"Grandma." Li Mochan pressed the phone to his ear with one hand while holding down the person wriggling in his arms with the other.

"Li Mochan, it’s been days. When exactly are you bringing Xiaojiu back?" Hearing Li Mochan’s voice, Old Madam Jiang immediately switched back to her teeth-gritting tone.

"You rascal, always fobbing off this old lady. You’re aiming to anger me to death, aren’t you?"

Old Madam Jiang’s roaring was not quiet. Ye Jiuliang heard Li Mochan being scolded and covered her lips to sneak a chuckle.

Li Mochan looked down at her, his fingers slightly curled, and flicked her forehead gently, saying unhurriedly, "Give it a little more time."

"Give it a little more time again," Old Madam Jiang grew impatient upon hearing this, "I won’t talk to you, give the phone to Xiaojiu. I want to talk to her."

"Grandma, it’s getting late, your granddaughter-in-law has school tomorrow, we are going to sleep," Li Mochan said, his thin lips opening slightly in a calm tone.

"You two are staying in the same room?" Old Madam Jiang zeroed in on the crux of the matter, her opening remark explosive like a King Bomb. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The smile on Ye Jiuliang’s face stiffened, and she shot Li Mochan a look, warning him to think before speaking.

Li Mochan’s eyebrows rose slightly, a mischievous smile appearing in his eyes, "Yes, the same room."

"Alright then, you two get some rest early." On the other end of the phone, Old Madam Jiang’s face bloomed with a smile, as if she envisioned her cuddly little great-grandson arriving soon, "I’ll send you both something tomorrow, remember to sign for it."

After speaking, the old lady hung up the phone quite decisively.

Even with her toes, she could guess that Old Madam Jiang must have misunderstood. She grabbed his collar, squeezed out a mock smile, and teasingly said, "Li Mochan, what nonsense are you spouting? A granddaughter-in-law, when did I acquire such a status?"

Li Mochan asked boldly, "Aren’t we staying in the same room now?"

Ye Jiuliang was lost for words, "I... "

Li Mochan leaned in close, his lips near her ear as he spoke slowly, "Little Wolf, do you not want to go to school tomorrow?"

"You’re approving a leave for me?" Her eyes lit up.

A dark shimmer passed through the depths of Li Mochan’s eyes as he grunted affirmatively in a husky voice.

Happiness came too abruptly, and Ye Jiuliang struggled to stay clear-headed, "No strings attached?"

When did he become so easy-going?

His little wolf was smart indeed, truly not easy to fool.

Li Mochan hooked his lips and grasped the hand that was clutching his collar, "Call me ’husband’, let’s hear it."

Ye Jiuliang snorted, knowing there had to be a catch.

Call him husband?

In his dreams.

"I think it’s better if I go to school tomorrow. After all, there are quite a few good-looking guys at Beisen. Who knows, I might even get love letters or chocolates," Ye Jiuliang shrugged off his hand, her voice chilly.

She had barely taken a step when her foot was suddenly caught.

Cool fingertips latched onto her ankle, dragging her backwards.

Turning her gaze, she fell into those deep, cold pool-like black eyes with a flicker of deep blue flames within.

His deep voice was low and magnetically cold, "Ye Jiuliang, repeat what you just said."

The word ’cowardly’ does not exist in Master Jiu’s dictionary.

Ye Jiuliang flipped over, hands cushioning her head, a devilish smile on her face, "Don’t worry, if I get any chocolates, I’ll definitely share with you."

Share my ass.

Was he lacking a piece of chocolate from her?

"I don’t like chocolate," he stressed.

Ye Jiuliang’s laughter grew even more cheerful, "Then how about I give you the love letters?"

"I’m more interested in wolf meat," he replied.

With those words, his tall figure suddenly lunged at her.

Tsk, this habit of getting physical the moment things don’t go his way isn’t good.

Ye Jiuliang narrowed her clear eyes lightly, rolled to one side, her long leg sweeping towards him, not holding back in the slightest.

After all, she had already exposed her skills on the cruise ship, so there was nothing to hold back now.

The frosty punch whooshed past her cheek, Li Mochan not angry but smiling instead, a doting look spreading in his eyes.

He liked this little wolf pup, who was missing the usual layer of aloofness.

"Master Li, if you’re not serious, you’ll be the one who’s unlucky," Ye Jiuliang said with a playful smile, lifting her arm to elbow him in the shoulder.

Li Mochan’s eyes deepened as he dodged her attack, his fingers clawing toward the collar of her shirt, moving behind her to pin her against him.

"Little pup, do you want to admit defeat?" He pecked her ear lightly, a shallow smile appearing on his lips.

Ye Jiuliang’s eyes shifted, "I think it’d be wiser for you to admit defeat."

Before the words finished, she reached back for his shoulder and pressed down ever so gently.

Li Mochan’s expression changed slightly, a tingling numbness spread over his shoulder, followed by a wave of weakness, causing his grip on her to loosen involuntarily.

"Master Li, I think it’s best if you sleep in the study tonight," Ye Jiuliang’s lips curled up into a smug smile.

She reached for a pillow and stuffed it into his embrace, "Take your time, no need to see you out."

She was always at his mercy, and if this got back to Anuo and the others, how embarrassing it would be.

Moments later, Li Mochan stared at the sealed bedroom door and the pillow about to slip from his grasp, a storm brewing in his eyes.

Little bastard!

He struggled to lift his hand and press on his shoulder, but the sour numbness still didn’t fade away.

Damn.

**

Late at night, the kitchen light was still on.

Occasionally, rustling sounds could be heard from inside.

Jiang Yisheng went downstairs for a drink of water and noticed the light in the kitchen, his brow furrowed slightly.

Could it be that cousin hasn’t gone to bed?

His foot was injured, so he moved very slowly.

"Ji Mingqian?"

A slightly surprised voice broke the silence of the kitchen.

Bright light poured down from above, elongating the shadow cast upon the wall.

The figure standing in front of the cabinet turned around, his silver robe hanging loosely, the defined lines of his chest peeking through.

Seeing him, Ji Mingqian raised an eyebrow, "Do you have instant coffee? The black kind?"

Jiang Yisheng was stunned, "Were you just looking for coffee?"

It was already two in the morning, why would he be drinking coffee now?

Ji Mingqian nodded.

"We only have coffee beans," Jiang Yisheng said, approaching with his water glass, "You’ll have to use the coffee machine."

Ji Mingqian, "..."

Why was brewing a cup of coffee this difficult?

It’s all Chu Chen’s fault. If not for him, he wouldn’t have to get up in the middle of the night to work himself to death.

"Drinking coffee at midnight is bad for your health, and you’re injured," Jiang Yisheng commented while taking a few sips of warm water, glancing at him sideways, "There’s milk in the fridge, how about you heat some up?"

"I don’t drink milk," Ji Mingqian refused bluntly; he detested the odd taste of milk.

Jiang Yisheng didn’t insist and started heading back to his room with the water glass.

Suddenly, the hem of a silver robe flickered at the edge of his vision, and then the man’s long arm blocked his path.

"Hey, wait a minute."

Jiang Yisheng slightly lifted his gaze, looking at him calmly, "Is there something else?"

"That..." Ji Mingqian hesitated.

Jiang Yisheng’s gaze remained steady on him, a look of confusion on his face.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ji Mingqian finally spoke, "Do you, do you know how to make coffee?"

"You don’t?" Jiang Yisheng was surprised—he didn’t know how to use a coffee machine?