When Cheng Qicai got home, she heard a second voice message, which was the sound of him exercising in the gym.

Below is a bonus video. She first casually swayed her own body, then focused the camera on the body of a guy who clearly had just started exercising.

The implied meaning is self-evident.

That familiar feeling is back.

She replied to Ji Xing's message indifferently: [Working overtime].

The reply came quickly: [Keep it up!]

The unspoken understanding among working people is that they won't send extra messages to disturb people while they're working overtime.

Cheng Qicai was quite satisfied with Ji Xing in this respect.

The next day, Cheng Qicai thought about Gu Rongqi's injuries and sent him the treatment instructions, reminding him: [Mr. Gu, how are you feeling? Remember to rest more.]

On the third day, Cheng Qicai sent another message: [President Gu, are you feeling better? You can start applying heat and medicine after 24 hours. Remember to get plenty of rest.]

Cheng Qicai greeted him once a day, afraid that if she did it too often, Gu Rongqi would get annoyed. Although Gu Rongqi might have a professional doctor to treat him when he got back, she, as the culprit, still had to express her repentance.

Once a day is just right, not too much and not too much trouble.

Gu Rongqi would still respond after seeing the message, although each time it would be something like, "[I'm recovering well, thank you for your concern.]"

This week, she went home and lounged on the sofa with her parents watching TV. Dramas were Ms. Yun's favorite, and Cheng Qicai felt like her liver was about to burst just watching them.

The TV was showing the male lead and the second female lead having dinner at a restaurant when the female lead bumped into them. Heartbroken, she turned and ran away. The male lead chased after her, put his arm around her shoulder, and yelled, "She's just my sister!"

Cheng Qicai really wanted to change the channel, even if it was just to watch an anti-Japanese war drama with Mr. Cheng, at least it would be entertaining.

Unfortunately, she doesn't have the final say on controlling the remote control in her house, nor does Mr. Cheng.

With nothing else to do, she sent Gu Rongqi a message as usual inquiring about her injuries.

During the commercial break, Cheng Qicai was asked by her mother how her relationship with Ji Xing was progressing.

Cheng Qicai answered truthfully and shared her feelings.

Ms. Yun launched into a tirade: "What's wrong with what Ji Xing said? You don't know how to do it yourself, and when he teaches you, you think he's just showing off in front of you. How can you be so capable?"

"You weren't there, how would you know how I feel?" Cheng Qicai muttered.

“You’re like a toad complaining that the prince is ugly. I think Ji Xingren is quite suitable. I had your birth dates matched before, and everyone said you two are a match made in heaven.” Ms. Yun spoke eloquently.

"Huh?" Cheng Qicai was utterly shocked, not expecting Ms. Yun to do something like this. "This relationship hasn't even started yet..."

“Bei Xiu, don’t be too anxious. This marriage is up to Qi Cai herself,” Mr. Cheng chimed in.

Cheng Qicai nodded in complete agreement.

"How can I not be in a hurry? If I meet the right one, I won't know how to seize the opportunity. The quality of a man decreases as you pick him out."

Mr. Cheng, please say something!

Cheng Qicai gave her father a look, but Mr. Cheng casually looked away, ignoring her message.

Helpless, Cheng Qicai could only nod in agreement, hoping that Ms. Yun's words would pass quickly.

Ms. Yun suddenly announced, "By the way, I've discussed it with your uncle's family, and next week is your and Su Ni's birthday. We're planning to hold a joint celebration between the two families."

"What?" Cheng Qicai sprang up from her relaxed position and looked at her with a suspicious gaze. "You didn't come up with this idea, did you?"

Ms. Yun nodded, "Of course, you two sisters share the same birthday, so having a joint celebration can save you a lot of money!"

No, it's obvious that the female lead will have the male lead celebrating her birthday!

If she joins in, wouldn't she just become the Joker?

Although she loves watching the female lead's love life unfold, it doesn't mean she's going to be a part of their drama.

“No… I can manage on my own…” Cheng Qicai tried to dissuade Ms. Yun from her idea.

"I've already spoken to your uncle. Besides, it's a rare occasion for everyone to get together this year, so let's all have some fun," Ms. Yun said decisively.

Cheng Qicai was completely speechless.

It's unclear whether this will affect the plot, but currently, although the plot lines have become messed up, the romance lines are still progressing as planned.

The next morning.

Outside the room, Ms. Yun instructed Cheng Qicai: "Cheng Qicai, I'm going out for a bit. There's a pot of pig's trotter soup simmering on the stove. Remember to turn off the heat when you get up."

Awakened by the noise, Cheng Qicai replied irritably, "Okay."

Cheng Qicai lazily played on her phone in bed for a while before heading to the kitchen with her messy hair to check on the pig's trotter soup in the pot.

She picked it up with her chopsticks and tasted it. The kidney beans inside were powdery, and the pig's trotters were stewed until soft and tender.

She couldn't help but recall the last time Gu Rongqi injured her. Every time he ordered a dish, there was a nourishing soup. During that time, Cheng Qicai's complexion was rosy, her blood was surging, and she had inexhaustible energy.

Since he had been so thoughtful, she couldn't just keep saying it, so she decided to bring him some pig's trotters in return.

After all, she couldn't afford to order 1,000 yuan per person for Gu Rongqi, so she could only express her gratitude with her own family's gift.

She may not have the money, but we still need to show her care and concern.

She munched on her pig's trotter, then casually pulled out her phone and sent a message to Gu Rongqi: "[Mr. Gu, have you had lunch? I brought you a bowl of pig's trotter soup. Do you have time?]"

The message from the other side came quickly.

Gu Rongqi: [I'm free, but I won't be at the company until 1 PM.]

Cheng Qicai: [It's okay, you go ahead and do your work, I'm still on my way.]

It was still early, so Cheng Qicai ate her breakfast, then tidied up and went downstairs to buy a thermos. She washed it and filled it with soup.

After thinking it over, Cheng Qicai booked a good restaurant near the company and sent the reservation to Gu Rongqi.

Sitting in the car, Gu Rongqi said to Li Gui in the passenger seat, "I don't need to order lunch. I'll get off at Weizhuyuan later."

“Okay, Mr. Gu.” Li Gui hesitated for a moment, glanced at the schedule, and asked, “What about the meeting this afternoon?”

Gu Rongqi: "Postponed to three o'clock."

Li Gui glanced curiously at Gu Rongqi, who was resting with his eyes closed, in the rearview mirror, wondering who he had dinner with.

This was clearly a last-minute addition to the itinerary, and judging by the hotel name, it couldn't possibly be one of Mr. Gu's friends. They wouldn't book such a low-class hotel. So who else could it be?

As Li Guizheng was pondering, he met Gu Rongqi's gaze in the rearview mirror, who had opened his eyes at some point. Startled, Li Guizheng immediately looked away.