HGG - 46

What am I doing?

This was Zhan Heqing’s honest thought at this moment.

After impulsively introducing himself, Zhan Heqing leapt up like a grenade and hurriedly bowed to the two elders standing at the door. “Sorry! It’s not what you think—”

“Oh, I understand! I understand!” Mrs. Wu, the elegant woman with long, glossy black hair, spoke first. She waved her hand and smiled warmly. “You’re Qiuxiu’s boyfriend, right?”

“Huh?” Zhan Heqing was startled. They hadn’t officially become a couple yet—though just minutes ago, they had confessed their feelings to each other—

“After all, in this world, the kind of person who can handle Qiuxiu…” Mr. Wu chimed in wisely, “must be at least in the 82-kilogram weight class!”

Why use wrestling weight categories to describe his daughter?!

Zhan Heqing stared dumbfounded.

But before he could explain himself, Mrs. Wu hooked her arm around his left, while Mr. Wu draped his arm over Zhan Heqing’s right shoulder.

It felt as though he’d been strapped into some medieval torture device.

Mr. Wu grinned generously. “Welcome to our home, young man! Let me introduce ourselves. Our family isn’t rich, but we make up for it with enthusiasm! I used to practice judo and now teach physical education at a university. Oh! You brought gifts? Did you bring any alcohol? Let’s have a drink tonight!”

Ju… judo?! Zhan Heqing panicked.

If Qiuxiu and I ever fight, and her dad shows up at my door, will kneeling and kowtowing save me?

Wait, by the time she and I actually argue, won’t I already be dead?

Mrs. Wu gracefully tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled kindly. “You must stay for dinner today. We don’t have much, just simple dishes, so please bear with us. I’m a homemaker now. My philosophy for raising Qiuxiu has always been that happiness is the most important thing for a woman. By the way, before I retired, I was a professional boxer. If you’re interested…”

The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” perfectly described this situation.

Zhan Heqing turned his head sharply, feeling as if he’d fallen into a den of dragons and tigers.

His heart raced, and despite trembling, he managed to maintain his composure and politely said, “Thank you.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to punch himself in the forehead. Who did he think he was, hosting an annual company meeting?

Zhan Heqing was suffering.

He felt like a tiny, helpless kitten squeezed between a lion and a tiger.

Qiuxiu was his only lifeline.

When he turned back, Qiuxiu had quietly moved to his side.

She reached out with two fingers and silently tugged at the hem of his shirt.

Looking up at him, she pursed her lips and blinked forcefully. Zhan Heqing leaned down instinctively, and Qiuxiu whispered into his ear, “Don’t worry. My mom and dad aren’t bad people.”

I know they aren’t bad people.

Zhan Heqing suddenly felt a lump in his throat.

Instead of voicing his thoughts, he simply nodded vigorously, like a child being comforted.

Qiuxiu’s parents prepared an extravagant feast.

Clam soup, stir-fried eggs with fragrant tree buds, caramelized apples, spicy beef, dry-fried shredded potatoes, sweet-and-sour fish—and even casually poured drinks served in paper cups.

Zhan Heqing was ushered to the seat of honor. Normally, he avoided such seating arrangements during business dinners, but today, somehow, he sat down dazedly without protest.

Even before drinking, he was already drunk—dizzy, disoriented—but as the second-in-command of Chongming Games, he maintained his composure and cracked jokes effortlessly.

While Mrs. Wu bustled about preparing dishes, Mr. Wu chatted casually with Zhan Heqing.

This generation didn’t know much about video games, and Zhan Heqing kept the conversation light. Still, it was clear that Mr. Wu was listening attentively.

Finally, slapping his thigh, Mr. Wu declared, “I don’t understand these things, but anyway, the games Qiuxiu loves to play are made by your company, right?”

“Mm,” Zhan Heqing replied with a smile. “Some of them, yes.” Qiuxiu was indeed a loyal fan of Chongyou.

“Then can you create an anti-addiction system specifically for Qiuxiu? This kid plays games day and night!”

“Of course!” Zhan Heqing immediately agreed, earning a playful slap on the back from Qiuxiu hiding behind the couch.

What a warm father.

During dinner, Mrs. Wu kept piling food onto Zhan Heqing’s plate. Smiling, she said, “Our Qiuxiu is doing livestreaming these days. Do you mind?”

Zhan Heqing stared at the piece of fish placed by the former professional female boxer, answering without blinking, “Not at all. The platform she streams on has been acquired by our company. Rest assured, I’ll take good care of Qiuxiu.”

“Oh my!” Mrs. Wu dramatically covered her mouth. “Doesn’t that mean you’re also Qiuxiu’s boss now?”

You could say that… Zhan Heqing’s face twitched from smiling too hard.

What a gentle mother.

“Oh!” Qiuxiu, who had remained silent in front of her parents, suddenly spoke up. Grabbing Zhan Heqing’s arm, she asked, “Did you drink? Didn’t you drive here?”

Zhan Heqing continued to smile, reassuring her, “It’s fine. I’ll have my driver pick me up.”

What a warm family.

“Vice President, are you sure it’s okay?” Qiuxiu seemed to sense something off. She frowned and scrutinized Zhan Heqing carefully.

“Mm.” Zhan Heqing nodded, hesitating for a moment before nodding again. His smile trembled slightly under the gaze of Qiuxiu’s family, but gradually, he calmed down.

In the distant past, when his father wasn’t around, he would knock on his sister’s door. Inside, Jenny would scream hysterically, over and over: “I want Mom! I want Dad!”

Eventually, he gave up inviting his sister to meals. Alone, the young boy would descend the stairs and sit at the spacious, luxurious dining table.

A solitary youth eating a lavish dinner.

Always, always like this.

His head bowed, now wearing only a faintly lonely smile.

“I’m happy,” Zhan Heqing said. “Drinking is fine. Eating dinner with your family makes me genuinely happy.”

As he reached for his chopsticks, his fingers trembled.

“My family is busy, and meals are usually quiet and lonely. It’s rare to enjoy such a lively meal. I’m really happy.”

Realizing he might have ruined the mood, he took a deep breath and was about to apologize when Mrs. Wu suddenly added another helping of food to his plate. “Good boy, eat more.”

Mr. Wu refilled his glass. “Forget the driver. After dinner, rest a bit, and I’ll drive you home!”

“Vice President Zhan, you have a younger sister, right? Next time, bring her along too!” Qiuxiu said, her eyes sparkling. She beamed at Zhan Heqing without reservation.

While Zhan Heqing savored this precious dinner, Song Yi had just stepped off the Ferris wheel.

Luo Jiaming was twenty years old this year.

She thought, He’s young, full of passion and vigor. Perhaps what he did was just a momentary impulse. But as the recipient of such behavior, I can’t give him any chance.

This was her lesson to him as an older sister.

“That’s all for today,” Song Yi said.

Luo Jiaming had apologized countless times but could only watch helplessly as she walked away. When her figure disappeared into the crowd, he remembered that the amusement park was in the suburbs. Without a car, getting back would be inconvenient—it was a fifteen-minute walk to the subway station.

Song Yi realized this too.

As she walked alone toward an increasingly desolate area, night fell. Unconsciously, she reached the parking lot. It was deserted, with rows of parked cars and endless open space.

Walking slowly, Song Yi suddenly stopped. She breathed lightly, gazing at the Ferris wheel shining brightly in the night sky, like dense stars scattered across the universe.

So quiet. So beautiful. Faced with such a breathtaking view, she was completely alone.

It felt like being stranded on a deserted island.

For the first time, Song Yi experienced this sensation.

As if washed by the waves surrounding the island, she pulled out her phone and opened her contacts list. Almost everyone in it was related to work.

One by one, Song Yi eliminated those names until finally, she tapped on someone’s profile.

She dialed the number.

Her hand trembled slightly.

“Hello?” As soon as the call connected, Song Yi couldn’t breathe. Without giving the other person a chance to speak, she blurted out, “Hello, this is Song Yi. I’m at the amusement park. Do you have time right now?”

The person on the other end was likely still at the office. After a brief silence, they asked, “Do you want someone to keep you company?”

“Yes,” Song Yi answered without hesitation.

Her heart felt like a balloon, now filled with hydrogen, expanding, growing larger, on the verge of bursting.

She heard him sigh.

“I was just thinking about riding the Ferris wheel,” Chi Zhao said.

After hanging up, Song Yi sat on the edge of a flower bed in the parking lot. She thought deeply, though she wasn’t sure what exactly she was contemplating.

She thought she might be dreaming.

He appeared soundlessly, like the mischievous Cheshire Cat from Wonderland, always carrying an enchanting smile.

As Chi Zhao approached, he looked into the distance. Song Yi raised her head to look at him. He didn’t speak; it was Song Yi who stood up after brushing off her skirt.

“Let’s go,” she said. “The brochure says the Ferris wheel looks beautiful at night.”

Many people wanted to ride the Ferris wheel. While waiting in line, Song Yi went to the restroom to touch up her makeup. When she returned, the queue ahead had mysteriously vanished.

She didn’t question whether Chi Zhao had done something.

After all, he was the Cheshire Cat. He could provoke the Red Queen’s executioner or bandage Alice’s wounds. Getting her onto the Ferris wheel was no big deal.

The Ferris wheel slowly rotated, revealing the city’s nighttime scenery—a view so stunning it silenced anyone who saw it. Even hearts brimming with sorrow dimmed in its presence.

Song Yi gazed out the window. Through the glass, she noticed Chi Zhao’s tender expression as he looked at the scene.

She turned to observe him.

Suddenly, he turned his face to meet her gaze. Their eyes locked, and the moment melted into the cascading water of Ingres’ The Source .

Song Yi’s hand tightened slightly, almost forming a fist, but then hesitated.

She thought of the impulsive youth who had tried to kiss her.

“Song Yi,” Chi Zhao spoke lazily, proposing, “Let’s play word chain.”

Surprise, confusion, and bewilderment flickered in Song Yi’s eyes before settling into calmness.

“Alright,” she replied.

“Curtain,” Chi Zhao said.

“Curtain,” Song Yi responded, subtly inhaling.

“Bullet.”

“Bullet hole.”

“Kongming.”

“Tomorrow.”

“The sky has no limits,” Chi Zhao said lazily, gazing out the window.

Sky…

Made for each other.

Song Yi turned her head and echoed the same four-character idiom: “The sky has no limits.”

“The sky has no limits.”

“...The sky has no limits.”