A Cozy Night

Qiao Xi's face instantly flushed red. She lowered her head and murmured softly, "Then... then I'll sleep on the sofa."

Zhou Yi gently ruffled her hair and said, "Even if someone has to sleep on the sofa, it should be me. How could I let a girl sleep there?"

Qiao Xi's fondness for Zhou Yi grew even stronger.

It seemed like Yi-gege was always so gentle around her.

"Yi-gege, you're so kind."

"Alright, let's focus on picking out the bedding now."

Qiao Xi browsed the bedding section for quite a while before finally settling on a pale blue silk duvet.

The blanket was incredibly soft, its texture luxurious to the touch.

She pressed it against her cheek and rubbed it gently, her eyes crinkling with contentment.

"Xiao Xi, are you always this meticulous when picking things out?"

"Not usually, but since it's for Yi-gege's new home, I want to be extra careful."

The girl looked up at him with sparkling eyes, and Zhou Yi's heart melted completely.

After purchasing the bedsheets and other necessities, the two moved on to kitchenware before finally arriving at the fresh produce section.

"Yi-gege, what dishes do you usually like to eat?"

"I'm not picky. I'll eat anything you make, Xiao Xi."

In moments like these, it was best to just go along with her and offer praise—after all, no matter how the food turned out, it was just one meal.

"Then I'll make braised prawns, cola chicken wings, beef stew with potatoes, and a corn and pork rib soup. Four dishes should be just right."

They gathered all the ingredients needed for the meal and then headed to the snack aisle.

Qiao Xi stared longingly at the snacks, and Zhou Yi asked, "Do you want some? Let's buy a few to take home."

Qiao Xi hesitated, thinking of her health condition, before finally sighing and shaking her head.

"I can't. The doctor said my body isn't in great shape, so I shouldn't eat snacks."

Zhou Yi thought to himself that once his medical skills improved, he might be able to treat Xiao Xi's condition.

Seeing her mood dip again, Zhou Yi tossed a few bags of snacks into the cart anyway.

"Just a little bit. The doctor and your family aren't here today—indulge yourself for once."

Qiao Xi swallowed her refusal—she really did want to eat them.

And since she had already decided to break the rules, she might as well go all out.

She grabbed an armful of potato chips from the shelf and dumped them into the cart.

Zhou Yi rubbed his forehead with a wry smile. This girl...

Giggling excitedly, Qiao Xi pushed the cart forward, as if afraid Zhou Yi would stop her if she moved too slowly.

Honestly, Qiao Xi had such a wonderful personality.

She was sweet-tempered, gentle, and adorable—a girl who was easily pleased, overjoyed by something as simple as snacks.

Zhou Yi didn’t rush after her, not wanting her to trip in her haste.

Even at this hour, the supermarket checkout lines were packed.

Their cart was overflowing, and the cashier took a while to scan everything.

"Sir, your total is 876 yuan."

Just as Zhou Yi reached for his phone to pay, Qiao Xi quickly pulled up her payment QR code.

"Let me handle it, Yi-gege."

"No way. I can’t let you pay."

Ignoring him, Qiao Xi urged the cashier to scan her code.

In the end, Qiao Xi footed the bill.

After leaving the supermarket, they hailed a taxi home.

"Xiao Xi, why did you insist on paying? I have money, you know."

"I know, but even without all the recent troubles, I had planned to buy you a housewarming gift."

Zhou Yi was taken aback. She was only a freshman—how was she already so attuned to social niceties?

Qiao Xi smiled and added, "Besides, Yi-gege was kind enough to let me stay over. If I had to book a hotel, it would’ve cost a lot more. Doesn’t that make sense?"

Zhou Yi understood—she just wanted him to accept her gesture.

His heart ached at how mature she was for her age.

A college freshman wouldn’t think this way unless she had endured more than her share of hardships.

Though the Qiao family was wealthy, she didn’t seem to care about material things. What Qiao Xi truly needed was love and warmth.

"Then how much allowance do you get each month? Do you have enough to spend?"

His concern was unnecessary. Knowing he cared, Qiao Xi beamed sweetly and said,

"I have plenty. My mother left me her inheritance before she passed. You don’t need to worry."

Zhou Yi paused. So Qiao Xi’s mother was no longer alive...

"You should be careful. Don’t share that information with just anyone—it could make you a target."

"I don’t tell others. Only Yi-gege knows."

"Not even your father or sister?"

"No, they don’t know."

Zhou Yi frowned. The Qiao family dynamics seemed complicated.

A mother with two children, yet she left her inheritance to only one daughter—without even her husband knowing.

He sighed. Rich families had too much drama. At least he was just an orphan.

Soon, the taxi arrived at Zijin Bay. The two struggled to carry all the bags upstairs.

"Thank goodness this is an elevator building. If it were a walk-up, we’d be dead by now."

Qiao Xi laughed breathlessly in agreement.

"Open the door, Yi-gege. My back is about to give out."

"Alright."

Zhou Yi’s door had a passcode lock. As he entered the numbers, Qiao Xi politely looked away.

"Come on in. Let’s rest for a bit first."

They hauled everything into the living room before collapsing onto the sofa.

"What a tiring day," Zhou Yi groaned.

But Qiao Xi was radiant with happiness. She turned to him and said,

"Yi-gege, this is the happiest day I’ve had since my mom passed."

"The last time I felt this happy was also because of you."

For the first time, she had defied her father and sister and run away from home.

For the first time, she had enjoyed shopping at a supermarket so freely.

For the first time, she was spending the night somewhere else.

To her, all of this was pure joy.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Zhou Yi, her eyes shimmering like gentle starlight.

Zhou Yi brushed the stray hairs from her forehead and said, "There will be many more happy days ahead. This is just the beginning."

"Mhm. If Yi-gege says so, then it must be true. I’ll only get happier from here."

With that, Qiao Xi stood up and headed to the kitchen with the groceries.

"I’ll start cooking now. If you’re hungry, snack on something to tide you over."

"Got it. Thanks, Xiao Xi."

"No need to thank me. Cooking for you makes me happy too."

Humming softly, Qiao Xi busied herself in the kitchen.

Even though it was her first time here, this place already felt more like home than her cold, empty house ever had.

Here, she finally felt warmth.

As Qiao Xi cooked, Zhou Yi dozed off on the sofa.

By the time she finished plating the dishes, he was already deep in sleep.

Seeing how exhausted he was, Qiao Xi decided to let him rest a little longer.

Instead of waking him, she began unpacking their purchases, slowly filling the apartment with life.

The fridge was soon stocked to the brim. She made the bed, tidied the bedroom, and swept the floors.

By the time she finished all this, her forehead was glistening with sweat.

She washed her face, and only then did she go to wake Zhou Yi from his slumber.

The girl leaned down, gazing at his handsome face, and gently prodded his cheek with her thumb as she whispered softly,

"Zhou Yi, time to get up and eat. The food will get cold if you wait any longer."