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墨書 Inktalez
In the solemn atmosphere of the Qing Family living room, Qing Guo Bo, with a youthful face and white hair, sat on the sofa with an imposing demeanor. Upon seeing Qing Cang slowly descending the stairs, his eyes lit up like torches, and a sharp gaze swept across Qing Cang's chiseled face.
"You brat, do you even know how to come home?"
He couldn't even remember when this child last returned! Qing Guo Bo resentfully glanced at Qing Cang and said in a somewhat sour tone, "Is it because your position has grown larger that your attitude has too? If I hadn't been calling you for three days straight, would you still have no intention of coming home?"
"Grandpa, do you miss me as a person? Or are you more interested in knowing about the military exercises this time?"
With elegantly curved lips, Qing Cang flashed a sly smile. Dressed in a white casual outfit, he resembled a god from ancient Greek mythology, exuding an air of noble charm with every gesture.
Although Qing Guo Bo had retired at home, his heart had always been tied to the lush green fields. Every phone call was made to inquire about military matters.
"Grandpa, you must remember that you are already retired. As they say, secrets should not be leaked. How could I disclose important military secrets?"
"You brat, you really know how to play tricks on your grandpa. Come on, let's go for a walk!"
With that, he didn't even glance at Li Jiuyue as he brushed past her. He didn't like this daughter-in-law; he disliked the business-like aura she exuded.
Following Qing Guo Bo into the backyard, the autumn sky was as blue as if washed with jade, pure and clear like transparent crystal, refreshing to the spirit. The air was filled with a faint scent of osmanthus. On this sunny morning, Qing Guo Bo suddenly turned around to look at Qing Cang and sighed deeply: "Cang'er, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight during this time apart!"
"The troops have been busy with military exercises; you know that!"
Qing Cang's gaze drifted toward the branches adorned with golden osmanthus flowers. The beautiful face of Shen Qingyou surfaced in his mind like the osmanthus itself. Serene, is it time for me to end this?
"Li Luo, get out of bed!"
Hearing the roar from downstairs, Li Luo buried her head deep into her pillow; this woman was more punctual than an alarm clock.
"Li Luo, hurry up! The sun is already shining on your backside!"
Raising an eyebrow, is the sun already shining on our backs?
The black curtains blocked out the brilliant morning light outside, and the entire room remained as dark as night.
"Hurry up and get out of bed! Don't you remember? We have an audition at Director Li's today!"
The voice had already reached outside the door. Li Luo felt a strong sense of urgency; sure enough, a white figure rushed to his bedside like a whirlwind. Then, just like that, the blanket covering him was lifted. However, this time it was different from before. Previously, it was Li Luo howling like a wolf, but now it was Shen Qingyou.
"You, you, why aren't you wearing any clothes?"
Shen Qingyou's face turned as red as a cooked lobster, quickly covering her eyes with both hands. This scoundrel had actually developed a habit of sleeping naked.
A wicked smile flickered in Li Luo's eyes as he leisurely got out of bed, wrapped in a towel, and walked in front of Shen Qingyou. "Shen Qingyou, you're not a young lady anymore; why pretend to be so pure?"
"You brat, hurry up and put some clothes on!"
Shen Qingyou lowered her hands and glared angrily at the bare-chested Li Luo. "You’ve forgotten your injuries so quickly; you really should have stayed in the hospital a bit longer!"
"That way you'd have time to meet up with your old flame, right?"
Li Luo laughed as he walked into the bathroom, shutting out Shen Qingyou's furious shouts. Puffing her cheeks in frustration, Shen Qingyou began to tidy up the messy room. "Shen Qingyou, bring me the towel!"
The towel? Isn't it in the bathroom? A glance revealed the towel on the bedside table, and anger flared within her. "Li Luo, you went to bed without drying your hair again last night! Do you know how easy it is to catch a cold like that..."
Standing under the showerhead, Li Luo listened to Shen Qingyou's incessant chatter outside. On this morning, it sounded incredibly pleasant. A faint smile played on his lips, and warmth rippled through his dark eyes. His once monotonous life had become much richer since this woman entered it...
A hand reached in from outside the door, passing him the towel. As his fingertips brushed against Shen Qingyou's soft hand, a tingling sensation coursed through his body. It felt as if his heart had been nibbled at; an inexplicable emotion swept over his nerves.
"Hey, do you want it or not?"
Outside, Shen Qingyou called out impatiently.
"Can you hurry up? Director Li is giving you the chance to keep this audition, that's a big deal!"
She was still mumbling outside, but for Li Luo, nothing registered; all that echoed in his mind was the momentary flutter in his heart.
...
"The bread today is not good, it's a bit burnt!"
...
"The milk today doesn't taste good either, it seems expired!"
...
"Today!"
"Li Luo, if you're not going to eat, then don't. Stop whining like a noisy old hen!"
"I think your hairpin looks really nice today!"
...
Shen Qingyou shot Li Luo a glare, and just as she was about to speak, her phone on the table rang. Upon seeing the caller ID, her expression suddenly changed. She picked up the phone and walked out.
It must be Qing Cang!
Li Luo angrily stabbed the bread in front of him with a fork. Poor bread, full of holes and looking pitiful.
"Qing Shao, are you looking for me?"
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Qing Cang suddenly broke into a brilliant smile, like the torn dawn. His deep voice softly asked, "How did you know it was me?"
Like a child whose secret has been peeked at, Shen Qingyou stuck out her tongue. Should she tell him that she had dialed this number countless times on sleepless nights?
"You’re looking for me? Is there something you need?"
In her heart, there was a mix of anticipation and a hint of timidity. At this moment, Shen Qingyou felt like a girl who had just fallen in love—filled with desire for love yet somewhat bewildered.
"Are you free tonight?"
"Yes!"
The answer slipped out before she could think, leaving Shen Qingyou feeling a bit embarrassed. Why couldn't she hold back just a little?
"Then I'll pick you up at six tonight!"
With that, Qing Cang hung up the phone. He was coming to pick her up? Did he know where she was?
Putting away her phone, Shen Qingyou walked to the dining table in a daze. She picked up the knife and fork on the table absentmindedly, and then, recalling something, a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Ding!"
With a crisp sound, she suddenly looked up, "Hey, why aren't you eating?"
"What to eat? The bread is burnt, the eggs are overcooked, the milk is spoiled. Who has any appetite for that?" Li Luo said angrily while casting a resentful glance at Shen Qingyou. After a while, a loud voice came from the doorway, "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up!"
This ancestor was clearly trying to make things difficult for her. Shen Qingyou hastily stuffed a few pieces of bread into her mouth and rushed out.
Sitting in the car, Shen Qingyou opened the script. "Li Luo, let me tell you, this time, the role you're playing is that of a spy who infiltrates the school where the protagonist is..."
Shen Qingyou explained the details of the script to Li Luo again, "Do you understand all of this?"
"Mm!"
"And also, Director Li mentioned that the Makeup Artist might make some changes to your face because your handsome appearance differs somewhat from this character. They might add a scar to your face!"
"Mm!"
"Also, since you're playing the second male lead, you'll need to coordinate your schedule with the male lead's. You might have to make some adjustments!"
"Mm!"
After Li Luo responded with an unprotesting "mm" for the third time, Shen Qingyou raised her head. What was going on? Why was he being so agreeable?
"What? Is there nothing else?" Li Luo glanced at Shen Qingyou.
"For now, that's about it!"
After he mumbled for a while, Shen Qingyou could guarantee that he hadn't listened to a word she said. So why bother wasting her breath?
The atmosphere in the car suddenly became a bit heavy, with no conversation and no music. Shen Qingyou could clearly hear her own breathing, watching Li Luo's thin lips pressed tightly together as if sulking. Not knowing what had upset him this time, Shen Qingyou decided to observe for a while, firmly refusing to speak first; who was afraid of whom?
The car continued down the road at a slow pace. After a while, Li Luo reached out to turn on the car radio. On the quiet winding mountain road, that song suddenly burst into the silence.
“eeeinhenighinhespanishaf, ilkinyureyesjusdnknhasay, ifeelslikeidrninginsalyaer, afehurslef ilhesun sgnnarise, rrilleandi sierealize, urlvehasfinishedfrever, hiisheihyu, hiisheakeihrugh, jusnelasdane, befreesaygdbye…”
jusnelasdane, befreesaygdbye. Shen Qingyou followed the melody and softly hummed along.
“Before we say goodbye, let’s dance one last dance!” The host's voice suddenly interrupted Shen Qingyou's humming. “I wonder who you see first when you wake up and open your eyes? Could it be your lover? If so, make sure to cherish this love beside you because there are too many regrets in this world that leave us powerless. What we can do is to earnestly seize every moment. If you love them, then confess your feelings on this sunny morning!”
With such music and words, sitting in the car and watching the fleeting scenery outside the window, Shen Qingyou felt a wave of emotion. Qing Cang, the man who had captivated her life so deeply—what kind of thrilling feelings would he bring her tonight?
“Sentimental!”
Just as Shen Qingyou was engrossed in listening, Li Luo turned off the radio with a stern face. “Are you getting spring fever? It’s not even spring yet, and you’re already daydreaming? Women are indeed like wolves at thirty and tigers at forty; look at you now—just like a wolf or a tiger!”
Glancing at him, wasn’t he supposed to be quiet? Shen Qingyou lazily ignored him and rested her head against the car window, still thinking about what the host had just said: If you love him, confess!
The car slowly drove into Director Li's studio. As soon as Shen Qingyou got out of the car, she saw a familiar red BMW parked at the entrance. That license plate looked so familiar!
While she was desperately searching her memory for recognition, Qing Han Qing and Director Li walked out of the studio.
“Sister Qing! This time your company sponsoring our film truly gives us wings!” As one of the most renowned directors in the country, seeing him display such flattering smiles made it clear how significant Qing Han Qing's company’s financial investment in this film was.
Qing Han Qing looked at Shen Qingyou and Li Luo with a charming smile: “Serene! What a coincidence to see you here!”
“Sister Qing!”
“Serene, it’s only been half a year since we last met, how have you become so distant with me?” Qing Han Qing walked towards Shen Qingyou with a smile, the air around her filled with the scent of jy—jeanpaa perfume, which was intoxicating.
“Do you know each other?”
Director Li followed behind Qing Han Qing and approached them. Then, as if realizing something, he added, “Look at my memory, Sister Qing is Qing Shao's Cousin. It’s only natural that you two know each other.”
Before he could finish, the atmosphere around them suddenly changed. Realizing he had misspoken, he quickly changed the subject: “You two chat first, you two chat first. Li Luo, do you want to come in and try on the outfit?”
Although Li Luo was reluctant, he still followed Director Li inside at Shen Qingyou's urging. As he reached the door, he glanced back at the woman who bore a resemblance to Shen Qingyou, which clearly indicated that her attitude towards Shen Qingyou was unfriendly.
“Serene, I didn’t expect you to switch careers and become an assistant!”
Qing Han Qing raised her beautifully arched Willow Brows and smiled at Shen Qingyou with a tone that revealed no emotion.
“It’s just a job to make ends meet!”
“A job to make ends meet? That won’t do! Six months ago, weren’t you adamant about giving Cang three years to stand on equal footing with him? Are you planning to use your identity as an assistant to achieve that?”
Qing Han Qing looked down at Shen Qingyou like a queen from her high throne, viewing her as insignificant as an ant—full of disdain and hidden resentment.
“Sister Qing, thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west; how do you know that in another six months I won’t still be an assistant?”
Shen Qingyou stood up, and a sudden autumn breeze lifted her pleated skirt. A warm smile graced her lips, but her expression conveyed a noble aloofness that made Qing Han Qing feel her disdain. “Sister Qing, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head in first. As assistants, we have no freedom and must watch our master’s face; you wouldn’t make things difficult for me, would you?”
Her smile remained, but to Qing Han Qing, it felt as sharp as a knife cutting across her face. With a look of anger in her eyes, Shen Qingyou walked into the studio without looking back.
“Let’s see how long you can keep up that sharp tongue.”
Qing Han Qing watched Shen Qingyou walk in, whispering fiercely.
Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the arrogant red BMW speed away, Shen Qingyou let the strength in her eyes fade. She turned to Li Luo, who was dressed in a light blue suit that outlined his perfect and slender figure. His bangs were styled in a center part, which looked a bit outdated but revealed his smooth and full forehead. He exuded the aura of a sunny and ambitious young man.
Director Li shook his head repeatedly, signaling to Makeup Artist that it still wasn’t working; the character's appearance lacked the darkness they needed. Makeup Artist appeared quite troubled. In the film industry, some people can only play positive roles their entire lives because their appearances simply do not fit negative characters. This was true for Li Luo. No matter how skilled the makeup artist was, they could not hide the sunny aura radiating from him. Moreover, Li Luo was known in the industry as a pretty face with no acting skills to speak of. It would be too difficult for him to play this role.
Standing to the side, Shen Qingyou noticed Director Li's disappointed expression and felt anxious. If Li Luo missed this great opportunity for transformation, who knew when he would get another chance?
How could she give him a sense of darkness and cruelty?
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She walked up to Li Luo and whispered a few words into his ear. His expression changed dramatically; with his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, he looked at Shen Qingyou with a hint of alluring softness. His gaze felt like an invisible knife aimed straight at her heart, and a cold smile curled at the corners of his mouth, resembling a ghostly apparition.
"This is the feeling! This is it!"
Director Li clapped in approval. "Serene, how did you do that?"
Shen Qingyou smiled lightly. "It's a secret!"
"Haha, haha!"
Director Li laughed heartily, and Makeup Artist let out a long sigh of relief; finally, they wouldn’t have to reshape him over and over again.
When the two emerged from Director Li's studio, it was already dusk. Shen Qingyou glanced at her watch; it was already 5:30 PM. Where was Qing Cang, who hadn’t even asked where to pick her up? Just as she hesitated about whether to call him, Li Luo, already seated in the car, honked wildly: "Shen Qingyou, are you daydreaming? Why aren’t you getting in?"
Standing not far from the car outside, Shen Qingyou waved her hand at Li Luo, signaling him to go ahead. Li Luo frowned in confusion and thought to himself what was going on. He got out of the driver's seat and asked across the street, "Shen Qingyou, what’s up?"
"I want you to go back first; I have something to do tonight and won’t be having dinner."
Shen Qingyou shouted at the top of her lungs, but Li Luo still couldn't hear her amidst the bustling traffic filled with engine roars and honking horns. Li Luo attempted to cross the street, but just as he reached the center of the road, a car suddenly sped towards him, heading straight for him.
"Li Luo, watch out!"
On the opposite side of the street, Shen Qingyou's face turned pale. She sprinted towards him at breakneck speed and quickly tackled him to the ground. They rolled to the other side of the road just as a white Mazda screeched to a halt nearby. A woman with a pale face stepped out and exclaimed, "Are you both okay?"
Li Luo glared at her as if he could burn a hole through her. "Are you blind? There was someone in front of you, and you still slammed on the gas?"
Li Luo was a public figure; he couldn't afford to make a scene in public. If those paparazzi caught this moment, it would surely make headlines.
"I'm so sorry! I just got my driver's license. When I saw you suddenly dash into the road, I panicked and mistook the gas pedal for the brake!" The woman was nearly in tears.
"Forget it, forget it. As long as you're both fine, just go!" Shen Qingyou signaled to Li Luo not to escalate things. Seeing Shen Qingyou's kind demeanor, the woman immediately became tearful with gratitude. "May blessings be upon you both!"
...
"Another road hazard!"
"You still have time to joke? Were you crazy just now? Do you know how dangerous it is to dash into the street like that?"
Li Luo glared angrily at Shen Qingyou. Was she trying to throw her life away?
"Hey, I just saved your life! Why aren't you grateful and instead scolding me?"
Shen Qingyou felt like she had become a fool, and if it weren't for her brave actions just now, along with her reckless abandon, he would probably be lying in the emergency room of a hospital at this moment.
"I don't want you to save me like this!"
Good intentions were met with ingratitude. Shen Qingyou shot him a glare, and suddenly, Li Luo grabbed her body, wrapping one arm around her waist.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Shen Qingyou looked at him nervously as she saw him raise his hand and reach towards her ear, brushing aside a stray hair. "There's a chicken feather stuck up here!"
"You jerk!"
A sense of relief washed over both of them after the ordeal, and with a smile, Shen Qingyou punched Li Luo in the chest. Li Luo pretended to be seriously hurt, clutching his chest with a grin on his face.
When this seemingly warm scene caught Qing Cang's eye, a hint of darkness flickered in his gaze.
As the two realized a car had stopped beside them, they quickly suppressed their mischievous smiles. Qing Cang stepped out of the car with a deep smile on his lips, dressed in a black suit that wrapped around his tall and upright figure like a prince from a fairy tale, exuding an indescribable noble aura.
Shen Qingyou watched as he slowly walked towards her, her heart seemingly stopping. The setting sun cast an orange glow that highlighted his dazzling smile, while the blood-red sunset behind him paled in comparison to his brilliance. His obsidian-like bright eyes sparkled with an air of heroism, set against his strong and well-defined handsome face that resembled a sculpted masterpiece, emanating an imposing presence like that of a king.
"Qing Shao, what are you doing here?"
Shen Qingyou absolutely did not believe that his appearance here was coincidental.
"Weren't we supposed to meet at six o'clock? Can we leave now?"
Qing Shao looked at Shen Qingyou and Li Luo politely and then turned his deep gaze back to Shen Qingyou's face.
“Li Luo, do you mind if I let your assistant take a half day off today?”
“If you don’t mind this disheveled woman embarrassing you, then go ahead and borrow her!” Li Luo arrogantly looked at Shen Qingyou and Qing Shao, emphasizing the word “borrow.”
Shen Qingyou kicked Li Luo’s foot hard. Borrow? Was she an object that could be borrowed?
“Ah, ah, ah, you heartless woman!”
Li Luo cradled her foot and let out a howl like a wolf, glaring at Shen Qingyou. Shen Qingyou raised her fist, “Heroine, spare me, spare me!”
“That’s more like it!” Shen Qingyou lowered her fist. The two often played around like this and felt no discomfort at all. However, to Qing Cang, their camaraderie made him acutely aware of a serious sense of crisis.
“Serene, can we go now?”
“Go ahead, go ahead!”
Li Luo waved at Shen Qingyou with a smile, “Have fun!”
Turning around, she walked towards her BMW. In that moment of turning back, the smile on her face suddenly vanished, leaving her looking incredibly lonely…
Shen Qingyou followed behind Qing Cang as he got into his black Audi A5. The car was very clean and had a faint scent of perfume. It slowly started up, turned around, and drove straight down the wide road. The atmosphere was even awkward; Shen Qingyou wanted to speak several times but didn’t know where to start. She could only gaze out the window at the street. Under the night sky, the city was illuminated by flickering neon lights that flashed past Shen Qingyou’s view in a hurried manner. Glancing sideways at Qing Cang’s indifferent expression, her gaze shifted to his fingers gripping the steering wheel—knuckles prominent yet long and strong. Undeniably, these were hands capable of stirring up storms in Jiangcheng.
Suddenly, without her noticing, a powerful hand gently rested on hers. With a slight pull, it tightly clasped her fingers in its palm. A warm current instantly coursed through Shen Qingyou’s entire body; her heart raced violently.
The SUV passed through the bustling market and arrived at a quiet alley. The alley was deep; following the eaves lit by red candles all the way down, one still couldn’t see the end!
Having lived in this city for so many years, she was surprised to discover such a place. Stepping onto the soft moss-covered bluestone path felt incredibly comfortable.
"Where is this?"
"You'll know when you get there!"
Looking up, in the dim candlelight, a few strands of hair casually falling across his forehead glimmered softly. His features were sharply defined, like a sculpture, strikingly handsome with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and lips that were just the right thickness, currently adorned with a dazzling smile. His eyes were dark and deep, exuding a wild and seductive aura.
"Am I very handsome?"
"Cough... cough..."
Did he catch her peeking at him? Shen Qingyou stumbled and bumped into Qing Cang, who was turned slightly to look at her.
"There's no need to throw yourself into my arms so quickly."
Qing Cang looked at the flustered woman he was holding. He enjoyed the feeling of her throwing herself into his arms, even if it wasn't quite the same as a genuine embrace.
"You’re talking nonsense!"
Shen Qingyou's cheeks flushed red. If it weren't for the glow of the red lights, she would have wanted to find a hole to hide in. Qing Cang smiled lightly, and the awkward atmosphere between them vanished with his teasing remark. He took her hand, and they walked side by side along the long and quiet ancient path.
Stepping over a high threshold, an ancient building with a strong historical charm came into Shen Qingyou's view. The corridor made of white marble twisted through the courtyard, with water flowing gently beneath it. An elegant ancient courtyard appeared before Shen Qingyou's eyes, making her feel as if she had traveled back in time. It smelled so good! Shen Qingyou took several deep breaths; the air was filled with the fragrance of plum blossoms. The plum grove, with its lively white blossoms in the night, looked so elegant and noble. Suddenly, she felt a burst of pure white flash before her eyes; the fresh fragrance rushed into her senses. Under the moonlight's glow, the garden was surrounded by layers of blooming plum flowers, quietly unfolding like snowflakes, serene as orchids.
The fragrance of plum blossoms filled every cell around her, invigorating her spirit. The white plums stood in various postures, their brightness even illuminating the night. Shen Qingyou found it hard to tear her gaze away.
"Cang, what brings you here today?"
A loud male voice interrupted Shen Qingyou. Was someone living here? She thought this was merely an ancient building preserved as a cultural relic.
"Mouse, long time no see!"
Qing Cang opened his arms and gave the man walking towards him a bear hug! The newcomer was also not polite and threw a punch at Qing Cang's chest, but anyone with keen eyes could tell that the punch was delivered without any real force.
"Who is this?" Shen Hao looked at the woman standing behind him, who was staring at them with wide eyes in confusion. "Wait, wait!"
Shen Hao stopped Qing Cang, who was about to introduce her. "Let me guess, let me guess, you are A Lian, Qing Cang's first love, right?"
Shen Qingyou shook her head with a smile.
"Then, you are Ali, Qing Cang's crush from high school?"
Shen Qingyou still smiled and shook her head.
"Could it be that you are the delicate female translator from Qing Cang's time in the army?"
"Haozi, you're here, so I won't hold back!"
Qing Cang raised his fist and pretended to threaten: "Do I have your kind of playboy heart?"
"I'm not joking, I'm not joking anymore!" Shen Hao put away his smile and looked at Shen Qingyou, extending his right hand: "Serene, hello, I am Shen Hao!"
"Hello!"
Shen Qingyou smiled gently. As she shook hands with Shen Hao, she took a rough glance at him. His tall figure and bronze skin glowed softly under the gentle light. The all-black outfit added to his mystery. He exuded an aura of a king under pressure, yet at this moment, he wore a gentle smile as he looked at Qing Cang and Shen Qingyou.
"You can call me Haozi just like Qing Cang!"
When Shen Hao extended his hand, Shen Qingyou saw the shocking scar on his arm. "Did I scare you?"
"No, no..."
Seeing that scar made Shen Qingyou even more curious about the identity of the man in front of her. Living in an elegant villa, being so close to the aloof Qing Cang, and having such a striking scar—what exactly was this man's identity?
"Haozi, it's windy outside; let's go inside!"
As they entered the inner room, a rich aroma wafted over—it was the smell of lamb hotpot. Shen Qingyou's stomach uncomfortably let out a growl, and the two men beside her laughed, while she felt so embarrassed that she wished she could find a hole to hide in.
"I just received your call and got everything ready; hurry up and sit down!"
Shen Hao lifted the pot lid, and an even stronger fragrance quickly filled the entire room. "Aren't you going to sit down?"
Qing Cang pulled the dazed Shen Qingyou to a seat. "Want to drink some wine?"
Shen Hao took a bottle of red wine from the cabinet—an 8-year-old Lafite—but red wine with hotpot? This pairing seemed a bit strange!
"She doesn't drink!"
Qing Cang took away the wine glass placed in front of Shen Qingyou. Shen Hao smiled and put the wine bottle back, his eyes filled with amusement.
The two men bantered back and forth, and soon one bottle of red wine was finished. Shen Qingyou ignored them and focused on filling her own stomach.
"Haozi, what brand is this hotpot base? It smells so good!"
Shen Qingyou sincerely praised it, forgetting when she last had hotpot. It seemed like a long time ago—perhaps during college when a few girls from her dorm would often go to a hotpot restaurant near school, ordering five or six dishes and then buying a bag of snacks. Back then, it felt like an unparalleled delicacy; now, no matter how she ate, she couldn't taste that flavor anymore! The aroma was strong, but it never had that kind of essence again.
"I made it myself!"
Shen Hao's response caused Shen Qingyou to suddenly drop her chopsticks, looking at Shen Hao in disbelief. It wasn't until Qing Cang nodded to confirm that it was true that she snapped back to reality, struggling to imagine such a man wielding a spatula and wearing an apron.
"He has many unexpected skills!" Qing Cang admired as he looked at Shen Hao, his eyes filled with mischief. Shen Hao shot him a fierce glare, then raised his wine glass and downed it in one go. "No matter how many skills I have, they're nothing compared to yours. You and Serene see the rainbow after the storm, but me? My rainbow is still in the northwest of my homeland!"
Qing Cang smiled faintly and silently placed a piece of freshly cooked lamb into Shen Qingyou's bowl. "Haozi, aren't you planning to go to Tibet soon?"
Shen Hao's deep gaze suddenly dimmed as he stared out into the dark night. No one knew what thoughts were swirling in his mind at that moment, shrouded in mystery.
"Then doesn't that mean your house will be empty with no one living in it?"
Shen Hao looked up at Qing Cang. "How about letting me stay there?"
"You just know that your visit today isn't for good intentions! But why do you want to take over my place when you have so many houses?"
"Given my current situation, you know it well enough; I want to give Serene a place to stay!"
Huh?
Shen Qingyou, who had been focused on her work, suddenly looked up, confused and puzzled as she glanced at Qing Cang. A hint of displeasure began to surface on her forehead. What was he doing? Was he arranging her future living situation?
Shen Hao seemed unsurprised by this development but said, "You have plenty of places to stay; why not just give one of them to Serene?"
Did he really think he could pull this off? But he still couldn't resist teasing him.
"I already have a place to stay!"
Six months ago, she had vowed to make a three-year agreement with Qing Cang, promising not to look down on him, at least to be able to sit at eye level. And now? What difference was there between her and six months ago? Wasn't she still just as empty and in a miserable state?
The harmonious atmosphere dropped to zero with a sudden remark from Shen Qingyou. Qing Cang's earlier good mood vanished, his face darkening with barely concealed anger. Did she have a place to live? Did she plan to continue living with that annoying guy? An unsettling tension filled the air, and the relationship between the two became subtly strained. Shen Qingyou had no idea how she had offended this ancestor again, so she could only lower her head and pretend nothing was wrong while continuing to battle with the delicious food in the pot.
"Forget it, forget it. Let's not mention this. Cang, after I leave, just hand the keys over to you. Serene can come over anytime if she changes her mind!"
Although Shen Hao thought he had found a compromise, both Shen Qingyou and Qing Cang had their own ideas, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward for a moment.
Under the moonlight, the three of them walked along the winding corridor. Standing on the corridor, Shen Qingyou took in the beautiful scenery beneath her feet; white lotuses floated on the clear lake surface. Would white lotuses bloom in this season?
"These are plastic!"
Shen Hao's deep voice sounded dreamlike under the moonlight. Shen Qingyou stuck out her tongue, realizing how foolish she was for not being able to tell real from fake!
"Haozi, let's stop here. We're leaving!"
"Serene, goodbye!"
Under the glow of the Red Lanterns, the Bluestone Tile Wall exuded a strong sense of antiquity. Shen Qingyou turned back to look at the man waving at them from the lighted area and suddenly felt that his hazy figure resembled an immortal who had fallen into the mortal world, immersed in a dreamlike illusion.
After getting into the car, Qing Cang remained sullen throughout. The earlier unpleasantness still hung over both of them, creating a suffocating atmosphere inside the car that made Shen Qingyou unable to resist rolling down the window. A cold wind slapped against her face, mixed with a hint of dampness. She realized that this city had already experienced its first snowfall of winter this year without her noticing. She reached out her hand to welcome the snowflakes drifting into her palm; within her grasp lay such fragile life, displaying colorful patterns under the dazzling neon lights. However, snow would eventually melt into water, quietly slipping away through her fingers. She felt powerless to change their fate's trajectory—a fleeting moment like water leaving no trace...
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