Chapter 124: Deeper Than She Had Imagined

Observing the smile on his little woman’s face, Xie Jinchuan naturally sensed that something was amiss. He gave a light cough and said, "I have kept my distance from her, and I have absolutely not been flirting or causing any trouble."

Seeing the flustered look on his face, Shen Qingli chuckled. "I know. I trust you, which is why I brought you dinner."

Seeing her so calm, and noting that she didn't interrogate him as she might have in the past, Xie Jinchuan felt a bit unsettled. "You must have heard what she said just now. Aren't you going to ask me about it?"

"If you wanted to tell me, you would have already. Since you haven't, I have no desire to ask." Shen Qingli was indifferent, then added, "Oh, by the way, I ran into a few people today. They were sent by Rong Qiaoyi, but don't worry—I’ve already retaliated."

Hearing this, Xie Jinchuan frowned. "It seems I really should teach her a lesson she won't forget."

Shen Qingli firmly pressed the man back into his seat, her eyes fixed intently upon him. "Don't think you can use this as an excuse to dodge the meal I made for you."

The man rubbed his nose. "How could I? Anything my wife cooks is naturally the most delicious." Although he said this, the fleeting look in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts.

"Eat up," Shen Qingli said with a forced smile. The man had no choice but to eat quickly, though the food was difficult to swallow.

Watching from the side, Luluxiangcai couldn't help but sigh. Tsk, tsk, he truly deserved it.

"Next time, I will definitely just throw them out."

Shen Qingli raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you want there to be a next time?"

"No, no, no! There won't be a next time!"

Seeing the man with his mouth stuffed with food, raising a hand to swear, Shen Qingli couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Alright, just eat."

She waved her hand, and the spell she had placed on the food instantly dissipated, allowing the meal to release its natural, appetizing aroma.

"It smells so good." Xie Jinchuan looked pleasantly surprised, and the taste of the food in his mouth suddenly improved.

"I learned how to cook specifically for you. Why would it taste bad?" Her gaze was soft, and her eyes were filled with happiness as she looked at him.

Xie Jinchuan felt moved, savoring the meal before him. Once he finished, he kept his gaze fixed on the little woman before him without looking away.

"Is there something on my face?" She touched her cheek, thinking that couldn't be right—she had even put on makeup before heading out. Could it have smudged? Shen Qingli was startled and turned to pull out a small mirror to check.

This small gesture made Xie Jinchuan pause, as if it had triggered a memory. Back in the heavens, she used to care about her appearance for him just like this. The motion was exactly the same.

"Xie Jinchuan?"

The woman waved her hand before his eyes, and Xie Jinchuan finally snapped back to reality. "Hm? What is it?"

"What were you thinking about? You were spaced out." Shen Qingli pinched his cheek and, noticing it felt a bit fleshier than before, nodded with satisfaction. "Finally, you’ve put on a little weight. Before, you were so thin you were nothing but skin and bones."

Watching her face draw near, Xie Jinchuan couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her cheek in return. "You’re also feeling... quite chubby." He said it deliberately, causing the little woman to pout. "You're the chubby one!"

After a huff, Shen Qingli turned around, a smile blooming on her lips. "The wind is quite nice tonight. Aren't you going to pack your things and come home with me?"

Seeing her act like a domineering queen, Xie Jinchuan smiled and nodded. "Yes, my queen."

Luluxiangcai thought: The cloying scent of romance is truly speechless.

The night breeze was cool, and the moonlight stretched their shadows remarkably long. The two walked out of the office building, fingers tightly interlaced. The dim light fell upon their faces, and everything seemed exceptionally beautiful.

"Xie Jinchuan, if I had never met you, what do you think I would be like now?" Shen Qingli asked slowly, still some distance from the parking spot.

"I don't know, but I imagine you would still be just as outstanding as you are now," Xie Jinchuan said sincerely, looking at her.

"Of course. Your taste is impeccable." She giggled, her skirt swaying as she turned. Her hair fluttered in the night breeze, and the warm light caught her, making her look dreamlike and beautiful, like an elf that had snuck out into the night. It made it impossible for Xie Jinchuan to look away.

His gaze, whether in the past or the present, had always followed the little figure before him. From his childhood... until now, always.

"Xie Jinchuan, if you had never met me..."

Before Shen Qingli could finish her sentence, she was pulled into an embrace. Soft lips pressed against hers, and the man’s signature clean scent filled her senses. The kiss was lingering and affectionate.

This scene was captured by a hidden figure in the shadows. Looking at the image on the camera, the man twitched his mouth. These two were far too photogenic... If one didn't know better, one would think they were filming a drama.

However, having captured the shot was enough. The man turned and left, disappearing without a trace, unnoticed by the pair.

Xie Jinchuan released Shen Qingli, who was gasping for air, and rubbed his lips against her ear. "There is no 'if'—we were destined to meet."

His confident tone left Shen Qingli feeling a bit puzzled. "Why do you say that?"

As she spoke, she met his remarkably earnest gaze. His dark pupils reflected her image, and it felt as if she were glowing.

"Because I was born for you. So, Qingli, you can trust me unconditionally, because I am also willing to die for you."

Xie Jinchuan’s voice was calm, but his words were heavy with an emotion he had never shown before, leaving Shen Qingli stunned. Her pupils trembled as she felt his sincerity, his resolve, and his determination. Perhaps his love for her was even deeper than she had imagined.

"I don't want you to die. I want you to live—to live a long and happy life." Subconsciously, she reached out to cup his face, her touch filled with earnestness.

Yet, in the next second, a flash of imagery crossed her mind: her own hands covered in blood, touching his face just like this. But in that vision, Xie Jinchuan’s eyes were filled with collapse and sorrow.

She was startled and instinctively pulled her hands away.

"Qingli?"

Shen Qingli closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the images were gone, but her heart ached in that brief moment—ached so much she couldn't breathe. Yet, just a moment later, the feeling was gone.

"Qingli?" Seeing the little woman acting strangely, Xie Jinchuan became concerned.

"I'm fine, just a mosquito bite. Let's hurry back to the car!" She regained her composure, unconsciously acting spoiled toward him, and grabbed his hand again, fingers locking together.

"Alright, let's go home. To our home."

She nodded, and the two walked toward the parking lot. The moonlight was clear, and the happiness radiating from the couple was enough to make anyone green with envy.

Sitting in her car, Rong Qiaoyi watched everything that had just transpired.