Ji Mingqian was getting enthusiastic when a sudden cold flash swept by on the side.

Under the light, the sharp knife glittered with an icy chill.

Ji Mingqian chuckled, "I’ll stop talking, my mouth is shut. I’ve just gotten back, no need to greet me with a kitchen knife."

Chu Chen snorted coldly and continued chopping tomatoes.

By the time dinner was ready, it was almost ten o’clock.

Ye Jiuliang had just sat down when his phone rang.

Gu Xinuo glanced over, a teasing smile on her lips.

"Ajiu, your significant other is quickly checking in on you."

"Go on, eat," Ye Jiuliang laughed and cursed, taking his phone and walking towards the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The night view of the suburbs lacked some of the noise and hustle of the city center, an isolating sorrow revealing a unique tragic beauty.

Between the swaying tree shadows, one could barely make out the sparse twinkling of stars.

"Why are you up so early?" Ye Jiuliang’s lips curled into a warm smile.

It should be around six in the morning in China now.

On the other end of the phone, Li Mochan glanced at the teddy bear beside him, his brows slightly furrowed, "Can’t sleep."

"Didn’t I leave the teddy bear with you?" Ye Jiuliang laughed softly.

He wanted her, not the teddy bear.

Li Mochan threw off the covers and got out of bed, reaching to pull back the curtains as the sky began to lighten, "Have you eaten yet?"

"I’m eating right now." Ye Jiuliang tapped lightly on the railing, his voice tender, "Remember to have your meals on time. If you get another stomachache, I’m not taking care of you."

"If I have a stomachache, will you come back?" the low voice sounded somewhat dispirited.

Ye Jiuliang couldn’t help but laugh, "You try it and see, I guarantee I won’t come back."

"..."

That hurt.

Inside the house, Gu Xinuo and the others were calling her. Ye Jiuliang nonchalantly responded, then said, "If you’re up, go have breakfast. I’m going to eat now, I’ll call you back later."

Li Mochan hummed in acknowledgment, hanging up reluctantly.

**

Past eight, Jiang Yisheng came sauntering downstairs, spotting Wei Bei with a suitcase standing to the side, he looked mildly surprised.

"Wei Bei, whose suitcase is that?"

Wei Bei smiled slightly, "There’s a bit of an issue at the company, the boss needs to make a trip back."

"Back to M country?" Jiang Yisheng asked.

Wei Bei shook his head, "F country."

Jiang Yisheng didn’t understand the details of the corporation’s affairs and didn’t pry further. Turning his head, he saw Li Mochan’s figure emerging on the stairwell.

"Cousin, good morning."

Li Mochan grunted, casually asking, "Are you going to head back home?"

Jiang Yisheng shook his head, "I’m quite comfortable staying here."

If he went back to M country, and grandma set up another blind date for him, he wouldn’t be able to stand it.

Li Mochan was just asking out of courtesy and didn’t press the matter.

He started walking away, and Wei Bei, with the suitcase in tow, quickly followed.

Jiang Yisheng looked at the quiet living room and missed the lively days of just a few days ago. Now he was left all alone.

...

"Anuo, do you want to sleep with me tonight?" Ye Jiuliang came out of the bathroom and saw the person sitting on her bed, a light smirk on her lips.

Knowing full well about her terrible sleeping habits, Gu Xinuo declined without thinking, "No thanks, I’d like to live a few more years. I can’t withstand a kick from Master Jiu."

Ye Jiuliang ran her fingers through her slightly messy hair, "Then what are you doing here in my room?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Here to chat with you, of course." She reached out and pulled her closer, her eyes gleaming with the light of gossip.

"Tell me, how far have things progressed with Li Mochan? Does he know your identity yet?"

"R-rated level, do you want to hear?" Ye Jiuliang teased.

Gu Xinuo pouted, "Stop pulling my leg, I’d believe you if there was a..."

Before the word "ghost" left her mouth, Gu Xinuo’s sharp eyes spotted the red marks on her collarbone, and she jumped three feet high.