Upon hearing his words, Sang Zhi gradually came back to her senses. She looked up and her gaze landed on his lips that were glistening with moisture. After a brief silence, she suddenly kicked him, her voice tinged with irritation, “All day long you—”

She stopped herself, too embarrassed to finish her sentence.

Duan Jiaxu immediately caught her ankle and his fingers lightly brushed against it, applying just the right amount of pressure. He lowered his chin and suddenly burst into laughter. “What’s wrong?”

Sang Zhi pushed him away and jumped down from the counter. “Get out of the way. I’m going to cook the tangyuan.”

She then reached for the packaging bag on the side.

But before Sang Zhi could take the next step, Duan Jiaxu had already taken it from her hand. He was still laughing and his shoulders were shaking slightly, the sound deep and alluring.

Sang Zhi glanced at him and muttered, “What are you laughing at?”

Duan Jiaxu poured the tangyuan into the pot, his voice laced with amusement as he spoke in a gentle and refined tone, “If you don’t want to talk about it, we can discuss it next time. Don’t be angry.”

“……”

Shouldn’t it be that if she didn’t want to talk about it, then just forget it?

What did he mean by ‘we can discuss it next time’?

And using such a cultured tone to say something like that.

Sang Zhi was at a loss for words, but she wasn’t angry. She pursed her lips which had gone slightly numb.

She handed him the ladle and changed the subject, “Do you want some too? You have an early flight tomorrow and this isn’t easy to digest. I was hoping you’d sleep early and wasn’t originally planning on cooking any for you.”

“I’ll sleep on the plane,” Duan Jiaxu replied leisurely, “Sleeping now would be a waste of time.”

“……”

Sang Zhi didn’t know if the problem was with her or with him. Now, whenever he said anything, she couldn’t help but misinterpret it, subconsciously twisting it to a certain meaning.

She glanced at him again but said nothing.

As the tangyuan dropped into the pot, the once boiling water momentarily stopped bubbling. Duan Jiaxu sprinkled a little sugar into the pot and hung the ladle on the side.

He grabbed a tissue to dry his hands and stared intently at Sang Zhi. Then, suddenly, he bent down, placing his hands on either side of her, trapping her between himself and the counter.

“We still have to wait,” Duan Jiaxu said as he kissed her chin, “so let’s continue kissing a little longer.”

———pr


When the tangyuan was ready, Sang Zhi took the bowl Duan Jiaxu handed her and returned to the couch. She watched TV while nibbling on the tangyuan. Not long after, Duan Jiaxu came out with his own bowl.

Sang Zhi casually asked, “Have you packed your luggage?”

Duan Jiaxu replied, “No, I’ll pack it in a bit.”

“Remember to bring more clothes. You don’t need to pack anything too thick since it’s not as cold there as it is here.” Sang Zhi advised, “And remember to stock up on food in the fridge. Don’t rely on takeout every day.”

Duan Jiaxu acknowledged with a hum.

Sang Zhi added, “If I have time, I’ll come visit you.”

Duan Jiaxu lifted his eyes, the corners of his mouth curving up for some reason, but he said nothing.

“By the way, if you’re going to stay there,” Sang Zhi suddenly remembered something and suggested, “should we cancel the lease on this place? It would be a waste to keep paying rent when no one’s living here.”

“Let’s not cancel it for now.” Duan Jiaxu lazily replied. “I’ll need a place to stay whenever I come back. Besides, it’s been cold lately and the heating in your dorm isn’t great. If you’re uncomfortable, you can come stay here.”

“……”

“If you’re scared to be alone, you can bring your friends to stay here with you.”

Sang Zhi nodded while chewing on a tangyuan.

“If something happens, you need to tell me, and don’t return to the dorm too late. Remember to stay safe. Also, if you go out with friends, drink less alcohol and don’t drink anything someone else has touched.” Duan Jiaxu paused to consider before continuing his instructions, “After you return to the dorm each day, make sure to video call me.”

“Oh.”

“If someone asks for your contact information,” Duan Jiaxu paused for a few seconds before gently suggesting, “you can give them mine.”

“……”

“I know girls these days prefer young, energetic guys.” Duan Jiaxu said nonchalantly. “But you’ve already taken my chastity. It wouldn’t be right to dump me now.”

“……” Sang Zhi couldn’t hold back. “Can you stop talking nonsense?”

“Isn’t it because I’m getting older and feeling insecure?”

“Then when you go to Nanwu, you have to report everything to me as well.” Sang Zhi muttered, “Even if you talk to a girl or shake hands with a guy, you have to tell me.”

“Okay.”

“And don’t flirt with anyone.” Sang Zhi warned, “Not even with guys.”

“……” Duan Jiaxu almost choked. “Which guy have I ever flirted with?”

“Brother Qian Fei, and my brother too. When Brother Junwen was still in Nanwu, you always……” Sang Zhi’s gaze shifted to him as she swallowed her words. “Never mind.”

No point in dredging up the past.

After some thought, Sang Zhi added in an odd tone, “When I told my roommates about it before, they thought you were trying to seduce my brother.”

Duan Jiaxu’s eyebrows twitched.

Just as Sang Zhi finished eating her last tangyuan, she stood up and grabbed his bowl as well. She headed toward the kitchen, reminding him, “It’s 10 o’clock. You should pack your things and get some sleep.”

Duan Jiaxu ignored her words and followed her into the kitchen.

Sang Zhi turned on the faucet to wash the dishes.

The next moment, Duan Jiaxu approached, took the bowl from her hands, and wrapped her in his arms. He began washing the dishes slowly, his arms brushing against hers every now and then.

His body was pressed against hers, turning a simple task like washing the dishes into an act of flirtation.

Sang Zhi licked her lips. “If you’re washing, then I’ll head back to my room……”

But with only two bowls to clean, Duan Jiaxu had already finished and set them aside. He turned off the water and leaned close to her ear, his warm breath carrying that familiar, devilish tone, “Are you sure you don’t want to?”

“……”

Sang Zhi had no idea how things had escalated.

By the time she snapped out of it, she realized, in a daze, that she had once again been seduced by this old man.

This damn man.

How could he be so shameless?

In the brightly lit kitchen, the silence was only broken by the sound of their breathing. And the cool marble counter contrasted sharply with the warmth of his body.

The sensation was subtle but impossible to ignore.

He touched her all over.

At the last moment, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

The room was filled with an intimate atmosphere.

As her senses were overwhelmed, Sang Zhi heard Duan Jiaxu’s voice, almost like a whisper, “I don’t want to be apart from you.”

Her mind went blank, but she instinctively tightened her grip on him.

Then, she heard him add, “Remember to miss me.”

———pr


Duan Jiaxu’s flight was at 7:30 the next morning.

At precisely 5:00 AM, he woke up. He leaned over to kiss Sang Zhi on the forehead before quietly getting up to pack his things.

When it was almost time to go, Duan Jiaxu returned to Sang Zhi’s room and sat by her bed, lowering his head to gaze at her. He reached out to gently touch her face and whispered, “Little Friend, I’m leaving.”

Upon hearing those words, Sang Zhi instantly opened her eyes, still looking a bit dazed. She sat up and, noticing that he was already dressed, mumbled, “What time is it?”

“It’s 5:30.” Duan Jiaxu replied with a smile. “Go back to sleep, I just wanted to let you know. After you wake up, remember to go out and get something to eat. I didn’t have time to make anything for you.”

Sang Zhi, still somewhat confused, asked, “Are you leaving now?”

“Mm.”

Sang Zhi tried to get up. “I’ll see you off.”

“See me off for what?” Duan Jiaxu said, “It’s so far and you’d have to come back on your own. I’d just be worrying about you on the plane. It’s cold outside, so just get some more sleep.”

“……” Sang Zhi stared at him, and then suddenly, like a little puppy, burrowed into his arms, murmuring, “I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’ll definitely come back for your birthday.” Duan Jiaxu patted her head. “It’s not that long. Just think of it like you’re going home for winter break.”

Sang Zhi stayed silent.

“I’m leaving now.” Duan Jiaxu started to remind her again, “Take care of yourself, and don’t let some little male vixen kidnap you while I’m gone.”

“……”

“But, even though I’m a bit older,” He raised an eyebrow, glanced at the love marks on her body, and then teased, “I’m not lacking in energy, am I?”

“……”

With his playful teasing, Sang Zhi’s mood seemed to lift considerably. But she still got up to say a bunch of things to him like a little adult.

Duan Jiaxu told her to go back to sleep before he left the house.

———pr


It was more than four hours later when Duan Jiaxu arrived at Nanwu Airport. He was still somewhat familiar with this city, even though he had been away for so many years. Many things remained the same.

After leaving the airport, Duan Jiaxu flagged a taxi and gave the driver the address that Qian Fei had sent him.

After getting out of the car, Duan Jiaxu walked into the residential area and picked up the key that Qian Fei had left with the guard. He found the right place, entered the house, looked around the environment, and then took a few pictures to send to Sang Zhi.

After tidying up a bit, Duan Jiaxu quickly left the house.

His decision to set up a studio wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment idea. He had been planning it since last year, gathering a few partners and securing investors.

Recently, he had traded his shares from his old company, which gave him additional funds.

At the agreed-upon time, Duan Jiaxu met with two former university classmates to discuss the studio.

He didn’t rush to see Sang Rong and Li Ping.

In the following days, he was running around constantly. He found a suitable location, rented an office building, submitted the application to the business bureau, bought equipment, and started hiring staff.

He was extremely busy and the only free time he had was devoted to Sang Zhi.

It felt like a few years ago when he first joined Jiang Siyun’s company in Yihe. Several people who had started their businesses had approached him, suggesting that he take a stake in their companies in exchange for his technical expertise.

But this time, it seemed a bit better.

Back then, he couldn’t foresee such a promising future.

But now, everything he did seemed to bring him closer to the goal he had in mind.

After more than half a month of early mornings and late nights, Duan Jiaxu finally began to relax a bit. He finally didn’t refuse Qian Fei’s invitation and went out.

Besides Qian Fei, Sang Yan was also present.

The three of them met at a quiet bar.

Seeing Sang Yan, Duan Jiaxu suddenly recalled Sang Zhi’s previous words. The two of them were sitting side by side and Duan Jiaxu stared at him for a while. Deep in thought, he got up and moved to sit next to Qian Fei.

Sang Yan looked at him in bewilderment. “What’s your problem?”

“I’m afraid my girlfriend will misunderstand.” Duan Jiaxu said gently, “It’s better if we keep some distance.”

“……”

After a while, Duan Jiaxu remembered something and said to him, “Brother, could you send me Uncle’s phone number? I want to arrange a time to visit him and Auntie.”

Sang Yan: “?”

Duan Jiaxu asked, “What’s wrong?”

“You’re in such a rush.” Sang Yan picked up the glass in front of him and took a sip. “My sister is still so young, why are you already thinking about meeting our parents?”

Duan Jiaxu didn’t elaborate, only smiled and said, “I just have something to discuss with them.”

“When Old Xu dates someone, it’s always with marriage in mind.” Qian Fei teased with a grin, “Unlike you, who keeps stringing the girl along while telling the world that she’s the one chasing you.”

Sang Yan, who hated it when people said he was showing off, narrowed his eyes at Qian Fei’s large frame.

Estimating his weight in his mind, Sang Yan sneered and spat out each word slowly, “You’re talking 186 pounds of nonsense.”

Qian Fei: “……”