Tan Mo recalled many memories related to Xie Qichen after their marriage.
He would keep her company on cold winter nights, reading together on the sofa; willingly act as her guinea pig while she experimented with cooking; carefully take care of her when she was drunk; and constantly remind her to dress warmly and drink more water…
In front of others, he never hesitated to introduce her as his wife. When she faced bullying from Tan Zhiwan, it was he who stood in front of her, protecting her and not letting anyone hurt her.
When she worried about Ji Shu’s grandfather’s safety, he was concerned about her well-being, rushing to Kewu Mountain to find her. And it was he who returned from abroad on New Year’s Eve just to celebrate the holiday with her and set off fireworks together.
Because Xie Qichen went abroad, she had once forcefully severed all her feelings for him, wanting to erase him completely from her life.
But you couldn’t deny it—there are people in this world like a bright moonlight or a beauty mark on the skin. Even after many years and life changes, once they appear, they can steal all your attention and affection.
For her, that person was none other than Xie Qichen.
At first, Tan Mo resisted and distanced herself, not wanting to fall for him again.
But now she realized she was like someone cursed, forever unable to escape loving him.
Sighing, Tan Mo leaned on the coffee table. After hearing her story, Ji Shu responded with a mix of sympathy and teasing:
“Jiajia, I think it’s not that you’ve fallen for him again—it’s that you’ve always loved him.”
“Hmm?”
“When he went abroad, you forcefully suppressed your feelings, convincing yourself you’d forgotten him. But liking someone is obvious—you always had a reaction whenever you heard anything about Xie Qichen. I just chose not to point it out.”
Caught off guard, Tan Mo felt a bit down:
“I really didn’t want to like him anymore back then—who knew I’d be this pathetic…”
“Not wanting to is one thing; whether you like him is another. If emotions could be controlled by reason, humans wouldn’t be human.”
Ji Shu chuckled and tapped her head, “But it’s normal. Xie Qichen is the whole package—handsome, wealthy, high status—and he treated you so well after marriage. Who wouldn’t fall for him? It’s not that you’re pathetic, it’s just that Xie Qichen is too perfect.”
Tan Mo glanced at Ji Shu, “You sure seem satisfied with him.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong—I definitely don’t have any designs on my best friend’s husband. It’s just that last time he sent people to Kewu Mountain to look for my grandfather, and I can’t forget that kindness.”
Ji Shu sat down on the carpet beside Tan Mo, “So what now? What do you think Xie Qichen really feels about you?”
“I don’t know…”
Tan Mo blushed slightly, speaking softly: “I think he might… possibly… like me a little…”
“Isn’t that a good thing?!”
“But I’m scared it’s just my imagination. Ji Shu, I really can’t handle falling for him again and then having my hopes crushed again. I think I’d die from the pain, so I’d rather not think about anything.”
Her nose tingled with emotion.
Back then, Xie Qichen was a shining figure in the eyes of others. As an adopted daughter of the Tan family, she didn’t even have the right to stand beside him—his brilliance made her feel too insignificant. She had to hide her feelings, because she knew if anyone discovered them, they would only mock and ridicule her. No one would support or bless her love.
Even now, Tan Mo could still hear people gossiping about her marriage to Xie Qichen, questioning why he would marry her and thinking they weren’t well-matched.
“Xie Qichen treats me very well, but I don’t know whether that kindness comes from our past connection, a sense of responsibility, or if he actually has feelings for me… I just want him to take good care of me after marriage.”
She was afraid it was just a fleeting infatuation that clouded her judgment.
At eighteen, she had already tasted the bitterness of heartbreak, and she feared it might happen all over again.
“If you really want to know, just ask him directly.”
As soon as Ji Shu finished speaking, she changed her tone: “But knowing your personality—keeping everything bottled up inside—it’s unlikely you’d actually bring yourself to ask. Besides, you’re afraid that if you do ask and find out he doesn’t like you, you’ll be completely heartbroken, and that would be really awkward.”
Each word struck a nerve, leaving Tan Mo speechless. QAQ
Finally, Ji Shu comforted her, advising her not to overthink for now:
“Anyway, the marriage contract is for two years. Just take your time and get along with Xie Qichen naturally.”
“Mm…”
She would secretly observe him a bit more, and if she was sure he liked her, she would make her move.
“But Jiajia, as your best friend, I have to be realistic with you—he might not like you. Don’t let yourself fall too deep.”
Tan Mo lowered her gaze: “I know.”
…
The two girls chatted until evening.
Ji Shu had to leave and didn’t plan to stay for dinner. After she left the villa, the chef was still preparing dinner. Tan Mo and the housekeeper finished changing the curtains, and with nothing else to do, Tan Mo wandered alone into the backyard.
The housekeepers had recently planted bluebells and camellias in the garden. Tan Mo grabbed a watering can and sprinkled water on the flowers, gently touching the wet petals with her fingers. Her eyes softened as she spoke to them gently:
“You’re so brave to bloom even in such cold weather…”
After watering, she walked to the pavilion and leaned against the white stone pillar, sighing:
“If there was a swing here, it would be perfect. I love swinging so much.”
“In a few days, I’ll have one installed.”
A familiar, deep male voice came from behind.
Startled, Tan Mo quickly turned her head and met Xie Qichen’s dark gaze.
A few meters away, the man stood with one hand in his pocket, tall and elegant, casually leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window that separated the garden from the indoor area. He was looking at her, his eyes showing a faint tenderness and a trace of amusement at her childishness.
“It’s too cold outside in winter. I was worried someone might catch a chill if they went out to swing, so I thought I’d wait until spring,” Xie Qichen explained.
Tan Mo straightened up, unsure how long he had been standing there, and blushed:
“When did you come back? And you were eavesdropping on me…”
Xie Qichen smiled, “You seemed so focused talking to the flowers, I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Tan Mo felt embarrassed. Seeing Xie Qichen walking toward her, she felt her heart race and instinctively tried to escape—but he pulled her back.
He wrapped the shawl he had brought around her shoulders and looked at her with a smile:
“Running away when you see me now?”
Trapped in his arms, her ears burning, she stubbornly muttered:
“I just didn’t want to see you…”
He leaned down to meet her gaze:
“Dislike me that much?”
Tan Mo huffed, her nose slightly itchy, and let out a sneeze. Xie Qichen’s gaze dropped to her bare feet in slippers, his brow furrowing slightly:
“Didn’t wear socks again? Just recovered from a cold and still not careful?”
“It’s not that cold…”
A gust of wind blew, and she sneezed again.
“…”
She mumbled in protest:
“It’s… it’s just allergies from the flowers.”
Before she could finish, her body was suddenly swept into his arms. Startled, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck:
“Xie Qichen, can’t I just go get my shoes myself…”
As she struggled, she suddenly felt a swat on her bottom.
“You’re blaming flower allergies now? Tan Mo, you really ask for it.”
A strange electric current shot through her body. Tan Mo let out a soft, pained whimper, her face turning bright red:
“Ow… it hurts…”
His deep, husky voice, warm breath brushing against her ear:
“Didn’t I tell you this morning that I can be pretty ruthless?”
Tan Mo’s heart raced. Then he carried her upstairs. As the housekeepers looked over, they quickly averted their eyes, and Tan Mo turned into a blushing peach, feeling both flustered and ashamed.
Eventually, Xie Qichen carried her to the bedroom, got her a pair of socks, and helped her put them on.
“Your feet are so cold, and you still don’t feel chilly?”
He held her ankle, giving her a stern look.
Tan Mo pouted, “My feet have always been like this.”
“You wouldn’t be cold if you dressed more.”
As Tan Mo watched Xie Qichen pulling the socks onto her feet, a warm feeling spread through her heart. She wiggled her toes playfully:
“I feel like I just woke up from a nap at kindergarten, and you’re the teacher.”
Xie Qichen lifted his gaze, smirking:
“Guess the teacher never had a student as disobedient as you.”
“Hmph…”
Once the socks were on, the housekeeper arrived at the door to inform them that dinner was ready.
After dinner, Xie Qichen went to his study to handle work, while Tan Mo opened the calendar and looked at the date.
She remembered—tomorrow was Xie Qichen’s birthday according to the lunar calendar.
After falling for Xie Qichen, she had discreetly asked Tan Yuanzhou for his birthday details. Every year, she prepared a gift for him. Some handmade presents took weeks to complete, and she often redid them multiple times, staying up late to perfect them.
But later, when he went abroad, no matter how carefully she prepared the gifts, she had no way to deliver them to him.
This year was his first birthday back in the country. Tan Mo didn’t want him to think she was trying too hard, so she chose a handmade leather wallet that matched his status.
In addition, she also planned to cook a lavish dinner and make a cake to celebrate his birthday tomorrow night.
Following the instructions she had asked the chef earlier that afternoon, she tried making the cake in the kitchen to practice and take notes, to avoid any mishaps tomorrow.
By the time she finished everything, it was already past eleven.
Putting the test cake in the fridge, Tan Mo yawned, showing signs of sleepiness, when she heard Xie Qichen’s voice from the doorway:
“Why are you still up this late making things?”
Xie Qichen had just finished work in his study and, not seeing the girl in their bedroom, came downstairs to look for her.
She turned around, relieved that she had already put the cake away, and pretended to be clueless:
“It’s done already. I’m finished.”
“Go upstairs and rest.”
“Okay.”
Tan Mo walked out of the kitchen and followed him upstairs. Thinking about tomorrow’s plan, she tentatively asked:
“Xie Qichen… do you have any plans tomorrow night? Will you be back for dinner?”
He was replying to a message from an employee, and without looking up, he casually replied, “Yes, I don’t have any arrangements tomorrow night. Why?”
Tan Mo’s lips curved into a quiet smile as she waved her arm playfully:
“Nothing, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
Looking at her clumsy expression, he smirked slightly:
“Okay.”
–
The next day, as usual, Xie Qichen left the villa early to go to the company.
Tan Mo had set an alarm and woke up at nine in the morning.
After washing up and going downstairs, she saw that the housekeeper had already bought the ingredients she needed. She gave the housekeepers and the chef the day off because she wanted to prepare everything herself for Xie Qichen’s birthday dinner. Having other people around would make things less intimate.
In the morning, Tan Mo started by making the cake.
As she was mixing the batter, Ji Shu called. Ji had wanted to meet for lunch but was met with Tan Mo’s firm refusal:
“Sorry, I can’t today. I have other plans.”
Ji Shu complained, “What plans could be more important than having lunch with your bestie?”
Tan Mo smiled, “You’re the most important, but today is Xie Qichen’s birthday, and I’m making him a birthday cake.”
“Hmph, so you’re definitely choosing your boyfriend over your best friend now? Guess you’re really planning to chase him after all?”
“What chasing?” Tan Mo blushed, “I just wanted to celebrate his birthday. That’s all.”
Thinking about how Xie Qichen had surprised her on New Year’s Eve, she figured this was just a way to return the favor.
Ji Shu gave in:
“Alright, Xie Qichen’s birthday is more important. You stay with him.”
They agreed to reschedule and hung up. Tan Mo then spent two more hours finishing the cake, putting it in the fridge, and having a quick sandwich for lunch before starting on the dinner.
Some dishes needed to be marinated in advance, and others required hours of cooking. Tan Mo worked methodically and efficiently.
She had bought a red crab and planned to make a seafood risotto. While cleaning the crab, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her finger.
“Ah—”
She pulled her hand back in pain and saw blood on her left index finger from the crab’s pinch.
Tan Mo quickly looked up first aid methods online, washed the wound with soap and water, and applied a bandage before continuing to work, enduring the pain.
Though it was tiring, she didn’t feel it was troublesome at all.
In fact, she felt happy.
After preparing most of the dishes, the sunlight outside had shifted from bright to a warm orange.
Looking at the clock, she realized it was already past four in the afternoon.
As she continued preparing the food, she realized she had forgotten to ask the housekeeper to buy a few essential seasonings. After checking the cabinets and finding none, she decided to go out and buy them herself.
Changing into a light green long dress, Tan Mo took the bus to the supermarket.
Half an hour later, she finished shopping and just as she was coming out, she received a call from Xie Qichen. On the other end, he said:
“The property management just called me about something at the villa, but I wasn’t sure. Is it okay if I give them your number to ask?”
“Sure. After all, you know, you understand the home stuff better.”
Hearing the slight noise on her end, the man asked, “Are you outside?”
“Yeah, I just went out to buy something, and now I’m about to take the bus back.”
“I’m leaving the company now, I’m on my way home. Where are you? I’ll pick you up.”
Thinking it would be nice to see Xie Qichen earlier, Tan Mo agreed and waited by the roadside. Five minutes later, the familiar Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of her.
Wen Cheng got out and opened the door for her. Tan Mo got into the back seat and saw Xie Qichen with his legs crossed, working on his laptop, his sharp eyes hidden behind gold-rimmed glasses, exuding the sharpness and coldness of a capitalist.
He glanced at her, “Went to the supermarket?”
Tan Mo smiled slightly: “Mm…”
“I still have a little work to finish,” he said.
Tan Mo nodded and didn’t disturb him: “Okay, you work.”
Xie Qichen was operating his laptop when he finally turned to look at Tan Mo. The young girl was glancing around leisurely, her lips curving into two adorable dimples. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings over her large, sparkling eyes, and her gaze, brimming with unrestrained joy, was bright and captivating.
Xie Qichen rarely saw her in such high spirits. “What’s got you in such a good mood today?” he asked.
“Eh?”
“Your mouth hasn’t stopped smiling.”
Caught off guard, Tan Mo tried to flatten her lips, but the joy radiated from her eyes. She had just thought about how she knew it was his birthday today and had secretly prepared a birthday dinner for him tonight. However, before she could speak, Xie Qichen’s phone suddenly rang, interrupting her.
She paused briefly.
Xie Qichen glanced at the screen and saw it was Lu Zi’an. He casually swiped to answer and activated speakerphone.
“Hey, Achen, did you see the message in our dorm group chat?” Lu Zi’an’s voice came through clearly.
Tan Mo leaned in and recognized Lu Zi’an’s voice. He was one of Xie Qichen’s college buddies. They had dined together at Qianshan Shui after her final exams.
Still focused on his laptop, Xie Qichen replied indifferently, “I didn’t see anything. What’s going on?”
“You don’t know?” Lu Zi’an’s voice rang out clearly from the back seat of the quiet car. “This afternoon, Song Naxia returned to the country.”
The familiar yet distant name struck Tan Mo like a pebble dropped into still water, causing her calm eyes to flicker briefly with the changing red and green traffic lights.
The memory of a message from Song Ranxia on New Year’s Eve suddenly surfaced in her mind.
She was momentarily dazed, her thoughts quickly drawn back by Lu Zi’an’s voice: “Just now, Xun Huo sent someone to pick her up, and she’s on her way back from the airport. Didn’t she tell you?”
Upon hearing this, Xie Qichen responded casually, “She did send me a message a few days ago.”
“I only found out yesterday that the goddess is coming back to China for work, so today I discussed with a few of our classmates. We’re going to have a class reunion tonight to welcome Song Naxia back. It’s been a while since graduation, and everyone’s been busy with their own lives.”
There was the sound of ordering dishes in the background. “Right, let’s get a steamed spotted grouper… Achen, I won’t talk to you anymore. I’m already at the restaurant. I just spoke to Song Naxia on the phone, and she asked me to invite you. It’s just for classmates tonight, no partners allowed. I’ll send you the address later!”
Without waiting for Xie Qichen to respond, Lu Zi’an hung up.
Tan Mo was left in silence.
She was momentarily stunned, her eyes turning toward Xie Qichen as she hesitated slightly before speaking.
“So… are you going to the gathering?”
Xie Qichen picked up his phone and saw the university classmates’ group chat. His old friends were inviting him:
[Achen, we haven’t met since you came back to China! You’re being unfair by becoming CEO of Aochuang without treating us to a meal!]
[Achen, you have to come tonight. If you don’t, we’ll bring the drinks to your house hahaha]
[…]
Looking at his friends’ messages, Xie Qichen realized he couldn’t easily refuse. Meeting Tan Mo’s gaze, he asked casually, “Do you have any plans tonight?”
Tan Mo looked into his eyes, suppressing the words she had prepared about wanting to celebrate his birthday with him. She shook her head.
“…No, I was just going to try out some new dishes I made. It’s fine.”
“Is it urgent? Can it wait until later?”
Tan Mo nodded, forcing a smile. “It’s not important… you go ahead.”
Xie Qichen, seeing her subdued tone, nodded without thinking much. “Then I’ll drop you home first.”
“Okay.”
He continued working while Tan Mo turned her gaze away, looking out at the gradually darkening sky, her eyes dimming.
Eventually, Xie Qichen dropped Tan Mo off at the villa.
After getting out of the car and walking to the front door of the villa, Tan Mo turned to see the Rolls-Royce already driving away.
Entering the house, Tan Mo carried the groceries into the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and sat at the dining bar. She noticed the bloodstain seeping through the bandage on her finger, which had been aching all the way.
The house felt empty.
Tan Mo tilted her head back, drinking the water while memories of her first encounter with Song Ranxia surfaced.
It was winter of their sophomore year. Missing Xie Qichen for half a month, Tan Mo had secretly gone to his university one weekend.
On campus, she ran into Lu Zi’an, who told her that Xie Qichen was participating in a robotics competition. Curious, Tan Mo asked if she could watch, and Lu Zi’an led her there.
The young girl, with her backpack and a bun, entered the venue full of joy, eagerly scanning the surroundings. Finally, in the center of the venue, she saw a boy in white shirt and black pants, operating a robot with composed expression and a serious look in his eyes.
Standing beside him was Song Ranxia.
Dressed in a brown sweater and skirt, her long legs exposed, Song Ranxia wore a high ponytail with her long hair cascading down. Her red lips and bright teeth, paired with her gentle smile behind glasses, exuded a graceful and intelligent aura that naturally drew attention.
Song Ranxia and Xie Qichen were on the same team. She was discussing something with the other team members, who laughed at her words. In the center, Xie Qichen lazily operated the robot, his lips curling into a faint smile that made hearts flutter.
Tan Mo heard classmates murmuring:
“Song Ranxia and Xie Shen are amazing. They’re the campus’s golden couple, both top students.”
“Exactly. They led the team to the national competition last year. Song Ranxia is the only girl in Xie Shen’s team, showing how strong she is.”
“Song Naxia is so beautiful, she and Xie Shen are a perfect match.”
“I just want to know if they can end up together… I’m rooting for them.”
At that moment, the little girl stood in the crowd, staring blankly at Song Ranxia and Xie Qichen, suddenly feeling a clear boundary between them.
She couldn’t cross it, only watch from afar.
Later, after the competition, someone told Xie Qichen she had come. Song Ranxia saw her and smiled, “Achen, is this your little sister? She looks so young.”
The boy smirked and patted her head, “Yes, my sister.”
At that moment, Tan Mo desperately wanted to grow up and bridge the seven-year gap with Xie Qichen.
She didn’t know if Song Ranxia liked Xie Qichen, and the most ironic part was, even if she did, in their eyes, Tan Mo wasn’t even a threat.
Since then, Tan Mo had heard countless times how well-suited Song Ranxia and Xie Qichen were. Later, Xie Qichen went abroad, and Song Ranxia did too. Now he was back, and she was back as well, reuniting once again in Licheng, both more accomplished than ever.
Reunited after a long separation, they were drawn together.
…This story setting was quite typical for a novel’s main characters.
Memories flew through her mind, and the joy she had accumulated all day was like a fully inflated balloon pricked by a needle, slowly deflating.
Would Xie Qichen go to the class reunion tonight partly because he wanted to see Song Ranxia?
If Xie Qichen hadn’t entered into an arranged marriage with her, would he and Song Ranxia have had another story…
Tan Mo lowered her heavy head, her heart filled with a heavy sense of frustration, unable to escape.
She got up and walked to the kitchen, looking at the ingredients in various dishes and the cream cake in the fridge.
Originally, she had been looking forward to it for a long time, preparing for a long time.
But all plans couldn’t keep up with the changes.
After a while, Tan Mo took out her phone and made a call, her voice soft.
“Hey, Ji Shu, do you want to come over to the villa for dinner?”
…
Night fell, and Licheng was adorned with neon lights and stars.
At around six o’clock in the evening, Ji Shu arrived at Jiayu Tiancheng from the company.
She pressed the doorbell at the villa entrance, and a few seconds later, the door opened automatically. Ji Shu walked into the hallway and heard a voice from inside: “Change into slippers and come in.”
Ji Shu changed her shoes and went to the kitchen, where she saw Tan Mo just finishing a dish, and the dining table was already filled with a variety of delicious dishes:
“Wow, this is so extravagant! Mo Mo, you’re amazing!”
Tan Mo smiled faintly, “You came just in time. Let’s eat.”
Ji Shu washed her hands and followed Tan Mo into the dining room. Sitting at the table, she looked at her with concern:
“Mo Mo, are you okay?”
“Eh?”
Tan Mo was momentarily stunned, “Nothing’s wrong. Try my cooking.”
Ji Shu had no appetite for the food, “Don’t think I can’t tell you’re upset. Why isn’t Xie Qichen coming back?”
“…No, he doesn’t know I was going to celebrate his birthday. But when I heard his friend urgently calling him on the phone, I didn’t want to make him stay. I let him go. We can make up the birthday later. It’s not a big deal.”
At that moment in the car, Tan Mo suddenly lost the courage to speak. She didn’t want to make Xie Qichen uncomfortable, and she was also afraid he would choose to attend the gathering instead of staying with her.
Ji Shu sighed helplessly, “But what you really care about isn’t whether you celebrate the birthday or not, it’s that he’ll meet Song Ranxia. You’re scared, right?”
Tan Mo paused, holding her chopsticks.
In the silence, Ji Shu felt a pang of heartache. “It’s alright, their gathering has nothing to do with us. I’ll have dinner with you today—I’ll finish every bite! I’ll back you up all the way!”
Tan Mo couldn’t help but smile, “Alright, eat more.”
Tan Mo pushed her thoughts aside, refusing to let herself fall into unnecessary sadness.
That evening, the two friends feasted heartily, finishing almost all the dishes except for the cake.
Ji Shu didn’t want Tan Mo to dwell at home, so after dinner, she suggested going out for coffee and a walk to aid digestion.
Tan Mo agreed and got ready to go out with Ji Shu.
Ji Shu drove towards the city center’s commercial district.
On the way, Ji Shu looked at the road ahead and chatted casually, “I’ve met Song Ranxia a few times in my dad’s social circle. She’s the daughter of FG Tech, from a well-off family. She’s beautiful, has a good personality, and has always been the model child everyone talks about.”
Tan Mo nodded, “Yes, she’s really excellent.”
“But Mo Mo, you’re not bad either. Why do you feel pressured? If I were you, I wouldn’t be afraid of her. After all, you’re now the legitimate Mrs. Xie.”
Ji Shu asked, “By the way, have you noticed Xie Qichen contacting her recently?”
“No, I’m not sure.”
“So, have Song Ranxia and Xie Qichen been in touch over the years abroad? Does she know that Xie Qichen is married now?”
Tan Mo lowered her gaze, suddenly at a loss for words.
Would Xie Qichen proactively tell her…?
Besides, their two-year contractual marriage was only legally recognized…
Tan Mo once again recalled hearing Xie Qichen tell others that he had liked someone for a long time. She told Ji Shu about it, and Ji Shu was surprised: “So you suspect that the person Xie Qichen was referring to is Song Ranxia? But you can’t be sure.”
“Who else could it be besides Song Ranxia?”
Tan Mo explained that day when Xie Qichen was hanging out with several high school and college friends, Song Ranxia arrived midway. Then she heard Xie Qichen talking about that in a party villa with his friends, and that friend had just met Song Ranxia for the first time.
“Maybe, as you said, Xie Qichen did like her once, but that was a long time ago. He might have already moved on…”
Ji Shu paused, then added, “There shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Don’t overthink it.”
Tan Mo softly responded, trying to stop herself from thinking too much.
The two chatted, and after about ten minutes, the Lamborghini parked at a surface parking lot of a department store.
Ji Shu mentioned there was a stylish coffee shop nearby where they could sit.
They got out of the car and headed to the café.
They read books, chatted, and before they knew it, it was already past nine o’clock.
Finally, Tan Mo glanced at her phone, which had no incoming messages. “It’s about time. I think I’ll go back and rest.”
Ji Shu knew she had something on her mind and wasn’t in high spirits, so she said, “Okay, I’ll drive you back.”
They left the café, and Ji Shu asked Tan Mo to wait here while she went across the street to get the car.
The cold wind blew, and Tan Mo tightened her coat, waiting in the corner behind the department store when she suddenly heard laughter from a group of men and women coming from the building.
She casually looked over— a group of about ten men and two or three women had just come out.
They seemed to have just finished dining, their faces filled with smiles, the atmosphere lively.
In the middle of the group was a woman wearing a red velvet dress that accentuated her graceful figure, her deep brown curly hair cascading behind her. She had shed some of her youthful naivety, now exuding the charm and tenderness of a mature woman. Time had only gently left its mark on her.
Tan Mo immediately recognized her as Song Ranxia.
Beside Song Ranxia was Xie Qichen.
He had one hand in his pocket, holding his suit jacket, his tall, slender figure casting a long shadow under the streetlights, his sharp, mature features and clear jawline partially hidden in the dim light.
They still looked as perfect together as ever.
Tan Mo’s gaze was slightly stunned.
The group didn’t notice Tan Mo standing ten meters away in the corner.
Tan Mo only heard Lu Zi’an and Xun Huo at the front of the group turn around and laugh, asking, “Song Naxia, the guys said we’re moving to KTV. Come with us? You’ve come all this way, you must sing a couple of songs?”
Upon hearing this, Song Ranxia smiled, “So you guys don’t want me to rest tonight?”
“We’re old classmates reuniting. Let’s have fun first! You can rest after you get back and adjust to the time difference!”
Others chimed in, “Yeah, Achen, you should come too. Don’t tell me you’re going home to be with your wife!”
“Xie Qichen, you can’t favor your girlfriend over your friends, hahaha!”
Tan Mo was slightly taken aback when she saw Song Ranxia turn her gaze toward the man beside her.
With her long black hair flowing, the woman’s eyes curved into a gentle smile as she softly asked her:
“A Chen, are you going home or coming with us to sing karaoke?”
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