Feng Yian walked towards the open door, but only saw a figure standing upright by the handrail of the stairs outside the door. He stood calmly, completely disregarding others' speculations about how long he had been standing there. Feng Yian stopped in his tracks and adapted to the darkness outside, seeing that the man in front of him was wearing a light gray striped shirt, tall and slender, with a solemn expression on his handsome face, which was clearly not the same as the sunny and handsome young man they had met at the bar last time.

  Two men's eyes met, he didn't dodge at all. Feng Yi'an suddenly realized something and turned to look at Xin Chen, "I overestimated myself, thinking that you would turn off your phone and hide in an empty room just to avoid me. Good luck." He walked around the man and left with a swagger.

  Xin Chen took a few steps, walked to the position directly opposite the gate, and looked at Lu Fei outside the door with his head tilted, smiling. "This afternoon you were still pulling me, I thought you wouldn't stoop to listening to other people's conversations. I don't know how long you've been here or how much you've heard, but it seems I also warned you that eavesdropping can always hear things that make oneself uncomfortable."

  Lu Fei walked into the house, "Sorry, I didn't leave in time."

  He called Xin Chen in the afternoon, but her phone was turned off. By evening, she still hadn't returned to the Xindu house. He had no clue where she might have gone and almost instinctively drove to this place. The area looked even more chaotic than before, yet the window of her fifth-floor apartment shone with light.

  He thought he should let out a sigh of relief, but thinking that this sensitive child was now facing everything with an unflappable attitude, yet had to return to an abandoned house alone to digest her troubles, his heart ached secretly, hesitated for a moment, and decided to go up and take a look, even if it meant being an unwelcome disturbance, he couldn't just let her be sad by herself.

  The gate of the Xincheng family was wide open, and a man's voice came out clearly. His upbringing reminded him that he should leave, but he did the exact opposite.

  Lu didn't expect her to admit so frankly that she had eavesdropped on her conversation with Feng Yi'an, and now she was at a loss for words. "You've heard everything, you can leave now."

  "It's too late, it's not safe here, I'll take you back."

  "I don't know how it happened, but I suddenly seem to have become a popular snack. One after another, my ex-boyfriends are coming to find me. Thank you for your kind intentions, which can satisfy my vanity, but it's too dense and I'm overwhelmed. To be honest, I really can't take it anymore, so please stop."

  She smiled and teased, her voice calm, the sting in her words hidden just out of sight. Lu Fei looked at her deeply, the two people only a few steps apart, each able to see the other's face clearly, the familiar faces reflected in their eyes, complex and difficult to express emotions.

  She can't remember how many times she had looked at him like this, in her eyes he had gazed back at her with clear and obvious infatuation; he had smiled with his eyes full of warmth; he had been so painful and helpless, his gaze was like a net that wrapped around her unwilling to let go; he had also swept his gaze past her as if she were a stranger, but now his eyes were filled with deep regret.

  Xin Chen couldn't bear the intensity and weight of this gaze, she suddenly lost her sarcastic tone and said tiredly: "Lu Fei, if you heard enough just now, then you should know that no matter who it is, I won't let anyone come in and out of my life as they please. You're putting yourself down to look at me like this, disregarding your own dignity to listen to my private matters, and taking on the attitude of wanting to entangle with me - what's the point?"

  "In the past, I couldn't put down my pride and always maintained my dignity. These two things made me a selfish man even when I loved you. After losing you for seven years, how could I still maintain this reserved attitude? But Xiao Chen, please be at ease, I won't go against your wishes to pester you or bother you with questions and requests that you don't like."

  Xin Chen smiled, the dimple on his left cheek appeared and disappeared immediately, "Alright then, I'm really tired, let's go."

  Xin Chen turned around and went to the balcony door, picked up the backpack that was placed on the ground, closed the lights, locked the door with her hand behind her back, Lu Fei was in front of her, she was behind him, after going down one floor, she suddenly realized that she was standing in the dark without taking out her flashlight as she always did when going out, but instead closely followed the straight back shadow in front of her.

  She suddenly stopped in her tracks, just as she was about to reach for her bag. Lu Fei turned around, stretched out his hand and grasped hers firmly and accurately. His palm was dry and warm. She tried to pull back but he held on tighter, gently pulling her along. The two of them walked side by side, the corridor narrow, with piles of clutter occasionally tripping up Lu Fei who was walking on the outside, but his stride remained unchanged.

  He didn't let go of her hand until they were out of the unit door, then he walked to his car and opened the door for her. She got in, turned on her phone and dialed Xindi's number: "Di, how's grandma now?"

  "It's okay, the doctor has diagnosed and my heart condition is relatively stable. They've also ruled out Meniere's disease. I'll be observed for a few more days and should be able to leave the hospital soon. Ah, the chicken soup that Lu Fei brought over was really delicious."

  Xin Chen smiled and said, "I'll bring pigeon soup tomorrow, you let grandma rest well, I'm in a hurry today, didn't have time to go in and see her, sorry."

  Put down the phone, Xincheng leaned back in his chair and didn't speak. Lu Fei also didn't make a sound, he focused on driving, his eyes glanced at the profile slightly turned towards the window from the corner of his eye. From this angle, he could only see that her hair was slightly loose, one delicate ear was half hidden among the strands, her eyes were half closed, her lips were tightly pursed, with an unmistakable look of fatigue.

  The car drove into the yard, Lu Fei turned off the engine, Xin Chen unfastened his seatbelt and said, "Thank you, goodbye." He reached out to open the door.

  "Xiao Chen, if you need a quiet place to be alone..."

  Xin Chen's hand remained on the half-open car door, turned back to him and shook his head. "No, Lu Fei, I'll just live here until I go to Kunming. No one has the right to demand everyone's liking, I won't do anything that would make Da Bo and Di Zi unhappy, their kindness to me has already far outweighed Da Ma's dislike." She didn't step on the footboard under the car door, but instead jumped down agilely, closed the car door with her hand, and walked away.

  Lu Fei returned to the villa, Lu was tidying up her luggage in the bedroom, finishing up work here, and preparing to return to Shenzhen the next day. Lu Fei sat down on the small sofa by the window, stretching out her legs and watching her sister busily.

  "Lu Fei, you've temporarily gotten away with canceling the engagement to Dad and Mom. What are your plans for the future? The handover of work is almost complete, you're not thinking of doing nothing and focusing on winning back Xin Chen, are you?"

  "I have had several meetings with Chairman Xu of Fenghua Group, her husband Wang Feng has been running an investment company for a few years, but the business has always focused on financing real estate companies within the province. They intend to develop asset management and venture capital businesses, focusing on acquiring shares in companies with potential for listing, if nothing unexpected happens, I may go work at his investment company."

  The road is slightly hesitant, Fenghua Group and Haotian had a cooperative project in the early stage, but that project was led by her younger brother Su Zhe. The chairman of Fenghua Group, Xu Huaying, and her husband Su Jie were EMBA classmates. She and Wang Feng couple are acquaintances, but they didn't have direct contact, yet she roughly knew that Fenghua has strong capabilities, and the two of them in the local business community have a reputation for being fierce. Wang Feng was involved in a lawsuit several years ago, and after being sentenced to two years' probation, he retired from the group and started secretly manipulating an investment company behind the scenes.

  "Are you sure you can adapt to the way private companies operate? Although it's also venture capital, the operational methods are definitely completely different."

  "Give it a try," Lu Fei said lightly. "Since you're planning on staying here for the long haul, you'll have to accept and adapt to everything."

  "But I went to the city for a coordination meeting two days ago, and I ran into Uncle Xin. He told me that Xin Chen plans to go to Kunming to her father's place, but you're staying here, what's going on?"

  "I'd like to accompany her to Kunming, but I guess she won't like the proposal, so I'll just stay here and wait for her instead."

  Lu was taken aback, throwing the coat in his hand onto the bed and walking over to lift his hand and touch Lu Fei's forehead. "Lu Fei, do you think this is meaningful? If she really feels that life goes on without you, wouldn't it be better for both of you to forget each other?"

  Luofei took his sister's hand, "On the condition that you can forget."

  Lu looked down at him with a lowered head, "With you looking like this, I really don't feel at ease."

  "Don't worry, sister. My state of mind is much calmer than it has been in the past few months, and I can even say that it's the most peaceful time in years." Lu Fei smiled, "Don't worry about me, go back to Shenzhen and take care of your baby, don't put all your energy into work. You are a mother, a wife, and then you are the director of Huatian."

  Lu smiled, "One day in this position, one day there is work that cannot be shirked. I indeed plan to go back and have a good talk with Su Jie, then hand over the project on this side to professional managers."

  "My brother-in-law will definitely agree with your decision."

  "You're like an old-fashioned man, Lu Fei, happy only when women are sent back home." Lu said with a half-joking tone, "Being the daughter-in-law of the Su family isn't easy. After marriage, the mother-in-law didn't work and devoted herself to serving the elderly, taking care of the husband and children, working harder than professional women. Having seen her example, I think having a job might be more suitable for me. And even if I wanted to quit now, Su Jie probably wouldn't agree."

  Lu Fei didn't know much about the internal structure of Haotian, Old Master was firmly in the chairman position and had no intention of retiring in the short term. Su Jie served as the group's general manager, Su Zhe was in charge of investment operations, Lu Fei was in charge of the development department, all were crucial to the company. If Su Jie wanted to implement his development strategy but lost the support of his brother and wife, it wasn't certain he could get a majority vote at the board meeting. Lu Fei's marriage seemed perfect on the surface, but the responsibilities that came with marrying into a large family weren't easily shirked.

  "Love may be a matter of two people, but marriage is far more than that, especially for us." Lu was picking up his clothes again, "You still have to consider the extent to which your parents will accept your choice."

  Lu didn't fully understand his sister's meaning, but thinking of the two conversations he had heard today, he only felt sorry for Xin Chen. But she remained calm throughout, without anger or excuses, at most just helpless. Since when did she become so tolerant and easy-going? Did she learn to put herself in others' shoes, or did she simply not care about other people's opinions? Was she hiding her emotions, or had she simply lost all emotions?

  No matter what, that spoiled and arrogant Xin Chen was gone. This thought floated up again in his mind, he could only lean back on the sofa and let out a silent sigh.

  Lu Fei returned to his room, turned on the computer and logged into the outdoor forum where Xin Chen often hung out.

  From the day he met Lin Leqing in a cafe, he knew Xincheng's online name and started looking for her footprints here. He discovered that she had posted about giving away flowers and immediately registered an ID to follow the post.

  Xin Chen has been registered on the forum for nearly seven years, but only posted one topic post, and all the rest are follow-up posts. It's not hard to find them, but most of those replies are just a few words, mostly "Signing up, one person." or a bit more complicated, with attached equipment details, rarely expressing any emotions.

  The 17th floor photo processing is not appropriate, the sky presents that kind of sunset must reflect the ground with a similar warm tone, in order to pursue visual effects and adjust the bottom to cold tone, which goes against common sense.

  "Alternatively: 'This photo has a very special angle, but the wide-angle lens wasn't used well, and that white birch tree on the right is somewhat distorted.'"

  Lu Fei spent the entire evening on this forum, patiently reading from Xin Chen's first post, gradually piecing together her hiking experience.

  At first, she only participated in short-distance mountain climbing. Later on, she gradually joined outdoor camping and sometimes signed up for some outings during holidays. When he saw the first photo of her, his heart rate accelerated slightly. Looking at the time, she should have just been a sophomore then, with her hair cut short and dyed a light ash color, and her sharp chin had a beautiful and striking face among a group of people.

  After the hike, netizens posted photos of themselves posing in funny ways to commemorate the event. A group of men with good physiques held hands and jumped like four little swans; a row of people put their arms on each other's shoulders and imitated the choreography of Ziegfeld Follies, turning their heads in unison, kicking up their legs, and pointing at the camera. There were also beautiful women showing off their high-difficulty yoga poses.

  At first, all the photos had Xincheng's figure and smile. But soon, she seemed to suddenly lose interest and refused to pose, only appearing in other people's snapshots. Her hair grew a little longer, restoring its original color.

  During the summer vacation when Xin Chen was about to enter her third year, someone posted an invitation for everyone to go to Xiapu, Fujian together. He seemed familiar with Xin Chen and asked her by name why she hadn't signed up. Xin Chen replied: "I plan to work part-time during the summer break, so I don't want to go to the beach for now."

  Lu Fei stared at this reply for a long time, and he clearly remembered that Xin Chen had said she wanted to go to the seaside after the college entrance exam, and he had promised to take her there.

  I don't know who she went with later to see the sea?

  In his junior year, Xin Chen joined a forum's trailblazing group, responsible for exploring the surrounding areas suitable for hiking with several others, assessing the difficulty and safety of the route, and organizing online friends to hike together at an appropriate time.

  She rarely absents herself from group activities and comments on routes in a concise manner.

  There is an ID "Changfeng several ten thousand miles" gradually linked with Xincheng, someone posted a joke to count the good words in this forum, one of which is: "Congratulations Changfeng officially became the guardian of Huanhuan." Below a burst of cheers and blessings, Xincheng's reply was also joking: "Who is the flower and who protects who is not certain yet." Changfeng said generously: "My honor." Apart from this, they rarely appear in the same post, maintaining a low-key style, without mentioning emotions or showing affection.

  He went to look at Chang Feng's information, he was from the northwest. It seemed that he was the boy who had been praised by Xin Kai Ming before, he posted a lot, and it could be seen that his writing skills were excellent, and he had a lot of ideas.

  In a post that was built extremely high, everyone discussed the reasons for participating in hiking and mountain climbing. Almost all IDs on the forum replied, and Changfeng's reply was: "I hate the jungle of steel and concrete, walking in nature, enjoying mountains and rivers, and being able to calm down and think about the essence of life, seeking peace of mind."

  Xincheng's reply was still brief: "I wonder where this unknown road leads."

  Lu Fei's gaze was fixed on this reply again, and he also remembered the content of Xin Chen's nightmare that she had mentioned to him during her girlhood: sometimes she seemed to be running on a road that could not see the end, and did not know where it led; sometimes she seemed to be turning around in a dark corridor, always unable to find her own home.

  So nightmares still haunted her, she used the flashlight she carried with her to cope with the dark corridor, and told herself by participating in hiking that roads always have an end and a terminal.

  In the March of that year when Xin Chen was about to graduate, she asked for leave saying she would be absent from the activities for a while, claiming that she planned to go out of town to find work. Someone familiar with her curiously asked if she was planning to go to the northwest with Chang Feng, and her reply was just one English word: NO. Chang Feng remained silent.

  By June, Changfeng posted a theme post to bid farewell to the city. He wrote in a very subtle and elegant way, with nostalgia for his hometown, thoughts about the future, and affection for the passing time. The forum netizens were moved by it and responded one after another. Some recalled their hiking experience together, some wished him a bright future, some promised to meet again someday, and some vaguely wondered about her reaction. When it was her turn, she remained silent. Then someone sighed at the fragility of emotions. Changfeng's last reply was: "I will always be grateful for her appearance in my life, and I won't regret our acquaintance just because of the final result."

  Chang Feng never appeared in this forum again.

  It wasn't until September that year that Xin Chen reappeared on the forum, signing up for a short mountain climbing trip. She never mentioned her trips to Beijing and Qinling.

  The second year, she went to Gannan; the third year, she went to Xinjiang; this year, she went to Tibet. The organizer posted a long post recalling the journey and summarizing the strategy, but she only made some supplementary remarks. In the group photo, she was wearing sunglasses and a hat, and there were no individual photos released.

  What can be found in this way? The road is not a clear concept.

  He missed her for seven years, what appeared and disappeared in her life? Who was she a passerby in whose life, and who left an impression on her life? This forum only records part of her experience, it's impossible to tell him everything, but he still patiently flips through the old posts, carefully looking at those photos, one by one related to her.

  It was this meticulous search process that made him stay put when he heard Xin Chen and Feng Yi'an's conversation, he couldn't resist any opportunity to learn more about Xin Chen.

  Lu knew clearly that he was deepening his own predicament, without a shred of hesitation or regret.

  Xin De received his mother's summons, went home for dinner, and specifically asked her to bring David Fan along. During Li Xiang's hospitalization, he was busy running around, with a very polite attitude, and had already gained Li Xiang's great appreciation.

  Xin Di called Xin Chen as usual: "Later, I'll ask David Fan to bring you over on his way."

  "No." Xincheng responded quickly and smiled, "I have something to attend to, I won't be taking his car. Tell Uncle and Aunt that I'll head over a bit later on my own."

  Xin Chen arrived almost half an hour later than them, focusing on eating and rarely speaking. At the dinner table, only David Fan was talking and laughing, his performance still extremely pleasing to Li Xing, even the usually taciturn Xin Kai Ming was also smiling at him with pleasure. Such a harmonious scene made Xin Di feel a little regretful. She hadn't decided how to deal with David Fan yet, but ended up obediently listening to her mom and bringing him home, wasn't she asking for trouble?

  Xin Kai Ming asked about the progress of Xin Chen's demolition and relocation, Xin Chen said: "Today, my neighbor just called me, the demolition company announced the compensation price." She mentioned an average number, slightly higher than the previously rumored pessimistic forecast, at least her neighbor who called her thought it was okay.

  Xin Kaoming nodded, "In terms of location, it's not considered high-end, but in terms of age of the property, it's acceptable."

  "The demolition company also announced additional clauses, which are quite tempting. Within a week, ten days, and half a month after the notice was issued, there will be extra bonuses with decreasing amounts for signing. As soon as this policy came out, it is said that someone went to sign immediately. Many neighbors were moved, and probably not many people will persist in being nail households."

  "The city also attaches great importance to the demolition and relocation work in this area, and has held several coordination meetings with relevant government departments and the Haotian Group. Lu is a representative of the development side who has made a very positive statement, so I believe it should go smoothly. Xiao Chen, you don't need to delay any further, just go ahead and get the formalities done as soon as possible."

  "Alright uncle, I know, I'll go tomorrow."

  "Are you going to Kunming after taking the money?" Xindi asked.

  Xin Chen nodded, "Mm, just finished the tasks at hand, and I don't plan on taking on new work for now."

  Xin Di was about to speak, but Li Xiang started reminding him of the details for his business trip the next day. David Fan chimed in from the side, and Xin Di complained, "I'm just going to New York for Fashion Week, not immigrating to Mars, do I need to bring all this stuff you've listed? My luggage will definitely be overweight."

  "You're too careless, let Xiao Dai help you check again later, don't miss anything."

  David nodded with an attitude of not being burdened.

  After dinner, several people helped to put the bowls in the kitchen. Li Xiang didn't let them wash their hands, but instead told them to watch TV and then go cut fruit. Xin Kai Ming said: "Xiao Chen, come to the study for a moment, I have something to say to you."

  Xin Kai Ming's study had bookshelves that occupied two walls, decorated in a heavy and somewhat rustic style, which Xin Di said was similar to the office-style decoration of Xin Chen's previous home. Xin Kai Ming sat down in a rattan chair by the window, and Xin Chen sat down beside him, smiling and saying: "Uncle, is there something you want to criticize me about?"

  Xin Chen had been naughty before, and Xin Kai Ming never wanted to scold her in front of everyone. He would always call her into the study room. No matter how stubborn she was, as soon as she heard that she had to go to the study room, she would feel a bit guilty and lower her head. And when Xin Kai Ming saw her like this, he couldn't bear to scold her anymore, but instead gently lectured her. As Li Xiang said: "You've used up all your patience on your niece."

  Xin Kaoming smiled, recalling the past. "You've been very well-behaved these few years, Xiao Chen. I really don't have anything to criticize you for... except," he hesitated, "will you honestly tell Uncle if you like Lu Fei?"

  She smiled wryly, knowing that her uncle was always cautious and serious. Lu Jingzhong, Lufen's father, was his former superior, whom he had always respected. At this moment, it was natural for him to be in a difficult position. She said clearly and calmly: "Uncle, I haven't seen or contacted Lufen for many years, we're basically strangers now, so it's not about liking or disliking."

  This answer left Xin Kai Ming speechless, of course, Li Xiang had already expressed her opinion on this matter, and she spoke very sharply and directly.

  I'm not biased against Xiao Chen, she has indeed changed a lot in the past two years, but her casual interference in Lu Fei's life just proves that she still lacks prudence and self-love.

  "What stance Secretary Lu will take I dare not casually guess, but Big Sister Xie is usually very strict, we both know that. What kind of expectations she has for Lu Fei, do I need to say more?"

  "Do you really want your superior to find you and talk to you before you're happy?"

  "Even Old Feng's family, who are on the same social level as you, think that Xiao Chen is not suitable for their son. You should be more careful."

  Xin Chen said with a relaxed tone: "Uncle, don't worry about my affairs anymore. I still plan to go to Kunming and stay for a while first. My dad called me yesterday and asked when I would be going over. He and Auntie have already renovated my room and are preparing to pick up the marriage certificate and hold a simple ceremony after I arrive."

  When mentioning Xin Kaiyu's marriage, Xin Kaiming still agreed and specially instructed his brother to bring his wife back together during the New Year, so there was no reason to stop Xin Chen from going. Looking at his niece who smiled with a curved mouth as if she had no worries, Xin Kaoming felt complicated emotions.

  That day, after hearing Li Xiang's account of Feng Yi'an and Xin Chen's breakup, he was shocked. Thinking again that Xin Chen didn't mention a word, only saying their personalities didn't match, and completely calmly accepted such humiliation, his anger rose, and he picked up the phone to call Old Feng to argue.

  Li Xiang blocked him, "Kaiming, your Xiao Chen is not a fool either. Feng Yi'an has already caused trouble at home and insists on making amends with her. At this point, do you still want to go and humiliate yourself? I also think they're being unreasonable, but you can't deny that their concerns are practical. Why must you go looking for trouble again?"

  "What's wrong with Xiao Chen that he can't match up to Feng Yi An and is being picked on by them like this?"

  Li Xiang coldly smiled, "As soon as you mention Xiao Chen, you become biased. I told you before, but you didn't listen. Honestly, if I had a son, I would rather he find a girl with a clean family background and a gentle personality."

  The argument ended with Li Xiang having chest tightness and headache, Xin Kai Ming had to drive her to the hospital for a check-up that night, and never brought up the matter again.

  "Xiao Chen, your uncle is getting older and his way of thinking might be a bit old-fashioned. He always thinks it's great that girls have careers, but what's most important is still having a family. I care about you just as much as I care about Xiao Di. Honestly, I'm not sure if the guy Xiao Dai who's been pursuing Xiao Di is suitable for her. But Lu Fei is different - if you're with him, I wouldn't have to worry at all. So, if you like him, no matter what, your uncle will support you."

  Xin Chen's eyes quietly welled up with tears, she completely understood that her uncle was still saying this to her at this time, putting her happiness first. She tried to control herself, nodding, "I understand, Uncle. Don't worry, I will find someone I like, and so will Xiao Di, she has always been better than me at grasping things."

  Outside, Li Xiang yelled to invite them out to eat fruit. The two walked out of the study room, and Xin Chen said he would go ahead first. Xin Kai Ming said: "Wait a minute, let Xiao Dai send you and Xiao Di back together."

  Xin Chen smiled and said: "I still have something to do, I won't go home yet, let's sit for a while longer." She bid farewell to everyone and hurriedly left.

  After leaving Sindie's parents' house, David Fan sent Sindie home and was quite pleased with himself, saying boldly: "Now except for Sindie, all the people in your family can be said to like me."

  "Has Chen Zi been good to you?"

  "Your sister has taken her dislike for me to a new level, starting to resent me. These days, she's been working overtime at my company until very late, and would rather take a taxi than let me give her a ride home; she won't even say an extra word to me." David Fan said with a smile, seemingly not taking Cindy's attitude to heart.

  Xin Di was stunned, and only then did she realize that Xin Chen had been keeping a deliberate distance from David recently. As someone who usually interacted with people more smoothly than her, Xin Chen wouldn't do this because of the ridiculous "love for his sister". Probably her mother's suspicion had fallen into Xin Chen's eyes. Xin Di's heart couldn't help but sink, that suspicion was too hurtful, and she didn't know how to make up for it or explain herself.

  Dai Weifan accompanied Xinde upstairs, sat down and said with a serious tone: "As your mother said, bring the luggage over for me to check if there's anything missing."

  Xin De smiled and said: "Now that you mention it, I really forgot something. Can you go buy it for me?"

  "What?"

  Sanitary napkin.

  David, who had already gotten up, hesitated for a moment, "This, I'm not very convenient to go buy, or I'll send you over." He saw Xindi's mischievous face and suddenly realized, grabbing her, "You're not happy with me for a day, it's like something's missing?"

  Xin Di nodded seriously, "Ah, you're right, if we ever break up one day, where would I find so much entertainment?"

  David Fan couldn't help but laugh and cry, hugging her and sitting down on the sofa. "Alright, I've decided to sacrifice myself for you to trample on, let you get used to relying on me, and see if you dare have any thoughts of breaking up with me in the future."

  He held her tightly, his handsome face close to hers, and she couldn't help but tilt her head back slightly. "Let's sit down and talk properly, Chenzi will be back soon."

  David Fan burst out laughing, but still restrained himself, letting her go a little, "Xin Chen is neither a nun nor a morals police officer, we don't have to sit up straight waiting for her to come back and inspect us, besides, if she doesn't come back, I can do as I please?"

  Xin De bailed him with one eye, "You're thinking beautifully."

  David Fan was about to speak when the phone on the coffee table rang. He leaned over and handed the receiver to Xindi in his arms, who answered: "Di zi, friends are inviting me out for drinks, I'll be back very late, I've brought my keys, don't wait up for me."

  "Where are you going to drink?" Xindi really wanted her to come back early and have a good talk.

  "Not far away, at Forever, Ah, A Feng has something to tell you."

  "Little flute, I'm back," came Ah Feng's voice from the receiver.

  "You've finally decided to come back, I thought you were going to stay on Mount Everest and become a snowman forever."

  "Did you miss me?"

  "Missing you like crazy." They had always joked around, and Xindi also laughed. "You'd better come back soon and get back to work, your repair shop and bar are going to be overgrown with weeds. It's been almost a month this time, right?"

  "Almost, this year is adaptive training, next year I will strive to reach the top. By the way, I also met one of your colleagues there, a Belgian fashion designer, who is very interesting and has climbed the highest peaks on several continents. He went to Shanghai first and will come over in a few days, I'll introduce you guys."

  "I'm going to New York tomorrow and will probably be back in a week, let's talk about it then."

  "Alright, why don't you come over and have a drink with me?"

  Xin Di knew that most of the people Ah Feng had invited to the gathering were hiking enthusiasts, and she admitted that their photos looked great. However, she just wasn't interested in hiking outdoors, "No way, I have an early flight tomorrow. You guys have fun, but if Chenzi gets drunk, you'll have to be responsible for sending her back."

  He put down the phone and looked at her with a faint smile, "So you really have a mountaineering backup plan."

  Xin Di was stunned, she couldn't remember when she had mentioned Ah Feng to him. But if you say that she and Ah Feng were each other's backup plans, it wouldn't be unjustified. Ordinary friends wouldn't make a promise to get married after 35 years old, even as a joke. She could only glance around and change the subject: "I'll go check what I need to bring."

  As soon as she moved, David's arm had already wrapped tightly around her, pressing her firmly back onto his thigh. "Explain it to me, I haven't eaten vinegar in many years, this taste is fresh and stimulating."

  Xin De smiled, "What's there to explain? Ah Feng and I are just good friends, that's all."

  "What does that have to do with me?"

  Xin Di was taken aback, but she never admitted defeat. "What else could it be besides a romantic relationship?"

  David Fan was amused, "That's right, and it's a pretty pure relationship between men and women."

  Recently, Xindi has been busy accompanying her hospitalized mother and dealing with work before going on a business trip, leaving little time for dates with David. At this moment, being so close to him, the hot air from his breathing tickled her ear, making her emotional, but she tried to calm down, "You look like you're up to something."

  David smiled with his neat and white teeth, leaned close to her ear and said in a low, ambiguous tone: "That's natural, the innate capital is not used, isn't it unfair to oneself and also unfair to you? Come on, indulge in me, don't be afraid of getting addicted."

  "Hey, I've never seen anyone as narcissistic as you."

  "In Hong Kong that time, you clearly had this idea."

  Mentioning Hong Kong again, Xin De still felt a bit uneasy, "That's different."

  David squinted his eyes and looked at her, "At that time, you wanted to abandon me, didn't you?"

  Xin Di's face was a bit hot, and he dryly laughed, pleading: "Please don't use that nagging tone, it gives me goosebumps."

  David Fan smiled and said: "There's even more corny stuff, but if you don't listen, it's your loss."

  This conversation is really childish, Xindi despises it in her heart, but at the same time, she has to admit that she enjoys listening to it. "Go on, go on, test my endurance."

  But David suddenly changed the subject and said, "I called Aken during the day and asked him to take care of you, don't get lost in New York, it's a hassle."

  "There's no need to be so overprotective, you and mom are both more and more exaggerated, treating me like a fool."

  "I followed you all the way back to Hong Kong, watching you clear customs and answer phone calls with one hand while putting your bag down with the other. You couldn't find your ID when checking into the hotel, went to the wrong gate at the airport, and forgot to take your carry-on bag when getting off the plane. It's confirmed that you're indeed a bit helpless." Xindi smiled wryly, just about to speak, when David's arm around her waist tightened slightly. "Fortunately, you have this helplessness, or I wouldn't have had the courage to chase after you."

  After her talent was recognized by others, her carelessness and neglect of minor details were all forgiven and became harmless quirks. She indulged herself in this way. When David Fan spoke so bluntly, she heard it for the first time: "Is this praising my charm or mocking me?"

  "What do you think?"

  "According to my own understanding, that little fame of mine shouldn't be enough to scare men off from pursuing me, and my low ability shouldn't be cute to the point of being lovable," Xīn Dí said with a straightforward smile. "So, I'd rather believe you're captivated by my charm."

  Her bright and lively eyes were the most striking feature on her round face, with a hint of brown in her pupils, sparkling with cleverness as she blinked. The corners of her mouth curled up, and that slightly mischievous smile made her expression even more vivid. David couldn't hold back any longer, and he deeply kissed her, this kiss gradually becoming scorching hot, from her lips to the depths of her tongue, entwining and teasing, extremely intimate.

  Xin Di thought somewhat dazedly, indeed *the most crushing of wills*, but this feeling of being in a trance-like state, as if walking on clouds, was too dizzying and enchanting. If she concentrated her will to resist, it seemed like she couldn't get through to herself. When his strong arms carried her towards her bedroom, she tightly wrapped her arms around his neck.

  It was really wonderful for Xindi to feel that two people's bodies could be so intimate.

  Before the age of 18, Xindi grew up under her mother's strict discipline and had almost no imagination about the opposite sex. When she went to college, she first mixed with male and female models who only wore underwear waiting for a change of clothes in the background, and then began to attend life drawing classes set up by the fashion design department. The initial shock was fleeting, and she quickly adapted to the presence of the opposite sex and their bodies, starting to scrutinize them with a professional eye, still without any romantic imagination.

  Those few times of love I've had were all superficial and didn't develop into an intimate stage.

  As David put her on the bed, his hands slipped into her clothes, she felt a little panic, but she decided not to stop this time. His kiss was passionate and suffocating; his body was strong, with tight and defined muscles rippling under her fingertips; sweat dripped down his slightly tanned skin onto hers; entry came with pain, but within bearable limits.

  She had thought it was nothing special at first, but his kiss landed on her ear, and her body began to heave, their bodies tightly entwined with no gaps in between. She couldn't think of anything else, and wholeheartedly hugged him tight.