After a full day of driving practice, Jiang Mu collapsed into Jin Chao’s embrace, unwilling to leave. Jin Chao held her and asked, “Still want to go grocery shopping?”

Jiang Mu glanced at the sun: “Yes.”

She felt Jin Chao’s health would benefit from fewer restaurant meals, so despite her exhaustion, she insisted on visiting the market. However, after their shopping trip, they didn’t save much money.

As they carried their groceries home, they passed the coffee shop. Jin Chao pulled her inside, and as the doorbell rang, Xiao Ke looked up, starting to say, “Welcome—”

Seeing it was the boss and Miss Jiang, she immediately stopped and smiled, “Customer flow was really good today. The manager said we could try that promotion again.”

Jin Chao pondered briefly before saying, “I’ll discuss it with her next week.”

Just as Xiao Ke was about to greet Jiang Mu, her eyes fell on their joined hands, and then noticed the groceries they both carried, looking every bit like a young couple living together. Her expression froze as if suddenly discovering an earth-shattering secret, and she stammered, “Miss Jiang, haven’t seen you here lately?”

Jiang Mu replied, “Been busy with driving practice, no time.”

Jin Chao glanced sideways: “Miss Jiang?”

Tu Tao, who had already guessed their relationship from moving day, held back his laughter and said, “Madam Boss, would you like some coffee?”

Jin Chao answered for her: “No need, we’re heading home for dinner. Just stopped by to check in.”

Jin Chao led Jiang Mu behind the counter, briefly explaining where to find the accounts and how to check business operations. Worried she was hungry, he kept it brief and left after a few instructions.

Once outside, Jiang Mu asked, “Why are you telling me all this?”

Jin Chao replied seriously, “You should understand the business operations of your shop, shouldn’t you?”

Jiang Mu glanced at him: “Since when did it become mine?”

Jin Chao’s lips curled into a smile: “You think I opened a coffee shop for fun?”

Jiang Mu asked him, “I heard the shop lost money for the first two years?”

Jin Chao held her hand, speaking calmly: “Different industries have different rules. We took some detours.”

“Why keep investing in it?”

Jin Chao turned to look at her: “Many years ago, a naive young girl suggested it to me. I’m rather straightforward and stubborn. I figured if you walk enough wrong paths, you’ll eventually find the right one. Even if we closed someday, it wouldn’t be due to poor management.”

Jiang Mu immediately laughed: “You, straightforward? If you were so straightforward, why did you corner me against the wall in high school?”

Jin Chao pretended to have amnesia: “When did I do that?”

Jiang Mu reminded him: “At the car shop! You told me to stop coming around because it looked bad, and asked if I wanted something with you?”

Jin Chao seemed to remember, his eyes curving as he made a noncommittal sound: “Just asking casually.” Then he turned to her with a smirk: “What? Did it strike a chord?”

Jiang Mu would never tell him how confused she’d been after leaving the car shop that day. To be precise, her feelings for Jin Chao had begun changing imperceptibly after that incident. She even dreamed of his burning gaze and teasing voice during that period. Of course, she would never tell him about these embarrassing thoughts from her first awakening of love.

…

After they left, Xiao Ke covered her mouth, her monolids almost becoming double-lids in shock: “They’re together?”

Tu Tao calmly said, “Remember when we asked the boss on Valentine’s Day if he had a girlfriend? He said yes, but she wasn’t by his side. I now suspect it was Madam Boss.”

Xiao Ke thought of how affectionate Shan Dian had been with Jiang Mu, and suddenly everything made sense.

Though exhausted from driving practice all day, Jiang Mu still wanted to cook dinner for Jin Chao during their break.

However, after dinner and a shower, she crawled straight into bed. Jin Chao had wanted to discuss driving techniques with her, but seeing how tired she was, he didn’t have the heart to touch her. Jiang Mu rolled over and burrowed into his arms. Jin Chao stroked her hair and said, “I have a business trip tomorrow.”

“Mm…”

“Remember to register your card with property management, or you won’t be able to get in.”

“Mm…”

“Call me if anything comes up. I should be back the day after tomorrow.”

“Mm…”

Jin Chao looked down at her series of responses, like a cat’s meows, and finally said, “There’s a reward when you get your driver’s license.”

At this, she fell completely silent.

Having just moved to Jin Chao’s place, Jiang Mu wasn’t quite adjusted yet. Monday morning, she dawdled for ages until Jin Chao checked the time and reminded her, “You’ll be late if you don’t leave now.”

Jiang Mu rushed to the door carrying her high heels. Jin Chao frowned and asked, “Wearing high heels on the subway?”

Jiang Mu replied while putting on her shoes, “There’s an important meeting today, need to dress formally.”

Just as she was about to open the door, Jin Chao said, “Wait.”

He handed her warm milk and said, “Xiao Wen is downstairs. Let him drive you. Take the ring road, it’s faster.”

Jiang Mu took the milk and hurriedly asked, “But aren’t you leaving for your trip soon?”

Jin Chao adjusted her collar and pulled her close: “It doesn’t matter if I’m a bit late. I can prepare my things at home. Go on.”

He pressed a kiss to her lips, but suddenly realizing he wouldn’t see her for two days, he felt restless and deepened the kiss, pressing her against the door. Their brief weekend together had made Jiang Mu’s body extremely sensitive. Jin Chao’s fresh, alluring scent kept testing her resolve, making her breathing quicken. Helplessly, she called out, “Chao Chao…”

That call brought Jin Chao back to his senses. He glanced at the time and opened the door to escort her to the elevator.

Initially, Jiang Mu hadn’t felt particularly reluctant about parting—it was just two days, after all. But after Jin Chao’s kiss, she found herself unwilling to leave. Even after entering the elevator, she still held his hand, looking at him reproachfully and pouting, “Bad person.”

Jin Chao knew she was reluctant to leave now. He held the elevator door open and smiled at her: “Well… want to skip work?”

Jiang Mu huffed softly: “If I skip work, will you support me?”

“That’s not impossible.”

Jiang Mu let go of him and straightened up: “I’m an independent woman of the new era. I don’t need a man’s support. Goodbye.”

Jin Chao’s gaze slowly moved downward, his attention drawn elsewhere. By the time Jiang Mu noticed and was ready to yell, the elevator doors had closed, leaving her to descend in frustration.

Jin Chao watched the closed elevator doors, imagining her expression inside, a smile playing on his lips.

Jin Chao had already sent Jiang Mu’s work address to Xiao Wen, so the navigation was set as soon as she got in the car.

On the way, while drinking the warm milk, she asked how long they would be driving for their business trip. Xiao Wen told her it wasn’t far, just over two hours.

Later, he asked Jiang Mu: “How old is your child now? In kindergarten?”

Jiang Mu was surprised, turning her head with a confused “Hm?”

Xiao Wen continued: “I mean your child. Did the child return to China with you?”

Jiang Mu couldn’t understand what he was talking about, but she sensed something unusual. Following his lead, she asked, “Did Jin Chao tell you this?”

Xiao Wen said, “He mentioned it at a dinner party once.”

Jiang Mu tried to stay calm while fishing for more information: “Did he talk about me?”

“He rarely talks about his personal affairs, but everyone knows Jin Engineer’s wife and child live abroad. He said the child is quite lazy and likes to sleep in, right? Such children are easy to care for. My sister’s kid wakes up at five every morning—now that’s headache-inducing. Adults can’t even get proper sleep.”

“…”

Jiang Mu listened with a darkening face as he continued: “But your daughter is like my sister’s—picky with food, refusing this and that. It’s so frustrating. My aunt said it was because of poor spleen health, so they took her for massage therapy. You could try that too.”

“…” Who has poor spleen health?

After getting out of the car, Jiang Mu immediately sent Jin Chao a message: “Wife? Child? You’ve got quite a story going.”

Soon after, Jin Chao replied with a smiling emoji.

After a busy day at work, on her way home, Jiang Mu remembered what Xiao Wen had said that morning. She realized Jin Chao still hadn’t given her a proper explanation. She couldn’t understand how she’d become both mother and daughter in his narrative—how could she play both roles? She wondered what kind of nonsense he’d been telling people.

So she sent another message: “Your lazy, picky baby is angry. Don’t you need to explain?”

Jin Chao quickly replied: “Busy now, later.”

Jiang Mu could only put away her phone and stop bothering him. After reaching the complex, she went to register her information with property management. Back home, she played with Shan Dian for a while, took care of its food and water, found yesterday’s groceries in the fridge, ate a simple dinner, and took Shan Dian for a walk.

After her evening shower, climbing into the big bed, she started missing Jin Chao. Though they’d only been together for two days, she was already unaccustomed to sleeping alone. Wrapped in the blanket, she stared at her phone. It was almost ten, and Jin Chao still hadn’t replied. After browsing her phone a while longer, she couldn’t stay awake anymore.

She didn’t know how long she’d slept when suddenly a warm breath enveloped her. Half-awake, Jiang Mu only felt someone pulling her into an embrace, and she instinctively nuzzled closer with a soft murmur.

[Content removed to maintain appropriate boundaries]

Later, as Jiang Mu was held again in Jin Chao’s arms, her body still trembling, she weakly pounded his chest, though without any strength, soft as cotton. Jin Chao propped himself up on his elbow, looking down at her, his eyes filled with intense emotion: “Seems I haven’t appeased you properly. Should we try again?”

Jiang Mu quickly covered herself and buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled by the blanket: “Just explain.”

Jin Chao feigned ignorance: “Explain what?”

Jiang Mu lifted her head to glare at him, though without any real anger, her expression tender, her flushed face like blooming peach blossoms, endearing.

Jin Chao couldn’t bear to tease her anymore. Stroking her nose, he explained: “There was this systems engineer I knew, we’d worked together several times. Maybe she wanted to show sympathy for the disabled—she specifically arranged to transfer to my department for projects. She kept dropping hints. With my injured body, how could I handle such attention? Worried she might force herself on me, I deliberately spread some rumors.”

“…If you hadn’t just worn me out, I might have believed that.”

Jin Chao lowered his head to whisper in her ear: “Practice proves everything. I only respond to you.”

Before this, Jiang Mu could never have imagined Jin Chao saying such shameless things while holding her. This was the same man who used to lecture her about focusing on studies when she kissed her Detective Conan cards as a child.

After moving in together, Jin Chao remained indulgent with her as before, but differently. Previously, his indulgence had principles—he wouldn’t hesitate to be strict when necessary. Now, his doting seemed almost without limits.

When Jiang Mu asked him about this, Jin Chao answered seriously: “Before, your values were still forming. Being several years older, I couldn’t let you run wild. I had some responsibility as an elder brother. Now though, you can stand on your own. Do I still need to be strict with you?”

Jiang Mu looked at his meaningful smile and said lightly: “Don’t be so formal.”

“I can’t resist how you look in bed.”

“…”

Although Jiang Mu and Jin Chao had lived under the same roof for nine years in childhood, sharing close daily life, what they’d thought was their most intimate time, living together now brought them into an unprecedented level of intimacy.

Jiang Mu called him during every lunch break, they ate dinner together, walked the dog together, and slept in each other’s arms. On weekends, they reviewed the coffee shop’s weekly operations, with Jiang Mu learning management from Jin Chao and offering her suggestions.

When Jin Chao traveled for work, Jiang Mu waited at home for him. No matter how cold or rainy, if Jin Chao could return the same day, he would try his best to get back to her at night. Though exhausted from busy days and travel, knowing his little woman couldn’t sleep without him made him determined to return home.

Since moving in, Jiang Mu has become passionate about cooking. Previously afraid of the kitchen, unable to even stir-fry potato strips and avoiding hot oil, she now commanded the kitchen confidently. She downloaded several cooking apps to study in her spare time, ensuring Jin Chao’s nutrition while firmly securing his stomach. After just two months of living together, the usually reserved Jin Chao seemed increasingly spirited.

At year’s end, Jiang Mu received two pieces of good news. First, she finally got notice of her permanent position, becoming a true astronomical professional—a worthy culmination of her years of study that deserved celebration.

The second exciting news was that she had finally passed all her driving tests. Though it hadn’t taken long, she felt she’d overcome eighty-one trials. That little booklet represented a journey of overcoming obstacle after obstacle.

Her job confirmation and license collection were scheduled for the same day, and her supervisor conveniently gave her a day off to handle these matters.

When Jiang Mu emerged from the Vehicle Administration Office with her little booklet, she was elated. She called Jin Chao, and as soon as he answered, her voice bubbled with barely contained joy: “Where are you?”

Hearing her cheerful voice, Jin Chao knew she’d gotten her license and smiled: “At the university.”

“I’m free now. Can I come to see you? Didn’t you say you’d reward me when I got my license?”

Jin Chao laughed: “I thought you’d forgotten.”

“My memory is excellent!”

“Come then. I’ll wait for you.”

So Jiang Mu, clutching her brand new license, hailed a taxi. This was her first visit to Jin Chao’s university, and walking into campus brought a familiar atmosphere she hadn’t felt in ages.

After asking for directions, she found the graduate school. She called Jin Chao, who told her he’d be done in a moment and to meet him in his classroom.

When Jiang Mu found the classroom, she immediately spotted him through the glass, wearing a dark green sweater and sitting away from the windows. Several tables were pushed together in front of him, with two students gathered around, discussing something intently. One sat at his right, another stood across from him, their discussion quite animated. Jiang Mu didn’t want to disturb them, so she wandered near the pear blossom tree by the door.

Eventually, they seemed to conclude, all looking to Jin Chao. He picked up his pen and ruler to make some notes. A short-haired girl entered with a bag of coffee, specifically walking around to offer Jin Chao a cup.

Jin Chao glanced up and said something to her that Jiang Mu couldn’t hear from outside. The short-haired girl pulled up a chair and sat right beside him.

Jiang Mu couldn’t understand it—why would three men buy coffee for Jin Chao? And sit so close, practically pressing their faces against him? She lowered her eyelids to watch through the window.

Perhaps sensing her overwhelming jealousy, Jin Chao’s pen-holding hand suddenly paused, and he turned to look outside. When he saw Jiang Mu in her gentle camel coat standing under the pear blossom tree, his lips immediately curved into a smile.

The others followed his gaze. Jiang Mu, who had been consumed by jealousy, suddenly felt self-conscious under their collective gaze and casually turned to admire the cloudless sky.

Jin Chao didn’t linger. After a few more words, he pushed back his chair, casually passing his untouched coffee to the man beside him, and walked out. Jiang Mu shifted her gaze to look at him sideways as Jin Chao, hands in his coat pockets, asked, “Where’s your license? Let me see.”

Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow: “Not showing you.”

Then added: “Unless you give me a hug.”

The light in Jin Chao’s eyes softened as he tapped her head: “Mind where we are.”

Jiang Mu lifted her chin: “Does your university have rules against dating?”

Jin Chao didn’t respond, instead pulling her arm to draw her into his embrace, looking down at her: “You’re acting strange.”

With her soft waist in Jin Chao’s arm, Jiang Mu blinked her bright eyes: “How am I acting strange?”

Jin Chao’s gaze slowly swept across her face: “You were so happy on the phone earlier, but now…”

Before he could finish, his classmates came out of the classroom. One of the men patted Jin Chao’s shoulder and asked, “Your girlfriend? Haven’t seen her before.”

Seeing his classmates approach, Jiang Mu knew they couldn’t keep embracing in front of others and tried to pull away. Though Jin Chao released her waist, his hand didn’t leave her completely—he simply switched to keeping one arm around her as he turned to introduce her: “Yes, she’s usually busy with work. We have plans later, but we’ll treat you all to dinner another day.”

The group smiled and greeted Jiang Mu, and one of the men joked: “Jin Chao, you’re not honest! Didn’t you say you liked girls with short hair?”

Jin Chao responded casually: “She’s grown it out now, so I had to adjust my preferences.”

Everyone understood and laughed.

Jiang Mu unconsciously glanced at the short-haired girl standing in the back, who avoided her gaze when their eyes met.

After saying goodbye to his classmates, Jiang Mu looked up at Jin Chao from within his embrace: “That short-haired girl likes you.”

Jin Chao just made a noncommittal sound: “So what?”

“She only bought coffee for you, not the others.”

Jin Chao pinched her waist: “That’s because they asked me to come to discuss fluid mechanics and inquire about spring recruitment at our company.”

Then he teased: “I run a coffee shop—isn’t our coffee at home good enough? Why would I want coffee from outside?”

His words made Jiang Mu laugh. She looked up at him, and Jin Chao lowered his head to steal a quick kiss. Jiang Mu hurriedly looked around and reminded him: “Behave! Mind where we are!”

Jin Chao replied lazily: “Our university has no rules against on-campus dating.”

Smiling, Jiang Mu took out her precious license and handed it to him. Jin Chao released her waist to accept it, opening it to look. Inside was her ID photo, lips curved in a slight smile, eyes crescent-shaped—truly an endearing girl. His lips curved up in response.

Then he saw Jiang Mu’s face appear close to his as she blinked: “My license is new, isn’t it?”

“…What kind of question is that?”

Jiang Mu carefully tucked the license back in her bag and declared happily: “From now on, I’m a licensed driver too!”

Suddenly remembering something, she turned: “Oh right, where’s my reward?”

Jin Chao told her: “No rush, let’s go home first.”

Jiang Mu asked suspiciously: “You hid it at home?”

Jin Chao smiled without answering. The whole way home, she tried everything from acting cute to persistent questioning, but Jin Chao kept quiet, driving Jiang Mu mad with curiosity.

Finally reaching their building, when they entered the elevator, Jin Chao didn’t press for the 8th floor but instead took them to the basement garage.

Jiang Mu was confused from the moment they left the elevator, being led by Jin Chao to a parking space where a car sat covered in a silver car cover. Jin Chao asked her: “See the number plate holder? Know whose parking space this is?”

Jiang Mu responded hesitantly: “Yours?”

Jin Chao corrected her: “Ours.”

“So this car…”

Jin Chao pulled off the cover to reveal a brand-new white C260. Though Jin Chao never touched such cars, he knew women loved their looks. Sure enough, Jiang Mu’s eyes lit up with joy as she pointed at the car in surprise: “This is ours too?”

Jin Chao told her: “This is your reward. Get in and try it.”

Though Jiang Mu didn’t know much about cars, she recognized the Mercedes logo. Even as she gripped the steering wheel, she was still dazed, nervously asking Jin Chao before starting: “How much did this car cost? I’m afraid to drive it. What if I crash…”

Jin Chao started it for her, saying: “Try not to crash, but if you must, don’t hit people.”

Jiang Mu was already nervous, and his words made it worse.

She held the steering wheel, hesitating for a long while. Five minutes passed with them still sitting in the garage. Jin Chao watched her with amusement: “Where’s that confidence from when you were showing off your license? Did you think the government issued it for your stamp collection?”

Jiang Mu swallowed hard and gradually pressed the accelerator, inching the car out of the garage at a snail’s pace.

This was Jiang Mu’s first time driving on the road since leaving driving school. Every stray cat on the street seemed like a major threat, and she kept riding the brake. Jin Chao directed her to an empty street and said: “Give it some gas—that black dog over there is outrunning you.”

“…I can’t. My foot seems to have cramped.”

“…”

After cruising several streets, Jiang Mu relaxed a bit, no longer as rigid. However, she was so focused on controlling the car that she lost her sense of direction, asking Jin Chao where to go.

He tapped the navigation system a few times and told her: “Here, just follow this.”