"But if you two live together all the time without getting married, people will gossip about it."

"Can Can," Yin Wenxi said softly, "You're a girl, your reputation is very important! Before, you didn't know his identity and thought that since you married him, it was perfectly acceptable for you to live together. But now that you know, if you still want to be with him, you should get married as soon as possible!"

"Mom," Jiang Can smiled mischievously, "you're still pretty old-fashioned!"

“Mom isn’t old-fashioned, she just wants to protect you!” Yin Wenxi held her hand. “Without marriage, it’s never proper, and Mom is afraid you’ll get hurt.”

Jiang Can felt a lump in her throat. She understood that it was her unpleasant experience with Jiang Mingyuan in the past that made Yin Wenxi so sensitive to the words "legitimate" or "rightful."

She snuggled against her mother's chest like a spoiled child. From childhood to adulthood, she rarely had the opportunity to act so affectionately with Yin Wenxi.

Yin Wenxi patted her shoulder, a loving smile on her face. Like many nagging mothers, she kept talking about their marriage.

"Okay, I understand," Jiang Can said softly, trying to comfort me. "Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll put the wedding on the agenda, okay?"

"Okay, then you'd better keep your word!"

Don't worry!

“Oh right, Can Can,” Yin Wenxi suddenly remembered something, “when you two were together, was he, was he treating you well?”

Jiang Can was completely confused.

Yin Wenxi expressed herself rather subtly, but seeing her daughter's blank expression, she couldn't help but laugh.

"What I mean is, does he usually pester you a lot?"

Jiang Can was stunned for a moment, then she understood, and her face flushed red.

"Mom, why are you asking that!"

“What’s wrong with asking this? I’m your mother, of course I can talk about this!” Yin Wenxi received a Western education from a young age and has never been shy about discussing sex.

"Mom is just reminding you to pay attention to hygiene and not to overwork yourself. As for contraception, you two can discuss it! Of course, I really want to have a little grandchild..."

"Mom!" Jiang Can almost stomped her foot.

"Mom, I'll definitely take care of this for you!" The door suddenly opened, and the man walked in with a big smile.

His smug expression was completely at odds with his usual stern and serious demeanor.

Jiang Can stood there stunned. Huo Zhixing pulled her into a hug and grinned at Yin Wenxi.

"Mom, don't worry, not only will you get to hold your grandson, but also your granddaughter!"

Jiang Can nudged him hard with her elbow.

Yin Wenxi couldn't stop smiling when she saw her son-in-law, and now, hearing him say this, she was so happy she felt like she could fly.

"Zhixing, you've come at the perfect time! Come and see my succulents..."

Huo Zhixing raised an eyebrow at Jiang Can, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "I'll go with Mom to see the plants she grows first," he said softly, "and when we get home... we'll properly fulfill her wish!"

Jiang Can punched him twice, making her face even redder.

This man has been too idle lately; his mind is filled with all sorts of lewd thoughts!

...

Huo Wenyuan's opinion of Jiang Can changed somewhat, and he would send someone to invite her to his home every now and then.

Jiang Can kept her mother's teachings in mind: a girl should always be reserved and composed, no matter what.

Only by maintaining your integrity will others not look down on you.

Especially for those who used to dislike you, knowing how to strike the right balance is an art.

Jiang Can declined most of the invitations. She only attended one tea party, where she exchanged a few polite words with Huo Wenyuan, but her thoughts remained clear and her answers fluent.

Huo Wenyuan would occasionally mention to Cen Bo, "The girl next to Zhixing is quite outstanding."

Uncle Cen smiled; he had finally waited for this day. "Of course she's excellent! How could anyone our Third Young Master has his eye on be anything less than outstanding?"

"You...you're indirectly criticizing my poor taste?"

Because the person he had his eye on before was Yao Manning.

Cen Bo was taken aback.

Huo Wenyuan is usually cold and serious, and rarely acts like this, with his beard bristling and eyes wide open.

That's quite rare.

What's even more remarkable is that he did this because of Jiang Can.

Uncle Cen smiled and helped the old man back to his room to rest. The servant brought him the Chinese medicine he drank every night.

Huo Wenyuan frowned as he drank it down and slammed the bowl heavily onto the tray.

“Grandpa,” Cen Bo said with some concern, “all medicines have some toxicity, I think you should drink less of it.”

"It's alright." Huo Wenyuan waved his hand. "I've been taking this kind of medicine since I was young, for decades now, it's become a habit. Besides, it's traditional Chinese medicine, a tonic formula, there won't be any problems!"

Cen Bo wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, he couldn't utter a single word.

...

Evening, at Xi Garden.

When Jiang Can came out after taking a shower, she saw that Huo Zhixing had already fallen asleep against the headboard.

She checked her watch; it was only a little past eight.

There's been a lot going on at the company lately, and Huo Zhixing often works overtime until late at night. Tonight, he's unusually getting to bed early.

Jiang Can smiled, recalling how the man had confidently told her at dinner that there would be a meteor shower at eight o'clock that night, and that the two of them would hold hands and go to the rooftop to make a wish.

Sometimes men can be quite cute when they act childish.

Jiang Can carefully covered him with the blanket, then lifted a corner and lay down herself.

Huo Zhixing's even breathing was right next to her ear.

She gazed at him quietly, her slender white fingers involuntarily brushing across his brow, the tip of his nose, his thin lips, finally settling on his sharply defined face.

The more I look at this face, the more I love it.

Jiang Can smiled, her fingertips inadvertently touching the weariness between his brows. Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered that recently he had not only been busy with his own affairs, but also had to find time to help her organize the scattered and trivial matters of the western suburbs land project...

And all his bank cards are with her.

A man with no savings, not even enough cash to buy a meal.

Let alone someone of Huo Zhixing's status, even an ordinary person would probably find it hard to accept.

Jiang Can suddenly felt that she had gone too far.

She bit her lip, got up, opened the drawer, and took out all the bank cards that Huo Zhixing had handed over.

She thought, "I should give him one, so I won't lose face in front of outsiders."

So she took out one of the cards and gently placed it under his pillow, intending to surprise him and tell him when he woke up the next day.

Unexpectedly, he was a light sleeper, and he stirred slightly, trying to open his eyes.

"Can Can? What are you doing?"

"It's nothing," Jiang Can smiled. "Here's some pocket money!"

"Huh?" Huo Zhixing was stunned.

He didn't ask her for pocket money today, but she actually gave it to him on her own?

Well... I'll give it to you then! How could I miss such a great opportunity!

He immediately got up, took off his T-shirt, revealing his muscular chest.

"bring it on!"

Jiang Can was dumbfounded, "What...?"

The man smirked, "Isn't this supposed to be 'pocket money'?"