Qiao Wanqing and Gu Yanqing each ordered a different hotpot: one with a clear broth and the other with a spicy broth.

They exchanged dishes, completely oblivious to the fact that their show of affection was making the two single people at the table uncomfortable.

“This braised goose intestine is great,” Gu Yanqing picked up a piece from the spicy pot and placed it in Qiao Wanqing’s bowl. “Eat it while it’s hot.”

“Thanks.” Qiao Wanqing dipped it in some sauce and tasted it.

Although Gu Yanqing might not be able to cook, he could handle hotpot well.

The goose intestine was crispy and flavorful. “So crispy.”

Gu Yanqing affectionately patted her back.

Tang Yueyue and Qi Xing: “……”

“Ahem!” Tang Yueyue cleared her throat loudly. “There’s too much dog food here. Remember, there are still two single people at this table.”

Gu Yanqing said, “Even if we’re taken, calling us single dogs, someone might end up crying.”

Tang Yueyue’s face, which had finally cooled down, turned red again.

Qi Xing smiled softly and said, “Which one do you want? I’ll cook it for you.”

!!!!

Tang Yueyue was overwhelmed by the sudden attention and couldn’t think clearly.

She saw a plate of pig brains in front of her and, feeling a bit dazed, said, “Um, just the pig brains.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Qi Xing, who was handling the pig brains: “……”

Pig brains, also known as “brain flowers,” look a bit… difficult to describe.

To those who enjoy it, it’s delicately textured and delicious, considered a delicacy.

To those who don’t, its blood-veined appearance is enough to make them want to puke.

Qiao Wanqing was having a great time watching the couple.

The saying “love makes you dumb” might be exemplified by Tang Yueyue’s behavior.

Despite his inner reluctance, Qi Xing put on a sophisticated demeanor and helped Tang Yueyue cook the pig brains.

Qiao Wanqing had also encountered a quirky return issue earlier in the day, which she had to deal with while eating, and it was quite annoying.

“How’s your shop doing?” Tang Yueyue asked, noticing how busy Qiao Wanqing seemed.

She wasn’t completely out of touch and wanted to bring up the topic of Qiao Wanqing possibly joining her on Taobao, curious to see how Qi Xing would react.

“It’s going well. Sales have been increasing, with around fifty to sixty orders a day.”

“That’s great. Once you have some free time, it should take off quickly.” Tang Yueyue gave Qiao Wanqing a meaningful look.

Qiao Wanqing immediately picked up on the hint and said, “By the way, have you thought about it? Would you like to join me?”

Qi Xing, who had been eating and listening to their conversation, paused and continued to listen.

“I don’t know. My current job is on the rise, and it feels like a waste to quit. Plus, going so far alone makes me a bit unsure.”

“It’s not far. It’s less than two hours by plane. And it’s not like you’ll be alone. I’m here too. Mr. Qi…” Qiao Wanqing gave Qi Xing a significant look. “I’m here.”

Qi Xing, now included in the conversation, asked, “You’re thinking of doing Taobao together?”

He knew about Qiao Wanqing’s fruit and vegetable snacks business, as Tang Yueyue had mentioned it to him.

He had tried the snacks before the New Year’s event and thought they were quite good.

If they could get it up and running, it would likely have a great market potential.

“I’m trying to bring her on board. She’s been hesitant, worried about coming to City C alone. I told her that once you two are together, she’ll probably have to adjust to you. But since you haven’t confirmed your relationship yet, she’s reluctant to come over. Mr. Qi, it looks like you need to make an effort.”

Qi Xing saw through the little scheme between the two friends.

Noticing that Gu Yanqing was watching with a smug look, he cleared his throat and said softly, “I’m making an effort.”

“When can we see the results?” Qiao Wanqing pressed on, eager to finalize things today.

Just as Qi Xing was about to respond, his phone rang.

He glanced at it and said, “Sorry, I need to take this call.”

Qiao Wanqing and Tang Yueyue: “……”

So frustrating!

“What a perfect moment,” Qiao Wanqing lamented, “Damn phone, why did it have to ring now?”

Gu Yanqing watched the two friends banter and shook his head. “Good things take time. Mr. Qi’s intentions are clear. Give him a chance to confess properly, rather than pushing him.”

“Yes, yes, stay calm and patient!” Tang Yueyue said, clenching her fist, even though she was so eager she wanted to pounce on Qi Xing right then and there.

Qiao Wanqing could only support Tang Yueyue up to this point.

She handed Tang Yueyue a meatball and said, “Sister, keep it up! Aim to have a baby by next year.”

Tang Yueyue: “……”

City X doesn’t always get snow every year, but as they were heading back, it started snowing gently.

Qiao Wanqing caught a snowflake in her hand, and it melted immediately.

“I haven’t seen heavy snow in a long time.”

Qiao Wanqing caught several flakes, all melting away.

“Did you often see heavy snow before?” Gu Yanqing asked.

“Yes,” she replied. Since Gu Yanqing already knew she wasn’t the same Qiao Wanqing from before and was likely aware of things like time travel or reincarnation, she answered honestly. “Back home, every winter it would be covered in snow, sometimes not melting all season.”

In reality, she was a standard northerner. In her hometown, snow would start falling in mid to late November and sometimes cover the entire winter.

Now, in City X, which isn’t known for heavy snow, and City C, where it does snow but not as heavily as her previous home, she hadn’t seen much snow last year—just two small snow showers without the large, fluffy snow.

Gu Yanqing took her hand and said, “When we’re married, let’s go to your hometown to see the snow.”

“My hometown isn’t on the map.” Although this world is almost identical to the real one, there are still some differences due to its fictional nature.

Gu Yanqing nodded, about to comfort her when Qiao Wanqing, leaning against him with a smile, said, “Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll consider my hometown.”

When it snowed last year, Kouko was too young to remember, so he was the happiest now, refusing to come inside and play in the snow.

Madam Gu had wrapped him up so warmly he looked like a little dumpling.

Yuan Yuan, also wrapped up like a dumpling, was happily playing outside with him.

“Tomorrow, when the snow is thicker, we can build a snowman!” Yuan Yuan said, “Have you ever seen a snowman, little brother?”

Kouko shook his head, looking adorably clueless.

“Then when the snow gets heavier, let’s build a snowman together, okay?”

“Okay!” Kouko eagerly agreed, saying happily, “Kouko likes to build, build snowmen!”

Even though the little kid didn’t fully understand what building a snowman meant, he was excited about it.

By the time Gu Yanqing and Qiao Wanqing got home, a light layer of snow had already covered the ground.

Yuan Yuan and Koko, having finally played enough outside, were at the floor-to-ceiling windows, eagerly watching the snow and wishing it would turn into a heavy snowfall so they could build snowmen.

“Yuan Yuan, Kouko, time for bed.” Qiao Wanqing came out of the bathroom and, seeing them still watching, called them.

“Build, build snowmen~” Kouko said happily, pointing at the snow outside.

Qiao Wanqing gently patted Kouko’s little head and said, “The snow is still too thin to build a snowman. We have to wait until it gets thicker tomorrow. Let’s go to bed now, and we can build a snowman first thing in the morning, okay?”

Kouko looked at Yuan Yuan, clearly more trusting of his friend than of Qiao Wanqing’s promises.

Yuan Yuan, seeing that the snow wouldn’t be sufficient tonight, nodded and said, “Okay!”

Kouko followed suit and agreed, “Okay.”

That night, Yuan Yuan still slept in the same bed with them.

All four of them squeezed together, and despite the cold winter, it was very cozy.

Kouko was so excited he wouldn’t go to sleep and insisted that Gu Yanqing not close the curtains, as if closing them would make the snow disappear.

Gu Yanqing coaxed him, “Go to sleep quickly so we can get up early tomorrow. If you don’t, and the sun comes out, the snow will melt and we won’t be able to build a snowman. Right, Yuan Yuan?”

Yuan Yuan, lying in the warm bed, replied, “Yes!”

Kouko, hearing this, obediently closed his eyes and went to sleep.

However, in the middle of the night, Qiao Wanqing was woken up by Kouko, who was sleeping close to her.

She thought he might need water or something, but when she came to, she heard Koko mumbling, “Snowman, build a snowman!”

Qiao Wanqing: “……”