No? Can I read the mind of my mortal enemy?

Shi Qiao never expected that her first relationship would end in such a major setback.

A pair of star-crossed lovers.

But thinking about it, it makes sense; her mother and Aunt Lin are inseparable.

If Aunt Lin might not be able to accept being with Pei Jingnian, then her mother would be too.

Bai Shuwen listened to Jiang Ruochu's arrangements on the other end of the phone and said, "Okay, I'll ask Aya and get back to you in a bit."

She hung up the phone, turned to look at the dejected Shi Qiao, and sighed.

"Qiaoqiao, Mommy will not harm you. Mommy will only select the best for you in every aspect."

"Think it over carefully yourself. I don't think you two are a good match."

Shi Qiao was stunned, and before she could respond, Bai Shuwen had already left the room.

She repeatedly pondered Bai Shuwen's two sentences.

In other words, they already know that she and Pei Jingnian are having an affair? But they still disagree?

They even vetted someone who was better in every aspect?

As she came out of the room, Lin Ya Hui and Bai Shu Wen also got up from the sofa. "Your Aunt Jiang is inviting us to dinner tonight."

"I've sent you the time and address. I have an appointment with your Aunt Lin for a beauty treatment and a spa, so I'm heading out now."

Of course, these are all superficial; the main focus is on discussing strategy.

Lin Ya Hui glared at Pei Jing Nian, while Bai Shu Wen glanced at Shi Qiao. "You two stay home and behave yourselves."

Lin Ya-hui/Bai Shu-wen: If I catch you running out to see Lu Zhou (Xia Heng), you're finished!

Bang! The door slammed shut, and Shi Qiao felt a chill run down her spine.

It seems there's no need to ask Pei Jingnian about Aunt Lin's attitude anymore; her attitude is too obvious.

She checked the visual doorbell to make sure the two mothers had completely left before secretly opening the balcony door.

"Pei Jingnian?" Shi Qiao poked her head out and called out cautiously.

Upon hearing Shi Qiao's voice, Pei Jingnian turned around and ran over like a puppy, wrapping his long arms tightly around Shi Qiao as if he wanted to completely meld her into his bones.

He gently inhaled the sweet scent emanating from Shi Qiao, his rough fingertips lifting her lowered head, and then instinctively finding her soft lips. "Wife, I feel so uncomfortable, I want a kiss."

Hearing his pitiful voice, Shi Qiao leaned forward and gently pecked him, her ears turning red.

"Alright, Pei Jingnian."

"Not enough." Pei Jingnian lowered most of his weight and kissed her burning cheeks.

His hot tongue hooked onto her, almost taking over her entire body, and they lingered together, inseparable.

They made endless demands and constantly prayed for comfort.

She was kissed until she was breathless, and she had to back away, her hands bracing herself on the ironing table.

"Pei... Pei Jingnian." Shi Qiao took a break and called out softly, her soft breaths hitting the man's chest, her legs going weak.

Pei Jingnian frowned, his dark eyelashes drooped, and even the corners of his eyes drooped listlessly.

"Wife, let's elope."

Shi Qiao: ?

"It doesn't matter if they disagree, we'll just live our lives well."

This is what Shi Qiao is afraid of.

She quickly nudged Pei Jingnian, her red lips slightly swollen from being bitten, "Calm down a bit, Pei Jingnian."

"Both of our families are only children. This isn't a melodramatic soap opera where we can just leave whenever we want. Can't we be a little more realistic?"

"Their reaction was indeed a bit stronger than I expected, so I was thinking, maybe we should..."

Let her think about how to organize her thoughts.

"No, I don't want to break up with you." Pei Jingnian trembled, his tall body bending over. "Wife, it wasn't easy for me to be with you, we will never be apart, we can never be apart."

"If you break up with me, I'll cry in front of you. I'll hold you and cry." As he spoke, his eyes indeed reddened.

"Honey, I really love you so much. No matter what they say, I don't want to be separated from you."

"I can't live without you... Honey, I'll find a way. If all else fails, then..."

*Slap!* Shi Qiao stretched out both hands and gently patted Pei Jingnian's left and right cheeks at the same time.

Her cheeks still had a beautiful, healthy glow, fair with a rosy tint.

"Calm down a bit, Pei Jingnian. I didn't say I wanted to break up."

"Is that the kind of person you see me as?!" Shi Qiao raised her voice slightly and shook the man's face in her hands.

Pei Jingqing turned his head slightly and kissed her delicate fingertips, nuzzling his nose against hers obediently. "I'm sorry, wife..."

He gradually tightened his embrace around her, his palms kneading the two beautiful dimples on her lower back, and then pulled her a little closer to himself.

"I'm scared... because my wife only has a tiny bit of affection for me."

"I'm afraid you only chose me on impulse, and after you calm down after talking to Aunt Bai, you won't want me anymore."

"Wife, you can't leave me..." He raised his fluffy head, his clear, dark eyes so bright that you could see all the grievances mixed with an incongruous sense of unease.

For a fleeting moment, Shi Qiao felt as if Pei Jingnian had possessed her; no matter what he was saying, she felt a strong urge to kiss him.

How can this man be so adorable?

She swallowed, her gaze darting around. "I'm not that casual! Don't overthink it."

Pei Jingnian gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him again.

"Then look at me and say it, honey."

Shi Qiao felt embarrassed by his gaze, "I won't abandon you."

"Is it for a lifetime?"

"Um."

"Next life?"

"…Um."

"In the next life..."

"Don't push your luck, Pei Jingnian!" Shi Qiao pinched Pei Jingnian's face hard.

Pei Jingnian's lips curled slightly upwards as he buried his face in Shi Qiao's neck again. "Wife, you're so good."

"No one but my wife would treat me this well."

"Wife, I love you."

The burning breath lingered at her collarbone, a tingling sensation settling down. Her canine teeth gently brushed against each other, and as she reluctantly released the breath, another red mark silently appeared.

Shi Qiao quickly distanced herself, "Pei Jingnian! Can we talk about serious matters?"

This guy is such a hopeless romantic!

"Ahem, what I was trying to say was that if my mother and Aunt Lin are strongly opposed, there might be some misunderstanding."

"We can try to persuade them gradually, or something like that."

Pei Jingnian said "Oh," and tried to reach out to hug her, but Shi Qiao quickly dodged away.

"So! At least while they're here, let's keep a low profile... They're going back tomorrow anyway."

"Then there's no rush. Semester ends at the end of December. We can use this time to come up with a plan and think about how to reason with them and appeal to their emotions."

"How about we go back during the holidays and work out with them gradually? What do you think?"

After hearing so much, and knowing that there was no option to separate, Pei Jingnian obediently nodded.

"Yes, I'll do whatever my wife says."

Shi Qiao always felt like she was coaxing a child.

*

As dinner time approached, the two changed their clothes.

Because Pei Jingnian was in such a hurry to catch up with Shi Qiao yesterday, he took a taxi directly, leaving his usual DBS car parked in the parking lot near the snack street.

But there's nothing to worry about. Lu Zhou said he'd drive over when we eat.

Pei Jingnian took the keys to Purosangue because he needed to pick up Lin Ya Hui and Bai Shu Wen who had just had their cosmetic procedures done. The DBS was too cramped for four people.

We arrived at the beauty salon after a smooth journey.

The two were in much better spirits than when they left home.

While chatting and laughing, the two were stunned when they opened the back door.

Pei Jingnian and Shi Qiao turned their heads, wondering why the two of them weren't getting into the car.

Then, two more people stood there, stunned.

On the back seat, a black bag sat squarely, with a corner of its opening peeking out.

These are the five boxes that Pei Jingnian swept up last time but forgot about.