He tricked the female lead into becoming his boyfriend, but then went on to criticize the male lead.

As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for Wen Zhaoci to say anything more, she turned around and ran towards the door. She jogged out of the villa and ran back to her house next door in a few steps. She quickly closed the door, leaned against the door panel, and gasped for breath.

Afraid that she would be hugged and kissed by Wen Zhaoci if she was even a second late, Sang Jiuning covered her burning cheeks, her mind a complete mess. She had a vague feeling that Wen Zhaoci moving next door was definitely not a good thing.

She had just stepped into the entryway and hadn't even had time to calm herself down when a gentle, soft voice drifted slowly from the living room.

"Ningning, you're back." It was her mother Fu Xulan's voice.

Sang Jiuning's body stiffened abruptly, as if she had been caught red-handed doing something sneaky. Her heart tightened suddenly, and she was startled.

She instinctively held her breath, her ear tips instantly turning even redder, and she felt inexplicably uneasy.

Oh no, why is Mom still sitting in the living room?

Sang Jiuning composed herself, forcing a nonchalant expression, and walked towards the living room while changing her shoes, her tone carrying a deliberately concealed unease: "Mom, why aren't you asleep yet? It's so late."

As she spoke, she obediently walked to Fu Xulan's side, sat down gently next to her, and didn't even dare to look her mother in the eye.

She just wanted to quickly calm her flushed face, afraid that the panic in her eyes would betray her.

Fu Xulan sat gracefully on the sofa, her gentle and refined features a typical elegant and intellectual lady. Her gaze fell lightly on her daughter's face, and she immediately noticed that Sang Jiuning's cheeks were flushed slightly, and her eyes still held a trace of lingering shyness and fluster.

Those who have been through it all know exactly what's going on.

Without much thought, it's obvious that your little girl is with a boy, blushing and her heart is fluttering. It's probably a little flirtatious moment of first love, and there might even be some intimate little gestures.

A knowing smile flashed across Fu Xulan's eyes, but she did not intend to expose it, nor did she intend to pry into the love between the young people.

A young girl's feelings are naturally shy and reserved; exposing them would only embarrass her daughter. She simply pretended not to notice anything, her tone remaining calm and gentle.

"Hmm, not sleepy yet, sit here and rest for a while." Fu Xulan said softly, then paused and casually asked, "Your brother got an urgent meeting abroad and will be dealing with it very late. He won't be back until late tonight."

Sang Jiuning breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Thankfully, my cousin wasn't home. If he knew Wen Zhaoci had moved next door, he'd probably say something biased and biased.

She felt uneasy staying any longer, as if her mother's gaze could see right through her. All she wanted to do was sneak back upstairs and hide.

Sang Jiuning quickly looked at Fu Xulan and said softly, "Then Mom, I'll go upstairs first. It's getting late, I'm going to take a shower and rest."

Looking at her daughter's eagerness to hide and her fear of having her secrets exposed, Fu Xulan smiled gently and knowingly, her eyes full of doting affection.

She nodded gently, her tone soft and indulgent: "Okay, goodnight, take care on your way upstairs."

"Okay, Mom, go to bed early too."

Sang Jiuning quickly responded, as if she had been granted a pardon. She got up and hurried towards the stairs, her steps carrying a hint of escape.

As she reached the corner of the stairs, she couldn't help but glance back at the living room. Seeing that her mother was still sitting quietly and didn't seem to want to ask any questions, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, in the villa next door, Wen Zhaoci stood at the door, watching her hurried figure run away, a smile playing on his lips.

He slowly raised his hand, looking at his right hand, his fingertips still seemingly retaining her warmth.

"Take it slow," he whispered to himself.

She's right next door, within reach. One day, he'll let her into his world completely, and they'll never be apart again.

For several days in a row, Sang Jiuning became a regular visitor to Wen Zhaoci's house next door. Whenever he had nothing to do during the day, Wen Zhaoci would always find an excuse to knock on Sang Jiuning's door, or stand between the two houses, calling her gently and inviting her to his villa.

Sang Jiuning was initially wary, as Wen Zhaoci's previous closeness had always made her uneasy. However, she couldn't resist his soft tone and gentle attitude, and she was always concerned about his lonely situation, so she readily agreed several times.

After spending time together several times, Sang Jiuning gradually lowered her guard.

Wen Zhaoci was unusually well-behaved. He never suddenly hugged her waist or tried to flirt with her again, nor did he make any requests for kisses or hugs. He simply stayed quietly by her side, either chatting with her or busy with his own things, maintaining a perfect sense of propriety.

Over time, Sang Jiuning completely relaxed and became accustomed to going to Wen Zhaoci's house. However, she always remembered to keep her distance, only going during the day and never staying until mealtime. She would stay for a while and then go home on time.

My cousin Fu Yanchen has been extremely busy lately. Every morning after breakfast, he rushes out the door and doesn't return until after 10 p.m., exhausted. He spends very little time at home.

That's why he still hasn't realized that Wen Zhaoci, whom he's always been wary of, has quietly moved next door to him, becoming a neighbor he sees all the time.

That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the French windows, warmly bathing the living room sofa in a peaceful glow.

Sang Jiuning nestled in Wen Zhaoci's soft fabric sofa, playing with her phone, browsing the campus forum, watching short videos, and occasionally glancing at Wen Zhaoci not far away, her expression relaxed.

Wen Zhaoci sat at the desk opposite, her slender fingers rapidly typing on the laptop keyboard, handling her work.

He had a tall and straight posture, a handsome profile, a focused expression, and a calm and composed demeanor, showing none of his usual clingy and aggrieved side.

At first, Sang Jiuning felt uncomfortable in this atmosphere, always feeling that it was too awkward for the two of them to be alone in silence. But after several days of this, she gradually got used to this comfortable state where she didn't have to deliberately find topics to talk about and just kept each other company. She played on her phone by herself, feeling relaxed and at ease.

After playing for an unknown amount of time, Sang Jiuning yawned, casually turned on her phone screen, checked the time, and then sat up abruptly, saying, "Wen Zhaoci, I should go back for dinner."

As she spoke, she put her phone in her pocket, stood up, and prepared to leave, her tone tinged with urgency: "If I don't go back soon, my mother will worry and might come to call me."