The drive takes about twenty minutes.

Ying Qian fell asleep leaning against the wall.

As she got off the bus, she vaguely heard the sound of the door opening and closing heavily.

The brief dream was too sweet; she didn't want to open her eyes. She only felt herself being lifted up, her nostrils filled with the rich scent of cologne. She nestled against someone's firm chest.

What remains is an endless dream.

When she woke up again, it was already noon. She opened her eyes.

It's a place that's both strange and familiar.

She knew perfectly well that this wasn't home, but the layout of the room and the arrangement of the items were so similar to those in Qincheng.

“Unbelievable…” She got up and put on her slippers.

There was a desk by the window with a desk lamp on it, and next to it was a small bookcase filled with many books, the ones that Qin Cheng hadn't brought with him.

She randomly opened one of the books and saw Ying Qian's name on the title page, which further convinced her that these books were the same pile that Qin Cheng had collected.

Her heart was deeply shaken.

Is this a dream?

The wind chimes on the curtains tinkled. She looked up. This was the first birthday gift she had ever received, when she was ten years old, from Meng Beiyan.

Stepping out of the room, everything changed, and she inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

The range hood was making a lot of noise, so Ying Qian went to the kitchen out of curiosity and saw Meng Beiyan wearing an apron and cooking, looking quite like a stay-at-home husband.

She leaned against the doorframe and chuckled to herself.

"Go sit at the dining table," Meng Beiyan said with a smile. "The food will be ready soon."

"ok"

Ying Qian looked around. The house wasn't big, probably around 80 square meters. There were many potted plants on the balcony, all of which looked newly bought.

Everything in the living room was brand new, making her wonder if anyone had ever lived in this house.

She stopped at the door of another bedroom, the master bedroom. Did Meng Beiyan live here? She peeked inside.

Meng Beiyan's bedroom is minimalist in style, with a white and gray color scheme. Facing the bed are a wardrobe and a large bookshelf, which is filled with books.

The floor tiles were spotless.

The curtains weren't drawn, making the room dim and lifeless. Ying Qian took it upon herself to draw the curtains open, and now it was much brighter.

"The food is ready, Ying Qian, come and eat."

Several dishes were laid out on the table, all looking and smelling delicious.

Meng Beiyan shrugged as he watched Ying Qian wolf down her food, his smile warm and bright. He ate a few bites, glanced at his watch, and his brows furrowed.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you." He reached out and tucked a strand of Ying Qian's hair behind her ear.

"Move your clothes into the closet right away. I have to go back to the office soon. As for dinner... I'll see if I can order you some takeout."

“No need!” Ying Qian quickly put down her chopsticks and refused. “I can cook for myself.”

Meng Beiyan nodded, "That's fine. Call me anytime if you need anything."

"Thank you, brother," Ying Qian said affectionately.

Meng Beiyan was overjoyed. Before leaving, he patted her on the head and said, "I'll come back tomorrow to take you to school."

After he left, the house became incredibly cold and desolate.

After finishing her meal, Ying Qian went to wash the dishes.

When she returned to her room to pack her things, she saw a small brown paper bag on the bedside table. She took it out and found a jewelry box inside. She hesitated for a moment before opening it.

What catches the eye is a hair clip; the silver hair clip is inlaid with a row of tiny gemstones, making it exceptionally exquisite.

Ying Qian wanted to put it back exactly as it was.

But they found a note.

"Take it, it's yours."

The handwriting is Meng Beiyan's.

"This gemstone is quite beautiful!" Ying Qian's heart skipped a beat. She looked at it from left to right, a hint of worry in her eyes. "The gemstone probably isn't real... If it is, how expensive would it be..."

After she finished packing her things, she started doing her homework. As she did it, she began to have wild thoughts: What if Meng Beiyan kicked her out one day?

Once this thought arises, it can never be erased.

Ying Qian began to feel scared. Would this place, which had finally given her a glimmer of hope, suddenly shatter one day?

Ying Qian decided to win Meng Beiyan's favor so that he would have no reason to kick her out.

I did my homework and planned things out until I got hungry in the evening, then I got up and went to the kitchen.

Upon opening the refrigerator, Ying Qian's almond-shaped eyes widened instantly. Every corner of the refrigerator was crammed full, containing almost every common vegetable.

There was also fresh meat and beef in the freezer. A few popsicles were tucked away in the corner.

"This doesn't look like a refrigerator..."

"This is definitely like putting a mini-supermarket in here..."

Ying Qian pulled a round tomato out from the crowded fruits and vegetables. She sighed and suddenly regretted showing off to Meng Beiyan.

She only knows how to make noodles, and at most cooks rice; occasionally, she'll add too much water and cook it into porridge...

Dinner was a bowl of sticky noodles.

Then came a relaxing hot shower!

The room was on the 9th floor. Ying Qian was lying comfortably on the lounge chair on the balcony. It was so comfortable.

She stretched, confident that this unfamiliar place would soon become an irreplaceable home in her heart.

The clouds obscured the glittering stars and bright moonlight. It was pitch black, the night air incredibly fresh, and the withered jasmine on the balcony had a unique charm.

Soon, the soft moonlight shone on the serene face of the girl on the recliner.

Ying Qian's features weren't particularly delicate, but they possessed a fresh and refined beauty. The few pimples on her forehead were completely overshadowed by her thick eyelashes, which resembled two swallowtail butterflies quietly resting beneath her eyes.

midnight.

Meng Beiyan dragged his tired body, threw his suit on the sofa, and heard the rocking chair creak. He felt a sense of foreboding and strode towards the balcony.

The girl's trembling appearance infuriated him. The buildings across the street were brightly lit, and the lights, mixed with moonlight, shone on Ying Qian, making her the only protagonist in the night.

The only protagonist who belongs to Meng Beiyan.

Meng Beiyan's eyes were so tired he could barely keep them open. He forced his eyelids open, took a deep breath, and felt the cold midnight air rush through his nostrils, which made him much more awake.

He stared at Ying Qian's face for a few seconds, his eyes instantly filled with tenderness. He gently picked up the limp Ying Qian, who was restless and fidgeted when he suspected her.

In a daze, Meng Beiyan heard the person in his arms repeatedly calling, "Mommy, Qianqian misses you so much."

"It's not worth it." His brow twitched a few times.

Meng Beiyan gasped, then calmly placed her on the bed and covered her with the blanket, which she immediately kicked off.

He glanced at the gift that had been placed there, but it was gone. He smiled, and the stiffness on his face softened as the corner of his lips moved.

His appearance at that moment resembled the vibrant rose in the living room. His eyes were slightly flushed and upturned, his gaze was dreamy and intoxicating, and the subtle muscle lines were visible through his white shirt.

He thoughtfully covered Ying Qian with a blanket again. She might kick it off again, but if she got cold, she would cover herself with the blanket again.

After taking a shower, Meng Beiyan wrapped himself in a bath towel and rummaged through the medicine box for several packets of cold medicine.

This is specially prepared for the fool who has been sitting on the balcony in the wind for hours.