Translated by newbienoona

Edited by anks

“Turn off the music.” Han Qilu reclines his seat, his face shows fatigue.

He doesn't know what the newspapers are going to be reporting tomorrow after what happened today. He can't do anything about it! Feeling this powerlessness is choking him, and being in Xiang Mankuai's car makes him feel more suffocated!

“Why? I think it sounds good. Once the music ends, it will make you feel more relaxed… .” Xiang Mankuai smiles at him from the rearview mirror, but all she sees is his gloomy and scary face.

“I said, turn it off!” Han Qil's tone is harsher, forcing Mankuai to turn off the music immediately.

The No. 5 perfume she's wearing wafts throughout the car. With the music turned off, the atmosphere instantly drops. Mankuai cracks the window open and takes in a deep breath. “Qilu, are you upset with me?”

He answers her from the backseat with stone cold silence.

“I know you're angry with me. What happened at your discharge was my fault. But I really wanted to be there when you got out. Besides, I took a big risk coming by and picking you up. By the way, my distraction allowed ayi and An Chuxia to leave. Can you forgive me for that?”

He still remains silent in the backseat. Then, she purses her lips before unwillingly saying, “I know you have pressure coming from your family, but I haven't disclosed our relations.h.i.+p. Don't be upset, okay?”

Silence follows.

Taken aback, Mankuai quickly looks behind her, and realizes Qilu is asleep!

Despite releasing a sigh, her heart remains heavy. Han Qilu must be displeased with her sudden appearance, but she doesn't think she has done anything wrong. She successfully sided An Chuxia from the reporters. He may have gotten out later, but the others were able to leave peacefully. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to elude the cameras.

A sigh escapes from the bottom of her heart, and with that, she accelerates on the road.

* * *

Xiao Mingluo's mobile device quickly connects. “An Chuxia? Is this a bad time to call?”

They've just finished sending each other text messages, that is why she finds it strange he's calling. Fortunately, it's the end of a meeting, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to pay attention.

“I'm so sorry, Mingluo!” An Chuxia grabs on to the corners of her coat and tugs at them. With a smile, she says, “The plan has changed.”

They agreed that Chuxia would call Meng Xiaonan over to the Hans this evening, and Xiao Mingluo would pretend to come over to visit Han Qilu.

“How?” Mingluo asks for a moment, his expression not changing.

“Han Qilu… is out with Xiang Mankuai and might not come home tonight.” She takes a deep breath and continues. “It might have to wait until tomorrow.”

“It doesn't matter. I'm not in a hurry.” Xiao Mingluo's eyes flash with worry. An Chuxia must be sad right now, right? What's going on with Han Qilu? At the warehouse, wasn't he convinced that the person he truly likes is An Chuxia? How is it that he's back with Xiang Mankuai again?

What's more, he's out with her possibly all night? Doesn't he know things happen at night? If the media finds out, they'll have to explain things! Wouldn't the Hans have to spend a lot of money to suppress this kind of news?

“Let's do this, An Chuxia. Tonight, invite Jiagnan over. I just won't come over. You must be bored being alone at the Hans.”

“No.” She decisively refuses. “You don't have to worry about me. I'm hanging up and letting you get back to what you're doing.”

She hangs up and walks toward her bed. She lays and makes a snow angel on her sheet as she looks up at the ceiling.

* * *

The typhoon has yet to arrive. It isn't going to be a strong one, but this being the end of summer, the breeze feels cool.

“Qilu, we're here.” Xiang Mankuai stops the car and unfastens her seatbelt as she wakes him up.

He's napping lightly, and is able to wake up at her call. Mankuai says she is going to look for a place for them to eat lunch. He doesn't expect upon waking up that he'd be surrounded by fruit trees!

“Where's here?” he asks before opening the door and walking out. “You didn't tell me where we were having lunch.”

“We're in a villa resort in A City and it's operated by a foreign friend. You were asleep so I decided to drive farther for us to eat.” Xiang Mankuai walks over to him and naturally holds on to his arm.

Han Qilu resists the urge to push her away the moment his eyes settle on a man coming their way. A middle-aged blond man with a medium build smiles the moment he sees Mankuai.

“Ms. Xiang, we meet again! It's unfortunate that you've just missed our lady who recently returned to the mainland.” He's under the impression she's here to visit the owner.

“No worries. We just came by to eat,” she says with indifference.

“Then come this way,” he says, nodding, dropping his eyes on Han Qilu. “Is this your boyfriend? Really handsome. How do you say it in your language? Kàn qǐlái appearance. Really kàn qǐlái!”

“Thank you,” Mankuai smiles with pride.

Han Qilu refuses to respond.

“Oh look at me. Let's go inside the villa. Someone would valet the car for you,” the man says enthusiastically. She hands him the car keys before entering the villa.

With all the fruit trees in front of the villa, many mistake the place for an orchard. They walk along the path until they enter the lobby. Inside, they are greeted with cheerful blossoms waiting to bloom. They don't know how they can make this happen during the fall.

“It's pretty, right?” Xiang Mankuai smiles as she approaches Han Qilu. “The dishes are made with the vegetables and animals they raise on the property. They don't need to outsource.”

Han Qilu just nods his head.

“Qilu, why aren't you enthusiastic?” She stops and looks at him pitifully. “Are you still angry with me for being impulsive and waiting on you to be discharged from the hospital?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I just slept badly last night and I'm a bit tired.”

“Then let's eat lunch quickly, and then you can rest in the villa. Once you're rested, we can go to my place. What do you think?” she proposes cheerfully.

“Well… .” He purses his lips at her and looks at her with indifference. Despite being unhappy, he says nothing.

Since they're considered special guests, their dining arrangements are separate from the regular visitors. A large lazy Susan sits in the middle of the table, and a roasted duck sits as the centerpiece. It emits a mouth-watering scent in the room.

“Smells so good… .” She takes a deep breath. “Qilu, what do you think of this place?”

The villa is arranged like medieval England, full of cla.s.sical elements everywhere.

“Well, you like it.” He doesn't look at her. He looks down and picks up his fork.

The intoxicated look on her face suddenly disappears. She knows his expressions well, and right now, he's just giving her a perfunctory look, instead of a thoughtful one! This is annoying!

Her future is already destined to be with him. She must hold on to him firmly!

“Qilu!” Xiang Mankuai stands up, and people can overhear them. Just now, the two of them are sitting beside each other, but now she moves away.

Han Qilu looks at her and says, “What?”

Mankuai takes his hand. Then, she steps forward and sits on his leg. She stretches out her arm and hooks it around his neck.

“Are you still upset with me?” She stares at him. A glint of charm appears in his eyes.

But this isn't what An Chuxia sees.

Han Qilu turns his head to avoid her breath. “I'm not angry. Nothing's wrong, and you being angry doesn't help. Next time you do something impulsive, remember to think carefully.”

“I know… .”

He tilts his head to Mankuai. She smiles at him. “Then smile at me now… I know what I did was wrong.”

“Then let's eat first.” he says, his brows knitting.

“Qilu, what's wrong with you? Why do I feel like your personality changed after you got back from the hospital.” Anxiety lingers in her heart. “You were never like this to me.”

Han Qilu grits his teeth.

After thinking of An Chuxia, he can't force himself to smile at Mankuai. However, he can't end this yet. He still has a purpose.

“Let's eat first. You should be tired after all that driving. Rest so you have the chance to chat.” Han Qilu pushes Mankuai off his knee.

“No. I want you to smile first.”

Squeak. The door suddenly opens.