Volume One, Chapter 12: Thank You, Qingqing, for Letting Me Feel the Warmth of Home Once Again.

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Noticing that she was lost in thought, Pei Xi quietly nudged her, bringing her attention back, while he continued drinking with Xu’s father. Only then did Xu Qingning realize that between the two of them, they had already finished a bottle of white liquor.

“Dad, don’t drink anymore.”

Xu’s father looked at her disapprovingly. “Don’t be ridiculous. This young man wants to take my precious daughter away; I have to show him what kind of strength your old man has.”

“Xiao Pei, don’t you think we should drink this?” On the other side, Pei Xi raised his glass. “We must. I want Uncle to see my sincerity.”

Xu’s father smiled with satisfaction. “That’s the spirit! Drink! You absolutely must drink!”

When her efforts to stop them failed, Xu Qingning turned to her mother. “Mom, look at those two!”

Her mother patted her hand and leaned close, whispering, “Xiao Pei has already swapped your dad’s liquor for some health tonic. He drank the whole bottle. Later, get him some tea to sober up. Since everyone’s happy today, we won’t stop them.”

“And besides, Mommy wants to see how sincere Xiao Pei is towards you.”

Hearing this, Xu Qingning stopped persuading them. Yet, she didn’t know Pei Xi’s drinking tolerance—what if he drank too much and felt unwell?

After several more rounds, the bottle was nearly empty.

Seeing this, her mother took the cup from her husband’s hand. “Old Xu, that’s enough.”

Xu’s father paused for a moment, then chuckled, “Alright, no more. I’ll listen to my wife.”

He looked at Pei Xi. “Xiao Pei, in the Xu family, loving your other half is a basic rule. More importantly, you have to listen to your wife!”

“My precious Qingqing is the apple of our eye. If you don’t treat her well, Uncle and Auntie won’t let you off!”

“And one more thing!” He patted Pei Xi on the shoulder. “If you and our Qingqing make it, me and your Auntie will be your mom and dad!”

Xu Qingning blinked beside them, thinking that if she told them she and Pei Xi had already registered their marriage, they might be even happier—or more likely kick Pei Xi out.

Her little gesture was noticed by Pei Xi. He took her hand, squeezed her fingertips, and silently shook his head.

Tonight, his Qingqing was the star. He wouldn’t let other matters interfere.

As for confessing, there would be time soon enough.

When Xu’s mother and Xu Qingning came out after seeing Xu’s father to his room, Pei Xi had already cleaned up the dining room and was washing dishes in the kitchen.

Xu’s mother patted Xu Qingning’s hand with a sentimental smile. “It’s wonderful. Qingqing has grown up, and her taste in men must be excellent.”

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“Although your dad doesn’t say it, deep down, he’s very satisfied with Xiao Pei.”

Leaning on her shoulder, Xu Qingning said, “But Qingqing is still her parents’ precious daughter.”

“Yes, yes, always!”

“Go check on Xiao Pei. There are so many dishes; I’m afraid he doesn’t know where to put them.”

Xu Qingning opened the kitchen door. “Chef Pei, done yet?”

Pei Xi pointed to the cupboard. “Looks like I need Miss Qingqing’s loving guidance to finish.”

“I’ll help.” She washed her hands and naturally began explaining where the kitchenware belonged.

Only after finishing did Xu Qingning realize how well she knew all this.

Seeing her freeze, Pei Xi came beside her and waved. “What’s up?”

Snapping back to reality, Xu Qingning said, “Pei Xixi, I feel like this house once held me when I was little.”

This made Pei Xi laugh. He dried his hands and ruffled her hair. “Qingqing, this is your home.”

Some vague images flashed in her mind. She shook her head and tried to recall more, but found nothing.

A warm palm pressed gently on her temple, silently changing the subject. “Qingqing, are you happy today?”

Xu Qingning nodded. “Very! Super happy!”

She pulled Pei Xi’s hand, swinging it back and forth. “Pei Xixi, I still want to thank you...”

Pei Xi pinched her cheek. “I should be the one thanking you, Qingqing. You gave me a home again, letting me feel the warmth of family once more.”

Xu Qingning glanced outside the kitchen, not seeing her mother’s figure, and quickly stood on tiptoe to kiss Pei Xi’s cheek.

“Hurry up and finish! Chef Pei~”

Seeing her lively spirit return, Pei Xi smiled, but then his gaze grew cold.

When the time comes, he would settle every account with those people.

It was already late after dinner. Xu Qingning decided to spend the night at home. But for now, she and Pei Xi were just dating.

She looked at him playfully, winking. “Mommy, I’ll go see him off.”

“All right, remember to wear your coat.”

“I know!”

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The two walked downstairs, Pei Xi slipping Xu Qingning’s hand into the pocket of his coat.

“So, Chef Pei, do you have a hint of regret? If we were honest now, maybe you’d get a chance to see my room!”

Pei Xi didn’t mention her room—it was already etched in his mind since the design.

He nodded seriously. “A little, actually. Otherwise, shall we go back and confess to our parents now?”

Xu Qingning smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons. “No way! I’m afraid if Dad hears it, he’ll jump out of bed and beat you up.”

“That’s true. After all, this face is what attracted Qingqing. If it gets hurt, I won’t be able to have you by my side.”

“Exactly! Pei Xixi, why don’t you get a membership at a beauty center? Aim to have no wrinkles even when you’re sixty.”

“That way, maybe I can dance in the square with you. Other old men will regret not taking care of themselves when they were young, seeing their partner so graceful.”

After saying this, she realized she had once again been painting a future with Pei Xi and fell silent instantly.

But Pei Xi didn’t intend to brush the topic aside. He held Xu Qingning’s hand, pulled her close, and bent down to look into her eyes.

“Qingqing, I have something I want to say.”

“But I don’t want to say it, Pei Xi. I’m scared...”

She admitted it—she was a coward. In missions, she could say anything because once it was over, she’d return to the real world.

But what Pei Xi wanted to say was clearly about reality. If she said yes in a moment of heat, there would be no chance to redo or rewind.

“Pei Xi, can we just play our roles?”

“Just here, nothing else. Whether it’s love or marriage—can you let me be selfish just once?”

“When this is all over, the novelty between us will fade. Then, bridges to cross and roads to follow—won’t that be enough?”

She dared not meet Pei Xi’s eyes, afraid she’d see sadness and hurt within.

Yet she couldn’t, nor would she, fully open her heart to another. Only by holding onto her own heart could she feel safe.