Chapter 211: This apartment was found by Xie Qin

Eleven o'clock at night.

Shen Li returned to Shuixiexuan to pack her things, and Xie Qin drove her to the apartment complex.

After getting out of the car, Shen Li took the suitcase from his hand, turned her body slightly, and paused with hesitation. She didn't rush to leave, just stood facing him.

The surrounding atmosphere went quiet.

A crescent moon hung in the sky, casting silver radiance over the ground.

Two black shadows were intertwined on the ground.

Shen Li looked at him apologetically, her voice softening as she spoke: "I promised to accompany you."

"I'm sorry..."

Xie Qin's posture was loose and lazy, one hand casually tucked into his trouser pocket, his head tilted slightly, a nonchalant smile spreading across his lips.

"Anyway... you'll be mine sooner or later."

The tail of his voice was drawn out slowly, carrying possessiveness.

"There will be plenty of time to accompany me later,"

"It's not like this moment makes a difference."

He lifted his chin and urged softly: "Go up quickly, don't keep Auntie waiting."

Seeing she didn't move.

Xie Qin looked at her with a smile and said: "A hug before you go?"

It wasn't that Xie Qin didn't understand. Her daughter had a partner, and she knew nothing about who he was or what his character was like. How could she be at ease letting Shen Li stay by his side? Having concerns was only natural.

Six years ago, Xie Qin had met Shen Li's mother once. Just from that one glance, he knew back then that Shen Li's mother definitely didn't like him.

Even after so many years, her impression of him wouldn't have changed much.

Xie Qin had always been rebellious and cold, carrying an aloofness in his bones that kept strangers at bay, never taking anyone to heart.

But only regarding Shen Li, he had truly and earnestly lowered his head.

What he wanted was never just a temporary companionship, but something legitimate, something where the two of them could be together without any worries, stable and long-lasting.

After Shen Li returned to Shuixiexuan, it was Xie Qin who took the initiative to let her move back to live with Yu Lizhen. No matter what, they were the closest relatives.

Xie Qin hogging her wasn't the right way to go.

Originally, she didn't have much of a good impression of him anyway.

Shen Li was a bit reluctant to part with him; they hadn't been together for long, but she truly couldn't leave her mother to fend for herself. She didn't rush to leave, let go of the suitcase handle, took two light steps forward, and took the initiative to wrap her arms around his waist, resting her forehead lightly against his warm, solid chest.

In the night, the stray hair falling over Xie Qin's forehead and obscuring his brows was blown slightly by the wind. He lowered his head, his gaze falling on the top of her soft hair, his lips curling up involuntarily. He pulled his hand out of his pocket, and his long arm closed around her, pulling her into his embrace.

They hugged for a minute or two.

Xie Qin took her to the twelfth floor, and only after seeing her enter the door with his own eyes did he leave by elevator.

Walking out downstairs, he fished a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, applied a little force with his fingertips, pulled one out, and bit it between his lips. The lighter clicked, igniting a faint flame, and he exhaled a puff of white smoke, which was scattered by the wind.

Shen Li entered the foyer, only to see dim lights in the living room. Someone was sitting on the sofa as if in a daze. Her eyes flickered; the figure was shrouded in shadows, exuding a trace of loneliness. The emotions in her heart were replaced by another, and after looking at her silently for a few seconds, she spoke softly: "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Yu Lizhen turned around quickly. Seeing the person who had returned, a hint of joy appeared in her eyes, and she smiled: "Mom... thought you weren't coming back."

Shen Li's voice was completely calm as she said: "There were a lot of things, so packing took a while."

"Mom, let me make your bed."

She didn't refuse: "Hmm."

Yu Lizhen walked quickly into the guest bedroom, turned on the light, and immediately found a quilt from the closet to spread out, then changed into new sheets and a duvet cover.

Shen Li was a bit tired and planned to tidy up tomorrow. She took a set of pajamas from her suitcase, preparing to take a shower first.

Yu Lizhen: "Just this little bit of stuff? If you're missing anything, tell Mom, and Mom will go to the mall to buy it for you tomorrow."

Shen Li shook her head: "No need, it's too late today, I didn't have time to pack some things, Xie Qin will bring them over for me tomorrow."

Yu Lizhen didn't speak again. After a moment of silence, Shen Li went to the bathroom to shower.

This bedroom was about the same size as the master bedroom, and there was a study next door. This was something Xie Qin had specifically requested when he was looking for the apartment back then, thinking that if she moved in, she could work in the quiet study without being disturbed when she was busy at night.

After Shen Li finished her shower and came out, Yu Lizhen hadn't been idle, heating a glass of milk for her in the kitchen.

"Drink the milk before you sleep."

Shen Li stared at the glass of milk in her hand, pursed her lips, and told her flatly: "It's so late, no need to trouble yourself."

Yu Lizhen: "Be good..."

Shen Li reached out and took it. She could see that since she moved in, the smile on her face had increased. "Hmm." Habitually, she wanted to say "thank you," but didn't say it in the end, afraid she would overthink it.

Yu Lizhen: "Mom won't bother you anymore. Drink the milk and get some rest."

Shen Li: "Hmm."

Yu Lizhen turned to go back to her room. Looking at her back, Shen Li had words on the tip of her tongue; she wanted to tell her the news of her father's divorce. She hesitated for two seconds, then thought better of it.

In the future, there shouldn't be any intersection anyway.

Shen Li drank a sip of milk and turned back to her room.

Sitting on the bed, she picked up her phone from the nightstand and sent a message to Xie Qin: 【Are you home?】

Xie Qin: 【Just got here.】

【What time is it? Go to sleep quickly. Don't let me come pick you up tomorrow and find you still lazing in bed.】

Shen Li: 【Hmm.】

After living with him, Shen Li lost the habit of setting an alarm, because she knew Xie Qin would be her timed alarm. Every time she couldn't get up, Xie Qin had hundreds of ways to pull her into wakefulness.

No matter how bad her morning grumpiness was, he could wear it down.

Shen Li put down her phone and was about to sleep when

Xie Qin sent a two-second voice message.

Shen Li tapped it open, and his low, magnetic voice filled with lingering affection came through the receiver: "Goodnight~"

That night, she fell asleep peacefully without dreams.

At seven-thirty in the morning, Shen Li woke up just in time and heard faint movements outside the room. After washing up and changing clothes, she walked out of the room.

She saw Yu Lizhen making breakfast. Hearing the sound of the door opening, she turned her head: "Eat breakfast first, then go to class."

Shen Li was afraid of missing class time. She checked the time on her phone; there were forty-five minutes left, and she hesitated.

Yu Lizhen placed the fried meat patties on a plate and brought them to the table: "I made the filling myself, try it."

Shen Li thought that a little time wouldn't hurt, so she sat down and ate breakfast.

At the dining table, Yu Lizhen said quite a lot: "This apartment complex is indeed very convenient. I walked around once this morning; there are several malls nearby, and a very large vegetable market. It's very convenient to buy things."

Shen Li told her in a faint voice: "This apartment was found by Xie Qin." ===== CHAPTER 212 =====