CHAPTER 247: 226: YOU MUST NOT MEET HER ALONE.

Their subtle glances of affection fell into Bai Shirui’s eyes, inexplicably becoming somewhat glaring.

She pulled out the chair, whether intentionally or not, creating a piercing sound.

"Master Shi, this is something my father wanted me to deliver to you." She held the document in both hands and pushed it forward to the man, a gentle smile hanging on her face.

Shi Weiqing responded faintly, flipping through it symbolically a couple of times without providing an immediate conclusion.

Of course, even if there was collaboration, it was not Bai Family’s Miss Bai—who only understood the surface—who could discuss it with him.

While Shi Wei flipped through the pages, Yu Zhi ’accidentally’ knocked the pen off the table and made a move to pick it up.

As she bent, she discreetly opened the porcelain bottle hidden in her hand, tilting its mouth toward the woman’s direction.

It took only a moment for a Silver Shell Gu to crawl towards her foot at the fastest speed.

Circling around, its antennae twitched rapidly, as though sensing something.

Seconds and minutes ticked by, and Yu Zhi, fearing it would arouse her suspicion, lightly tapped the carpet twice, prompting the Silver Gu to quickly return to the bottle.

Just as she straightened up, a glass of juice came into view.

Shi Wei gently tucked the strand of hair falling across her temple, then casually pinched her cheek in an intimate manner.

With this tender gesture, he diverted Bai Shirui’s attention, ensuring she couldn’t detect anything.

"Master Shi, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now." Bai Shirui found herself unable to stay any longer.

From start to finish, the man hadn’t once looked at her, all his focus inexorably on the young girl by his side.

The tenderness and emotion overflowing from his gaze filled her with longing and despair. It seemed no matter what she did, that warmth would never belong to her.

In that case, why pursue what would only bring heartache?

Shi Wei responded indifferently, closed the folder in front of him, and casually set it aside.

Turning his head, he saw the young girl clutching the glass cup, a trace of contentment flashing in her slightly squinted almond-shaped eyes as a faint smile curved his lips.

"Zhizhi, what do you want to eat tonight?"

"Hmm... Barbecue."

"Alright, I’ll make it for you when we get home." Shi Wei habitually wrapped his arm around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Yu Zhi shook her head. "Let’s eat out."

Preparing the meat was simple, but grilling it could get exhausting. The man had already had a busy day, and she didn’t want him to tire himself further.

Ultimately, it was because she cared for him deeply.

Shi Wei kissed her cheek lightly, his deep voice warm like coffee on a winter day: "Then I’ll make a restaurant reservation now."

"..."

Like an invisible presence, Bai Shirui silently observed their whole affectionate exchange.

Lowering her eyes, her gaze rested on the voice recorder tucked in the inner pocket of her handbag. Her hand hung at her side, gradually clenching tighter.

After a moment, she slowly zipped up the pocket, dismissing this path—it wasn’t the only option available.

Bai Shirui stood up, glancing at the man across from her, wanting to say a simple goodbye.

Yet the sweet atmosphere between the two was something she couldn’t bear to disrupt, prompting her to leave quietly.

"Shi Wei, is Xing Ye’s collaboration with her important?" Yu Zhi brushed her fingers against the glass cup as her gaze lingered with veiled meaning toward the doorway.

"It’s not important." To him, what the Bai Family offered was dispensable.

"Then let’s not proceed with the talks."

Yu Zhi met his eyes seriously, her tone more firm than ever. "When I’m not around, you must promise not to meet with her alone."

"Alright." Realizing the gravity of the matter, Shi Wei’s smile faded. "Did she bring a Gu?"

The young girl’s earlier subtle maneuver under the table hadn’t escaped his notice. Had he not known her intent was merely testing, he would have already asked her to leave.

"No." Yu Zhi frowned slightly, pausing before speaking again, "But there’s the scent of a Poisonous Insect on her."

"I’ll have someone investigate." Shi Wei unlocked his phone and sent Chen Cai a message.

Another name that filled him with contempt surfaced in his mind, prompting him to add it to the query without hesitation.

"Hmm." Yu Zhi lowered her eyes, her long, fluttering lashes partially obscuring her inner emotions.

Pale shadows cast beneath her lower eyelids, as though she stood at the edge of an unfathomable abyss.

**

Ever since the minor incident in the executive office, Shi Wei noticed his little girl had become increasingly occupied.

For two days in a row, after coming home, aside from finishing her homework,

most of her time had been spent in the Gu Refining Room he had specially prepared for her.

Under the hazy night sky, Shi Wei carried a glass of warm milk and knocked on the door of that room: "Zhizhi, may I come in?"

A mix of agonized and piercing cries met his ears, followed closely by the sound of bottles and jars clattering to the ground.

Shi Wei leaned against the doorframe, waiting patiently.

Within moments, a soft yellow glow spilled onto the floor at his feet, merging with the corridor’s light.

Yu Zhi took the glass of milk from him, her smiling eyes linking her arm with his as they walked side by side.

The furnishings in the room were simple—a set of blackwood tables and chairs, a grinder, and a furnace—nothing more.

While Fifth Granny’s surroundings were engulfed in shadows, Yu Zhi radiated light, existing as if she were born to face the sun; even her environment, her lights, were open and bright, faintly fragrant with a gentle aroma.

Even when confronting a pile of dark, wriggling Poisonous Insects, there was no hint of fear or eeriness.

Yu Zhi picked up a deep blue woven bracelet from the table and tied it around his left wrist.

She lightly traced his wrist bones, tilting her head to meet his gaze with a radiant smile: "Shi Wei, once you wear this, you can never take it off."

"Zhizhi made this?" Shi Wei focused on the intricately woven bracelet, his elegant brows filled with ineffable delight.

"Mm, soaked in Little Jin’s brew."

"Little Jin...? Your names for the Gu worms are always amusing."

Yu Zhi nodded, pointing to the golden-striated Gu insect soaking in a potion bottle: "It’s that one."

"What does it do?"

"As long as you keep wearing this bracelet, even if I’m not around, it can prevent other Gu insects from approaching you for a short time."

Her words set Shi Wei’s heart ablaze, like it was gripped by the heat of the summer sun.

He pulled her into his embrace, his deep peach blossom eyes brimming with gratitude and joy: "Thank you, darling."

He had assumed her recent busyness had been dedicated to preparing powders for Xue Xiongsen.

But unexpectedly...

Yu Zhi climbed up and looped her arms around his neck, her expression earnest as she reminded him again: "Even when showering, you mustn’t take off the bracelet, understand?"

"Alright, I’ll listen to you." Shi Wei pressed a devoted kiss to her forehead.

Even if his life were to end, as long as she didn’t ask him to, he would never remove it.

"Good." Yu Zhi mimicked his gesture perfectly, standing on tiptoes to pat the top of his head.