As dusk settled, the parking lot was dimly lit by streetlights, and the night was quiet.

Today, Si Hang had a personal task, so he wasn’t working late. As he walked from the criminal investigation department to the lobby, he was pondering how to convince Zhuang Zi to come home with him if she continued to decline.

But as soon as he stepped outside, he saw Zhuang Zi sitting on her suitcase by the roadside, her legs curled up and head down, playing on her phone out of boredom, waiting for him.

The moonlight was beautiful tonight, with stars like pearls adorning the dark sky. The moonlight cast a soft and hazy glow on her pale face.

Zhuang Zi had been sitting there for almost half an hour.

Watching other staff members leave one by one, she waited patiently, not wanting to go into the office to ask. She felt there was an inexplicable awkwardness in talking to him normally.

She still couldn’t figure out how their relationship had developed to this point. Although they were essentially strangers, she now felt like she owed him a favor. Even if she wasn’t willing psychologically, she didn’t have the confidence to oppose him.

Feeling frustrated for a while and bored, she went online to distract herself.

Soon, footsteps broke the silence.

She looked up.

Si Hang was approaching, hands in his pockets, descending the steps under the cool moonlight.

Zhuang Zi put away her phone and stood up from her suitcase.

Si Hang walked up to her and glanced at her, “Just one suitcase?”

“Yes.” She nodded awkwardly, turning to pick up her luggage and the gifts for his parents.

Si Hang unlocked the car and took the items from her hands. “Get in the car first.”

Zhuang Zi glanced at his back and didn’t argue.

Respectfully, she went to sit in the front passenger seat.

…

As night fell, the lights outside the window flickered. The black Toyota SUV wove through the traffic.

In the car, a lively English song played. As usual, they both remained silent, as if the first to speak would lose something.

Zhuang Zi had originally planned to drive herself, but after some thought, since she had agreed with Auntie, and they were going the same way, there was no need to make it seem unnecessarily difficult.

However, the car was too quiet. Leaning her arm on the window, she propped her chin and gazed outside, thinking over recent events, trying to find some clues related to her sister.

As for Si Hang, with this woman beside him, he couldn’t help but recall the voice messages Xiao Zhao had sent him that afternoon.

In her eyes, he was just “okay looking”?

Feeling slightly annoyed, another voice from his memory jumped out: “He’s more calm and steady; women might like his manly charm and feel secure.”

His expression softened a bit, feeling more balanced. He tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel and rolled down the window a bit to smoke a cigarette.

Whether it was the night wind or the cigarette smoke, Zhuang Zi suddenly felt a tickle in her nose and sneezed.

As she turned to the center console to grab a tissue, she saw Si Hang stub out his half-smoked cigarette and roll up the window.

The next second, he spoke abruptly without looking at her, “Given the current situation, you’d better take a leave from work.”

It took her several seconds to realize he was talking to her, “I already resigned today.”

“Okay.”

After a couple of seconds, he added, “My parents’ place is very safe. The security patrols 24 hours a day, and strangers must register to enter. As long as you don’t wander off, you’ll be fine. The station is busy recently, and I’ve reassigned Xiao Zhang. If you need to go out, contact Xiao Zhao.”

His tone and attitude were like instructing a child. Zhuang Zi glanced at him briefly and meekly replied, “Okay.”

Then the car fell into long silence again until they got out and entered the house.

Seeing her bring another large bag of nutritious gifts today, Shen’s parents didn’t say much, just held her hand and sighed, “You child.”

This simple statement made Zhuang Zi feel both warm and guilty.

Zheng Ruzhi led her into the dining room, “I timed your return perfectly. The dishes are almost ready, and we can eat soon.”

The table was filled with delicious food, including vegetables, fish, meat, and seafood. There were also some dishes Zhuang Zi hadn’t had before, clearly prepared with care.

The family sat down, and Xiao Mi, seeing her, came over and sat next to her, softly calling, “Auntie.”

Perhaps because they both were taken in by the kind-hearted Shen family, they felt a special bond, a sense of shared experience.

Zhuang Zi noticed Xiao Mi had her hair in a pretty braid and wore a new coat, likely bought by the Shen family.

She poured her a glass of juice, and Xiao Mi smiled, “Thank you, Auntie.”

Aunt Qin brought the last dish of soup from the kitchen and sat down with a laugh, “Except for holidays, it’s rare to be this lively. I remember the last time Madam cooked was when Shen Qiao brought Yan’er home for the first time.”

Fearing Zhuang Zi didn’t know who they were, Aunt Qin explained, “Shen Qiao and Yan’er are the youngest son and daughter-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Shen.”

“……..”

Feigning innocence, Zhuang Zi politely smiled, “Thank you, Auntie and Aunt Qin.”

Aunt Qin laughed, “It’s our duty.”

Zheng Ruzhi looked at Aunt Qin with slight disapproval but also satisfaction, “Little Zi is our guest now, don’t compare her to my son and daughter-in-law. If Little Zi could become part of our family…”

Si Hang coughed, interrupting, “The food will get cold if we don’t eat.”

Zheng Ruzhi gave him a sideways glance and placed a crab in Zhuang Zi’s bowl, then another in Xiao Mi’s, taking care of everyone.

Shen Jianbo pretended to scold her, “You can’t stay still, can you?”

The two involved continued eating quietly as if they hadn’t heard anything.

Zheng Ruzhi shot her husband a playful look, conveying her intentions.

Shen Jianbo lightly glared at her, pointed to his bowl, signaling her to eat and keep quiet to avoid embarrassing the kids.

……