When Shi Miao returned to Biyue Yuntian, she saw a man lounging lazily on a leather sofa as soon as she entered.

"You're back." The man put down his laptop, stood up, and walked over, taking the schoolbag from the girl's hand. "Why didn't you ask Ye Chuan to pick you up?"

"I'm going the same way as Qin Xiao." Shi Miao took off his hat, casually walked to the sofa, and sat down cross-legged.

[Ding] A message popped up on WeChat; it was from Gu Wanqing.

Gu Wanqing: [Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to invite you to dinner.]

Shi Miao: [Sorry, I'm not from Beijing.]

Gu Wanqing: [Then who are you?]

Shi Miao: [H City.]

Gu Wanqing stared blankly at the girl's reply, her fingers unconsciously stroking her phone. H City...

Gu Wanqing: [Then you must let me know next time you come to the capital.]

Shi Miao looked at the content on the screen, her eyes flickering slightly. From Gu Wanqing's clothes and demeanor, she could tell that her identity was not simple.

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?" Ji Yanchen sat down next to Shi Miao and glanced at her screen.

Shi Miao snapped out of her daze and briefly recounted what had happened to her that day.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yanchen pinched the bridge of his nose and said with a serious expression, "Don't do such dangerous things next time, okay? I'll worry about you, Miaomiao."

"Cough, I know what I'm doing." Shi Miao touched his nose.

The man's eyes were dark as he slowly said, "It seems I'll have to keep you by my side at all times to feel at ease."

Shi Miao: "..."

【Are you still there?】Gu Wanqing sent another message after seeing that Shi Miao hadn't replied for so long.

After a moment's thought, Shi Miao replied: 【Okay.】

...

That evening, Shi Miao and Ji Yanchen flew back to H City.

Lanting Apartment

[Miaomiao, remember to wear more clothes as it gets cold. When do you have time to come home for a meal? I've already sent Xinxin away...]

Shi Miao felt nauseous as Gu Yunbai sent her messages of concern from time to time. She then tapped the screen a few times and blocked him as well.

Shi Miao was disgusted by Gu Yunbai's words. She rubbed her temples, looked up at the handsome man in the kitchen, and instantly felt healed.

Ji Yanchen felt the girl's gaze on him and turned to look at the living room. "What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing." Shi Miao lazily got up and walked to the kitchen doorway, leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed. "Are you done?"

"Alright, go get the chopsticks." Ji Yanchen walked over carrying a plate.

*

Imperial Blue Bay Mansion

"Sir, you're back." The maid respectfully stepped forward and took the man's suit jacket.

"Where is Madam?" the man asked, loosening his tie.

"Madam has already retired for the night." The maid took the slippers and placed them on the floor.

"Uncle?" Gu Yanxin, wearing a white nightgown and without makeup, came down the stairs.

"You're Gu Yanxin, Wanqing's niece?" Qin Chu's eyes flickered slightly as she slowly unbuttoned her shirt.

Gu Yanxin blushed as she looked at the tall, handsome man in the white shirt before her. She hadn't expected Qin Chu to look so young and dashing, exuding the charm of a mature man in his demeanor.

Gu Yanxin lowered her head shyly, fidgeting with her fingers, and softly said, "Yes, Uncle."

"You may leave now," Qin Chu instructed the maid.

After everyone in the living room was gone, Qin Chu loosened his tie, stepped forward, reached out and lifted her chin. Looking at her innocent, innocent face, he curled his lips and said, "Tsk, not bad."

Gu Yanxin was so frightened that she took a step back. She didn't expect Qin Chu to do this to her. Her face turned red, and she stammered, "Uncle... what are you doing?"

Qin Chu patted her head, walked past her, and went upstairs. "Just kidding."

Gu Yanxin turned her head to look at the man's back, biting her lip lightly. She had thought that Qin Chu would do something else to her, but he did nothing. The faint smell of wood and tobacco still lingered in her nose, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

That night, Gu Yanxin had a dream in which Qin Chu held her in his arms and kissed her...

The next day, Gu Yanxin sat at the dining table eating breakfast, her mind occasionally replaying the dream from the previous night.

"It's almost time, you should go to school," Gu Wanqing said, glancing at her watch.

"Ah...yes, Auntie." Gu Yanxin came back to her senses, picked up her schoolbag, glanced at the stairs, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

Gu Wanqing had been watching Gu Yanxin's every move, and she couldn't help but frown. "What's wrong with you today? Why are you so absent-minded?"

"I'm sorry, Auntie, I probably didn't sleep well last night." Gu Yanxin was startled and obediently lowered her head.

"Wanqing, why are you being so harsh on your little niece?" A deep, mellow voice came from the stairs.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yanxin's disappointment vanished in an instant, and she obediently raised her head, "Good morning, Uncle."

"Hmm." The man brushed past her, sat down next to Gu Wanqing, placed one hand on Gu Wanqing's chair, and elegantly picked up his milk to drink.

Looking at the two people sitting intimately at the dining table, Gu Yanxin couldn't help but feel jealous. She whispered, "Auntie, Uncle, I'm going to school."

Qin Chu waved his hand dismissively, "Go ahead."