Chapter 66 I was very satisfied last night

The next day, Qu He woke up in Zhuang Bieyan's arms.

Her head was pressed against his collarbone, and one leg was unconsciously draped over his waist; her sleeping posture was as bad as ever.

Remembering the empty bedside she always found when she woke up a few mornings ago, she belatedly realized that she had long since grown accustomed to the comforting feeling of sleeping in Zhuang Bieyan's arms.

Zhuang Bieyan was awakened by the noise, and asked with half-closed eyes, "Awake?"

A low, husky voice came from above, carrying the languor of someone who had just woken up.

Qu He looked up and met his eyes.

The moment our eyes met, memories of last night flooded back.

His whispers in my ear, his lingering breaths, and the words, "Ahe, you're so good."

Qu He's face instantly flushed. She tried to wriggle out of his arms, but as soon as she moved, her waist was gently pressed down.

Why are you running?

Zhuang Bieyan's voice was tinged with laughter. Under the covers, his fingers slowly reached out, found her hand, and clasped it one by one until their fingers were intertwined.

He squeezed her fingertips affectionately, "Ahe, you must have had a hard night."

"You...you stop talking!"

Qu He buried her face in the pillow, "Don't say anything..."

She was thankful that her room was on the third floor, while her parents lived on the second floor. Fortunately, the house had just been renovated and was well soundproofed; otherwise, she probably wouldn't have had the courage to even go downstairs to see anyone this morning.

He heard a soft chuckle from above, making Qu He even more uncomfortable, wishing she could turn into an ostrich on the spot.

She suddenly rolled over, pulled the blanket over herself, curled herself into a ball, turned her back to him, and refused to say another word.

Zhuang Bieyan smiled and patted the "silkworm" next to him. "Mom called us downstairs for breakfast."

The person under the covers shook their head, their voice muffled: "You go first, I... I'll rest a bit longer."

She needs some time to get the images from last night out of her mind.

But the next second, she was completely enveloped by Zhuang Bieyan, along with the blanket.

"Last night...I really enjoyed it."

Qu He paused for half a second.

"So," he paused, "we'll cooperate more in the future?"

The world is muted.

All that remained was the sound of Quhe breaking through the defenses.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, the moment the door closed, the blanket on the bed suddenly began to twist and roll around.

Qu He wanted to scream out loud.

This banquet at Zhuangbieyan! How could he... how could he say such a thing!

What a dignified and polite Zhuang Yushu! Everyone has been fooled!

That's utterly disgraceful! That's outrageous!

When Qu He went downstairs for breakfast, she kept her head down the whole time, not daring to glance to the side.

But Zhuang Bieyan acted as if nothing had happened, and was even more attentive than usual.

She had almost finished her porridge, so he immediately ladled out another half bowl for her and even peeled an egg for her.

Ms. Lian Juping, who was sitting opposite, couldn't stand it any longer and couldn't help but gently nudge Qu He with her foot.

She saw the look that Director Lian gave her, as if to say, "What's wrong with you, kid?"

I have unspeakable suffering in my heart.

Mom, you don't understand! You've actually been deceived by him!

This man is all an act; he's actually very cunning and manipulative behind the scenes!

Lian Juping was exasperated and helplessly picked up an egg to peel. "Xiao Yan, don't spoil her too much. Qu He is a lazy child."

Zhuang Bieyan put the peeled egg into Qu He's bowl, smiled, and said, "It's okay, Mom, I'm willing to spoil her."

He paused, turned to look at Qu He's hand holding the spoon, and said in an ambiguous tone, "Ahe's hand is a little uncomfortable today, so it's only right that I take care of her."

Qu He's hand holding the spoon trembled violently, and she almost dropped it into the bowl.

She suddenly looked up and glared at Zhuang Bieyan.

What's wrong with this person?

How dare they even mention it!

But Zhuang Bieyan seemed not to see her warning look, remaining calm and even considerately handing her a tissue, as if her words just now were simply out of concern.

Lian Juping was distracted and looked nervously at Qu He's hand: "What happened to your hand?"

Qu He choked on a mouthful of porridge, coughed twice before swallowing, and mumbled, "It's just tenosynovitis, an old problem, nothing serious."

As she spoke, she stomped hard on Zhuang Bieyan's foot under the table.

But he took a bite of the egg that Director Lian had peeled without changing his expression.

Lian Juping, still worried, urged, "Now that you've quit that job, take a good rest during this time. Don't be like your grandfather, who didn't take care of himself when he was young, and now his hands are aching terribly when he's old."

"Okay, Mom."

Breakfast ended in this strange and awkward atmosphere.

Qu He felt like she was sitting on pins and needles the whole time, while Zhuang Bie Yan was calm and composed.

The two had just helped Lian Juping put the dishes and chopsticks into the kitchen when they heard an anxious voice coming from outside the gate: "Is Teacher Lian home? Could you please move the car parked in front of your house? My moving truck can't get in!"

The car at the door?

Qu He subconsciously looked at Zhuang Bieyan, who nodded: "I'll drive it away."

"I'll go with you."

Zhuang Bieyan squeezed her hand: "It's okay, just wait for me at home, I'll be back soon."

Qu He hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Then park your car at the community service station on the corner. It's a big place there, and it's easy to park."

"Mm," Zhuang Bieyan replied, turning to walk out.

Qu He stayed in the room for less than two minutes before deciding to go out.

She had only taken a couple of steps out the door when she heard a familiar male voice behind her: "Sister Qu He?"

Qu He paused for a moment, then turned around.

A man wearing a white T-shirt and sweatpants stood not far away, his forehead covered in sweat, looking like he had just finished a morning run.

He walked towards her with a smile in his eyes, and the mole under his eye looked strangely familiar.

"Don't you recognize me?"

The man took a few steps closer, his tone tinged with nostalgia, "When you were little, you always pestered me to play in the mud with you, didn't you? Forgot?"

"Zhou Shi'an?"

Qu He was surprised, "Are you Brother Shi An?"

Zhou Shi'an was her former neighbor, a year older than her. When they were kids, the children from the ceramics factory always gathered together to play.

He has an exceptional talent for pottery. Even his grandfather, who is very discerning, has said more than once that Zhou Shi'an is a natural-born pottery artist with a natural flair.

However, after they both went to university, they lost contact. Later, he went abroad for further studies, and she went to Qian Zhaoye's company, and their contact was completely cut off.

Thinking back now, it seems like the last time we met was at a high school reunion.

Qu He smiled and said, "Long time no see. Have you returned to China?"

"I just got back a few days ago."

Zhou Shi'an looked at her with a subtle expression. He subconsciously raised his hand, wanting to ruffle her hair like he did when they were children, but Qu He subconsciously took half a step back, politely distancing herself from him.

Zhou Shi'an's hand paused in mid-air, but he quickly withdrew it as if nothing had happened, and smiled: "And you? Why did you suddenly come back?"

"Something came up," Qu He replied vaguely.

For a moment, the two were at a loss for words, and the air was thick with the awkwardness of acquaintances meeting again.

Just then, she heard someone call her name from behind.

Qu He turned around and saw Zhuang Bieyan standing not far away, backlit.

The morning light blurred his outline, and Qu He couldn't see the expression on his face. She only felt that his aura seemed a few degrees colder than when he went out.

He walked forward step by step, stopped beside Qu He, naturally wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her closer to him.

He looked at Zhou Shi'an, his eyes scrutinizing him. "And who is this?"

After realizing what was happening, Qu He quickly introduced, "This is Zhou Shi'an, my older brother who lived next door when I was a child."

She then looked at Zhou Shi'an, "This is Zhuang Bieyan, my...husband."

As soon as she uttered the word "husband," she felt the hand on her waist tighten even more.

Zhou Shi'an's smile faded slightly as he extended his hand: "Hello, I'm Zhou Shi'an, Qu He's neighbor."

“Zhuang Bieyan.” He extended his hand, enunciating clearly, “Ahe’s husband.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly behind his glasses, glanced at Qu He, and smiled gently, "Wife, is this the neighbor you mentioned before going to bed last night?"

Qu He's eyes widened in disbelief! Heaven and earth could bear witness! When did she ever mention that?!