Leaving Baihao Garden District, Chu Ge drove straight back to Yipin Spring City. He took a good shower in his rented house. Normally, he would spend just about ten minutes showering, but this time he washed meticulously for over forty minutes.

After all, he was going to advance further with Qin Ruojing tonight, and he didn't want even the slightest hint of sweat on him. He wanted this night to be flawless, filled only with the warmth and wonder between husband and wife.

After his shower, Chu Ge shaved off the light stubble on his chin, then hummed a little tune with an unconscious smile on his face, carefully choosing clothes from his wardrobe.

After mulling over his choices, Chu Ge settled on the suit Qin Ruojing had first bought for him. He stood in front of the mirror for a few minutes, styled his hair a bit, and, satisfied with his appearance, flashed a bright smile at the mirror before heading out.

Downstairs, Chu Ge sat in his Maserati and, as he started the car, dialed Qin Ruoying's number. The call connected quickly.

"Xiaoying, what are you up to?"

"Brother-in-law, I'm waiting for an interview, what's up?"

"Interview?" Chu Ge paused, blinking, "What interview? Are you looking for a job in Lidu?"

"Yeah, it's boring just staying at home, so I thought I might as well find something to do. I'm applying to be a kindergarten teacher. What do you think, brother-in-law? Think I can handle it?"

Chu Ge sweated a bit. From Qin Ruoying's tone, it seemed she was really planning on staying longer?

Well, although having Qin Ruoying around did bring him a lot of joy, it wasn't exactly convenient when he wanted some privacy with Qin Ruojing at home.

"Uh, sure, absolutely." Normally, Chu Ge would have teased Qin Ruoying, saying something like "Please don't ruin the future flowers of our nation, I really feel for those parents," but he just absent-mindedly gave a perfunctory response this time.

Chu Ge initially wanted to tentatively ask when she'd be leaving but hesitated, ultimately deciding it was best to discuss it with Qin Ruojing first.

"Hee hee, right? I think I can do it for sure. The kids I teach will definitely be amazing!" Qin Ruoying cheerfully affirmed herself, then added, "By the way, brother-in-law, you haven't told me why you called."

"Well, actually, I wanted to discuss whether you could, um, maybe go out tonight. You know how your sister can be shy. The past few days, well, you understand, right?"

These words were truly embarrassing for Chu Ge to spit out. After all, Qin Ruoying was unfamiliar with Lidu, and he felt uneasy about not letting her stay at home.

But, anyway, he really hoped for a space wholly dedicated to him and Qin Ruojing tonight. Booking a room wasn't out of the question, but a hotel just didn't have the homely feel, and the place he'd bought was still under renovation, not usable at all.

"Brother-in-law, are you suggesting I go out and stay tonight? Do you really see me as a third wheel? Have you started disliking me already? I'm so hurt!"

Even over the phone, Chu Ge could hear the grievance in Qin Ruoying's voice, and could even imagine her cute, pouty face. His heart, determined for a moment, softened again. He silently laughed bitterly, rubbing his forehead in speechless frustration.

"Of course not, how could I dislike you? I just want to... um, with your sister... anyway, don't overthink it. Prepare well for your interview. I'm hanging up."

"Hee hee, brother-in-law, you do get embarrassed sometimes, huh? That's so rare!"

As Chu Ge was about to hang up, Qin Ruoying's voice piped in again through the receiver, this time without a hint of grievance, and with a playful, teasing smile.

"Uh?"

"Brother-in-law, do you really think I'm that inconsiderate? You're married to my sister, of course I know how much of a third wheel I am. Don't worry, tonight is your private time. I promise I won't be back to disrupt you, so you can rest assured."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ge was overjoyed, but then felt a touch of worry, "Where will you stay tonight then?"

"I rented a place yesterday, just didn't get around to telling you. Haha, actually, I wanted to see when you'd reach your limit and bring it up to me for real."

Chu Ge rolled his eyes, feeling speechless. Qin Ruoying was sure full of ideas, not giving him a heads-up about something like this.

After asking about her rental situation, Chu Ge learned that it was not far from Qin Ruojing's home, and that it had great surroundings and security systems. He felt much more at ease. Just as he was about to hang up, Qin Ruoying hesitantly said something.

"Brother-in-law, you... tonight with my sister, please be gentle, like, um, how do I put it, just make sure to... take it slow and easy."

Chu Ge sweated again, feeling an indescribable strangeness. Were these really words a sister-in-law should say to her brother-in-law? Plus, Qin Ruoying's tone sounded so hesitant.

It felt like a kid who'd caused trouble, afraid to confess to an adult?

"Uh... don't worry, I know."

Qin Ruoying hesitated for a few more seconds, and Chu Ge could even feel her breathing change a bit. "Brother-in-law, actually, actually I..."

Chu Ge waited for a long time, but Qin Ruoying still didn't say a complete sentence. He couldn't help feeling more speechless. When he called Song Baijia, she was like this too. What's going on with Qin Ruoying?

"Xiaoying, is there anything you can't tell me? What's going on?"

"Brother-in-law, actually... actually I'm sorry to you and my sister! I..."

Qin Ruoying seemed to have finally made a decision, but just then, Chu Ge heard someone calling Qin Ruoying's name. It sounded like it was her turn for the interview.

This sudden voice startled Qin Ruoying, and the courage she had finally mustered was instantly drained a lot.

"Qin Ruoying? Is Qin Ruoying here?"

When Qin Ruoying was called again, her courage dissipated further, and hesitation filled her heart.

"Xiaoying, it's your turn for the interview, right? Go quickly, we'll talk later. That's it, I'm hanging up now."

Upon hearing Chu Ge say this, Qin Ruoying was stunned for a few seconds. However, when she called "Brother-in-law" again, Chu Ge had already hung up the call.

Placing the phone aside, Chu Ge shook his head helplessly. In his mind, Qin Ruoying's apology probably referred to the trouble she caused for the two of them.

Not long after, Chu Ge drove the car into the parking lot of Huafu Garden District, turned off both phones, and went upstairs with the items he had bought earlier that morning.

From now until tomorrow morning, he didn't want to be disturbed by anyone. This time was reserved solely for him and Qin Ruojing.

All day, Qin Ruojing was a bit absent-minded. Every passing minute and second meant it was getting closer to the night.

No matter how complex her feelings were, or how much she wished for time to slow down, the passage of time couldn't be changed by her will. The sun hanging high in the sky still gradually set towards the west.

It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it felt like just a moment. The sky was already filled with cascading fiery clouds, painting the earth red and marking the end of the workday.

Tianjiao Building quickly emptied, leaving Qin Ruojing sitting in the empty office. The sunlight streamed through the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a hazy glow over her delicate face.

Gazing at the sky, Qin Ruojing rested her chin on one hand. Her mind seemed to be filled with many thoughts, yet it also seemed blank.

As streetlights began to illuminate one by one, and the post-work rush hour traffic eased, Qin Ruojing knew she couldn't delay any longer; it was time to go home and face Chu Ge.

Returning to Huafu Garden District, Qin Ruojing looked up at her apartment floor. The room was dark, which oddly reassured her—it seemed Chu Ge hadn't returned yet.

She pulled out her keys and opened the door. Before she could turn on the lights and as she was about to bend down to change shoes, a gentle music suddenly filled the quiet room.

"No matter how far spring is, my heart is still bright. Holding your long-lost hands is worth it. A lifetime of pursuit, just for the dream to be fulfilled. Don't say the years are long, for long years are more tender. Happy to give up loneliness, happiness is savored slowly. True feelings melt true emotions. Life must be lived well, don't sigh over its sufferings and worries..."

This was Chu Ge's voice. Qin Ruojing had never known that Chu Ge's singing was so beautiful. That deep, magnetic voice, full of emotion, was like a gentle hand that softly touched her heartstrings.

Immediately, a soft blue light glowed upward in the room. As the light reached the ceiling, it spread to the surrounding, dispelling the darkness in an instant, and imprinting the ceiling and walls with little shimmering lights, as if it were a starry night sky.

In the middle of the living room was a delicately designed projection lamp. It filled the room with hazy light and Chu Ge's voice, spinning gently.

Following this, Qin Ruojing also saw on the sofa, TV cabinet, and even the coffee table and walls, multicolored jellyfish gently stretching and contracting in a rhythmic motion—there were jewel blue, grass green, rose pink, magic purple, semi-transparent...

With the appearance of these jellyfish, the vast starry sky seemed to transform into a romantic and mystical ocean.

Qin Ruojing's eyes widened, and she slowly straightened, instinctively covering her mouth.

Watching the ethereal light and shadow, listening to Chu Ge's singing, all the chaos and anxiety in Qin Ruojing's heart vanished at that moment, replaced by an indescribable warmth and excitement.

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