The dress Cheng Zi designed for herself was a black gown with champagne-colored accents—an Audrey Hepburn-style evening dress, simple yet elegant.
The black strapless bodice tightly cinched her waist, while the skirt flared slightly into a fishtail silhouette that hugged her hips, perfectly highlighting her figure.
Sister Zheng found it novel, but didn’t dare ask too much.
In the design industry, there were rules. Asking about another designer’s new work was equivalent to stealing trade secrets—a major taboo.
The fact that Cheng Zi allowed her to watch the making process already showed a high level of trust.
But Cheng Zi didn’t think that much about it. She spent the morning finishing the dress and handed in her other work in the afternoon.
Director Zhang looked at her new submission and found it again to be rather ordinary.
Gone were the bold, striking designs from before…
He sighed and attributed those earlier works to coincidence.
This also strengthened Li Qianqian’s suggestion—he planned to find an excuse next month to transfer Cheng Zi away from her position.
The next day, Xie Ci’s leave period came to an end.
He had to return to the military unit today.
His vacation had already been extended quite a bit. If he delayed further, it would be unreasonable. He had originally planned to spend the time with Cheng Zi, but instead it had all been used to take care of Xiao Xiangyuan.
He would be busy after returning, so he couldn’t accompany Cheng Zi to Gu Yechen’s wedding banquet.
Even though he acted indifferent on the surface, he still refused to leave early. He waited until Cheng Zi got off work and picked her up from the factory gate.
“Oh right, did you pack the clothes I prepared for you?”
“I won’t need them at the unit. We usually wear combat uniforms on missions. I’ll keep the new clothes for when I come back.”
“You don’t like them?”
Xie Ci froze slightly at her question.
Of course he liked them. He just couldn’t bear to wear them—those were made by her own hands.
“I like them.”
Cheng Zi still packed three short-sleeved shirts for him, and secretly slipped in a few small dark-colored items.
Xie Ci looked at her with questioning eyes.
Cheng Zi didn’t answer—just glanced downward toward his belt area.
Underwear.
Xie Ci’s ears turned red again. His expression remained stern, and he stood very still.
“Can’t you come home every day? I see other people go home daily.”
Cheng Zi was only asking casually. Whether he was home or not didn’t matter much to her—it just meant an extra pair of hands for chores.
But her peach-blossom eyes were naturally soft and alluring. When she looked at him like that, Xie Ci’s heart jumped, and he almost agreed immediately.
“I’ll try applying with the instructor.”
Cheng Zi stepped forward and naturally adjusted his collar.
He was too tall for her, making the action slightly difficult.
“Take care of yourself. Don’t get hurt or injured—I’d feel bad.”
Xie Ci looked down at her very seriously. “Okay.”
“Then go on.”
Xie Ci: “……”
He wanted to ask about the banquet tomorrow, but couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Seeing him standing there stiffly, Cheng Zi blinked and assumed he wanted a proper goodbye. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Xie Ci instantly froze.
A soft, warm body pressed against his chest.
“Bye-bye, hubby~”
Her voice was sweet and soft.
Xie Ci took a deep breath. His arms felt as heavy as iron, slowly lifting—but stopping just a fraction away from her back. He didn’t dare hug her.
“You take care of yourself too.”
“Mm.”
But even after saying “mm,” she didn’t let go.
He’s really nice to hug.
Through the clothes, she could feel the firm muscle texture clearly. He smelled clean—light soap fragrance—and his body was warm.
“Want a kiss before you leave?”
Xie Ci’s usually cold, composed face cracked for the first time.
His thin lips parted slightly, as if his brain had stalled.
Cheng Zi looked up at him with innocent eyes, as if she had just asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Mm?”
“What?” Xie Ci finally reacted, his brain clearly short-circuiting.
Cheng Zi smiled even brighter and tightened her arms again, practically clinging to him.
“Want a kiss before you leave?”
“Cheng Zi!”
She froze at his sudden shout and immediately came back to her senses too.
What was I even saying?
Beauty really is dangerous.
“Cough… you misunderstood. I meant a kiss on the cheek, not the lips. You’re overthinking.”
She pointed at her left cheek—but the explanation only made things worse.
Xie Ci pushed her away, stepped back, and kept a safe distance as if she might devour him.
“Xie Ci?”
“It’s getting late. I’m leaving.”
“Hey, you—”
He grabbed the small bag she had placed by the sofa and rushed out the door.
Cheng Zi burst out laughing.
Why is he so innocent?
What’s wrong with kissing your own wife?
His laughter faded into the distance.
Only after leaving the military compound did Xie Ci finally manage to steady his wildly beating heart.
Back at the military unit, his mind still hadn’t calmed down.
Meanwhile, Cheng Zi was happily choosing jewelry and planning her outfit, tossing and turning excitedly until late at night before finally sleeping.
The next morning at 7 a.m., the door was banged loudly.
It was the weekend…
“Ah Zi, open the door! It’s me.”
Cheng Zi pulled the blanket over her head and ignored it.
Knock knock knock—
The knocking continued nonstop.
Finally, she got up in frustration.
As soon as she opened the door, she was about to curse—but met Xia Hongjun’s excited, treasure-presenting eyes.
“Ah Zi, look what I brought you! I tell you, my butt is almost broken from the ride—the road on Zhou Mountain is under repair…”
Xia Hongjun walked straight in with a thermos and a small backpack.
“I’ve been so busy these days. My mom and sister keep dragging me to blind dates. It’s the modern era—free love is what matters. Forced matches can’t be happy, right?”
Cheng Zi rubbed her head helplessly.
“So early in the morning, why are you so noisy? I’m still sleepy.”
Xia Hongjun went to the kitchen, found bowls and chopsticks, and said, “My mom made chicken soup. This is free-range chicken from my grandma in the countryside—super nourishing.”
Cheng Zi was dragged into brushing her teeth, washing up, and then forced to sit down and drink soup.
Xia Hongjun looked around and frowned. “Did your house get robbed?”
She started tidying up on her own, then picked up Cheng Zi’s new dress—and froze.
“Ah Zi… this dress…”
“Don’t pack it away. I’m wearing it tomorrow anyway.”
Xia Hongjun immediately held it up against herself, but it was two sizes too big.
“I can’t even steal this… it’s too pretty. When are you going to make one for me too?”