Chapter 61

For example, when they walked together, at most they would hold hands. 

 But now, after emerging from behind the rockery, Wei Shian’s large hand was either resting on his girlfriend’s shoulder or clasped around her slender waist. He was so clingy, it was as if he wished to embed her into himself. 

At first, Lu Jiu felt a bit embarrassed, but after seeing several other couples being just as affectionate, she gradually relaxed. “It’s almost 8 o’clock.” 

Wei Shian glanced at his watch. “Shall we take a walk for another ten minutes, and then I’ll take you home?” 

Walking was fine, but why was he staring at her lips? Though she complained inwardly, in truth, Lu Jiu wasn’t ready to leave just yet. But her lips really couldn’t take any more kissing; they’d start to crack if they did. 

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she reached out her hand toward him. “Give me my bag.” 

Wei Shian handed it over. 

Lu Jiu opened the clasp and pulled out an MP3 player. “Let’s listen to some music while we walk.” She needed to distract him, and herself, too. 

Wei Shian raised an eyebrow, easily seeing through her little ploy, but he quickly bent down and cooperated by putting one earphone in his ear. 

Music started playing, a soothing rhythm that Wei Shian hadn’t heard before. 

After listening to several songs, he suddenly tightened the arm around her waist, pulling her even closer. 

Then, when she looked up at him in confusion, he met her gaze and said with a special kind of honesty, “Even if you play ‘Buddhist chants’ for me right now, it won’t help.” His mind was full of thoughts about kissing her. 

Caught off guard by his bluntness, Lu Jiu stammered, “I… I don’t understand what you’re saying. Ahem… it’s getting late; you should take me home now.” 

“Alright.” Wei Shian, aware that winning favor with his future in-laws was important, nodded decisively, even though he was reluctant to part with her. 

In the car, after fastening her seatbelt and sneaking in a quick kiss, Wei Shian proposed, “Lu Jiu, let’s pick a day soon. I want to visit your parents.” 

Lu Jiu, still flushed and with her heart pounding, thought she had misheard him. After a moment, she looked at him incredulously. “A visit? So soon?” 

Wei Shian remained as honest as ever. “Yes, I’m in a hurry.” 

Although Lu Jiu liked Officer Wei a lot, meeting the parents seemed too soon—it almost felt like settling down. She really liked him, but… “It’s too fast. Let’s wait a bit longer.” 

“Okay… someone is interested in buying my old house in the district. Once it’s sold, I’d like you to help me choose a new one.” 

Having just refused him once, she felt it might not be good to reject him again. As she hesitated, fiddling with the clasp on her bag, she heard him suppressing a laugh. 

Lu Jiu instantly puffed up her cheeks and glared at him. 

“Alright, alright, I’m not teasing you anymore…” Officer Wei quickly soothed her. 

After his good-natured, soft-hearted girlfriend was calmed down, Wei Shian suddenly turned serious. “Lu Jiu, I like you more than you might think. I want to marry you. I truly want to buy a house for us, and I hope you can be part of that.” 

Lu Jiu stared at his deep eyes, feeling flustered, and after a long while, she averted her gaze uncomfortably. “But what if…” 

“There is no ‘what if,'” Wei Shian cut her off, leaning closer as his large hand gently stroked her eyelid that trembled with unease. He spoke earnestly, “Lu Jiu, I’m 30 years old. I consider myself mature enough. Since the day I decided I liked you, I’ve known exactly what I want…” 

After saying this, he softened his tone to explain, “Don’t worry, and don’t feel pressured. I’m not trying to force you into any promises. I just want to share my plans for our future—buying a house, decorating it, letting it air out… all of that will take at least a year. By then, it’ll be just the right time to get married. And of course, what you’re worried about won’t happen, because I will never break up with you unless… you don’t want me anymore.” 

How could she not want him? 

How could she bear not wanting him? 

Lu Jiu lifted her hand to cover the large hand on her cheek and met his gaze, replying seriously, “I’ll think about it carefully.” 

– 

Back at home. 

There were still five minutes until 9 o’clock. 

This time, Ms. Fang Wenyi wasn’t waiting in the living room. 

Lu Jiu felt slightly relieved. She quietly heated up a cup of milk in the kitchen and tiptoed upstairs. 

Once inside her bedroom, she didn’t rush to wash up but instead flopped onto the soft sofa. 

They really kissed… 

And it was such a passionate, deep kiss. 

She raised her hand to touch her lips… It felt nice. 

Oh… how embarrassing. Realizing what she had just done, Lu Jiu rolled over and lay flat on the sofa, covering her now burning cheeks in frustration. 

“Miaow-miaow~” It was the familiar voice of Marshmallow. 

Lu Jiu sat up cross-legged, picking up the little white fluffball and stared into its lively heterochromatic eyes for a few seconds. Suddenly, she buried her face into Marshmallow’s soft belly, giggling uncontrollably. 

Marshmallow: ” Miaow miaow miaow~!” 

Startled by its owner’s actions, Marshmallow puffed up in alarm, while Lu Jiu immediately planted a few more kisses on its soft belly. “Aww… so cute, your fur is so smooth.” 

Marshmallow: ” Miaow Miaow~” 

The mischievous peony flower demon found the kitten too cute to resist and wanted to nuzzle it again, but the bedroom door suddenly knocked. 

Lu Jiu reluctantly set down the grumbling Bai Tuanzi, padding barefoot to open the door. “Mom?” 

Ms. Fang Wanyi, a woman with experience, glanced at her daughter’s red lips and smiled knowingly. “I heard a noise and guessed you were back.” 

Lu Jiu didn’t think much of it and let her mother in. “Yeah, just got back a few minutes ago.” 

Fang Wanyi looked around the room. “Where’s my granddaughter?” 

“…No idea, she’s probably playing somewhere,” Lu Jiu replied. 

“That guilty look on your face says otherwise.” Fang Wenyi gave her daughter a knowing look before sitting down on the sofa and getting to the point. “Next week, we’re going to Shendu. Your father has arranged for one of his managers to handle things, but I’m not comfortable with it, so I’ll be going with you.” 

Lu Jiu… 

“Mom, I’m 23 years old,” Lu Jiu sighed, rubbing her forehead. 

Fang Wanyi was confused. “So what if you’re 23? Haven’t we been picking you up and dropping you off every year since you started university?” 

Lu Jiu… She had no argument. 

No, no, Lu Jiu shook her head and quickly told her mother about Wei Shian helping to find a retired soldier.