70. Gentle and tender

◎“He will shoulder both the responsibilities of a husband and a father.”◎

"Hmm?" Qi Yanzhou's tone remained lazy and casual.

"Is everything you're saying true?" Xie Yunjin clenched her fists. "Even when she was still my girlfriend, you..."

“I didn’t do anything,” Qi Yanzhou corrected. “It’s just that the girl I was attracted to at the time happened to be your girlfriend. At most, I’m a little luckier than you. Three years later, I still have the chance to meet her again and become her husband.”

Every word is precious, every sentence is poignant.

Killing without shedding blood—that's all there is to it.

Song Chiyu knew that Qi Yanzhou had the ability to see through people's hearts, but she didn't expect it to be so thorough.

Xie Yunjin finally understood where the problem lay.

Song Chiyu went on a blind date that day, but unfortunately the other party had ulterior motives, which led him to misjudge the situation.

"Your life? You had more time than me, yet you still missed her. What does that mean? It means you were destined to miss her." Qi Yanzhou smiled enigmatically. "The opportunity was given to you, but you weren't up to it. Who can you blame?"

The man, who had been full of vigor before making the call, suddenly looked like a wilted eggplant, slumping dejectedly against the back of his chair.

The arm that had been resting on Song Chiyu's chair drooped down.

"Even if you had, for even a moment, made the same firm choice as I did for her, it wouldn't have mattered to me."

"No, I was spoiled by her. I thought that no matter how much I hurt her, she would always be there for me. Because all I had to do was walk towards her, and she would comfort me and ask why I was taking so long." He was lost in thought, his eyes slightly unfocused.

"There's only one reason why she tolerated and forgave you time and time again: she hadn't seen anything good back then."

Song Chiyu: "..."

Even at this moment, she doesn't forget to pat herself on the back; truly worthy of being... her husband.

Xie Yunjin exuded a sense of utter despair and defeat.

Song Chiyu didn't want to watch anymore, so she picked up her bag and prepared to sneak away. Just then, she heard Qi Yanzhou's voice coming from the speaker: "If my wife is still here, please have her call me in two minutes."

This wasn't meant for Xie Yunjin at all.

It was clearly meant for her.

Song Chiyu said that Xie Yunjin was bad luck for her.

Getting close to her is never a good thing.

With a long face, she went outside the restaurant to make a phone call.

A bad feeling crept into her heart, and even her tone of voice when she spoke to him was tinged with sadness: "Hello?"

"What's wrong?" he asked in his usual gentle, smiling tone.

"Stop pretending, I know you're angry."

His smile deepened, but his voice was low and meaningful: "I'll be back the day after tomorrow."

Song Chiyu: "..."

What's the difference between saying that and saying "You just wait"?

"I understand," Song Chiyu's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally died down, and she became calm instead. "So, after you come back, will you leave again?"

"I'm not leaving. The project here is finished."

Fortunately, Qi Yanzhou is the kind of person who can speak properly even when he's angry, and he didn't use this as an excuse to be sarcastic or mean.

She felt a little relieved. "So, are you taking a plane or a train? I'll pick you up when the time comes."

"No need, I'll come find you."

These words are inexplicably chilling.

Song Chiyu was silent for a moment, then said, "I understand."

"Are you still with him?"

"No!" Song Chiyu was utterly wronged. "He sat down next to me without me even realizing it. I thought he had really given up on me, so I started talking to him."

Qi Yanzhou did not answer directly: "Chi Yu, you underestimate him. He is like embers, always waiting to reignite."

"Okay, I understand," she replied obediently.

"Have you been drinking?" He knew she was sensible, so he didn't say anything more.

"No."

"Are you getting ready to go back?"

"kindness."

"Call me when you get home."

Song Chiyu didn't dare linger for a moment, and after saying goodbye to He Zhu, she went back.

After returning home, she told Li Li that Qi Yanzhou was coming back. Li Li was relieved to find out that he was indeed on a business trip and not divorced from Song Chiyu.

Then they asked when they planned to have children.

Song Chiyu answered fluently: "I'll take it when Teacher Qi comes back."

Li Li hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Now Song Chiyu has learned her lesson and no longer argues with her. She responds to every word she says, but nothing comes of it.

Song Chiyu even took the initiative: "How many do you want to bring? Teacher Qi and I are planning to have them for you."

Li Li couldn't help but understand her sarcasm, and raised her hand to hit her.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind: "You and Xiao Qi have always been reluctant to have children, is it because Xiao Qi is getting old...?"

"If you don't understand Xiao Qi, ask Xiao Qi. Why are you asking me?" Song Chiyu got up and walked towards the bathroom. "I'm going to wash up. I have to go to work tomorrow."

**

Xie Yunjin's desire to rekindle was crushed by Qi Yanzhou, and it once again died.

Song Chiyu found it amusing but didn't take it to heart.

The day Qi Yanzhou returned, Song Chiyu was working overtime at the museum. By the time she got back, it was already completely dark.

Her family was still waiting for her to eat.

The moment she opened the door and saw Qi Yanzhou, she even felt a little embarrassed and reserved.

"You're back?"

His short hair has grown back.

The white shirt was still buttoned up tightly, revealing only a section of the forearm. The prominent veins on the back of the hand, combined with the smooth muscle lines, exuded a powerful and dignified aura.

He put down the plate he was holding and stared straight at her.

Song Chiyu walked past him with a evasive expression, saying, "I'll change my clothes first."

He rushed into the bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Clutching her still-pounding heart, she wondered if she had a biased view of Qi Yanzhou, but he seemed even more handsome than before, after not seeing him for several months.

So handsome.

No wonder he's her husband.

She closed her eyes, swallowed all her jumbled thoughts, reapplied lip balm, changed into a fitted dress, and went out.

The three people already seated at the table stared at her intently.

Old Song, in particular, was completely oblivious to the situation, saying, "Don't you usually wear pajamas at home? Are these new pajamas? They don't look like them."

Song Chiyu: "..."

He glared at Lao Song and sat down next to Qi Yanzhou.

Li Li saw through her little scheme and nudged Lao Song with her knee under the table: "Are you bothering the kids? Eat. Xiao Qi, come on, eat this, it's good for your health."

Qi Yanzhou glanced at the turtle soup that Li Li had pushed in front of him and said, "Thank you."

Lost in her own thoughts, Song Chiyu was completely unaware of what Li Li was doing. Her ears turned slightly red. "Teacher Qi, let's eat."

"Mm." Qi Yanzhou, mindful of Li Li and Lao Song at the table, didn't show any extra expression and responded politely and gently.

Li Li didn't think there was anything wrong with the couple's current state. It was normal for the young couple to feel embarrassed after not seeing each other for so long. She casually probed, "After Xiao Qi comes back this time, will he leave again?"

"I'm not leaving." Qi Yanzhou remained polite throughout.

"Then, shouldn't we start thinking about having children?"

Qi Yanzhou glanced at her and casually patted her back, saying, "Mm."

Li Li smiled with satisfaction. Xiao Qi was much easier to talk to than Song Chiyu, who would feign compliance while secretly being sarcastic and using different methods to contradict her.

Unable to resist teasing Song Chiyu, he said, "Xiaoyu, you've found a really good husband. He's handsome, has a stable job, and is polite to his elders, unlike some young people who think that just because they've studied a few more years, they don't take their elders' words seriously."

Song Chiyu sensed her sarcasm and retorted without hesitation, "Do you take the elders' words to heart? No, you take them to heart."

Moreover, does she even know Qi Yanzhou?

The biggest misconception about him is that he is respectful and polite.

Qi Yanzhou smiled politely and said, "Chi Yu is right. Some young people may not speak nicely, but that doesn't mean they don't take it to heart."

Seeing him speak to Song Chiyu, Li Li was even more pleased.

"That's true, young people always have different ideas."

After dinner, Song Chiyu and Qi Yanzhou discussed the hotel and guest lists they had reviewed. He glanced at them briefly, then took them into his hands: "Leave them to me. I'll take care of the rest."

Song Chiyu agreed, "I've already paid the deposit to the photographer for the wedding photos. Which time do you think is suitable? I'll go and schedule it."

Qi Yanzhou noticed the evasive look in her eyes and gently took her hand: "Do you really have to talk to me now?"

Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Yes, this photographer is very popular. Sometimes even if you book in advance, you have to wait a long time."

Li Li noticed the undercurrent between the two and nudged Lao Song next to her, saying, "You young people can keep this to yourselves. We're going to bed now."

"So early?" Song Chiyu was surprised.

“It’s so cold outside, why aren’t you in bed early tonight?” Li Li got up and said, “You two should go to sleep early too, it doesn’t matter where you discuss these things.”

After Li Li and Lao Song left, the large living room became even quieter.

Song Chiyu pulled her fingers away from Qi Yanzhou's grasp and was about to speak when Qi Yanzhou suddenly pulled her onto his lap. "Why are you hiding?"

She tried to struggle to get up, feeling embarrassed.

His palm, which was resting on his lap, suddenly slapped her bottom. "Hmm?"

Her face burned even more.

"I'm just a little shy because I haven't seen you in so long."

He smiled slightly, pulled her face close, and kissed her.

The reflection of two people embracing was shown on the glass of the balcony.

Song Chiyu was both embarrassed and anxious, and pushed away the hand on her leg: "Let's go somewhere else..."

He didn't give her a chance, instead pushing her down onto the sofa and kissing her without restraint.

A delicate woody aroma intertwines with lingering Tibetan incense.

A flutter of excitement stirred within her, and she became even more flustered, trying to push him away, but he kissed her even deeper, as if he were about to be swallowed whole.

His slender, tall figure completely enveloped her in shadow.

He enveloped me completely.

Ultimately, the flutter in her heart overcame the shame of being seen, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss.

The surroundings were completely quiet.

Only the occasional sound of lips and teeth meeting.

This setting appears extremely erotic.

They were both breathless from kissing, but he still didn't get off her, his broad hands continuing to caress and knead the wrinkled fabric of her skirt.

Song Chiyu stared at his dark eyebrows and eyes, biting her lip nervously.

The darkness in his eyes lessened slightly. "Are you shy or afraid I'll ask?"

She held his head in her arms, pressing it instantly into the cleavage he was kneading, "Shy."

He smelled a faint sweet fragrance.

He released his fingers from her massage and wrapped them around her waist.

My previously tense shoulders and back gradually relaxed.

He closed his eyes. "Don't worry, I won't ask."

The way she said that made it sound like she had a guilty conscience.

She released her grip on him, forcing him to look up and face her directly. "I'm not afraid of your questions."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

She stared straight at him, then couldn't help but kiss him on the lips: "I wasn't avoiding you, I just wanted to..."

She lowered her voice, leaned close to his ear, and uttered an embarrassing slang term.

"Fuck you"

The moment she spoke, her face flushed bright red.

He thought he had misheard and blurted out, "What?"

She couldn't bring herself to say it a second time, and once again avoided his gaze: "The moment I opened the door and saw Nengbi, I wanted to..."

He glanced down at her neckline.

No wonder she went back to her room to change her dress first.

He had ill intentions from the very beginning.

The deep look in Qi Yanzhou's eyes faded again, replaced by a faint smile: "Then why are you dodging when I kiss you?"

"Why would I hide? If my parents open the door and see us like this, what kind of behavior would that be?"

Song Chiyu never expected that the phrase "what kind of behavior is this?" would come out of her mouth.

He let out a low laugh and slowly sat up: "I know."

But he still wanted to hear her explanation in person.

Hearing her speak, my heart stopped aching and I stopped panicking.

He was just used to hiding his emotions, so she didn't notice anything amiss.

"Knowing that you still did this... to kiss me?" The surroundings were so quiet that she unconsciously lowered her voice for the last two words.

"Sorry, I got emotional and couldn't control myself."

"Are there times when you can't control your emotions?"

“Often.” In front of her.

Song Chiyu didn't believe it, but she wisely didn't press him for details. She took his hand and said, "Let's go back to the room first."

Qi Yanzhou then stood up and put the documents she had given him into his bag.

I followed her into the room.

As soon as she closed the door, she pushed him to sit on the edge of the bed, lifted her skirt, and straddled his lap.

He stroked her thigh and tilted his head back, and she cupped his neck and kissed his lips.

His prominent Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

The fingers that landed on her legs extended upwards beyond the hem of her skirt.

Her straight back trembled slightly, and she let out a soft groan.

His cold, broad palms held her waist, enticing her to gradually sit firmly on his lap.

She stared at his cool and upright face, which didn't seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing. She couldn't help but unbutton the collar of his shirt and lower her head to suck out a kiss mark.

It looked particularly... colorful at the slightly open neckline.

Song Chiyu couldn't help but push him down, and then he countered. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that his technique had improved since he went back this time.

Previously, it relied somewhat entirely on hardware.

This time it seemed like they had specifically studied and researched it.

Song Chiyu didn't have time to ask him questions at the moment, and let him seduce her completely, her heart pounding with one wave after another.

He was spouting jokes, completely losing his usual composure and steadiness.

A white dress was draped over the back of a chair, its fabric crumpled and wrinkled.

She lay on the pillow, panting heavily, but still felt unsatisfied. She hooked her arms around his neck and couldn't help but lightly kiss his lips.

Fine beads of sweat also appeared on his forehead.

He patiently returned the kiss, caressing the skin on her legs, and then moved upwards again.

This is something that Teacher Qi would never have done in the past.

He lowered his head, pressed his forehead against hers, and gently rubbed the tip of his nose against hers: "Hmm?"

"you……"

He raised his long, slender index finger, and... slowly dripped down from it.

Song Chiyu covered her face, unable to look directly at him.

He suddenly said, "You should have had children sooner."

That way you don't have to wear it.

Song Chiyu understood his subtext and, in a fit of embarrassment and anger, lightly kicked his shin.

She pushed him away and got up, saying, "I'm going to take a shower."

"Wait until you wash it, otherwise you'll get it all messed up again, which is a hassle."

Song Chiyu said irritably, "You've already increased the intensity of my workout as soon as you get back?"

"You didn't want...me?" He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is this all you need?"

Song Chiyu: "..."

That makes it sound like she's incapable.

"Yes, that's enough," she readily admitted.

"But I feel like it's only just begun."

At this point, Song Chiyu suddenly remembered her previous doubts and meaningfully hooked her arm around his neck: "Teacher Qi, I feel like... you seem to have more skills now?"

He did not answer immediately.

Song Chiyu noticed his hesitation and narrowed her eyes: "You wouldn't... have someone else on the side, would you?"

"No."

Song Chiyu was just teasing him and didn't really suspect anything, but she persisted, asking, "Then what happened?"

"I did some research."

Song Chiyu was speechless for a moment. "You... were studying the scriptures while... um?"

He remained calm and said, "It won't affect anything."

Why do you study this all the time?

Whenever this topic came up, he would fall into a subtle silence.

Song Chiyu tilted her head curiously.

"I came across this by chance while reading papers, so I studied it and found that there is a lot to learn in this area."

Song Chiyu: "..."

There's no need to be so studious.

She immediately fell silent.

He lowered his head and moved closer to her lips, about to kiss her, when she suddenly raised her hand to block his lips. "Then tell me the truth, did you have any thoughts when you were watching it?"

A subtle glint flashed across his face.

Her eyes lit up. "You really want to..."

"Yes." He interrupted her before she could finish speaking, acknowledging it.

"And then?" A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.

He roughly guessed what she wanted to hear, so he stopped being silent and spoke frankly and openly: "Looking at your photo...that's it."

Song Chiyu found it hard to believe, and for a moment doubted her own ears, wondering what she was hearing from that cold and dignified face.

I was initially there to laugh at him, but suddenly I found myself becoming the protagonist.

Her face flushed slightly, "You..."

He didn't argue, but instead held her fingers and guided them down to his waist and abdomen.

She pursed her lips, both annoyed and ashamed.

"Keep it down, or my mom and the others will..."

"Didn't you see what you stewed tonight?"

“Soft-shelled turtle,” she blurted out, then realized what a soft-shelled turtle was and immediately shut her mouth.

"In your family's eyes, I'm really not doing well anymore." He sighed dramatically.

"Why do you care what they think?" Song Chiyu said coquettishly.

"Speaking of which, it all started when I first came to your house," he said thoughtfully.

first?

Song Chiyu touched the mattress beneath her, immediately realizing her mistake and saying, "I was..."

"Alright." He stopped her from explaining and kissed her lips. "Since you've already said it, then let's not worry about what others think. I'll try to be gentle."

...

The night grew deeper.

The area was a complete mess.

Song Chiyu felt weak all over and had no desire to clean up. She nestled into his arms and asked, "What do you think it would be like if we really had a child?"

He said thoughtfully, "I don't know about the others, but they must be very beautiful."

Song Chiyu was amused.

He hesitated for a moment, then, after a brief moment of thought, he embraced her and said with utmost seriousness, "No matter what the child is like, I will never let the child tire you out. I will shoulder the responsibilities of both a father and a husband."

He seemed to be under more pressure than she was.

Song Chiyu's smile deepened, and she gently kissed him on the cheek. "Okay, I understand. Go take a shower."

Tomorrow will be another brand new and happy day.

He felt the love and smiled gently, picking her up and saying, "Let's go."

"over"

[Author's Note]

This really is the end.

A strong sense of reluctance welled up in my heart, and I even felt so happy that I cried. Thank you to all the readers who read this! You are my best, best friends! Thank you again! I will find a theme I love and keep writing! See you next time! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]