Jiang Cheng didn't return to the Courtyard House until nine at night.
Unfortunately, the outing hadn't earned him another healing card.
Still, the trip wasn't a total loss.
Huang Yuqi's favorability value had risen another five points.
Back inside, Zhou Ying and Fang Yuan were laughing and chatting in the living room.
When they saw Jiang Cheng walk in, Zhou Ying bounded over, notebook in hand.
'darling, guess what place I got today?'
As Zhou Ying threw herself into Jiang Cheng's arms, Fang Yuan coughed pointedly.
Zhou Ying straightened up, pouting at Fang Yuan, clearly annoyed that the romantic mood had been broken.
Fang Yuan rolled her eyes. 'Fine, I'll turn in. I'm tired.'
Jiang Cheng let go of Zhou Ying.
Outwardly, Fang Yuan didn't look much older than them, but she was still the elder.
He said, 'Auntie, the air in the capital is drier than in Chengdu. If you need anything, just let me know.'
Fang Yuan smiled gently. 'Thank you, Xiao Jiang.'
Once her mother disappeared into her room, Zhou Ying perked up again.
She flung her arms around Jiang Cheng, beaming.
Jiang Cheng's lips curved; he tapped her nose. 'Let's see this treasure.'
He opened the certificate she handed him.
His brows lifted in surprise.
Judging by their packed schedule, Zhou Ying hadn't had a minute to prepare for the contest.
Yet she'd still taken second place.
The girl was formidable.
Admiration flashed in his eyes. 'You're amazing, baby!'
He knew how hard she worked.
The prize was the fruit of that effort.
Zhou Ying glowed. 'I didn't win, but I'm happy. I learned so much.'
He silenced her with a kiss.
When his hand slid lower, she squealed and jumped away. 'My mom's here—behave.'
She stuck out her tongue; he laughed and stroked her hair.
From day one he'd seen she wasn't the type to coast through college.
She studied constantly.
Even after they started dating she kept pushing herself.
While others coasted and focused on looks, she was cramming for certificates and TOEFL.
The girl had serious self-motivation.
He counted himself lucky.
'Are you free tomorrow?' he asked.
She nodded.
'Any plans?'
'I wanted to watch the flag-raising at Tiananmen, but you need a reservation days ahead, so we'll just wander nearby.'
'The flag-raising?'
Jiang Cheng had never seen the appeal—gates open at 4:50, ceremony starts at 5:20.
He'd never bothered.
Still, Zhou Ying had always wanted to see it.
Seeing her longing, he waved a hand. 'Easy. I'll arrange it.'
Her eyes lit up. 'Really? Thank you, darling!'
'No need.'
He pulled out a supplementary card and pressed it into her hand. 'Use this. Two-million limit every month. You're my woman—no arguments.'
She accepted it with a happy sigh. 'Love you, darling.'
They cuddled a little longer, then he sent her off—Mother-in-law was down the hall, after all.
The next morning Jiang Cheng looked fresh; pulling a 4 a.m. start was nothing compared to the all-nighters he, Zhou Zhiyun, Wang Xiaochui, and Huang Cheng used to pull at internet cafés.
Back then they'd game until dawn, nap on the desk, then head home and still look bright for family brunch.
Waking at four was child's play.