"I'm free now. What did she say that upset you?" Qin Yuchuan felt that if something had happened, it should be clarified as soon as possible to avoid her overthinking when alone.
Feng Qingyi hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"I don't want to live in Shengjing in the future. I don't mind staying there for short periods occasionally, but my life will be centered here."
Qin Yuchuan hadn't expected her to bring this up. "Qingyi, are you so eager to marry me?"
"I'm not, I was just expressing my thoughts," Feng Qingyi said softly.
Qin Yuchuan smiled, "You're free to stay wherever you want. I won't force or constrain you."
"Well, I'll take your word for it. There's nothing else, goodbye." Feng Qingyi hastily hung up the phone.
It was already late April, and Xuanyuan Xi's birthday on May 10th was approaching. She needed to choose a gift soon.
As Feng Qingyi was pondering what gift to prepare, Lou Xi called.
"Qingyi, come to my place for dinner tonight."
Feng Qingyi was surprised, "Is today a special occasion? Why the sudden invitation?"
"Just a casual get-together. You, Hanyue, and Jingqiu come over tonight," Lou Xi said.
"Alright, we'll be there on time," Feng Qingyi agreed.
...
At Guanyuan Temple.
Guang'an suddenly appeared in the side room.
Another person was cracking sunflower seeds in the room, not surprised by Guang'an's sudden appearance.
"Did you see that girl today?" Guang'an asked.
"She's quite a clever one. I was almost exposed," the speaker was none other than Qian Jue.
Guang'an said, "Be careful. She was chosen for a reason, clearly not an ordinary person. Have you checked her background?"
"Of course I have, but I didn't find anything special," Qian Jue replied.
Guang'an pondered for a long time, "If she comes here again, you're responsible for protecting her."
"Don't worry about that! I've placed a tracking charm on her. I'll know her whereabouts as soon as she appears here," Qian Jue said.
"I got angry and said we should have a real contest, but since I can't paint, I mentioned your name and said we'd see who's better in this painting competition."
Feng Qingyi asked, "Oh, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I was afraid you'd be angry," Shen Hanyue said quietly.
Feng Qingyi replied, "I'm very angry now."
Shen Hanyue shook Feng Qingyi's arm, "I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. I promise it won't happen again."
Qu Jingqiu said from the side, "Next time, stay calm when you encounter such situations. If you want to compete, do it yourself. Don't drag Qingyi into it."
"I understand. But for the sake of my dinner money for a month, Qingyi, can you please try your best?" Shen Hanyue looked at Feng Qingyi expectantly.
Feng Qingyi sighed, "I won't hold it against you this time. But there's no use in trying harder now for this kind of competition. The preliminary work has already been submitted. Let's just wait and see if we can make it to the finals."
Although she was confident in her abilities, this was a national competition with many talented participants. She felt she had already submitted a satisfactory entry for the preliminaries. The rest was up to fate.
The taxi stopped at the foot of Lou Xi's building. They bought some fruit at a nearby supermarket before going upstairs.
When the doorbell rang, it was Feng Qingci who opened the door.
Feng Qingyi looked at him in his suit, looking proper and presentable, feeling a bit unaccustomed to the sight.
"Why are you here too?"
Feng Qingci replied, "Why can't I be here? Come in and sit down. I'll make some tea for you."
"...Qingyi, your brother isn't treating this place as his own home, is he?" Shen Hanyue whispered.
Watching Feng Qingci skillfully serve tea, Feng Qingyi thought that might actually be the case.
"Where's Xi?" Qu Jingqiu asked.
Feng Qingci brought the tea over to the three of them, "They went out to buy groceries. They'll be back soon."
Feng Qingyi sat down next to Feng Qingci, "Brother, have you been staying at Xi's house all this time?"
"I stay here on weekends," Feng Qingci answered.
"...You're not really planning to marry into Xi's family, are you?"
Feng Qingci gave her a look.
"I help out at Uncle's company on weekends, and he just brings me back here. Don't let your imagination run wild."