The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

The candied hawthorn swayed back home with Ye Shu in the plastic bag, but as soon as the door opened a crack, Ye Shu was met with a murderous gaze.

Xia Qing was leaning against the wall by the door with her arms crossed, her eyebrows furrowed so tightly they almost flew off, and her eyes looked like she wanted to tear Ye Shu apart.

When Ye Shu came in, she didn't immediately react. She just took two steps closer and started sniffing Ye Shu's body, shoulders, and neck.

Fortunately, Ye Shu didn't smell of her perfume or any other suspicious scent, which eased Xia Qing's expression of catching someone cheating a little, but her eyebrows remained raised.

She took a step back and asked, clearly annoyed:

"So you finally decided to come back? Why are you so late today? You didn't reply to my messages. Did you secretly go out to eat with a junior from your junior school?"

Ye Shu raised her hand and shook the plastic bag in her hand:

"No, what are you thinking about? The shop was busy today, so I had to work overtime. I even made a detour to that little square over there to buy you some candied hawthorns."

Xia Qing glanced at the bag of candied hawthorns, pursed her lips, and found the explanation somewhat acceptable. She snatched the bag from Ye Shu's hand, turned around, went back to the sofa, put the bag on the coffee table, and curled up back in her original spot.

"If you're tired, just sit here and rest. We'll order takeout tonight, and you're on the day off."

As she spoke, she took out her phone and started browsing food delivery apps.

Ye Shu really didn't want to move, especially his muscular arm, which was now sore and painful with the slightest movement.

He walked to the sofa, sat down next to Xia Qing, and found it very comfortable.

Xia Qing didn't ask Ye Shu what he wanted to eat. She tapped a few times, tossed her phone aside, and then took out a string of candied hawthorns from a plastic bag.

"Didn't I say I wanted strawberries?"

"We're out of strawberries, I'll buy you some next time."

Ye Shu closed her eyes and recharged on the sofa.

Seeing how tired he looked, Xia Qing pursed her lips, took a bite, and found the sweet and sour taste combined with the cool sensation to be quite nice.

Then, she held the candied hawthorn that was missing a piece to Ye Shu's mouth and made a "hmm" sound through her nose.

Ye Shu looked at her hand and also opened her mouth to take a bite.

I have to say, the candied hawthorns in winter are cool and refreshing, like eating ice cream, and they are really nice to eat.

Xia Qing seemed to find stretching her arms too strenuous, so she simply sat up from the sofa, leaned towards him, and used Ye Shu as a human cushion.

While watching a variety show on TV, he slowly ate a candied hawthorn, eating one himself and then offering one to Ye Shu.

The warmth from those around me, the sweet and sour taste of candied hawthorn, and the laughter from the television set together a bubble called "home," temporarily isolating me from the cold outside.

The TV host was laughing so hard he could almost see breakfast, but Ye Shu couldn't concentrate at all. The little things in her mind were like a frog in the water, bubbling up every now and then.

He hesitated for a moment, but when the TV played the "He's good, I'm good" song, he finally spoke up:

"Sister Xia Qing, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"explain."

Xia Qing didn't turn her head, but took advantage of the break between GG's conversation to start watching videos on her phone. However, she leaned back slightly to show that she was listening.

"That's right, Sister Lili messaged me today saying she's introduced me to a job at Qianxue Group, and she wants me to have an interview the day after tomorrow morning."

"Oh, go ahead, it's not like you'll lose anything by trying."

Xia Qing felt that this was not something that needed to be discussed at all.

Ye Shu pursed his lips, knowing that Xia Qing hadn't understood the point of his dilemma:

"But... I don't quite know how to bring it up with Sister Chen Xing. I feel... really bad for her. I'm doing a good job working for her, and she's been very kind to me..."

Upon hearing this, Xia Qing finally tilted her head back, resting the back of her head on Ye Shu's shoulder. This position allowed her to look at Ye Shu's chin and profile from below.

"What's wrong? Why are you apologizing?"

Ye Shu poured out her gratitude, her guilt, her aversion to the 9-to-5 cubicle life, her feelings about the Qianxue Group, and the kidnapping she had witnessed that night.

Xia Qing listened quietly without saying a word, just kept eating her candied hawthorn.

After Ye Shu finished speaking, she sat up straight, took the bamboo skewer in her hand, and gently pricked Ye Shu's lips with the tip, saying with a hint of disgust:

"How come I never realized you were so prone to overthinking? Ye Shu, why have you become so indecisive lately?"

She threw away the bamboo skewer in her hand, took out a string of candied hawthorns from the bag, and stuffed it directly into Ye Shu's mouth before he could speak, effectively silencing his explanation.

Then she stretched out her arm, put her arm around Ye Shu's neck, and pulled him closer to her.

Xia Qing looked into his eyes and said very seriously:

"Let me tell you, Ye Shu, our family has enough to eat and drink right now. It's not time for you to go out and work hard to support the family. Do whatever you want to do now. If you want to continue making coffee in the coffee shop, then keep doing it. If you want to go over there and see the world, then go. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Even if the sky falls, your dad will hold it up."

At the same time, An Jianxing, who was massaging his wife's feet at home, sneezed.

Ye Shu felt that something was off about what he was saying.

Xia Qing continued:

"At worst, I'll take care of you from now on. Just be my little boyfriend, you hear me?"

These words were spoken with great confidence, but in fact, it wouldn't be a problem for Xia Qing to support Ye Shu now, even without An Jianxing.

Ye Shu was a little speechless after being bombarded with this invitation to be a kept man, and could only blurt out:

"Why are you saying that too? Huh!"

Upon hearing his words, Xia Qing tightened her grip on Ye Shu's neck, trapping it between her arms and his neck.

"What do you mean, 'you'?! Who said they'd take care of you?!"

Xia Qing's eyebrows, which had just landed smoothly, suddenly flew up again.

Ye Shu's eyes rolled back as she was being strangled, and she quickly slapped her arm with her hand:

"Relax... I can't breathe! It's... it's Sister Zhi Qiu, Sister Zhi Qiu said it!"

Hearing it was Zhi Qiu, Xia Qing loosened her grip slightly, but not completely. She snorted, pouted, and muttered:

"Tch... how come they're always one step ahead of me in everything?"

However, this indomitable spirit instantly turned into action. With another force, she pulled Ye Shu towards herself and pressed Ye Shu's entire face into her arms.

Ye Shu pressed his face against her sweater, let out a muffled groan, and lay sprawled on the sofa in an extremely awkward position, unable to move.

Xia Qing held his head, resting her chin on his forehead, and asked:

Did you agree to be with her back then?

Ye Shu buried her face in her chest, making it difficult to speak.

"No……"

Hearing this answer, Xia Qing was delighted and chuckled. Then she loosened her grip a little, allowing Ye Shu to lift his head, but her arms remained wrapped around him.

"Then promise me now, promise me you'll let me take care of you, and I'll be the first one! Say it now, promise!"