Luo Jiu sat down beside him.

Her fox-like eyes shone even brighter in the darkness as she stared intently at Xu Shaojun.

The salty crab meat slowly spreads in your mouth, incredibly fresh and surprisingly delicious.

Xu Shaojun looked at Luo Jiu like a child seeking praise and nodded with a smile.

"Let me tell you, seafood only tastes the right way when eaten by the sea," Luo Jiu said in a good mood.

"Oh? Do you come here often?"

Xu Shaojun's interest was piqued by her words. He wasn't from Shanghai and had only been to the seaside a handful of times, let alone eaten barbecue.

"I grew up by the sea."

Speaking of this, Luo Jiu seemed lost in some kind of memory. She pointed to a boat moored on the beach not far away:

"See that? My father used to go out to sea to fish in one of these kinds of fishing boats."

After drinking, Luo Jiu's face flushed slightly, and her eyes sparkled. She leaned against Xu Shaojun, her red lips moving slightly, exuding an inexplicable sexiness.

"Oh, I didn't realize that Jiu'er could also fish?"

The liquor was quite strong, and Xu Shaojun could tell that Luo Jiu was a little drunk. He gently pulled her into his arms, asked softly, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Of course! I'm amazing!"

When Luo Jiu was drunk, she was like a little kid. Soft, sweet, cute, and easy to coax. Xu Shaojun wanted to put the whole world in front of her, his heart melting completely.

“I once caught a crab that big! That big.” Luo Jiu gestured.

Xu Shaojun chuckled and gave her a light peck on the cheek. "My Jiu'er is so wonderful!"

After saying that, he walked in front of her, slowly squatted down, revealing a broad and strong arm.

"Jiu'er, come up, let's go home."

Luo Jiu froze for two seconds, then realized what was happening and scrambled up.

The moonlight shone on the crabapple blossoms, adding a touch of brightness to the gray-yellow sand. A tall, handsome man, carrying his beloved girl on his back, cast a long, long shadow in the moonlight.

Xu Shaojun didn't let anyone disturb their precious date. He gently placed the sleeping Luo Jiu on the passenger seat.

Just as Xu Shaojun was about to get up, he heard Luo Jiu murmur, "Father..."

Xu Shaojun smiled, touched her forehead, and thought she was missing her father.

But then she heard, "Daddy, why don't you want Xiao Jiu anymore? Xiao Jiu will be very good, Xiao Jiu can catch big crabs... Xiao Jiu will take care of her little brother..."

"Don't leave me..."

Luo Jiu hugged herself, trembling slightly, feeling extremely insecure.

Luo Jiu's unconscious murmur startled Xu Shaojun.

I always thought Luo Jiu became a courtesan willingly, but it turns out she didn't...

In this era of war and turmoil, it was common for people to go hungry and cold, and even starve to death on the streets. It was not uncommon for an ordinary fisherman to sell his daughter in order to survive.

But... this infuriated Xu Shaojun.

Is this how the girl I cherished is abandoned?

A sharp, piercing pain surged through my heart.

Xu Shaojun leaned forward and hugged Luo Jiu tightly. His large hands gently patted her back again and again.

The intense heat from her palms gradually calmed Luo Jiu down.

"Jiu'er, my Jiu'er."

Xu Shaojun whispered softly in her ear, his voice low yet tender.

"I'm here."

With me around, you'll never be alone again.

Summer mornings always arrive earlier than winter mornings, but by seven or eight o'clock in the morning, the sun is already shining brightly outside, and the air is filled with the warmth of summer.

When Luo Jiu opened her eyes, the familiar ceiling and beams came into view. She paused for a moment, then rubbed her aching head. She muttered to herself:

"Xu Shaojun is really..." shameless.

Seemingly unable to think of any words to describe him, she couldn't help but laugh.

The clothes Xu Shaojun bought for her last time were still in the wardrobe, and the jewelry in front of the dressing table showed no signs of being touched.

The entire room was spotless, yet filled with the warmth of life, as if Luo Jiu had never left.

Luo Jiu opened the door and bumped into the maid Xiao Li who was coming.

"Miss."

Luo Jiu responded and asked, "Where is Xu Shaojun?"

"Major General Xu was summoned away by Commander Shi early this morning. Did Lieutenant Lin go with him?"

So early in the morning? Why the rush?

...

"Look what this is?"

As soon as Xu Shaojun entered the study, he was hit in the face with a newspaper.

Shi Zhenlin has been enjoying success in both his official career and love life, and is currently enjoying unparalleled popularity. When have we ever seen him so enraged that he resorts to violence, throwing the newspaper at Xu Shaojun?

Xu Shaojun raised an eyebrow and opened it. Several eye-catching headlines immediately came into view.

#Shocking! The newly minted son-in-law of the Shi family was spotted on a romantic trip with a mysterious woman#

#Exploring the Facts Behind the Marriage Between the Xu and Shi Families#

#Is it the annihilation of humanity or the decline of morality?#

An entertainment newspaper, with its numerous bold black headlines, almost entirely focused on the story of Xu Shaojun's date with a mysterious woman.

Several black-and-white photos were also included. Xu Shaojun was easily recognizable in the photos, while Luo Jiu, small as a child, was being protected in Xu Shaojun's arms, leaving only an ambiguous silhouette.

After reading it, Xu Shaojun's lips unconsciously curled into a smile. He had never known that appearing in the newspaper with Luo Jiu could be such a pleasant experience.

"Laugh! You're still laughing!"

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