Chen Cheng and Li Niannian arrived at three in the afternoon.
Chen Ziming had already woken up and was in the living room reading a novel about criminal investigations.
When the doorbell rang, he went to open the door for them, and within seconds, Chen Cheng, with his hands full of groceries, and Li Niannian, carrying a laptop bag, appeared at the door.
"Help yourselves to slippers and put the groceries in the kitchen," he said before returning to the sofa to continue reading.
It was Li Niannian's first time visiting, and she couldn't help but whisper in amazement to Chen Cheng, "Your uncle lives in such a nice house."
Chen Cheng's family was already quite well-off, but now it seemed Chen Ziming's family background was likely so prominent it was beyond her imagination.
Chen Cheng shushed her, changed into slippers as instructed, and went to unpack the groceries.
Li Niannian followed, temporarily placing her laptop bag on the bar counter.
"Officer Chen, where is Yueyue?" she asked, looking around and not finding the familiar figure.
"Sleeping," he replied absently, engrossed in a tense part of the book.
Still sleeping at three o'clock?
Li Niannian couldn't help but feel disdain for her best friend, wondering how such an energetic person had become so lazy.
But it wasn't entirely Su Yue's fault.
The two times he had been so demanding the previous night had been more draining than usual. He had finally given her time to sleep at five o'clock.
She woke up at eleven, quickly ate something, and intended to nap again, but he had pulled her back under him and, with a captivating gaze, had taken her one more time.
It wasn't until nearly two o'clock that she was able to fall asleep.
As Chen Cheng was unpacking the groceries, he quietly called out to Li Niannian, who went over when she heard him.
"Hurry up and get your laptop out. Before Su Yue comes out and causes trouble, ask her about your thesis."
Li Niannian: ...
Chen Cheng's impression of Su Yue always remained on the level of being both bossy and frivolous, but he dared not provoke her, as she was now his uncle's most cherished possession.
Su Yue woke up around five o'clock.
With such fragmented sleep, her sleep quality was poor. She felt a headache and fatigue, and with heavy limbs, she sat up, fumbled for her phone, and checked the time.
It was five o'clock, and the sky was still bright.
After letting herself rest for a moment, she realized Chen Ziming was not there.
The feeling of loneliness and loss that had struck her upon waking earlier in the afternoon resurfaced. After a brief internal struggle, she called him.
In the living room, Chen Ziming had finished guiding Li Niannian. She was now using the computer to outline her work, while Chen Cheng sat obediently beside him, watching his uncle frown as he flipped through the opening pages of his thesis.
His phone rang. The fingers controlling the laptop's touchpad paused for a moment. He glanced at the caller ID and his face instantly broke into a smile.
"I'm going to the bedroom for a moment," he said, getting up and leaving them behind.
Chen Cheng naturally noticed the expression on his face, a gentleness he rarely saw.
He couldn't help but admire Su Yue again, for being able to completely capture their family's little devil.
The call went unanswered, but the next second, the bedroom door was opened.
"My darling is awake?" he said with a smile, leaning down, one knee on the bed, his arms supporting her on either side, and gently kissing her lips.
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet," after he pulled away, the girl's face flushed slightly, and she mumbled softly.
"I don't mind, darling." He leaned in to kiss her again, but this time she dodged, and what came into view was her displeased expression.
He smiled again, reached out to pinch her cheek, and said, "Did you sleep well? Li Niannian and Chen Cheng have arrived, they're in the living room."
Su Yue then remembered they were supposed to come today.
"Wait for me, I need to go to the bathroom first." The thought of seeing Li Niannian made her happy, so she prepared to get out of bed.
But the moment her feet touched the ground, her legs felt weak, and she almost fell.
Fortunately, he steadied her securely in his arms.
"Let me carry darling," his smile deepened, and he bent down to pick her up.
"No, need not." The thought that she was like this because of his endless torment made her angry, and she directly dodged him.
But she still instinctively grabbed his arm.
Then, she forced herself to stand despite her fatigue, shot a glare at the man who was smiling, and went to the bathroom.