The place Lu Qichen brought Ye Zhiqiu to was a famous Sichuan restaurant in Yangcheng, which usually had a queue that stretched on forever. But today, it was deserted. "I remember you said you like spicy food last time, and since I had the day off today, I thought I'd bring you here to try it," Lu Qichen said casually, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. It was only then that Ye Zhiqiu realized that it wasn't about any company matters at all, but rather he had seen that she really didn't want to stay at the Gu family's place, so he found an excuse to bring her out. Lu Qichen's consideration touched Ye Zhiqiu deeply. After the dishes were served, Lu Qichen kept picking food for Ye Zhiqiu, while he himself hardly ate anything. It was then that she remembered the family's maid mentioning once that Lu Qichen had a weak stomach and couldn't eat spicy food. "You..." Ye Zhiqiu looked apologetically at Lu Qichen in front of her and said, "Next time we should go for something else. You can't eat spicy food, and it's embarrassing for me to eat alone while you watch." "What's the big deal?" Lu Qichen smiled. Ye Zhiqiu volunteering to talk about next time might mean that she was slowly starting to accept him in her heart, "If you like it, just eat more. Later, I'll hire a Sichuan chef at home, so you won't have to come out to eat then."

“I'm so embarrassed...” Ye Zhiqiu lowered her head, yet her heart felt warm. This was the first time she and Lu Qichen had such a harmonious atmosphere, all thanks to Ye Wenlan and Gu Yanfei. She had thought that today's harmony would last, but as luck would have it, fate always seems to strike you when you're happiest. Knowing that Lu Qichen couldn't handle spicy food, Ye Zhiqiu asked the waiter to order some pastries and the like, but before they arrived, Lu Qichen received a call from Bai Rongrong. Ever since Bai Rongrong left the company, they hadn't been in contact or seen each other. Lu Qichen had been wholeheartedly focusing on his family, and his relationship with Ye Zhiqiu had slightly improved, but it was Bai Rongrong's call that reminded him that he still had some unfinished business outside. “Answer it,” Lu Qichen stared at his phone in a daze, while Ye Zhiqiu, head bowed, pretended not to care and urged Lu Qichen to take the call. Lu Qichen had been too good these days, so good that she almost forgot he belonged to Bai Rongrong, not herself. Now... it was time to return him to Bai Rongrong. Lu Qichen frowned; he had finally made some progress with Ye Zhiqiu, but one call from Bai Rongrong made Ye Zhiqiu automatically draw a line between them. It seemed... it was time to settle things with Bai Rongrong. The road to winning back his wife was long, and he didn't want to keep doing useless work. “Wait for me here, I'll be right back.”

Lu Qichen took his phone outside to answer it, while Ye Zhiqiu looked at the table full of Sichuan dishes, suddenly losing her appetite. She silently went to the bar to settle the bill, packed up the pastries she had ordered for Lu Qichen, and by the time Lu Qichen finished his call and turned around, Ye Zhiqiu was already standing by the car waiting for him. 'Why did you come out?' Lu Qichen frowned slightly, asking Ye Zhiqiu in front of him. Ye Zhiqiu smiled, looking understanding, 'Miss Bai must have urgent matters to discuss with you. I've packed some food for you, have a bit, and I'll go back by myself later. You don't need to send me.' Lu Qichen looked steadily at Ye Zhiqiu in front of him. Bai Rongrong had called saying she was waiting for him at home, which he had already declined. But from Ye Zhiqiu's expression, it seemed as if she couldn't wait for him to hurry over. 'Do you really hope that I go accompany another woman?' Ye Zhiqiu was taken aback for a moment, not understanding what Lu Qichen meant by this. 'That day in your office, I made her so angry. Please help me apologize to her. Miss Bai has been with you for such a long time, whatever you do with her is only right. Don't worry about me.' Ye Zhiqiu forced a smile, 'I'll cover for you with Grandpa, you just go with peace of mind.' 'Alright, since you hope so much for me to go, I will.'

Lu Qichen sneered, wishing that at this moment Ye Zhiqiu would reach out to stop him, but she didn't. She watched him get into the car with her eyes wide open, even seeing him off as he left. Lu Qichen's hands gripping the steering wheel bulged with veins. Ye Zhiqiu silently watched Lu Qichen leave, feeling as if a piece of her heart was empty, very lost. She didn't know what was wrong with herself; when Lu Qichen left just now, she had a strong impulse to stop him. She wanted to say, 'Don't go.' But what right did she have to say that? Ye Zhiqiu's clenched fists loosened, and in the end, she said 'understandingly,' 'Go ahead.' After parting with Ye Zhiqiu, Lu Qichen went straight to Bai Rongrong's house. He used to be a frequent visitor here, but since he married Ye Zhiqiu, he rarely came here. He lit a cigarette at the door, didn't smoke it, just quietly waited for it to burn out, then extinguished it and went upstairs. The moment the doorbell rang, Bai Rongrong almost immediately opened the door, her eyes shining brightly like stars in the night sky when she saw Lu Qichen standing outside. 'Qichen, I knew you couldn't bear to leave me,' Bai Rongrong threw herself forward, hugging Lu Qichen tightly, pressing her body closely against his. At this moment, she wasn't a big star; she was just a little girl who was anxious about gains and losses. 'Stop it.'

Lu Qichen pried open Bai Rongrong's hand and strode straight into Bai Rongrong's home. He came here just to spite that little woman, to let her know the consequences of pushing him away, and by the way... he also wanted to clear things up with Bai Rongrong, to avoid any more misunderstandings on the part of that little woman. He knew he was bound to hurt Bai Rongrong, so no matter what requests Bai Rongrong had, he would do his best to fulfill them. "Weren't you saying you had something to tell me?" Lu Qichen said indifferently. "No rush, have you eaten?" Bai Rongrong's makeup was exquisite; she was always the object of men's pursuit, but for some reason, with Lu Qichen... "I haven't had any scenes these past few days, I was thinking of cooking for you, but look... the dishes have gone cold." Bai Rongrong pouted and complained, partly to show her virtuousness, and partly to remind Lu Qichen that he had changed quite a bit during this time. "I'll go warm up the dishes for you, just wait, I'll be right back." Bai Rongrong carried the dishes to the kitchen, and this time Lu Qichen didn't refuse; he was indeed a bit hungry. Bai Rongrong watched Lu Qichen eat with a smile in her eyes. Lu Qichen ate slowly, his brows tightly knitted, lost in thought. "Have some soup," she said, ladling out a bowl of soup, but Lu Qichen shook his head, "No need, I'm full." He reached for a tissue to wipe his mouth, then looked up at Bai Rongrong in front of him and said, "Rongrong, I've been thinking about this for a long time, there are some things... I feel I must make clear to you."

Lu Qichen's expression was very serious, and Bai Rongrong keenly sensed what Lu Qichen wanted to say. 'Qichen, there are some things I think I still need to tell you,' Bai Rongrong interrupted Lu Qichen's words and said, 'It's about Mrs. Lu.' As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became quiet. Lu Qichen stared at Bai Rongrong steadily, his voice even a bit hoarse, 'About her?' 'Yes, about... Mrs. Lu's matters.'