"Are you absolutely determined to renovate the house in Xiliang Mountain?"
"Indeed."
"Then reserve a bedroom for me—I might return to stay there from time to time."
Gu Lili responded without hesitation, "Very well."
That place was not hers alone; he had every right.
"Does he treat you well?"
"Yes."
Gu Xichen's gaze darkened. "If he does not love you, I cannot say how long his kindness will endure."
"Then I shall make him love me," Gu Lili replied candidly. "Since it was not love at first sight, we shall nurture affection over time. If that proves impossible, it only means I lack charm, and perhaps we are truly ill-suited for a lasting union—fate without fortune."
"You grew up on the mountain, with little exposure to the world; you remain innocent."
She shrugged dismissively. "I simply hold my own views on love and marriage. No one decrees that everyone must think alike. I do not fuss over gains or losses, for I have only myself—nothing else. I am willing to take risks. If it doesn't work, I'll bid him farewell. He can find someone better, and I shall find my match. What truly matters is that two people find happiness and comfort together. Why worry endlessly about the distant future?"
"I heard Long Yubei arranged a donor match for Meiwei."
"The surgery was a success," Gu Lili replied. "But our aid ends there. We will no longer cover medical expenses or anything else—it is not our obligation."
"She still loves Long Yubei," Gu Xichen stated with a hint of irony. "I doubt she will relent easily."
Gu Lili arched an eyebrow and made a throat-slitting gesture. "If she won't relent, does that make me a pushover? Let her stir up trouble, and I'll slap her straight to Java."
At her words, Gu Xichen relaxed, a smile flickering at the corner of his eyes. How had he never noticed this charming side of her before?
Liang He had indeed introduced a girl to Shen Congmo. He met her perfunctorily; her complexion was fair, and she looked genuinely innocent.
Yet Shen Congmo was disinterested. After one meeting, he bluntly told her not to contact him again.
Returning to the neighborhood from the café, Long Fengxi sat on the sofa and glanced at him. "Back from your date?"
"I told her not to contact me again."
"Liang He's call is coming through."
No sooner had she spoken than Shen Congmo's phone rang.
He switched to speaker and placed the phone on the coffee table. On the other end, Liang He was roaring, "Shen Congmo, what kind of taste is that? Such a pure girl, and you're blind?"
"But I just don't like her. What can I do? I can't force myself. Fine, keep her for yourself."
"Only someone like Long Fengxi catches your eye. I bet you'll only give up when she's married. And don't you dare pretend you're not interested! If you say that again, I'll bash you with a hammer."
"I'm busy now. Hanging up."
Shen Congmo ended the call and tilted his head toward the little beauty beside him. "I'm utterly lost to you in this lifetime—I'm bound to you forever."
"That depends on your performance."
"I'll perform admirably."
He grinned mischievously and lunged at her, pinning her down on the sofa.
Long Fengxi screamed, "You're crushing me!"
"All right, I'll be gentle. I'll be gentle."
"…"
After their passionate encounter, Long Fengxi nestled in his embrace. "It feels like a dream. Since our breakup, I've had so many dreams about you."