New Love No. 1: Have you kissed me enough, President?

The next morning, Long Yubei was scheduled to leave on a business trip to inspect a subsidiary in another city. Before his departure, he handed her a compact, silenced pistol and a dagger.

Originally, he had been concerned that Gu Lili wouldn't be able to aim properly even with a gun in hand, so he had asked Tang Qingli to give her some proper instruction. To his surprise, they returned in just half an hour—barely enough time for him to finish breakfast.

Only then did he learn that she had merely mimicked Tang Qingli's shooting posture and, after firing several dozen rounds in that brief span, managed to hit the bullseye.

Long Yubei was deeply gratified. To have a wife who learned with such astonishing speed—it truly saved him both time and energy.

After breakfast, he departed. Gu Lili, unwilling to stay home alone, chose to return to Xiliang Mountain on her own.

Tang Qingli had suggested she bring an escort, but she declined. On the mountain, she could manage just fine by herself. Bringing others along would only complicate things—even cooking would become a hassle.

She drove back alone. Though the house had been aired out for over a month, a faint scent of fresh paint still lingered in the rooms.

But she had no intention of sleeping indoors in such sweltering heat.

During summers in the past, she loved sleeping in the courtyard. Now, she preferred the rooftop.

She laid a bamboo mat over the bedding, lit mosquito incense, hung up a net, and let the mountain breeze lull her to sleep—so blissful it surpassed even the comfort of air conditioning.

No matter where she lived, this place would always be home.

She spent the entire morning cleaning and tidying, and just as she finished preparing lunch, Gu Xichen arrived.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

"I heard you were back for a short stay, so I decided to do the same. Honestly, I don't like staying here alone. But since you're around, it feels less eerie," he said with a cheerful air, stepping inside. "Perfect timing—you've just finished cooking, and I haven't eaten yet."

Gu Lili eyed him seriously. "You heard I was back? From whom? Were you having me followed?"

"I wouldn't go that far. I saw you passing by Qinyuan, and Captain Tang mentioned it."

She handed him a pair of chopsticks and scooped a bowl of rice for him. The two sat across from each other and began to eat.

"Your cooking's improved."

"Of course. I've been learning from our family's chef," she said, then added, "Aren't you supposed to be at your company? You're a high-ranking executive, after all."

"Executives are still human—we need vacations too."

"You also have a half-brother from your stepmother. You'd better stay vigilant—she's dying to see her son surpass you."

Gu Xichen knew this all too well. "Is that concern I hear in your voice?"

"Master spent his life refusing to divorce, holding onto the position of the legitimate wife—perhaps partly for your sake. I hope you inherit the Gu family business and crush that woman and her son beneath your feet. If he's watching from the afterlife, I'm sure it would bring him peace."

His eyes darkened. "I will."

"Then fight for it."

…

Gu Lili had never imagined she'd be bored enough to spend the whole afternoon playing cards with Gu Xichen. They played for money—100 yuan per loss—and by the end of it, she had won over two thousand.

Gu Xichen raised an eyebrow. "I'm beginning to suspect your sudden interest in playing cards was all a setup—you knew you'd win. You little money-grubbing imp."

"If you lose, take it like a man," she said as she gathered her winnings. "It's time to make dinner. Go stoke the stove."

"Don't we have gas and electricity? That should be enough to cook."

"Nothing tastes as good as food cooked over a real fire. We've got piles of wood—might as well use it."

"Save it for the winter—it's perfect for keeping warm."

Gu Lili arched an eyebrow. "The rooms all have heating and air-conditioning. Are you seriously thinking of huddling by the fire in winter?"

"…"

Without another word, Gu Xichen went off to start the fire while she began preparing dinner.

As he sat and watched her busy figure moving through the kitchen, a faint melancholy stirred in his heart.

If only time could turn back, he thought. If it could, I would marry her without a second thought.