Red Markings

My name is Helen Scott. After three years of marriage, my relationship with Cameron Locke is like the precise instruments in his laboratory — neat, orderly, but completely devoid of warmth. He's a top research expert in the biomedical field. When people talk about him, they can't avoid two labels: genius and celibate. That afternoon, I accidentally came across a trending post on the local forum. The title caught my eye—"Reuniting with my ex, the stoic type, unlocking a special way to check in." The poster's username was [CLVL], and their avatar was a blooming red rose. I wasn't going to click it, but a corner of the photo showed a familiar cuff. It was the sleeve of Cameron's white lab coat, with his unique ID stamp inside the cuff. My heart skipped a beat, and my fingers trembled as I opened the post. The photo was a half-body portrait. The man was shirtless, his profile sharp and defined—it was Cameron Locke. From his chest down to his lower abdomen, dense writing in red marker covered his skin—the "J City Must-Eat List". The handwriting was crooked and defiant, carrying a provocative boldness. The content of the posts sent a chill down my spine. [CLVL: We broke up six years ago; I thought I'd never see him again. Never expected to run into him near the research institute last week. He's just the same, looking all reserved but... You know it.] [CLVL: We've kept in touch since we broke up. He says his wife doesn't know; as long as it doesn't affect his life, it's not breaking up his family.] [CLVL: Leaving the "Must-Eat List" as a memento—our personal check-in. Next time we meet, be ready to unlock a new list~] The comments below have already blown up. Some are accusing [CLVL] of the mistress's unethical rise, some are curious about Cameron Locke's real identity, and others want details on the "Must-Eat List." [CLVL] ignores the negative comments, only selectively replying to those curious about the details. I sat on the sofa, my fingertips ice cold. Married three years, Cameron hasn't treated me badly. He comes home on time, takes responsibility for the household expenses, and arranges doctors when I'm sick. But between us, there was never any real passion. He always said his research kept him busy and drained his energy. I understood how hard he worked and never demanded anything. I thought that was normal for adult marriages—I didn't realize his energy just wasn't on me. Six years ago was the year Dr. Cameron Locke graduated and was about to start at the Research Institute. Back then, we didn't even know each other. It turns out, before me, he had a deeply unforgettable relationship. What's even crazier is that they never actually lost touch.