After showering in the evening, they sat together on the sofa on the balcony, gazing out at the thick winter night scenery through the window.
"I wonder when it will snow," Su Yue murmured, leaning against his chest and looking absently out the window.
"Do you want to see snow?" he asked softly, lowering his head.
"It's okay, it just feels romantic for winter to have snow," she replied lazily.
Chen Ziming pondered for a moment, then stroked her arm as he held her. "When your winter break starts, I'll take a few days off and take you to Changbai Mountain to see the snow."
"Really?" Her eyes widened with excitement, and she sat up, looking at him in surprise.
Seeing her reaction, a doting smile appeared on his face. He kissed her forehead and hummed in affirmation.
A sweet, happy smile bloomed on her face.
Even though there was still some time before winter break, she couldn't help but anticipate it with all her heart.
On Sunday afternoon, Chen Ziming indeed brought Su Yue to his home.
Chen's grandmother was overjoyed at their first family gathering and had instructed people to prepare ingredients and arrange the dinner menu well in advance.
When they arrived, Secretary Chen Kang'an was not present. Meng Hualan explained that he was busy with something and would come later.
While Chen Ziming was being occupied by his grandparents, who were asking about his recent mission, she quietly pulled Su Yue to the balcony.
"Is he really not injured?" Meng Hualan clearly didn't believe Chen Ziming was unharmed.
Especially after he mentioned that the police officer sacrificed his life to save him, she became even more worried.
Su Yue hesitated for a second before firmly replying, "No, you don't need to worry."
"Did you talk to him about letting him go to the ministry earlier?" Meng Hualan asked again.
She fell silent, lowering her gaze. After a long pause, she nodded softly.
Although their conversation that night wasn't explicitly clear, Chen Ziming surely understood her intention.
His response had already made his stance clear.
And she herself had already sided with him.
Seeing Su Yue merely nod, Meng Hualan sighed deeply. "I knew he wouldn't agree, I was just holding onto a sliver of hope."
Su Yue let out a quiet sigh of relief. Fortunately, she hadn't asked for details, otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to answer.
Meng Hualan then asked Su Yue for more details about Chen Ziming's recent situation, only ceasing when Secretary Chen returned.
With Chen Ziming present, Su Yue felt much more relaxed and finally addressed the dignified secretary as "Uncle Chen" for the first time.
"Very good," Secretary Chen smiled kindly upon hearing her change in address, then had his secretary hand over a gift box to Su Yue.
She received it with trepidation and care.
"A reporter should have a good pen by their side," Secretary Chen said, nodding towards her and gesturing for her to open it.
Su Yue held her breath, suppressing her nervousness, and slowly opened the box.
Inside, a fountain pen lay quietly. It wasn't of any particular brand, but the inscription on it was more noble than any expensive label.
She felt a pang of unease and turned her face towards Chen Ziming.
"Secretary Chen rarely gives gifts to others, so you must take good care of it," he said nonchalantly.
Su Yue's body stiffened for a moment, unable to believe he would speak like that in front of Secretary Chen.
"Yue Yue, don't mind him. He's always been impudent at home," Meng Hualan explained with a smile, noticing her surprise.
"It's understandable at home, but when visiting Yue Yue's parents, he must know how to behave," Grandpa Chen suddenly interjected, his tone one of admonishment.
Su Yue's heart skipped a beat at his words. She responded with a slightly awkward smile, "It's fine, Grandpa. My parents... they won't mind these things."
Chen Ziming, sensing her unease, put down his teacup. As his family was about to delve further into discussing her parents, he promptly changed the subject.
Fortunately, the subsequent conversation focused on lighter topics, and her parents were not mentioned again.
The atmosphere grew increasingly warm, especially during dinner.
The warm lamplight illuminated the dining room corner, and several of her favorite dishes were laid out on the table.
Grandma Chen kept serving her, ensuring her plate was always full.
It was no wonder Chen Ziming was so good at taking care of her meals; it was clearly learned through example.
As she ate the home-cooked food and listened to the elders, who held positions of authority, chat so naturally and comfortably, a wave of emotion washed over her.
It was only in the early years of Su Minghua and Jiang Ling's marriage that she had experienced such a warm family atmosphere.
Later, she witnessed it at Li Niannian's home, seeing her family's harmonious interactions.
But Su Yue always felt those tender moments didn't belong to her. She was merely an observer, a tag-along for her mother, a good sister to her best friend, witnessing their happiness.
Yet, now, for the first time, she felt a sense of home.