As the sun began to set, a warm, homey atmosphere filled every house.
In the kitchen, Su Yue was following a recipe to marinate chicken legs and ribs, while Chen Ziming was preparing the vegetables.
If one were to look from the living room, it would appear warm and beautiful.
"Baili Qing sent me a message," Su Yue suddenly recalled.
"Mm, what did she say?" Chen Ziming asked absently while washing vegetables.
"She said you called her to ask for leave on my behalf, worrying about me, so she came to ask."
As she spoke, her brow furrowed. After a moment's thought, she continued, "The male reporter who went with me last night saw police officers when he went to Yunjiang Hotel after shopping."
"Baili Qing is very confused, and since Guo didn't go to the station today either, it's inevitable that she'd have some unfavorable speculations."
"Are you worried about unfavorable gossip spreading about you?" He immediately understood her concern.
Su Yue was startled and nodded uneasily.
"Don't worry, your Director Zhu will handle it," Chen Ziming said, picking up a knife from the rack to chop vegetables.
"Director Zhu?" Su Yue's eyes widened in disbelief. "You even contacted Director Zhu?"
"If someone under him commits a crime, he should be informed," Chen Ziming paused his actions and looked at her.
His gaze was calm, as if it were nothing.
"You're right..." Her mind was a little chaotic, and she continued to prepare the chicken legs.
Unexpectedly, he spoke again:
"That male reporter only saw the police and doesn't know what happened. When you go back to work, say you felt unwell and left early, and that you fell on the way."
"After that, don't pay attention to any rumors. Just focus on your work."
"Anyone who achieves anything has to deal with gossip. As long as it doesn't obstruct your path, just ignore it."
"If it does obstruct you..." His expression darkened slightly, and his voice lowered.
"Tell me."
Looking at his steady and calm demeanor, Su Yue was momentarily reminded of the times he had reasoned with her.
Her premonition back then was correct.
He would support her, helping her to become brave, open-minded, and broad-minded.
"Thank you, Director Chen," a smile reappeared on her face, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
"How will you thank me?" his voice was casual again.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Director Chen regretted it. He glanced to the side and saw the look of surprise and anticipation in her eyes.
"You tell me, I have so many clothes, you can pick any."
After a moment's thought, she added, "It's a good thing I bought an outfit before leaving the supermarket..."
"You talk too much." A piece of carrot was suddenly stuffed into her mouth.
Su Yue frowned in dissatisfaction, spat out the carrot, but quickly became happy again.
She quickly washed her hands, squeezed between him and the kitchen counter, and looked up, smiling brilliantly.
"You're staying tonight, aren't you?"
His response was a slightly cool glance.
And a perfunctory "Mm."
She was a little excited, so she hugged his waist, leaning against him, looking charmingly coy.
"If you stay, you can't leave. It's convenient here, close to your work too..."
"If you keep making trouble, I'm leaving," he interrupted her in a low voice.
Seeing the pretty little face deliberately putting on a wronged expression, he finally softened.
"Be good, and finish cooking first," he still curved his lips slightly. "Who was it that kept complaining about being hungry earlier?"
"Kiss me, and I'll be good." Seeing his attitude, someone was pushing her luck.
Chen Ziming wanted to maintain a stern face.
But he couldn't help but smile.
After two years, Su Yue finally saw the small dimple that appeared only when he smiled to a certain extent.
She stood on tiptoe, pouted her lips, her big eyes filled with expectation.
"Kissing me will make me good?"
Remembering how after being kissed last time, she had complained it wasn't enough and had pulled him down for a deep kiss, sobering him up.
Director Chen was still cautious.
The girl in his arms frowned, nodded repeatedly, and then stood on tiptoe again.
She looked too adorable.
Chen Ziming watched her for another two seconds. Just as she was about to lose her balance, he leaned down.
And kissed her deeply.