Inside the villa, someone had already prepared a meal.

The main dish was lotus leaf rice, along with hand-pulled chicken, minced pork tofu, tomato beef stew, and a few cold dishes like cucumber salad.

A pavilion was built in the center of the lotus pond, where sitting felt like being in a world of lotus flowers, even the very air was filled with their fragrance.

Gu Shengyin took a deep breath of the Lotus Fragrance, savoring the cool breeze from the lake, and satisfied, she closed her eyes.

She smiled at Yu Qingyun, who was unwrapping the lotus leaf rice across from her: "You’re really living the life, huh? If I took a picture of this scene and posted it on social media, people would die of envy."

Yu Qingyun placed the unwrapped lotus leaf rice in a bowl and handed it to Gu Shengyin.

He smiled and said, "If you like it, you can come more often."

He casually added, "I’m usually too busy to appreciate this place. Rather than letting the flowers wither away, it’s better for someone like you who appreciates them to enjoy it."

His words made it hard for Gu Shengyin to refuse.

Even though she knew this might just be an excuse for him to keep her around, Gu Shengyin willingly dove in.

She nodded with a smile: "I’ll remember your words. If I come every day during summer vacation, don’t get annoyed with me."

Yu Qingyue picked up clean chopsticks and served her some dishes, smiling at her words.

How could I possibly get annoyed with you?

Gu Shengyin took a bite of the lotus leaf rice, combining the natural fragrance of the rice with the subtle aroma of the lotus leaf, perfectly balanced between softness and firmness.

"Delicious!" Her eyes lit up, expressing her admiration.

Evidently, this rarely visited villa housed a master chef.

"As long as you like it."

The setting was beautiful, the food was delicious, and there was a charming man sitting across from her.

Gu Shengyin found this dinner to be extremely satisfying.

The only downside might be... being overly full.

Noticing her somewhat troubled expression as she rubbed her stomach, Yu Qingyun couldn’t help but turn his head and laugh softly.

The sun was now setting, painting the whole sky in a non-glaring red, tinting the entire world with a layer of orange-yellow.

The beauty smiled with her head turned, and in such hazy light, Gu Shengyin could distinctly feel her heart skip a beat for the person in front of her.

She awkwardly shifted her gaze, muttering, "If you want to laugh, just do it, don’t hold back."

As soon as she said this, the person across from her indeed burst out laughing.

Gu Shengyin: "..."

Truly, not even a bit of face was saved.

Finally, Yu Qingyun pulled Gu Shengyin out for a walk.

Gu Shengyin initially resisted, after all, leaning lazily on a bench enjoying the view after a meal seemed like the ultimate pursuit for a gluttonous lazybones.

But Yu Qingyun ruthlessly made her stand up.

"Not a bit gentlemanly," Gu Shengyin muttered under her breath.

Yu Qingyun didn’t even turn back: "For the sake of your health, I don’t mind being ungentlemanly, so what?"

Gu Shengyin: "..."

She was left speechless, and even a little touched.

This man, casually saying sweet words that could make someone die from sugar overdose.

By the time they finished their walk, the sky had almost completely darkened.

When the two returned to the pavilion, everything had been tidied up.

"Next, there’s another surprise."

——

This is the ninth Chapter for today, with one more to go.

Not sure if I can finish it before midnight, if not, it’ll definitely be done before 1 AM.

Love you all, mwah mwah mwah mwah mwah ╭(╯3╰)╮