The moment he saw Mu Xiaoqi two days ago, he kept asking himself: who had made her cry so much that her eyes were swollen? If her family had forced her to go on a blind date with him, he could have made it easier for her.

But she had smiled at him, such a sweet smile.

She had even preserved her dignity, specifically canceling the expensive dishes.

In her bright eyes, Zhao Xilie saw his own reflection.  That’s why he had invited her out today.

“Zhao Xilie!” Mu Xiaoqi pointed to a bookstore across the street. “Can you accompany me to browse?”

Following Mu Xiaoqi’s finger, Zhao Xilie saw the sign for Mo Xiang Bookstore. He naturally took the unfinished soda from Mu Xiaoqi’s hand and responded with his eyes.

There was always a smell of ink in bookstores, which Mu Xiaoqi used to hate, but now she found it pleasant.

Mu Xiaoqi knew that Zhao Xilie wasn’t illiterate; on the contrary, his knowledge surpassed that of most people his age. He had many books at home, some picked up, some traded for, filling a whole bookshelf.

From literary works to agricultural guides, the books were varied but treasured by Zhao Xilie.

Mu Xiaoqi chose three books according to Zhao Xilie’s preferences.

After paying, she discarded the empty soda bottles and handed the three books to Zhao Xilie.

“A gift for you, no refusal allowed.”

For some reason, Mu Xiaoqi always gave Zhao Xilie a familiar feeling. She seemed to understand his heart. Zhao Xilie thought, perhaps Xiaoqi was his destined girl, the one worth protecting with his life.

They found a park bench and sat down. Zhao Xilie looked at Mu Xiaoqi’s profile, his brows furrowed.

“Who hit you?”

There was a murderous edge in his voice.

Mu Xiaoqi unconsciously touched her face. She had applied powder to cover it, but Zhao Xilie still noticed.

“Is it that obvious?”

Zhao Xilie insisted, “Who hit you!”

Turning, Mu Xiaoqi looked into Zhao Xilie’s eyes. “Are you feeling sorry for me?”

Zhao Xilie nodded. He was persistent and determined to get the answer from Mu Xiaoqi today.

“My father.” Mu Xiaoqi said this without sadness; she had already accepted it.

Zhao Xilie, sitting beside her, clenched his fist. Even a father shouldn’t hit his daughter!  Zhao Xilie, who hadn’t married Mu Xiaoqi yet, mentally made a note against Mu Yuehui.

Wanting to be with Zhao Xilie, Mu Xiaoqi briefly explained her family situation.

“So, I’ve left the Mu family, and I’m living with my grandmother.” From the moment she left the Mu family, Mu Xiaoqi told herself that her father-daughter relationship with Mu Yuehui was over. As for those two outsiders, they weren’t worth her attention.

After hearing Mu Xiaoqi’s words, Zhao Xilie took her hand.

“Xiaoqi, do you trust me?”

His rough palm was dry but warm, giving Mu Xiaoqi an indescribable sense of security.

“I trust you!”

Zhao Xilie, as if taking an oath, looked solemnly at Mu Xiaoqi. “From now on, I will protect you. No matter what others say about you, no matter what you do, I will unconditionally support and believe in you.”

This was only their second meeting, yet this man, who hadn’t abandoned her even in death in her past life, was offering his whole heart to her.

Mu Xiaoqi’s eyes sparkled with happiness.  She leaned forward, looked directly into Zhao Xilie’s eyes, stopping five centimeters from his lips.

“Want to seal the deal?”

The girl’s warm breath carried the sweetness of orange soda. Zhao Xilie felt a tingling sensation.

He stiffened, unconsciously squeezing Mu Xiaoqi’s hand.

Mu Xiaoqi didn’t intend to get intimate in public; she was just teasing Zhao Xilie.

Just as she was about to pull back, Zhao Xilie’s husky voice made Mu Xiaoqi’s heart race.

“Xiaoqi, I agree to seal the deal.”

When his rough, hot thumb lightly touched her lips, Mu Xiaoqi’s face flushed red.

Zhao Xilie must have been reborn; he was such a smooth talker!

Why hadn’t she noticed in her past life?

Seeing his beloved girl’s blushing cheeks, Zhao Xilie felt incredibly happy.  This blush was lit by him.

It was lunchtime. Mu Xiaoqi took Zhao Xilie to a century-old restaurant in the county town. It was a husband-and-wife shop, passed down from generation to generation since the owner’s grandfather.

In her past life, Mu Xiaoqi’s understanding of Zhao Xilie was limited.  Having a chance to start over, she naturally wanted to understand his preferences thoroughly.

Therefore, while eating, she paid attention to which dishes Zhao Xilie ate more of, whether he preferred spicy or savory flavors.

By the end of the meal, Mu Xiaoqi hadn’t tasted the food, but she had a general understanding of Zhao Xilie’s taste.

He liked strong flavors and rarely touched light dishes. He loved spicy food and wasn’t very interested in sweets.

In the afternoon, there was only one bus to Luo’an Town. Zhao Xilie had to be at the bus station by two o’clock to catch his bus home.

After lunch, it was already one o’clock. They had an hour left together.  Their reluctance was evident on their faces. After opening up to each other, they were like true lovers, troubled by the impending separation.

Mu Xiaoqi took Zhao Xilie to the department store. She personally chose two girlish sets of underwear for Zhao Xilie’s sister, Zhao Baixue.

In addition, she bought pearl cream, hair ties, hair clips, and socks.

“Enough, Xiaoqi.” Zhao Xilie held Mu Xiaoqi’s arm.  All this would cost Xiaoqi a lot of money. He knew her intentions and couldn’t refuse.