They were asking for monthly votes so much that I was becoming embarrassed. Did you still have any left? I need...

...............

Despite the mayor's personal assurance, Wang Zhuo remained cautious. Madness was rampant in this era; anything heartless could happen. If someone recklessly stormed in to seize people or evidence, even powerful connections would be useless against immediate losses. Qin Siqing took them to a small dining area first before dropping off at their accommodations. There were no signs of monetary transactions within the mountain resort, its billing system remained an enigma.

Zhen Jin fell asleep shortly after entering his room, slumbering deeply. Wang Zhuo wasn't spying on her - during these critical times he needed situational awareness to anticipate any complications. Gan Lin however tossed restlessly in bed, still tormented by guilt over taking a life. He planned to help her overcome this emotional burden once the crisis passed.

The coastal resort remained silent under nightfall. Wang Zhuo's gaze swept across rooms, courtyards and pavilions, his attention fixed on the main entrance where he could react instantly if needed. A fleet of unmarked patrol cars glided into view without sirens or flashing lights. They halted forty meters from the parking lot, forming a fan pattern along the road.

After inspecting terrain features and making several calls with cryptic conversations, officers returned to their vehicles. Soon after, two camouflage-wrapped trucks rumbled through security checkpoints, spilling out dozens of soldiers who erected tents on the resort's open ground - some standing guard while others napped. Strangely enough, no resort staff intervened despite this military presence. The police teams merely exchanged whispered discussions before departing after brief deliberations.

Wang Zhuo exhaled in silent relief once law enforcement left. He stripped bare and entered the bathroom for a cleansing shower. Water cascaded as Gan Lin quietly slipped into his room, securing the door behind her.

No singing filled the bathroom - only steady water droplets contrasting against usual shower sounds. Had he fallen asleep in the tub? She hesitated at the threshold, prepared to flee if needed.

"Standing there like that... are you trying to peek?" Wang Zhuo's laughter echoed from the bathroom. Gan Lin blinked in surprise; she had moved silently yet was discovered instantly.

"May I come in?" she asked softly, face flushed crimson.

"Welcome," he teased with a wink.

Gan Lin cracked open the door cautiously, heart pounding as if about to bolt at any moment. Reassured by his presence in the tub, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

"I couldn't sleep... wanted to talk." She offered a feeble excuse while avoiding eye contact.

"Then stay all night," he murmured tenderly. "This situation will pass soon. I'll take you on vacation once things settle."

Gan Lin nodded fervently - Wang Zhuo had become her emotional anchor, his guidance absolute in this crisis. Passion could blind the mind, yet she chose to follow him wherever fate led.

"You didn't shower?" he noted her unchanged clothes.

"I was afraid," she admitted honestly.

"Little fool," he flicked water at her playfully. "Come in -?"

"After you finish first," she shot back with mock irritation before suddenly noticing something amiss and rushing forward.

"You're injured!"

"Just a small cut through the skin," he dismissed casually.

Gan Lin traced his wound gently - a ten-centimeter gash across his chest already forming scabs. Though minor, it would leave a noticeable scar. He didn't care; such marks were warriors' badges.

Now understanding why he avoided showers, she asked hesitantly, "Does it hurt? From the black-skinned man who jumped down? I remember being kidnapped by him - that strength was terrifying."

"Too excited escaping to feel pain at first," he smiled. "Now just slight pressure where veins throb..."

Her cheeks flushed as she spotted another similar mark. Wang Zhuo noticed her sudden withdrawal but found her eyes steady despite the crimson in her ears.

Gently smoothing back her disheveled hair, he marveled at her blushing face and unblinking gaze fixed on him. She whispered, "I want to hug you."

"Now?" He pointed at the bathwater.

She nodded silently then regretfully gestured toward his wound.

"Never mind," he covered it with a towel before opening his arms. To his surprise, she leaned in impulsively, pushing him under completely.

Breaking the surface briefly only for her lips to crash into his. The tub became an obstacle forgotten as water mysteriously drained away when someone removed the stopper. When Wang Zhuo finally guided her hand downward, her body shuddered softly.

Bending close to his ear she purred, "Take me..."

He stared at this girl who'd never initiated intimacy before - transformed now by passion's power. She nuzzled the bleeding scar on his chest, murmuring, "From this moment... I'm yours. Do what you want."

...

Their night of mutual exploration continued until dawn when exhaustion finally claimed Gan Lin in peaceful sleep. Moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating every detail despite darkness - Wang Zhuo's enhanced vision could see clearly even in total blackness.

Her hair cascaded like a waterfall over the blanket as she curled into herself, serene smile still lingering on her lips. He gently kissed her cheek before gathering up damp clothes for washing. The garments needed immediate drying or would be ruined by morning.

Wiping clothes brought back memories of contraceptive pills - if his memory served correctly, it was called Yuzhening?

...

Morning sun burned through curtains.

Sunset brought nightfall again.

After a monstrous sixteen-hour sleep, Wang Zhuo groaned upon realizing the time. "I slept... sixteen hours?"

"The doctor said overexertion might need rest," Gan Lin replied evasively - his exhaustion stemmed from yesterday's battle and her own contributions.

Back in their room with Qin Siqing and Zhen Jin present on the carpet where snacks had created a small mountain of wrappers, he received more teasing. "Even my hair poking your soles couldn't wake you!" Qin Siqing sat cross-legged eating melon seeds while describing his dead pig-like slumber.

"Drink this," Zhen Jin handed over a drink before walking out after showing her twisted ankle now fully healed with a twirl of toes.

Qin Siqing called her grandfather: "Grandpa, the pig awakened. I'll bring him to you after eating."

Then she stuck out her tongue mischievously: "Calling you 'pig' wasn't me - it was Grandpa! He said even if someone carried you away while sleeping you wouldn't notice!"

Wang Zhuo chuckled knowingly at his bizarre sleep pattern caused by yesterday's prolonged use of x-ray vision. Testing the ability now, he breathed a sigh of relief as sight-piercing remained functional despite excessive use.

Then abruptly froze - had he glimpsed Qin Siqing's body? He'd never noticed before just how well-developed her figure was...