After hearing Nangong Cai’s questions, Mo Zichen replied, “Cai Jie, in my heart, I have always treated you like an older sister. You know how I am, I always express my standpoint clearly.”

“I know, but if you’re​ interested in her, you shouldn’t upset her!”

“It’s OK if I’m heartbroken, but someone else must be happy for me to feel like my heartbreak is worth it!” Nangong Cai said. “That’s enough, you still have class. I’m going to leave.”

Mo Zichen nodded his head, but his heart felt a little strange after knowing that Qian Lan saw him with Nangong Cai.

That night, he was sent on a solo mission, so it took a little longer than usual. It wasn’t until 3am that he finally returned home. But...in the same spot outside his apartment as last time, he found the same person waiting for him.

“You’re back,” Qian Lan smiled when she saw Mo Zichen. “For some reason, I feel like you are a bit different during the night compared to the day.”

Mo Zichen approached Qian Lan and was quickly overwhelmed by the stench of alcohol on her body. He did not look happy, “This woman, how dare you drink so much alcohol and sit here all by yourself?”

“No one would dare come near me...I have pepper spray!” Qian Lan said in drunk state.

Mo Zichen had no choice but to help her into his apartment. He then led her to the bathroom and helped her wash her face.

“Are you awake now?”

With the shock from the cold water, Qian Lan’s mind cleared a little. When she noticed she was sitting on the edge of a bathtub, her face turned red in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, I’ve embarrassed myself in front of you...You must find me annoying. I got drunk because I was rejected and I even came all the way to your home...”

After apologizing, Qian Lan stood up and held onto the wall. She tried to guide herself out of Mo Zichen’s apartment but ended up tripping on a rug on the floor.

Mo Zichen quickly tried to support her, but she pushed him away, “I feel like I’m a huge failure who can’t even control her own life.”

Mo Zichen understood that Qian Lan was a woman who dreamed of a normal life, free from her parent’s restraint.

“You must think I’m a mess.”

Mo Zichen did not say a word because he didn’t know what to say.

Unable to hold back her emotions anymore, Qian Lan broke down in tears. Even though she looked really vulnerable, she accepted it.

Mo Zichen watched this kind-hearted woman from behind and couldn’t hold back anymore. In the end, he approached her from behind and gently patted her on the back of the head, “You’re different.”

“Huh?” Qian Lan didn’t know how to react.

“You know what I’m talking about!” Mo Zichen said as he led her over to the sofa.

Qian Lan tried to understand what Mo Zichen meant, but because of the alcohol, she couldn’t think straight.

“This is my first time drinking alcohol. Let me think about this for a second...”

Mo Zichen couldn’t help but laugh as he headed to his room to grab a blanket. By the time he returned, Qian Lan was already asleep on the sofa.

Mo Zichen did not disturb her. Instead, he went to fetch her a pillow so she could sleep more comfortably.

...

If not for her background, Qian Lan was actually a very simple woman. So simple that even an extra in the entertainment industry was more impressive than her.

But, this simpleness was what made Mo Zichen feel comfortable.

Perhaps, due to his job as an intelligence officer, this kind of simpleness was what he longed for.

Mo Zichen had good self control, especially when it came to his emotions. Even when it came to his family, he resisted seeing them for 5 years, just so his mother wouldn’t worry about him, so love was no different.

He didn’t want to hurt anyone. After all, as an intelligence officer, he wasn’t entitled to a simple life.

But, now that it was right in front of him, what could he do?

As he looked down at the woman sleeping on his sofa, Mo Zichen felt a complex mix of emotions...

...

The next morning, Qian Lan woke up in Mo Zichen’s apartment. She was only 70% in her right mind last night, so now that she recalled what happened, her face immediately burnt up.

“You’re awake. Go freshen up, breakfast is almost ready.”

Qian Lan looked at Mo Zichen as he walked out with two plates of toast. That was when she suddenly remembered that Mo Zichen had said something important to her the night before, but she couldn’t recall what it was.

So, when they sat down at the dining table, she took the opportunity to ask, “Errr...did you say something important to me last night?”

“I said you were different,” Mo Zichen repeated himself patiently.

After hearing this, Qian Lan finally understood what he meant. She had previously said, ‘I thought I meant something different to you. But, I guess I’m no different to everyone else.’

So, was this a response to those words?

“Then...we...”

Mo Zichen put down the glass of milk in his hand and adjusted the glasses perched on his nose bridge. He then asked, “Qian Lan, when you came looking for me last time, what time did I come home?”

“About 1am.”

“What about last night?” Mo Zichen added.

“Around 3am.”

“Don’t you have anything to ask me?”

Qian Lan shook her head. She did find it strange, but she was sure that he hadn’t gone clubbing or looking for women. The aura he gave off said it all; there was nothing impure about him.

“I won’t say anything about it, because there’s nothing to say. However, I must warn you that this will continue for a long time. What are you going to do about it?” Mo Zichen questioned.

“Do you...have a special reason?” Qian Lan guessed. “If that’s the case, then you don’t need to say anything. I don’t mind.”

“If you can accept all this, then...we could try being together,” Mo Zichen said decisively.

“Really?”

“Yes! Just in case a drunkard invades my apartment again,” Mo Zichen said before he handed Qian Lan a glass of milk.

“Don’t mind my parents. Even if I risk my life, I would never listen to their orders. I will only choose who I want to.”

“Actually, you don’t need to argue that badly with your parents,” Mo Zichen said with a deeper meaning.

“Are you trying to tell me that my family is more important than my partner?”

“What I’m trying to say is, the two things need not oppose each other. I will make sure that your parents are satisfied with me.”

“How?” Qian Lan was extremely curious. Was there perhaps a way that he could change his background?

“Hurry to class after you finish your breakfast. By the way, you didn’t return home all night, won’t your parents be worried?” Mo Zichen reminded. “You should give your mother a call. No matter how angry you are at her, she is still your mother.”

“OK,” Qian Lan nodded. However, she still needed to think about how she was going to communicate with them.

She truly liked Mo Zichen. No matter what his background was, she was already set on him.

Her older sister had already married a big shot, did they need to apply so much pressure on her as well?

Sitting opposite her, Mo Zichen looked at Qian Lan’s stressed expression and laughed...

This silly woman...