Jiang Cheng let out a sigh, then drove over to Qiu Yihe's place.
Soon, the car pulled up at the entrance of the alleyway.
The people guarding the entrance saw that it was Jiang Cheng.
Without stopping him at all, they saluted and signaled that Jiang Cheng could enter.
Jiang Cheng wasn't surprised by this in the slightest.
After all, the people in this Courtyard House were all arranged by his own father.
Looking around, he noticed that while the Courtyard House where Qiu Zheng lived was smaller than his Great-Grandfather's Courtyard House,
it still looked very impressive.
Compared to ordinary Courtyard Houses, this one had distinct differences.
Its architectural style was unique.
Although the decoration wasn't overly luxurious, the details revealed a sense of refinement and care.
Jiang Cheng walked inside carrying bags of gifts in both hands.
He walked through the corridor and arrived at the reception room.
At a glance, he saw Qiu Zheng clumsily using his prosthetic hand to struggle with refilling a thermos with tea.
Qiu Zheng's expression was exceptionally serious, but due to the lack of flexibility in the prosthetic, quite a bit of tea splashed onto the wooden table.
Qiu Yihe, who was standing by his side, didn't say a word; she just silently picked up a cloth and helped Qiu Zheng wipe away the spilled water.
"Xiao He, don't worry about it. I'll wipe it myself in a moment," Qiu Zheng said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Dad, you've been practicing for so long. Take a break," Qiu Yihe responded softly.
"It's fine, I'm not tired yet. Don't mind me, go outside and play..."
Seeing that Qiu Zheng had already put the kettle back, Jiang Cheng spoke up at the right moment: "Uncle Qiu, Happy New Year!"
Hearing the voice, both Qiu Zheng and Qiu Yihe turned their heads at the same time.
When they saw that it was Jiang Cheng, both of their eyes suddenly lit up, revealing looks of pleasant surprise.
"Jiang Cheng, when did you arrive?" A joyful smile appeared on Qiu Zheng's face.
Jiang Cheng smiled as he placed the bags of gifts on the table.
"Just got here. I saw you were pouring water, so I didn't speak up for fear of disturbing your concentration," Jiang Cheng's voice was gentle and polite.
Qiu Zheng's eyes were full of affection for Jiang Cheng as he said with a smile, "Happy New Year. You don't need to bring so many things when coming to see your Uncle Qiu."
Thinking of the moment Jiang Cheng held her hand last night, a faint blush rose on the face of Qiu Yihe, who was standing behind Qiu Zheng.
Not daring to make eye contact with Jiang Cheng, she lowered her head and turned Qiu Zheng's wheelchair around.
Keenly sensing Qiu Yihe's shyness, Jiang Cheng intentionally said, "These things were all lifted from my grandfather's place. When I was picking them out, I felt like many of them were things Xiao He loved to eat, so I brought them all."
Qiu Yihe had already told Qiu Zheng about what happened at the teahouse last night.
However, she hadn't mentioned the specific details between her and Jiang Cheng.
But from the moment Qiu Zheng saw Jiang Cheng, he had developed the intention of entrusting his daughter to him.
Hearing Jiang Cheng say this, he was both surprised and happy.
Seeing Jiang Cheng speak this way, he felt both amazed and delighted.
He laughed heartily and said, "You really are too good to Xiao He!"
Seeing her own father look at her, Qiu Yihe immediately put on a shy yet happy expression.
Even though she knew Jiang Cheng was acting,
she felt very impressed that Jiang Cheng could pick up on Qiu Zheng's words so smoothly and even link the gifts to the idea that he was thinking of her.
It seemed Jiang Cheng was truly as professional as he had said last night.
Not only did he come over to act today, but he acted so convincingly.
Qiu Yihe quietly reached her right hand above Qiu Zheng's head and secretly gave Jiang Cheng a'six' hand sign.
Soon, Qiu Zheng saw the two of them to the door.
"Be safe on the road," Qiu Zheng urged. Then, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Qiu Yihe: "Oh, right, Xiao He, when you come back, buy Jiang Cheng some of those Sugar Oil Cakes from that old-brand shop at the alley entrance."
"Sugar Oil Cakes??"
"Yeah, the ones you loved when you were little. Remember one time after eating them, you even said it was 'the feeling of flying'? Haha, buy some so Jiang Cheng can try them too."
These words made Qiu Yihe freeze.
She hadn't expected Qiu Zheng to still remember a joke she had said when she was a child.
As the car drove away, Qiu Yihe saw Qiu Zheng sitting in his wheelchair happily watching their car leave through the rearview mirror, and a complex feeling couldn't help but rise in her heart.
The Mind Perception Skill sensed a hint of bitterness in Qiu Yihe's heart.
Jiang Cheng spoke up and asked, "What's wrong? Feeling guilty?"
Qiu Yihe shook her head. "No, it's just that having to go back and leaving my dad here alone makes me feel a bit uneasy."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng reached out his right hand and held Qiu Yihe's hand. "Don't worry, they'll take good care of your dad. If you're really worried, why not come to Kyoto?"
Feeling the warmth of Jiang Cheng's palm, a blush couldn't help but spread across Qiu Yihe's face.
But she didn't pull her hand back; she just gave Jiang Cheng a somewhat shy, rolling look.
Jiang Cheng didn't feel a bit of embarrassment.
Actually, the feeling of holding hands with different Girls was always different.
He was just taking the opportunity to enjoy the sensation.
Jiang Cheng said, playing dumb, "Ah, sorry, I got into character again."
"I've found that you really are a good actor. If I didn't know you were acting, I'd really think you liked me."
To this question, Jiang Cheng casually replied, "Do I look like I don't like you?"
Ever since Jiang Cheng held her hand last night,
Qiu Yihe felt as if her feelings for Jiang Cheng were like a torn opening that she was starting to be unable to defend against.
Although given Jiang Cheng's nonchalant manner, it felt like he was mostly joking,
she still couldn't stop her heart from thumping wildly.
Qiu Yihe replied stubbornly, "little friend, if it weren't for my rationality, if it were any other young Girl, I think they'd believe you."
"You actually doubt my sincerity that much??"
Qiu Yihe felt that even though she hadn't been in a relationship, she might not have seen a pig run, but she'd certainly eaten pork, right?
The attitude of a confession should at least be solemn and serious.
Who would be like Jiang Cheng, driving while constantly pressing the song selection on the car's central control screen?
And then casually answering that he likes her—isn't that obviously a joke!
To avoid appearing too serious herself, Qiu Yihe decided to counter-attack.
She asked provocatively, "Fine, fine, fine. Since you say you like me, then tell me, how are you going to prove your love for me?"
Prove it????
Jiang Cheng put on an expression of serious thought: "Hmm, 'Every request met with firmness'?"
Qiu Yihe repeated Jiang Cheng's words.
"Every request met... are you talking about the help I asked for last night?"
"Yeah, that counts too..."
No way, no way, Jiang Cheng couldn't really like her, could he?
With her face flushed, Qiu Yihe turned her head to look at Jiang Cheng: "What do you mean by 'counts too'?..."
"It probably means..."
Seeing Jiang Cheng's complex expression, Qiu Yihe realized the double meaning in an instant.
She suppressed the urge to hit Jiang Cheng.
She squeezed the words out from between her teeth: "No, little friend, which 'firmness' are you talking about??"
...While Jiang Cheng was out wandering and eating with Qiu Yihe, things weren't as relaxed on Zhu Yan's side.
As Jiang Cheng had said, these matters in Kyoto didn't require her handling.
After all, she was only responsible for the reimbursement audit stage.
Throughout the day, she felt like her entire mind was on Jiang Cheng.
She finally endured until Jiang Cheng returned, but he said he was already full and went straight back to his room.
This made Zhu Yan increasingly anxious.
Sitting in her room, the more she thought, the more unwilling she felt.
Was she really going to give up so easily? If she was this cowardly, how could she face the teachers who helped her catch up on online classes for several days?
Just as Zhu Yan was feeling flustered, her gaze accidentally fell on the body lotion placed on the table.
Instantly, a thought flashed through her mind.
The classic body lotion application plot.
That was a good excuse.
No sooner said than done.
Zhu Yan changed into a cute Sailor Moon top.
For her lower half, she changed into a short white pleated skirt.