The next day.

Yan Feng had just finished work and was about to leave the office when a familiar voice slowly sounded beside him.

"Hey, little madman, what a coincidence! You just got off work too?"

Following the voice, he saw a woman in an office outfit standing by the door, lightly made up, looking at him with a captivating gaze.

The man glanced her up and down, a hint of surprise in his eyes, which made Gu Qing very pleased. She even deliberately pushed her chest forward.

But before she could enjoy the moment, she heard his surprised words:

"You actually didn't leave early today?"

Gu Qing was momentarily stunned, her smile frozen awkwardly.

Yan Feng, however, didn't care about any of this. Having worked together for so many years, he knew she was a straightforward person and could tell what she was up to with just one look. So he didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:

"Tell me, why were you waiting outside the office for me?"

The corners of her mouth twitched, but she forced herself to change the subject: "Why, can't I just talk to you, little madman? Come on, since we both got off work at the same time today, I'll give you a ride home."

"No need," Yan Feng shook his head. "It used to be fine, but now I have to pick up a child after work, so it's not on the way."

"A child?"

Gu Qing immediately became alert, her ears perked up as she asked, "What child? Little madman, did you secretly have a child with another woman behind my back?"

Yan Feng rolled his eyes at her in exasperation:

"What do you mean by 'behind your back'? It's... well... it's her child. She's not around anymore, and no other relatives are willing to take the child, so I'm temporarily taking care of them."

As he spoke, he turned to leave, but she blocked his way with her arm.

The sound of metal clinking was heard as Gu Qing lifted her car keys, a smile forming on her lips:

"No problem, big sister will drive you to pick up the child today!"

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Three minutes after school ended, Chen Xi was still in the classroom working on her assignments. Most of the other students had left, but she wasn't in a hurry and remained calm.

Until a burst of chatter broke the silence around her.

"Xi Xi! You're still studying?"

Wang Wenxin hadn't left either, but unlike Chen Xi, she had overslept.

She stood up, stretched, and then pouted, tilting her head in confusion: "Xi Xi, I don't get it. Every time I see you, you're studying hard, so why can't your grades improve?"

"If you were as dumb as me, it would make sense, but..."

Wang Wenxin glanced at the ranking on the wall and the names of the girls at the bottom, afraid of hurting Chen Xi's pride, she didn't say more.

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Chen Xi, however, seemed not to hear, continuing to focus on her work.

Yan Feng needed to ride an electric bike to pick her up, which took about ten minutes from his workplace to the school, and she remembered this clearly.

She glanced at the clock on the wall, feeling it was about time, and packed her evening study materials into her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder as she headed for the door.

Outside, the sky was half-dusk, and the young girl stood quietly at the school gate in her neat uniform, unintentionally creating a stunning scene.

In the past, she might have resisted waiting there, as she often witnessed things she never had, like family and care.

But that was then, and this is now. She no longer envied the children who were picked up by their parents because she now had someone of her own.

Even if that person was clumsy and ridiculously awkward, she felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

A strange emotion welled up in her heart again. Although she still resisted it somewhat, it had happened so many times that even a stone should have warmed by now.

Sweetness can be addictive, especially for someone who has lived in pain for so long and forgotten what love is.

Even though Chen Xi knew she was gradually sinking, becoming a slave to her emotions, she couldn't resist the temptation.

To grow toward the sun is human instinct.

So, with this budding excitement, the young girl stood there, watching the man appear in her line of sight, a subconscious smile forming on her lips.

Radiant and flawless, in just a moment of brilliance, she left all the men present stunned, forgetting everything, their minds filled only with her breathtaking image.

Chen Xi took a step forward, then another, and another.

Faster and faster.

A certain impulse grew in her heart, emotions suppressed for who knows how long were about to burst forth. She stretched her long legs, running toward the man with the setting sun at her back.

Her blood flowed faster, her heart pounded, and adrenaline surged, filling her with a reckless impulse.

Forward, forward, forward...

Was his smile because of her?

Was he rehearsing a conversation with her?

Did he dress nicely today just for her?

Countless thoughts flooded her mind, filling it to the brim. For the first time, she experienced this dizzying feeling, unfamiliar but not unpleasant.

Until...

Another woman appeared in her line of sight.

"Little Xi!"

Yan Feng waved when he saw Chen Xi, quickly walking to her side, smiling as he introduced:

"This is my boss, she's really nice, you can call her Sister Gu."

Chen Xi looked at Gu Qing, her eyes devoid of emotion.

At their first meeting, she scrutinized the woman warily, her eyebrows twitching involuntarily when she saw her ample figure, her eyes narrowing with a fierce look.

A sudden chill ran down Gu Qing's spine, making her shiver instinctively.

Though she didn't know why, out of politeness, she still smiled and greeted:

"Hi, you must be Little Xi? No need to be so formal, I've known the little madman for a long time, just treat me as one of your own."

Chen Xi stood there, silent.

The affectionate nickname, the natural smile, the ambiguous words, and the so-called "one of your own," everything seemed so annoying, so infuriating.

Noticing something was off with the young girl, Yan Feng quickly leaned over to ask:

"What's wrong? Little Xi, are you feeling unwell again?"

Chen Xi bit her lip, her gaze icy, turning her head away:

"No."

Yan Feng sighed in relief, thinking she might have been bullied at school, and smiled as he continued:

"Good, then let's head home together, shall we?"