By the time we returned, my mood had settled. Just as I was about to close the door, Chu Ge slipped inside.

By the time I reacted, he had already closed the door.

Chu Ge looked at me innocently: “I just got back to the country and haven’t sorted out my living arrangements yet.”

“I’m going to shower first, I’m exhausted.” Immediately after, he made his way to the bathroom as if he knew the place inside out.

I shook my head, a smile involuntarily playing on my lips. His personality seemed to be just as it was before.

I ordered takeout. Soon after, the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, I realized it wasn’t the delivery guy.

Zeng Yicheng was standing outside the door.

He looked exhausted, as if he’d been rushing around for a long time.

Right, he had to deal with company matters and also appease his first love. How could he not be tired?

“Xiaoxiao, I’m here to explain, I…”

I took a step back, offering a polite smile: “Mr. Zeng, I’m not interested in your affairs, and you don’t need to explain anything to me.”

Perhaps startled by my formal address, Zeng Yicheng eagerly stepped forward. Just then, the bathroom door opened.

I watched, dumbfounded, as Chu Ge walked out wrapped in just a towel. When he saw Zeng Yicheng, he didn’t try to avoid suspicion; instead, he narrowed his eyes and curved his lips into a smile.

“Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to disturb us this late?”

Zeng Yicheng left, his face pale.

I looked at Chu Ge helplessly: “Why do something that causes such a misunderstanding…”

Chu Ge suddenly moved closer. I could almost smell the scent of his shower gel mixed with his body heat—it was my favorite freesia scent.

The air quickly warmed with the unspoken intimacy.

He whispered, “What if I told you, I hope it’s not a misunderstanding?”

My heart trembled. I looked up and saw his expression. Chu Ge’s face was incredibly earnest; he was looking at me seriously, as if seeking an answer.

The doorbell rang again. I quickly turned my head away: “The takeout’s here.”

Chu Ge let out an “Oh,” his voice tinged with what sounded like disappointment.

But I breathed a sigh of relief, almost fleeing the scene.

Next, Chu Ge sprawled casually on my sofa, eating takeout and smiling thoughtfully at me.

“I have an idea, want to hear it?”

Chu Ge was different from me; he was used to being unrestrained, acting on impulse.

But this time, after hearing him out, I didn’t refute him.

I took a deep breath: “Okay, but I’ll do the planning.”

He shrugged and let out a scoff, which counted as an agreement.

I looked up at the calendar. That day was fast approaching—the day I died in a car accident, the day I witnessed Zeng Yicheng’s betrayal with my own eyes.

When we returned home, my mood had already settled. Just as I was about to close the door, Chu Ke slipped in.

When I regained my composure, he had already locked the door behind him.

Chu Ke looked innocent at me: “I just returned to the country and haven’t settled into a place yet.”

“I’ll go shower first—I’m exhausted.” He then went to the bathroom with practiced ease.

I shook my head, and a smile tugged at my lips—he was still the same as before.

I ordered takeout. Soon, the doorbell rang, and when I opened the door, it wasn’t the delivery guy.

Meng Yi City was standing there.

He looked exhausted, as if he’d been running around for ages.

Indeed, he was busy with company matters and tending to his first love. Who wouldn’t be tired?

“Xiao Xiao, I came to explain to you—I—”

I stepped back, offering a polite smile: “Mr. Meng, I’m not interested in your affairs. You don’t need to explain anything to me.”

Meng Yi City seemed startled by my casual address, and he took a hurried step forward. At that moment, the bathroom door opened.

I stared in shock as Chu Ke emerged, wrapped in a towel. When he saw Meng Yi City, he didn’t avoid him—in fact, he squinted his eyes and flashed a smile.

“It’s late. Is it appropriate for you to come bother us?”

Meng Yi City left, his face pale.

I sighed helplessly at Chu Ke: “Why did you do something that would cause misunderstandings…?”

Chu Ke leaned closer to me. I could almost smell the soap on his skin mixed with body heat—the scent of my favorite Osmanthus.

The air quickly grew warm with tension.

He whispered softly: “What if I said I hope this isn’t an accident?”

I felt a flutter in my chest. Looking up, I met his gaze—Chu Ke’s face was utterly sincere, his eyes earnestly seeking an answer.

The doorbell rang again. I quickly turned away: “The delivery’s here.”

Chu Ke “uh-huh,” his voice tinged with disappointment.

I felt relieved and practically fled.

Chu Ke sprawled lazily on my couch, munching on takeout while smiling thoughtfully at me.

“I have an idea. Want to hear it?”

Unlike Chu Ke, I was more reserved and cautious. But this time, I didn’t argue.

I took a deep breath: “Fine, but I’ll plan it.”

He shrugged and let out a scoff, agreeing.

I glanced at the calendar—we were getting close to that day. The day I died in a car accident, the day I witnessed Meng Yi City betray me.