A miniskirt!?

Ruan Tang's ears flushed red with embarrassment, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she smiled calmly and said, "Mr. Xu, do you have time today?"

"Yes!"

Xu Lai took a deep breath. Is Ruan Tang really going to cosplay for me today? Happiness came too quickly!

"If you have time, go see Eighth Master and find yourself a nice plot of land. I'll be very gentle when I make the cut."

Ruan Tang gently caressed Xu Lai's cheek, her voice soft. "Oh, right, pick one out for Ruan Lan, too. That way I can offer incense for both of you together next Qingming Festival."

"..."

Xu Lai choked, staring at her. "How can a model wife and mother like you say something like that in front of our daughter?"

"Don't use our daughter as a shield. Let me tell you, Xu Lai, I, Ruan Tang, would rather jump from the summit of Mount Haitang to my death than cosplay as a Magical Girl a second time!" Ruan Tang snorted coldly.

That dark chapter of her past was too humiliating to revisit. Once was enough; a second time? Absolutely impossible! Besides, just yesterday Xu Lai was being such a gentleman, whispering sweet nothings, and today he wants her to wear an outfit like that... He wants to see a miniskirt. Or is he trying to satisfy some secret fetish of his? Hmph. Men!

"Yiyi, quick! Auntie will take you to watch Madoka," Ruan Lan, who had somehow changed her clothes, whispered as she beckoned to her niece from the doorway.

"Go on," Xu Lai said, releasing his hold. He watched his daughter happily rush into her aunt's arms, then intercepted Ruan Tang, who looked ready to kill. He explained helplessly, "I was the one who asked Ruan Lan about your past. She only brought it up because of that. She really just wanted to give you the movie tickets, that's it."

"Why were you asking about my past?" Ruan Tang's eyes widened as she glared at him.

"I want to understand you, including your past."

"..."

Not even when her own sister dug up her embarrassing history had Ruan Tang felt so conflicted. She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said faintly, "You could have just asked me directly about things like that. It's not like I wouldn't have told you."

"But I wanted to surprise you," Xu Lai said, spreading his hands. "For instance, Ruan Lan told me you liked stars, so for your birthday, I made you that Star Bracelet."

Ruan Tang subconsciously glanced at her pale wrist. She always wore the bracelet Xu Lai had given her, only taking it off to sleep or bathe. It was beautiful, she loved it, and it held great sentimental value.

What did Xu Lai learn from my sister this time? A strange sense of anticipation filled Ruan Tang's heart, wondering what kind of surprise and romance he had in store for her. Because of this, she didn't press the issue.

Instead, she pouted. "Fine. I'm not mad at you two anymore."

"You're the best, honey! You deserve a kiss for that!"

After his praise, Xu Lai leaned down to kiss her forehead, but she quickly blocked him with her hand. Unexpectedly, however, he simply kissed the back of her hand instead.

Ruan Tang squinted at him, a murderous glint in her eyes.

Xu Lai coughed and quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, when you have some time, we should take a family trip."

"Where to!?" Ruan Tang's interest was immediately piqued. The company had been incredibly busy lately, but the crunch was finally over. She desperately needed a vacation.

"Sakura Country?" Xu Lai suggested hesitantly.

"Miniskirts... miniskirts! Is that all you can think about?" Ruan Tang snapped, giving him a light kick. She was sure he was hinting at the Magical Girl incident again, still fixated on getting her to cosplay.

Xu Lai opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated. He was worried that Heavenly Dao was unreliable and that if he couldn't trace the origin of the Gold and Silver Daggers, he'd have to make the trip himself. How could he have known his wife's imagination would run this wild?

Seeing his silence, Ruan Tang assumed he was admitting it. Her brow furrowed. "Xu Lai, do you really want to see it?"

Before he could answer, she bit her lower lip and whispered in a voice so quiet it was barely audible, "Do all men like watching women wear..."

She was too embarrassed to finish her sentence.

"No, that's not it. Honey, don't misunderstand."

As Xu Lai tried to explain, Ruan Tang, her face bright red, spoke with renewed determination. "You don't have to say anything. I'll consider it!"

As if worried she hadn't been clear enough, she added, "But not now. In the future... when there's an opportunity."

Xu Lai: ???

Just a moment ago, she was so adamant about not wearing it. Why the sudden change of heart? Xu Lai was completely baffled.

He didn't know that Ruan Tang had changed her mind because she felt a sense of crisis.

Yes. A sense of crisis!

Although Xu Lai had confessed last night that no female students had contacted him, what if he ended up with another woman over something like this? As reluctant as Ruan Tang was to admit it, spending this time with Xu Lai had made her develop some special feelings for him. She wasn't sure if it was love, but she knew for certain that she cared about his feelings and that sleeping in his arms felt incredibly safe and peaceful.

Furthermore, having Xu Lai in the house gave her an immense sense of security.

That was enough for her to suppress her shyness.

It was just as Wei Qing had once told her: "Some opportunities, once missed, are gone for a lifetime. Never do something you'll end up regretting."

Ruan Tang didn't want to miss her chance.

"So, this future opportunity... when, roughly, would that be?" Xu Lai asked expectantly.

"Roughly..." Ruan Tang fell into a long silence before suggesting tentatively, "During the winter?"

"Winter is too long. This year's, next year's, the year after..." Xu Lai made a snap decision. "As soon as Xu Yaoyao's wedding is over, we'll go on our family trip. How about then?"

Ruan Tang said nothing. She didn't agree, but she didn't refuse either.

Xu Lai held out his little finger. "Pinky promise."

Ruan Tang took a deep breath, extended her own finger, and hooked it with his. They pressed their thumbs together to seal the promise.

Leaning close to her ear, Xu Lai smiled. "I really can't wait for that day."

Ruan Tang's heart was beating uncontrollably fast. She gently pressed a hand to her chest and reassured herself. It's not a big deal. It's just a little cosplay. Compared to sharing a bed all this time, or being held by him all of last night, is wearing a miniskirt for cosplay even an issue? Of course not!

Her self-reassurance was surprisingly effective.

However, Xu Lai's mention of Xu Yaoyao's wedding made her think of something else. She couldn't help but complain, "And I have no idea where that Luo Chu ran off to. I was stuck handling everything by myself all yesterday afternoon!"

Luo Chu?

Before Xu Lai could speak, he suddenly felt a summons from his Divine Sense originating from the celestial body closest to Earth.

That was it—the identity plaque he'd given her had been crushed!

Xu Lai smiled. "I know where she is."

Ruan Tang was skeptical. "Oh? And where is she?"

"On the moon." Xu Lai pointed to the pale crescent hanging in the sky.

Ruan Tang rolled her eyes at him, clearly not taking him seriously as she went to the bathroom to wash up.

"Honey, the food is in the pot. Just heat it up and eat," Xu Lai called out.

"Where are you going?" Ruan Tang asked while squeezing toothpaste onto her brush.

"I'm heading to the moon. I'll be right back, so don't worry."

"..."

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