"Morning."

Qin Ruojing clearly hadn't figured out the current situation yet; she just mumbled a reply in a half-asleep, half-awake state.

However, a few seconds later, when she subconsciously tried to pull off the quilt and suddenly realized she wasn't wearing any clothes, her expression changed instantly, just like when Chu Ge had woken up, and her dark pupils shrank dramatically.

Immediately, there was a "buzz" in Qin Ruojing's mind. Even though the quilt was already covering her, she still tightly gripped the quilt's corner with both hands and instinctively shrank back a little.

"You... why are you here?" Qin Ruojing frowned, her eyes meeting Chu Ge's but slightly shifty, as she raised her right hand to knead her temple, clearly also struggling to recall what happened last night.

"To be honest, I don't know either," Chu Ge chuckled wryly, as he was equally confused. "I woke up here."

As he spoke, Chu Ge continued to try to recall the events of the previous night. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he thought, he could only remember them having a great meal, drinking, laughing, and smearing cake with a few others—beyond that, he couldn't remember anything else.

This feeling of fragmented memory is genuinely terrible. Chu Ge couldn't recall the last time he'd experienced something like this, as it was contrary to his usual lifestyle habits.

The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt—from inside out—as though there were needles pricking him, with his temples throbbing as well. This combination of a hangover and trying unsuccessfully to recall something was truly awful.

Qin Ruojing remained silent, but her gaze toward Chu Ge harbored no suspicion. Knowing him well, she believed he was telling the truth.

After all, they hadn't known each other for just a day or two. Even though Chu Ge's words and actions might seem irresponsible at times, when it came to crucial or significant things, he has always been quite reliable.

If Chu Ge says so, then it must be true. No matter how carefree he might be, he wouldn't lie or joke about something like this.

The two of them just stared at each other for a few seconds, with Qin Ruojing's expression growing more complicated. She finally sighed softly, rubbed her equally throbbing temples, and was the first to look away, glancing at the quilt covering her.

In extreme awkwardness, Chu Ge hesitated for a moment and then asked an even more awkward question.

"Are you... Qin Ruojing or Qin Ruoying?"

Hearing Chu Ge's question, a surge of anger rose within Qin Ruojing. This jerk had slept with her so many times; how could he not tell the difference?

Although even her parents could hardly tell her and her sister apart, she just found Chu Ge's question utterly intolerable.

She picked up a pillow and threw it hard at Chu Ge, glaring at him in frustration, yet she didn't answer his question.

Judging by her reaction, it was likely Qin Ruojing, but Chu Ge wanted to confirm. After letting the pillow, which he could easily catch, hit him, he tentatively spoke again.

"You're Qin Ruojing, right?"

"No kidding!" Qin Ruojing tossed another pillow at him and gave Chu Ge a Byakugan.

Chu Ge breathed a sigh of relief, although the situation was still so awkward, and he didn't even know why he felt relieved, but it truly felt like a weight off his shoulders.

Seeing Chu Ge's expression, Qin Ruojing's anger seemed to inexplicably diminish a bit, though she wasn't about to let it slide, and she snorted coldly, "What? Disappointed?"

If it were any other situation, Chu Ge would likely nod earnestly, his smirk mischievous. But now, he wasn't in the mood for it. He just let out a bitter smile and shook his head.

"It's already this late, stop making sarcastic remarks," he paused and hesitated, scratching his head. Then he tentatively asked, "By the way... do you... hurt?"

Although Chu Ge wasn't very direct, taking an unusually tactful approach, Qin Ruojing's face was instantly filled with conflict. Unfortunately, she no longer had anything on hand to throw at him.

Despite the truly awkward topic, Chu Ge had to get clarity. Seeing Qin Ruojing remain silent, he had no choice but to break the silence once again, "You..."

Qin Ruojing's face flushed red, her teeth gritted as she glared at Chu Ge. Seeing him about to speak again, she finally squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, "Get out!"

Chu Ge raised his hands, making a surrendering gesture, "Okay, okay, I'm going."

Saying so, Chu Ge promptly dressed neatly and quickly left the bedroom.

Of course, Chu Ge wasn't leaving Qin Ruojing's house; he intended to shower, to wash off the sticky cream and clear his mind, giving Qin Ruojing time to dress and calm her emotions.

In the living room, it was a mess following the night's revelry.

From the alcohol and cake scattered on the floor, Chu Ge could imagine how crazy they had been last night. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember how he ended up in that bedroom or on Qin Ruojing's bed.

Qin Ruoying wasn't in the living room. If there were no surprises, she should have already returned to her bedroom, still sound asleep.

After taking a cold shower in the bathroom, Chu Ge guessed it was about time that Qin Ruojing might have calmed down a bit, so he put on a pair of clean underwear and returned to Qin Ruojing's bedroom.

Just as he reached the doorway, Chu Ge's footsteps halted. Even though he had somewhat prepared himself mentally, when he saw the scene before him, his mind still went "buzz," and he couldn't quite comprehend his own emotions.

At this moment, Qin Ruojing was already dressed, sitting cross-legged on the large bed with half of the sheets pulled aside, staring intently at a piece of sheet in front of her. Her eyes, black and white, were filled with confusion.

Qin Ruojing seemed both distracted and focused. She didn't even notice when Chu Ge left and returned again, standing at the doorway.

Chu Ge's gaze lingered briefly on Qin Ruojing's expression before shifting to the sheet she was staring at.

That place, which Chu Ge had wanted to see but couldn't before, was now dotted with crimson, making Chu Ge feel it was so shocking.

After a long while, Qin Ruojing finally noticed Chu Ge at the door. Her eyes twitched a few times, seeming as if she wanted to erupt, but when she opened her mouth, she didn't say anything.

"Chairman, I..."

Most of the time when Chu Ge was serious, he was a dominant man, but at this moment, faced with this scene, he could feel only conflict and guilt, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

"Say nothing, okay?" Qin Ruojing, eyes fixed on the slightly crimson sheet, interrupted Chu Ge's unfinished words.

Then, she took a long, deep breath. The confusion on her face turned into a calm, like an ancient well, "I'm going to take a shower, feel free to do as you please."

Saying this, Qin Ruojing calmly moved her gaze away, pulled off the sheet from the double bed, and got off the bed with complete composure.

However, when Qin Ruojing's feet touched the ground, her body suddenly weakened, and her delicate face showed a hint of pain. She seemed unable to stand steadily and wobbled slightly, almost about to fall.

Chu Ge hurriedly took a few quick steps, holding onto Qin Ruojing's arm to help her maintain her balance.

"Shall I support you?"

Although it wasn't intentional, Chu Ge's tone was very gentle, tinged with a bit of concern.

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary." Qin Ruojing smiled faintly, as confident as always, glancing at Chu Ge's hand holding her, "Let go. I can manage myself."

Sensing the undeniable resolve in Qin Ruojing's expression and tone, Chu Ge hesitated for a moment but eventually released his hand, watching her pass him by and head toward the bathroom with the sheet.

Left alone sitting on the bed from which the sheet had been removed, Chu Ge, frustrated, tapped his forehead, and took out a cigarette and lighter from the clothes on the floor, pulling a cigarette out and frowning as he held it in his mouth.

However, when his thumb placed on the lighter pressed halfway down, he lifted his thumb and took the cigarette out of his mouth.

Because he suddenly remembered, Qin Ruojing had always disliked the smell of smoke.

Sighing, Chu Ge threw the cigarette into the wastebasket, sat for a while on the bed without the sheet, glanced at the clothes, eight out of ten stripped from Qin Ruojing, on the floor, and then once more hammered his forehead, stepped away from the bedside, opened the wardrobe, and selected a very formal set of clothes, meticulously putting them on.

Chu Ge still didn't plan to leave but wanted to have a serious talk with Qin Ruojing when she came out of the shower.

Although it seemed somewhat ridiculous to think and act this way, Chu Ge still felt that dressing more formally was a sign of respect for Qin Ruojing and conformed more to her usual habits.

And just like that, he waited for over two hours. Qin Ruojing had never taken such a long shower, which wasn't in line with her usual swift and decisive character.

Listening to the constant sound of running water outside, Chu Ge sat motionless on the edge of the bed, not considering what he should do but subconsciously guessing what Qin Ruojing might be thinking right now.

When Qin Ruojing next appeared in Chu Ge's sight, she held a finely wrapped small box in her right hand.

Their eyes met again, and in Qin Ruojing's gaze as she looked at Chu Ge, there was a hint of satisfaction, along with some hesitation.

However, the eye contact between Qin Ruojing and Chu Ge was brief, and then she tossed the small box in her right hand towards Chu Ge.

"Your birthday gift."

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