The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

The morning sun in autumn is not very warm; it is mostly glaring.

Zhi Qiu was awakened by the sunlight streaming through the curtains. She opened her eyes groggily and the first thing she felt was a headache, as if she had been hit on the head with a club.

She was all too familiar with this feeling; there was no need to overthink it. Yesterday, Xia Qing must have been controlling this body, and besides, she'd drunk too much, which was bad for her reputation…

Zhi Qiu sighed softly, propped herself up on her elbows, and slowly sat up. She rubbed her throbbing forehead and murmured:

"Xiao Qing is really something... she always does this..."

She didn't seem very angry when she said this; it was more of a helpless resignation that came from being used to her sister's willfulness.

Once she was a little more awake, she instinctively reached for the notebook on the bedside table. But after touching it twice, she found nothing.

She turned her head and saw that the bedside table was clean and tidy, with only a lamp and a glass of water.

Zhi Qiu was slightly taken aback, and then realized that the blanket covering her was not the same one she usually used.

Even my own pillow, the sheets beneath me, the aromatherapy in the air... it all seems to have changed.

She threw back the covers and got out of bed, putting on slippers that were still different from the ones she had been wearing. She looked around at the room, the layout, the style of the furniture... it was indeed her bedroom, but the details were different everywhere.

"What's wrong...?"

Zhi Qiu muttered to herself, a sense of unease slowly rising within her.

She walked to the dressing mirror and casually pulled her long hair back. But when she opened the drawer, she couldn't find her hairpin, so she could only grab a large hair clip to hold it in place.

She wasn't surprised that the pajamas she was wearing were also unusual.

He frowned, turned around, and opened the wardrobe. The clothes hanging inside didn't look right either; they were somewhat familiar, but they weren't his own.

Zhi Qiu's mind was already foggy from the hangover, and now it was even more chaotic.

Her first thought was to find Ye Shu, because Ye Shu must know what had happened.

She turned and walked towards the door, opened the bedroom door and said:

"Little Shu, come here for a moment, I have something to ask you..."

After opening the door, instead of the familiar door, there was a huge blue and white porcelain vase with several flowers in it.

She recognized the vase. Zhi Qiu leaned against the door frame, her gaze following the corridor.

It turns out I was at... my parents' house.

Xia Qing didn't drink too much at the apartment last night, but at her parents' house? What happened?

However, most of her unease had subsided by now. As she walked down the stairs, she saw the morning news playing on the television in the living room. An Jianxing sat on the sofa, drinking tea and watching TV.

Shen Jingwan was knitting something while talking to An Jianxing, holding yarn in her hand.

Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Shen Jingwan turned around and saw her daughter smiling gently.

"You're awake. Does your head still hurt?"

An Jianxing also turned his head to look at his daughter's condition.

Zhi Qiu gave the two of them a smile just like Shen Jingwan's, then walked over and sat down on the sofa next to them.

"Good morning, Mom and Dad."

An Jianxing and Shen Jingwan exchanged glances; it was Zhi Qiu.

Shen Jingwan put down her knitting and said softly:

"Xiao Qiu, if you're not feeling well, go back upstairs and lie down for a while. There's no need to get up right away."

An Jianxing had already picked up the teapot from the coffee table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to his daughter:

"Drink some hot water to warm your stomach and help soothe the effects of the alcohol."

"Thank you, Dad."

Zhi Qiu took the teacup, holding it in her hands; the warm feeling was very comforting. She took a sip, and indeed, her stomach felt warm, and her headache was slightly relieved.

"No need to rest anymore, Mom. Yesterday... Xiaoqing drank too much again, didn't she? Honestly, every time she drinks too much, it's always the other people who suffer in the end. I've told her so many times, but she just won't listen."

She put down her teacup and then asked:

"Mom, why am I staying at home overnight? What happened yesterday?"

"Xiao Qiu, here's what happened..."

Shen Jingwan briefly recounted how Ye Shu's father had come over in the past two days, how both sets of parents had formally met and had dinner together, and how they had reached an agreement with each other.

Zhi Qiu listened quietly, her expression gradually shifting from initial tension to joy.

"I see... That's wonderful! I was actually a little worried that Ye Shu's family wouldn't understand or agree to our situation. Now that Uncle understands and is so supportive, it's truly..."

Her smile grew wider and wider, and the anxiety that had been hanging over her finally subsided.

In her joy, she suddenly remembered something, turned her head and glanced around the living room, then listened to the sounds coming from upstairs.

An Jianxing noticed Zhi Qiu's actions and asked:

"Girl, what are you looking for?"

Zhi Qiu turned her head and asked:

"Where's Xiao Shu? Doesn't he live at home?"

Shen Jingwan took over and explained:

"After Xiao Shu took his father to the airport yesterday afternoon, he went straight back to Yunduanyuan. He said he had to go to work today, and it was too far from here, so he was afraid of being late. We asked him to stay, but he declined, saying, 'Let you get some rest.'"

Zhi Qiu nodded upon hearing this, but a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes. She picked up her teacup and took another sip.

She had hoped to see him when she woke up, but she didn't.

"Mom, I'm going to change my clothes."

She was still wearing her pajamas, and wearing pajamas outside the bedroom made her uncomfortable. Her habits dictated that she should always appear presentable.

Back in the bedroom, she found the outfit Xia Qing had worn yesterday. She hesitated for a moment; although it wasn't her style, it was better than pajamas.

After changing her clothes, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Ye Shu:

Little Shu, you broke your promise! Your sister is a little unhappy.

She glanced at the time; Ye Shu should be preparing breakfast by now, and would definitely reply after seeing this.

However, as time passed, no reply notification popped up on the phone.

Zhi Qiu glanced at the time and sent another message to Ye Shu:

[Little Shu, what are you doing? Are you missing your sister?]

Send, waiting.

Stone sinks into the sea.

A nameless unease, like ink dripping into milk, began to slowly spread.

This is unlike Ye Shu's usual style. Ye Shu always replies to messages, no matter the time. Even if something comes up, she will still reply after seeing the message.

At this time, he shouldn't be missing messages because of some urgent matter. This is something that has never happened before since they met.

The unease grew stronger and stronger, and she couldn't wait any longer, so she made a phone call directly.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later..."

Shut down?

Ye Shu's phone never shuts down for no reason, nor does she have the habit of letting it run out of battery completely.

"How could this be...?"

Lost your phone? Dying of battery? Or... did something happen?

Can't sit still.

Zhi Qiu turned and walked out of the bedroom. After going down the stairs, Shen Jingwan saw her hurried manner and asked:

"Xiao Qiu? Where are you rushing off to? Why don't you have breakfast before you go out?"

Zhi Qiu answered as she changed her shoes at the door:

"I'm not eating anymore, Mom. I have to hurry back to Yunduan Garden to find my little brother, Xiaoshu. Goodbye, Dad and Mom."

Before he could finish speaking, the person had already opened the door and run out.

Shen Jingwan stared at the closed door, paused for a moment, then chuckled and said to An Jianxing:

"This child, even Xiao Qiu is so impatient, acting like she can't live without Xiao Shu."

An Jianxing, watching from the side, said sourly:

"Sigh, what's that old saying again? A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl. She's not even married yet, and this is already happening."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jingwan turned her head and glared at An Jianxing reproachfully, then patted him on the shoulder:

"What kind of talk is that? It's a good thing that the children get along well. The more inseparable they are, the more it shows that they truly love each other and cherish each other deeply."

An Jianxing was clearly still unhappy about the matter, and snorted coldly:

"Did I say something wrong? Look how anxious she is. She seems to care more about that kid than her own father."

Seeing his awkward expression, Shen Jingwan's gentle smile faded, and she spoke coldly:

"Old An, have I been too lenient with you these past few days, making you start talking nonsense?"

An Jianxing immediately fell silent and decided to just watch the news.