Another trip to the rainforest, and after dinner, we chatted for a while longer. It was getting late, so General Yi Tianfeng invited me to stay the night at his home. Yi Xiaorou immediately interjected, "Downstairs! Mom cleaned my room up really nicely!"

It was clear Yi Tianfeng was exhausted from talking so long. He waved his hand, and we went downstairs. Yi Xiaorou affectionately took my arm, heading for her room, but her mother stopped us. "Xiao Zhao, you sleep in Xiaorou's room. Let Xiaorou use the guest room."

Yi Xiaorou looked thoroughly displeased and objected in a low voice, "Mom, Zhao Qian and I have been sharing a room for over a year now. Can't you just leave us alone? I can't sleep alone at night."

"Absolutely not. You can do whatever you want outside, but when you're home, you sleep separately. And you can't sleep alone? When did you develop that habit? It's late; go to your respective rooms."

It seemed Yi Mu was a traditional housewife. She knew full well what her daughter and I were up to outside, but at home, she insisted on adhering to her outdated principles—at least not cohabiting openly before marriage in her presence. Meanwhile, Father Yi said nothing and had retreated to his room long ago.

Mother Yi stood supervising, unwilling to let us go to our rooms. Yi Xiaorou, helpless, reluctantly walked toward the guest room, but when her mother wasn't looking, she shot me a subtle, suggestive glance.

After washing up, I got into Yi Xiaorou's bed. It felt comfortable, but it lacked that distinct, delicate fragrance unique to a woman’s presence. It was no wonder; although it was tidied daily, without a beautiful woman sleeping in it, how could it smell sweet? It was a pity Mother Yi wouldn't let us share the bed; otherwise, the fragrance would have been abundant.

I didn't lock the door because Yi Xiaorou’s eyes clearly signaled she would sneak in later. It was rare for us to have private time, especially in the home where Yi Xiaorou had grown up, and she certainly wasn't going to miss this night.

Sure enough, not long after the lights in Father and Mother Yi’s area went out, Yi Xiaorou quietly opened the door, clutching her pillow, and slipped into my covers. "Hubby, did you miss me? It's all my mom's fault. We’ve slept together for over a year, and she’s still this strict. Wait until I come home pregnant with your baby, then let’s see what she says."

Yi Xiaorou hugged me tightly, as if we had been separated for ages. "Heh, it's only been a few minutes. I haven't even settled into the environment yet."

"That means you didn't miss me. Tell me, who were you thinking about?" Yi Xiaorou kissed my lips and coquettishly pouted.

It was clear Yi Xiaorou was in a great mood tonight. I looked at her seriously and said, "I was thinking, where has that innocent little girl who once lay on this mattress gone? What was she like ten years ago? Were