She apologized nervously for everything that had happened that night.
Chen Liang waved his hand casually, telling her to relax because no one was blaming her.
But his gaze slowly drifted toward Gu Zhen.
Actually… he was more interested in something else.
Something unbelievable.
Gu Zhen gently closed the car door and turned toward Zhao Min, calmly asking her to give the driver Lin Yue's address.
Zhao Min quickly nodded and explained where Lin Yue lived.
Chen Liang opened the passenger door and slid into the seat beside the driver.
Before the car started moving, he glanced sideways at Gu Zhen with a teasing smile, pointing out that he was personally escorting a woman home.
That was new.
Gu Zhen didn't respond.
He simply looked out the window toward the quiet city streets as the car began to move.
But his thoughts were far from calm.
In the back seat, Lin Yue leaned slightly toward him with the motion of the car. Her breathing had become steadier, softer than before.
The faint scent of her shampoo drifted through the quiet space.
Soft.
Comforting.
His gaze lowered toward her again.
Earlier in the club, he had tested something.
Very carefully.
He had allowed their skin to remain in contact. He had even briefly held her wrist.
Each time he had expected the familiar wave of nausea to strike.
But nothing happened.
His body reacted to her the same way it would react to any man.
Calm.
Normal.
It made absolutely no sense.
For years doctors had studied his condition without finding any answers.
Yet this woman had unknowingly broken the rule his body had followed for nearly a decade.
Chen Liang suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
He said Gu Zhen was thinking about it again.
Gu Zhen didn't deny it.
Instead, he told Chen Liang to investigate her.
Chen Liang grinned confidently, saying he had already started.
Gu Zhen turned his head slightly and asked how fast he could get the information.
Chen Liang leaned back comfortably in his seat and said he would probably have everything by morning.
He added that Gu Zhen was lucky to have him.
Silence settled inside the car again.
After a moment, Chen Liang spoke casually, asking if Gu Zhen understood what all this meant.
Gu Zhen didn't respond.
Chen Liang continued anyway.
For years, Gu Zhen's body had rejected every woman who came near him.
But this girl…
He glanced into the rearview mirror where Lin Yue rested quietly in the back seat.
She was the only exception.
Gu Zhen's gaze darkened slightly.
He said he already knew.
Chen Liang chuckled softly.
Then he congratulated him.
For the first time in his life, romance might actually be possible.
Gu Zhen turned his gaze back toward the window.
Romance.
The word felt strangely distant.
His life had never included such possibilities.
But tonight had changed something fundamental.
Because now there was a question he could not ignore.
Why her?
Eventually the car slowed and stopped in front of a quiet residential street.
Zhao Min had followed behind in another car and quickly ran toward them.
She explained that this was Lin Yue's house.
The neighborhood was peaceful and lined with tall trees. Comfortable homes stood neatly along the street.
It wasn't extravagant wealth.
But it was clearly a warm and respectable place to live.
Gu Zhen stepped out of the car and opened the back door.
Carefully, he lifted Lin Yue into his arms.
For a brief moment, Chen Liang held his breath.
That position meant even more physical contact.
Yet Gu Zhen's expression remained completely calm.
Again.
No reaction.
Chen Liang slowly shook his head in disbelief.
Unbelievable.
Before they could knock, the front door opened.
A graceful woman stepped outside.
Her expression was worried at first, but relief quickly filled her eyes when she saw Lin Yue.
She immediately called her daughter's name.
This was Su Mei, Lin Yue's mother.
Zhao Min hurried forward and apologized nervously.
Su Mei quickly guided them inside while supporting Lin Yue gently.
She asked what had happened.
Zhao Min explained everything in a rush.
Su Mei listened carefully.
Then she turned toward Gu Zhen with quiet gratitude and thanked him for bringing her daughter home.
Gu Zhen nodded politely and said it was nothing.
But as he turned to leave, something unexpected happened.
Lin Yue stirred slightly in his arms.
Her eyes slowly opened halfway, still unfocused from the lingering dizziness.
For a brief moment…
She looked directly at him.
Their gazes met.
Something gentle and unspoken passed through that quiet moment.
Lin Yue whispered faintly, thanking him.
Her voice was soft and warm.
Then her eyes closed again as she drifted back into sleep.
Gu Zhen remained still for a second longer than necessary.
Finally, he carefully placed her into her mother's arms.
As he walked back toward the car, Chen Liang watched him with curiosity.
He commented that Gu Zhen definitely wasn't going to forget her.
Gu Zhen didn't deny it.
Because deep down, he already knew the truth.
After tonight, there was no way he could forget Lin Yue.
Not when she had just become the only woman in the world his body accepted.
And something told him that this encounter…
Was only the beginning.