A week later, on Friday morning, You Mingxu received a message from Yin Feng: “Come to my house at 7 PM.”

You Mingxu paused, then replied: “You’re back?”

“I’ll arrive this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

She put down her phone, her heart unexpectedly racing, with an undercurrent of joy beginning to well up endlessly, along with an inexplicable hint of unease. Though they hadn’t seen each other for over a month, calling every few days had seemed fine. But now that he was coming back, she felt strangely unsettled.

She composed herself and focused on work, even arresting a robbery suspect with Xu Mengshan and bringing him back to the station. When she checked her phone, it was only just past 3 PM. Time seemed to be moving exceptionally slowly today.

At the end of the shift, Xu Mengshan invited her to dinner. You Mingxu didn’t even look up: “Not going.”

Xu Mengshan: “What’s the hesitation? I’m treating.”

You Mingxu finally glanced at him and said: “Yin Feng is coming back this afternoon.”

Xu Mengshan suddenly felt as if he’d been shot in the chest. He sighed, thought for a moment, then smiled and said: “That’s good. This time, you two are inseparable, right? Congratulations on finally reaching your happy ending.”

You Mingxu replied coolly: “That’s not certain. If he acts like a scumbag again, I’ll teach him a lesson and kick him out.”

Xu Mengshan laughed heartily, then said: “He won’t.” He walked out of the office.

You Mingxu smiled too, worked a bit longer, then headed downstairs when it was time.

—

Since returning to Hunan, You Mingxu hadn’t visited the villa while Yin Feng was away. Now standing at the entrance, watching Xiao Yan greet her with a smile, she saw the soft lights behind him in the villa, peaceful and clean, as if nothing had changed from before.

Her heart warmed as she walked in with Xiao Yan.

The weather had turned mild. From afar, she could see the lights on at the scenic terrace, with a figure moving about. She couldn’t help but grumble internally: after a brush with death, that guy’s flair for the dramatic hadn’t changed one bit. Just the two of them, yet he was putting on such a show – wasn’t it embarrassing?

Entering the living room, she saw Tu Ya, Guan Jun, and Chen Feng sitting and eating. They had a table of dishes set out with several bottles of wine. Seeing You Mingxu, Chen Feng smiled slightly and called out first: “Boss’s Lady.”

Tu Ya followed with a loud, honest: “Boss’s Lady.”

Guan Jun looked up, with a meaningful smile, and said deliberately: “Well, well, if it isn’t the Boss’s—La—dy.”

Even You Mingxu’s cheeks flushed at their greetings, though she maintained her composure with a slight nod.

Xiao Yan stayed downstairs to eat while she went up alone.

She mentally cursed Yin Feng again – like master, like men.

As soon as she reached the terrace entrance, she was greeted by a subtle floral fragrance. Looking around, she saw small lights hanging from the terrace pergola, creating a gentle glow. In the center stood a small dining table with two chairs. Yin Feng stood beside it, still wearing an apron, having just set down a plate.

Behind him, arranged around all four sides of the terrace were clusters of flowers, mostly in soft, delicate pink hues. The fragrance she’d noticed was wafting from these blooms.

You Mingxu was stunned.

He’d said he would arrive in Xiangcheng this afternoon and asked to meet her in the evening.

Had he spent all this time since returning preparing this setup and dinner?

Something in her heart softly melted, just a little.

Yin Feng looked up at her. Their eyes met for a moment before he removed his apron, draped it over a chair back, and said: “Come here.”

A wall heater warmed the terrace. He wore a dark sweater with a light jacket over it. He’d grown thinner since leaving for Guizhou, and after his severe injury, he seemed more serious than before. Cool and composed, he looked as handsome as a dark painting, yet with an underlying hint of gentleness in his light.

You Mingxu walked casually to him and looked him over, asking: “Are you completely recovered? Is it okay for you to be cooking so soon?”

His response was to pull her into his embrace. He held her tightly, her face buried in his sweater, catching a faint scent of his cologne.

One arm wrapped around her waist while his other hand slowly moved up to cradle the back of her head, his fingers gently stroking her hair. You Mingxu suddenly felt both happy and pained, her nose stinging with emotion as she wrapped her arms around his waist in return.