In the novel "Joy of Life," the protagonist wakes up at Li Chengze's residence.

【Li Chengze's Thoughts】

At first, I just thought she was very mysterious.

His origins are unknown, his martial arts skills are unfathomable, and he possesses a keen understanding of the ways of the world.

When I first met her, I immediately wanted to befriend her.

But... she's also strange.

She would sneak out of the manor, but upon returning, she would tell me everything without any concealment.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

I had a wicked idea and deliberately exposed her to the public along with me.

She didn't refuse at all and got into the carriage in my residence.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

I was wary of her, but she wasn't angry with me; instead, she reached out and cleared away the "fog" before my eyes. I tested her, and she didn't hold a grudge, pulling me step by step away from this swamp...

Sometimes, I don't quite understand why Tao Jingyang... treats me so well?

Later I realized that I seemed to have discovered her little secret.

[Li Chengze]: ^?w＜^ ?

When she's angry, she'll pretend to be "bad," but she's actually quite cute and will snatch my grapes.

When he was bored, he would put his hands on his hips, take the folded book from my hand, throw it on the table, and drag me out for a walk.

She would use all the money I gave her to buy snacks, and give the rest to the people in her household. Even Xie Bi'an was forced to eat a lot...

[Li Chengze]: I'm sorry, Bi'an, if you don't eat, I'll have to. (I really can't eat anymore...)

So, she's in love with me.

From the very beginning, I thought she did this because she admired me.

During those days, I, as a prince, was unusually smug.

But later... I discovered that she wasn't just like that with me; she was kind to everyone around her.

I'm not the most special one.

However, I won't say anything about others; they can't compare to me anyway.

Only Fan Xian, he... it must be said, does have some cleverness.

But upon closer examination, Fan Xian has no advantage over me.

Oh.(?·_·)

But the two of them seemed so close, I don't understand how they could be that close.

Did we know each other before? Oh well, at least Jingyang didn't hide anything from me...

However, after today, Fan Xian will become a big celebrity.

What will people call him? Will they call him something like "Poet Immortal" or "Poet Sage"?

What a talent!

Makes people jealous.

Fortunately, it was me who spoke first.

No one can take her away from me.

No one will do.

------------

Li Chengze sat up, thinking about everything that had just happened, and looked at the person in front of him.

Meeting Tao Jingyang's somewhat puzzled gaze, he took her hand.

【Tao Jingyang, since you've agreed, you can't go back on your word.】These are my inner thoughts, each word spoken with deliberation.

The carriage stopped, and Xie Bi'an knocked on the window to signal to the people inside that they had arrived at their destination and could get off the carriage.

Li Chengze went down first, lifting the curtain to wait for Tao Jingyang, who had not yet come down.

After getting off the bus, Tao Jingyang looked around and, finding no one following them, felt a little relieved.

Looking at her young face, which showed a very wary expression, Li Chengze found her even more adorable.

He suppressed the flutter in his heart and quietly moved closer to Tao Jingyang.

He spoke with a somewhat arrogant tone, demonstrating his "strength" to Tao Jingyang.

“In this capital, I am at least considered to have a network of connections.”

This land is one of my private properties. I have some outside Kyoto too, but... it's not convenient to take you there right now.”

Li Chengze lowered his head and covered his mouth with his hand as he spoke:

"I'll take you another day."

The sudden whisper made Tao Jingyang's ear itch, and the warm breath hit the tip of his ear.

For some reason, my heart skipped a beat.

Tao Jingyang was truly at his wit's end.

We've whispered to each other like this before, so why does everything feel off now?

Could someone please bring me some heart medication?

If they keep bluffing like this, I'm really afraid they'll have a heart attack one day.

However, I must say... the layout of this restaurant is really quite nice... it looks like it could make a fortune every day.

[Tao Jingyang]: I wish it were mine.

(? ? ?)