“It’s only 5 o’clock. Doesn’t your company get off at 6?”

The other end said nothing.

“Achan Chan, so eager to see me—can’t hold yourself back? Weren’t you so composed this morning? You’re so fickle!” Li Weiyi always let her mouth run first.

Zhang Jingchan’s car engine was already off, parked in the parking strip downstairs. One hand rested on the window frame, his head tilted slightly back with a half-smiling expression as he replied: “Sometimes I feel that your kind of arrogance with complete disregard for consequences is actually quite respectable.”

Li Weiyi: “…”

Although Li Weiyi’s colleagues at the publishing house knew she had a boyfriend, they didn’t know his identity and had never met him. First, Zhang Jingchan was really too busy. Second, he was too famous—Li Weiyi didn’t want to be the subject of gossip.

But since he’d already come today, Li Weiyi wouldn’t deliberately hide it. She waved to her colleagues: “My boyfriend’s downstairs. I’m leaving first.”

Everyone had long been extremely curious about Li Weiyi’s boyfriend, because over these years, no matter how excellent the men pursuing Li Weiyi were, she rejected them without hesitation, informing them: I have a boyfriend I’ve been dating for many years.

A group of people went downstairs one after another. As the others walked out through the revolving door, they happened to see Li Weiyi not far away walking toward a… Rolls-Royce by the roadside?

Even more terrifying, there was only one man in the car. Even from a distance, he was extremely handsome. Just looking at those brow bones, nose bridge, and shoulder frame was incredibly attractive.

“Holy crap!” Editor A grabbed Editor B’s arm. “So handsome, and so rich! A Rolls-Royce must cost several million, right?”

“This car costs several million?” The chief editor beside them sneered. “Add a zero.”

A chorus of gasps.

“I heard they’ve been living together for two or three years. Both families are urging them to get married, but Li Weiyi thinks she’s still too young and refuses.”

“Ahhhhh! It’s literally ‘wine and meat rot behind vermilion gates while frozen bones lie on the roads!'”

Another young artist: “But you really can’t tell with Li Weiyi! The day before yesterday she group-bought a 200-yuan dress with me! She even reminded me to claim the 10-yuan coupon!”

“And also!” Editor B said. “She split-ordered a case of whole wheat toast with me.”

“She ate a 15-yuan boxed lunch with us at noon today.” Editor A looked grief-stricken. “Doesn’t her wealthy boyfriend feel bad? I feel bad for her!”

“But Li Weiyi just doesn’t care about those things.”

When someone said this, everyone’s hearts inexplicably warmed. Looking at the perfect couple driving away in the Rolls-Royce, they no longer felt the distance was so great. Instead, they felt the joy and pride of family members.

Only the chief editor remained silent, holding back. She wanted to say: Didn’t any of you see? Although Li Weiyi doesn’t like carrying designer bags, that necklace she wore last week—if it was genuine, it would cost over a hundred thousand yuan. Over a hundred thousand yuan! A fully renovated, fully smart-controlled toilet hanging around her neck.

The main thing was, when the chief editor saw it last week, she didn’t think it would be genuine either. She even seriously suspected Li Weiyi herself didn’t know the brand or price of the necklace. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have impatiently taken it off when it dangled down and interfered with her painting, casually tossing it in a drawer.

Just… tossing it in a drawer. Though she did put it back on before leaving work, muttering: “Such a hassle.”

Thinking back to all the various accessories Li Weiyi had worn before—clearly that man preferred giving her these things—the chief editor mentally calculated the total retail price and silently sighed.

Someone in the group chat @’ed Li Weiyi: “Saw your boyfriend! So handsome, so expensive-looking, so cold and aloof.”

“Request high-definition photos.”

“Request high-definition photos.”

“Request high-definition photos, a couple’s kissing photo would be best.”

Before long, Li Weiyi replied: “He said no photos, but dinner’s on him—order whatever you want.”

The group chat erupted in celebration.

Li Weiyi smiled and put down her phone, looking up: “You’re done for. That group might really clean you out when they order. Don’t be shocked.”

Zhang Jingchan said: “Birds of a feather flock together. I’m mentally prepared. Bring it on.”

Li Weiyi punched him.

Li Yunmo had booked a very expensive private club. A server led the two through a serene garden with small bridges and flowing water. Li Weiyi asked Zhang Jingchan: “Booking such an expensive place—are there other people coming?”

Only then did Zhang Jingchan remember he forgot to ask Li Yunmo. After all, it had been less than a day—he hadn’t remembered every single detail yet. But since they were already here, he was too lazy to call and ask. He answered: “We’ll find out when we look.”

The private room door was closed. Li Weiyi asked: “Has anyone else arrived?”

The server smiled charmingly: “No, only you two have arrived.”

When the door opened, it was pitch black inside. The server said: “Ah, sorry, all our lights here are smart remote-controlled. I’ll go get the remote.” Without waiting for their response, she turned and left.

They had been here before. Li Weiyi felt today’s server wasn’t very professional, just leaving them at the door like that. But neither said anything. The hallway light shone in, revealing a small lounge area. The private room was a suite, separated in the middle by screens and display shelves. The two walked into the lounge first and sat down to wait.

It was very quiet around them. There wasn’t a single person in the corridor, and deeper inside the private room was complete darkness. The two sat side by side on a loveseat. Li Weiyi sighed: “It really just ended like that. I have this feeling of unreality.”

“You’ll slowly get used to it.”

Li Weiyi punched Zhang Jingchan’s arm: “Although we’re living together, for me, as of yesterday our relationship had only progressed to kissing. Don’t harbor any unrealistic fantasies.”

“I’m not that thirsty.”

“Neither am I.”

Zhang Jingchan raised his hand and shut the private room door with one motion. The room plunged into complete darkness. His hands slipped under her arms, lifted her up, placed her on his lap, and lowered his head to kiss her.

The two began whispering. Li Weiyi: “The server will come!”

“I’m listening for them.”

“Didn’t you say you weren’t thirsty?” Her hand reached up to touch his Adam’s apple.

One of his hands pressed the back of her head: “We’re not in the loop anymore—there’s no rush. This is just a normal couple’s normal interaction rhythm. Get used to it.”

“That makes so much sense…”

The only sound in the private room was the soft smacking of lips kissing.

Suddenly, the entire private room blazed with light. A passionate, cheerful welcoming march played, startling both of them into shaking. Zhang Jingchan quickly pressed her into his arms and looked up. Only then did he see the inner room was a huge private room filled with people standing: Zhang Moyun, Wu Xinhui, Father Li, Mother Li, Li Xiaoyi, Zhong Yi, Ding Chenmo, Li Jinhong… Standing at the very front, Li Yunmo energetically shouted: “Welcome back to 2022—” The other voices were sparse and scattered.

The others were better off—half-smiling, all turning their heads away as if seeing no evil. Wu Xinhui kept signaling her son with her eyes: Hurry up and put her down! Her parents are here!

Father Li and Mother Li were very awkward.

Zhang Jingchan with moist, red lips: “…”

Li Weiyi straddling him with legs spread: “…”

Who the hell came up with this damn surprise welcome ceremony!

Li Yunmo, meeting Brother Chan’s cold, penetrating gaze, silently shrank back into a corner.

How can you blame me! He thought indignantly. You’re the one who’s such a dog! You couldn’t even wait two minutes before starting to make out! Now everyone finally knows your true face behind that righteous facade, hmph!