Ye Zhi's mind became even more chaotic. This was a situation she had never encountered before, and she had no idea how to handle it!
Help, although her theoretical knowledge was maxed out, she really had no practical experience! When discussing others' emotional issues, she could speak eloquently, but when it came to herself, she was completely lost!
Even though she hated working overtime, she would rather go work overtime than face this situation. At least she knew how to handle work, but she truly didn't know how to handle emotions!
"But..." Ye Zhi looked at him helplessly, "I've never thought about this problem..."
Qi Xuan said gently, "Then think about it carefully, take your time. When you've figured it out, tell me your answer."
Ye Zhi nodded. She felt as if she were walking on cotton, dazed as she walked towards the door.
"Ye Zhi." Qi Xuan called out to her, helpless.
"Huh?" Ye Zhi stopped and turned back guiltily. Could it be that Qi Xuan wanted her answer so soon?
"You forgot to bring it." Qi Xuan picked up Zhaocai and brought it to Ye Zhi.
"Oh, oh..." Ye Zhi's old face turned red. Just as she was about to take it, Zhaocai twisted its body displeasurably, jumped directly from Qi Xuan's arms, and ran out through the door crack.
Ye Zhi: ...
Again?!
It seemed that Zhaocai was truly the little overlord here, capable of going anywhere. When they got back, she would definitely confine it and teach it a good lesson!
The two of them hurried to follow. Zhaocai had already run to the outside of a room. It skillfully jumped up, nudged the doorknob, and the door opened with a click.
Seeing Zhaocai dart inside, Ye Zhi followed helplessly.
Pushing the door open, Ye Zhi walked in, her expression somewhat dazed.
This room was Qi Xuan's bedroom. From the window, she could clearly see her balcony.
Her gaze swept across the bedroom. Most of the items placed inside were gifts she had given to Qi Xuan.
He had carefully preserved every gift, and even some of the handicrafts were not dusted at all.
So, without her knowing, Qi Xuan had been keeping pace with her, adapting to her rhythm...
Their lives were already filled with each other's traces everywhere.
"Found it." Qi Xuan looked at the bed with a hint of helplessness. There was a small bulge under the quilt; Zhaocai was clearly hidden inside.
Qi Xuan stepped forward, preparing to catch Zhaocai.
"Qi Xuan," Ye Zhi called out to him, and said seriously, "I've thought it through."
Qi Xuan's body stiffened slightly. He turned around and sighed softly, "Ye Zhi, actually, you don't need to give me an answer so soon..."
Ye Zhi shook her head slightly, "Please let me finish. Actually... I've never considered dating or getting married. Humans will die without food, and they will die without water, but they won't die without dating, nor will they die without getting married.
I've always felt that dating is quite troublesome and takes up a lot of my personal time. Compared to relationships, I'd rather dedicate my entire life's energy to my career and realize my own life value."
Qi Xuan's gaze dimmed slightly, and he gave a wry smile. He didn't want Ye Zhi to give him an answer so quickly because he was afraid of hearing such an answer. But all of this was unavoidable in the end.
"However..." she suddenly paused, then her eyes curved, her smile bright, "If the dating partner is you, I'm willing to try."
Qi Xuan was stunned.
His heart, which had already despaired, was like a frozen surface swept by a warm breeze, stirring ripples... no, it was stirring up stormy waves!
"You mean..." Qi Xuan strode forward, his Adam's apple moving nervously, "Are we boyfriend and girlfriend now?"
"I suppose so..." Looking at the approaching Qi Xuan, Ye Zhi inexplicably felt the air around them becoming a bit scorching. She subconsciously wanted to change the subject to ease this tension, "Or do you need some kind of ceremony?"
Qi Xuan looked at her intently, "Then can I..."
Ye Zhi's heart rate accelerated with a jolt. What did Qi Xuan want to say? This was her first relationship, and she was both nervous and expectant.
"...hold your hand?" he looked at Ye Zhi nervously.
Ye Zhi was stunned, and the next moment, she burst out laughing. The tense atmosphere instantly dissipated.
Ye Zhi laughed until tears almost streamed down her face, "Just... holding hands? I thought, I thought you would ask for something more?"
Seeing her laugh so happily, Qi Xuan was not annoyed at all. Instead, he looked at her dotingly.
He said gently, "We've just gotten together, and many things can be done step by step. We have a long time ahead of us, but I hope that when we are together, you are always happy and never forced to do anything."
Ye Zhi's heart warmed. So, a good relationship could be this sweet?
She slowly extended her hand and offered it to Qi Xuan, "Here, hold it."
Qi Xuan raised his hand and gently took it.
The touch of their fingers, a slightly numb sensation like an electric shock, spread between their hearts. Then, the warmth from their fingertips seemed to allow them to feel the frequency of each other's heartbeat.
This feeling was new, peculiar, yet irresistible.
Their fingers interlocked slightly, and they held hands tightly. His palm was hot, but being held by him like this, there was an inexplicable sense of security.
Ye Zhi looked up. She suddenly realized that Qi Xuan was more handsome than ever before. It turned out his brows were so prominent, his eyes so bright, his lips so soft, and even his Adam's apple seemed so cute. And that exquisite collarbone...
"Ahem..." Ye Zhi awkwardly averted her gaze, "I should go back."
If she didn't go back, given the atmosphere, Ye Zhi suspected that if she continued like this, she might become beastly.
Qi Xuan felt a hint of regret, but he still agreed, "Okay, I'll escort you back."
Afterward, Qi Xuan caught Zhaocai. He held the cat in one arm and Ye Zhi's hand in the other, and they walked downstairs together.
"Miss Ye, you're leaving already ahhh~!" The butler downstairs let out a long, winding "ah" as he looked at the scene in front of him in shock. Their young master was holding hands with Ye Zhi?!
The butler rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He was even more shocked to find that he wasn't mistaken!
"Miss Ye, is your hand injured?!" the butler asked solicitously. They couldn't possibly be holding hands, something must have happened, forcing them to hold hands! Instantly, the butler hurriedly ordered, "Quickly bring the medicine box! Or should we go to the hospital directly?"
Qi Xuan: ...
He might really consider changing the butler.
"Uncle Butler, my hand isn't injured," Ye Zhi said, somewhat embarrassed.
The butler was immediately filled with confusion, "Then how..."
Qi Xuan helplessly raised his hand, which was intertwined with Ye Zhi's, waved it in front of the butler, and said, "Butler, we are dating."