The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

For several days in a row, Zoro did not show up again.

No one knows whether he gave up after his setback or lay low in the shadows, plotting something even bigger.

Xu Nian and Xu Xi, on the other hand, found some peace and quiet and took advantage of the free time to explore all the sights of Hawaii.

The sunset over Waikiki Beach, the expansive view of Diamond Head, the crystal-clear waters of Hanauma Bay, and the wild scenery of Kualoa Ranch... everywhere bears the marks of their journey together.

Watching the tides rise and fall, feeling the evening breeze carrying the scent of sea salt, and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of a foreign land, this undisturbed time was spent in comfort and peace.

During their time together, something became an unspoken habit between the two of them.

Every night before bed and every morning after waking up, Xu Xi would serve him a cup of freshly squeezed coconut water that she had brewed herself.

At first, he was somewhat resistant, but he couldn't resist the refreshing and sweet taste of coconut juice. Over time, this unique drink, full of shame, made him addicted to it and unable to extricate himself.

After finishing one cup, you'll secretly long for another.

However, if he were to have another drink, he would inevitably have to put in some effort.

That evening, the two returned from their outing and, as they approached their hotel room, noticed a letter tucked diagonally under the door.

Xu Xi took off his sunglasses, bent down to pick them up, opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, and lowered his eyes to read it silently.

Dear Miss Xu:

Soon, I will return to North Carolina to follow my father's arrangements and take over a business marriage between people of equal social standing.

I apologize for my intrusion during this time and for any trouble I may have caused you both.

I often reminisce about the moment we first met. Your unique oriental charm, gentle and elegant, touched my heart with every smile and gesture, and remains unforgettable to this day.

I long to go back to the time we first met, to walk with you again along the paths we once walked, and to relive that brief period of time.

Ultimately, you will find your own love, while I can only accept the marriage arranged by my family. Those past thoughts will eventually be sealed away in my memories.

As our parting is imminent, I would like to host a banquet and invite you and your fiancé to have a few drinks together. Firstly, to apologize for my previous rudeness, and secondly, to give this inappropriate encounter a dignified end.

I sincerely hope that you two will not refuse.

Zoro

At the end of the letter, the name and detailed address of a local bar were prominently printed.

Is this finally a sign that they want to give up?

Xu Nian took the letter from Xu Xi, quickly scanned it, and a disdainful smile curled at the corner of her lips: "A weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken, it's all ill intentions."

"Oh, you've even learned to use proverbs now?" Xu Xi looked up at him, raised her eyebrows slightly, and gently lifted his chin with her fingertip, her tone slightly teasing.

"But he treated us to drinks! Why don't you say 'a fool wouldn't take advantage of a good deal' this time?"

Xu Nian's lips twitched slightly, a slight heat rising throughout her body from her flirtatious little gesture.

Although Little Flame doesn't strictly restrict his drinking like Little Stream does, she'll sometimes have a couple of drinks with him when she's in the mood, and flirt with him in her tipsy state.

But when the object of his interest was Zoro, he couldn't muster the slightest interest.

Even though he could gain an advantage, he was unwilling to sit at the same table and drink with that seemingly charming but despicable man.

"Forget it, don't go." Xu Nian frowned, her tone full of resistance. "This guy is up to no good. This dinner is obviously a trap. Who knows what kind of snare he's set up for us."

Xu Xi smiled gently, her eyes curving into crescent moons: "But I want to keep my appointment."

Xu Nian was taken aback, and subconsciously raised her hand to place it on her forehead to check her temperature, murmuring softly, "You don't have a fever, why are you talking nonsense?"

"I'm not joking with you." Xu Xi gently pushed his hand away, her expression calming down a bit. "He already said he wanted to see me one last time, and he's gone this far, so I have to give him that face."

Xu Nian's brows furrowed even more, utterly bewildered: "You clearly knew he had ulterior motives, that this was a trap he set, so why did you insist on walking right into it?"

Xu Xi smiled sweetly, raised her small hand, and gently touched his lips with her fingertips. Her voice was soft yet tinged with a hint of mischief: "Tell me, at the Feast at Hongmen, who invited whom?"

"Xiang Yu invited Liu Bang." Xu Nian blurted out almost without thinking.

"So in the end, who won and who lost?"

"Liu Bang won, Xiang Yu lost."

That solves it.

"But..." Xu Nian then realized that she had been tricked.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something in rebuttal, but found he couldn't find a single word to say.

Seeing his stunned expression, Xu Xi smiled even more deeply, stood on tiptoe, raised her hand to hug his neck, and gently kissed his lips.

The moment their lips touched, she released her hand, whispered in his ear in a soft, alluring voice.

"Think about it, I'm a girl, going out alone to a date. What if I get drunk? That would be so dangerous. You'll definitely come with me, right?"

A warm breath brushed past her ear, and soft, tender words were spoken.

Seeing that Xu Xi was determined to leave, Xu Nian didn't want to stop him too much.

Xu Xi has always been in charge of things outside the home.

She has her reasons for going.

However, he was naturally worried about Xu Xi going to the appointment alone, so he had no choice but to compromise.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

"Good boy." Xu Xi smiled and her eyes crinkled as she reached out and ruffled his hair, as if praising her little brother as an obedient and sensible older sister.

After turning around and walking into the dressing room, the smile on Xu Xi's face instantly faded, and all the gentleness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a coldness.

Although Zoro's letter was sincere and heartfelt, every word conveyed relief and apology.

But in her eyes, it was nothing more than a deliberately disguised illusion.

Having been in the business world for many years, she knew all too well the methods of these kinds of people. The more gentle they appeared on the surface, the deeper their scheming was. Zoro, that old fox, had never given up on his scheming.

She has always been indifferent to the open and covert struggles in the business world. It is normal for people to scheme and compete with each other. She has never claimed to be innocent. In order to gain a foothold, she will never hesitate to use necessary means.

If Zoro wants to target her, she can ignore it, treating it as a fair competition where the outcome depends on individual skill.

But the one thing she couldn't tolerate was that Zoro had set his sights on Xu Nian and used threats to achieve his own goals.

These past few days, she outwardly accompanied Xu Nian on sightseeing, appearing completely relaxed, but secretly she had already sent people everywhere to investigate Xun Long's whereabouts, hoping to find an opportunity to make him pay the price for his actions.

However, due to the lack of clues, they have been unable to take action for a long time.

Now, things have taken a turn for the better. Before she even came looking for him, Zoro has come to her on his own initiative.

This is hardly a farewell apology; it's clearly an opportunity delivered to our doorstep.

So even though she knew this was a trap set by Zoro for her, she was still going to try and take the plunge.

As for why she insisted on bringing Xu Nian along, firstly, Zoro's invitation included both of them, and secondly, she was afraid that Zoro would secretly harm Xu Nian after she left.

As long as Xu Nian stays by her side, with her protection and the company of Long Teng and others, her safety will definitely be guaranteed.