Back at the villa, Lin Zhengran unlocked the door with his key.

Everyone walked in, chatting and laughing.

Just then, Lin Zhengran’s phone rang—it was a call from Jiang Jingshi.

She said she might be home a bit late because the school had organized a meeting for class advisors.

Lin Zhengran told her not to rush.

After changing into his indoor slippers, he sat on the sofa and poured himself a glass of water.

He Qing said, “I’ll go cook. You guys go ahead and relax.”

Han Wenwen blinked. “Xiaoqing’s cooking? I thought we were just buying takeout?”

“We’ve got a whole house now—why would we keep ordering food? Cooking at home is healthier.”

Han Wenwen thought it made sense and smiled. “Alright, I’ll help Xiaoqing prep the veggies.”

“Sounds good.”

Jiang Xueli said, “I’m going to feed the fish in our pond first, then I’ll join you in the kitchen.”

“There are fish in the pond?” Han Wenwen’s fox-like eyes sparkled.

Jiang Xueli nodded. “A few days ago I mentioned the pond was empty, so Jiang-jiejie brought over a few goldfish. I’m even thinking about planting some lotuses in there later.”

“Really? Take me to see!”

Watching the three girls busying about, Lin Zhengran looked on with curiosity, lost in thought.

Seeing the two of them head to the garden, He Qing stood in front of him and asked, “What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll make it for you. If the fridge’s empty, I can go buy ingredients. There’s a big supermarket nearby that has everything.”

Instead of answering, Lin Zhengran asked back, “Last week, when Wenwen and I were down south, were you the one cooking?”

“Last week? No. Jiang-jiejie and I only cooked two or three meals. Most of the time we just ordered out. Since you weren’t around, no one really felt like cooking. Now that you’re back, of course we’ll eat at home.”

Lin Zhengran reached out his hand.

He Qing blushed and slowly placed her hand in his. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. No rush with dinner—come sit with me for a bit.”

He Qing glanced at Wenwen and Lili who were still by the pond, then slowly sat down beside him.

Lin Zhengran draped an arm around her shoulder, and He Qing leaned softly against him.

Her voice just as soft, she asked, “What’s on your mind, Lin Zhengran?”

“I’m thinking maybe we should hire a housekeeper.”

“A housekeeper? Why?! That’s such a waste of money. And we’d have a stranger living here.”

Lin Zhengran looked at her—she clearly didn’t like the idea.

“It doesn’t cost that much. The problem is, if we eat at home, someone has to cook for five people. That takes a lot of time. Once in a while is fine, but every day? That’s exhausting. Plus, Wenwen and Lili can’t cook, and Jingshi has her company and school stuff. She’s already super busy.”

He Qing blinked blankly. “It’s fine. I can handle it. Cooking’s not tiring—it’s just cooking. What else would I do after coming home every day?”

Lin Zhengran looked at her with a slight frown. “Are you stupid or what?”

He Qing was at a loss for words. “I... I don’t think I’m stupid...”

Lin Zhengran gave her a light flick on the forehead.

He Qing yelped, pouting as she rubbed her head.

She had no idea why she got hit again.

“If you’re not, then who is?” he asked.

She didn’t argue. “If you say I am, then I am... I’ll listen to you.”

Lin Zhengran sighed. “So the money’s not the issue. You just don’t like the idea of a stranger in the house?”

“Emmm... yeah, not really. I mean, we’re all living together, right? What if that person starts gossiping? Plus, with a stranger around, I’d always feel on edge. I don’t like the idea. And cooking really isn’t hard. You’re worried I’ll get tired, aren’t you?”

Lin Zhengran gently patted her head.

And admitted openly, “Of course I am.”

He Qing blushed. “I know you care about me, but this is nothing. I used to cook every day at home too. Mom was at work, and Grandma was sick and couldn’t move much. I’d cook for three to five people all by myself. Piece of cake—it doesn’t take long.”

Lin Zhengran thought for a moment. “Alright, I’ll think it over.”

“Take your time. But first, you gotta tell me what you want for dinner tonight—otherwise, how would I know what to cook?”

“Seafood. I’m craving seafood.”

“Got it! I’ll go get some!”

“I’ll transfer you the money.”

“No need. I still have plenty from what you gave me last month.”

He Qing got up, and just before heading out, seeing that Wenwen and Lili weren’t around, she blushed and quickly pecked Lin Zhengran on the cheek.

“I’m off to buy seafood.”

Lin Zhengran turned toward the garden and called out, “Wenwen!”

Han Wenwen, still looking at the fish, twitched her invisible fox ears and stood up. “You called me, Brother Zhengran?”

“Yeah, come here for a sec.”

“Okay!”

As He Qing returned to the living room, Jiang Xueli noticed she was going out to buy something and got up to go with her.

Han Wenwen asked Lin Zhengran, “What’s up, Brother Zhengran?”

He stood and walked toward the study. “Wenwen, do you remember what you said a long time ago? About everyone living together and splitting responsibilities?”

“Of course I remember!”

“Tell me again—what were you thinking back then?”

“Sure!”

----------------------------------------

Later that night, after He Qing and Lili got back with the seafood, Jiang Jingshi also returned from school.

Everyone gathered in the kitchen, chatting and laughing as they cooked together.

After dinner, night had fully fallen.

The four girls were in the bedroom, making the bed and arranging blankets.

The massive bed could sleep seven people, with five single blankets laid side by side.

Since it was Han Wenwen’s first night sleeping over, she asked curiously, “Why are all the blankets singles?”

He Qing, Jiang Xueli, and Jiang Jingshi all looked at her.

Jiang Jingshi asked, “What do you mean?”

Han Wenwen replied, “Jiang-jiejie, Xiaoqing, Lili—this is how you slept last week too?”

The three nodded.

Han Wenwen whispered, “Shouldn’t we all sleep under the same blanket? Why are they separated?”

Everyone’s cheeks turned red.

Luckily, Lin Zhengran wasn’t in the room.

They glanced toward the door—he was still in the shower.

He Qing blushed. “Last week, we originally planned to sleep under one blanket, but... since Lin Zhengran wasn’t here, we ended up sleeping separately.”

Han Wenwen giggled. “You three were shy?”

Jiang Xueli retorted, a little tsundere, “How could we not be?”

Jiang Jingshi, as the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, wasn’t used to things like this either—sharing a bed with other girls and her boyfriend had never even crossed her mind before.

“But Wenwen’s right. Since Zhengzheng’s back now, shouldn’t we switch to a big blanket and sleep together?”

The girls looked at each other.

In the end, they all agreed.

They put away the five single blankets and laid out a massive custom quilt across the bed—big enough to cover seven or eight people.

Jiang Jingshi had specifically had it made the week before.

While making the bed, none of them spoke. Each one had a faint blush on her face, thinking about what might happen that night.

Just then, Lin Zhengran walked in, freshly showered and dressed in his pajamas.

“I’m done. Aren’t you girls going to shower? Still setting up the bed?”

The four girls all flinched at once, quickly finishing the bed setup and responding in unison:

“We’re going now, we’re going now!”