Chapter 55

This year-end was the most chaotic one Cheng Li had ever experienced.

She initially thought things would calm down after the acquisition was finalized, but it only got busier. The integration of Fanhai into Qiyu Technology officially began, with the formal announcement scheduled for after the New Year. However, the preparatory work had already started.

One major issue was staffing, as significant personnel changes were inevitable. While Cheng Li couldn’t control this, Qiyu had designated a team to manage the transition. Her role was simply to cooperate.

Fortunately, both Qiyu and Fanhai provided solutions for employees considering leaving, ensuring they were treated fairly. Year-end bonuses were distributed as usual, and Ren Kuang personally funded an additional month’s salary for everyone. He even booked a banquet at a five-star hotel for Fanhai’s last annual party.

Every day at the office, Cheng Li felt like she was witnessing the end of an era.

Many colleagues were preparing to leave, and the current office lease only extended until February of the following year. Fortunately, many familiar faces were set to join Qiyu, and after the New Year, their new workplace would be in Qiyu Tech’s headquarters.

Soon, it was the Lunar New Year.

Before the celebrations, Rong Qi turned into a frequent flyer. Qiyu Tech had large offices in Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and other cities, each with thousands of employees. Rong Qi attended year-end events in both Beijing and Shenzhen.

Meanwhile, Cheng Li found herself with more free time, as all work was deferred until after the holidays. Since Rong Qi was away, she temporarily moved back to her family home. Mornings were spent accompanying her grandparents to flower markets, while afternoons were dedicated to accompanying Ms. Ling to beauty treatments. Her schedule was anything but idle.

Thankfully, both families were harmonious and happy.

This year, they decided to have New Year’s Eve dinner at a hotel, a popular trend. Cheng Li made the reservation early, ensuring both families could celebrate together.

Traditionally, they had always dined at her grandmother’s house, but both Ms. Ling and Cheng Li insisted on the change, and Cheng Dingbo had no objections. After all, they could still visit her grandparents on the first day of the New Year.

It was Rong Qi and Cheng Li’s first Lunar New Year as a married couple, and they couldn’t leave Rong Qi’s grandparents alone. Particularly since Rong Qi’s mother was an only child, his grandparents relied on him as their only family. Despite his busy schedule, Rong Qi always ensured he spent New Year’s Eve with them.

When Cheng Li decided to include them in the celebrations, Rong Qi hugged her tightly and softly said, “Thank you, my wife.”

Cheng Li jokingly replied, “I should thank you. Now I have a legitimate excuse to skip visiting my grandmother’s house for a day.”

Rong Qi chuckled, knowing she was trying to lighten his mood.

After the New Year, the days were filled with visiting relatives and friends.

Cheng Li’s house was especially lively. Ms. Ling, a lifelong educator, had countless students coming to pay their respects. She was so busy socializing that she had no time for Cheng Li.

One day, Meng Yuange called, complaining, “Help! I can’t visit another relative. I told my mom I’m going to your house to see Ms. Ling. Let’s go out instead!”

“Where to?” Cheng Li asked.

“How about a drink at a bar? Anywhere but staying home,” Meng suggested.

Cheng Li hesitated. “I need to ask Rong Qi. He’s been home these past few days just to spend time with me. I can’t leave him alone.”

Meng teased, “Cheng Li, as your childhood friend, I’m holding back from strangling you right now.”

Cheng Li laughed.

“Bring him along, then. We were all high school classmates, right? Honestly, I’ve never even had a proper meal with you two since you got married. Doesn’t he owe me, your best friend, a dinner?”

Cheng Li agreed it was a good idea. She’d met Rong Qi’s friends but hadn’t officially introduced him to her best friend yet. With everyone being so busy before, the New Year seemed like the perfect opportunity.

When Cheng Li suggested the idea to Rong Qi, he agreed immediately.

“Why don’t you invite a friend too?” Cheng Li added. “Otherwise, with two girls and just you, I’m afraid you might feel awkward.”

“Someone lively who can keep the atmosphere fun?” Rong Qi teased. “Sounds like you’re suggesting Jiang Zhe.”

“Then call him,” Cheng Li said. She had a good impression of Jiang Zhe, especially after he helped her during an earlier dinner without knowing her connection to Rong Qi.

Thus, a small gathering of four was planned.

Cheng Li decided to start with dinner before heading to a bar.

However, the next day, it snowed unexpectedly.

Snow was rare in Shanghai, and Cheng Li was amazed by the white-covered landscape.

She called Rong Qi over to admire it together.

“Do you like it?” Rong Qi asked, amused by her excitement.

“Who in the south wouldn’t be thrilled about snow? Why aren’t you excited?” she countered.

“I went to university in Beijing,” he replied with a smile.

Oh, right. Beijing was a true northern city.

That evening, with the driver on holiday, Rong Qi drove them himself.

They arrived at the restaurant early, but Meng Yuange was late.

Cheng Li sent her a message, but there was no reply.

Jiang Zhe was also delayed.

Twenty minutes later, Meng Yuange finally arrived, disheveled.

Cheng Li stood up in alarm. “What happened to you?”

Meng wore a light gray coat with one side completely soiled, looking utterly messy.

“I can’t believe how unlucky I am! I thought since I was drinking tonight, I’d just take a cab over. But as soon as I got out and was crossing the pedestrian lane, someone on a shared bike crashed into me! The funniest part is, the guy didn’t even stop—he just pedaled away like nothing happened.”

Cheng Li gave her a once-over and handed her a tissue. “Are you hurt?”

“Not too bad. Just scraped my wrist a bit. Could’ve been worse.”

Cheng Li lifted her friend’s wrist, noticing it was wrapped with a deep blue silk scarf. Meng Yuange explained, “Luckily, a handsome guy driving a sports car stopped to check on me. He saw I was hurt, went back to his car, and brought this scarf to bandage my hand.”

“Good thing it’s nothing serious.” Cheng Li inspected the injury carefully, relieved to see it was just a minor scrape.

Meng Yuange, despite her mishap, still had the energy to joke. “Nowadays, the people who dare to stop and help someone in the middle of the street are either good-hearted or loaded. I hit the jackpot—a rich, good-looking guy who’s also kind.”

“Take off your coat. I’ll help clean it up,” Cheng Li offered. “By the time we’re done eating, it should be dry.”

Meng Yuange waved it off. “It’s fine. It’s just us here. You guys won’t laugh at me, right?”

“Take it off,” Cheng Li insisted.

It was then that Meng Yuange remembered she hadn’t greeted Rong Qi properly. She gave him an embarrassed smile. “Sorry about this, Mr. Rong. What a mess I must look.”

“Just call me Rong Qi. No need for formalities,” Rong Qi replied warmly.

Cheng Li grabbed Meng Yuange’s coat and was about to head to the restroom to clean it when the door to the private dining room opened again.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Everyone looked toward the voice. As the newcomer stepped in, both Meng Yuange and the man froze, their expressions tinged with surprise.

Cheng Li, sensing the tension, asked quietly, “You two know each other?”

Meng Yuange nodded, then blurted out, “He’s the rich, kind guy who helped me earlier.”

Cheng Li raised an eyebrow. “The handsome and good-hearted one?”

“Shut up,” Meng Yuange muttered, clearly flustered.

“What a coincidence,” the man—Jiang Zhe—greeted, glancing at her with a light smile. “Your leg okay? You seemed to be limping earlier.”

“I’m fine,” Meng Yuange said quickly.

Then, pulling Cheng Li aside, she whispered, “Uh, my coat’s dirty. Let’s go clean it now.”

Cheng Li followed her, suppressing a laugh at how the normally unbothered Meng Yuange was suddenly so self-conscious.

In the restroom, Cheng Li helped her friend clean the coat. “So… who’s the guy?”

“The rich, good-looking one,” Meng Yuange said, resigned.

“That much I know. What else?”

“Jiang Zhe, a friend of Rong Qi’s since childhood,” Cheng Li replied as she wiped the coat. “I don’t know much more. You could always ask him yourself.”

Meng Yuange lifted her chin. “Fine. Watch me work my magic.”

Cheng Li smirked. “Go ahead, pro.”

Back at the table, Cheng Li hung up the cleaned coat, and both women sat down. Meng Yuange, however, stayed uncharacteristically quiet.

Cheng Li nudged her, signaling for her to speak up. Instead, Meng Yuange remained motionless, like a serene statue.

Breaking the silence, Jiang Zhe introduced himself. “I’m Jiang Zhe, an old classmate of Rong Qi’s from the youth program.”

Meng Yuange’s eyes widened. “You were in the youth program too?”

Before Jiang Zhe could reply, Rong Qi interjected, his tone indifferent. “Maybe you should get those words tattooed somewhere.”

Ignoring him, Jiang Zhe chuckled. “Don’t mind him. He’s just jealous. I graduated, while he didn’t. Pure envy, that’s all.”

His humor cracked Meng Yuange’s composure, and she burst into laughter. She had worried Jiang Zhe might be as aloof as Rong Qi, but his light-hearted attitude was disarming.

“Wow, being in the youth program—doesn’t that make you a certified genius?” Meng Yuange marveled. “It’s practically untouchable for most people.”

Jiang Zhe downplayed it modestly. “It wasn’t that big a deal.”

As their set meal arrived, the conversation turned to genetics. “With smarts like that, it must run in the family,” Meng Yuange teased. “Cheng Li, you hit the jackpot!”

Cheng Li looked up, confused. “What jackpot?”

“If you and Rong Qi have kids, there’s a good chance they’ll be geniuses too,” Meng Yuange blurted out.

Caught off guard, Cheng Li glanced at Rong Qi, who was already looking at her. Flustered, she quickly lowered her head and took a sip of water to hide her embarrassment.

It wasn’t a topic they’d ever discussed before.

Thankfully, Jiang Zhe changed the subject. “I can’t speak for others, but not me. My dad says our family doesn’t have a single intellectual for three generations. He dropped out of middle school to make a living. He’s still surprised my genes managed such an upgrade.”

Meng Yuange laughed. “He must be so proud of you.”

“Oh, definitely. When I got into the youth program, he went home and renovated the family graveyard. My name’s still on the red honor board at our ancestral shrine.”

Jiang Zhe’s humor kept the atmosphere lively, and with him and Meng Yuange in full form, the dinner turned into a spirited gathering.

Even Rong Qi, who was usually reserved, was unexpectedly talkative during dinner.

After the meal, they decided to head to a bar. Initially, there was some debate about where to go.

Unexpectedly, two voices spoke simultaneously: “The bar we went to last time.”

They glanced at each other in surprise.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhe remarked, “Ah, I was wondering why you looked so familiar. You were at the bar with Cheng Li last time, right? You’re the one who retrieved her high heels from Rong Qi.”

Meng Yuange immediately lit up with excitement and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, that was me! Li Mi was so startled she fled, and I thought those heels were expensive, so I had to get them back for her.”

Jiang Zhe praised, “Impressive! When it counts, true friends step up.”

Meng Yuange grinned, “Of course! That’s what besties are for—to have your back in critical moments.”

Cheng Li sighed internally: Thanks a lot for resurrecting an embarrassing moment I was trying to forget.

Despite her embarrassment, Cheng Li had to admit the bar they mentioned had a great vibe—not too noisy, just perfect for relaxing with a drink.

The four of them decided to head straight there.

As they left the restaurant and walked to the underground parking lot, Cheng Li was about to invite Meng Yuange to ride in her car. But before she could, Jiang Zhe suggested, “Why don’t you ride with me? Let’s not third-wheel the happy couple.”

With that, Cheng Li ended up in Rong Qi’s car.

In the passenger seat, Cheng Li wore a content smile. Rong Qi glanced at her and softly asked, “Having fun tonight?”

“Of course! Hanging out with friends is always relaxing. Besides, Jiang Zhe is really funny,” Cheng Li replied with a laugh.

Rong Qi paused from starting the car, turned to her, and gave a faint smile. “Funny?”

Cheng Li, amused by his reaction, reached out and pinched his cheek. “Come on, Mr. Rong, you’re not jealous of that, are you?”

Rong Qi scoffed lightly, “Not worth it.”

As he started the car, Cheng Li quipped, “Looks like someone’s turning into a vinegar jar tonight.”

Rong Qi gave her a puzzled look.

She explained with a grin, “Don’t you think your name, ‘Rong Qi,’ sounds a lot like ‘container’ in Chinese?”

Rong Qi raised an eyebrow. It was clearly the first time anyone had pointed that out.

Cheng Li continued teasing, “Plus, have you noticed? You’re the container, and I’m ‘Li Mi’—centimeters. We’re both units of measurement!”

Rong Qi finally cracked a smile.

“That just makes us,” Cheng Li said, pausing intentionally for dramatic effect.

Knowing she was baiting him, Rong Qi played along, asking softly, “Makes us what?”

“A perfect match,” she declared, tilting her head to look at him, enunciating each word with a playful smile.

At that moment, the car emerged from the parking lot and reached the roadside. The streets were quiet, reflecting the emptiness that came with the New Year holiday. Rong Qi decided to pull over.

Before Cheng Li realized what was happening, he unclasped his seatbelt, leaned over, and kissed her gently at the corner of her lips. His touch was tender and deliberate, and Cheng Li’s breath quickened.

When the long kiss finally ended, Rong Qi gazed into her eyes and said softly, “We are, indeed, a perfect match.”

Though it had been her own line, hearing him say it made her blush.

Thankfully, Rong Qi didn’t tease her further. He restarted the car and headed for the bar.

By the time they arrived, Jiang Zhe had already secured a booth.

As they entered, Jiang Zhe said cheerfully, “I wanted to book the same spot as last time, but Yuange was worried it might bring back bad memories for you. So, we chose a different booth this time.”

Cheng Li gave an internal sigh: Thanks for the reminder. I was just about to forget all about it.

Soon, their drinks were served. Cheng Li wasn’t a fan of anything too strong, so she ordered a colorful cocktail. She particularly liked the layered look of a Tequila Sunrise and chose one immediately. Meng Yuange went for a Mojito.

The stage at the bar was quiet that night—no live performances, possibly because the resident singers had taken time off for the New Year holiday.

Jiang Zhe proposed, “How about we play dice?”

“Sure!” Meng Yuange eagerly agreed.

Cheng Li nodded as well, and Rong Qi had no objections.

The server promptly brought over dice cups for each of them, and they decided to play a popular bar game. Each player gets five dice, and the game involves bluffing about the total number of a specific face value among all players’ dice. Anyone can challenge a claim, and if the challenger is right, the bluffer drinks.

The first round started with Cheng Li, followed by Meng Yuange, Jiang Zhe, and finally Rong Qi. Cheng Li played it safe, calling “five sixes.” The others raised the stakes as the turn progressed.

When it came to Rong Qi’s turn, he casually declared, “Fifteen sixes.”

Both Jiang Zhe and Meng Yuange stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.

Jiang Zhe didn’t hesitate. “Open!”

With only twenty dice in total, such a high call was an obvious bluff. Rong Qi lost and had to drink.

“This little sip isn’t enough. At least half a glass!” Jiang Zhe teased as he poured.

Cheng Li had assumed Rong Qi was employing some clever strategy, but it turned out…

After a few rounds, she suddenly realized that Rong Qi was doing it on purpose.

Because after he made his outrageous call, it would be Cheng Li’s turn. By that point, the stakes were already high, making her an easy target for being “called out.” To protect her, Rong Qi would deliberately call an absurd number.

The other two soon caught on. Jiang Zhe said in exasperation, “You’re way too protective of Cheng Li! She might not even lose, you know.”

Meng Yuange sighed deeply. “It’s bad enough eating ‘dog food’ over the phone; now I have to endure it live.”

Rong Qi gave Jiang Zhe a faint glance and casually signaled to a nearby waiter.

When the waiter arrived, Rong Qi asked in a calm tone, “Is there no singer performing tonight?”

The waiter quickly explained, “There is, but due to the snow today, the singer was delayed. They’re preparing backstage now.”

Rong Qi nodded, his voice dripping with deliberate arrogance, “Have them sing Yilian.”

“Understood,” the waiter replied, jotting it down.

Jiang Zhe immediately jumped up. “You can’t do that!”

Rong Qi’s lips curved slightly as he drawled, “Seems like once isn’t enough. Maybe we’ll request it a few more times.”

Jiang Zhe was so furious that he couldn’t even muster a retort.

“What’s with Yilian?” Meng Yuange couldn’t hold back her curiosity, seeing Jiang Zhe’s extreme reaction.

Rong Qi said nothing, only smiling faintly.

Even Cheng Li was intrigued.

Jiang Zhe, finally fed up, gave in and confessed. “Fine! It was my first love’s favorite song, okay? Big deal. Who hasn’t had a first love?”

The others shared a look of understanding. First love—it all made sense now.

But Rong Qi’s gaze was unsympathetic, his chuckle devoid of compassion. “Was it an ordinary first love, though?”

Jiang Zhe sighed, defeated. “Yeah, yeah. It’s the senior from college who dumped me at fifteen when she found out how old I was. You’ve been teasing me about it for years. Why haven’t you let it go yet?”

“Fifteen? A college senior?” Meng Yuange struggled to piece it together.

Cheng Li, however, caught on and murmured, “I think he means when he was fifteen, he dated a college freshman. When she found out his age, she broke it off.”

Meng Yuange was stunned silent before bursting into laughter. “But how did you even meet a college freshman at fifteen?”

Now it was the other three’s turn to look at her in bewilderment.

Meng Yuange, realizing something, exclaimed, “Oh, right! You were in the youth program, weren’t you? That explains it!”

Indeed, being in the gifted youth program would give him opportunities to interact with college students.

Jiang Zhe quickly shifted the conversation. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about you two. How did you suddenly end up married? It’s not just because you were high school classmates, right? That alone wouldn’t lead to you tying the knot so quickly.” He narrowed his eyes at them, clearly ready to interrogate further. “Are you sure nothing happened back in high school?”

Cheng Li was momentarily stunned.

Rong Qi, however, responded smoothly, his voice low. “Nothing happened.”

Meng Yuange raised her hand in a hurry. “I can vouch for that! I was their classmate too. Nothing happened!”

Jiang Zhe looked skeptical. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I trust Cheng Li. You didn’t see her in high school. She was like a cold, unapproachable fortress—entirely focused on her studies, completely uninterested in anything else. Of all people, she’s the last one who’d have dated in high school.”

Meng Yuange’s confidence left no room for doubt.

Rong Qi rested his fingers on his glass, his head lowered, and quietly agreed with a soft hum.

High school was a time when budding romances were common, even at a prestigious school like theirs. Despite strict rules, there was no stopping youthful infatuations.

Cheng Li’s pure and strikingly innocent appearance, coupled with her flawless complexion, made her stand out among her peers. Naturally, many boys admired her—not just in their class but across others as well.

Even students ranking in the top fifty of the school weren’t immune.

Though Rong Qi didn’t live on campus, he often overheard boys talking about her during physical education or casual moments.

“I heard Min Xueyi from Class Seven has a thing for Cheng Li.”

“A top student like him? Even he wants to date?”

“There are plenty of guys who like Cheng Li. Few are brave enough to confess, though—because rejection is guaranteed.”

Amidst the joking banter, many harbored their own hopes.

It wasn’t that Cheng Li never received confessions. She did—and rejected them without hesitation.

Rong Qi didn’t expect that one day, he would witness such an event himself.

During a physical education class, he was on the basketball court when the ball rolled to the side. He chased after it and noticed that all the girls in their class were taking shade under a tree, except for Cheng Li, who was nowhere in sight. Her usual companion, Meng Yuange, was chatting with others.

Pondering for a moment, Rong Qi tossed the ball back and excused himself. “I need to use the restroom.”

Instead of heading to the field’s restroom, he went straight to their classroom floor.

Cheng Li wasn’t someone who skipped classes without reason.

When he reached the floor, he saw her holding a water bottle, returning from the office with a pale face. She was about to enter the classroom.

Concerned by her pallor, Rong Qi followed quietly.

But as Cheng Li entered the classroom, another boy appeared.

Startled, Rong Qi instinctively stepped back into a corner.

He soon heard voices from inside.

“Cheng Li,” said Min Xueyi, the top student from Class Seven. His tone was gentle as he asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Cheng Li had skipped gym class due to a stomachache.

Seeing his concern, she replied softly, “I’m fine. Just need some rest.”

“I can take you to the infirmary,” Min Xueyi offered promptly.

Cheng Li shook her head. “No need.”

Rong Qi hadn’t intended to eavesdrop; he simply didn’t feel comfortable leaving Cheng Li alone with this boy.

Moments later, Min Xueyi seemed to summon his courage and blurted out, “Cheng Li, I like you.”

There was a long silence from inside.

Rong Qi couldn’t resist stepping closer, but then Cheng Li’s voice broke the stillness, soft and composed. “Thank you, classmate.”

Her words, a gentle yet unmistakable rejection, brought a slight curve to Rong Qi’s lips.

“Cheng Li,” Min Xueyi pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Cheng Li looked at him, her tone calm and steady. “Classmate, while I’ve never liked anyone before, I believe that liking someone means wanting the best for them. You want the best for me too, don’t you?”

Rong Qi glanced toward the window.

He saw Min Xueyi nod in agreement.

Standing by her desk but not seated, the girl had her hair tied in a high ponytail, her pale, delicate cheeks embodying a youthful purity. She lifted her gaze slightly to meet his.

Cheng Li continued, “What I want most right now is to focus on my studies. After all, for high school students like us, academics are the most important thing. So, you’d want me to get into a good university, right?”

Min Xueyi nodded again.

“So, by not doing anything to distract me and letting me concentrate on my studies, that would be the best thing for me.”

Her voice, sweet yet composed, carried a maturity beyond her years.

Most high school girls, when faced with a confession, even if they didn’t reciprocate the feelings, would show at least a hint of shyness. Cheng Li, however, showed no such emotion—only calmness, with her initial polite “thank you” being the sole acknowledgment.

Rong Qi noticed the sudden paleness on Min Xueyi’s face but felt no sense of triumph.

After all, if there ever came a day when he confessed to Cheng Li, he might just end up as another Min Xueyi in her eyes.

To her, the truest form of affection was to not disrupt her life.

And so, Rong Qi resolved to give her exactly that—the best kind of affection.

Later, the group resumed their game, but to prevent Rong Qi from overly shielding Cheng Li, they shuffled the order. Eventually, Cheng Li was caught and had to draw a penalty card—truth or dare.

Since Jiang Zhe had initiated this round, he got to ask the question.

Under the pressure of Rong Qi’s warning glance, Jiang Zhe deliberated for a while before finally speaking. “This is just pure curiosity, okay? If…”

With everyone’s eyes on him, he continued, “I’m saying, if back in high school Rong Qi had liked you, would you have accepted his confession?”

Cheng Li froze, completely unprepared for such a hypothetical question.

She furrowed her brows slightly.

“Enough,” Rong Qi interjected with a cold sneer.

Jiang Zhe shrugged. “I’m just saying if. Besides, you’re already married now—why be afraid of a ‘what if’ question?”

Turning back to Cheng Li, Jiang Zhe said, “Since it’s truth or dare, you can’t lie.”

After a long pause, Cheng Li finally replied softly, “No.”

Jiang Zhe burst out laughing and pointed at Rong Qi. “See? Good thing you didn’t try anything in high school, or you’d have ended up dumped like me.”

At last, he felt avenged for the earlier humiliation with the Yilian song request.

Rong Qi kept his gaze lowered, his expression indifferent, saying nothing.

When the evening ended, it was already past midnight.

Cheng Li initially offered to take Meng Yuange home, but Jiang Zhe volunteered instead.

They all arranged for designated drivers, so Cheng Li didn’t have to worry. Once they were in the car, the driver took the front seat while Cheng Li and Rong Qi sat in the back. With a stranger present, the two remained silent.

It wasn’t until they reached their garage, the driver departed, and they went upstairs together that the quiet was broken.

As they stepped into the entryway, Rong Qi changed into his indoor slippers and was about to head into the living room when he felt a gentle tug on his arm. A moment later, a slender figure pressed against him, wrapping tightly around his waist.

Rong Qi embraced her in return, his chin resting lightly on her head. In a low voice, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Cheng Li tilted her head up to meet his gaze.

Suddenly, she stepped back, pulling out of his arms. Rong Qi frowned slightly, puzzled.

Both had been drinking, their eyes carrying a haze of intoxication. Yet, in that moment, Cheng Li’s gaze cleared, her eyes sharp and serious as she looked at him and said, “Rong Qi, the 17-year-old Cheng Li wouldn’t have fallen for anyone, because she had more important things to do.”

Rong Qi froze.

“But the 28-year-old Cheng Li,” she continued, her voice unwavering, “has fallen in love with a man named Rong Qi.”

The slight furrow in Rong Qi’s brow gradually softened as he processed her words.

She said she loved him.

Loved.