You are all bad women! Don't come over!

Han Muxue left Xiao Xingshuang's room satisfied. She wasn't there for a pointless chat but to gauge the other's attitude toward Shen Mochen.

She vividly remembered how Xiao Xingshuang had nearly walked naked past Shen Mochen on the first day they saw each other again. Plus, the other had previously placed her underwear on Shen Mochen's pillow, claiming it was a joke. But the words "just kidding" didn't sound very persuasive coming from her deadpan expression.

After this round of probing, Han Muxue was convinced that the other probably had no interest in Shen Mochen. Moreover, the other was retiring in less than half a month, so the chances of anything happening with Shen Mochen were even lower.

This was for the best, the best, just let that bastard suffocate, hmph, she definitely couldn't let him get his way!

Han Muxue felt indignant in her heart.

But once Xiao Xingshuang retired, a new recruit would come, and the newcomer might not be aware of the true nature of Shen Mochen, that total scumbag... That wouldn't be such a coincidence, would it?

Hopefully, it would be another beauty.

Han Muxue frowned in thought. Randomly pick anyone from 0819, and their good looks were one in ten thousand. She suspected that the most beautiful women she had seen in her life were all here.

The next one should at least be an ugly woman!

Come to think of it, Xiao Xingshuang was really lucky to be leaving in June. It's so hot right now that you'd get heatstroke just stepping outside...

Another departure.

In the past six months, including Xiao Xingshuang, this was the third person to leave from the 0819 team.

Han Muxue felt a little melancholic as she returned to her room. Although her relationship with the other was average, she still felt an inexplicable sense of loss at this moment.

In fact, everyone had to go, and Han Muxue would eventually leave too.

Others had their own paths, but where would she go if she left Buque?

Han Muxue leaned on her wheelchair despondently, staring blankly at the little bear on the cabinet that Liu Chaoyan had found and returned.

Summer night, tranquil and silent.

...

"I'll be leaving now, sorry for the trouble, thank you all," Shen Mochen said with a slight smile, tidying up a little on the first morning of the separation month.

"No need to apologize, everyone needs a vacation. Have fun!" Liu Chaoyan smiled slightly, "Remember to say hi to Sister Cai for us."

"Sure, sure!" Shen Mochen greeted the others as well and left the dorm, heading to the bike shed where he mounted a motorcycle.

The bikes in the shed could be taken out, and he hadn't called for a special car this time.

Not too far away, he happened to run into Xiao Xingshuang returning from her morning run. She still had her hair in a ponytail, her pretty face glistening with sweat in the morning sun.

"I'm on vacation this time. What birthday gift do you want?" Shen Mochen stopped the bike and asked with a smile.

"... Anything." Xiao Xingshuang turned her body away.

Soon they reached the Sentinel Station, and Shen Mochen handed his leave pass to the sentry, who saluted and let him pass.

"You're on leave alone today, no girlfriend to join you?" one sentry joked.

"Today's the separation month, and I'm currently single," Shen Mochen said calmly.

"Single? What about Captain Xia..."

"Oh, she dumped me."

Shen Mochen rode off on his motorcycle.

Shen Mochen didn't ride fast; he had timed everything correctly, and after a two-to-three-hour journey, he finally reached the city.

Not wanting to draw attention, Shen Mochen put on sunglasses and continued to ride back to his residential area.

By now, it was already noon, and since Shen Mochen had already informed Cai Yuncui beforehand, she didn't eat at school for lunch but went home to cook.

After parking the car downstairs, Shen Mochen climbed the old apartment building and just as he stepped onto the third floor, he caught the familiar scent of food.

Shen Mochen carefully took out his key, then gently pushed open the door and tiptoed inside.

At this moment, Cai Yuncui was busy in the kitchen, her hair tied in a small ponytail, sneakily tasting the dish she was making, not noticing Shen Mochen's return.

"Wow!"

Shen Mochen approached her from behind and suddenly exclaimed.

"Ahh!"

Startled, Cai Yuncui shuddered and let out an involuntary shriek, dropping her spatula to the floor.

Having succeeded in his prank, Shen Mochen burst into laughter, "Hahaha, caught you sneaking a taste, didn't I?"

Finally coming to her senses, a look of both shock and joy crossed Cai Yuncui's face, "Little Chen!"

"Yes, Sister Cai, I'm back..." Shen Mochen said with a smile.

But before he could finish his sentence, Cai Yuncui let out a delighted scream and engulfed Shen Mochen in a hug.

"Calm down, calm down..." Shen Mochen's face buried in her embrace, inhaling the long-missed scent of coconut milk, felt his spirit cleansed.

"You came back so soon," Cai Yuncui hugged Shen Mochen joyfully for a long while, chiding him in a tone devoid of any real annoyance, "Really, playing these childish pranks, you almost scared me to death."

Gently extricating himself from the embrace, Shen Mochen laughed, "Sorry about that, I won't do it again."

Hand on her chest, Cai Yuncui slightly pouted, "I was almost scared to death just now, really... Look, my heart is thumping wildly!"

"Really? I thought it was just because you were happy to see me!"

"It was because you scared me, don't believe me? Feel it!"

Uh, can I really feel it? No, no, how could I just touch her like that? But she's the one offering...

Shen Mochen hesitated, his eyes upon those towering peaks of Heavenly Mountain, his hand involuntarily reaching out. But just as he was about to make contact, Cai Yuncui also realized what was happening and quickly covered her chest.

"Alright, alright, no more joking, go sit down for a bit, the food will be ready soon!" Cai Yuncui said with a flushed face.

"Mhm, do you need any help?" Shen Mochen coughed lightly, disguising his embarrassment.

"No need, you just got back. Go rest for a bit," Cai Yuncui pushed him out of the kitchen, her tone becoming somewhat solemn, "And get ready, I've got something important to ask you!"

Shen Mochen nodded and lay on the sofa to watch TV. He knew what she was about to ask, and he sighed quietly, the inevitable was still to come.

"Come and eat!"

Shen Mochen walked over to the dining table, which was laid out with a spread of dishes, all his favorites.

Smiling, Shen Mochen pulled out a chair and sat down, "There are just the two of us, eating so much is a bit wasteful, isn't it?"

Cai Yuncui squinted at Shen Mochen with a gaze filled with doting and care, "It's fine, eat a bit more, you're still growing!"

"How can I still be growing at this age, I'm already 18," Shen Mochen laughed.

"I heard boys can grow until they're 21!"

"No way, I'm pretty much done growing!"

"Oh my, whether or not you're growing, eat some more. Hehe, you've been working hard at Sentinel Station lately, haven't you? You look thinner!"

Cai Yuncui tenderly served Shen Mochen a piece of sweet and sour spare-ribs, saying so with affection.