Volume One, Chapter 133: She hasn't even graduated yet and doesn't want to have a child so soon.

The next morning, Xu Zhi was awakened by tactile sensations.

She was held in Liang Jinmo’s arms, lying on her side with her back to him. She did not know when he had woken up, but at that moment, his lips were tracing the line of her nape, and his hand was underneath her pajamas, lifting the fabric covering her chest.

Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, half-awake and half-dreaming, yet she couldn't help but let out a soft whimper at his touch.

Liang Jinmo stopped his movements, his voice raspy. "Awake?"

Xu Zhi hummed like a kitten in response.

Morning light filtered through the gaps in the blue velvet curtains. As the day brightened, her thoughts slowly returned to her. Last night, they had slept in each other's arms without going any further, yet she felt profoundly content.

However, it was clear that the man, waking up in the morning, was feeling restless. He began kissing her nape again, nibbling at her ear.

Xu Zhi couldn't help but shrink away, her voice barely a whisper. "It’s already morning..."

The man lowered his head, his high-bridged nose gently brushing against her neck as he let out a low chuckle. He knew she was feeling shy again. While Xu Zhi was occasionally bold, her confidence was inconsistent. Still, he found her blushing face and soft, pleading voice incredibly endearing. He said, "Mm, let’s just hold each other for a little while longer."

Xu Zhi obediently lay still. Mainly, she didn't dare move; she could feel him pressed against her lower back, and in her somewhat rigid mindset, the early morning was not the time for anything more. Besides, having been reminded by Zhao Nianqiao, she recalled that if something were to happen, they would at least need protection. She hadn't even graduated yet and did not want to have a child so soon.

The two lingered in bed for a while longer. After getting up, Liang Jinmo had to go to the office. Before leaving, he asked about her plans for the day.

"Sending out resumes," Xu Zhi said, clenching her fists. "I have to find a job quickly and start earning money."

Liang Jinmo replied, "Short on money? Let me give you a supplementary card."

Xu Zhi initially wanted to decline, but recalling her previous experience buying things at the supermarket, she swallowed the words. She accepted the card, saying, "This is different. You bought the house, so I certainly have to find a way to pay the mortgage."

"I paid for it in full," Liang Jinmo said. "There is no mortgage."

Xu Zhi was stunned, her emotions complex. He was only three years older than her, yet he had already purchased a large luxury apartment in full.

"Well, since you provided the home, I should certainly save up money for our wedding," she continued. "After all, this is something that concerns both of us, and you shouldn't have to pay for everything alone."

Liang Jinmo frowned slightly, looking at her with words hanging on his lips.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

He thought for a moment before speaking. "If we get married as soon as you graduate, that’s only half a year away."

Xu Zhi nodded.

"How much do you think you can save in half a year?" he asked.

Xu Zhi realized what he meant and felt embarrassed, her face flushing with annoyance. "Fine... are you saying I’m incapable of earning money?"

Liang Jinmo couldn't help but let a smile tug at the corners of his lips. "I just don't want you to make a hasty career choice due to financial pressure. Your first job after graduation is actually very important. I hope you can plan your future direction and think about what you truly want to do, rather than just taking the first offer you get for the sake of money. As for the money..."

He paused. "There's no need to be so particular about who contributes more. I can certainly afford to support you."

Xu Zhi felt a warmth in her heart, thinking how incredibly kind he was. The more time she spent with him, the better she thought he was. She couldn't help but step forward and hug him. She was no longer as awkward with such gestures as she once was. With her face pressed against his chest, she sighed, "Did I save the galaxy in my past life to have met you?"

It was an old cliché, but Liang Jinmo understood. His eyes softened, and he pulled her closer, lowering his head to kiss the top of her hair.

When he was a child, no one wanted him. Everyone looked at him as if he were a burden or trash. When people mentioned him, it was always "that illegitimate son," their words filled with malice and disgust.

But she was different. She would approach him timidly, and even when he was silent and ignored her, she kept breaking into his world time and again. She was the only glimmer of light in his long, dark twenty-plus years.

*If only she could look at me like that all the time,* he often thought. *Not with cautious eyes, but with the same reliance and trust she showed Liang Muzhi.*

So, this was what it felt like to have a long-held wish granted. He had long ceased to care what others thought of him, but when she was content because of him, it served as the highest form of validation, making everything feel meaningful.

After Liang Jinmo left, Xu Zhi opened her computer and pondered his words. In the end, she did send out resumes, but instead of the "carpet bombing" approach she had initially planned, she chose positions in literary translation that she truly preferred. There were few such openings, so she sent out fewer than ten in total.

By the afternoon, she decided to visit Yang Xue. After all, her friend was heartbroken, and she couldn't just ignore her. Yang Xue had suffered a severe hangover the night before and had taken the day off.

When Xu Zhi arrived at the small apartment in the urban village, she saw Yang Xue looking haggard and felt a pang of sympathy. "Try to let it go. Torturing yourself like this won't make him like you."

Yang Xue, who had cried all night, had swollen eyes. Lying in bed, she remembered something. "Don't talk to me about Cheng Yu. Oh, by the way, Liang Muzhi called me this morning."

Xu Zhi froze.

"He asked me what was going on between you and Young Master Liang," Yang Xue recalled. "I told him that you two had been close for a long time, and if it weren't for your family's company, you never would have agreed to be engaged to him; you were already with Young Master Liang."

Xu Zhi didn't care what Liang Muzhi thought and offered no comment on this version of events.

Yang Xue continued, "What is wrong with a scumbag like that? He was there muttering to himself that it was impossible. Why is it that he can be with Chen Jing, but you can't be with someone else?"

Xu Zhi had no interest in dealing with Liang Muzhi. She glanced around the messy room and, wanting to give the dejected Yang Xue something to do, said, "Let's tidy up the place together."

She began to work. Yang Xue couldn't stay in bed any longer and got up to look through her closet for something to wear. Seeing the wine-red silk slip dress that Xu Zhi had returned, she pulled it out and tossed it to her.

"I lent this to you new; you never wore it, did you?"

Xu Zhi held the dress. "How could I possibly wear this..."

"It’s a brand name, and it’s still new. I never wore it; I bought it hoping to seduce Cheng Yu one day, but it’s completely useless now," Yang Xue said, her face pale and her eyes dull. "You take it. At least you have a man now, and you might actually have a use for it."

Xu Zhi felt she had no use for it and was about to refuse when Yang Xue spoke again.

"Looking at this thing just hurts. I was so stupid, thinking that if I just joined the same company as him, I’d have a future..."

Yang Xue’s eyes reddened further. Xu Zhi remained silent for a moment before saying, "Then don't look at it. I'll take it."

She found a tote bag, packed the dress, and helped Yang Xue tidy up the room. Just as she was about to take Yang Xue out for a meal, her phone rang. The caller ID surprised her—it was Fu Wanwen.

Given Fu Wanwen’s arrogant nature and the cruel things she had said at the coffee shop, she deserved to be blocked permanently. Xu Zhi hesitated for a moment but answered the call.

Fu Wanwen went straight to the point. "Zhizhi... could you meet with Muzhi?"

Xu Zhi was stunned, finding it baffling. Fu Wanwen’s tone was surprisingly soft, which made it even harder to understand.

"I don't think that's necessary," she said coldly. "Given the current situation, he and I need to avoid any suspicion."

Fu Wanwen was silent for a few seconds. When she spoke again, her voice was low, filled with pleading. "I’m begging you. Muzhi... he’s been locked up by his father. He hasn't eaten in two days, hasn't even had a drop of water... If this continues, his health will collapse. He won't listen to me; he just says he wants to talk to you. Can you please help me and talk to him?"