3

I quickly ran into the bathroom and saw Leo lying on the floor.

He was covered in foam, his neck stuck in a chair, and his head and butt were high in the air.

When he saw me, he pouted and said, "Amber, you finally came. If you didn't come, Andy would have tortured me to death."

Tad looked better slightly. At least there was a person waiting to be rescued.

The rescue went smoothly. Leo finally was rescued and nestled in my arms, complaining about Andy.

"Amber, I didn't get stuck voluntarily. It was Andy.

"I didn't want to take a shower. It was Andy who said you were coming soon, and I was too filthy. He forced me into the bathroom.

"And also, it wasn't me..."

Leo blurted out all of Andy's tricks. Andy said, "Leo! You won't get your pocket money next month!"

Leo trembled and said, "He's bullying me again. Amber, look at him..."

Looking at Leo clinging to me like an octopus, I turned my head and looked at Tad.

Tad, please come and save me!

But Tad just smiled and shrugged, "Be back before 6 p.m."

Before I could speak, Andy rushed up and shook Tad's hand, saying, "Thank you, Tad!"

I was speechless.

After Tad left, Leo fell asleep.

In the living room, only Andy and I were left, staring at each other.

"Well, if there's nothing, I'll go first," I said and broke the silence.

I stood up from the sofa, but before I could turn around, a big hand pulled me back.

With a gentle tug, I fell into a warm and tight embrace.

Andy wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. He buried his head in my shoulder, his warm breath blowing on my skin.

"Amber, I miss you so much."

I felt my face flush, and my ears and collarbone started to burn.

The last time I was pressed by him like this was like ages ago.

4

I and Andy were college classmates. When we just entered school and were going through military training, he was very aloof.

But because of his handsome appearance and versatile skills, he was very popular among girls.

In the dormitory, we often chatted, and it was always about him.

I didn't feel a thing about him. I had no interest in good-looking people, but I liked challenging things.

Seeing my roommates being turned down by him a lot of times, I became interested.

I carefully studied and summarized Andy's preferences and then catered to them.

I said good morning and good night to him every day.

I persisted for a month without missing a day, and in return, he replied, [Can you stop messaging me? It's annoying!]

Very well. He completely aroused my interest.

I started to hit on him even harder. Whether it was breakfast, dinner, or school activities, wherever he appeared, one could see me.

Slowly, I became his number one simp. Even my roommates started to throw in the towel and gradually gave up.

I tirelessly pursued him for three and a half years, and I was very happy doing it.

Originally, such happiness could have lasted until graduation, but to my surprise, he started to waver.

The turning point was during a school cultural event.

Ken Ward, who had a crush on me, and I were locked in the equipment basement.

The basement door was old and never closed, but I was unlucky that day because there was a typhoon.

After the door closed, no matter what tools we used, it wouldn't budge.

Ken and I kept each other warm overnight, and it was only when the sky was getting bright that the firefighters rescued us.

It was on that day that I started to admire the firefighting profession.

When Andy saw me, his eyes lit up, and he hugged me.

When he saw Ken coming out after me, his arms began to tighten.

After that day, I seemed to have realized something.

I changed.

I started to send him messages like [I won't bring you breakfast today. I'm going to an event with Ken.]

[I won't bring you dinner. I'm with Ken.]

After three days, Andy blocked me downstairs in the female dormitory.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "Amber, do you know that Ken is a playboy?"

Oh. He was jealous and tried to undermine Ken.

"No. But I know he's good to me." I shrugged indifferently.

"Then I'll be good to you too, OK?"

Andy sounded a bit aggrieved, and I suddenly felt a little soft-hearted.

"No. Don't go against your heart." I reached out and poked Andy's chest.

Deep down, I hoped he could understand my unspoken words.

I liked the process of chasing.

But he obviously didn't understand what I meant!

Every day, he called me "Amber baby" in a sweet voice, which gave me goosebumps all over.

5

I snapped back to reality and pushed Andy away from me.

"Andy, we have already broken up!"

Andy raised his head and looked at me, his eyes shining.

"But today is Valentine's Day."

I was confused. Was there any necessary connection?

Andy continued to blow in my ear. "I haven't seen you for a year."

I patted him hard. I no longer had feelings for him!

Those who were still involved with their ex-girlfriends after breaking up were all scumbags!

"Valentine's Day is not a statutory holiday. I still have work to do. Mr. Rowe, please behave yourself."

I shook my wrinkled clothes and walked towards the door.

"Amber, wait and see. Today you will accompany me to celebrate Valentine's Day."

I sneered, rolled up my sleeves, and showed my muscles.

Do you think firefighting training is just for fun?

Under Andy's surprised gaze, I walked out of the door without looking back.

I'd like to see what else you can do to force me to spend Valentine's Day with you.

Back at the team, Tad teased me.

"Oh, you're back so early. Have you made up?"

I glanced at him and said, "You goody-goody."

"I'm not a goody-goody at all. But I'm way more mature than you."

Tad was 24 years old this year. He was young but always liked to act mature.

I pretended to be angry and said, "Did you know that the person we rescued was Leo? You asked me to be there on purpose, right?"

"I swear, if I had known earlier, I wouldn't have let you go."

I rolled my eyes at him. That was more like it.

Although Valentine's Day was not a statutory holiday, many people on the team who had their other half took leave.

In the end, only three single people were left after Tad approved the leave applications.

I was one of them.

But I was happy about it. I was about to turn on the live stream to continue popular science.

But before I could do so, I heard a cry for help at the entrance, "Amber, help me!"

How tenacious!

6

Leo's hand got stuck in the collar.

Andy walked in holding him and smirked as he passed by me.

"I told you you would accompany me today."

I sighed. So, this was the place where he was planning on celebrating Valentine's Day with me?

Leo's hand was stuck for a long time, so Tad had to exert a bit more force when removing the collar.

By the time the collar was completely removed, Leo's fingers had turned purple from being squeezed.

Even Andy was starting to get scared this time, and he quickly took Leo to the hospital.

Fortunately, we arrived at the hospital in time. The doctor said Leo would be fine after resting for two days and not lifting heavy objects.

I couldn't help but say, "Andy, grow up!"

"Amber, who am I doing all this for? Isn't it all for you?

"Why didn't you answer my calls? Why did you block me?"

I said, "Is this your reason for locking Leo in the closet?"

Andy lowered his head guiltily, his eyes darting around, not daring to meet my gaze.

On the bed, Leo weakly said, "Amber, don't blame Andy. I was careless."

I walked to the bedside and stroked his head. 'It's not your fault. You're not an adult yet. Andy has a guardianship responsibility for you."

"Amber, he really misses you."

Leo sounded sincere. I looked up at Andy, who kept nodding non-stop.

I lowered my head and started to waver, but I accidentally caught a glimpse of the ring on my right ring finger.

"But I don't miss him. Be good, Leo, don't hurt yourself again."

I said this to Andy. After all, Leo was his younger brother.

In order to prevent Andy from causing any more trouble, I reluctantly unblocked him.

Yet he thought I forgave him and followed me to my doorstep while holding Leo, refusing to leave.

Leo said, "Amber, I dare not go back to live with Andy anymore. Who knows? Perhaps he'll go crazy and set a fire to smoke me in the middle of the night."

"He won't. If he does that, he'll go to jail."

I didn't think Andy would be that stupid.

"I mean it. Amber, he has tried all kinds of methods to find you this year till he saw you on TikTok. He watches your livestream every day. Even his eyes are shining."

I have sacrificed so much for the safety of the people!

Leo kept holding onto my leg, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

I couldn't bear to see him like that and was afraid that Andy would do something to harm him again.

"Fine. Stay at my place tonight, and I'll take you back to your parents' house tomorrow. Don't go to Andy's house for no reason, got it?"

The Rowe family's old house was in the city where I went to college, not here.

After the breakup, I deliberately chose to return to my hometown to avoid any contact with anyone from the Rowe family.

"No way. I can't leave Leo!"

"What?"

Andy looked overjoyed. "I am his temporary guardian and have an obligation to ensure his safety. I will also stay at your place!"

Ensure his safety? Seriously?

When there is no danger, you are his biggest danger, Andy!

I opened the door with a sullen face, ready to close it on both of them.

As soon as I opened the door, Leo reached out when I wasn't looking, and his other hand got stuck in the door crack.

He gasped in pain while saying to Andy, "Andy, hurry up! Go in! Now!"

I quickly opened the door wide and checked Leo's wound. Fortunately, it was not serious.

When I realized it, Andy was already lying on the sofa, spreading his limbs.

Good for you!

My home was a one-bedroom apartment. I took Leo into the bedroom and locked the door.

To prevent my cat from scratching the sofa, I had a stainless steel sofa.

You like sleeping on the sofa? Then sleep for as long as you want, Andy.