cohabitation

"Yes, my cousin came from the countryside, so I got off work early," Sun Xinxin said with a charming smile. "Brother Zhao, this is my cousin. He'll be staying with me for a while, just letting you know so you don't mistake him for a stranger and keep him out."

"Since he's Miss Sun's cousin, there's no problem," the security guard said, glancing at Xia Tian.

"Brother Zhao, I'll head up now," Sun Xinxin said, then led Xia Tian into the stairwell. As they climbed the stairs, she explained softly to Xia Tian, "This community is a bit old, but the security is good. That security guard is Zhao Long; we all call him Brother Zhao. He's quite responsible and knows everyone who lives here. Strangers can't just come in. I said you're my cousin, so it'll be easier for you to come and go."

Xia Tian didn't mind having an extra cousin. In fact, he would have preferred if Sun Xinxin had said he was her husband. However, he knew he hadn't saved her life, so he couldn't expect her to marry him just yet. He would find another opportunity to make her his wife.

Climbing stairs in the heat of summer was tiring for most people, but Xia Tian reached the sixth floor easily, without breaking a sweat. Sun Xinxin, however, was panting and covered in a light sheen of fragrant sweat.

A faint scent emanated from Sun Xinxin, and Xia Tian couldn't help but lean closer to take a few sniffs. "Xin Jie, you smell really nice!"

Sun Xinxin's face turned slightly red. If anyone else had done that, she would have scolded them for being a pervert. But for some reason, she had a special feeling towards Xia Tian. Instead of being angry, she felt a secret joy knowing that Xia Tian liked her scent.

In fact, many men liked her natural fragrance. Unlike others, her sweat didn't smell bad but emitted a pleasant scent. During exercise, this fragrance became stronger. Her sweat was truly fragrant.

"Let's go inside and take a look," Sun Xinxin said, opening the door.

The apartment had two bedrooms, a living room, a separate kitchen, and a bathroom. It was a bit old but nicely decorated. The small living room had a three-seater sofa and a 20-inch TV on a cabinet opposite it. There was also a fridge in the corner.

Sun Xinxin showed Xia Tian to one of the bedrooms. "You can stay here. The bed and bedding are all clean."

After the introduction, Sun Xinxin noticed that Xia Tian hadn't said anything and couldn't help but ask, "How do you feel? Don't you like it?"

"Oh, no, I like it," Xia Tian shook his head. "I can live anywhere."

This was true. He could sleep in a cave, so he had no demands for a place to stay.

Hearing this, Sun Xinxin was relieved. She had feared he might demand a villa like he did with food earlier.

"Alright, take a rest, and then we'll go to the supermarket," Sun Xinxin said, ready to leave.

Xia Tian suddenly blurted out, "Xin Jie, this counts as cohabiting, right?"

"Ah?" Sun Xinxin's face turned red. "Uh, no, it's not cohabiting. We're just sharing an apartment."

"Oh, so cohabiting would mean I sleep in the same room as you?" Xia Tian asked curiously.

"Xia Tian, I... I'm going out now!" Sun Xinxin, unable to resist, turned and fled to her room, closing the door behind her. Her face felt hot.

"Why did I let him stay here?" Sun Xinxin wondered. Ever since she offered to let him stay, she hadn't thought it was inappropriate. But now she realized she had only known him for two hours!

Two hours, and she brought him home. She had always been wary of men, but today she brought one home without a second thought. She felt it was incredible.

"Cohabiting... Do I really want to live with him?" Sun Xinxin touched her face, feeling her cheeks burn. At 22, she had a mature body and often had those desires at night. She had never wanted to give in to any man, so she remained untouched. Now, it seemed she had those desires again.

"Stop it, Sun Xinxin! He's younger than you and probably has a girlfriend," she scolded herself. "It must be the heat making me think these things."

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door and Xia Tian's voice, "Xin Jie, are you in there?"

"Yes, I'm here!" Sun Xinxin took a deep breath and opened the door, trying to act normal. "What's up, Xia Tian?"

"Um, Xin Jie, there's something I don't know how to use," Xia Tian said, looking a bit embarrassed.

"What is it?" Sun Xinxin was puzzled. There wasn't anything high-tech in the house.

When Xia Tian led her to the bathroom, Sun Xinxin couldn't help but laugh. "You don't know how to use the toilet?"

"Uh, we didn't have this on the mountain," Xia Tian explained. When he wanted to use the bathroom, he didn't know where to go, so he had to ask her.

"Xia Tian, where exactly do you live?" Sun Xinxin couldn't help but ask.

"On a very high mountain," Xia Tian replied after thinking.

Sun Xinxin decided not to press further. She taught Xia Tian how to use the toilet, and once he came out, she started teaching him how to use other things in the house. She discovered he didn't know how to turn on the TV, use the fridge, or operate the washing machine, though he was very good with the kitchen knife.

However, Xia Tian was quick to learn. He understood everything she taught him after just one explanation. After about half an hour, Xia Tian was familiar with everything in the house, and they were ready to go to the supermarket.

There was a small supermarket a few hundred meters away where they could buy daily necessities, but Sun Xinxin decided to take Xia Tian to a larger supermarket to buy him some clothes.

So, Sun Xinxin and Xia Tian went to the bus stop. The nearest large supermarket was Walmart, a twenty-minute bus ride away.

It was just after six, and many people were getting off work. The bus stop was crowded. When a bus arrived, dozens of people rushed to get on. Some made it on, but many had to wait for the next one because the bus was full.

After several buses, it was still the same. Boarding the bus was like fighting a battle. Although many buses went to Walmart, ten minutes passed, and Sun Xinxin and Xia Tian still hadn't gotten on.

"Xin Jie, don't people queue up for buses?" Xia Tian asked, puzzled.

"Of course not. Everyone just squeezes in. If you can get on, it's a skill," Sun Xinxin explained, realizing that Xia Tian had never taken a bus before.

"I see. Why don't you squeeze in?" Xia Tian was confused because Sun Xinxin hadn't moved, so he stayed still too.

"It's not convenient for me to squeeze with them," Sun Xinxin pointed to a girl squeezing onto the bus. "Look, if I squeeze, it will be like her."

Xia Tian saw the girl and understood. She was surrounded by men, getting groped as she squeezed onto the bus. Sun Xinxin didn't want to be taken advantage of.

"Xin Jie, you should have said so. When the next bus comes, I'll squeeze with you and make sure no one takes advantage of you," Xia Tian said. As he spoke, a bus arrived, and people rushed to get on.

"Xin Jie, does this bus go to the supermarket?" Xia Tian asked.

Getting a positive response, Xia Tian pulled Sun Xinxin and rushed forward.

To Sun Xinxin's surprise, the dense crowd in front of them parted, making way for them. Xia Tian led her to the bus door without anyone touching her.

"Easy, right?" Xia Tian said as they got on the bus, smiling.

"How did you do that?" Sun Xinxin was incredulous.

"That's a secret," Xia Tian whispered in her ear. "Only my wife can know."

Sun Xinxin's face turned red, and her heart pounded. She felt that Xia Tian was hinting at something.

"What are you two doing?" the bus driver snapped. "Pay the fare and move to the back. People are waiting to get on!"

Someone in the crowd also shouted, "Get moving!"

Sun Xinxin quickly paid the fare and moved to the back with Xia Tian. Although they were the first ones on at this stop, there were no seats left, so they had to stand.