Don't meet me in your next life.

When Lu Sichen woke up, it was already afternoon. The early autumn afternoon sun, around three or four o'clock, shone warmly on him.

He stretched lazily, feeling a bit hungry, so he went downstairs to the kitchen to rummage through the refrigerator. He found only pork ribs, cucumbers, and potatoes left, so he quickly made two simple dishes to prepare for lunch.

Xiang Yiyi woke up to the aroma of stir-fried dishes downstairs. The delicious smell made her realize she had slept for over two hours. She slowly got up and went downstairs to find something to eat. Following the aroma, Xiang Yiyi arrived at the kitchen.

Lu Sichen had just finished serving his rice and sat down when he saw someone come in. He couldn't help but look up. The moment he looked up, he saw the person he had been longing for day and night, and he froze.

The moment their eyes met, it was as if everything stood still.

Lu Sichen immediately stood up, walked over and hugged Xiang Yiyi. Lu Sichen's hands were trembling involuntarily, and their heartbeats were intertwined.

For a long while, Lu Sichen was too excited to speak.

"I'm hungry, do I have any food?" Xiang Yi asked with tears in her eyes but a smile on her face.

Lu Sichen had considered various ways to meet her, but he never expected that Xiang Yiyi would barge into his life again like this.

"Yes, yes, yes." Lu Sichen, who had just realized what was happening, blurted out stupidly.

Xiang Yi smiled and said, "Then you can treat me to a meal."

"Okay, I'll serve you some."

Lu Sichen walked over to get Xiang Yiyi a bowl of rice. His hands were trembling as he served the rice. He had been searching for Yiyi for seven months, but she suddenly appeared in front of him. It felt like a dream, so unreal.

After placing the bowl in front of Yi Yi, Lu Sichen pinched his left arm hard, afraid he was dreaming. The pain brought tears to his eyes, but he smiled happily.

"Hehehehe." Xiang Yi's silvery laughter rang out. Lu Sichen's action was a bit silly!

"Aren't you silly? I haven't seen you for months, and I've noticed you've become even sillier," Xiang Yi teased him with a smile.

"And you said it was all because of you, disappearing without a word. Where have you been hiding these past few months?" Lu Sichen asked her.

"Me? I went to LS for further studies. I just got back to China today." Xiang Yi smiled.

“You’re so heartless. You just disappeared without a word. You have no idea how much I’ll miss you,” Lu Sichen said.

“I didn’t keep quiet. I told Xiao Qing and even emailed her. But I doubt she even checked her inbox.” Xiang Yi smiled.

"Alright, it's good that you're back. You told Xiao Qing, right?" Lu Sichen originally wanted to ask her if Lin Lubai knew, but remembering today's headlines, he swallowed his words.

"Not yet, I'll call her after I activate the domestic SIM card."

"You've moved in here?" It was only then that Lu Sichen realized this incredible thing.

"Yes, as soon as I got off the plane, the driver took me to this guesthouse. Hearing the name of the guesthouse, I just instinctively came in. The decor is exactly my style, so I checked in." Xiang Yi asked, "You're staying here too?"

"Haha, I live here too, the first room on the second floor, around the corner." Lu Sichen laughed.

"How have you been?" Lu Sichen suddenly changed the subject.

"Hmm, it's alright," Xiang Yi replied while searching for food.

What are your plans now that you're back?

"I'll stay here for a while, and I want to wait until the baby is born before I can talk about anything else."

Did you know my brother got engaged?

"know."

"So what do you think? Should you tell him?"

"What are you saying? We're over."

Do you love him?

"Let's not ask such a heavy question. Look at me, am I still at the age where love is important?"

The atmosphere instantly turned cold. Lu Sichen wanted to ask Xiang Yiyi if she still loved him, but the words caught in his throat. Regardless of who she loved, he hoped to accompany her on this journey.

After watching Yi Yi finish eating, Lu Sichen got up to clear the dishes.

When Xiang Yi tried to get up to help, Lu Sichen quickly pressed her down: "Sit still, you're a panda, I'll handle these things. I have to make sure my little nephew is safe."

"Are you so sure it's your nephew? What if it's your niece?" Xiang Yi teased him.

“I like my niece too. I don’t discriminate against girls.”

"Then you should hurry up and make one with your girlfriend."

Xiang Yi blurted out without thinking much. But what she said was somewhat awkward.

However, Lu Sichen seemed not to care and said directly to Xiang Yiyi, "Girlfriend? We broke up a long time ago."

Lu Sichen glanced at Yi Yi; her subtle expression did not escape his notice.

Fearing she would leave without a word again, he continued, "You have no idea, after I broke up with her, I came here to retire."

"Retirement?" Xiang Yi was amused by his words. "You're so young, you haven't even lived half your life, and you're already thinking about retirement?"

"Isn't it better to prepare early? This way, you won't have to worry about the future. When I can't take it anymore, I can just sleep here. Blue sky and white clouds, how beautiful." Lu Sichen said with some sadness.

"Come on, you should keep making money, otherwise who will inherit your father's fortune?" Xiang Yi thought he was talking nonsense.

"How about I give it to you to inherit? No, no, I can give it to my little nephew instead," Lu Sichen teased.

"Alright, stop being so cheeky. Lend me your phone for a moment, I need to call Xiao Qing," Xiang Yi said.

"Okay." Lu Sichen dialed the number for her.

"Lu Sichen, you're calling me at this hour, is it because you have news about Yi Yi?" An excited voice came through the phone as soon as it connected.

"Yes, I heard from Yi Yi. She said you never check your email, and she hasn't replied to any of the emails I've sent you," Xiang Yi Yi said with a smile.

"Ah, ah, ah—" A sharp scream came from the other end of the phone, "Yi Yi, where are you? I miss you so much."

"I'm in Yunxi, and Lu Sichen is here too," Xiang Yi said with a happy smile.

"You wait, I'll fly over tomorrow."

“Okay, I’ll wait for you here. I want to give birth here before going back to Shashi.”

"Huh? Oh. I understand."

The two chatted for a while longer before reluctantly hanging up the phone.

"Yi Yi, let me take you to get a replacement card later," Lu Sichen said.

“Okay, I’ll buy some things while I’m at it. I just brought a few sets of clothes back to China,” Xiang Yi said.

"No problem, leave it to me. We can also buy some groceries while we're at it. What would you like to eat?"

"Hot pot. You have no idea, I really craved hot pot when I was abroad."

"Okay, we'll go get the card later, and while we're at it, we'll take you to buy some daily necessities and groceries so we can have hot pot tonight."

Lu Sichen drove the car over and quickly got out to open the passenger door for Xiang Yi: "Princess, please get in the car."

Xiang Yi smiled so happily; being with Lu Sichen is always so heartwarming.