The laughter that had already brimmed at his lips overflowed completely, clear and gentle.
Accompanied by the rustling sound of sycamore leaves falling outside the window, it felt particularly hazy.
Like him, she also only took first place.
Third sheet.
Tie Jun Sister: [Jin Zhi, why aren’t you replying? Are you busy? I won’t disturb you then, I’m off to work on my PPT!]
This was the last letter.
Xu Ge carefully put away the paper and looked at the inkstone, which had already dried somewhat.
Unwilling to spend time calling someone to grind ink, he had no choice but to lift his hand and grind it himself.
As soon as the inkstone was slightly moistened and ink began to form, the impatient Lord Xu stopped.
He picked up the brush, sparingly dipping it into the sparse ink, then began to write.
[I was busy with something earlier, but now I have some free time.]
He was stubbornly refusing to admit the truth, implying, “I’m so free, so idle—hurry up and chat with me!”
After writing, his heart filled with anticipation as he placed the paper on the jade pendant. Watching the letter disappear, he quietly ground ink while waiting for a reply.
However, while he had free time, Tang, who was as busy as a dog, had none at all.
Her phone had been tossed far away, lying on the carpet beside the desk.
She was busy working on her PPT and didn’t even notice her phone screen lighting up or the notification sounds.
She was completely immersed in the ocean of academia.
Half an hour later, at around 8 p.m., Tang Zhiwu finally completed the PPT for her project.
After confirming she had saved it, she collapsed onto the carpet, her back aching and her limbs numb.
Once lying flat, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
To finish this, she hadn’t even eaten dinner.
Because of yesterday’s drinking, her stomach had been burning at noon, and she had only hastily eaten lunch before rushing to school for class.
But at this moment, Tang Zhiwu felt nothing but relief.
She closed her eyes, her lips curling into a relaxed smile.
Thank goodness, thank goodness this unruly stomach hadn’t growled during class.
She lay quietly like this for a while before gradually moving, her hands fumbling around on the carpet.
Finally, she picked up her phone, which she hadn’t touched all afternoon.
As soon as she opened it, she saw a message from Jin Zhi on WeChat.
For this great lifesaver, Tang Zhiwu held immense fondness. Smiling, she opened the chat window.
Thirty minutes ago:
Jin Zhi: [I was busy with something earlier, but now I have some free time.]
Twenty minutes ago:
Jin Zhi: [Busy?]
Ten minutes ago:
Jin Zhi: [Waiting for your message.]
Three messages from different times—Tang Zhiwu was instantly jolted awake. She quickly sat up straight, held her phone with both hands, and typed rapidly.
Tie Jun Sister: [Sorry, Jin Zhi, I was busy just now. I’m about to go out for a meal.]
Tang Zhiwu held her phone, waiting for his reply while tidying up to head to a nearby restaurant for a meal.
Seated upright in Frost Chill Pavilion, waiting for Tang Zhiwu’s reply, Xu Ge wasn’t angry. Dipping his brush into the freshly ground ink, he picked it up and replied.
Jin Zhi: [Eat lightly for dinner; it’s easy to overeat.]
After feeding Tie Jun, Tang Zhiwu received his message just as she was changing her shoes.
Subconsciously feeling that the two of them were already quite close, Tang Zhiwu found it inconvenient to type. Instead, she pressed the microphone and sent a voice message.
The jade pendant flickered, and white mist gathered.
Xu Ge, who had expected another letter, noticed that this time the flicker was quite different from usual.
The familiar mist within the jade pendant swirled, eventually coalescing into a tiny point of light.
Xu Ge’s pupils contracted slightly as an intense wave of pleasure spread from his heart, sweeping through his entire body.
His large hand clenched tightly around the glowing jade pendant, and for a long while, he couldn’t bring himself to press his fingertip against that small point of light.
Her voice vanished in an instant, yet it would replay countless times in his mind.
This tantalizing sensation was truly unbearable for him.
After a long silence, Xu Ge finally extended his other hand.
Carefully, he placed his fingertip on the jade pendant, touching the small, shimmering point of light.
[No worries, it’s not too late yet. I can totally digest it, hehe.]
Just as he had imagined, the girl’s voice remained sweet and charming, and even her silly giggle at the end was utterly adorable.
Xu Ge gazed at the jade pendant, the smile on his face not fading but deepening even more.
After a while, the usually composed Commander Xu could no longer contain himself. He leaned back in his chair, resting against it.
The hand not holding the jade pendant lifted, covering his eyes with the back of his hand, leaving only his tall nose bridge and slightly upturned lips visible.
He murmured softly, his voice filled with deep affection,
“Truly… too adorable.”
After a moment, he lowered his hand, though two faint, peculiar blushes now colored his cheeks.
Tang Zhiwu, carrying her bag, scrolled through nearby restaurants on a food delivery app like a starving ghost.
“Hotpot?”
She placed a finger on her lips, deep in thought.
Looking at the image of a sea of spicy red oil, Tang Zhiwu swallowed hard before resolutely selecting the black chicken clay pot listed under the hotpot options.
“Forget it. If I eat hotpot on an empty stomach today, it won’t just be indigestion tomorrow…”
Satisfied with her choice of a light and nourishing clay pot, Tang Zhiwu opened the map.
The restaurant wasn’t far from the villa area—just a ten-minute walk—so she decided not to take a taxi.
As she stepped out of the villa area’s gate, Tang Zhiwu received a reply from Xu Ge.
Jin Zhi: [Very impressive.]
Tang Zhiwu scratched her head, frowning for a moment before realizing he was complimenting her good digestion.
His train of thought made her chuckle. Wrapping her coat tighter, she stopped at the intersection to wait for the green light and replied.
Tie Jun Sister: [Hehehe, not at all, not at all. I’m about to reach the restaurant now—black chicken clay pot. How’s that? Pretty healthy, right?]
The green light turned on. With just two more intersections to go before reaching the restaurant, Tang Zhiwu glanced sideways at the increasingly strong wind.
She stopped again, brushing away the messy strands of hair from her face, and typed another message.
Tie Jun Sister: [Gotta go for now. The wind’s a bit strong. I’ll send you a photo when I get to the restaurant.]
After sending the message, she turned off her screen, tucked her phone into her bag, and focused on finding the clay pot restaurant.
Xu Ge was in no hurry. At this moment, he summoned a young attendant from outside the courtyard, who brought in numerous candlesticks and arranged them throughout the Frost Chill Pavilion.
The dark, cold Frost Chill Pavilion was illuminated brightly.
Then, during this idle time while waiting for Tang Zhiwu’s reply,
the usually aloof and arrogant Commander Xu took out all the letters from that precious little box.
Arranged neatly in chronological order, the slender hand finally picked up the first, second, third…
Having revisited the chat dialogue between the two once more, Lord Xu was finally satisfied.