Cheng Zhirang paused for a moment, then took the initiative, his palm caressing the back of her head, pulling her towards him.

The water cup was placed on a stone bench nearby, and he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Mu Qiu, always proactive, reached for his shoulder, the tip of her tongue touching him briefly, prompting him to follow her lead.

She had just drunk some water, her lips still moist, and Cheng Zhirang’s thin lips pressed down, even wetting their corners.

Their height difference was just right; Cheng Zhirang held her face, bent down, while she looked up, able to withstand his gentle caresses.

In the summer shade, even the breeze was reluctant to be too harsh, softly brushing over their faces.

In the quiet corner, only the sound of their increasingly heavy breathing during the kiss remained.

From behind two wisteria-framed flower trellises, a woman who had followed along remained silent, watching their kiss through the gaps in the trellis.

Watching Cheng Zhirang’s emotions, his partner pressed close against his chest, abdomen, all the way to her waist.

At that slender waist, Cheng Zhirang’s hand was still restrained, but who knew if he might soon reveal that layer of fabric, reaching in from the hem.

They couldn’t help themselves even here.

Lin Huanyue tried hard to suppress the turmoil inside, expressionless as she turned to leave.

The couple deep in their kiss were completely unaware of her comings and goings, focused solely on the pleasure they gave each other.

Until Cheng Zhirang truly couldn’t resist any longer.

He reluctantly pushed Mu Qiu away, lowering his head into her neck, his scorching breath spraying against her ear.

Mu Qiu almost couldn’t stand steady, clutching at his shirt, the back of her hand against her lips, attempting to cool them down.

Originally trying to escape the heat, wanting to cool off, but now it was even hotter.

She buried her head in his embrace, the two of them entwined neck to neck.

"Oh no, Aunt Cheng will definitely notice when we go back."

Cheng Zhirang stroked her hair reassuringly, speaking softly, "It’s okay, even if she does see, she’ll only scold me."

"Is it a matter of being scolded? We just came out for a stroll, and now I’m going back with swollen lips..."

Great, anyone who doesn’t know might think she got bitten by an insect.

Cheng Zhirang coughed lightly, pinching her nape to lift her head, then reversed his hand, placing slightly cool knuckles against her lips.

"A bit hot."

"Your fault."

"...Alright, my fault."

Once the bright red color faded, Cheng Zhirang held her hand and led her back.

"Do you want to grow some plants at home? We can bring back some fleabane from the path lined with flower bushes outside the house, balloon flowers and daisies are also quite pretty."

"Will Aunt Cheng agree?"

"She will, she previously wanted me to bring back a pot of little sunflowers."

"But?"

"But I didn’t have the energy to tend to them, so I didn’t bring them back. You can keep the little daisy in your room."

"Sure~ I’ll place it on the big balcony, where I write, let it keep me company." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"What about our room?"

"Our...in our room, money plant? Ah, those daisies over there look so beautiful."

On the grassy path back to the Cheng Family, there was a bunch of daisies nestled among a cluster of evergreens, looking very resilient.

"Like this bunch?" Cheng Zhirang squatted down, touched a flower, and looked up saying:

"These were probably randomly scattered before, didn’t expect them to grow. Shall I get a little box for you?"

"Sounds great."

"Want to come in with me?"

Mu Qiu touched her lip corner, shook her head, and said, "No need, right? Just going in to get something, doesn’t mean we have to be inseparable, I’m wearing a hat, I’ll wait for you here."

Cheng Zhirang didn’t insist, agreed, gave her a couple of reminders, then went back to get the box.

Watching him turn into the flower path, Mu Qiu squatted down, also touched the flower Cheng Zhirang had touched, her hat casting a narrow shadow over the flower bunch under the sunlight.

After a while, another shadow joined that narrow shadow.

"Miss Mu."

Mu Qiu paused her gentle flower touching, stood and turned to see the person behind her.

It was a pretty woman, with wavy curls and a swan neck, dressed in an intentionally chosen blue dress, with a row of ivory buttons and a black underlay, simple yet sophisticated.

She looked like someone born into a good family, privileged, with a bit of presence... a second female lead?

At this moment, in this place, to accurately call out her surname, either wanted to meet Cheng Zhirang’s girlfriend or intended to provoke his girlfriend.

Mu Qiu nodded in acknowledgment, "Hello, may I ask who you are?"

"Lin Huanyue. Miss Mu, could you spare a moment to chat in the shade over there?"

"No," Mu Qiu smiled and directly refused, "My boyfriend just went to grab something, I’m afraid he won’t find me when he returns."

"You mean Cheng Zhirang? He’s familiar with every part of this place, you won’t be lost."

"Oh, then I’ll use another reason: Sorry, Miss Lin, I don’t feel like chatting with you elsewhere. How about right here?"

Lin Huanyue’s smile momentarily froze, then returned two seconds later.

"Here is fine too. Are you here to see Uncle Cheng and Aunt Cheng?"

"Isn’t it obvious?"

"Could Miss Mu answer without being so rude?"

Mu Qiu lifted the brim of her hat to see her clearly, maintained a polite smile, and said:

"So, how should I be polite? By telling you I’m not here to see Cheng Zhirang’s parents, but to discuss wedding dates?"

Lin Huanyue’s smile faded, "Isn’t it a bit early to discuss marriage? Focus on getting along with Cheng Zhirang first; he doesn’t easily have long-lasting affection for anyone."

"Sounds like his affection for you didn’t last long?"

The other person’s face turned completely expressionless.

"Miss Mu seems very confident, do you think within a month, Cheng Zhirang would be utterly devoted to you?

It’s merely for show, an act, I advise you not to get too proud, if you’re planning to enter showbiz or gain something, better plan early."

"Miss Lin, is this out of goodwill towards me?"

"Why else?"

"Then I’m puzzled," Mu Qiu bent down, picked a small daisy, waved it in her hand,

"Cheng Zhirang just left, you appeared from nowhere, accurately called out my surname, then inexplicably advised me to quickly gain something from him and leave.

If I’m not mistaken, you indeed belong here and are a friend of Cheng Zhirang, right? Why does it sound like you’re on my side?

Ah, do you really hate Cheng Zhirang, so much so that you don’t want him to have a girlfriend?"

Lin Huanyue could no longer maintain a normal expression, but she wasn’t tongue-tied, merely step by step, slowly exposing her true emotions.

"Pretending to be a fool your specialty? I’m kindly speaking to you, Miss Mu, don’t think just because you’re inside this place, you can treat people here like those who smile for the camera on a show."