Tian Meimei had no idea how Si Mugu would react upon receiving the love letter. Would he be happy? Just the thought of it intensified the discomfort in her heart.
She was a girl who was rather slow when it came to emotions, so of course, she didn’t understand what was happening to her. But right now, she had no time to dwell on it. With another holiday approaching, she bought a ticket and went home.
Tian Meimei tried to reach out to Shen Chi. After all, as the eldest son of the Shen family, he should at least come home for a visit. But Shen Chi seemed to have no intention of returning.
The Shen family had raised Shen Chi all these years and even paid for him to attend such a prestigious university. Even if there were conflicts within the family, it shouldn’t have reached the point where they acted like sworn enemies, never speaking again.
Hearing Tian Meimei’s complaints, Tian's mother, who had come to pick her up, remarked, "That boy Shen Chi must be in a relationship, right?"
Tian Meimei was surprised. "Yeah, Mom, how did you know?"
"Men are all like that. Once they have a girlfriend, they forget their mother. If he doesn’t want to come home, he’s probably busy spending time with her."
Tian Meimei bit her lip. She also felt that the once exemplary big brother from next door had changed for the worse ever since he started dating.
Just as they entered the neighborhood, Tian Meimei ran into a middle-aged man. She hurried over and called out, "Uncle Shen!"
Shen Jing smiled when he saw Tian Meimei. "Ah, Meimei, you’re back."
After hesitating for a moment, Tian Meimei pressed her lips together and asked, "Uncle Shen, have you not been in touch with Shen Chi for a long time?"
The smile faded from Shen Jing’s face. He sighed. "That boy has grown up. He must be busy with his studies. I know life outside is tough, and the pressure is heavy. There’s nothing I can do to help."
"Uncle Shen, Shen Chi is in a relationship."
Shen Jing replied, "Oh? That’s good news."
"His girlfriend comes from a very wealthy family. I heard her spending habits are extravagant. Shen Chi has to work hard to earn money outside of his studies, and all of it goes to her."
A flicker of something passed through Shen Jing’s eyes. "His girlfriend is some rich heiress?"
"She’s the daughter of Huaxia Heavy Industries."
Shen Jing had heard of Huaxia Heavy Industries—a massive corporation. Countless people dreamed of working there, considering themselves lucky just to get in. And to actually win the heart of the Xia Family’s daughter? That was something only someone who had saved the galaxy in a past life could achieve!
Shen Jing chuckled. "Meimei, my wife, his younger brother, and I don’t know much about how Shen Chi is doing outside. Since you’re at the same university, you must know more. Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight and tell me all about him?"
Tian Meimei quickly nodded. "Okay!"
She couldn’t bear to see the neighbor she had admired since childhood change into someone unrecognizable, all for the sake of a materialistic girl. The only ones who could pull him back from this path now were his parents.
At the same time, Tian Meimei received a message on her phone.
Tian Meimei, what’s the meaning of helping another girl deliver a love letter to me?
Her heart inexplicably skipped a beat. I was just doing her a favor.
A favor? So you really want me to be with someone else?
Tian Meimei gritted her teeth. Who you’re with is none of my business.
Fine. Then I’ll do as you wish.
Si Mugu didn’t send any more messages after that, leaving Tian Meimei increasingly uneasy.
For many students, holidays meant lazing around, but for Shen Chi, it just meant another day of work.
But today was different.
Ever since Xia Miao had indulged him more and more, Shen Chi had been sleeping better each night with her in his arms. When he woke up at seven in the morning, the first thing he noticed was the emptiness beside him.
Shen Chi abruptly threw off the covers and sat up. Seeing the bed empty, he called out in panic, "Miao Miao!"
When there was no response, the young man stumbled out of bed in such a hurry that he nearly tripped. Then, from the kitchen, a girl’s figure emerged.
She was still wearing an apron, the spatula in her hand not yet put away. "What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
He looked terrible—his black hair disheveled, his dark eyes filled with panic, his face pale, barefoot on the floor, his entire body radiating a heavy, lifeless aura.
He stared at Xia Miao for a long, long time before slowly bending down to hug her, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Only when every breath was filled with her scent did warmth and a steady heartbeat return to his body. His tense muscles gradually relaxed, his voice thick with emotion.
"I thought you were gone."
Xia Miao didn’t understand why he reacted so strongly. She could feel his distress, and it gave her the strange feeling that she might suddenly die, vanishing from this world.
She gently patted his back with one hand, soothing him softly. "It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere."
But Shen Chi seemed to be suffering from PTSD. He nuzzled her cheek and muttered, "It’s like so many nights before—I open my eyes, and it’s as if it was all a dream, and you’re gone."
"If I ever had to leave, I’d take you with me!" Xia Miao reassured him. "You’re my precious treasure. Even if I had to throw everything else away, I’d never abandon you!"
Shen Chi laughed at that. When he lifted his face again, he pressed his forehead against hers, his gaze damp as he stared at her, unwilling to look away.
Xia Miao stood on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of his lips. "You’re the guy I chose. Have a little more confidence in yourself."
He let out a quiet "Mm." Then, "Why did you wake up so early, Miao Miao?"
"I wanted to make something delicious for you!" Xia Miao took his hand and led him to the kitchen, pointing at the millet porridge and dumplings on the side. "This is breakfast."
Then she gestured to the beef brisket simmering in the pot. "This is lunch."
Finally, she glared at him. "I don’t cook much, so this is the best I can do. Even if it doesn’t taste good, you’re not allowed to laugh at me!"
As if afraid of upsetting her, Shen Chi bent down, resting his head against her shoulder, clinging to her. "Whatever Miao Miao makes will definitely be delicious."
Xia Miao was satisfied. She pushed him away. "I still have work to do. Don’t distract me."
She had meticulously washed a new insulated lunchbox just for him—his workplace’s cafeteria wasn’t great, and while Shen Chi spent generously on her, he pinched pennies when it came to himself. Xia Miao didn’t want him toiling all day only to eat poorly, which was why she had woken up so early to prepare his meals.
Shen Chi quietly watched Xia Miao bustling around, momentarily unable to distinguish between dream and reality. His heart burned with warmth, yet fear lingered. When he tried to cling to her again, Xia Miao kicked him lightly.
"Go brush your teeth and wash your face already!"
Shen Chi knew Xia Miao was particular about cleanliness. The fact that she had kissed him despite him not having brushed his teeth or washed his face yet was proof of true love.
He felt a flicker of delight and obediently went to freshen up.
Not long after, he stepped out of the bathroom to find Xia Miao standing in front of the refrigerator, muttering to herself.
Shen Chi wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head, and asked softly, "What are you doing, Miao?"
"We’re out of potatoes. I’m casting a spell."
Shen Chi tilted his head. "A spell?"
"Like this—'Fridge, fridge, almighty fridge, please grant me another potato!'" Xia Miao clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and chanted with utmost sincerity.
A few seconds later, she pulled open the fridge door—and there, unmistakably, lay a fresh potato.
Xia Miao picked it up and turned to him, eyes crinkling with joy. "See? The potato really appeared!"
Shen Chi stayed silent, his expression once again tinged with bewilderment.
But then, Xia Miao suddenly reached up and touched his face. "You didn’t actually think my spell worked, did you? I planted this potato earlier just to tease you."
Beaming, bright as sunlight, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the kitchen. "Now, come on—help me cook!"
