When Cynthia felt awkward, she stuttered slightly, "Um, were you... watching me just now, about five or six minutes ago?" Ethan's smile made him look even more attractive, his eyes seemed to sparkle like gemstones. He chuckled softly, "Oh, are you using one question to cover up another? Clever." He leaned in closer to Cynthia, his voice becoming lower and more charming, "Yes, I was watching you."

At that moment, Cynthia felt her heart skip a beat. She tried to stand up, attempting to alleviate the fluttering sensation in her chest, but she seemed to be getting closer to Ethan instead.

"Why are you here? Aren't you a professor at the medical school?" Cynthia asked.

Ethan flashed a meaningful smile, "Looks like you've done your homework on my job, huh? As a return favor, shouldn't you also tell me what you're studying?" Cynthia smiled back, "I'm studying law. You better be careful not to mess with me."

"Oh, a thorny rose," Ethan responded. "I'm here to see my... friend and to check out the archaeological site. How about you?"

"Coincidentally, I'm here to help my friend."

"And where's your friend?" Ethan crossed his arms and looked around. "And they're about to wrap up here, and it's quite far from the city. I mean, do you need a ride back with me? I've got a car."

Cynthia glanced around and noticed many people were packing up, and there was no sign of Isabella anywhere. In a split second, she made her decision in her mind: be alone with this sexy neighbor or wait for Isabella to leave together. The answer was crystal clear.

"Of course, who could refuse a ride?" Cynthia simultaneously sent a text to Isabella, asking her to go back on her own. But within seconds, Isabella replied, "Oh? You haven't left yet? I'm already on my way back with Professor Sophia. Maybe I forgot to tell you." "Damn."

Ethan smiled as he looked at Cynthia. "What? Is there a problem?"

Cynthia put down her phone. "No, I mean, I'm very willing." Cynthia met Ethan's eyes again, feeling a genuine attraction to this man that she couldn't resist, yet also sensing a feeling warning her that he was very dangerous. Cynthia couldn't explain the source of this feeling, chalking it up to women's intuition.

"Well then," Ethan extended his hand in a 'please' gesture. "This way, please." He tilted his head slightly.

Ethan's car was a very stylish sports car, with sleek lines and a red body that was as flamboyant as his personality. Cynthia couldn't even find the door handle, but thankfully Ethan gentlemanly helped open the car door.

However, Cynthia wasn't very familiar with car brands and couldn't estimate its price.

After getting into the car, Cynthia felt like the beautiful car was a bit narrow, compressing her space and forcing her to be even closer to Ethan.

Ethan closed the driver's door, then quickly approached Cynthia's direction, his entire arm wrapping around her, his warm breath spraying on Cynthia's face, their lips only inches apart.

Cynthia dared not move, but she felt a bit regretful in her heart, realizing she had easily gotten into a stranger's car, despite how handsome he was, whether he was a university teacher or Cynthia's neighbor.

Ethan reached over and fastened the seatbelt for Cynthia, then teasingly looked at her expression. "What's wrong? Were you just assuming I was going to... force you into some kind of love drama?" Cynthia remained silent. "Relax, I just thought, a little girl who doesn't seem to know how to open a car door might also not know how to fasten a seatbelt. Just to clarify, I didn't mean to mock you."

Cynthia relaxed and laughed, "You're definitely doing this on purpose. Even if I really don't know how to open the car door, I have no problem with fastening a seatbelt!"

Ethan chuckled, neither confirming nor denying, as a sense of ambiguity filled the air in the car.

Fortunately, the car finally started, and the ambiguous atmosphere was somewhat diluted by the music playing in the car. As the scenery outside flashed by, more and more modern buildings reminded Cynthia that they had entered the city area. This realization prompted Cynthia that her time with Ethan was limited.

As if possessed, Cynthia spoke up, "I guess you haven't had dinner yet. To thank you for helping me with the payment last time, maybe you'd like to have dinner with me? My treat." Cynthia immediately regretted saying such a silly thing, considering they had only met three times.

With both hands on the steering wheel, Ethan quickly turned his head to glance at Cynthia, his smile growing bigger, "Are you asking me out on a date?"

Cynthia looked back at him, "No, not a date, just a way to thank you for your help. And also, can you drive safely? I don't want to die in a car accident with you."

Ethan reluctantly shifted his gaze away from Cynthia's face, "As you wish."

Cynthia took a deep breath and reorganized her words, "Thank you, so are you willing to let me thank you?"

"Of course, like I said, as you wish."

The atmosphere at the restaurant was pleasant, and the interaction between Cynthia and Ethan flowed smoothly.

"So, you're a foreign student, right?" Ethan elegantly savored each bite of his food.

Cynthia nodded gently, "Yes, I'm from China."

"Oh... no wonder your friend asked for your help. I heard that everything unearthed this time is related to China. Your friend really found an 'expert,' huh?"

"Hahaha, you're right. I am indeed an expert in their eyes. But it's strange, despite having a lot of information about certain individuals, there's been no sign of their bodies."

"I heard there are six people, each with their own gravestone, right?" Ethan observed Cynthia's reaction out of the corner of his eye, seeming to want to glean more information from her expression.

"I suppose so," Cynthia replied casually. "But I haven't come into contact with the gravestones. I've just been translating the contents on the paper non-stop."

"I'm curious," Ethan swallowed his food.

"Curious about what?" Cynthia asked.

Ethan chuckled, "In that strange pit, filled with so many others' secrets, don't you wonder why?"

Cynthia couldn't help but laugh, "It's true that Chinese people have a custom of burying things, and the higher the status and wealth of the person, the more precious the buried items might be. Some wealthy emperors even build entire palaces underground. Typically, they choose to bury their own bodies or those of beloved women, so they won't be lonely after death. But this situation truly surprises me. If I had to guess, I think it's related to that badge."

"The badge?" Ethan set down his utensils and listened intently.

"Yes, it's a bronze badge enclosed in an exquisitely crafted wooden box, something very rare even within China. The badge inside is also quite unique, possibly a replica due to its intricate craftsmanship," Cynthia explained, taking a sip of water and noticing Ethan's serious expression. "You seem very interested?"

"Erm... of course, I've always been intrigued by mysterious ancient Eastern stories," Ethan replied with a smile.

Cynthia was delighted, "Oh, really?"

"Of course. I think I might know what you're talking about. Is it the wooden box that Professor Sophia has?"

"Yes, did you see it?"

Ethan blinked in agreement, "About that badge, could you describe it in detail?"

Thinking about the bronze badge, Cynthia still felt a peculiar sensation in her heart. "The badge depicts a tree on a mountain, with a somewhat eerie design. I speculate it might be some kind of totem."

Ethan nodded encouragingly, "What do you think the totem represents?"

Cynthia felt happy; she was naturally talkative, but during her time abroad, she rarely had the opportunity to speak so much. "I have no idea. Honestly, Chinese history is incredibly long, to the point where you can't even imagine it. Ethnic groups have evolved through generations, making it difficult for me to guess."

"That's okay, I don't necessarily need to know. But when you find out one day, you can tell me."

"Of course."

Leaving the restaurant, Cynthia was exceptionally pleased. Time seemed to pass quickly when one was happy. Opening the apartment door, Isabella was sitting in the living room, seeing Cynthia return with Ethan behind her.

Isabella found it unbelievable that these two came back together, but she still had an impeccable smile on her face as she greeted them, "Good evening, Ethan, and Cynthia."

"You too, wishing you a wonderful night," Ethan said, turning towards his own door.

Once both sets of doors were closed, only Cynthia and Isabella remained in the living room. Isabella's smile visibly faded.

"Well, look at you, quite the talent, Cynthia, what's it like having two men at once?" Isabella taunted.

Cynthia had had enough of her, "Firstly, you left me without a word and came back alone. You selfish jerk. Secondly, he just gave me a ride along the way; we didn't kiss or hug, there was nothing inappropriate. Thirdly, you know very well that my boyfriend hasn't bothered to contact me for days, so what do you expect me to do? 'Have' two men?"

Cynthia stormed off to her room without looking back.

Meanwhile, Isabella opened her phone to share this incident with her other sisters, rolling her eyes as she did.

Back in her room, Cynthia sat on the bed, hands clasped over her knees. She opened her chat with her boyfriend, but there were still no messages. This "task" seemed particularly lengthy this time.

Cynthia felt she couldn't endure it any longer. It wasn't about other men; the problem lay within her relationship with her boyfriend. Though she did feel a sense of betrayal towards him today, seeing no messages gradually eased her anxiety, and her sense of immorality vanished.