My Wife Always Wants to Run Away - Chapter 37

The living room, which had been a mess when the guests left, was already half cleaned up. Everyone had been polite, not letting Tang Jinzhi handle it alone, and they even took the trash with them when they left.

By the time Zhang Yueqi returned from seeing his friends off downstairs, Tang Jinzhi had restored the living room to its original state.

“Are you sure they all got into their cars?” Tang Jinzhi asked.

The others had been worried that Sheng Yanzhi might still be nearby, so they hadn’t let Tang Jinzhi go outside to see them off. Tang Jinzhi hadn’t insisted, but she couldn’t help but worry since she hadn’t seen them actually get into their cars.

Zhang Yueqi gave her an OK sign. “They’re all in their cars. I told them to give a shout in the group chat when they get home. Don’t worry.”

Tang Jinzhi nodded slightly, lifting her eyelids to meet Zhang Yueqi’s gaze.

After Sheng Yanzhi had been dealt with, everyone had tacitly avoided asking any questions. They all understood the importance of the situation. Though Tang Jinzhi was usually quite gossipy, she wouldn’t be so insensitive as to pry into someone’s wounds, so she had refrained from asking.

Now that only she and Zhang Yueqi remained, she was certain he knew something. Since it concerned Sheng Yanzhi, Tang Jinzhi needed to understand the situation clearly.

“Did Sheng Yanzhi do something to Ji Yunjie before?”

Zhang Yueqi knew what Tang Jinzhi wanted to ask the moment their eyes met.

She quickly waved her hand. There was nothing particularly secretive about it; anyone with connections in the industry knew the story. It wasn’t a secret. She hurried to explain, “No, it wasn’t Ji Yunjie. It was Ji Yunjie’s Senior Sister, who used to be a singer.”

Tang Jinzhi immediately seized on the key word: “Used to be?”

Zhang Yueqi nodded, her voice filled with regret and sorrow. “After leaving Sheng Yanzhi, her Senior Sister stopped singing and even stopped speaking. She used to be so optimistic and cheerful, but now she locks herself at home all day, refusing to go out or see anyone.”

Ji Yunjie had been incredibly close to her Senior Sister. When she learned that her Senior Sister’s supposed “studies abroad” were actually Sheng Yanzhi hiding her away, she completely lost it. She recklessly confronted Sheng Yanzhi several times, but it was like throwing an egg against a rock. Eventually, her family forbade her from acting rashly.

If her Senior Sister hadn’t been in slightly better spirits last year and willing to meet with her, Ji Yunjie would likely still be withdrawn, only regaining her former vitality this year. Zhang Yueqi had invited her out to relax and unwind.

After understanding the situation, Tang Jinzhi understood why Ji Yunjie had trembled with rage upon hearing Sheng Yanzhi’s name.

Unable to truly empathize, she refrained from judging their experiences. After a long silence, she murmured a futile curse: “Sheng Yanzhi will get what’s coming to her sooner or later.”

She lacked the power to exact revenge and couldn’t offer any grand pronouncements. While she didn’t naively believe that evildoers always face retribution, she still offered a symbolic curse.

After all, she had traveled through time and space—what if curses actually worked? She wasn’t a staunch materialist; she occasionally prayed to fortune deities herself.

Zhang Yueqi clenched his fist and punched the air, grinding his teeth as he growled, “Exactly! She’ll get what’s coming to her!”

Tang Jinzhi glanced at the time. It was almost seven o’clock; Jie Xiangyi would likely be too busy to check her phone right now.

After a moment’s thought, she asked Zhang Yueqi, “You haven’t told Jie Xiangyi about Sheng Yanzhi coming to the house, have you?”

Reminded, Zhang Yueqi slapped his forehead. “Ah! I forgot! I’ll tell her right now!”

Tang Jinzhi quickly stopped him. “No, she’s still working. Since she’s already gone, let’s not tell her yet. We don’t want to distract her.”

If Zhang Yueqi told Jie Xiangyi everything now, what would Tang Jinzhi say later? She still wanted to play the damsel in distress.

Tang Jinzhi’s little scheme was entirely aimed at Jie Xiangyi.

Zhang Yueqi, clueless about the games young couples play, simply thought Tang Jinzhi’s reasoning made sense. He obediently followed her instructions, with no intention of tattling on her to Jie Xiangyi.

Tang Jinzhi was pleased with Zhang Yueqi’s tact. Reporting to her wife was a task best left to her.

The phone in the living room kept buzzing. Tang Jinzhi opened it, hoping for a message from Jie Xiangyi, but felt a pang of disappointment when she saw the pinned contact hadn’t sent anything.

The messages were all from the group chat of their newly formed makeshift team. None of them had gone home yet, and they couldn’t resist dissecting the day’s events in the group chat, as if suddenly remembering overlooked details they couldn’t keep to themselves.

Tang Jinzhi glanced at the chat and muted notifications. It was getting too noisy. Yu Feixue and Qin Lu were already arguing, and even Ji Yunjie, who had been feeling unwell earlier, couldn’t resist joining the fray.

Zhang Yueqi, who had already retreated to her bedroom with her phone, also jumped back into the post-mortem discussion.

Amused, Tang Jinzhi lurked in the chat for a while. She noticed that while everyone was getting heated, they made sure to include Ji Yunjie. This prompted Ji Yunjie to launch a full-blown recap, leaving Tang Jinzhi no time to dwell on trivial matters. She focused on meticulously piecing together the story’s timeline from beginning to end, her voice notes stretching up to 60 seconds long.

Tang Jinzhi: “……”

Talk about overstimulating the poor kid.

Realizing they didn’t have scripts to reference and might have forgotten key details, she dug up the document she had previously sent Zhang Yueqi to print and forwarded it to the group chat.

Ji Yunjie: Hahaha! Look! Everyone, look! Read it and tell me if I’m right or wrong!

Zhang Yueqi: Hehe, your voice notes are too long. I don’t feel like listening.

Zou Limeng: Idiot.

The group chat call rang the next second.

Someone: “……”

Well, now they had no choice but to answer.

Tang Jinzhi explained in the group chat that she wouldn’t be joining the call. She went to her bedroom to charge her phone, then searched online for “how to take a bath” before heading to the bathroom.

The bathroom toiletries were always the same brand Jie Xiangyi used. Whenever Tang Jinzhi played with the bubbles, she couldn’t resist sniffing them, only feeling satisfied when she caught a hint of Jie Xiangyi’s scent.

Who said doctors had to smell like disinfectant? Her Doctor Xie always smelled wonderful at home.

She figured if she used these products often enough and clung to Jie Xiangyi every day, she’d eventually absorb her scent. No, that description was too demeaning to Jie Xiangyi. She should aim to smell as lovely as Jie Xiangyi herself.

After lingering in the bathroom for nearly an hour, Tang Jinzhi finally emerged, still wearing a face mask. She grabbed a bottle of fruit wine from the refrigerator and headed to the study with her fully charged phone.

Jie Xiangyi still hadn’t texted her.

The group chat had just ended a call a little over ten minutes ago, but the messages were already flooding in again, quickly reaching 99+.

Apart from Qin Lu, who had just reported her arrival at her accommodation, everyone else had already confirmed their safe return home.

Tang Jinzhi: Okay, I’m relieved everyone’s home safe. I’ll definitely invite you all over to play next time.

Zou Limeng: Make sure to invite me! I’ll definitely come!

Ji Yunjie: I’m determined to play that unfinished mystery game from today! After reviewing our strategy, I’m convinced I’m a genius!

Qin Lu: What a shame. Xiao Yu and I have such chaotic work schedules. We can’t just drop everything on a whim.

Tang Jinzhi read the messages and reassured her: No worries. When you’re both free, I’ll write a new scenario. I’ve already asked Jie Xiangyi to join you guys. I should have it finished by June, so let’s plan for then. You can all discuss a date.

Yu Feixue: Yay!

Zou Limeng: Wait, Xiangyi’s actually going to play with us?

Tang Jinzhi: Of course! If I don’t let her play, she’ll throw a fit.

Zhang Yueqi: …I wanted to ask, just a quick question, um, what’s Jie Xiangyi’s image in your eyes?

Zhang Yueqi felt that the Jie Xiangyi Tang Jinzhi saw was worlds apart from the Jie Xiangyi he knew.

Would Jie Xiangyi really throw a tantrum if she couldn’t play a murder mystery game? Was that even her personality?

Tang Jinzhi was clearly making things up.

The others in the group chat were equally curious. Jie Xiangyi was such a reserved and aloof person—who would ever associate her with the word “tantrum”?

Tang Jinzhi tilted her head, pondering. What was Jie Xiangyi’s image?

After a moment’s thought, she began typing.

Tang Jinzhi: Cute!

Tang Jinzhi: Very cute!

Tang Jinzhi: Extremely cute!

Everyone: …

The group chat went silent for several seconds, not a single person typing.

Everyone was speechless.

Was Tang Jinzhi really talking about Jie Xiangyi?

How strong of a filter did she have to use to spam “cute” like that?

Ji Yunjie couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up first: Does Jie Xiangyi even know she’s associated with the word “cute”?

That’s Jie Xiangyi! The Jie Xiangyi who usually sits there without saying a word!

The moment that message landed, the others couldn’t resist chiming in.

Yang Xiaoyu: That’s definitely not Jie Xiangyi.

Jie Xiangyi’s very hair strands exuded aloofness.

Yu Feixue: I haven’t met her personally, but I’ve heard she’s the hardest person to befriend.

Qin Lu: Jie Xiangyi is cute? That’s the most absurd joke I’ve heard all year.

Zou Limeng tapped Tang Jinzhi’s profile picture and quipped: Are you sure it’s just amnesia? Or is it some kind of delusion?

Tang Jinzhi: ……

Zhang Yueqi burst into laughter in his room. He selected the entire chat log, packaged it up, and sent it to Jie Xiangyi, waiting for her to have time to read it and see how her wife described her.

Then he returned to the group chat, mockingly taunting Tang Jinzhi: Tang Jinzhi, haven’t you noticed? Your filter for Jie Xiangyi is so strong it’s off the charts! Where exactly is Jie Xiangyi cute?

Tang Jinzhi tapped the screen, poking at the profile pictures of the group members. “You guys just don’t get it!”

Ji Yunjie: “Sister Tang, I really don’t understand.”

Yu Feixue: “Sister Tang, who could possibly understand this?”

First, the two younger members replied. Then, one after another, the others chimed in, echoing the same “I don’t get it” sentiment like a copy-paste job.

Zou Limeng: “I don’t dare to understand.”

Yang Xiaoyu: “Sis, I completely don’t get it.”

Qin Lu: “Huh? Am I even qualified to understand?”

Zhang Yueqi: “Hahaha, Jie Xiangyi said she doesn’t understand either!”

Tang Jinzhi: “All of you, step aside. If you don’t understand, that’s fine… My wife is the cutest.”

Tang Jinzhi was certain that Jie Xiangyi was still a childish brat at heart. The way she sulked and waited to be coaxed—how could anyone not find that adorable?

These people were practically blind!

Especially Zhang Yueqi, whose eyesight was already failing at such a young age.

When Jie Xiangyi sat next to her at home, she would secretly glance at Tang Jinzhi, which was always so amusing. How could Zhang Yueqi, who was often present, have never noticed?

Sigh…

Zhang Yueqi: If this isn’t love…

Zou Limeng: If this isn’t love…

The others followed suit, copying and pasting the same phrase.

Tang Jinzhi’s lips twitched.

Tang Jinzhi: I was actually planning to create a fun six-player online game for us to play. Ah… never mind. No one understands me. Never mind, I’m going to bed.

The next moment, a string of exclamation marks flooded the group chat.

Zou Limeng was the first to delete her copied message and solemnly type: Jie Xiangyi is adorable.

After sending it, she couldn’t help but shudder, goosebumps rising all over her skin.

The others quickly followed suit, each feeling deeply awkward after praising Jie Xiangyi’s cuteness.

At the hospital, Jie Xiangyi felt a tickle in her nose, like she was about to sneeze but couldn’t. She was certain someone was badmouthing her behind her back.

She had just stopped to rest, having skipped dinner earlier.

She checked her phone, first sending Tang Jinzhi a sticker, then opening the chat log Zhang Yueqi had forwarded.

Though the forwarded messages only showed usernames, Jie Xiangyi recognized the conversation as belonging to the group who had played at home earlier that day, thanks to her friendships with Zou Limeng and Zhang Yueqi.

After reading through it…

Jie Xiangyi remained silent for a long time. The frustration on her face quickly dissipated when Tang Jinzhi video-called her, replaced by a hint of nervousness.

The call connected.

The screen showed Tang Jinzhi’s face, still covered in a sheet mask.

Jie Xiangyi’s long lashes fluttered slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features.

But the next moment, as if sensing her unspoken thoughts, Tang Jinzhi tore off the mask.

“Oops, I forgot I still had this on!”

Jie Xiangyi smiled, her lips curving upward. “Why didn’t you guys keep playing?”

She remembered Tang Jinzhi saying they were going to continue when they last spoke.

Tang Jinzhi walked toward the bathroom, holding her phone up. “We stopped. There was a bit of an accident, and with one person missing, there wasn’t enough time to finish. The scenario was really complex and difficult.”

Jie Xiangyi waited until Tang Jinzhi had propped up her phone before asking, “What kind of accident?”

Tang Jinzhi blinked. “I’ll tell you when you get home.”

With that, she lowered her head to wash her face.

Jie Xiangyi didn’t press further, using the opportunity to grab her earphones and put them on.

Tang Jinzhi took her time getting ready. Jie Xiangyi watched quietly for a while, then decided to open her untouched dinner.

Tang Jinzhi paused in her movements. “You’re eating now?”

Jie Xiangyi nodded. “I didn’t have time earlier.”

Tang Jinzhi sighed. “Is it cold?”

Jie Xiangyi replied, “No.”

But it wasn’t very hot either.

Tang Jinzhi couldn’t resist reaching out to poke the screen at Jie Xiangyi’s image. The phone slipped from her hand and fell with a thud.

Tang Jinzhi: “……”

The screen went black. Jie Xiangyi paused, startled, before Tang Jinzhi quickly picked up the phone, shaking it slightly. Tang Jinzhi’s face pressed right up against the screen.

Frowning, Tang Jinzhi wiped a small droplet of water from the screen. Jie Xiangyi chuckled at her expression.

“What’s so funny? Hurry up and eat before you have to rush off to work again after just a few bites.”

Jie Xiangyi lowered her gaze, smiling softly. “I’m eating.”

Tang Jinzhi, still in the study, suddenly remembered something. “Didn’t your schedule say you had tomorrow off?”

Why was Jie Xiangyi still going to work, only getting a few hours of sleep? According to the schedule, she should have had a full day to rest.

Jie Xiangyi’s eyes dimmed slightly. “It got changed.”

Tang Jinzhi: “What do you mean?”

Jie Xiangyi smiled. “It’s fine. As long as I still get my rest time, it doesn’t matter.”

Tang Jinzhi wasn’t fooled. A “change” wasn’t the same as a voluntary shift swap. Jie Xiangyi might say it was fine, but her words hinted at something being wrong.

Leaning her cheek against her hand at the desk, Tang Jinzhi asked, “Are they bullying you at the hospital?”

Jie Xiangyi nodded obediently.

Though Tang Jinzhi was annoyed, Jie Xiangyi’s demeanor made her want to laugh.

Hiding the amusement in her eyes, Tang Jinzhi asked with a serious expression, “Can the hospital’s duty roster be adjusted at will?”

Jie Xiangyi scoffed, “No.”

Tang Jinzhi understood immediately: this had to be the work of someone with the authority to make such changes.

Frowning, Tang Jinzhi prompted, “Who was it?”

Jie Xiangyi nodded. “I know.”

Tang Jinzhi smiled. “Then go settle the score.”

Jie Xiangyi blinked. “Huh?”

Tang Jinzhi smiled again. “Can’t we even handle something this trivial?”

Jie Xiangyi was kind-hearted, but Tang Jinzhi was fiercely vindictive. Now that she knew who was behind this, she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she retaliated.

Jie Xiangyi finally understood. She had only been momentarily stunned by Tang Jinzhi’s use of the phrase “our family.” Recovering, she nodded. “Okay.”

Satisfied with Jie Xiangyi’s response, Tang Jinzhi tapped the screen again, this time being careful not to knock the phone over. “Hurry home after work.”

Jie Xiangyi smiled. “Okay.”

Tang Jinzhi feigned anger. “Still smiling? You won’t be laughing when you get home.”

Jie Xiangyi looked puzzled. “Why?”

Tang Jinzhi hummed softly. “I’ll tell you when you get home.”

She worried that Jie Xiangyi might be distracted by thoughts of home while at the hospital tonight.

Tang Jinzhi watched Jie Xiangyi finish her meal, and the two chatted idly for a while. Occasionally, someone would greet Jie Xiangyi, and Tang Jinzhi knew she would soon be busy again. She glanced at the group members who had been asking every few minutes if she had finished organizing the script.

After a moment’s thought, she hung up the phone.

Opening the group chat, she didn’t reply to their inquiries. Instead, she typed another comment: Jie Xiangyi is so adorable.

The others: ……

We get it, we get it. No need to keep saying it.

Zhang Yueqi: Jie Xiangyi just messaged me. You’re ignoring us because you’re on a date, right? Look me in the eye and tell me!

Zou Limeng: Love makes you forget your friends.

Yu Feixue: Ah, never mind. Let’s be understanding, sisters. Sister Tang will be all alone tonight.

Qin Lu: Ah, right! I just remembered that. Go ahead and date, then! Just don’t forget to finish organizing the script afterward.

Yang Xiaoyu: So, are you done with your “date” now? Can we start? My little notebook is ready.

Ji Yunjie: Always prepared.

Tang Jinzhi fell into thought. Did video-calling Jie Xiangyi even count as a date?

Still, she couldn’t resist praising Jie Xiangyi’s cuteness. Before, she had no one to share these feelings with, but now that so many people knew about her and Jie Xiangyi, she couldn’t suppress her urge to share.

She knew it wasn’t really about sharing; it was more about showing off. Sometimes she was even more childish than Zhang Yueqi.

Without making the group wait any longer, Tang Jinzhi initiated a voice call in the group chat. Once everyone had joined, she privately sent the finalized character scripts to the six participants. The group chat quickly fell silent.

In the cold, minimalist living room, Ji Yunjie nervously clutched her tablet as she sat on the sofa with Xu Yihuan.

Feeling down today, Ji Yunjie had taken a detour to visit her Senior Sister, who lived nearby.

As usual, Xu Yihuan merely frowned at her before letting the persistent junior come in.

Every time Xu Yihuan frowned at her, Ji Yunjie felt a sharp pang of discomfort. She had wanted to chat with her Senior Sister, but the other woman’s coldness always choked the words in her throat.

This time, she was alone in the living room again. But after her impassioned rant against the group chat members, Senior Sister, likely disturbed by the noise, finally emerged.

Under Ji Yunjie’s watchful gaze, Xu Yihuan opened the document Tang Jinzhi had sent.

Ji Yunjie was initially puzzled, but when she saw Xu Yihuan forward the document to herself and then retreat to her room with her phone, she understood:

Senior Sister is interested!

Before her excitement could fully erupt, Ji Yunjie’s tears began to flow uncontrollably, her nose stinging with emotion.

It wasn’t until Tang Jinzhi mentioned they could still play online that Ji Yunjie regained her composure. She resisted the urge to pester Tang Jinzhi, knowing she wouldn’t disturb Xu Yihuan until she was certain they could play, lest another failed attempt disappoint her.

Finally! Tang Jinzhi, having finished her romantic escapades, had resurfaced!

Xu Yihuan, unusually receptive, sat beside her and reviewed the character introductions together.

Tang Jinzhi, bored at her desk, spun idly in her chair. Knowing she was stuck as the game master for a plot-heavy session, she sighed.

Ugh, so bored! After reminding the others to avoid private chats and cheating, she turned to pester Jie Xiangyi.

After all, Jie Xiangyi was the only one available to chat with right now.

Lin Ai and Yu Feishuang were still using their personal accounts, not yet added to this work account, so she couldn’t see their messages. Besides, she was currently on a call and couldn’t switch accounts to find someone to talk to.

Tang Jinzhi had no desire to chat with them at this hour, especially since their relationship wasn’t particularly close. She only enjoyed talking to Jie Xiangyi, even if Jie Xiangyi couldn’t complete the 60-second challenge.

Starting at 9:30 PM, they played until after midnight before finally ending the game. This lighthearted session was far simpler than the emotionally charged scenario they’d played earlier that afternoon.

Qin Lu: Hey, Yun Jie, you weren’t like this during the day! Why are you always hounding me?!

Ji Yunjie: Just admit you’re the murderer!

Yu Feixue: Exactly!

Qin Lu: Hmph.

Zou Limeng: They switched players! Definitely switched players! Her deductions are way smoother than those 60-second attempts.

Yang Xiaoyu: Suggest a urine test.

Ji Yunjie stole a glance at Xu Yihuan, her heart sinking.

But seeing the newfound confidence on Xu Yihuan’s face, Ji Yunjie’s spirits immediately lifted. So what if they switched players? It’s not cheating—my Senior Sister is just smart!

Besides, Senior Sister had talked to her so much today.

Ji Yunjie: Heh.

Zhang Yueqi: This is so much fun!

Zhang Yueqi: I want to play more! More! More! More!

Zhang Yueqi shouted while tapping Tang Jinzhi’s avatar.

She knew Tang Jinzhi definitely had more games in store.

Tang Jinzhi: It’s getting late. Aren’t you all going to sleep?

Zou Limeng: What’s the big deal? It’s not even that late!

Yu Feixue: Sister Tang, you don’t know. Zhang Yueqi used to make me play games all night long!

Qin Lu: Let’s crank up the difficulty!

Yang Xiaoyu: Bring it on!

Ji Yunjie remembered the deduction game they hadn’t played yet. She glanced at Xu Yihuan, feeling conflicted. She doubted Xu Yihuan would want to join them.

Xu Yihuan: What’s up?

Ji Yunjie’s voice trembled slightly with nervousness: There’s a deduction game tonight. We’re short one person, so we haven’t played it yet. Sister Tang said it’s pretty challenging. Senior Sister, would you want to join us…?

Her voice grew increasingly soft and hesitant. Xu Yihuan glanced at the tablet, considered for a moment, and nodded.

Ji Yunjie’s eyes lit up with excitement!

Ji Yunjie: Mystery game! Seven people! I want to play that one! Make it hard, make it hard!

Zhang Yueqi: Where did the seven people come from?

Ji Yunjie: My Senior Sister is playing too!

Qin Lu: !

Zou Limeng sent a voice message directly to the group: You little sneak, Ji Yunjie! I knew you switched players earlier!

Yang Xiaoyu: Heh, Ji Yunjie, you were still “heh-ing” earlier. No need for a drug test—the truth has already surfaced.

Tang Jinzhi sat up straight. Could the “Senior Sister” Ji Yunjie mentioned be the one she was thinking of?

She left her study to find Zhang Yueqi and confirm. Just as she opened the door, she bumped into him emerging from his room.

Zhang Yueqi’s face was flushed with excitement. “Quick, quick, agree! Her Senior Sister is finally willing to socialize!”

Tang Jinzhi nodded blankly. After Zhang Yueqi hurried back to his room, she sat down at her desk.

Tang Jinzhi: Okay, invite everyone. I have a seven-person mystery game here that’s even harder than the one I prepared for tonight.

The offline version was still more fun, especially since she had already prepared everything. She couldn’t waste those photocopied pages—they cost money! She’d save that one for later.

Ji Yunjie: Bring on the hard stuff!

Tang Jinzhi: Alright, it’s quite lengthy. Let’s hope you can stay awake the whole time. It’ll take at least six hours.

These people are really something, Tang Jinzhi thought. Playing two scenarios in one day? Can they even handle that?

And not a single one of them asked if I was going to sleep!

Well, it’s a good thing I wasn’t planning on going to bed early anyway. I wanted to wait for Jie Xiangyi to come home so we could sleep together.

Now it’s even better—I’ll have seven people to keep me company tonight. Waiting for my wife won’t feel so lonely.

Tang Jinzhi’s mood instantly brightened.

Meanwhile, Jie Xiangyi’s emotions had been a tangled mess all night.

Tang Jinzhi hadn’t gone to sleep.

It seemed she was waiting for Jie Xiangyi to come home, wanting to sleep together.

At the hospital, Jie Xiangyi had finally experienced what it meant for each day to feel like a year.

She had never felt time drag on so painfully before.

It felt like ages since Jie Xiangyi had seen Tang Jinzhi.

She didn’t ask Tang Jinzhi why she was still awake, fearing the other woman would simply say goodnight.

Instead, Jie Xiangyi played dumb, chatting with Tang Jinzhi all evening, eagerly awaiting the end of her shift. It was the first time she’d ever been so eager to go home.

Tang Jinzhi’s eyelids were drooping. She couldn’t understand how the others, after using their brains all day, could still be so energized.

Their six-hour session had dragged on for nearly eight hours due to endless bickering and revisions.

Jie Xiangyi had already left work…

Too exhausted to watch their post-mortem analysis, Tang Jinzhi shut down her computer, left the study, and emerged from the bedroom only after confirming Jie Xiangyi was almost home.

She leaned languidly against the door, her eyes half-closed. Just as she was about to drift off, the door swung open from outside.

Jie Xiangyi stepped back to catch Tang Jinzhi, who suddenly threw herself into her arms.

Her nostrils filled with Tang Jinzhi’s scent, Jie Xiangyi lowered her head, still unable to believe the extra person in her embrace was real. Her arms instinctively tightened around Tang Jinzhi.

“Hmm?”

Tang Jinzhi could barely keep her eyes open. She was usually quite resilient, but today she had been mentally exhausted. Her thoughts kept replaying the games they had played, and new ideas kept popping up, nearly draining her brain cells dry.

Seeing Tang Jinzhi even more exhausted than herself, Jie Xiangyi lowered her gaze and murmured apologetically, “I’m sorry.”

For making her wait all night.

Tang Jinzhi was too tired to move. Since Jie Xiangyi was already back, she didn’t need to. Her mind went completely blank as her cheek involuntarily pressed against Jie Xiangyi’s, nuzzling softly.

The warmth of Jie Xiangyi’s cheek was too comforting to resist.

Jie Xiangyi’s heart raced. The emotions she had suppressed all night finally surged forth. She turned her head, her gaze drawn to Tang Jinzhi’s pale, soft cheek. She held her breath, unable to resist the temptation, and lowered her head to kiss her.

Tang Jinzhi didn’t react.

Feeling the full weight of Tang Jinzhi in her arms, Jie Xiangyi exhaled in relief. Tang Jinzhi had fallen asleep in her arms.

But her relief was premature. Just as she was about to carry Tang Jinzhi back to bed, she looked up and met Zhang Yueqi’s bright, knowing eyes.

Jie Xiangyi: “……”

Zhang Yueqi grinned mischievously, her face radiating amusement.

She saw everything, didn’t she?