Chapter 30

The Capital. 

A historic city of national significance. 

In her early years, Lu Jiu had visited several times with her mother, who adored peonies. So, this city wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to her. 

However, this time, Ms. Fang Wenyi also accompanied her. According to her, many peonies in the Capital had already begun to bloom in March, and it would be a pity not to take this opportunity to visit and appreciate them. 

As a result, five people in total ended up coming along for the peony saplings, making quite a commotion. 

Oops, I misspoke—it should be five people. 

As soon as she exited the airport, Lu Jiu saw her friend, who she hadn’t seen in over half a year. She was overjoyed and hurried forward. “Xiaoxin!” 

Tong Xin also spotted her. Reuniting with her dear friend, she couldn’t maintain her usual calm demeanor and waved enthusiastically. 

As Lu Jiu rushed over, Tong Xin greeted her with a warm hug. 

Lu Jiu rubbed against her friend’s shoulder for a while. “Xiaoxin, I’ve missed you so much.” Throughout their college years, the two were practically inseparable. 

Tong Xin corrected her for the umpteenth time, “I’ve told you, stop calling me Xiaoxin.” 

“But I already have a Xin Xin at home,” Lu Jiu teased as she skillfully dodged her friend’s playful poke. “Don’t poke me; my mom’s here too.” 

“Am I supposed to be scared of you telling your mom?” Tong Xin said, though she adjusted her expression to politely greet Fang Wenyi and the others as they approached. 

Fang Wenyi had seen Tong Xin before, having dropped her daughter off at school every semester. She greeted Tong Xin warmly, “You’ve grown even more beautiful now that you’re working, Xiao Tong.” 

“And Auntie, you still look so young,” Tong Xin replied. She was indeed a beauty, with a delicate charm akin to a traditional ink painting. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, she suggested, “I rented a car, so how about we head to the hotel to settle in?” 

Fang Wenyi nodded, “Sounds good. After a few hours on the plane, we’re a bit tired.” 

— 

The hotel was close to the peony base, and they had booked a multi-room suite. 

Lu Jiu pulled her friend into her room, and while hanging up her clothes, they chatted about everything under the sun. 

Old friends reunited, and no topic was too mundane. 

However, Tong Xin had something she was more curious about: “Enough about my job, it’s the same every day. But what about you? How’s your relationship?” 

Lu Jiu smiled sweetly, “It’s going great.” 

Seeing her friend so happy, Tong Xin felt relieved. “As long as you’re happy. What about Li Ze? Did he bother you again?” 

Surprised that her friend mentioned Li Ze, Lu Jiu felt a moment of disorientation. Although he had been a part of her life for a long time, in less than a year, he now felt so distant. “I saw him a few times, but eventually, Li Ze stopped showing up.” 

“Good. If he still dares to bother you, just call the police. Sometimes, being direct is the most effective.” 

“I understand, don’t worry about me. What about you? Are you seeing anyone?” 

“I don’t even have time to date. And you know our field; we’re often covered in dirt. Who would be interested in me?” 

“That’s nonsense,” Lu Jiu disapproved. After hesitating for a moment, she pulled her friend to sit on the bed. “Have you thought about doing something like me—opening a flower shop?” 

“In the Capital?” With so many flower shops already here, how could a small, new one survive? 

Lu Jiu shook her head. “Of course not. My sister is in a neighboring city to Haicheng, near the flower market. She’s planning to open a new department store, which will open later this year. She wants me to open a branch there, but you know me—I don’t have much ambition. I just want to cultivate better flowers and new varieties. If you’re interested, I could supply you with flowers. Don’t underestimate that shop; it’s quite profitable, much better than working for someone else. Plus, you’d have time to cultivate new varieties, and we could see each other often.” 

Tong Xin sighed, “That last part is the real reason, isn’t it?” 

Lu Jiu didn’t deny it. She smiled, linked arms with her friend, and said playfully, “It’s not just about me. If you move to the flower market, you’ll be closer to home. Wouldn’t that also put your parents at ease?” 

When she mentioned her parents, Tong Xin froze for a moment before replying, “I’ll seriously consider it.” 

— 

After a week in the Capital, Lu Jiu selected several rare varieties of peonies in addition to the usual high-quality ones. The trip was definitely worthwhile. 

To ensure the flowers’ survival, she didn’t use the base’s logistics system. Instead, she asked Tong Xin to find a reliable driver to deliver the flowers to Haicheng. 

— 

Although a week of travel was exhausting, none of the dangers her family had worried about came to pass. 

“Can’t keep up with this old body; I’m going to take a nap,” Fang Wenyi said after they arrived home safely, had some tea, and rested briefly. She then headed straight to the bedroom. 

Seeing this, and feeling equally tired, Lu Jiu also retreated to her room. 

They arrived home at 1 p.m., and when she woke up again, it was already past 8 p.m. 

Lu Jiu had woken up from hunger; otherwise, she could have slept until the next morning. 

Since she wasn’t planning to go out, she didn’t bother changing clothes. After a quick wash, she grabbed her phone and headed downstairs to find something to eat. 

The housekeeper had already left for the day, but there was seafood porridge in the pot, and freshly cut fruit in the fridge. 

Lu Jiu turned on the stove to heat the porridge, then sat at the small kitchen table, eating fruit while checking her phone. 

There were a few missed calls, but she didn’t recognize the numbers, so she ignored them. 

There were also several messages, mostly from Jingjing and the store staff. Of course, there were also some from her police officer, with the latest one sent two hours ago: Are you home yet? 

Wei Shian knew she was returning today but didn’t know the exact time. 

Lu Jiu hadn’t told him on purpose; she didn’t want him to drive all the way to the city to pick her up. She put down her fork, smiled, and began replying: I’m home. 

The police officer replied instantly: What time did you get home? 

Lu Jiu: Around 1 p.m. I just woke up. Are you off work? 

Police officer: No overtime today. 

Lu Jiu: What are you doing now? 

Police officer: Right now? Thinking of you, wanting to be closer to you. 

Lu Jiu blushed. After a week apart, she missed him too. 

Just as she was about to reply, she felt a strange sensation in her chest, as if something had poked her. It was a magical feeling. 

She blinked, unsure if it was real, but with a hint of expectation, she looked out the kitchen window. 

That’s where Officer Wei usually parked when he brought her home. 

But it was too dark to see anything. 

Lu Jiu chuckled at her overactive imagination. 

But when she reread his message saying he wanted to be “closer,” she turned off the stove and quickly walked outside. 

He was really there! 

It wasn’t just her imagination!! 

Standing beside the familiar black Jeep, Lu Jiu could hardly believe her eyes. 

Inside the car, dimly lit by the overhead light, she could see her police officer half-reclined in the driver’s seat, a cigarette in his mouth, intently focused on something on his phone. 

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her hand. 

She looked down at the screen, seeing the text: Did you fall asleep again? 

For some reason, Lu Jiu felt a sudden wave of emotion. She took a deep breath and knocked on the car window. 

Wei Shian turned his head and, without warning, locked eyes with the girl he’d been longing to see. 

He was surprised and delighted. He immediately stubbed out his cigarette and opened the car door. 

As he got out, he uncharacteristically put on a stern face, but then he quickly took off his jacket and draped it over his girlfriend’s shoulders. 

The man was tall and strong, so when he put his jacket on Lu Jiu, it almost reached her thighs. 

She wasn’t cold, but wearing only a light sweater, Officer Wei was more likely to catch a cold. 

Thinking of this, Lu Jiu took his hand and said, “Come inside with me.” 

The police officer, who wasn’t afraid of catching dangerous criminals, hesitated. “To your house?” 

Realizing why he hesitated, Lu Jiu explained, “Don’t worry, it’s just my mom and me at home. And my mom is still resting.” 

Wei Shian wanted to say it wasn’t appropriate to visit empty-handed on his first time at her house. But all his concerns melted away when his girlfriend shot him a look. 

“Did you come here right after work? You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?” Once inside, Lu Jiu hung his jacket on the coat rack, then turned to start ‘questioning 

In a pink pajama set with her hair down, this was the first time Wei Shian had seen his girlfriend looking so at home. 

Especially now, as she pouted at him in dissatisfaction, her cherry lips soft and pink, making her