Lu Jinghuai blinked slowly, his face betraying no trace of embarrassment at being exposed by his parents. Instead, he smiled with effortless grace and said, "My apologies."
Ji Nian: "……"
She had gotten so used to holding his hand these past few days that it hadn’t even registered as unusual.
Now, like a wriggling worm, she slowly pried her hand free from Lu Jinghuai’s grasp.
"...Not his girlfriend yet."
Lu Zhi’s eyes instantly lit up.
‘Not yet’?
That phrasing was... intriguing.
He glanced between Ji Nian and Lu Jinghuai.
What a sly kid. They’d only been missing for a few days, and yet the progress between them had skyrocketed like a rocket.
What color suit should he wear to the wedding? At the very least, he’d have to outshine Ji Tingzhou.
The look Lu Zhi gave Lu Jinghuai was nothing short of tender. He probably never imagined that an idea he’d had years ago would actually come to fruition.
Princess Feia shot him a glance, silently signaling him to tone down the blatant expression on his face.
Compared to her husband, the princess remained far more composed.
This matter was still far from settled—until it was official, anything could happen. Of course, she dearly hoped Ji Nian would become part of their family, but ultimately, her own wishes had to be respected.
"You’ve done well in my absence."
They had already heard the reports upon their return.
From the moment news of their disappearance reached Lu Jinghuai, he had rushed back from China and taken charge, becoming the pillar everyone relied on.
Though his methods were still somewhat lenient, they had been more than enough to deal with those fools.
"And, though it’s belated—happy birthday, Ah-Huai."
Princess Feia spoke softly, stepping forward to embrace him.
Lu Zhi approached as well, and together, the couple wrapped their son in their arms.
Returning the hug, Lu Jinghuai closed his eyes. "Having you both return safely is the best birthday gift I could ask for."
When they parted, he found a stone in his hand.
A stone that emitted an eerie blue glow, its luminous spots shifting slowly—strangely unsettling, yet undeniably beautiful.
The Jialan Stone.
Legend had it that whoever found and wore the Jialan Stone would enjoy a life of health, free from illness and misfortune.
This was a tale every child in Country O grew up hearing, and Lu Jinghuai was no exception.
Princess Feia and Lu Zhi had ventured out to sea in search of this very stone.
The Jialan Stone wasn’t entirely a myth—it had a basis in reality.
Who would have thought that this seemingly rational and composed couple would embark on a perilous journey, one even children wouldn’t dare attempt, just to secure an adult gift for their son?
"Ji Nian, your father will be arriving soon. I imagine the two of you will have much to discuss."
At the mention of Ji Tingzhou’s arrival, Ji Nian immediately straightened up.
Then, Princess Feia’s hand suddenly descended.
Standing nearly six feet tall, her palm carried a crisp, cool fragrance as it landed with unexpected gentleness atop Ji Nian’s head.
"Thank you as well, for keeping Ah-Huai company these past few days."
Ji Nian, thoroughly enjoying the head pats, closed her eyes in contentment.
But soon, the princess withdrew her hand.
When Ji Nian opened her eyes again, she was met with a teasing smile. "I’d better stop—Ah-Huai is already glaring at me."
From the side, Lu Jinghuai chuckled lightly. "Mother, I would never glare at you."
With the crisis averted, there was still much for the family to handle.
Lu Jinghuai’s gaze drifted toward Ji Nian. Only after the others had gradually filed out did he approach her.
"Uncle Ji might be here to take you back."
"I want to kiss you. May I?"
Ji Nian: "……"
What was the connection between those two statements?
When she looked up into his tired yet still strikingly beautiful eyes, she couldn’t help but laugh, her voice laced with exasperation. "Lu Jinghuai, you—"
"—are bold."
He stated it matter-of-factly.
Ji Nian: "……"
Damn it. Her title as the Queen of Witty Banter was in jeopardy.
[How does he manage to say such things with that innocent, angelic face of his?]
System: [Says the pot calling the kettle black.]
No wonder you two end up sharing a bed in the future.
"What I meant to say was—are you an idiot?"
She couldn’t suppress the twitch at the corner of her mouth.
No sooner had she spoken than the shadow looming over her drew closer. Lu Jinghuai stepped forward, bent down, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head before murmuring, "Yes."
Then he walked away.
But not without turning back repeatedly, as if imprinting the sight of her in his mind.
Ji Nian thought, Really, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again.
Unable to resist, she reached up and scratched her head.
System: [Ooooh~ Aren’t you two just adorable~]
After confirming the exact time of Ji Tingzhou’s arrival, Ji Nian hurried to the entrance to wait for him.
But with some time to spare, she decided to explore.
Having stayed indoors for days, this was the perfect opportunity to wander and pick up gifts for everyone.
Yet within ten minutes, she began to regret it.
Country O had a fondness for white and gold, and the city’s streets were adorned predominantly in these hues—especially in the capital, where the two colors dominated the landscape.
The first time she’d visited as a child, she’d thought she’d accidentally stumbled into heaven and had even joked to Ji Tingzhou that there must be very little uncivilized behavior here.
After all, who would dare pee on the streets of paradise?
She still remembered the look of utter exasperation on Ji Tingzhou’s face—like he wanted nothing more than to drag her home immediately.
But enough digressing.
Against this pristine backdrop, a man with shockingly bright red hair stood out like a drop of paint splashed across a classical oil painting—impossible to miss.
Ji Nian hadn’t expected to run into a familiar face in a foreign land.
Especially not one who was currently being harassed.
Though Wei Junze wore a smirk, his expression was icy, his patience clearly worn thin.
The local pestering him didn’t understand English and kept repeating his sales pitch in heavily accented Country O dialect—clearly not from the capital—relentlessly blocking Wei Junze’s path.
"He’s not buying. Leave, or I’ll call the patrol."
Perfectly fluent Country O speech cut through the air.
The man’s spiel halted as he turned to see who had interrupted him.
Upon catching sight of Ji Nian—an Eastern girl with striking green eyes—he froze, momentarily stunned.
But then his face twisted in anger.
"Damn foreigner! This is none of your business! Get out of my country, or do you want a fist to the face?!"
His face flushed red like a man possessed, fists waving wildly.
Wei Junze’s brows lifted when he saw Ji Nian, but before his smile could fully form, the man suddenly lunged.
Instinctively, Wei Junze moved to shield her, his body tensed like a coiled predator ready to strike.
But before he could act, Ji Nian poked a single finger into his lean waist.
Wei Junze jolted as if deflated, his intimidating aura vanishing instantly—from a panther to a housecat.
Ji Nian nudged him aside. "Stay back."
Then, with one swift kick, she sent the unhinged man flying.
Wei Junze recalled the punch she had thrown at him earlier, and a dull ache began to throb in his abdomen again.
After kicking the man, ignoring the stunned gazes of passersby, Ji Nian shot Wei Junze a disapproving look. "People from Country O are very xenophobic. Even if the other guy threw the first punch, they’d still side with their own."
She tossed a disobedient curl behind her shoulder, arching an eyebrow as she regarded him with playful mockery.
Just then, a beam of light fell across her face, illuminating her long, curled lashes, making them appear soft and feathery.
"You’re in a foreign country. Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to pick fights?"
On that unfamiliar street, the girl’s face—bright as spring cherry blossoms yet tinged with mischief—burned itself into Wei Junze’s darkening gaze.
His throat inexplicably dry, he swallowed hard before speaking in a rough voice, "What about you?"
"What if you get into a fight with him?"
"Me?"
Ji Nian curled her lips in a faint, emotionless smirk, looking utterly unbothered.
