The matter of the invitations was settled.

After Luo Qingyuan and Duan Ye finished their meal, they left the restaurant.

Before they could even say a word, a luxury car slowly drove up to the intersection and stopped in front of them.

Shen Niannian's smile suddenly stiffened.

The car window was rolled down, and a face that bore a resemblance to Shen Niannian appeared before everyone.

Shen Changcheng smiled sweetly: "Sister, Dad asked me to come and pick you up from school."

After saying that, Shen Changcheng greeted Luo Qingyuan with a smile: "Hello, Sister Luo."

Luo Qingyuan casually replied, "Hello."

Duan Ze looked at Shen Niannian: "Then it seems I don't need to take you home?"

Shen Niannian was very unhappy, her little mouth pouting: "Hmph! You're happy now, aren't you thinking that you've finally gotten rid of this burden of mine?!"

Normally, Duan Ze would definitely have to tease her a bit to be happy.

But to Shen Niannian's surprise, Duan Ze did not do as she expected. Instead, he took her hand and said seriously, "I'm not very happy."

This sentence stunned Shen Niannian, as well as Duan Ye and Luo Qingyuan.

All three of them found it somewhat unbelievable, since the normal Duan Ze should be sharp-tongued.

Duan Ze didn't care about their opinions and simply said, "I'd rather be with you; that's what makes me happy."

Shen Niannian's eyes immediately reddened. Who said Duan Ze couldn't say sweet words? Isn't he quite good at it?

Duan Ye clicked his tongue in amazement. This was exactly how his brother acted when he was in love—it was so incredibly cheesy!

Luo Qingyuan lowered her head silently, the contrast was so great that she wanted to laugh.

Shen Changcheng smiled as he watched this scene, and then waited quietly in the car. The driver didn't dare to look at his young mistress.

Shen Niannian's love was passionate and straightforward, so she hugged Duan Ze directly: "I'll pick you up from get off work tomorrow."

Duan Ze patted her back gently: "Okay."

The two lingered for a while before saying goodbye.

Duan Ze's gaze followed Shen Niannian until the extended luxury car disappeared down the street.

Duan Ye stepped forward and patted Duan Ze on the shoulder, saying, "Brother, are you so reluctant to part with him?"

Duan Ze gave him a cool look, then waved his hand casually: "I'm leaving. I'm exhausted today. We can discuss things tomorrow."

After saying that, Duan Ze left.

Luo Qingyuan watched this scene. It was a perfectly normal scene of everyone going home, but why did she feel a little uneasy?

Duan Ye put his arm around Luo Qingyuan, who was lost in thought: "What are you thinking about?"

The two walked together toward the underground parking lot.

Luo Qingyuan said, "I'm worried about Niannian."

Duan Ye: "Hmm? What do you mean?"

Luo Qingyuan: "Perhaps my worries are unnecessary. I hope that my older brother and Niannian will be alright."

Duan Ye rubbed her head: "Don't worry, as long as Big Brother and Niannian persevere, no one can separate them."

"Don't let my brother's seemingly silly appearance fool you; he has his own principles when it comes to doing things."

Luo Qingyuan was silent for three seconds before answering, "Of you two brothers, I think you're the one who's the idiot."

Duan Ye was speechless, vehemently denying it: "Nonsense! I'm clearly so smart..."

Luo Qingyuan smiled, her eyes shining like stars.

Under the neon lights, beneath towering buildings, amidst the bustling crowds, she still couldn't restrain herself and turned to gently kiss Duan Ye.

"But I like it, I like you just the way you are."

Luo Qingyuan's voice was as light as a feather, gently brushing against Duan Ye's heart.

They've been together for so long, but at this moment when their eyes meet, their hearts still race.

Before Duan Ye could say anything, Luo Qingyuan had already turned and walked away first.

Duan Ye: "Hey? How can you do this? You take advantage and then run away?"

Duan Ye took two steps forward and grabbed Luo Qingyuan's hand.

The two walked hand in hand, facing the evening breeze and under the high-hanging moon, home.

As soon as they got home, Duan Ye couldn't wait to pull Luo Qingyuan back to the bedroom, since Grandma was home and probably already asleep.

Luo Qingyuan clung to the door frame, refusing to go inside.

Duan Ye turned around: "What? Can't stay in the room?"

Luo Qingyuan blushed and shook her head: "Um, not today."

Upon hearing this, Duan Ye felt as if the sky had fallen.

"Oh? My period started?"

Luo Qingyuan nodded, then broke free from Duan Ye's hand, turned on the living room light, and prepared to get some hot water to drink.

Duan Ye followed closely: "What day is it?"

Luo Qingyuan smiled and said, "It's the first day!"

Duan Ye was going crazy. Why did they have to come now of all times? This was really bad.

However, Duan Ye calmly took Luo Qingyuan's cup and poured her hot water.

"Does your stomach hurt?"

Luo Qingyuan shook her head: "It doesn't hurt."

"I used to have frequent pain..."

Before Luo Qingyuan could finish speaking, Duan Ye quickly carried the water over and helped her up, saying, "Does it hurt often? Come on, I'll take you to the hospital to get it checked out, so it doesn't become a chronic condition..."

Luo Qingyuan: "Don't worry, that was in the past..."

The old lady also came out: "Qingyuan used to have menstrual cramps because she had been single for a long time, which caused hormonal imbalances, so she would always have pain. She would drink Chinese medicine, but she found it too bitter. But she's better now."

Duan Ye was confused: "Why is it fine now? Is there...is there some explanation for this?"

Luo Qingyuan blushed as she drank the hot water. The old lady chuckled and said, "Well, it's all about the balance of Yin and Yang. Many women are like this. Before marriage, they suffer from all sorts of menstrual cramps and cold symptoms, but after marriage, things... become more balanced, and they naturally get better over time."

Duan Ye found it amazing: "Grandma, you're not lying to me, are you? This is possible?"

The old lady glared at him: "Nonsense, why would Grandma lie to you?"

"Take good care of Qingyuan. Maybe you'll have good news soon."

After speaking, the old lady carried her water glass into the bedroom.

Duan Ye looked at Luo Qingyuan: "Really? Is there really such a thing as saying that?"

He still trusted Luo Qingyuan more; if things didn't improve, he'd take her to the hospital for a checkup.

Luo Qingyuan nodded: "Really, this... is really amazing. You're a man, so it's normal that you don't understand."

Duan Ye: "What did you do when it hurt before?"

Luo Qingyuan gave him a resentful look: "What else can I do? Just bear the pain if it doesn't kill you... Who told you to come to my side so late, making me suffer for so many years..."

Seeing Luo Qingyuan's aggrieved little eyes, Duan Ye's heart broke, and he quickly reached out to hug her.

"It's my fault, it's my fault, I met you too late."

but…

Duan Ye suddenly remembered something else.

"Meeting her too early wouldn't be good either, I'm still young..."

Luo Qingyuan glared at him: "Am I that desperate?"

Duan Ye kissed her twice: "That's hard to say, after all, our first time together was really too exciting."

"I still get chills thinking about it now..."

Luo Qingyuan: "Hmph! You're so glib. I was the one who was exhausted that night, so you should be secretly happy."