Upon hearing Tong Yaqi's words, Qin Ruojing turned her face away, coughed a few times, and said with much hesitation, "I... I'm just going to make a temporary retreat. Once you guys are done, I'll show up again. Yaqi, do you think that's okay?"

"This..." Tong Yaqi looked at Qin Ruojing, thinking how utterly unreliable those words sounded. No matter how she looked at it, she felt Qin Ruojing was joking. She rubbed her forehead, then gave a sarcastic smile and said, "Since you're asking me so sincerely, perhaps... I can reluctantly agree?"

"Great, great! Then I'll take it as you've agreed!"

Qin Ruojing's eyes lit up, as if afraid Tong Yaqi would backtrack, she quickly added, "Starting today... uh, let's make it tomorrow. I'll officially start implementing this plan. With your help, I don't believe I can't get it done! But Yaqi, you absolutely can't let a third person know about this. You must keep it a secret for me."

"Mhm, don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Having learned so much new information and received Tong Yaqi's promise, a huge weight was finally lifted off Qin Ruojing's shoulders, making her feel exceptionally cheerful. If it weren't for her period, she would have loved to have a couple of drinks with Tong Yaqi to celebrate in advance.

Feeling satisfied, Qin Ruojing cheerfully paid the bill and drove off in her Audi A8.

Standing at the restaurant entrance, watching Qin Ruojing's Audi A8 taillights disappear into the distance, Tong Yaqi felt like she was dreaming. How could this situation be so absurd? Yet, just moments ago, it truly happened.

By this time, Chu Ge had already finished dinner with Ye Li, and they were walking side by side in the neighborhood. Although this was a trivial thing, it brought a peaceful and happy smile to Ye Li's face.

Chu Ge also enjoyed this feeling; being with Ye Li always felt so calm and cozy, with his whole body and mind completely relaxed.

As they walked, a phone ringtone sounded. Chu Ge looked at the screen; it was Qin Ruojing's number, so he answered the call.

"Chu Ge, have you eaten?"

He originally thought Qin Ruojing was calling to settle scores with him but was surprised when her first question was this. Chu Ge was briefly taken aback, then curiously replied, "Yes, I've eaten. Is there something you need, Director?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to ask if you've eaten. So..." Qin Ruojing hesitated internally, contemplating for a few seconds before continuing, "Are you full? Want to come out for something more?"

Chu Ge was even more puzzled. What kind of act was Qin Ruojing putting on today?

"Uh... I'm quite full, no need to eat more."

"I see, full, no more eating, haha, yes, if you're full, no need to eat more." The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before Qin Ruojing's voice came back, "Does your throat hurt?"

Chu Ge replied puzzled, "No, it doesn't hurt."

Qin Ruojing asked again, "Does your head hurt?"

"No, it doesn't hurt."

"Then what hurts?"

"Nothing hurts at all?"

"You've put in a lot of effort for Tianqing Company lately, don't you feel tired at all? Isn't there any part of you feeling uncomfortable?"

Chu Ge chuckled and said, "Director, what kind of riddles are you playing with me? Can we speak directly? Why do I feel like you're hoping I have some discomfort? What's the real reason for this call?"

"Nothing!"

The call ended abruptly, and Chu Ge looked at his phone, speechless. Qin Ruojing's call was utterly baffling in its randomness, and her tone was weird too, wholly unlike the Qin Ruojing he usually knew.

On the other side, Qin Ruojing was even more speechless than Chu Ge, feeling quite frustrated.

Listening to Tong Yaqi made it sound simple, so why was it so awkward to execute? Even more annoyingly, why did Chu Ge have no discomfort at all? She wanted to show some concern, but couldn't even do that.

"Brother Chu, did your boss have something urgent for you?" Seeing Chu Ge's odd expression, Ye Li asked beside him.

"Nothing, no idea what she's up to."

Chu Ge shook his head and put away his phone. At this moment, they happened to arrive near the community square and saw a group of people taking advantage of the remaining daylight, kicking shuttlecocks in a circle. He suggested, "Shall we join and kick the shuttlecock for a bit?"

Ye Li nodded, and the two of them walked over.

Getting closer to the shuttlecock circle, Chu Ge finally noticed that Shu Lulu was here too. The girl was wearing a white blouse paired with denim shorts, and she was having a blast in the crowd.

"Uncle? Come and play!"

Chu Ge saw Shu Lulu, and as she caught a shuttlecock, Shu Lulu saw Chu Ge too. She waved at him from afar with a radiant smile.

But when she noticed Ye Li, her expression turned a bit strange. While sizing up Ye Li, she thought to herself, who might this person be?

Upon hearing Shu Lulu call Chu Ge "Uncle," Ye Li was also a bit stunned. She instinctively looked at Chu Ge, "Brother Chu, is that little girl calling you Uncle?"

Chu Ge shrugged and said, "A little girl I know, she's called me that ever since we met. I'm kind of speechless. This girl sometimes says the most shocking things. Should we not go over there?"

Chu Ge knew Ye Li was thin-skinned. If Shu Lulu said something outrageous, like claiming to be his mistress in front of everyone, and questioning if Ye Li was his fourth or fifth lover, he was really worried Ye Li couldn't handle it.

Ye Li took another look at Shu Lulu over there and softly smiled at Chu Ge, "It's up to you."

Even though she said that, Ye Li was actually quite keen on going over.

She didn't have many favorite recreational activities, but kicking shuttlecock was one of them. Moreover, she wanted to meet more people around Chu Ge and understand him better. Plus, it would make her feel more like Chu Ge's girlfriend.

Seeing Ye Li's expression, Chu Ge knew she was more inclined to go over. Just as he was about to say something, Shu Lulu, who was kicking the shuttlecock, ran over from the circle and came up to him and Ye Li.

"Uncle, who is this sister? Aren't you going to introduce me, the mistress?"

Hearing Shu Lulu say that, Ye Li was momentarily stunned. Chu Ge rolled his eyes. He guessed it right; this girl indeed said something outrageous, luckily, there weren't many other people around at that moment.

Lightly flicking Shu Lulu's forehead in exasperation, Chu Ge chuckled, "Can't you, as a young girl, be more aware of your words? Always keeping those two words on your lips, aren't you afraid people will hear and you'll never find a boyfriend?"

Shu Lulu rubbed her forehead, giggled, and muttered, "I never really planned on finding a boyfriend. Being your mistress is way better. Uncle, introduce this sister to me."

For Shu Lulu's confused titles, Chu Ge couldn't be bothered to correct them. He turned to the somewhat stunned Ye Li and said, "See, I told you this little girl is outrageous. Now you've witnessed it?"

Ye Li smiled awkwardly, but her heart was still unsure about the relationship between Chu Ge and Shu Lulu.

In Ye Li's mind, no matter how much a girl liked to joke around, she couldn't be indifferent to such things. Since this young girl kept calling herself Chu Ge's mistress, it at least proved one thing: she definitely liked Chu Ge.

"Uncle, how many times have I told you, I'm not just a little girl!"

Shu Lulu huffed in protest against Chu Ge.

Afterward, Shu Lulu turned to Ye Li, extended her hand sincerely, and said, "Sister, let me formally introduce myself. I'm Shu Lulu, the mistress of our family's uncle, and I'll be a freshman at Lidu University when school starts."

While speaking, Shu Lulu's eyes wandered over Ye Li's figure, comparing who had the better shape. Upon realizing that she seemed to have a better figure, her expression showed a bit of pride and smugness.

With Shu Lulu extending her hand, Ye Li, despite her peculiar mood, couldn't help but feel slightly conflicted as she sensed Shu Lulu's gaze. Yet she still shook hands with her, "Hi, I'm Ye Li, a friend of Brother Chu's and also a student at Lidu University, starting my third year this fall."

When Ye Li mentioned her relationship with Chu Ge, she really wanted to say she was Chu Ge's girlfriend. Unfortunately, she didn't hold that status. Even though she knew she shouldn't expect too much, she couldn't help but feel a bit wistful.

Shu Lulu had long been used to the various beauties around Chu Ge. Especially when she heard Ye Li say she was just a friend of Chu Ge's, she felt even less hostile toward her. Realizing that Ye Li was also a student at Lidu University, her eyes lit up immediately.

"Oh, so that makes you my senior then! When I get there, will you look after me?"

Watching the two girls introduce themselves formally, Chu Ge found it rather amusing. He patted Shu Lulu on the head and said, "Alright, college isn't like mixing with society. There's no need for protection. I'll tell you, once school starts, don't cause trouble for your senior Ye Li, or I'll spank you."

Shu Lulu felt a bit wronged. She hadn't even said anything, and Chu Ge was already siding with Ye Li like this.

Seeing Shu Lulu pouting, Ye Li quickly said, "It's okay, Lulu. If you have any problems with your studies or life, just come to me. I'll definitely help if I can."

Shu Lulu immediately beamed with joy, "Hehe, thanks in advance, Sister Ye Li. You're so nice!"

Though the two girls were meeting for the first time, Shu Lulu, being naturally friendly, quickly bonded with Ye Li, calling her sister this and sister that.

Chu Ge gave Shu Lulu a few reminders, telling her not to speak recklessly. After getting Shu Lulu's promise, he brought the two girls into the circle, simultaneously drawing some envious glances.

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