It fell from his fingertips

Tang Luoqing didn't know how to respond to that.

Regardless of whether she was troubled or not, the things she bought were already in the trunk of Zhou Jinbai's car. If she were asked to take them out herself, she wouldn't be able to carry them, and if she asked Zhou Jinbai for help, he would probably refuse.

After hesitating for a long time, Tang Luoqing thanked Zhou Jinbai.

"No need to be so polite, get in the car."

Zhou Jinbai stepped aside and raised his hand to shield the top of the rear door to prevent Tang Luoqing from bumping her head when she got in the car.

Tang Luoqing noticed this small gesture, her cheeks flushed, she lowered her head and got into the car.

The car slowly started and sped towards the new residential area.

The distance was too short for Tang Luoqing to worry about making the atmosphere in the back seat awkward before they arrived at the underground parking lot.

Assistant Shen and the driver each carried a bag and followed them into the elevator. When the elevator doors opened, the two placed the bags at Tang Luoqing's door and then politely left in the elevator.

Outside the huge elevator and between the two houses facing each other, only Tang Luoqing and Zhou Jinbai remained.

"Thank you, brother."

Tang Luoqing politely thanked her again, turned around, took out her key, and opened the door.

She opened the door, intending to carry the two bags inside to avoid further contact with Zhou Jinbai, but to her surprise, she found that the items were too heavy for her to lift.

The next moment, a large hand reached out from her right side, where she was holding the bag. The man's warm palm accidentally brushed against the back of Tang Luoqing's hand, and a deep voice reached her ears.

"I'll do it."

Tang Luoqing reflexively withdrew her hand and took a step back to give Zhou Jinbai some space.

Zhou Jinbai carried two bags into the living room and asked Tang Luoqing where to put them.

"This is fine."

Tang Luoqing quickly walked two steps to the open kitchen counter and gestured for Zhou Jinbai to put the items on the counter.

Zhou Jinbai put his things away, and the two remained silent. Tang Luoqing felt awkward again and wanted to ask him to leave, but she also felt that it would be like kicking someone after they had served their purpose.

"Um, would you like some water?"

Tang Luoqing pursed her lips, but still took the initiative to ask.

Thinking to himself, Zhou Jinbai would probably just have a glass of water and then leave, right?

"Okay, thank you."

Tang Luoqing: "..."

Why is Zhou Jinbai so rude? Doesn't he know what she means? Why is he still...?

However, thinking back, he had said more than once that his bottom line at the time was that Zhou Yanchen was good to her, which gave her the illusion that she was constantly watching whether Zhou Yanchen would be good to her.

Tang Luoqing took a deep breath, knowing she shouldn't let her mind wander. She went into the kitchen, took out a newly bought clean glass, rinsed it again, and then went to the water dispenser to get water.

After pouring a glass of warm water, Tang Luoqing gestured for Zhou Jinbai to walk to the living room sofa and said, "Please sit down and have some water."

Just then, Milk Candy appeared out of nowhere and darted to Zhou Jinbai's feet, rubbing against his trouser leg.

Tang Luoqing was startled and quickly picked up Naitang, taking a step back: "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"

Zhou Jinbai looked at the cat in Tang Luoqing's arms and chuckled, "I'm not afraid of a little cat."

Tang Luoqing twitched the corner of her mouth but didn't say anything.

Zhou Jinbai pointed to the pile of wood and decorations on the balcony and asked, "A cat tree?"

Tang Luoqing followed Zhou Jinbai's gaze and couldn't help but sigh: "Yes, I bought it several days ago. I thought it would be easy to assemble, but I found that I overestimated myself. I failed many times and I'm considering paying someone to assemble it."

"Can I try?"

Zhou Jinbai withdrew his gaze and looked at Tang Luoqing.

Tang Luoqing was stunned: "What? You...you?"

Zhou Jinbai nodded slightly: "I used to enjoy tinkering with building blocks when I was little, so maybe that can help you."

Tang Luoqing shook her head shyly: "No need, brother, actually..."

"Can't you call me by my name? I have a name."

Tang Luoqing's cheeks flushed again.

Of course she knew Zhou Jinbai had a name; he had even solemnly reintroduced himself once again.

It was that self-introduction that made Tang Luoqing realize something, to the point that...

Tang Luoqing fell silent.

She didn't really want to call Zhou Jinbai's name unless absolutely necessary.

Seeing Zhou Jinbai walk to the cat tree assembly materials, Tang Luoqing couldn't help but hug Naitang and walk over with him.

Zhou Jinbai did not start assembling immediately. Instead, he asked Tang Luoqing for the assembly diagrams, studied them for a while, and then began to work.

He moved slowly and steadily, and in just over ten minutes he had set up a corner of the cat tree. Naitang jumped down from Tang Luoqing's arms and ran around Zhou Jinbai, sometimes rummaging through the cat tree materials, sometimes rubbing against Zhou Jinbai's calves.

While assembling the equipment, Zhou Jinbai reached out and gently patted Naitang's little head.

Milk Candy rubbed its head against Zhou Jinbai's palm.

Tang Luoqing seemed somewhat superfluous.

Just then, her stomach started growling, and Tang Luoqing realized that she had been busy all afternoon and hadn't eaten anything.

"Um, big..."

Tang Luoqing wanted to call out "Big Brother," but after saying just one word, she met Zhou Jinbai's deep gaze.

The man's gaze was not cold at all, completely different from his usual aloof and cold demeanor. The warm-toned light reflected the twinkling stars outside the window, making him appear much more refined and gentle.

Even so, Tang Luoqing was too embarrassed to continue shouting.

She coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment: "Um, I'll go cook. Do you have any... dietary restrictions?"

"Are you going to treat me to dinner?"

Zhou Jinbai stopped assembling what he was doing and looked at Tang Luoqing intently.

Tang Luoqing felt uncomfortable being stared at. She lowered her head, hummed in agreement, and added, "You helped me, and even helped me assemble the cat tree. It's only natural for me to treat you to a meal."

"Yes, thank you."

"..."

Tang Luoqing couldn't stand being on the balcony any longer, so she quickened her pace and went to the open kitchen.

She was quite skilled and quick in her work; before long, the living room was filled with the delicate aroma of food.

Tang Luoqing was making soup when she turned around to get something and inadvertently glanced towards the balcony.

On the spacious balcony, a man and a cat enjoy a quiet and comfortable time. The man has a refined and handsome profile, while the kitten is soft, cute, and adorable.

In a daze, Tang Luoqing recalled living in Zhou Yanchen's house for so long, but she had never experienced such a quiet yet exceptionally relaxed way of getting along with a cat and a person like this before.

Tang Luoqing was momentarily stunned.

She rested her chin on her hand, becoming increasingly engrossed in her gaze.

Until the other person seemed to sense something and turned around, their eyes met unexpectedly.

Tang Luoqing's breath caught in her throat. She quickly turned around and leaned against the table, breathing heavily but daring not to make a sound.

But what they didn't see was Zhou Jinbai on the balcony, who put down what he was holding, covered his lips with his hand, and a smile he couldn't suppress appeared on his face.