Upon seeing the yellow soup reflecting the bedroom light in the trash bin.

Lu Huaicheng’s movements froze, his expression changing complexly as he slowly turned his head back.

His dark gaze fell on Xia Liyang, who was stiffly sitting on the bed, and in a low voice that seemed both amused and serious, he said, “Is this what you call not wanting to waste?”

Xia Liyang, unable to hide her embarrassment, could only awkwardly smile, pressing down the pounding of her heart and cautiously defended herself, “But I still left half a bowl…”

Looking at her delicate hand tightly gripping the spoon, her eyes anxious, lips pressed together, and long lashes trembling with tension, Lu Huaicheng sighed helplessly, his voice softening, “If you find it hard to drink, just tell me; I won’t eat you.”

“I’m afraid that if I say it tastes bad, it might embarrass you, and I also don’t want to disappoint your good intentions.” Xia Liyang glanced at him nervously.

“That’s a tough situation for you,” Lu Huaicheng said with a comforting smile, then turned to pour the remaining ginger soup into the trash bin. He walked back to her side and said calmly, “Give me the spoon, and you should lie down under the covers; don’t catch a cold again.”

“Oh, okay.” Xia Liyang was slightly stunned and placed the spoon into his large palm.

Wait, is this matter settled just like that?

Didn’t he dislike her lying to him the most?

Especially when it came to pouring the ginger soup he carefully made for her into the trash bin.

How could he let her off so lightly?

This doesn’t seem right!

Xia Liyang felt increasingly anxious, fearing he might have some big trick up his sleeve. She called out to Lu Huaicheng, who was walking toward the bedroom door, her voice trembling.

“Mr. Lu…”

“Yes?” Lu Huaicheng paused, his tall figure stopping as he glanced at her.

“I secretly poured out half a bowl of ginger soup; you’re not going to hold that against me, right?” Xia Liyang bit her lip lightly.

She lifted her curled lashes, her clear eyes shimmering with slight unease.

“Why, do you want me to hold it against you?” Lu Huaicheng raised an eyebrow at her, amused.

“No…” Xia Liyang swallowed, slowly searching for words, “I just found it a bit surprising since I tricked you again.”

Lu Huaicheng stood tall, pausing for a moment, then said gently, “I can accept a kind lie. Besides, when I was little, I secretly poured out the ginger soup my mom made for me too.”

“Really? Is that true?” Xia Liyang was taken aback, finding it hard to imagine him doing such a thing.

“Of course, it’s true.” Lu Huaicheng smiled. “When I caught a cold and had a fever, my mom would make scallion ginger soup for me, and it was indeed a bit strong. I couldn’t drink it, so I’d find a vase or trash bin to pour it out. Later, the maid would wonder why the flowers suddenly wilted.”

“Hahahahaha, didn’t your mother notice?” Xia Liyang couldn’t help but laugh.

“Of course she noticed,” he shrugged lightly.

“Did you get scolded?” She tilted her head.

“No, she adjusted the recipe later, trying to add dates and brown sugar to make the ginger soup sweeter and less spicy.” Lu Huaicheng paused and said, “But for me, it didn’t make much difference; I’ve never liked sweet flavors either.”

“I really envy you for having such a gentle and caring mother. When I had a fever as a child, my mom would just throw me some fever-reducing medicine without caring if my temperature was above 38.5 degrees,” Xia Liyang couldn’t help but sigh.

“Your mother might not have known that it’s best to take fever-reducing medicine only if the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees,” Lu Huaicheng said, his gaze softening a bit, speaking to comfort her.

“Who knows? I think she might just have found me too noisy when I cried every time I had a fever, interrupting her writing… or doing farm work, so she just gave me medicine to make me quiet down and lower my temperature,” Xia Liyang lightly bit her lip.

“Maybe you’re overthinking it. What mother doesn’t love her own child?” Lu Huaicheng said, his voice calm and certain.

“How could there not be?” Xia Liyang couldn’t help but scoff, “It’s people like you, who grew up pampered by their mothers and never experienced anything, who say that.”

Lu Huaicheng gazed at her quietly for a moment, not probing into the sarcasm in her words but calmly asking her back, “So what have you experienced?”

His gaze was deep and gentle, like melting spring water, carrying a hint of warmth.

Uncertain whether she wanted to convince him to understand her feelings of abandonment or if his gaze was simply too captivating, Xia Liyang found herself sharing something she’d buried in her heart for many years

“When I was six, my mom was busy dating another man, leaving me alone in… the amusement park in town, which nearly led to be abducted by a trafficker.”

At this, Lu Huaicheng was momentarily stunned, finding it hard to believe as he asked, “So how did you escape?”

“Fortunately, a kind passerby came by. I grabbed his clothes tightly and kept shouting for help.” Xia Liyang paused briefly, then coldly added, “Then the kind passerby called the police for me and took me to the station, where they finally contacted my mom. When she came to pick me up, she even blamed me for running around and not staying close to her.”

“…I’m sorry; I generalized.” Lu Huaicheng tightened his lips slightly, looking at her with a complex gaze.

“You don’t need to apologize to me. I just wanted to correct your view that all mothers love their children,” Xia Liyang gently lowered her long eyelashes.

She hid the sadness that had seeped from her eyes.

Although she had long accepted that Li Qingying showed her little care or love, when she spoke about it with others, she couldn’t help but feel sad and wronged.

Why were other people’s mothers so loving?

Why couldn’t she have a mother’s love just once?

Did she do something wrong?

Perhaps her very existence was a mistake.

“…” Lu Huaicheng was silent for a few seconds but then apologized to her again, “I’m sorry for making you recall sad memories.”

“It’s fine; it’s been so many years. I’ve already let it go,” Xia Liyang lifted her face, forcing a brilliant smile.

But he was slightly pained by her forced cheerfulness, feeling a slight twinge in his heart.

He remembered that night she slept over at his home.

She had a pale face, suffering from nightmares, clearly calling out: “Mom, don’t leave me.”

At that time, he thought she was anxious about her mother being sick.

Now he realized what she truly feared was being abandoned by her mother, the fear of not being loved.

Lu Huaicheng’s deep-set eyes flickered slightly, and he took long strides back to her side.

He placed the empty bowl down, gently lifted his arm, and wrapped it around her slender, quivering shoulders, pulling her into his embrace, his voice low and slightly raspy.

“Why pretend to be strong in front of me?”

The pleasant, fresh scent of the man enveloped her, wrapping her completely within it.

Xia Liyang was taken aback, feeling a bit lost as she leaned against his warm chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, calming her buried emotions.

After a moment, she felt a bit shy and pressed her lips together, murmuring, “I’m not pretending to be strong.”

“Who was it that woke up from a dream and called for Mom?” Lu Huaicheng glanced down at her, his large hand gently stroking her back.

“…How do you still remember that?” Xia Liyang’s ears turned red, and she lowered her long eyelashes.

“How could I forget the first time someone called me Mom?” Lu Huaicheng’s lips curved into a teasing smile.

“…” Xia Liyang bit her lip in embarrassment, her voice soft as she said, “Mr. Lu, please don’t make fun of me.”

“I just think it’s quite amusing,” Lu Huaicheng laughed lightly, teasing her, “If you don’t call me Mom again, I’ll go make you some scallion and ginger soup to let you experience a mother’s love.”

“…”

All the men she had encountered wanted to be fathers.

This was the first time she had met someone who wanted to be a mother.

How funny.

Thinking of this, Xia Liyang couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

The sadness and grievances in her heart were also washed away.

“What are you laughing at?” Lu Huaicheng raised an eyebrow, his tone seeming dissatisfied, but his eyes softened considerably.

“Nothing, I just thought of something funny,” Xia Liyang buried her face in his shirt, her laughter making her hair tremble.

“What funny thing? Share it so we can all enjoy it together?” He lowered his gaze, a smile playing at his lips.

“It’s a secret.”

Having laughed enough, Xia Liyang raised her flushed face, her bright eyes shimmering as she looked at him, playfully batting her thick eyelashes.

Perhaps it was finally releasing what she had held inside her heart.

After the sadness and grievances, she felt an unprecedented sense of ease.

At the same time, she realized that Lu Huaicheng was actively holding her.

This was a rare breakthrough!

She had to cherish it!

Xia Liyang silently thought, quickly lifting her hand to wrap around his slim, firm waist, and began to flirt with him:

“Mr. Lu, you’re so warm! Can you hold me a little longer?”

“Hmm? How long do you want me to hold you?” Lu Huaicheng raised an eyebrow, his low voice carrying a trace of amusement.

Seeing he seemed receptive, she secretly smiled and pushed her luck: “The whole night?”

Hearing this, Lu Huaicheng paused slightly, then chuckled, “How do you define a whole night? Does that mean no sleep?”

“You could hold me while we sleep,” Xia Liyang blinked innocently, looking as pure as ever.

Lu Huaicheng’s dark eyes deepened. He stayed silent for a few seconds before quietly responding, “Do you really think I’m a saint?”

Caught off guard by this angle, Xia Liyang froze momentarily. Her voice softened as she muttered, “I have a fever and feel terrible. You wouldn’t be so heartless, right?”

Lu Huaicheng’s lips twitched subtly, his gaze showing a hint of helplessness. “Of course not, but do you realize…”

“What?” Xia Liyang tilted her head in confusion.

Seeing her bewildered expression, he was finally convinced she truly had never dated before.

“Nothing.” Lu Huaicheng composed himself and released her. “You lie down and rest; I’ll go make you some ginger soup.”

“Are you staying with me tonight?” Xia Liyang’s eyes lit up as she looked at him.

Watching her expectant expression, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

Oh well.

Holding her while she slept for one night couldn’t be that difficult.

It’s not like he was the type to have strong desires.

Most of his energy was tied up in work, and moments of self-indulgence were rare.

Though since he met her, his needs seemed to have increased a bit.

But he was still in control.

So he casually replied, “If you’re good,” then took the empty bowl and left the room.

“I’ll get under the covers right now!” Xia Liyang quickly tucked herself in, wrapping up like a cocoon.

As he turned away, Lu Huaicheng chuckled faintly and went to the open kitchen to prepare more ginger soup for her.

When the ginger soup was almost done, a pot of millet porridge on the stove was also ready.

Lu Huaicheng served two small bowls and carried them to the bedroom.

Noticing Xia Liyang, who was watching him eagerly, he sighed lightly. “Eat up. I’ll go take a shower.”

“Okay, don’t worry about me.” Xia Liyang smiled, thinking he had actually agreed to stay the night! 

She happily picked up the ginger soup and took a careful sip. Satisfied with the milder spiciness this time, she drank it all in one go.

Afterward, she noticed the remaining bowl of millet porridge. It was thick and hearty — likely meant to fill her up.

She smiled wryly, managing to eat about half before feeling full.

Just as she was struggling with the rest, Lu Huaicheng returned from his shower.

He had changed into gray pajamas with a few buttons left undone at the collar, revealing the hint of his collarbone and chest muscles.

His damp black hair draped messily over his forehead, giving him a relaxed and casual look.

His usual sharp gaze seemed softened.

Seeing her slowly eating the porridge, he remarked, “If you can’t finish it, don’t force yourself.”

“Oh, I’m done.” Xia Liyang swallowed and set down the bowl, as if afraid he’d change his mind, eagerly asking, “Ready for bed?”

“You just ate. Shouldn’t you let it digest?” He paused mid-movement, smiling at her amusement.

“Oh.” Xia Liyang bit her lip shyly. “What should we do in the meantime?”

“Feeling better?” he asked, slightly raising an eyebrow.

“After drinking your ginger soup, sweating a bit, I feel much better,” she replied with a sweet smile. “How about we watch a movie?”

“Sure.” Lu Huaicheng nodded slightly.

They moved to the next room, the home theater room.

Concerned she might get chilled again, he brought a thin blanket, wrapping her snugly.

This time, when she subtly leaned closer, he didn’t pull away or ask her to sit upright.

He simply reached over and turned off the floor lamp beside the sofa.

That night’s movie was the sequel to one they had started last time, Before Sunset.

The protagonists, after being apart for nine years, reunited in Paris.

The male lead was now married with a child, and the female lead had a new partner.

But it was clear that both still thought about the day they spent together years ago.

The male lead had even written a book about their story, becoming a best-selling author.

And the female lead wrote a song commemorating their past.

Perhaps because she had rested earlier, Xia Liyang stayed awake, watching intently until the end.

At the end, the male lead sat on the female lead’s sofa as she sang a song for him on her guitar.

She turned back with a smile and said, “You’re going to miss your flight.”

The male lead gazed at her and replied, “I know.”

As the screen dimmed and the credits rolled, Lu Huaicheng turned his head, noticing Xia Liyang still gazing thoughtfully at the scrolling credits.

He casually asked, “Do you think they’ll end up together?”

“Probably not… Once something is missed, it’s missed. Life doesn’t offer so many chances for redemption. Plus, both of them have moved on with their own new lives and have responsibilities to uphold. It wouldn’t be right to abandon all of that just for so-called love.” Xia Liyang paused, lifted her gaze slightly, and looked at him. “What do you think, Mr. Lu?”

“I agree with you.” Lu Huaicheng chuckled and turned on the floor lamp beside them. “Let’s go, time to sleep.”

“Okay.” Xia Liyang stood up and asked curiously, “Is there another sequel to this movie?”

“There is. It’s actually a trilogy,” he replied calmly.

“Then, do they end up together in the third movie?” She adjusted the blanket that was slipping off her shoulders and asked.

“I don’t know. I haven’t watched it either.” Lu Huaicheng turned off the TV and lazily got up from the sofa.

“When can we watch it together then? We should see it through to the end!” Xia Liyang took the opportunity to suggest, blinking her long lashes.

Lu Huaicheng paused slightly and glanced down at her.

Her clear eyes reflected the light from the lamp, as if hiding a shimmer of stars.

He couldn’t help but smile and respond with a quiet “Sure.”

Then he lightly touched her forehead with his large hand. “Seems like your fever’s gone down.”

Afraid he’d take that as a reason to no longer stay the night, Xia Liyang quickly said, “But I still feel a bit dizzy, probably still running a slight fever. Your hand is too warm to tell.”

Lu Huaicheng’s deep eyes softened as he looked at her quietly for a moment.

Suddenly, he leaned down, his broad frame blocking the light from the floor lamp behind him.

His warm breath brushed against her nose from the close distance.

Surrounded by his shadow, Xia Liyang’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively closed her eyes, gripping the blanket tightly.

But he only touched his cool forehead lightly to hers and then straightened up. “Yeah, still feels a bit warm.”

Xia Liyang opened her eyes in mild embarrassment, “Oh, so you were checking my temperature.”

“Yes.” Lu Huaicheng paused briefly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he casually teased, “What else did you think I was doing?”

“I thought… you might…” Xia Liyang’s long lashes fluttered, and she bit her lip shyly, unable to find the words.

Lu Huaicheng, watching her flustered reaction, smiled wider and leaned in with a slightly teasing tone.

“Did you think I was going to kiss you?”