She didn't spend much on schooling and has never been extravagant in her life, so not having money didn't really have much of an impact.

But what about Qi Chen?

It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

Having grown accustomed to a carefree life of spending money like water, suddenly having their source of funding cut off will definitely be even more difficult for them than for her.

While she was lost in thought, the man, while on the phone, casually glanced up at her.

The light from the window is just right.

The golden sunlight shone on her profile, her skin was porcelain white and delicate like mutton fat jade, and her long, thick eyelashes were clearly defined, trembling slightly like a fan.

After hanging up the phone, Qi Shen stared at her again, his thin lips parted slightly, and he suddenly spoke, "Zhizhi."

"Hmm?" Fang Zhi responded subconsciously, then looked up.

He stood up, walked around the desk to her side, pressed his middle and ring fingers together on the book, glanced at it, and said meaningfully, "You've been looking at this page for ten minutes."

Fang Zhi looked up at him.

Sunlight streamed into her pupils, making her eyes resemble a clear spring, with the man's reflection mingling in the gentle flow of light and shadow.

"Brother, Qi Chen bought a car, will you give it to him...?"

Before she could finish her question, the man had already guessed what she meant. He smiled and uttered two words succinctly, "No."

Fang Zhi lowered his eyes and sighed inwardly, "As expected..."

Qi Shen looked at the girl's fluffy head and naturally reached out to stroke it.

He couldn't show favoritism to either of the two little ones who said he was old on the same day. The little girl should be punished, but Xiao Chen should be punished even more.

However, everyone has their biases, and he was no exception.

Between Fang Zhi and Qi Chen, it is undeniable that he prefers the former, so Qi Chen should suffer more.

-

The moon rises above the branches, casting shadows on the ground.

Fang Zhi sat cross-legged on the bed, muttering to himself as if reciting a text, glancing at his phone every now and then.

She tried to compliment him with three sweet nothings that afternoon, but he dismissed them all as half-hearted. So, she could only take advantage of the moment while he was showering in the bathroom to quickly browse the internet and read a few lines.

The first few results were alright, very poetic and subtle love quotes; but what were the rest of them??

"What's your zodiac sign? I'll tailor something just for you."

"I drank some porridge; it's been a week of missing you."

Fang Zhi frowned, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her. Just as she was about to continue scrolling down, the sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and she quickly turned off her phone and stuffed it under her pillow.

The bathroom door opened, and a cloud of white steam enveloped the man as he emerged. Water dripped from his hair and slid slowly down his sculpted face. A loose black satin bathrobe draped over his body, revealing glimpses of his bulging chest muscles. He exuded a noble elegance with a touch of wild charm.

Seeing the fair-skinned young girl looking at him on the bed, Qi Shen smiled and walked towards her.

He sat down beside her, raised his hand and pinched her smooth, soft cheek. "Have you thought about what to say?"

The man's lean, powerful body blocked the light, and she realized that her vision had suddenly darkened. His fresh, clean scent after his shower was everywhere, as strong as he was, occupying her mind. The few sentences she had just memorized were completely forgotten in that instant.

"I..." Fang Zhi began to utter a single word, then paused, unsure of what to say next.

Qi Shen raised an eyebrow and looked at her quietly.

After struggling internally for a while, she realized that her pretty face showed her difficulty. "Brother, I really don't know how." Suppressing the pain in her heart, she slowly said, "How about I just give you the money?"

Qi Shen narrowed his eyes and chuckled softly, "I gave Zhizhi a choice during lunch, and she tacitly agreed to say sweet nothings." His long, slender, pale fingers gently pressed against the girl's soft lips, his handsome face calm and composed, "There's only one chance, so I won't accept any backing out."

Fang Zhi lowered her eyes, and out of the corner of her eye was the man's arm. She felt helpless and discouraged, and for a moment she really wanted to give up.

She bit his arm and yelled at him: "So what if she can't say anything?! Go ahead and force her to her death!"

Who could be as awful as my brother?

She's not forcing him to buy or accept gifts. If he wants a gift, he should just say so. She can make something handmade or give him something inexpensive!

Why must she be in debt?!

However, she only dared to think these things in her heart, to indulge in them, and dared not say them out loud. He certainly wouldn't force her to her death, but he had too many ways to manipulate her, and she couldn't even handle this much in bed.

Qi Shen gazed at the girl's ever-changing expression, a slight smile curving his lips. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his voice gentle and tender, "Secretly cursing me?"

Fang Zhi was startled. Could he read minds?

Her eyes widened, and she pushed herself back on the bed, trying her best to remain calm as she met his gaze. "No."

Qi Shen's smile remained unchanged. "Even if you really scold your brother, your brother won't blame you. As a boyfriend, isn't it only natural to be scolded by your girlfriend?"

"I won't get angry, so can Zhizhi tell me what I'm cursing in my heart?" He leaned forward, getting closer to her, their noses touching, their breaths mingling.

The man's doting, indulgent, and generous attitude momentarily bewitched Fang Zhi, but the image of Qi Chen's fate suddenly popped into her mind, and she quickly regained her senses.

"I really didn't curse my brother."

Fang Zhi's tone was more determined this time.

Upon hearing this, a dark undercurrent surged in Qi Shen's eyes, his pupils turning as black as an overturned inkstone. The little girl was not easily fooled.

Qi Shen held her waist with one hand and lifted her chin with the other, pressing her down onto the mattress behind him.

He immediately leaned in and kissed her alluring lips.

After the kiss ended, Qi Shen placed his hand on her soft abdomen, feeling a pang of regret but still prioritizing her well-being.

He said softly, "Go to sleep. Your brother is going on a business trip tomorrow. Don't forget to drink the brown sugar water that Aunt Wang makes for you these next few days."

The little girl experiences varying degrees of discomfort during each menstrual period. She was severely chilled as a child, and despite years of careful treatment, she hasn't fully recovered.

Fang Zhiye suddenly remembered that her period was coming soon, and nodded softly with an "Mmm".

The man tucked her into bed, covered her with the blanket, and then went back to the bathroom to dry his hair.

Fang Zhi turned to the side, his feelings complicated.

He remembered her menstrual cycle even better than she did; he knew everything about her and cared deeply about her. She would never forget her brother's kindness; but she would also never forget his tyranny.

Why can't he change?