Bai Ying didn’t take his words seriously at all; she ignored them and focused on examining the white magnolia in her hand.

Jiang Mocheng stepped into the house, then returned with a small bamboo basket. He handed it to her and gestured with his chin.

“These magnolias have a short blooming period, and there’s no one at home to appreciate them. You can pick as many as you’d like.”

He was telling the truth. The flowers on this tree would likely wither within the next couple of days. They wouldn’t bloom again until next year.

However, this was someone else’s property. Bai Ying hesitated and asked, “Is it really okay?”

Jiang Mocheng smiled. “I already said this tree is for you.”

“…”

She no longer felt the need to be polite. She walked around the tree, considering which flowers to pick. She avoided the ones too high up, but some were still out of her reach.

Pretending to be helpless, she tiptoed twice. Seeing that Jiang Mocheng remained nonchalantly standing by without offering any help, she glared at him and ordered, “Come over here!”

Only then did Jiang Mocheng approach. He looked down at her. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t reach.”

Before this, Jiang Mocheng had no experience with this, but he was quite clever. He quickly caught on. Just as he was about to reach out and help her pick the flowers, he remembered something and withdrew his hand.

Instead, he held her waist firmly, lifting her up. Her surprised exclamation didn’t escape his notice.

“Go ahead and pick.”

His lazy tone responded.

Bai Ying was both annoyed and amused. Their laughter echoed in the quiet courtyard. His deep voice and her coquettish tone intertwined.

People’s boundaries gradually erode.

Both Bai Ying and Jiang Mocheng were no exception.

In fact, if she didn’t frequently recall that strange and unsettling dream, Bai Ying would have been quite happy these past few days. She and Jiang Mocheng had grown closer, and their arguments were enjoyable. After arguing, they felt like it was no big deal.

When he lowered his head, she stepped down from the steps. No, even before she stepped down, as long as she took a step, as long as she showed a hint of softness, he would proactively lift her down.

Back in the hotel room, Jiang Mocheng followed her inside without hesitation.

Bai Ying turned to him. “Didn’t you say you booked another room? Are you lying to me again?”

“It’s next door.”

Jiang Mocheng casually took off his coat. “I’ll go back after you fall asleep.”

His girlfriend was right there; why would he return to his own room? Of course, spending more time together was better.

Bai Ying was tired and didn’t want to argue over such trivial matters.

She had already followed him to Ning City, mentally prepared for something to happen. She felt it was fair to be with a man she liked and wanted. But right now, she wasn’t thinking about anything.

This matter depended on her mood. She would only allow it if she liked it and wanted it to happen.

After spending time together, she had a good understanding of his character. He wasn’t the type to force others.

“Suit yourself.”

She left these words behind, tossed her coat to him, and took out fresh clothes from her luggage. She disappeared into the bathroom, where she spent quite some time taking a shower.

By the time Jiang Mocheng grew bored watching TV and almost fell asleep, she finally emerged from the bathroom.

With her hair wrapped in a towel, a few droplets of water still on her face, she approached him. The steamy fragrance clung to her skin.

Jiang Mocheng woke up, checked his watch, and glanced at her with a complex expression.

She had been in the bathroom for nearly an hour and a half. If she hadn’t come out soon, he was prepared to go in and fetch her.

“Are you going to wash here, or would you prefer to wash in your own room?” Her voice was gentle.

Jiang Mocheng remained oblivious to the trap ahead, “Since all the clothes are here, of course, I’ll wash them here.”

Bai Ying smiled mischievously, “That’s great. You can help me wash the shirt hanging over there.”

Jiang Mocheng thought he might have misheard. He recalled, “The hotel provides this service.”

“That’s with a washing machine.”

Bai Ying, who had stayed in hotels before, was clear, “My shirt can only be hand-washed.”

She paused and said softly, “You bought it for me, remember? It’s silk, and the label clearly says it must be hand-washed.”

Jiang Mocheng reluctantly agreed, but as he entered the bathroom, he realized there must be someone else in the room with hands.

Bai Ying’s voice came from outside the door, “Don’t forget to shave!”

Jiang Mocheng opened the door and leaned against the frame. “I used to shave once a day. Now that I’m with you, it’s twice a day. My chin is losing a layer of skin.”

“Disgusting!”

Bai Ying shot him a glance.

He was still young, and his beard grew quickly. Overnight, his chin would turn prickly.

Amused, Jiang Mocheng thought about how unprepared he was this time. He had to make do with the hotel’s shaving cream. Facing the mirror, he expertly shaved, the minty scent filling the air between them.

He unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, revealing a strong chest. Bai Ying couldn’t help stealing a few glances.

“Only you call me disgusting.”

Bai Ying smiled. “I’ve only said it to you.”

By the time they both got under the covers, it was already ten o’clock at night.

The television played the evening news punctually. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they looked like newlyweds on their honeymoon.

Jiang Mocheng found the TV too noisy and turned it off with the remote. He lowered his head to look at her. “Why aren’t you practicing pronunciation anymore?”

Bai Ying chuckled. “I don’t feel like it.”

Now that they were together, it was hard to maintain the accent deliberately.

“But you still need to learn.”

Jiang Mocheng pinched her chin, feigning seriousness. “No slacking off under my watch.”

As they practiced together, they ended up rolling around playfully.

After the playful banter, Bai Ying fell asleep quickly, her head resting on Jiang Mocheng’s arms. He watched the ceiling, calming down.

Eventually, he lifted the covers and stepped out of bed. He took a moment to stand by her sleeping form, silently gazing at her relaxed face before quietly leaving the room.

Naturally, he wanted to stay, but he had promised her something, and he wouldn’t break that promise.

–

Bai Ying slept until late morning.

When she woke up, sunlight streamed through the window onto her blanket. She extended her finger into the sunlight and smiled.

After freshening up, she headed directly to the hotel restaurant for lunch. Her phone still held Jiang Mocheng’s messages from two hours ago. He had reported his schedule, mentioning that he had urgent business in the suburbs of Ning City.

If everything went smoothly, he’d be back in the afternoon. He planned to have dinner with her and watch a movie. Additionally, he left a card at the front desk for her – she could use it to shop nearby without worrying about expenses.

Bai Ying looked at the text message, her eyes narrowing.

After a simple lunch, she put on her hat, grabbed her bag, and left the hotel. She hailed a taxi and headed to the stock exchange.

Today, she was more decisive. After spending yesterday learning the process, she directly bought the stock that had caused many investors to cry out in despair.

She was practically buying at the bottom, which made the staff look at her curiously.

Exiting the stock exchange, Bai Ying stretched lazily. If her dream was real, she could make a fortune again. If it was just a dream, her wealth would be halved.

But it didn’t matter; she was willing to take this risk. After all, money came and went – she could always earn more in the future.

Feeling refreshed, Bai Ying walked lightly toward the café across the street, just like yesterday. As she pushed the door open, a cheerful melody flowed into her ears.

She walked toward the source – a grand piano placed in the middle of the hall. Today, a young woman with long hair sat at the piano, her expression focused as if she poured her heart into the black and white keys.

Bai Ying enjoyed listening to the music for a bit before following a waiter to a cozy booth near the piano. She ordered a coffee and some cakes.

During a restroom break, she noticed that the café wasn’t crowded at this time. A few relaxed wait staff were gossiping together.

Bai Ying washed her hands carefully at the sink.

“Speaking of which, why hasn’t that high school teacher been here for the past couple of days? He’s been coming for over half a month.”

“It’s all because of that someone. But men are so practical! Probably heard about her family situation and got scared.”

“What’s the deal with her family anyway? She went to college, and look, she earns more from playing the piano half the day than we do in a week… She seems well-off!”

“She does earn quite a bit, but her family’s financial hole is even deeper. Her father went bankrupt a few years ago, already in debt. He tried to make a comeback, but it failed.”

“Her father jumped into the river before the year was out. Now it’s just her and her mother. He’s gone, but the creditors are still there, and she’s left to bear the burden.”

“Sigh…”

The wait staff sighed collectively. “Poor thing.”

Bai Ying’s hand movements slowed. Why did these stories sound so familiar?

“Actually, it’s not too bad. I’ll say something I shouldn’t – her father’s passing…”

The waiter lowered their voice. “It’s for the best. Otherwise, he’d still be causing trouble. Debts will eventually be paid off. She’ll endure. The only downside is finding a partner.”

“Song Yunzhu is pretty.”

“Maybe she’ll find someone willing to help her repay the debts.”

Another waiter burst into laughter.

“There aren’t many fools like that in the world.”

Bai Ying raised her head, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She pursed her lips in resignation. The world was indeed small. She hadn’t expected to encounter Song Yunzhu in Ning City, especially in this café.

When she met Shen Jin, the Song family was already bankrupt. At that time, Bai Ying hadn’t paid much attention to it.

Although she’d heard that Song Yunzhu had once liked Shen Jin, during the year she and Shen Jin were together, he never mentioned Song Yunzhu’s name.

Exiting the restroom, Bai Ying saw Song Yunzhu finishing her piano piece. During the intermission, Song Yunzhu stood up, her demeanor showing none of the rumoured arrogance.