Su Ci opened her eyes.
She blinked, staring at the face that was now so close to hers.
Just a moment ago, she had been teasing Lu Zhe, asking him to feed her a peach. How had they ended up in bed together?
Su Ci wanted to wake Lu Zhe up, but as soon as her hand reached out, her fingertips brushed against his face.
Lu Zhe’s face was handsome, his features sharp and defined, his cheeks full. There was no trace of youthful immaturity or illness in him.
As her fingers traced his features, Su Ci couldn’t believe it—she had traveled back.
Suddenly, her hand was caught. Lu Zhe opened his eyes, his dark gaze still tinged with sleepiness. “Awake?”
“Mhm,” Su Ci replied softly.
Seeing her dazed expression, Lu Zhe gently pinched her small hand. “What’s wrong, Tuantuan? Are you feeling unwell?”
They had stayed up too late last night, and things had gotten a little out of hand. He was worried he might have hurt her.
“No.” The fact that Lu Zhe called her Tuantuan confirmed it—this was her Lu Zhe.
She had returned. Or perhaps, she had just been dreaming?
But if it was just a dream, it felt too real. In the dream, she had even felt pain.
Su Ci pulled her hand back from Lu Zhe’s grip and raised it to inspect. Her fingers were slender and fair, the faint pink tips showing no trace of the injury she had gotten from moving the iron shelf.
Lu Zhe brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “What’s wrong? You seem upset.”
Su Ci buried her face in Lu Zhe’s chest, pressing against him. “I had a dream last night.”
Her heart felt heavy.
She couldn’t tell if it was just a dream or if she had truly traveled to Lu Zhe’s previous life.
She hadn’t expected to disappear so suddenly, and it left her feeling unprepared. She regretted not being able to properly say goodbye to the Lu Zhe from that life.
Lu Zhe wrapped his arms around her. “A nightmare?”
“No.” Su Ci nuzzled her cheek against his chest, her voice muffled. “I dreamed of you.”
Lu Zhe listened quietly.
“In the dream, you were so mean. You were cold to me, wouldn’t let me hold your hand, wouldn’t let me hug you, and wouldn’t let me kiss you.” Her voice was tinged with sadness.
Whether it was a dream or reality, she felt a sense of relief that she had met the Lu Zhe from that life. Even though he had refused to acknowledge his family, she had been selfish—her eyes had only been on him.
So, she had secretly contacted the Lu Family.
At least when his condition worsened in that life, he wouldn’t have been alone. He would have had his parents by his side.
Hearing her complaints, Lu Zhe’s lips curved into a smile. “I had a dream too.”
Su Ci looked up at him. “What did you dream about?”
“I forgot.” Lu Zhe gently stroked her hair. “It’s getting late. I’ll take you home after breakfast.”
Su Ci’s eyes curved mischievously as she leaned in and bit his chin.
A slight sting made Lu Zhe let out a muffled groan.
Su Ci hadn’t bitten hard, just a gentle nip. Seeing the faint teeth marks, she felt a little smug. Her small hand began to wander, sliding down from his chest to his firm abs, and then to the waistband of his pants.
“Tuantuan.” Lu Zhe caught her hand, his voice low and warning. “Be good. Don’t mess around. Who was the one crying last night?”
It had been her who had cried so pitifully yesterday. But now, she seemed to have forgotten all about it. If they started again, she’d probably end up crying again.
Su Ci nestled softly in Lu Zhe’s arms. Unlike in the dream, she could now freely let her bunny ears out.
With a pair of fluffy, pink-and-white bunny ears atop her head, her dark eyes glistened as she looked at Lu Zhe. “It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten what happened last night. Don’t you want to?”
She wasn’t a bunny spirit—she was more like a seductive little fox.
Lu Zhe’s grip on her waist tightened. With a swift movement, he flipped their positions, pinning her beneath him. He gritted his teeth, his fingers teasing her bunny ears. “Don’t cry later.”
As her ears were played with, Su Ci let out a soft hum, her hands already wrapping around his neck. “I want to.”
It was afternoon by the time they returned to the Su Family home.
Lu Zhe escorted Su Ci inside, where they ran into Su’s Mother, who had just returned from outside.
Seeing her daughter with Lu Zhe, Su’s Mother’s face lit up with a smile. “Xiao Zhe, come in and sit. Stay for dinner tonight?”
Since learning that Lu Zhe’s illness had suddenly improved, Su’s Mother and Su’s Father had fully accepted their daughter’s relationship with him. They no longer had any objections.
It had to be said, Lu Zhe and their daughter made a stunning pair. In every way, they complemented each other perfectly.
Su’s Mother was truly grateful to the heavens for keeping Lu Zhe safe and allowing her daughter to be with him.
“Alright, thank you,” Lu Zhe agreed.
Su’s Mother smiled and went to instruct the kitchen on the evening’s menu.
Little Tiancai and Little Su Ning were in the first grade. Since it was Saturday, the two little ones didn’t have school and were playing in the living room.
When they saw Su Ci and Lu Zhe walk in, they greeted them politely. “Sister, Brother-in-law.”
Su Ci ruffled their heads. Since the family had accepted her relationship with Lu Zhe, the two little ones no longer had to call him “Brother-in-law” in secret.
A servant brought tea and a plate of sliced peaches. The pink-and-white peach flesh looked fresh and tempting.
Su Ci remembered the dream where she had asked Lu Zhe to feed her a peach. She had disappeared before she could taste it.
She pulled Lu Zhe to sit beside her on the sofa and gave him a playful look. “I want to eat a peach.”
Lu Zhe didn’t respond, but he picked up a small fork and speared a piece of peach, feeding it to her naturally.
Su Ci took a bite. The peach was sweet.
It felt like the small regret from her dream had been resolved, and she smiled happily.
Next week was Grandpa Lu’s 70th birthday, but due to his poor health, the celebration would be a small family dinner. As Lu Zhe’s future wife, Su Ci also went to pay her respects to Grandpa Lu.
Grandpa Lu was in good spirits today.
Since Lu Zhe had returned, his health had improved, but age had taken its toll. Seeing his grandson with Su Ci, who made such a perfect pair, Grandpa Lu nodded repeatedly with satisfaction.
He said to his grandson, “You two have graduated. It’s time to start thinking about marriage.”
Since they were at home, Lu Zhe was wearing a light blue, high-quality shirt. His posture was upright, his features sharp and handsome, exuding an otherworldly charm.
Hearing his grandfather’s words, Lu Zhe instinctively glanced at Su Ci beside him and smiled. “Grandpa, Su Ci is still young. There’s no rush to get married.”
Grandpa Lu wasn’t a stubborn old man. He knew that young people these days preferred to marry later. “As long as you two have it figured out.”
As for marriage, Su Ci wasn’t in a hurry.
In her eyes, she and Lu Zhe were already living like a married couple, their relationship as strong as any husband and wife’s.
Wen Ya, her face radiant with joy, came over to invite them. “Dinner is ready.”
The butler helped Grandpa Lu to the dining room, while Lu Zhe held Su Ci’s hand and followed.
The Lu Family had hired a chef of national banquet caliber, and the table was laden with dishes that were as visually stunning as they were fragrant.
A servant poured red wine for everyone.
Now that Su Ci could control her bunny ears at will, she didn’t have to worry about drinking.
Lu Zhe noticed the girl beside him eyeing the wine and leaned in to whisper, “Just a little.”
Su Ci nodded obediently, but by the end of the meal, she had managed to drink three glasses of wine.
She wasn’t drunk, but a blush had spread across her cheeks, her dark eyes glistening, making her even more captivating.
Even Wen Ya couldn’t help but marvel at how well the Su Family had raised Su Ci. Among all the wealthy young ladies she had met, none could compare to Su Ci’s beauty.
Wen Ya silently praised her son’s good taste and felt happy for him.
After dinner, Wen Ya told her son to take Su Ci to his room to rest, freeing them from the formality of staying with the elders.
Lu Zhe’s room was on the second floor. The decor was in shades of gray and white, cold and minimalist, much like his personality.
The room had only a large bed, a wardrobe, and a desk by the window. There was also a large balcony outside, but overall, the room felt stark and dull.
Lu Zhe watched as Su Ci sat on the edge of his bed. “Tuantuan, do you want to take a nap?”
Having had a bit of wine, Su Ci did feel sleepy. She nodded.
Lu Zhe walked over and crouched down in front of her, helping the girl take off her shoes. "You should rest for a bit. I'll wake you up later."
As Lu Zhe's large hand wrapped around her ankle, Su Ci felt a slight tickle. "Aren't you going to sleep with me?"
"I still have some documents to finish. You rest first, and I'll join you later," Lu Zhe said, pulling back the blanket and guiding the girl to lie down.
Su Ci lazily yawned, her face slightly flushed. "Then go ahead and do your work."
The girl lay down on the light gray bed, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. Unable to resist, Lu Zhe gently pinched her cheek before covering her with a thin blanket. "Alright."
The room was quiet.
Su Ci wasn't sure how long she had slept. When she opened her eyes, she sat up, still drowsy.
She got out of bed, intending to put on her shoes, only to find them missing.
Hearing the sound of pages turning, Su Ci glanced toward the window and saw Lu Zhe sitting at the desk by the window.
"Lu Zhe, I'm awake," the girl said softly, her voice sweet and gentle.
The man at the desk stiffened, his back rigid.
Su Ci blinked.
Slowly, the man turned around. His movements were deliberate.
His dark, intense eyes locked onto Su Ci, and his voice seemed to strain from his throat. "Su Ci."
Su Ci stared at Lu Zhe, who was wearing a white shirt, his face thinner than she remembered. She hesitated, unsure. "Lu Zhe."
Lu Zhe's lips curved slightly, his dark eyes brightening. This wasn't a dream. The girl who had disappeared for nearly a year had returned.
He slowly covered his eyes with his hand and let out a low laugh.
"You're the Lu Zhe from the previous life," Su Ci confirmed.
Lu Zhe lowered his hand and looked at her. "Tuantuan, come here."
Su Ci walked toward him.
Before she could say anything, Lu Zhe frowned. "Why aren't you wearing shoes again?"
The room wasn't carpeted, and the girl's bare feet would get cold on the floor.
"You took them off for me," Su Ci said. Before she fell asleep, Lu Zhe had removed her shoes. She hadn't expected to wake up and see the Lu Zhe from her previous life.
But this was still Lu Zhe's room.
Su Ci felt a bit confused. Did this mean Lu Zhe had been taken back to the Lu Family?
Hearing her words, Lu Zhe's expression darkened. The person she was referring to wasn't him, but the Lu Zhe from the next life.
"Lu Zhe, you've lost a lot of weight," Su Ci said, noticing how his cheeks were more sunken. She also realized that Lu Zhe was sitting in a wheelchair.
"You disappeared for almost a year. Did you go back?" Lu Zhe's voice was hoarse as he stared at the girl who had suddenly reappeared, afraid she might vanish again at any moment.
Su Ci nodded. "I went back."
Lu Zhe's eyes darkened. "Come here."
Su Ci stepped closer, and in the next moment, Lu Zhe grabbed her hand, pulling her into his embrace.
"Lu Zhe," Su Ci murmured, struggling slightly. "Your legs..."
"It's fine," Lu Zhe said, tightening his hold and settling her on his lap. "Don't move. I don't have much strength left, and I might drop you."
Su Ci stilled.
Facing him, she said, "I'm a bit heavy. I might hurt your legs."
Lu Zhe smiled faintly. "You're not heavy."
His heart, which had been cold for so long, began to warm. He held her greedily, unwilling to let go.
Su Ci wanted to take a good look at Lu Zhe, but he held her too tightly.
His breath brushed against the tip of her ear, and she shivered. Then, she heard Lu Zhe's low, hoarse voice. "Tuantuan, I regret it."
The girl in his arms was soft and warm. From the day she disappeared, he had regretted every moment—especially that night when she had hugged him, and he had pushed her away.
Every second, he had wished for her sudden return.
And now, she was really here.
Su Ci was stunned, but then a knock sounded at the door.
"Someone's here," Su Ci whispered, panicking. Her sudden appearance in Lu Zhe's room would be hard to explain.
"Sweetheart, Mom's coming in," Su Ci heard Wen Ya's voice from outside the door.
Su Ci grew anxious. "Lu Zhe, let go. Your mom's coming in."
As soon as Lu Zhe released her, Su Ci stood up, looking for a place to hide.
Her eyes darted around the room, and she quickly ducked under the desk.
"Tuantuan," Lu Zhe called softly as the girl hid beneath the desk.
Su Ci tugged at his pant leg. "Block me."
The door opened, and Wen Ya entered, carrying a tray with a glass of water and a small box of medicine. "Sweetheart, it's time for your medicine."
She walked in and saw her son sitting at the desk, quietly reading.
"Mom," Lu Zhe said, setting down his book.
"It's time for your medicine," Wen Ya said with a gentle smile, placing the water and medicine on the desk.
Noticing a small blanket draped over her son's legs, Wen Ya asked, "Are you cold? Is the air conditioning too low?"
Beneath the blanket, a small hand tugged at Lu Zhe's pant leg.
Lu Zhe's expression remained calm. "A little."
Wen Ya quickly found the remote and adjusted the temperature. "I'll turn it up a bit."
"Thank you."
"Mom won't disturb your reading. The water's warm, so don't forget to take your medicine," Wen Ya reminded him before leaving.
The door closed, and the room fell silent again.
Lu Zhe lifted the blanket from his legs. "You can come out now."
He looked under the desk.
The girl in the light blue dress crouched there, her fair skin and dark hair contrasting sharply. Her bare feet peeked out, and her dark eyes looked up at him, pleading and pitiful.
Lu Zhe's grip on the wheelchair tightened, his eyes growing darker.
He leaned down and reached out his hand. "Tuantuan, come out."
