“Jerk,” I muttered.


    Michael had really crossed the line.


    After all the things he did to me before, now he was targeting Steven too.


    1 fumed with anger. I wanted to go to the orphanage to unmask Michael’s hypocrisy.


    However, Steven grabbed me and looked at me with pleading eyes. “Stephie, the fried mushrooms


    are getting soggy.”


    After waiting in line for so long to get them, Steven would go crazy if I didn’t eat them


    soon.


    I could understand why people often used their wiles to get their way. It was indeed an effective


    strategy.


    As Steven stood under the streetlight, he looked at me with pitiful and pleading eyes.


    Could anyone resist? Absolutely not.


    So, I took the fried mushrooms and had a couple of bites.


    They were crispy and freshly fried.


    It was evident that Steven couldn’t have been to the orphanage, and these mushrooms


    were his alibi.


    “Stephie, does it taste good?” Steven suddenly leaned in close.


    Bathed in the warm glow of the streetlight, my heart skipped a beat. “You… haven’t eaten?”


    Then, Steven suddenly kissed me and said sincerely, “Tasty.”


    My heart was racing.


    Whenever Steven flirted, he didn’t seem crazy at all. In fact, I often wondered if he was just


    pretending to be foolish. But I had no proof.


    I coughed awkwardly before looking down to continue eating the fried mushrooms.


    Then, Steven reached out his hand to me and led me home. “Stephie, I think I’m sick, still running a


    fever. Can you stay with me?”


    He just wouldn’t let me leave.


    Meanwhile, the big dog was wagging its tail behind us, hoping for a taste of the fried mushrooms in


    my hand.


    I gave it a piece and whispered, “Steve, is this your dog?”


    “Yeah… It was just a little pup abandoned by the roadside when I found it. I rescued it and named it


    Buddy. It’s been by my side ever since,” Steven introduced Buddy to me as he patted Buddy’s


    head.


    “Sometimes… dogs are more loyal than people,” he added.


    I gave Buddy another piece of fried mushroom, “Buddy’s really gentle.”


    Steven looked at me in surprise before smiling. “Dogs have a way of understanding humans. They


    see through the things we can’t see and choose their master,”


    I didn’t think too much about Steven’s words.


    Whenever Buddy was around me, it was gentle and obedient and would keep wagging its tail. But I


    always thought that perhaps it was just a docile, non–aggressive dog,


    “Stephie… My hand really hurts, and I can’t get it wet.” Steven suddenly brought up his dilemma


    when we were about to sleep.


    He stretched out both of his bandaged hands and looked at me with a pair of pitiful eyes,


    It was obvious that Steven couldn’t take a bath himself and wanted me to do it for him.


    But was he genuinely clueless, or was he simply ying a deeper game?


    My ears turned red, and I murmured, “No need to wash up, let’s just sleep…”


    “Nope. Got to keep clean,” Steven seriously countered.


    I smirked.


    Was he seriously talking about hygiene after having been a wandering hobo for a while now?


    But regardless, I wouldn’t call him out on this. After all, people have their dignity.


    “Stephie, it’s legal,” Steven suddenly reminded me.


    I looked up at him.


    Then, I saw that he had already stripped off his shirt to reveal his… well–defined physique.


    I couldn’t be med for thinking like this. He simply wanted to seduce me with his seductive


    physique.


    Steven preferred loose–fitting clothes, and it made him appear tall and slender. But once he took


    them off, his attractive physique was on full disy,


    “Stephie, look at me. All legal,” he said, now particrly mindful of thew.


    I just hoped that he would strictly adhere to thews and regtions regarding murder.


    I hoped that he had nothing to do with the serial murder case.


    “Stephie, my body’s dirty. Can you help me wash up?” Steven asked, reaching for his


    pants.


    I quickly grabbed him. “Don’t take off your pants.”


    “How can I wash without taking them off?” Steven seriously looked at me.


    I took a deep breath.


    “Then wash with your pants on,” I said.


    “No.” He lowered his head, looking unwilling.


    I chuckled at his antics. “Alright, wait here. I’ll go fill the bathtub.”


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Steven nodded obediently, but his expression darkened as soon as I looked away.