Chapter 86: Pei Zhou Held That Hand Down, Without…

The two of them stood there, hugging for a long time before finally letting go.

Pei Zhou noticed Lin Chuge was in her pajamas, and saw the kitchen light still on. He asked her, “Hungry?”

Lin Chuge nodded softly. “I was going to cook some instant noodles.”

She glanced toward the kitchen. “The water’s probably already boiling.”

Pei Zhou raised a brow. “What did you have for dinner?”

Her silence was enough—he knew she hadn’t eaten. He didn’t press further, just walked toward the kitchen.

“I’ll do it.”

He turned back to her. “I’m hungry too. I’ll cook something more, we can eat together.”

Lin Chuge didn’t stop him.

She followed, a step behind him into the kitchen, watching as he opened the fridge to see what was inside.

Before leaving last time, he had stocked the fridge full—vegetables, fruit, everything.

But aside from the fruit, it looked the same as when he’d left.

After checking the fridge, he turned to look at her. She had already been healed a little by his sudden embrace, and just smiled brightly, unashamed. “Too busy. No time to fuss with cooking.”

“It’s fine.”

Washing his hands at the sink, Pei Zhou said, “I can rest for a while from the company.”

“I’ll have time to cook for you.”

“These ingredients won’t go to waste.”

Lin Chuge froze, then took two steps forward. “Not busy anymore?”

Pei Zhou nodded, but his answer was vague. “Something like that.”

She pressed, “Why suddenly not busy?”

Though happy he was here, she still wanted to know.

“Nothing much.”

He took out vegetables and eggs. “We’ll talk later. Let me cook supper first. Too much smoke here, go wait in the living room. It’ll be ready soon.”

Hearing that, she let it go for now. She scampered up behind him, hugged him from behind for ten seconds, then let go and kissed his cheek on tiptoe. “Thank you, my dear!”

The rare endearment made him laugh.

All the exhaustion from rushing to the airport after his social dinner was gone instantly.

She really had missed him—terribly.

·

Pei Zhou put away the instant noodles she had prepared and instead made black pepper beef pasta, mushroom egg soup, and a plate of cold spinach salad.

The familiar flavors awakened her appetite, and even though it was midnight, she still devoured a full plate of pasta.

They finished every bite.

Afterwards, Lin Chuge stood up and realized she was stuffed.

Pei Zhou, tidying the dishes, looked at her.

She glanced back, blinking innocently, grinning sheepishly.

“Too full?”

He teased. She ducked her head, guilty. He chuckled. “Uncomfortable? Want some digestion tablets?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll just lie down a bit.”

So he watched her scamper to the sofa to sprawl out.

While she lounged with her phone and the TV on, he loaded the dishes into the dishwasher and then brought her a glass of lemon water. Sitting beside her, she immediately pillowed her head on his thigh, adjusting until she was comfortable.

“How long can you rest this time?”

She looked up at him.

“Half a month at least.”

His fingers slid through her hair. “I’ve spent too little time with you this past year.”

She smiled. “That’s just because you’ve been busy. After graduation, I’ll go back to work too. It won’t be like this.”

She was in too good a mood to complain about anything.

He pinched her cheek. “You’ve still got time before graduation. Didn’t you always tell me not to give up on what I want because of you? You should do the same.”

She rubbed his face, laughing. “I never said otherwise. I was just talking about the future. For now, I still have my studies. My advisor’s very supportive—I’ve already made plans.”

He must’ve worried she’d suddenly give it all up.

“Alright.”

He kissed her forehead. “Rest a bit, I’ll shower.”

She nodded, shifted from his leg to a pillow, and he left the living room.

Lying there, hearing both the TV dialogue and the water from the bathroom, her heart suddenly felt deeply at peace. It was the kind of atmosphere that quieted her soul.

And in that moment, an impulse rose in her.

It wasn’t even a hard choice.

When Pei Zhou came out, hair dried, she automatically spread her arms.

He scooped her up from the sofa and carried her to the bedroom.

It was almost 3 a.m.—they needed rest.

But when he placed her on the bed and released her, she didn’t let go. Arms still looped around his neck, she deliberately pulled him down.

He cooperated, leaning close. “I’m not going anywhere, don’t cling.”

She whispered against his ear, her voice unusually serious.

“Let’s get married.”

He froze, blinking.

“Future Mrs.,” he sighed, half helpless, “are you proposing to me? What nonsense—you’re already my fiancée.” He gently pried her arms from his neck, sat at the edge of the bed, looking at her. “I’ve proposed. We’re engaged. Marriage is just a matter of time.”

She scooted closer. “I know. I mean, let’s get the certificate, and hold the wedding.”

She grabbed his hand, lacing her fingers tightly with his.

“Let’s pick a good day to register. Then, after grad school, pick another day for the ceremony. What do you think?”

He pretended to think seriously for a few seconds, then nodded. “I think…it’s perfect.”

She grinned wide.

Who would’ve thought she’d still be nervous at a time like this?

“Then let’s plan it carefully these days.”

She threw herself into his arms, rubbing her head against his chest. “We’ve still got time before graduation.”

“Alright.”

He hugged her back. “But now—sleep? Busy tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” She wriggled under the covers. “We took on a student’s case today. We’ll meet tomorrow at ten to investigate further.”

“What time do you need to leave?”

“Nine-twenty is fine.”

“Mm. I’ll drive you.”

He stroked her hair, then lay beside her.

She nestled against him, arms wrapping tight. “Okay, you’ll drive me.”

He smiled, reached out, and switched off the light.

In the dark, just as silence settled, a pair of small hands began wandering over him.

Pei Zhou caught her hand and pressed it down, wordless.

She peeked up at him, biting her lip.

In the dim light, their eyes locked—

And in the next second, his lips found hers, cutting off everything she might’ve said.

·

Days of climbing temperatures steeped the city deeper into summer.

Early in the morning, Lin Chuge was already awake.

After breakfast was delivered and cleared away, a crowd swept into her room—makeup artists, stylists with gowns, and her bridesmaids Xu Luoluo and Shen Xueyao.

Xueyao had cleared her schedule for the wedding; Luoluo, now an influencer with millions of followers, also pushed back work.

There was no way they’d miss this day.

From high school to now, nine years, they’d watched her and Pei Zhou’s journey.

Marriage wasn’t the end, but a new beginning—and they wanted to witness it.

So they were all there.

Lin Chuge let herself be treated like a doll, handed from hairstylists to dressers.

After two hours, makeup, hair, gown all done, the photographer came for portraits.

Luoluo filmed a vlog, but halfway through, her eyes turned red. Looking at Chuge through the lens, she sniffled. “Pei Zhou must’ve saved lifetimes of luck to marry someone this beautiful.”

Chuge, knowing her friend’s emotions, only smiled and squeezed her hand.

Luoluo sniffled harder. “When Pei Zhou knocks on the door later, he’s not getting off easy. Xueyao, back me up.”

She immediately recruited allies.

Chuge glanced at Shen Xueyao, who lowered her eyes, thought a moment, then said, “Song Bonian came back. He’s the groomsman.”

He would be among those accompanying Pei Zhou later to fetch the bride.

Luoluo blinked. “Didn’t he say he couldn’t make it?”

Chuge only smiled, staying quiet, but when she turned to Xueyao, the girl’s calm expression made her smile even wider.

Clearly…

She wasn’t the only one who knew Song Bonian had returned.