Qiao Xiyan had driven here, spending more than seven hours. When he passed by the highway service area, he stopped to smoke a cigarette to perk himself up. He knew that Tang Jingci had gone out to play with Song Fengwan, so he didn’t rush and just waited in the corridor.

He had gone out in a hurry, so he forgot to bring the key here. Hearing the sound of a car downstairs, he looked down through the window on the porch and saw Tang Jingci talking to Duan Linbai.

Duan Linbai was too fair and easily recognizable.

He was unhappy.

So when Tang Jingci appeared, his body instinctively…

“Why are you back so late? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?”

Qiao Xiyan didn’t ask anything about Duan Linbai.

He felt sour in his heart, but he also knew that there was no point in being jealous for no reason. The two of them spent more time apart than together, so why waste time on irrelevant people?

Tang Jingci was dizzy, as if she was in a dream.

Qiao Xiyan had told her that the work at the Suzhou Museum would take another three to four days to complete, but he hadn’t told her in advance that he would come.

“Let’s go in first.” He held Tang Jingci’s hand and walked into the house.

He was usually too serious and cold. But now, he was gentle and affectionate, making her unable to resist him.

“Okay.” Tang Jingci nodded.

After the two of them entered the house, Qiao Xiyan asked the question in his heart.

“Have you been avoiding me lately?”

“No.” Tang Jingci still remembered that he had said that her hands were clumsy and felt depressed.

“No?” Qiao Xiyan asked again.

“No.” Girls were sometimes stubborn.

“Did I do something wrong?” Qiao Xiyan coaxed her softly.

Tang Jingci’s mind was dizzy. How could she care about having clumsy hands? She lay in his arms, her consciousness chaotic.

“If I do anything to make you unhappy, you have to tell me in time.” Qiao Xiyan was straightforward, and it was really difficult to guess a girl’s thoughts.

“Okay.” Tang Jingci nodded. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“There are still some things in the fridge. I’ll cook for you first.”

“You know how to cook?”

“Of course. Put away your things first. It’ll be done soon.” Tang Jingci took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and walked to the kitchen.

Only then did Qiao Xiyan remember that his luggage was still outside…

After he finished putting away his luggage, he stood at the kitchen door and stared at her.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Are you done in Suzhou?” Tang Jingci tilted her head to look at him. At this moment, she carefully sized up his face and found that his eyes were bloodshot. “Have you been staying up late recently?”

“I wanted to come over quickly.” Qiao Xiyan’s voice was low and calm, as if he was narrating a simple matter.

Tang Jingci’s heart was beating wildly. “Actually, there’s no need to be in such a hurry.”

“Thirty-nine times.”

“What?”

“Tell me how many times you missed me.” They wouldn’t talk about this during video calls, and sending text messages about this would definitely be a little too sickeningly sweet. Tang Jingci was a little shy. Then she heard Qiao Xiyan say, “I missed you. I wanted to come early.”

Tang Jingci hummed in response, her heart full of sweetness.

While he was eating, Tang Jingci returned to her room to change her clothes. She saw Qiao Xiyan’s suitcase next to hers.

Is he staying with me tonight?

She bit her lip, feeling complicated and uneasy.

***

But when the two of them lay on the bed, nothing unexpected happened. They actually really chatted until late at night.

Song Fengwan had morning class the next day and had breakfast at Yunjin Prime Manor. When she returned to school, she would pass by Yishui Community. She specially packed some breakfast for Tang Jingci.

She had the key in her hand, so she opened the door and entered the house. They were both girls anyway. Even if Tang Jingci wasn’t wearing any clothes, she wasn’t afraid of anything. But…

The first thing she saw was her cousin. Their eyes met. One was surprised, and the other was calm. “What are you doing here?”

Song Fengwan was stunned. “I brought Big Sister Tang some soup dumplings. I didn’t know you were here, so I didn’t bring your share.”

“Put it down.”

Song Fengwan blushed slightly. “I still have class. I’ll get going first. You guys go ahead.”

“I’ll send you.”

“No need. Third Brother is downstairs.”

With that, Song Fengwan fled.

***

Fu Chen was browsing the morning news on his phone when he saw Song Fengwan running down the stairs with a red face. She got into the car, still panting heavily.

“What’s wrong?”

“Cousin is here. I feel that the two of them… yesterday… It was too awkward.” Song Fengwan reached out to pat her blushing face.

“You’re not underage.” Fu Chen chuckled.

“It’s still awkward. Besides, Cousin didn’t even tell me he came.”

“He has a girlfriend. Why would he inform you?”

Song Fengwan harrumphed coldly. Looks like I’m no longer Cousin’s only cutie. Sigh, I’ve fallen out of favor.

“Does your family know about your cousin?”

“Not yet.”

“Get him ready.”

“What?”

“He might be cut to death.

“You’re exaggerating. Second Uncle-Master is a very nice person.” Song Fengwan pouted.

“When his own interests aren’t involved, he treats everyone well. But if someone snatches his daughter, he won’t give anyone a good attitude,” Fu Chen said firmly. “Get your cousin to buy more insurance.”

Song Fengwan bit her lip. It can’t be that bad.

Qiao Xiyan had plans to lay his cards on the table with Tang Wangjin when he returned to the capital to attend the design exhibition. But many things were unpredictable, and plans could never keep up with changes.

The storm suddenly arrived, far more turbulent and fierce than he imagined…