After paying the bill, the two left the supermarket. They had bought quite a lot, so Lu Qi was carrying two shopping bags, while Ji Qingyan held the can of beer.
Upon returning home, as soon as Ji Qingyan opened the door, he heard voices inside. Chi Qiu, sitting on the sofa, saw them return.
“Oh, you’re finally back. I was just about to call you.”
Chi Qiu stood up and walked over, taking the can of beer from Ji Qingyan. Suddenly, he noticed a tall man following behind Ji Qingyan and asked, “And who’s this?”
“This is Lu Qi, my neighbor across the hall,” Ji Qingyan introduced briefly.
“So you’re neighbors. How come I’ve never seen you before?”
Chi Qiu had an excellent memory and could usually recall almost anyone he’d met, especially someone as tall and good-looking as Lu Qi.
“He just moved in not long ago, so it’s normal you haven’t run into him. Besides, how often do you come over anyway?”
Ji Qingyan tried to take the bags from Lu Qi, but he dodged. Lu Qi walked past his shoulder, placed the items on the table, and went inside.
“Wow, that man has such a striking figure.”
Ming Xiangwan had been sitting quietly on the sofa, cracking sunflower seeds, when she suddenly noticed a tall, handsome man walk in. Her true nature instantly surfaced—she even stopped cracking seeds, her gaze openly fixed on Lu Qi.
The woman’s voice was filled with unconcealed excitement and admiration. Lu Qi turned around, frowned slightly, and gave her a puzzled glance. His striking amber eyes were particularly noticeable.
“Damn, his face is even more striking.” Ming Xiangwan’s eyes seemed to light up instantly.
Ji Qingyan was long accustomed to her tendency to lose her composure around handsome men. He could only smile helplessly and say, “Sister-in-law.”
Without even thinking, he knew exactly how someone’s expression would sour.
Sure enough, Chi Qiu stomped over angrily, standing in front of Ming Xiangwan to block her view of Lu Qi.
“Awan, your husband is still alive, you know,” Chi Qiu said, turning her face toward him. He bent down, his gaze intense as he stared at her.
“I know, I know. What’s wrong with looking? It’s not like I’m going to run off with him. Why are you so worried? Just relax, okay?” Ming Xiangwan patted his shoulder.
Watching the dynamic between these two, Ji Qingyan shook his head.
Chi Qiu and Ming Xiangwan had been married through a family alliance. Initially, there had been no feelings between them, but over time, after marriage, affection had gradually grown.
Ji Qingyan walked over to Lu Qi’s side, offering an apologetic smile as he explained, “She’s a bit straightforward in her personality. Please don’t mind her.”
As he looked at Lu Qi’s face, he thought to himself, That face really is striking. It would probably look even more striking crying in bed…
Lu Qi had no idea what was going through Ji Qingyan’s mind.
“Who is she?” Knowing the other person meant no harm, Lu Qi didn’t take the matter to heart.
“Ming Xiangwan, CEO of Ming International Bank. They’re a couple,” Ji Qingyan said, tilting his chin toward the sofa.
“Oh.”
The chef was inside preparing dinner, so Ji Qingyan and the others sat on the sofa chatting.
Lu Qi sat to Ji Qingyan’s right, gradually inching his thigh closer until it pressed against Ji Qingyan’s, feeling the contact.
Ji Qingyan merely glanced down but didn’t pull away. Then, as if nothing had happened, he continued chatting with Chi Qiu.
In Lu Qi’s view, this was tacit permission. As if given indulgence, he grew increasingly bold, extending an arm from behind to wrap around Ji Qingyan’s back.
At first, he tested the waters slowly, his fingers gently resting against Ji Qingyan’s side through the fabric of his clothes, feeling the other’s body tense up.
Lu Qi stole a glance at him and, finding no change in his expression, naturally settled his arm around his waist.
Ji Qingyan leaned back against the sofa, Lu Qi’s arm conveniently hidden from view, unnoticed by Chi Qiu and Ming Xiangwan.
In high spirits, Lu Qi gazed at Ji Qingyan’s profile, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He picked up a skewer and offered a piece of watermelon to Ji Qingyan’s lips.
Ji Qingyan reached out to take it, but Lu Qi didn’t let go, clearly intending to feed him. Ji Qingyan shot him a glare, though there was no trace of anger in it—utterly harmless.
“Ji Qingyan, my arm is getting tired from holding this.”
Hearing the hint of a whine in his tone, Ji Qingyan admitted he was softening. He ate the watermelon from Lu Qi’s hand.
Chi Qiu watched this scene in surprise. He noticed the way Lu Qi looked at Ji Qingyan—exactly like someone gazing at a person they liked. This was far too unusual, and Chi Qiu sensed something amiss.
Suddenly recalling that not long ago, Ji Qingyan had mentioned during a chat that he had his eye on someone, Chi Qiu abruptly wondered: Could that person be Lu Qi?
He discreetly sized up the other man. With a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and an aggressive demeanor when expressionless, Lu Qi exuded a wildness akin to a wolf on the prairie—striking its prey with a single, fatal blow.
Even in a black hoodie, his broad, powerful shoulders were evident. Sitting beside him, Ji Qingyan appeared somewhat slender in comparison.
Ming Xiangwan sported a head of voluminous waves, her makeup immaculate, giving her a bright and poised appearance. Her eyes and brows carried a hint of pride, and her presence was commanding.
After all, this was a woman who dominated the business world—without some skill, how could she keep her subordinates in line?
She studied Lu Qi intently for a few seconds before asking, “What’s your relationship with Lu Tingshen?”
“He’s my second uncle.”
After he answered, Ming Xiangwan chuckled softly.
Hearing that man’s name, Chi Qiu abruptly turned to Ming Xiangwan, his heart involuntarily tightening. He asked nervously, “Why are you asking about him?”
Ignoring him, Ming Xiangwan turned back to Lu Qi. “Genetics really do matter. The Lu family is famously good-looking.”
Chi Qiu covered her mouth. “Stop talking, or I’ll get jealous.”
Baffled, Lu Qi whispered to Ji Qingyan, “What’s going on? Do they know my second uncle?”
“Before A-Wan got married, the person she liked was your second uncle,” Ji Qingyan coughed softly and whispered back.
“Ah?” Lu Qi hadn’t expected this connection. Thinking of Lu Tingshen’s face, he understood why so many people were drawn to him.
Though already 36, Lu Tingshen’s handsome features and physique remained striking, exuding a mature, steady, and restrained aura. A single casual glance from him carried immense pressure.
When Lu Qi was young and misbehaved, he had received more than a few beatings from him.
Ji Qingyan asked Chi Qiu, “Has A-Chen arrived yet? It’s almost six.”
Chi Qiu checked the time. “He should be here soon.”
No sooner had he spoken than the doorbell rang—speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Ji Qingyan stood up to open the door. As soon as it swung open, a figure rushed toward him, and he instinctively took a small step back.
“Brother Qingyan, I missed you so much!” Lu Xuecha wrapped her arms around Ji Qingyan’s waist, nuzzling her head against his chest.
Once he recognized who it was, Ji Qingyan gently patted her head. “Xiao Cha, what brings you here?”
Yan Yuchen followed closely behind, having rushed over straight from the airport. He was still dressed in a suit.
He explained with a smile, “I happened to run into Xiao Cha on the way here. When she heard I was coming to see you, she eagerly tagged along.”
Lu Xuecha huffed, “You didn’t even invite me to eat. I was almost angry.”
“Why are you all still standing at the door? Come inside!” Chi Qiu called out from the living room.