...
Nie Beilou and Xi Jiu talked for a long time, and when they emerged from the basement, it was already past nine in the evening.
Grandpa Ruan and Grandma Ruan, being elderly, had retired to their room early. The rest of the family, who had work the following day, had also retreated to their rooms to wash up and get ready for bed.
At this moment, only Ruan Qi and Baby Damai remained in the first-floor living room.
Baby Damai sat obediently on the little golden stool, using a mechanical hand to shell sunflower seeds one by one for Ruan Qi. Meanwhile, Ruan Qi lay lazily on the sofa, her eyes half-closed and her little head nodding occasionally as she struggled to stay awake.
Watching her in this state, Xi Jiu felt a surge of warmth fill his once-heavy heart, clearing away all somber clouds.
He softened his footsteps, knelt down on one knee before Ruan Qi, and let his focused gaze sweep across her face inch by inch.
