Chapter 67

 

Ming Xi and Ji Runze had arranged to meet at a movie theatre near her company. Since there was no rush to go home, she stayed at Haiou Company to work overtime, waiting for Ji Runze to come pick her up at Zhongjin Tower.

In the chat window, Jiangliu Dadao—now online—replied to her message, asking whether she had designed it herself.

Ming Xi replied simply: [Yes! I recently befriended a computer whiz and learned quite a bit of new stuff from him.]

After a long pause, Jiangliu Dadao sent back: [Very good.]

Unfortunately, emojis weren’t popular at the moment, and the text couldn’t convey the tone of the chatter’s response. Ming Xi interpreted his reply as genuine approval…

Upstairs, Liang Jiancheng swiftly signed the last stack of customs declaration documents. As his thoughts drifted to Ji Runze, he had a vague sense that—if men really did have a sixth sense—then from their very first meeting, it was already destined that Ji Runze would become his rival in love.

Liang Jiancheng wanted to ask Ming Xi if she had gotten off work yet.

If she hadn’t, he could give her a ride.

Before he could even type, A Smile Worth a Thousand Gold had already messaged him in the chat window: [I’m getting off work now. Bye bye Brother Jiangliu.”

Oh.

He didn’t even have time to reply before the Mickey Mouse avatar dimmed.

She was always decisive. He, on the other hand, was the one dragging his feet.

Liang Jiancheng shook his head slightly. In most situations, he wasn’t comfortable being influenced by emotions, nor did he want unresolved matters to affect his plans and state of mind. If the task his mother had entrusted—ordered—him to complete had to be done, then he needed to learn from last time and not delay even a moment.

As it happened, Miss Jiang from Hehui had contacted him the night before.

Mark had already sent him his work schedule for the week, and he only had time to go to the tennis club at noon today. When Liang Jiancheng went downstairs at noon wearing his tennis outfit, he happened to run into Ming Xi. Her gaze lingered on him with appreciation for quite a while.

He felt both embarrassed and proud. If one day Ming Xi saw him playing tennis, she would probably feel even better about him.

At the tennis club, Liang Jiancheng met Miss Jiang. She was petite, but her presence was strong. He didn’t personally coach her, only recommended his own trainer instead.

Both were intelligent people. In matters of the heart, if there was no romantic intention, there was no need to spell it out. After the one-hour lesson ended, Miss Jiang took some water and thanked him. He, in turn, asked her a question from an entirely different knowledge domain: “I heard that Miss Jiang studied jewelry design. I’d like to ask you to recommend a piece suitable for a confession…

“The woman is confident and quick-witted. Very smart, very beautiful—and quite sly. With those traits, is there a brand or style that would suit her?”

Gu Shuangyang wasn’t particularly good at matchmaking, only using him as a resource. Mother and son were each other’s resources, but this time, Liang Jiancheng wanted to be clear about his intentions. Every decision and action would be clean and decisive.

Miss Jiang hesitated for a moment before saying, “If you really like her—like her enough to spend your life with her—then give her a necklace. It expresses emotion better than a diamond ring.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome…”

…

Ji Runze hadn’t arrived yet, and Ming Xi continued working on her computer.

She was currently responsible for the electrical appliances line. The products Haiou had previously represented were outdated in both design and documentation. Since business volume was low for the time being, Ming Xi planned to update the product catalog. Her computer skills had improved at an astonishing pace—work that used to be outsourced to design firms now looked even better when she did it herself, surpassing the standardized templates those firms provided.

She wasn’t increasing her workload to curry favor with her boss, but purely for her own performance.

Sister CC once said that with Ming Xi’s working style, she wasn’t suited to being someone else’s employee—she was more suited to being her own boss.

A soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier. Ming Xi did have thoughts of striking out on her own, but didn’t have the ability. In the current climate, it’s very difficult for ordinary people to obtain foreign trade import and export rights. At best, she could change jobs. If she insisted on going solo, the only options would be attaching herself to a company with import–export qualifications, or operating through an agency.

Even if she jumped ship, her choices were limited—unless she left Haigang.

Therefore, she decided to make the best of it and improve her business volume to become a foreign trade supervisor—that was Ming Xi’s next goal.

Next spring, there were two large international trade fairs, one in the United States and one in South Korea. He Yuan had been coordinating resources lately, trying to secure an opportunity to participate in an exhibition in the United States.

This morning in the office, He Yuan made it clear that Haiou would definitely arrange for her to participate in the exhibition next year. He hoped she would use the international exposure to significantly boost new orders.

Everyone knew that getting an exhibition opportunity was a golden chance for an ordinary foreign trade employee’s career development.

It had been a long time since Ming Xi had thanked He Yuan. Before leaving the office, she said, “Thank you, Mr. He.”

“I like to cultivate outstanding talents. Lamia, you don’t need to thank me; you should thank yourself.” He Yuan held a pen in his hand, then took out another Parker pen from his drawer. “Lamia, keep a good pen on you. Sometimes it can be very helpful.”

With that, he gave her the Parker fountain pen.

It had to be said—when it came to building company culture and winning people over, He Yuan might be even better at that than at business itself. If Haiou were an MLM company, it might have grown even faster than it had.

Ming Xi thanked He Yuan again for the pen. She always carried a pen in her briefcase, though she usually used ballpoint pens. Fountain pens weren’t as convenient—though pulling one out did make a person look more like a boss.

He Yuan could be amusing and confident in his words and actions. Even when Ming Xi didn’t fully agree with his viewpoints, she would always smooth things over with a diplomatic, “Mr. He is right!”

Yet the fountain pen he gave her went straight into a drawer.

Ming Xi pondered whether this pen, and the opportunity to participate in an overseas exhibition, were probably all “rewards” she’s earned after drinking herself into oblivion that night.

So, should she repay the favor?

After adapting to the workplace, Ming Xi had a little insight: the less she took her boss’s rewards too seriously, the better she could maintain her independence and judgment. Her own evaluation of herself must always rank higher than anyone else’s evaluation of her.

Honestly, He Yuan felt a little disappointed… He had shown such sincere goodwill today, yet he hadn’t seen much gratitude in Ming Xi’s eyes or expression. For a moment, he felt uncertain.

Not being able to gauge an employee’s loyalty had always been He Yuan’s greatest source of frustration. No matter how young he tried to present himself, He Yuan was already in his forties. His working style and thinking habits were still relatively traditional. When cultivating confidants, he often considers the “three ties”: blood ties, academic ties, and sexual ties. Ming Xi shared none of these with him. He admired her competence, but when it came to fully grooming her into one of his inner circle, he hesitated.

Some people were both cunning and intelligent—such people required careful, step-by-step testing. In terms of work performance, Ming Xi had always performed very well, always exceeding expectations.

There was only one thing that displeased him: an employee who did not admire their boss was highly likely to treat the company as a stepping stone. That was why he had been holding back on the foreign trade supervisor position he had mentioned to Ming Xi earlier.

Of course, he had no shortage of justifications. She was young, undeniably capable, and able to generate results—but supervisory roles demanded a different set of abilities. Not to mention, even if Ming Xi were to move upstairs to Xinghai, Liang Jiancheng wouldn’t arrange things that way either.

What would be the best role for someone like Ming Xi?

He Yuan arrived at an answer: the boss’s wife.

Being part of a shared-interest circle with him, generate amazing profits for him, and gave him face in social situations. It couldn’t be better.

Once he thought this way, He Yuan felt fortunate that he had already negotiated interests with his wife in the U.S.—a divorce but not a separation of assets. He still needed his ex-wife’s help to maintain the market and clients in the US.

He Yuan had stayed in his office all day, deep in thought. When he finally stepped out and saw that Ming Xi hadn’t left yet, he was about to strike up a conversation—when the company doorbell rang.

He Yuan turned around and saw a clean-cut young man standing outside, a bright smile on his face.

At her workstation, Ming Xi turned her head. The corners of her lips lifted as she sprang up, grabbed her bag, and left her desk. The swivel chair she’d been sitting on slowly rotated half a turn in her wake.

Passing He Yuan, Ming Xi stopped half a step.

“Why are you still here so late?” He Yuan asked, his gaze gentle and approving.

“I’m meeting my boyfriend for a movie, so I stayed a bit longer,” Ming Xi answered He Yuan directly, then gestured with her chin, “Look, he’s here to pick me up.”

He Yuan: …

The company door slowly opened, and Ji Runze, who had made a special effort to look his best today, appeared youthful and clean-cut, carrying a bag of snacks, which he must have bought at a shop on the street corner on his way here.

He was the very picture of a devoted boyfriend.

At the dinner party, He Yuan had heard from Liang Jiancheng that Ming Xi seemed to have a boyfriend, but he thought it was just a polite excuse, not expecting that there really was such a person.

“Why are you so late?” Ming Xi said, facing Ji Runze, adopting the tone of a girlfriend playfully complaining.

Ji Runze apologized immediately, while holding out the bag in his hand: “I bought you some roasted chestnuts, didn’t I? Try some, they’re still warm.”

Ming Xi found it amusing; she hadn’t expected Ji Runze to bring props.

As they spoke, her lips curved into a smile. To He Yuan, she looked exactly like a girl blissfully immersed in love.

“Mr. He, I’m off on my date with my boyfriend! Goodbye, Mr. He!” Ming Xi turned around and said to He Yuan.

He Yuan smiled.

Ji Runze followed her lead, “Goodbye, Mr. He!”

He Yuan smiled again.

…

It was the first time the two of them had acted as a couple, and they hadn’t expected to perform so naturally. Walking toward the elevator, they exchanged glances and couldn’t help laughing.

One warm and gentle, the other bright with smiles.

It had been over an hour since peak quitting time, and the elevator was quite empty, quickly descending from the upper floor.

Ming Xi gently nudged Ji Runze, and their two youthful, smiling faces met one indifferent, serious face in the elevator.

Compared to Ming Xi, Ji Runze called out to the other person first: “Brother Liang, so you work here too.”

Liang Jiancheng had been lost in work-related thoughts. Hearing the voice, he looked up—and saw not only Ming Xi, but also an unexpected person.

“My company is upstairs,” Liang Jiancheng replied to Ji Runze, adjusting his expression before asking, “I’m curious, where are you two headed?”

Liang Jiancheng’s tone was subtle, yet his question was direct.

“We’re going to see a movie,” Ming Xi said, seamlessly returning to the posture of an ordinary friend. She naturally turned to look at Liang Jiancheng and said the movie’s name, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Neither of us has seen it, so we’re planning to go see it together.”

Liang Jiancheng responded, “Oh, really? What a coincidence, I haven’t seen it either.”

“Then… would you like to come along?” Ji Runze asked, somewhat reluctantly.

Liang Jiancheng didn’t look at Ji Runze, but instead focused his gaze on Ming Xi, revealing a clear, unhidden hope of being invited in time.

“Tickets might be sold out if we go last-minute,” Ming Xi said with a troubled expression. Then she offered a compromise. “Mr. Liang, how about this—Brother Ze and I will go check first. If there are tickets left, we’ll call you. If you’re still interested then, you can come over?”

Ming Xi’s solution was perfect, but to Liang Jiancheng, it didn’t sit well at all. Though she hadn’t rejected him outright, he could clearly sense the subtext—

She didn’t want the three of them watching a movie together.

Who would want a three-person date?

“It’s fine. You two go ahead,” Liang Jiancheng said, abandoning the idea of joining them. Then, regaining his composed and authoritative demeanor, he looked at Ming Xi and asked directly, “What time is the movie? After it ends, do you need me to come pick you up… Ming Xi?”

Ming Xi was stunned.

Ji Runze was equally stunned.

The way Liang Jiancheng spoke sounded exactly like a boyfriend letting his girlfriend go out to have fun—unable to participate himself, but still willing to take responsibility for picking her up afterward.

This was too sudden!

For a moment, the only sound in the elevator was its steady descent, the faint click-clack of gears meshing rhythmically.

“Sorry—slip of the tongue,” Liang Jiancheng said, smiling self-deprecatingly like a well-mannered gentleman who’d misspoken. He corrected himself, “What I meant was—do you need me to drive you there?”

Oh.

That sounded much more normal.

Ji Runze respected Ming Xi and left the decision to her, gesturing for her opinion.

Ming Xi shook her head, declining, “Thank you, Mr. Liang, but no need. Brother Ze and I are going to take some photos downstairs at the movie theater first. It’s not far—we’ll just walk.”

Really…

Taking photos? What kind of photos?

Liang Jiancheng nodded, saying nothing more.

Soon enough, he was headed for the B1 parking level, while Ming Xi and Ji Runze exited on the first floor. When the elevator doors opened, the two of them politely bade him goodbye, then walked off lightly toward their date.

The elevator doors slid shut and continued downward. A cool whoosh followed as outside air was gently pushed into the elevator.

Liang Jiancheng blinked silently. Alone in the elevator, he was composed, his expression solemn—yet it felt as though his heart had been lightly compressed by that passing air.

The sensation was subtle, but unmistakably real. Like the faint draft escaping from the elevator shaft as it descended.

…

Ming Xi had already agreed to go to the movies with Ji Runze after work today, and on a whim she came up with an idea: she would have Ji Runze come pick her up at the office and play the role of her boyfriend in front of He Yuan.

Ji Runze was quick-witted and immediately understood her intention. He asked, “Is your company’s boss a bit of a playboy?”

Yes, Ming Xi had heard a lot about He Yuan’s romantic affairs from Sister CC recently, one after another, including several rumors involving female sales reps.

At present, He Yuan hadn’t shown her any inappropriate behavior. In daily work, he respected her, gave her authority, and offered support. Still, she couldn’t let her guard down or take all of that for granted.

At the last dinner party, when she made up the story about having a boyfriend, she had clearly felt it: for girls working in the corporate world, having a “boyfriend shield” really could solve a lot of trouble.

Mainly because she couldn’t be as fierce as Sister CC, who treated every rumor and piece of gossip as a “commendation” of her personal charm. That was another level altogether.

As Ming Xi and Ji Runze walked along, she said a little awkwardly, “Am I being too narcissistic? Our boss hasn’t actually done anything out of line…”

Ji Runze had only graduated from university a year ago. He’d spent the first half-year at a bank and hadn’t adapted well, then opened a small computer shop in the latter half just to get by. He didn’t have much real workplace experience yet. But he had graduated from a top university, was sharp-minded, and saw many things clearly.

“Ming Xi, I’m actually quite happy to be your protector against potential trouble,” Ji Runze joked.

“Then thank you, Brother Ze!” Ming Xi clasped her hands together, looking at him with a bright and lively expression.

“What’s there to thank? We proletarian revolutionaries should of course unite and resist the potential pressure of the capitalist class together, right?” Ji Runze always came up with amusing, playful ways of putting things—never making people uncomfortable or pressured.

According to Sister CC’s experience, one of the easiest ways to get a visa approved smoothly was to show photos with a boyfriend to the visa officer. The method wasn’t hard to carry out, but it was best if the boyfriend was a local from Haigang—and even better if his family owned some property.

Ming Xi didn’t know many people who met these criteria, only Ji Runze and Liang Jiancheng. She couldn’t very well ask the boss of a rival company for help with the visa, so she naturally asked Ji Runze for assistance.

Ji Runze said that he could always spare the time to help her with such a small matter whenever she needed it.

It so happened that they were going to the movies today, and downstairs from the movie theater there was a photo studio. Ming Xi and Ji Runze quickly took a photo together. It was shot on a Canon camera and could be printed out immediately.

“I won’t make a backup copy for you,” Ming Xi said to him.

“Can’t friends keep a photo? Even if we split the cost, I want an extra copy!” Ji Runze was uncharacteristically firm, insisting on taking one with him.

Ming Xi said, “I’m afraid it will cause misunderstandings.”

“What misunderstandings? I don’t have a girlfriend right now. And as a man, even if I get married or have a girlfriend in the future, having a beautiful ex-girlfriend—wouldn’t that be something to be proud of? Just treat it as my free perk for helping you out.” To be fair, Ji Runze’s eloquence was no worse than hers.

But could this kind of fake relationship really be counted among his “ex-girlfriends”?

Ming Xi neither confirmed nor denied it, but nodded in agreement.

Why did she ask Ji Runze for help instead of Han Junjun? Although Ji Runze wasn’t doing particularly well at the moment, he was open-minded, smart, and confident. He had ideas, but not a heavy or scheming mind. Being with someone like him was simple and relaxed, and their relationship felt equal and balanced.

This feeling of equality…

Even though she was closer with Liang Jiancheng, she had never felt that kind of balance with him.

Maybe it was just her own thoughts at play—but that no longer mattered. Just like the line Li Mubai said in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the movie they watched today: “Within the jianghu lie crouching tigers and hidden dragons; in people’s hearts, isn’t it the same? Within flashing blades lies danger; in human feelings, isn’t it the same?”

To meet someone and maintain a clean, pure, human relationship with them was already something rare.

The movie theater wasn’t far from the Zhongjin Tower, and Ming Xi’s apartment was also very close… After watching the movie that night, Ming Xi and Ji Runze walked back together.

Ji Runze indeed started talking to her about his current career choices.

Leaving Haigang was inevitable, but he was still struggling with whether to go to Beijing or Hangzhou.

He strongly agreed with Alibaba’s business philosophy, but Hangzhou’s current internet information technology and platforms couldn’t compare to Beijing’s. More importantly, he graduated from Peking University, and even if he wasn’t doing great right now, several of his classmates were already very successful.

In Beijing, he could access more resources.

“Ming Xi… if you were me, what would you choose?” Ji Runze stopped downstairs at her apartment and asked earnestly.

Ming Xi hesitated too. After thinking for a while, she said, “I think both the platform and the city are very important. Beijing definitely has more platforms, and a more mature ecosystem.” She hadn’t really looked into Alibaba in detail; even though Ji Runze kept praising it, the company’s name still sounded a bit mystical to her.

“Yeah…” Ji Runze sighed. But Beijing was just so far away.

Hangzhou was closer to Haigang—he could still come back and visit occasionally.

With his hands in his pockets, Ji Runze stood there. He was smart but simple-minded, a typical STEM guy. He gently studied Ming Xi’s face and suddenly said with emotion:

“Ming Xi, during this time when I’ve been teaching you computer skills, you’re always the one thanking me more. But honestly, I’m the one who should truly thank you. My first job hit me pretty hard—I was almost becoming what my parents considered a failed Beida graduate. It’s you who gave me a huge wake-up call—

“You came from Yicheng to Haigang, full of confidence every day as you worked and studied. Watching you, I felt I couldn’t keep sinking like that anymore, so I started re-planning my life. Even if studying economics before didn’t give me the results I hoped for, as long as I can keep my passion for learning—like you—every day can be a new beginning.”

Ji Runze spoke at length, his words revealing his true feelings.

Ming Xi was naturally moved by Ji Runze’s words. She knew she was good, but realizing that her goodness could influence others was another kind of goodness. It was as if she wasn’t just good anymore, but strong, capable, even impressive.

There was a line from the movie tonight that Ming Xi remembered vividly, spoken by Yu Xiulian—”Nothing we can touch lasts forever. Live each day as if it were your last, and you’ll find peace.”

She and Ji Runze were both people striving for their dreams. No one could guarantee that every day would be filled with passion and momentum. Sometimes, staying calm itself was a powerful kind of strength.

“Ji Runze, that’s because you were never meant to be like this.”

Ming Xi smiled, her lips curving upward, dazzling. “You’re my very first friend from Beida. How could you be so careless with yourself? In the future, you’re going to be one of my premium connections—my top-tier benefactor. It’s a promise, when you make it big someday, you’re not allowed to forget me.”

“How could I forget? You’re my… my first love,” Ji Runze said with a faint smile.

What…

The moment the words “first love” left his lips, Ming Xi’s face flushed crimson.

People were strange like that. Once something was tagged with the word “first,” it suddenly seemed especially precious.

Ming Xi suddenly widened her eyes, her expression shrewd and lively. “No raising the price! We agreed on just one meal. Don’t think that just because you’re calling it ‘first love’ you can charge extra.”

Ji Runze quickly shook his head, his tone light and cheerful. “No, no, business has been so bad lately—even the boss has to go out and hustle on the side. How could I dare to raise the price?”

“I’m leaving now. If you need me, just call me anytime!”

The movie today was so captivating that the two of them hadn’t even had a chance to eat the roasted chestnuts they’d bought. Before leaving, Ji Runze handed the roasted chestnuts to Ming Xi, waved casually at her, and turned to leave.

Ming Xi breathed a sigh of relief, took the roasted chestnuts, and headed upstairs, lost in thought. Before she knew it, she had reached the sixth floor.

Suddenly, she froze in shock. The apartment’s security door was open in the middle of the night.

Usually, with just her and Cai Ni living there, they always made sure to lock the door. It was already close to ten o’clock—wasn’t it dangerous to leave it open like this?

Or had the danger already happened?

Ming Xi tensed up instantly, her heart pounding in her throat: “Jiang Cai Ni!”

A weak reply came from inside: “Ming Xi, I’m here…”

Oh…

As long as she was there, it was fine.

Ming Xi walked into the apartment, not even bothering to change her shoes, and stood confidently in the entryway. The bright lights in the apartment made her squint, and when she turned her head, she saw Liang Jiancheng sitting in the living room.

He was leaning slightly forward on the sofa, composed and restrained, turning his face just enough for his gaze to meet hers.

At the same time, Cai Ni carefully carried a cup of water that had just been boiled in the electric kettle, nervously walking from the kitchen to the living room. She carefully set the steaming cup down in front of Liang Jiancheng, as if it were burning hot.

“Mr. Liang, please have some water…” Polite, yet distant.

This kind of interaction between friends was truly absurd and nonsensical. Liang Jiancheng lifted his eyes. Though he was speaking to Cai Ni, his gaze was fixed on Ming Xi. “I came to find a book, not to collect rent. No need to be so polite.”

Cai Ni: … She didn’t want to be so polite either.

But showing up in the middle of the night, despite his politeness, his whole demeanor exuded dissatisfaction, so she could only treat him like a landlord coming to collect rent.

Ming Xi was just as baffled.

What was Liang Jiancheng saying? He came to look for a book?

At least it wasn’t a burglar… After changing her shoes, Ming Xi walked toward the living room where he was. Wearing a perfectly “friendly” smile, she placed the bag of roasted chestnuts on the coffee table and greeted him with exaggerated politeness: “Mr. Liang, would you like some chestnuts?”

Some people truly had a gift for getting under his skin. Liang Jiancheng glanced at her calmly and refused: “I’m thirsty, I won’t eat any.”

Ming Xi nodded innocently and matter-of-factly. Fine, if he doesn’t want any!

Nearby, Cai Ni let out an awkward laugh to ease the tension. She reached over, grabbed a handful of chestnuts, and asked ingratiatingly, “Ming Xi, did you buy these especially for me?”

Ming Xi hummed in response.

“…Probably not.” Liang Jiancheng suddenly smiled in an unhurried, almost indulgent way as he rose slowly from the sofa, answering for her.

If she had still half-believed his claim about coming to look for a book, this single sentence made everything crystal clear. He wasn’t here for a book. He was here to pick a fight!

What was going on tonight? Were they both bottling up some kind of irritation?

Was Boss Liang in a bad mood because his tennis game hadn’t gone well? Or because some business target hadn’t been met, so he came here to assert his presence?

Or was he upset because he didn’t get to see the movie?

“What book is Mr. Liang looking for?” Ming Xi asked Liang Jiancheng.

“Simone de Beauvoir’s ‘The Second Sex’,” Liang Jiancheng said, stating the title.

“Oh…” Ming Xi had heard of it, though she hadn’t read it. She vaguely remembered it being a study of women’s inner world. She hadn’t expected Boss Liang—busy as he was with work—to also take an interest in women’s spiritual lives. Ming Xi opened the sliding door of the hidden bookshelf for Liang Jiancheng and asked, “Why don’t you look for it yourself? I don’t know where it’s placed.”

“Third shelf. Tenth book from the left.” Like his mother, Liang Jiancheng had an amazing memory. As long as the bookshelves hadn’t been disturbed after he organized them, he could remember exactly where every book was.

“Okay, I’ll get it for you…” Ming Xi said, carefully scanning the third shelf, counting from left to right.

Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be the book Liang Jiancheng was looking for, The Second Sex.

Could it be on the other side?

Because the shelves were set deeper inside, Ming Xi had to step forward, half her body leaning into the cabinet. She searched the third shelf again and again, but still couldn’t find the book.

Without realizing it, Liang Jiancheng walked up behind her. His voice carried a trace of apology. “Maybe I remembered wrong. It should be on the tenth shelf—twelfth book.”

His voice remained as calm and orderly as ever, yet carried a current of subtle emotion only the two of them understood.

The tenth shelf was high. Ming Xi tilted her head up and, sure enough, spotted the book.

To reach it, she would have to fully extend her arm and rise onto her toes.

“I’ll do it,” Liang Jiancheng said, his voice slightly hoarse.

“Oh,”

Ming Xi was just about to withdraw her hand—

When Liang Jiancheng, standing directly behind her, reached past her ear. He was tall enough that he didn’t need to stand on tiptoe or raise his arm high; he could easily reach the book.

The reading nook was quiet and dimly lit; only half the light from the living room shone in. In this dim light, Liang Jiancheng’s hand, reaching out from behind, gently grasped not the book, but her hand.

He held her hand, as if it were a decision made on impulse, yet contemplated long ago.

Ming Xi remained motionless. Even with her back to him, she could clearly and intensely feel the presence and pressure of the person behind her.

His grip was precise and firm. He remained composed; she couldn’t pull free.

At last, she turned her head—and her gaze fell straight into the dark, hidden depths of Liang Jiancheng’s eyes.

“The book I’m looking for,” he said again, his voice still hoarse, but now carrying an entirely different meaning, “is this one.”

Ming Xi’s raised hand was held in his grasp, as if he could just as easily control the nature of their relationship. He had rushed over late at night, staged this seemingly ridiculous performance, all just to express this irrational thought of his?

The “book” he was looking for was her.

Ming Xi, usually calm, couldn’t remain so at this moment. In the dining room, Cai Ni was still peeling chestnuts like a little hamster.

Ming Xi couldn’t describe how dark Liang Jiancheng’s eyes were, or how bright his gaze was.

Finally, it was Liang Jiancheng who lowered his voice, softening his tone as he asked almost pleadingly: “Could you walk me downstairs? I have something to give you.”

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