Zhou Ye ran upstairs to the master bedroom and saw Qiao Ci reading a book. He wrapped his long arms around her, lowering his voice and asking with magnetic charm, "Wife, miss me?"
"Mmm, I do," Qiao Ci reached out and hugged Zhou Ye back, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
It felt so good to have her big hug back.
"Hehe, I brought two light bulbs with me, you won't be mad, will you?" Zhou Ye couldn't reach Qiao Ci, so he'd brought the two people back to the beautiful house she'd furnished without her explicit permission, and he felt a bit uneasy, worried she might be angry.
"No, we have enough space." The small villa had four or five empty rooms downstairs. Knowing that the little one might have new friends over, Qiao Ci had already considered it.
"Wife, A'Ci, baby, I'm sorry I'm back so late. You can abuse me as much as you want tonight, I won't resist!" Zhou Ye nuzzled Qiao Ci's shoulder, inhaling the pleasant scent emanating from her, and pouted coquettishly.
Qiao Ci's mouth twitched. Was this a reward or a punishment?
"No need. I understand that you had no choice."
"Baby, you're so good to me. Then I'll serve you well tonight~" Zhou Ye transformed into a clingy, big puppy, refusing to let go of Qiao Ci.
Qiao Ci glanced at him sideways.
"Baby, thank you. For turning our little love nest into a luxurious mansion, I must give it my all tonight to ensure you're satisfied!" Zhou Ye pressed on, completely abandoning any pretense of dignity.
However, a splash of cold water was soon thrown,
"You're meeting my parents tomorrow."
Zhou Ye stiffened, his face contorting in a silent plea. "No, can't we wait until after the New Year?"
He had taken the girl away for over three years, leaving her to live like a widow for three years. He suspected her parents wouldn't just want to beat him to death, but would rather make him wish he was dead a thousand times over.
"It's already been arranged," Qiao Ci said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"So soon?" Zhou Ye thought Qiao Ci was joking.
"Mmm, I'm not lying," Qiao Ci's serious expression dashed any hopes he had.
Zhou Ye let out a mournful cry, still tightly encircling Qiao Ci with his arms. "Baby, I'm nervous. You have to comfort me tonight and make up for it~"
Qiao Ci: ???
Were his words just a prelude to "yes"?
Sensing his actions becoming more inappropriate, Qiao Ci promptly stopped him. "We'll be eating soon."
"Hehe, then let's eat first." Zhou Ye readily agreed, his lips ruddy, his smile clean.
Qiao Ci couldn't resist and kissed him, patting his slightly prickly buzz cut. "Good boy."
At that moment, Aunt Zhang knocked on the door. "Miss Qiao, Young Master, dinner is ready."
Aunt Zhang was a maid personally chosen by Qiao Ci's mother to take care of her. For the past three years, she had managed the small villa very well, and regular meals were the norm.
Qiao Ci tidied her clothes and walked out, Zhou Ye trailing behind her, looking like a wronged little wife, his plaintive gaze fixed on Qiao Ci.
At the dining table in the living room, Chen Hu and Leng Feng were already sitting upright, and even the golden snub-nosed monkey, dressed in baby clothes, was obediently seated on the table.
The two men and the monkey watched the couple descend with eager eyes, the aroma of the dishes on the table making their mouths water.
When would dinner be served? The children were starving.
As they took their seats, Zhou Ye introduced them. "This is my wife, Qiao Ci. You can call her sister-in-law."
Then, pointing to the two men, he introduced them to Qiao Ci. "This is Chen Hu, and this is Leng Feng. You can just ignore them; they're like transparent people."
Chen Hu, Leng Feng: So unfeeling?
Qiao Ci smiled. "You've had a long journey. Please eat."
"Hehe, it wasn't hard. Thank you, sister-in-law, for your generous hospitality."
"We've troubled you."
The golden snub-nosed monkey looked around in confusion. That's it?
Is my presence so insignificant? Why aren't they introducing Xiao Shaozi to everyone? Wuwuwu~
Xiao Shaozi turned its grief into appetite, picked up the serving chopsticks, and clumsily picked up the exquisite and delicious dishes on the table, eating quickly and elegantly, which stunned Zhou Ye and the other two.
Zhou Ye asked curiously, "Wife, where did you get this monkey? When it first came in, it was watering flowers. It seems quite human."
Saying that, he took a peanut from a plate and threw it towards the golden snub-nosed monkey. "Little monkey, catch."
However, even though the peanut hit the monkey's forehead, it didn't stop it from eating. It held a small bowl with both paws and ate with great enthusiasm.
It thought to itself: You're treating Xiao Shaozi like a monkey, but Xiao Shaozi won't play with you. Bad cub, you've offended matchmaker Xiao Shaozi, you're doomed!!!
Hmph~
Qiao Ci stopped his monkey-playing antics. "Its name is Xiao Shaozi. Don't bully it."
"Okay, wife." Zhou Ye appeared very obedient.
Chen Hu and Leng Feng clicked their tongues. Was this still the ruthless, death-defying Brother Ye?
He had transformed from a wolf king into a fluffy little puppy, making the two of them unable to bear looking directly, yet also marveling. Brother Ye's wife had trained him well.
But seeing Brother Ye's willing acceptance, and the impenetrable atmosphere between the couple, they couldn't help but envy him. This was probably the kind of romantic relationship they couldn't understand.
After dinner, they each returned to their rooms to rest. Zhou Ye followed Qiao Ci to the bedroom on the second floor.
The bedroom had an en-suite bathroom. Zhou Ye went in and washed himself thoroughly, then came out wearing a comfortable bathrobe loosely.
On his tanned left shoulder, his collarbone was partially exposed, and water droplets trickled down his chest into the unknown darkness. Combined with his wild and handsome face...
Qiao Ci's gaze darkened slightly.
She extended her slender hand and beckoned him. "Come here."
Zhou Ye's eyes lit up, and he walked over with a flourish, leaning his handsome face close to Qiao Ci's. "Baby, are you going to punish me now?"
Qiao Ci directly grabbed his collar and pulled him down...
Late night, sleepless.
*
Because of its cuteness, Xiao Shaozi was invited by Chen Hu to sleep in his room. Xiao Shaozi haughtily walked into Leng Feng's room. As the host, it was also attracted to good looks.
This displeased Chen Hu, who also squeezed into Leng Feng's room. The two men and the monkey made a commotion before finally squeezing together and falling asleep quite late.
*
After arranging for Leng Feng and Chen Hu, Zhou Ye and Qiao Ci took a private car to R City.
In his years in the military, Zhou Ye had seen his fair share of the world. However, thinking of facing Qiao Ci's parents, he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, especially since he was in the wrong.
Seeing him like this, Qiao Ci comforted him. "My parents are very easy to talk to. You don't need to be nervous. Just be yourself as you always are, there's no need to be afraid."
Her words, however, only made him more nervous.
Zhou Ye cast a questioning glance at Qiao Ci. "Seriously?"