Gazing at Cao Mei's radiant smile, listening to her soft, honeyed words, and feeling her expert massage techniques, Lin Tao had to admit—this woman was truly skilled at serving men. She understood their desires deeply. Even his heart stirred slightly, though his expression remained calm, revealing nothing. With a half-lidded gaze, he simply nodded and said, "I hope you don't mistake courtesy for leniency. Some things can be forgiven once, but if they happen a second time, there will be no mercy."

  Cao Mei knew Lin Tao was referring to her involvement in Ling Ling's death. Her face paled slightly, but she dared not stop her ministrations. Biting her lip, she humbly responded, "Mei'er knows she was wrong."

  Meanwhile, Ah Xue was busy changing the bed linens, sweat beading on her forehead. Perhaps she had an obsession with cleanliness—she had repced all four beds with light-colored sheets, making Lin Tao hesitate to lie down, afraid his oily body would leave an unsightly stain.

  But the real performance was just beginning. With affectionate tenderness, Cao Mei led Lin Tao onto a rge, luxurious round bed. Turning gracefully, she shed her outer garments, leaving only a sheer, sensual nightgown that barely concealed her figure. Lin Tao had no intention of engaging with her beyond a superficial level—despite the temptation gnawing at him, he refrained. However, that did not stop him from enjoying her high-level full-body massage.

  As her delicate frame knelt on Lin Tao’s bare back, working the oil into his skin with skilled hands, he turned his head slightly—only to catch a glimpse of the flimsy thong barely covering her round, supple curves. The intimate area between her thighs was almost entirely exposed. Even with some distance between them, he could practically feel the heat emanating from her body, as if a single touch would send her overflowing with desire…

  Night had fully descended. Over on the bed near the door, Boss Hu was already snoring away, using a tattered copy of Story Weekly as a makeshift eye mask. His snores echoed through the room. On another bed, Ah Xue was curled up with Mikael, the mischievous dog. Despite Mikael’s shameless habit of sneaking in some tactile advantages, his honeyed words never failed to amuse Ah Xue, causing her to burst into ughter. She pyfully pummeled him with her tiny fists, her giggles like a cascade of silver bells.

  The dim glow of a recently scavenged camping ntern cast flickering shadows across the shop, draping the atmosphere in a veil of quiet intimacy. The giggling and whispers gradually faded, repced by a growing tension. From Lin Tao’s vantage point, he saw Ah Xue shudder slightly, the hem of her sleeveless nightgown inching higher, revealing her pale thighs. The fabric lifted further, until the soft curves of her backside were exposed. A furry paw tentatively reached for the edge of her underwear.

  "Mikael! If you do that again, I'll be mad at you! How could you act just like those filthy men?!"

  Even in the dim light, Lin Tao could see the crimson blush creeping up Ah Xue’s delicate neck. Whether from anger or embarrassment, the breathy moans escaping her lips sent heat rushing through him.

  Pressed against Lin Tao’s back like a sultry serpent, Cao Mei let her full, supple chest mold against him. A teasing smile pyed on her lips as she whispered, her breath warm against his ear, "Master, what are they doing over there? Listening to them makes my body feel so hot... and you feel so hard…"

  Lin Tao was, indeed, hard. Very hard. He shifted uncomfortably, battling his own urges. After a moment of internal struggle, he suddenly flipped over and sat up, his voice calm but firm. "That's enough. It's te. You should rest."

  Cao Mei tumbled to the side, staring at him in disbelief. Her silk straps had slid down, exposing one perfect, snow-white breast—her entire posture an open invitation. She blinked, lips parting slightly, then murmured with grievance, "Master, I want to sleep with you."

  "But I don't want to sleep with you," Lin Tao replied ftly. Seeing her crestfallen expression, he sighed and softened his tone. "I don't like sharing a bed. Go sleep on the other one. Trust me, if I really wanted you, you wouldn't need to seduce me—I wouldn't hold back."

  "I…" Cao Mei opened her mouth as if to argue, but upon seeing the impatience in Lin Tao’s expression, she reluctantly adjusted her gown, pulling up the fallen strap. Moving sluggishly, she climbed off the bed.

  As she left, Lin Tao let out a quiet breath of relief. He had almost lost control. The urge to pin her down and take her had been overwhelming. But he had his principles—his limits. Sleeping with a woman he neither trusted nor knew well was something he could never accept. If he had been the type to indulge in lustful whims, he would have had a hundred women by now.

  "Mikael, get your ass on the small bed! If you keep harassing Ah Xue, I'll throw you out!" Lin Tao barked, directing his pent-up frustration at the mischievous dog.

  Mikael, having suddenly found himself colteral damage, let out an indignant whimper. Ah Xue seized the opportunity to wriggle free, retreating to the corner of the bed, determined not to let the rascal near her. With a dramatic sigh, Mikael slunk onto the small bed, sulking with his belly puffed out in frustration.

  The night passed without further incident. Cao Mei, perhaps sensing Lin Tao’s firm stance, did not dare sneak over in the darkness. Mikael, however, remained relentless. Several times throughout the night, he attempted to return to Ah Xue’s bed, only to be caught and thoroughly beaten by Lin Tao. Like a scorned lover, the poor dog spent the rest of the night grumbling, cursing his master a thousand times over.

  As the first rays of sunlight filtered into the shop, Lin Tao sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Lighting a cigarette, he gnced toward Ah Xue and couldn't help but chuckle at her sleeping posture.

  Despite her innocent and sweet personality, she slept with the dominance of a warlord—spread-eagled in a perfect ‘大’ shape. Her white silk nightgown had ridden up to her waist, exposing her toned stomach and the soft, cotton-white panties stretched over her round hips. The delicate mound beneath them was undeniably full and inviting.

  Cao Mei, on the other hand, slept much more demurely, curled into a fetal position as if desperately seeking comfort. She clutched a pillow to her chest, her brow lightly furrowed in distress.

  Lin Tao exhaled slowly, watching them in silence. In the apocalypse, survival was never easy for anyone—including himself. Cao Mei's betrayal of Ling Ling had been brutal, but considering their ck of bond and her own need for self-preservation, could he truly bme her? Selfishness was inevitable in such dire times, but once a line was crossed, trust could never be regained.

  Around eight or nine in the morning, the group began to stir. As usual, Boss Hu headed to the noodle shop to prepare breakfast, while Ah Xue and Mikael continued their flirtatious antics. Lin Tao watched them, puzzled. Overnight, their bond had deepened significantly. He couldn’t tell if it was simply the attachment between a pet and its owner—or something far more complicated.

  Meanwhile, Cao Mei spent the entire morning stealing gnces at Lin Tao, her expression brimming with unspoken grievances. Under her scrutinizing gaze, Lin Tao shifted uncomfortably. He could only imagine what she was thinking—if not for the undeniable evidence of his arousal st night, she might have started questioning whether he was even capable of being a man.