Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Qu Zhen released Ding Wenjie's arm, stepped forward, and said gently, "Little Ding, we meet again."

Baima emerged from behind Ding Heng and grabbed Quzhen's arm, crying, "Mom!"

Qu Zhen looked down at her daughter, her eyes smiling, but her tone was still habitually questioning: "Have you been good these past few days?"

"Good boy! Very good boy!"

Baima immediately straightened her back and said in a loud voice, "If you don't believe me, ask your brother!"

As she spoke, she desperately tried to wink at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng received the signal and nodded without changing his expression: "Yes, Bai Ma has indeed been quite well-behaved these past few days."

Bai Ma secretly breathed a sigh of relief and gave him a thumbs up.

Seeing her daughter's guilty look, Qu Zhen knew that she was probably up to something again.

But in front of so many people, she didn't expose him, and just gave a faint "hmm".

Qu Zhen then turned to Hua Qing, recognizing her as the girl she had seen before: "Xiao Qing is here too?"

Hua Qing stepped forward and greeted them generously: "Hello, Uncle, hello, Aunt."

Qu Zhen took out a small brocade box from her bag and handed it to Hua Qing: "We met in a hurry last time, so I didn't have time to prepare. Here, take this as a gift."

Hua Qing was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng nodded slightly.

Hua Qing took the brocade box with both hands and opened it. Inside was a white jade pendant, with exquisite carving and a warm, lustrous texture.

"This is too valuable..."

"It's not worth much money, just wear it for fun."

"Keep it; it's a token of your Aunt Quzhen's appreciation."

"Thank you, Auntie..."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Hua Qing calmly accepted the gift.

It was already 8 p.m. when we got back to the villa.

Sister Jiang spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, and the dining table was piled high with food.

Baima sat down first, her chopsticks flying as she deftly grabbed a large shrimp.

Qu Zhen glanced at her, smiled helplessly, and turned to Ding Heng: "Xiao Ding, Bai Ma will be transferring to Xingcheng after the New Year. I'll have to trouble you, as her older brother, to take good care of her."

Ding Heng replied politely, "Of course, has the school made all the arrangements?"

"Secretary Huang is making the contact, and it's almost finalized."

Qu Zhen then turned to Ding Wenjie, "In addition, your father and I have discussed it, and we plan to go out for a trip after the New Year."

"Where?"

"It's not decided yet; it could be domestic or international."

Ding Wenjie chimed in, "Your Aunt Qu Zhen has been busy with work these past few years and hasn't had much rest. Luckily, she won't have much to do next year, so she can travel around a bit."

Ding Heng looked at his father, then at Qu Zhen, and roughly understood what was going on.

Qu Zhen lost her husband when she was young and has worked hard all by herself to raise her children and build her career.

Now I want to take a break and make up for the scenery I missed in my youth.

It's a time when people reach middle age and can finally have a love affair that isn't about daily necessities or future prospects.

Ding Heng smiled and said, "Then you guys have fun, don't worry about things at home."

Qu Zhen then turned to Hua Qing: "Xiao Qing, it's the Tibetan New Year on the second day of the lunar calendar. We're going back to Tibet. Do you want to come and have some fun?"

Hua Qing was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng spoke up for her: "Auntie, Hua Qing has to prepare for the competition after the New Year, so she can't leave."

Qu Zhen nodded, not pressuring him: "Then come again next time you have the chance."

Hua Qing lowered her eyes, secretly relieved.

While I felt relieved, I also felt a little lost that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

After dinner, Qu Zhen and Ding Wenjie went out to see their old friends.

Bai Ma dashed upstairs and into her gaming room.

The living room fell silent, leaving only Ding Heng and Hua Qing.

"Let's go back inside, wash up, and go to sleep."

Ding Heng stood up.

Hua Qing hummed in agreement and followed the man back to the room.

The bathroom on the second floor was very large. After taking a shower, Hua Qing changed into the pajamas that Secretary Huang had prepared in advance.

A light gray cotton maxi dress, simple in style, soft in texture, and very comfortable to wear.

She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at the river view outside the window.

The Xiang River flowed quietly in the night, and Hua Qing's mind was in turmoil.

What will Ding Heng do to her after he finishes showering?

After all, there was only one last unspoken understanding between them.

But if he really wants to do something, should she refuse? Can she refuse?

Hua Qing's face flushed slightly, and it took her a while to suppress the chaotic thoughts.

The bathroom door opened.

Ding Heng was wearing the same dark gray pajamas, his hair was still a little wet, he casually wiped it a couple of times with a towel and threw it aside.

He walked to the bedside, lifted the blanket, crawled in, and reached out to pull Hua Qing into his arms.

"Thank you for your hard work, senior."

"Fortunately."

Ding Heng rested his chin on her head and said lazily, "Go to sleep."

Hua Qing hummed in response, her body stiffened slightly, and then slowly relaxed.

In the past, when Ding Heng hugged her, she would turn her back to him and curl up into a small ball, like a snail hiding in its shell.

But this time, Hua Qing gently turned over to face Ding Heng.

The man's chest was warm, and his heartbeat was steady and strong, each beat reaching her ears.

"Good night."

"Good night……"

Hua Qing snuggled closer to Ding Heng, her forehead resting against his collarbone, her nose catching a faint scent of shower gel.

She closed her eyes.

A gentle breeze blew outside the window, causing the curtains to sway slightly.

It's very quiet.

Chapter 146: The Fairy vs. the Fox Spirit (Part 1)

The next morning, Ding Heng and Hua Qing got up early and went downstairs to prepare breakfast.

The living room was quiet. Sister Jiang was busy in the kitchen, but Secretary Huang had not yet appeared.

As soon as Ding Heng entered the restaurant, he was surprised to see Bai Ma sitting obediently at the table.

The little girl, unusually, didn't stay in bed and was dressed neatly.

Her long hair was tied into two loose braids that hung down in front of her chest. A creamy white turtleneck sweater wrapped around her small body, and the neckline supported her cute little face.

Ding Heng pulled out a chair and sat down, jokingly asking, "Bai Ma, are you still awake?"

Baima rolled her eyes in annoyance: "How could that be? Look how energetic I am!"

As she spoke, she deliberately straightened her back, widened her eyes, and tried to prove that she was full of energy.

Ding Heng asked in bewilderment, "Then why are you up so early? Did the sun rise in the west?"

Bai Ma pouted, picked up her coffee and took another sip: "I have something to do today, I'm going out to meet someone I met online."

"Netizens?"

Ding Heng didn't pay much attention, only reminding him, "Be careful."

Baima waved her hand, her tone relaxed: "Don't worry, it's a woman. We've known each other for quite a while, and we were planning to meet her when we came to Xingcheng."

Ding Heng sarcastically remarked, "Who can tell the difference between genders online? Have you forgotten what you've been doing all this time?"

Bai Ma playfully stuck out her tongue, stopped talking, and lowered her head, pretending to concentrate on drinking her coffee.

Qu Zhen and Ding Wenjie hadn't gotten up yet when Secretary Huang came downstairs with a tablet in his hand. He sat down next to Baima and began to gossip about today's arrangements.

"Bai Ma, you must be back before nine o'clock tonight..."

"Okay, okay..."

Baima dragged out her words, aimlessly poking at the fried egg on her plate.

After finishing breakfast, Ding Heng and Hua Qing got up to say goodbye.

The car drove out of the villa area and headed towards Hua Qing's house.

Hua Qing sat in the passenger seat, looking slightly dazed.

Upon arriving at their destination, Ding Heng parked the car.

"What are you thinking about, senior?"

"nothing."

Hua Qing withdrew her gaze and unbuckled her seatbelt: "Today is the last day of class. I need to arrange their training plan for the next month. You may have to wait a little longer for me."