Volume One, Chapter Seven: This Is the Betrothal Gift I Give to Qingqing

Pei Xi also had his own courtyard at the old residence, but since this was his first night with Xu Qingning, he didn’t want to stay there.

Before leaving, he glanced toward his courtyard. Soon, he would take Xu Qingning on a proper tour.

So, he led her back to the property he had purchased.

“Star Moon Bay? Pei Xi, you really have it made! How did you avoid your second uncle’s surveillance?”

Pei Xi pinched her cheek gently. “Looks like my disguise was so good that Qingqing still thinks I’m broke.”

“You’re saying that! If it weren’t for today, I wouldn’t have known you’re actually this wealthy. Before, you were always at the old residence during missions.”

“That’s true. Back then, Qingqing hadn’t triggered the hidden point.”

Hearing this, Xu Qingning suddenly remembered all the questions bubbling inside her.

She grabbed Pei Xi’s hand. “Hurry up! Be honest—why did you pretend not to know me at first? What’s the trigger for the hidden point? And why could I only ask after coming back?”

“So many questions—Qingqing, which one do you want me to answer first?”

Xu Qingning was always relentless in getting to the bottom of things; Pei Xi’s obvious diversion wouldn’t fool her!

She swung herself onto Pei Xi’s lap, clearly determined not to let him sleep without answering.

Unaware, Pei Xi’s eyes darkened slightly, and his hands silently closed around her waist.

“I wasn’t pretending not to know you, Qingqing. At that time, I hadn’t yet linked with the character, so following the original story development wasn’t problematic.”

“As for the trigger, I think you’ve guessed it already. Only when you truly want to understand Pei Xi can you discover his real self.”

“Before starting the mission, I modified some algorithms, so the scenes inside this house won’t synchronize in real time outside. This also prevents anyone sneaking into the mission from noticing abnormalities.”

Having answered all her questions, Pei Xi’s hands finally pressed firmly against Xu Qingning’s waist.

With a gentle pull forward, she let out a soft gasp, resting against him.

Pei Xi brushed her hair aside. “Qingqing, I’ve answered all your questions. Now, can I get a little reward for my honesty?”

Xu Qingning blinked rapidly, her tone completely unlike before, hesitant and shy. “W-what kind of reward?”

He cupped her face and lifted it slightly, leaving only a finger’s width between them.

“Qingqing, shall we do what newlyweds are supposed to do?”

Before she could respond, Pei Xi’s kiss fell first.

A faint scent of vetiver invaded Xu Qingning’s senses.

Different from the wormwood fragrance she’d smelled earlier when they registered their marriage, this now, after time had mellowed it, felt steadier.

It was a rich, profound sense of security.

Instinctively, Xu Qingning clung tightly to Pei Xi, greedily wanting more.

In the end, it was she who felt reluctant to stop. With shimmering eyes, she straightened up, eager to continue—but Pei Xi gently pressed a finger to her lips.

His husky voice whispered, “Qingqing, if you keep going, I can’t guarantee what might happen.”

“That wouldn’t be fair to you. So, just hold on a little longer, okay?”

Xu Qingning shot him a playful glare. This man was wicked! He clearly seduced her first, yet now she seemed the desperate one.

Pei Xi’s fingertip brushed her lip corner. “Thanks for the reward, Qingqing. I’m very happy right now.”

Xu Qingning scoffed and turned away, ignoring him, but belatedly realized she was holding a USB drive.

“What’s this?”

“My betrothal gift to you.”

Her eyes lit up. “All your assets? Just like in the novel—is there some clause saying if you betray me, you lose everything?”

Pei Xi chuckled. “Seems you’re more interested in money than in me.”

“Maybe!” Xu Qingning waved the USB drive. “Money is like math—either you have it or you don’t. Even if you buy now and pay later, it’s just your future money.”

“Then I guess I have to work harder to make sure you have endless money now and in the future.”

At this, Xu Qingning instinctively replied, “After the mission, can we share wealth? After all, I—”

She stopped herself, realizing their engagement was fake, and once the mission ended, they’d be free individuals in the real world.

Embarrassed by her own boldness, she laughed it off and quickly left the living room, leaving only a “Good night.”

Watching her retreating figure ascend the stairs, Pei Xi sighed silently.

It seemed he still had a long way to go to win Xu Qingning’s heart.

But he thought, “It’s okay, Qingqing. I will wait for the day you’re willing to accept me.”

Upstairs, after closing the door, Xu Qingning patted her head. “Crazy, Xu Qingning, get a grip!”

The USB drive in her hand suddenly didn’t seem so tempting. She tucked it into a drawer and headed to the bathroom.

The warm water washed away much of her tangled thoughts. Xu Qingning rested her arm on the edge of the tub, tilting her head back.

“A hot bath and some bedtime music—life sure is comfortable!”

Thinking this, she actually began to feel drowsy.

“Just five minutes, five minutes…”

Xu Qingning forgot she was a sound sleeper—so deep that even if someone kidnapped her, she might not wake up.

But perhaps because of the new environment, she vaguely heard a knock at the door.

Was it a hallucination? Or a dream?

Until a soft sigh came from above, and she felt as if someone gently patted her, struggling to open her eyes.

Sure enough, she had fallen asleep.

“Qingqing, if you soak any longer, you’ll dehydrate.”

Xu Qingning nodded and grabbed Pei Xi’s arm to get up, forgetting completely she was still in the bathtub.

Fortunately, Pei Xi was quick and steady, catching her.

“Qingqing, you… aren’t wearing any clothes.”

Instantly wide awake, Xu Qingning wished she could dive into the water. “Turn away, now!”

Seeing Pei Xi turn, she grabbed a nearby towel, quickly dried off, and wrapped herself in it.

“Get out! And don’t look back at me.”

“All right. I just wanted to ask—since Qingqing hasn’t eaten much tonight, I cooked some noodles. Want some?”

Xu Qingning agreed hastily. Only after hearing the door close did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Wrapping her hair in a dry cap and changing into pajamas, she went downstairs, where a delicious aroma greeted her.

“Smells amazing!”

She hurried to the dining room, and as soon as she sat, she eagerly sipped the soup.

“Five stars, Master Pei! You’ve earned it!”

Pei Xi handed her chopsticks. “Five-star reviews come with cashback. Want some, Qingqing?”

Xu Qingning hadn’t expected him to play along. She laughed, “Nothing less than five bucks, okay!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you lose out.”