Jiang Chengsi’s reckless night at the club also meant a sleepless night for the manager, who stayed awake just in case Jiang had any needs. It was only after cleaning his room in the morning that the manager prepared to clock out.

Yet, Jiang Chengsi suddenly appeared.

"Fourth Master, should I prepare breakfast for you?"

"No need. Just keep watch for me. Don’t let anyone disturb her. If she wakes up, let me know immediately. I’m stepping out for a bit and will be back soon."

The manager, having stayed up all night, was on the verge of going home when given this new task. His headache was starting to set in.

The two Si Family members outside had also persevered through the night, from dusk till dawn. Seeing Jiang Chengsi step out, their eyes lit up, but they couldn’t spot their young miss. As they attempted to approach for inquiries, Jiang Chengsi had already driven off.

Jiang Chengsi didn’t head elsewhere; he drove straight home.

Back home, Jiang Shiyi was making breakfast, with hiking supplies piled up at the entrance, evidently still planning to climb.

"Why are you back?" Jiang Shiyi asked, setting down his chopsticks and assessing him.

His clothes were wrinkled, a conspicuous red mark on the back of his neck, slightly bloodshot eyes, and swollen lips—it was clear he’d had quite the night.

Jiang Shiyi sipped his soy milk.

An inexplicable feeling arose:

His pig actually ventured out to root for cabbage, quite the feat.

He thought this dunce probably didn’t even know how to hold hands with a girl.

"Here to grab a few things." Jiang Chengsi said, heading upstairs.

The reckless abandon of last night led to him tearing Si Qingxiao’s coat, leaving it unwearable. And the mall wasn’t open. He wouldn’t let the club manager prepare clothes for Si Qingxiao either.

If he borrowed clothes from Tang Wan early in the morning and the old lady noticed, everyone would know about this.

Jiang Chengsi had a sister, Jiang Shuyan, previously living at home. Many of her clothes were unworn, so he went to her room to rummage through them. Some even had their tags untouched. Hastily, he pieced an outfit together for Si Qingxiao, changed his own clothes, and prepared to head out.

"Brother, I’m off."

"Really not going to accompany me for a hike?" Jiang Shiyi remark straightforwardly.

Jiang Chengsi was speechless; his brother was definitely the devil!

Early morning, not enough time for his girlfriend, what’s this about hiking?

"Didn’t Miss Si come home last night? Have you informed Mr. Si?" Jiang Shiyi’s words made Jiang Chengsi stiffen.

Jiang Shiyi grinned at him, "Stayed up all night, driving out, be careful. I’ll be home waiting for your return tonight."

The grin was loaded with meaning, as if hinting he wouldn’t be back tonight.

...

The Si Family crew at the club entrance assumed an all-night party had occurred, but with Jiang Fourth Master gone, where was their young miss?

The duo deliberated for ages, eventually deciding to enter the club to investigate. The manager wasn’t at liberty to divulge much, merely saying she was resting. Naturally, the Si Family members needed to ensure Miss was fine for peace of mind, but the manager couldn’t allow them entry.

Before leaving, Fourth Master explicitly instructed not to let anyone inside.

Thus, upon Jiang Chengsi’s return, he found the manager handling the two Si Family members, causing a panic, assuming they were sent by Si Yushan.

"Fourth Master." The pair approached Jiang Chengsi with courtesy, as he was likely their future brother-in-law.

"Why are you here..." Jiang Chengsi asked.

"Actually, Miss asked us to pick her up last night. We’ve been on watch outside all night, but haven’t seen her. This morning we saw you leave, so we came to inquire."

"Your uncle didn’t send you?"

Both shook their heads.

Confirming it wasn’t Si Yushan’s doing, Jiang Chengsi relaxed slightly, telling them:

"She’s still sleeping. Let the manager take you to rest and notify you once she’s awake."

The pair exchanged puzzled looks—sleeping?

In conversation with the manager earlier, they’d been informed Fifth Master and Young Master Qi left last night, meaning Miss and Fourth Master were alone at the club?

This was serious...

Surely something happened.

Si Qingxiao sounded alert on the phone, barely drank, but then didn’t respond to calls or texts. Clearly, something else consumed her time—what event kept one busy all night?

They exchanged silent looks.

...

Si Yushan arose without noticing his daughter hadn’t come home. His back wasn’t doing well, so he maintained morning exercise routines. Once finished, he instructed a servant, "Summon Miss down for breakfast."

His daughter was older now, making it inappropriate for him to knock and enter, thus he sent a housemaid.

But the maid reported, "Miss didn’t return last night."

Si Yushan’s waist-rubbing paused, "What did you say?"

"I knocked this morning, poised to collect laundry, but realized Miss hadn’t returned."

This... again...

Again didn’t return!

What’s up with Jiang Chengsi?

Whenever he took her out, why wouldn’t she come back?

Si Yushan planned to call for answers, but Jiang Chengsi rang him first, "Good morning, Uncle, did I interrupt your rest?"

Jiang Chengsi’s tone was exceptionally sycophantic.

"She didn’t come home again. Do you think I’m having a good morning?"

"..." Jiang Chengsi coughed lightly, "Sorry, Uncle, we drank quite a bit and stayed to rest at the club. I forgot to notify you."

"Then bring her home now." Initially, Si Yushan hadn’t suspected anything amiss, given many attendees last night. Just like last time at Jiang Family, it was just a change of sleeping venue.

But Jiang Chengsi responded:

"Xiaoxiao is still sleeping; it might be a bit later before I can take her home."

"Later? How much later?"

"Once she wakes up."

...

Si Yushan ended the call, gradually piecing together the unusual narrative. His daughter wasn’t prone to oversleeping; even after late nights designing clothes, she’d still rise early to join breakfast. Why sleep this long?

Once the mind starts wandering, tangential thoughts spiral uncontrollably.

Considering Jiang Chengsi’s cautious sycophancy during the call, the picture became clearer.

Normal dating surely involved hugs and kisses, it was inevitable. He knew some things were bound to happen eventually, but he merely slept...

Upon waking, his daughter had been romanced by a pig, it was unsettling.

Though typically inappropriate for a father to question or vent to others about such matters, he could only stew in frustration.

After a brief stint at work, he found himself unmotivated, returning home with intent to see how much later the rascal would deliver his daughter back...

Even after lunch and a nap, their figures continued to elude him.

Did they not sleep all night? Already afternoon, where were they?

**

Yesterday, Si Qingxiao hiked in the morning, accompanied the old lady to an opera in the afternoon, and dined and drank during the night, already tired and weary. To top it off, Jiang Chengsi kept her engaged all night.

That slumber carried on until past two in the afternoon.

Once awake, she opened her eyes to find Jiang Chengsi seated at the window, pen and book in hand, sketching something. Clad in a white shirt, hair slightly long, seemingly veil-like over his brow...

With the window ajar, a breeze occasionally stirred the translucent drapes and his fringe.

All seemed extraordinarily serene and delightful.

But a slight shift from her brought her tumbling from paradise to the ground.

Her body ached—especially her waist and legs!

This was truly a nightmare...

"Awake?" Jiang Chengsi heard her groan, promptly set his book aside, and approached her, "Feeling unwell anywhere?"

His voice sparked memories of last night’s intimacy; her face flushed, she clung tighter to the blanket and shook her head.

"Hungry? I can have someone prepare you a meal. Freshen up first." Jiang Chengsi realized her embarrassment and didn’t linger, "The clothes are in the bag; if anything’s missing, let me know."

After Jiang Chengsi departed, she got up and entered the bathroom. Her reflection revealed markings on her collarbone and neck. She touched them, her face aflame again.

After a quick wash and getting dressed, the warmth she felt inside persisted.

It’s a natural progression—what they both desired—no regrets were there. Besides, her partner was whom she favored. Jiang Chengsi was considerate, even preparing fresh clothes, but...

What was up with these clothes?

The color scheme and overall outfit style were utterly mismatched, devoid of any aesthetic appeal.