Chen Song finally had a moment to herself and the first thing she did was return Cheng Zhirang’s call.

She had already seen the trending topics, but she didn’t think it was a big deal for Cheng Zhirang, who had been living on trending lists recently. She didn’t feel much when she clicked in to view it.

She had told Mu Qiu before that it wasn’t safe for them to go shopping together, simply referring to their personal safety.

Now that both Cheng Zhirang and Mu Qiu were fine, to her it was as if nothing had happened.

Cheng Zhirang was always Cheng Zhirang. He was the kind of guy who could cause a stampede among photographers at a film festival red carpet event, so attracting a crowd while shopping was normal for him.

Plus, this time, the photos of Cheng Zhirang protecting Mu Qiu even went viral, which was a good thing.

She just didn’t know what sudden whim made them go shopping late at night.

She dialed Cheng Zhirang’s number, and the phone rang for more than thirty seconds with no one answering.

Chen Song took the phone away from her ear to check. It was indeed Cheng Zhirang’s number, and it had been ringing for thirty or forty seconds with no answer.

She glanced at the time again—oh, it was eleven thirty, prime time for Cheng Zhirang’s nightlife.

She sighed and decided to hang up the unanswered call, switching to send a message to Assistant Wen instead.

Eleven thirty.

Cheng Zhirang was indeed enjoying his nightlife.

Though this nightlife didn’t imply anything else... well, maybe just a little.

Cheng Zhirang was standing behind Mu Qiu, hugging her from behind and helping her wash her hands.

The soap bubbles were abundant, their hands rubbing together, feeling slippery, and then she heard Cheng Zhirang ask, "Rinsed off?"

"You help me, my hands are tired, I don’t want to move."

Cheng Zhirang paused for a moment, then diligently rinsed her hands, thoroughly washing those slender and soft hands, and finally dried them with a towel, gently moving her wrist.

"Sorry."

"Can you promise not to do it again if you apologize?"

Cheng Zhirang pondered for a while: "Maybe not."

"......" Mu Qiu turned around and leaned against his chest, "A gentleman is a gentleman, but after being polite, you still do what you want; I’m talking about you."

Cheng Zhirang didn’t argue, lowering his head to look at her slightly swollen lips.

"Do you want to sleep?"

Mu Qiu nodded in his arms, "What time is good to go to your house tomorrow?"

"Eleven is fine, no need to be too early."

In these matters, Mu Qiu usually didn’t listen to him; she was rational and had her own plans.

"Let’s go a bit earlier, aim to arrive before ten thirty. I got some peach gum and bird’s nests from Brother Lin, which should be delivered early tomorrow; it’s good to bring them as a gesture."

Regardless of whether it’s good or bad or liked or disliked, the thought has been delivered.

Cheng Zhirang patted her hair and responded, "Hmm: Does he even have the time to send you things?"

"He’s not the one who’s pregnant. Besides, I helped him a lot; he should be thanking me."

He recalled what he had heard that day, looking down at her, "He should indeed thank you. Go shower; it’s late."

"Hmm, it’s indeed quite late."

She walked to the bed to get a change of clothes, muttering, "I wonder if Sister Chen Song’s nightlife is over; why hasn’t she returned your call."

"......"

In fact, neither of them knew where their phones ended up, so there was no way to know if Chen Song had called.

He watched her walk into the bathroom and prepared to bend down to get clothes next door when the bathroom door suddenly opened, and a head popped out.

"Brother Cheng—I’m tired."

Cheng Zhirang closed his eyes helplessly and put down his clothes.

...

For the past few days, it was Cheng Zhirang who had been tormented.

He never thought sexual matters could be addictive, but now even glancing at her waist made his heart itch.

Yet during these days, there was no way to relieve it.

So the fire kept growing stronger with more and more accumulation, adventurous thoughts tempting him to try anything.

An ’I’m sorry’ afterwards was pointless because he knew there would be a next time.

Finally, on Thursday, he felt a kind of relief.

Because they were going to meet the parents, Mu Qiu dressed elegantly and refreshingly today.

She wore the same white slit skirt as the day they met the director, but with a chiffon blouse on top.

While looking in the mirror, she felt there were large imaginary words floating around her—"elegant," "intellectual," "poised," "perfect."

To match her, she picked out a white shirt for Cheng Zhirang.

Early in the morning, she got the white shirt and crouched by the bed, watching him expectantly.

Cheng Zhirang didn’t see anything special about the white shirt, but meeting her eyes, he could only willingly put it on.

He buttoned up in the bathroom, looking at the person in the mirror while Mu Qiu was next to him adjusting the hem of her chiffon blouse, not noticing a thing.

When it was time to leave, Mu Qiu swapped out her slippers and took out high heels from the luggage she brought back yesterday.

Cheng Zhirang frowned slightly, supporting her hand to help her balance as he suggested, "No need to wear high heels; it’ll be tiring."

"But this outfit looks best with high heels."

"But walking in them will be exhausting."

"Just thinking about walking beside you in high heels makes it not tiring~"

Cheng Zhirang chuckled, unable to resist her, watching her put on the high heels, her bare calves immediately appearing longer and slimmer visually.

Mu Qiu leaned on Cheng Zhirang and took two steps.

"Not bad."

No wonder women love high heels; wearing them makes you feel more imposing, as if standing a full two meters tall with expansive horizons, toweringly above the crowd.

Alright, just kidding, but standing beside Cheng Zhirang in high heels did make it feel quite different from usual.

She tilted her head up and smiled, "Let’s go."

She rarely wore high heels, but surprisingly walked steadily in them. Cheng Zhirang raised his elbow, signaling her to take his arm.

Mu Qiu complied smoothly, threading her hand through his arm, making it easier to gain some strength.

This wasn’t just going to dinner; it felt like a red carpet walk.

Departing at nine thirty, just arriving at the villa area around ten thirty.

Cheng Zhirang’s parents didn’t live in the city center but chose a place in the nearby suburbs.

Even though it was the outskirts, the environment easily indicated it wasn’t cheaper than the city center.

A vast upscale villa area with lakes and winding rivers, a wetland park, each house with its own lot, far from each other, and even swans in the lake.

Mu Qiu looked out the car window, wondering to herself if she had found a "star earning millions daily" or a "wealthy scion" all along.

This land was practically a symbol of wealth; it hardly seemed like one of the "properties" a star could buy for their parents.

Was she really the female lead of an elite romance novel, with a hidden rich man by her side the whole time?

This... seemed a bit too good to be true?

"What are you thinking? We’re here," Cheng Zhirang unbuckled her seatbelt, reassuring her, "Don’t be nervous; they are very easy to get along with."

Mu Qiu: Let the elite romance novel heroine say this, the parents of a wealthy man are usually not easy to get along with.