“Lili, it’s better for you not to go for an internship and just stay at home. There are too many bad people outside, and I’m afraid you’ll be abducted by others,” Little Prince said earnestly, wearing a serious and aggrieved expression.

Being a housewife was not her ideal, probably because she had always sought independence from a young age and never thought of relying on others. Despite being academically challenged, she was a dignified one. After all, what she wanted, she aimed to achieve through her own efforts.

Of course, with her current level, making a lot of money would be challenging, and her family didn’t necessarily need her income. However, that wasn’t a reason to choose a comfortable life.

Jing Li calmly said to Jing Ran, “Ranran, from now on, I’ll stay at home every day, neglect my appearance, look disheveled, and let my figure go out of shape. Will you still like me?”

Jing Ran silently looked at her, thoughtful, and asked, “Why would you want to make yourself like this?”

Jing Li replied, “…”

Jing Li couldn’t be bothered to explain to him and asked again, “If I really become like that, would you still like me?”

“Of course!” Jing Ran answered without hesitation and added, “Even if tomorrow you suddenly turn into a chubby and wrinkled old lady, I would still like you!”

Jing Li inexplicably felt a pang in her heart.

*

A few days later, the final exams ended. Jing Li packed her things in the dormitory, bought a few cardboard boxes at the supermarket, and started packing her luggage.

Because the next semester is an internship period, the other three roommates, who are all locals, don’t plan to come back to live in the school. Everyone in the dormitory is packing their belongings while chatting.

The roommates who have been together day and night for three years are unexpectedly parting ways on this day. Although they still have one more academic year and probably a few more chances to meet, it still feels quite disheartening.

Li Ruihua saw Jing Li looking reluctant and consoled her, “It’s okay, Jing Li. When you marry the top student, you can live here permanently. After all, we are all locals, so it won’t be difficult to meet up.”

Cheng Xue asked, “By the way, hasn’t the top student proposed to you or anything?”

Jing Li replied, “We’ve only been dating for one semester. It’s too soon for a proposal.”

Yin Hailing asked, “He has already suggested cohabitation with you. Didn’t he mention anything about marriage in the future?”

Jing Li tilted her head and thought for a moment. It seemed like they hadn’t discussed future plans. However, she didn’t want to bring up the topic of marriage either. Last time she attended the graduation ceremony of her senior, Jing Ran kept staring at the senior’s son with an intense gaze that made it feel like he would burst into flames if he stared any longer.

Jing Ran hasn’t reached the legal age for marriage yet, but he’s so open about wanting a child. If they were to get married, it would be quite something.

But having a child is not solely his decision; Jing Li’s consent is also necessary. Jing Li disagrees, and he hasn’t said anything about it. However, his WeChat profile picture has changed from Jing Li’s selfie to a picture of the senior’s son. Every night when Jing Li chats with him on WeChat in the dormitory, she always feels like he’s urging her to have a baby.

She’s still a baby herself, so how can she be expected to give birth to a little baby!

At least waiting until she’s in her late twenties or early thirties to have a child would be the best time, right?

The four roommates all left on the same day, helping each other drag their luggage to the school gate. Jing Li watched as her roommates were picked up by their parents, feeling a bit envious. Except for elementary school when she was younger and needed adults to pick her up during breaks, she had been independent, dragging two suitcases to and from school since middle school, as her parents believed she was grown up and should be self-reliant.

Standing at the school gate, watching her roommates leave, Jing Li saw a black sedan parked next to her. The driver’s side door opened, revealing a stylishly dressed young man wearing round glasses with golden rims, his smile sparkling in the sunlight. He grinned and said, “Lili, I’m here to take you home.”

I’m here to take you home…

Jing Li felt unexpectedly warm, realizing it had been many years since someone had said those words to her. Recalling her days in kindergarten and elementary school in the United States, although there was a school bus, her grandparents preferred to pick her up, greeting her with a smile every day at the school gate, saying, “Ali, I’m here to take you home.”

Jing Ran walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and voluntarily loaded her suitcases and a few boxes inside. There was too much stuff, and some had to be placed in the back seat. Once done, he walked back to Jing Li, looking obedient and eager, saying, “Lili, all set. We can go home now.”

Jing Li wanted to reward Jing Ran with a kiss, but she couldn’t reach, so she said, “Ranran, bend down.”

Jing Ran obediently bent over, and in a public display, Jing Li quickly pecked his cheek, saying, “Let’s go home!”

Suddenly, she was looking forward to their cohabitation.

Jing Li remembered she hadn’t informed her parents about living with Jing Ran or the upcoming internship. Sitting in the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt, she took out her phone and sent a message to her mother.

[Jasmine]: Mother, I found an internship in City G. I won’t be coming home during the summer vacation.

[Mother]: Found an internship? Where is it? Is it reliable?

[Jasmine]: It’s at the Haiyue Hotel, owned by Ranran’s grandfather.

[Mother]: Haiyue Hotel? Is that the five-star hotel I know?

[Jasmine]: [Dog holding a stuffed toy nodding.jpg]

[Mother]: You said Ranran comes from a wealthy family last time, is it true?

[Jasmine]: Why would I lie to you for no reason?

[Mother]: You lucky girl, you’ve got yourself a super-rich boyfriend. Alright, I’ll retire early, and in the next life, I’ll rely on you.

[Jasmine]: …

[Jasmine]: By the way, I’ll be living with Ranran.

[Mother]: [Cat throwing flowers.jpg]

[Mother]: After raising a pig(Jing Li )for twenty years, it finally got lured away by a little white cabbage(Jing Ran).

[Jasmine]: …

How can a mother refer to her blossoming teenage daughter as a pig!

Jing Li lifted her head, looking at Jing Ran who was driving with a complex expression.

Jing Ran casually asked, “What’s wrong?”

In a complex expression filled with a hint of resentment, Jing Li said, “Ranran, I feel like maybe we were switched at birth. My mom should be your mom, and your mom should be mine.”

Jing Ran, not understanding Jing Li’s jest, earnestly analyzed, “How could that be? You were born in the United States, how could there be a switch? Besides, I look so much like my grandfather.”

Jing Li remained silent.

Back at Yujing, the two of them made two trips to move their luggage. After a brief rest, they began organizing and arranging things. Together, they worked in harmony and quickly finished, even taking the opportunity to clean the house.

Once done, Jing Li clapped her hands, admiring her handiwork.

On the sofa in the living room were a pair of cute cat-themed couple pillows, while the coffee table displayed a set of fresh-looking couple water cups. They both changed into matching couple home clothes – shorts and short sleeves – specifically for comfort, and even wore couple slippers.

In the master bedroom, there was a beautiful dressing table that Jing Ran had specially bought for her. It was now adorned with Jing Li’s various skincare and makeup products. The room had a large double wardrobe, originally empty, now filled with clothes belonging to both of them. Jing Li caught sight of men’s underwear tucked in a corner of the wardrobe and inexplicably felt a bit shy thinking about starting to wash Ranran’s underwear from today.

What a silly thought, why think about washing underwear.

Suddenly, Jing Ran hugged Jing Li from behind as she stood in front of the wardrobe, his hand tracing her waist to her abdomen. His chin rested on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing against her neck. He murmured in her ear, “Lili, please take care of me from now on.”

Jing Li smiled, lifted her hand, and caressed his face, replying, “Please take care of me too.”

Jing Li turned to face Jing Ran, reaching out and encircling his neck before leaning in for a kiss.

This kiss, passionate and tender…

As they parted ways, there was still a silver thread lingering at the corners of their mouths…

It felt a bit improper…

Jing Ran wiped her clean with the saliva on his lips.

Blushing, Jing Li buried her face in his chest. After every kiss, she always felt a bit embarrassed. She circled her fingers on his chest, speaking softly and earnestly, “Ranran, you have to treat me better in the future, don’t make me angry. I’ve even moved out of the dormitory now. If you make me angry, I’ll have nowhere to go.”

Jing Ran gently patted her back, comforting her, “Lili, don’t worry. If I ever make you angry, and you’re at home, I’ll go to my grandmother’s place until you cool down, and then I’ll come back.”

Jing Li hesitated.

At this moment, isn’t the boyfriend supposed to say something like: I promise I won’t make you angry in the future, or I’ll make it up to you…

This emotional intelligence might cause a lot of heartache in the future. It seems her tolerance needs to be even greater.

After a busy day, the two of them felt a bit hungry. Jing Ran went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Jing Li wandered around the living room, checking if there was anything that needed organizing. Finding nothing to do, she walked to the kitchen door and watched her little sweetheart cooking.

Jing Ran was busy slicing ginger, displaying skilled knife work to create fine ginger shreds. Knowing that Jing Li liked fish, he had gone to the market early in the day and selected a fresh mandarin fish for steaming. A large pot of water was simmering on the natural gas stove, covered with a lid. Once steam started rising, Jing Ran had already arranged the ingredients and sprinkled them on a plate of mandarin fish. Methodically, he calmly uncovered the pot, placed the steaming rack inside, positioned the plate of mandarin fish on top, covered it again, and waited for it to steam to perfection.

Afterwards, Jing Ran prepared the ingredients for the next dish.

Jing Li’s home had been devoid of home-cooked meals for a long time. Every time she returned home during holidays, the place felt cold, and her vacation routine consisted of sleeping, daydreaming, watching shows, and ordering takeout. Home, to her, was merely a dwelling, and as the break ended, she would return to her school dormitory.

However, this place was different from the home she had imagined. Here, someone accompanied her in chatting, sleeping, and having meals together.

The air in the house was filled with the rich aroma of cooking, tempting one’s taste buds.

It felt warm, making it hard to leave.

This meal celebrated their first day of living together, and she thought there should be some alcohol to set the mood, saying, “Ranran, I’ll go downstairs to buy some drinks.”

“What drinks?” Jing Ran had already stocked various beverages and snacks at home, and Jing Li knew about them. He wasn’t sure what else she wanted.

“Buy beer. It’s so hot, and beer is refreshing.”

“No way!” Jing Ran remembered that Jing Li tended to bite people when she got drunk and threatened, “If you get drunk in the future, I’ll strip you naked.”

Jing Li covered her chest with both hands, asking in shock, “Why would you want to strip me naked?”

Jing Ran had said it casually without much thought. When Jing Li asked what he would do, he pondered for a moment and said, “Draw turtles on your little buns.”

Jing Li: “…”

Perverted!

Jing Li, standing tall, said to Jing Ran, “Ranran, I’m not a little bun anymore. If you don’t believe me, touch and see if it hasn’t grown a size.”

Having eaten a bit more recently, her weight had indeed increased, and her old underwear felt tight, signaling the need for new ones.

“Lili, the senior said women’s busts expand after giving birth. You’ve seen the senior’s wife, right? Brother said she used to have a flat chest. Want to give it a try?”

Jing Li couldn’t be bothered to continue the conversation, treating it as if she hadn’t heard anything. She touched her stomach and walked to the living room, leaving a remark, “I’m starving, hurry up and make dinner!”

*

After resting at home for a few days, Jing Li and Jing Ran started their days working at the Haiyue Hotel.

Jing Ran used to rotate through various positions at Haiyue Hotel every summer break, but this year, His father arranged for him to work in the sales department. On the other hand, Jing Li had no work experience, so she was assigned to rotate through frontline positions for the first two months. After an evaluation at the end of the two months, further plans would be made.

In plain terms, even though they entered through connections, personal capabilities still mattered.

Haiyue Hotel has always been a leader in the domestic hotel industry, and it adheres to certain principles. They don’t blindly hire but focus on recruiting talents.

Jing Ran wore a set of dark gray summer suit, finely tailored. He had on a white shirt as a base and a deep burgundy tie. Haiyue Hotel places importance on the image of its staff, with one rule being no hair dye allowed. Jing Ran and Jing Li had already dealt with their chestnut-colored dyed hair after the final exams and returned to their natural black hair.

The Little Prince dressed in a suit, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed round glasses, looking incredibly handsome.

For the first two months, Jing Li had to rotate through frontline service positions at the hotel, and there were specific uniforms. She casually wore casual clothes to work.

On the first day of work, Jing Ran drove to the office, but Jing Li felt that as an intern, driving to work was a bit ostentatious and suggested taking public transportation. Jing Ran glanced at her and said, “It’s so hot, and I’m wearing a suit. If I walk and squeeze into the subway, I’ll end up smelling bad!”

Jing Li said, “Then I’ll take the subway, and you can drive there yourself.”

Without saying a word, Jing Ran hugged Jing Li’s waist and let her hang horizontally around his waist. Jing Li’s legs were off the ground, limbs flailing, and she shouted, “Ah, you jerk, what are you doing to me?” This was a disadvantage of being short and light, easily lifted and carried horizontally.

She looked just like a primary school student refusing to go to school, being caught by her father and put in the car.

Jing Li sat in the passenger seat, glaring at Jing Ran as he fastened her seatbelt. She said, “Let me tell you, if you keep carrying me like this in the future, I’ll get angry.”

Jing Ran finished securing his seatbelt in the driver’s seat, started the car, and said, “My mother-in-law called me yesterday. She said that you should listen to me, and if you don’t, any punishment is acceptable.”

“Mother-in-law? Who is ‘my mother-in-law’?” Jing Li realized belatedly and said, “You have a thick skin, actually calling my mom your mother-in-law!”

“My mother-in-law told me to call her that.”

Jing Li: “…”

Probably, she was the one who got the phone bill recharge promotion…

Arriving at the parking lot of Haiyue Hotel, after getting out of the car, Jing Ran said, “I’ll take you to the HR department.”

Jing Li nodded, “Okay.”

Instead of entering through the lobby, they entered the hotel through an employee passage and arrived at the HR department, where two other people were waiting.

Fang Zhenzhen and Chen Wenbin.

Jing Li asked in surprise, “What are you doing here?”

Both of them answered in unison, “We’re interns.”

“Interns?” Jing Li couldn’t believe it. Fang Zhenzhen majored in English, so it made sense for her to work in the hotel industry since they also need people who can speak foreign languages. But Chen Wenbin studied architecture, so it seemed unrelated.

Jing Ran explained, “Zhenzhen came here to accompany you, and Wenbin persistently begged me to let him come.”

Chen Wenbin had a look of disbelief. Where did he persistently beg? He simply asked a question, and Jing Ran agreed.