After hesitating for a few days, Gao Lin still went to find Ji Zhaoxi.
"Zhaoxi, are you and Qin Du very close?"
Ji Zhaoxi, who was packing her things, paused for a moment and nodded.
"I saw Qin Du hold your hand the other day. What is the relationship between you two?"
Ji Zhaoxi felt a bit awkward. "It's the kind of relationship you're thinking of."
Gao Lin's expression immediately turned serious. "Zhaoxi, I don't mean anything else, I just want to ask, do you know what kind of person Qin Du is?"
"He has already entered society, while you are still a student. He has too many ways to manipulate you. Do you really understand him?"
It wasn't Gao Lin's fault for being so nervous; Qin Du's reputation in Shanghai was truly not very good. She was afraid that Ji Zhaoxi had been forced by him.
Ji Zhaoxi said softly, "Thank you, Gao Lin, but he treats me quite well."
Hearing this, Gao Lin almost fainted. How many women in unhappy marriages had said the exact same thing?
Ji Zhaoxi quickly explained, "It's true!"
"We are from the same village. He is my neighbor, and I've known him since we were little."
Hearing this, Gao Lin was stunned. "You're from the same village?"
Ji Zhaoxi nodded. "When I took the college entrance examination, he was the one who tutored me. He ended up not taking the exam due to an accident. The older brother I told you about before is him. He was the one who found the tape recorder and cassettes for me."
"Back in the village, I especially loved eating meat, and he would often cook it for me. Gao Lin, don't worry, he really is very good to me."
Gao Lin remained silent for a long time. She still couldn't quite believe that the person Ji Zhaoxi was talking about was Qin Du.
"Then did he force you to be with him?"
Ji Zhaoxi shook her head shyly. "No."
Gao Lin finally nodded. "In that case, I won't say any more. I was mainly just worried that you were being coerced."
"I know. Thank you, Gao Lin."
Later, seeing that Ji Zhaoxi came back to sleep on time every day, Gao Lin finally felt relieved.
Winter soon arrived again. As soon as Shanghai International Studies University went on winter break, Qin Du immediately followed Ji Zhaoxi back home.
Wang Jie looked at the empty seat in disbelief.
Is Master Qin also taking a winter break with Miss Ji?
The streets already had the atmosphere of the New Year. New Year's decorations were being sold in every street and alley, creating a vibrant sea of red.
Ji Zhaoxi leaned against the window, looking outside with extreme excitement in her eyes.
She hadn't seen her sister for almost a year and wondered how she was doing now.
Qin Du hugged her, burying his head in her shoulder. "Xixi, will Sister Zhuxin accept me?"
Ji Zhaoxi kissed him a few times and smiled. "Don't worry, she will definitely accept you."
Qin Du bought many gifts and put them in the back of the car. His relationship with Xixi was different now, and the nature of this meeting was not the same as before.
The further north they went, the worse the road conditions became. The car bumped and swayed, making Ji Zhaoxi very uncomfortable.
Qin Du held her in his arms, gently stroking her back, and coaxed her softly, "We'll be there soon tomorrow."
He gently rubbed her hands and brought them to his lips for a kiss.
Fortunately, they soon arrived at a guesthouse. They could rest for a while tonight and continue their journey tomorrow.
Ji Zhaoxi was completely drained, and her stomach had been feeling unwell. Qin Du helped her soak her feet in hot water, then went to the guesthouse reception to get a few hot water bottles.
Qin Du tucked the hot water bottles into the bed and lay down beside her. He grabbed her feet and pressed them against his own body.
Her feet, which had just been washed, turned cold again in no time. Qin Du gently massaged her feet and kissed her on the eyes.
The bed finally warmed up. Ji Zhaoxi curled up in Qin Du's arms, and he held her tightly.
She didn't know how long she had slept before Ji Zhaoxi finally woke up. She groggily climbed out of bed. It was still dark outside, and Qin Du was sleeping soundly right next to her.
Ji Zhaoxi was starving. She nudged Qin Du, but he didn't wake up; he just skillfully pulled her back into his arms. Ji Zhaoxi pushed him away and called out softly, "Qin Du."
Qin Du finally reacted, though he wasn't fully awake yet. He kissed her on the lips and asked lazily, "Are you cold?"
"I'm hungry," Ji Zhaoxi looked at him with a miserable face.
Qin Du hummed a low response and nuzzled against her. "Okay."
He put on his clothes and went downstairs.
The cafeteria chef lived in the backyard, and the stoves had already been put out. Qin Du took some money and a few packs of Hongtashan cigarettes from the car, and the chef quickly came out.
Qin Du thought back to when Ji Zhaoxi took her college entrance exams. If he had money back then, he wouldn't have let her live in a warehouse.
At the thought of this, Qin Du's heart began to ache again.
Qin Du smoked at the entrance of the cafeteria. His mother's health had improved a lot, and she could now get out of bed and walk around.
In this world, everything required money. As for whether the path he took was righteous or not, he didn't care at all.
"Since the ingredients are delivered fresh every morning, we don't have much left right now. You'll have to make do," the chef said cheerfully. "Two bowls of lard noodles in clear broth are ready."
"Would you like a bowl of sweet fermented rice with egg? It's quite suitable for girls and can warm the stomach."
Qin Du replied lightly, "Then bring a bowl."
Back in the room, Ji Zhaoxi waited until she grew sleepy again.
When Qin Du returned with the noodles, he saw Ji Zhaoxi leaning against the pillows, looking like she wanted to sleep but didn't dare to.
"Xixi, eat first before you sleep." Qin Du picked her up and kissed her.
The clear broth noodles were topped with two fried eggs with crispy edges, and the white lard melted into the piping hot soup. Ji Zhaoxi took one sniff and immediately perked up.
In the end, she finished the noodles but didn't eat much of the sweet fermented rice with egg. Qin Du finished her leftovers and carried her to wash up.
The next day, the two slept straight until noon. After having lunch, they continued their journey in the afternoon.
By evening, they arrived at the county town. If they were to go to the village, it would probably take another day or two.
Ji Zhaoxi followed the address Ji Zhuxin had given her. Qin Du followed behind her carrying the gift boxes, his expression somewhat tense.
"Xixi, will you put in a good word for me later?" Qin Du asked in a low voice.
Ji Zhaoxi gave him a perfunctory kiss on the cheek. "I will, I will."
He had asked this question countless times along the way.
They finally found the place, and Qin Du's heart leapt into his throat. Ji Zhaoxi knocked gently on the door, and brisk footsteps soon sounded from within the room.
"Ah, coming, coming!"
As soon as Ji Zhuxin opened the door, her face was full of smiles. "You're finally back! Were you exhausted from the journey?"
"Sister."
Ji Zhaoxi hugged Ji Zhuxin, whose eyes were also a little red.
She patted Ji Zhaoxi. "Alright, alright. You're all grown up, yet you're still acting like a spoiled child."
Ji Zhaoxi hugged Ji Zhuxin's arm tightly. "I want to."
Ji Zhuxin's gaze met Qin Du's, and Qin Du quickly greeted her, "Sister Zhuxin."
Seeing him carrying bags big and small, Ji Zhuxin didn't know what to say for a moment. It was the New Year, and he had come back with their Xixi.
"Sister, Qin Du and I are dating now. Let's go inside quickly."
Ji Zhaoxi pushed Qin Du inside.
Ji Zhaoxi's words didn't startle Ji Zhuxin, but they certainly gave Qin Du a scare.
"Sister Zhuxin, my feelings for Xixi are entirely genuine," he said earnestly.
Ji Zhuxin smiled and nodded. "It's fine, don't worry. Let's head inside first before we talk."
