The warmth of family

They arrived at the airport entrance.

Two cars were parked there, and his father's driver, Uncle Li, had come as well.

"Mom, you three can take Uncle Li's car. Chi Chi and I will take the one behind it!"

Without waiting for his mother or the others to agree, Lin Chao Ci made the arrangements.

As he spoke, he pulled Qin Chi Chi into the car. After stowing the suitcase and closing the door, he told the driver to leave.

"Tsk, tsk. Our big brother gets a wife and forgets his family!"

"He's so mean! I wanted to sit with him!"

"Wonderful! At this rate, Chi Chi will be my daughter-in-law before long!"

The three watched the car drive away, each filled with a different mix of emotions.

Meanwhile, in the car already heading home.

Lin Chao Ci stole a glance at Qin Chi Chi. Her expression looked normal, so she had probably cooled down.

His efforts to get her into a separate car and create some time alone together had not been wasted.

Lin Chao Ci tentatively reached over, hoping to hold Qin Chi Chi's small, soft hand.

Her little hand, however, proved as hard to catch as a pig before the New Year slaughter.

Although Qin Chi Chi had forgiven Lin Chao Ci, she still wanted to tease him a little rather than let his scheme succeed.

Not just anyone gets to hold my hand.

Feeling rather haughty, Qin Chi Chi smiled and darted her hand left and right, deliberately keeping it out of Lin Chao Ci's reach.

After several failed attempts, Lin Chao Ci realized she was doing it on purpose.

"Ahem... I almost forgot. I prepared a special gift for you!"

Something in his pocket pressed uncomfortably against him, reminding Lin Chao Ci that he had prepared gifts for both his family and Qin Chi Chi.

He had been so busy that he had forgotten to give them out.

Luckily, he had remembered in time to make up for it. Lin Chao Ci pulled an exquisitely packaged box from his pocket and handed it to Qin Chi Chi.

Qin Chi Chi took the gift box and froze for a moment. Then an uncontrollable smile spread across her face, and she happily opened it.

"There's nothing inside. Where's the gift?"

Qin Chi Chi was dumbfounded when she opened the box. It was completely empty.

Wondering whether she had missed something, she inspected the box inside and out, but still found no trace of a gift.

Puzzled, Qin Chi Chi asked Lin Chao Ci about it.

Lin Chao Ci smiled without answering and brought a white bracelet out from behind his back.

The white bracelet was exceptionally elegant, made from clear quartz and premium white jade, with even the chain crafted from silver.

Lin Chao Ci had specially commissioned the necklace.

He had little choice. The luxury bracelets available these days had terrible designs and looked far too ugly.

With an eye informed by decades of future trends, Lin Chao Ci could not appreciate them at all.

He did not want to waste his money. Rather than let those businesses profit, he might as well have someone make one himself.

He planned to establish a luxury goods company in the future anyway, so this was a good chance to familiarize himself with the process.

"Wow! What a beautiful bracelet!"

Qin Chi Chi's eyes sparkled when she saw it. She fell in love with its shape and design at first sight.

It was simply gorgeous!

Her family had all sorts of luxury goods, diamonds, and jewelry, yet none could compare to this bracelet.

Lin Chao Ci handed the bracelet to Qin Chi Chi. She received it in both hands and eagerly slipped it onto her wrist, admiring it from every angle, utterly delighted.

"Well? Beautiful, isn't it? I had this bracelet specially made!"

Seeing how much Qin Chi Chi liked his gift, Lin Chao Ci breathed a sigh of relief and shifted closer until he was pressed against her.

Soft, smooth skin, a fair complexion, and a faint fragrance.

Lin Chao Ci slyly reached out and slipped an arm around Qin Chi Chi.

With the beauty in his arms, Lin Chao Ci felt invigorated, and a smile unconsciously spread across his face.

Qin Chi Chi had been stealing glances at Lin Chao Ci all along, so naturally, she noticed his little movements. But she neither refused nor pulled away.

Qin Chi Chi liked Lin Chao Ci too. Had she not been a little jealous at the airport, they would have been cuddling as soon as they got into the car.

She also enjoyed the warmth of Lin Chao Ci's embrace.

Neither spoke as they savored the quiet moment.

Neither knew how much time had passed.

"Beep, beep, beep!"

A tapping came at the window, accompanied by a familiar voice. "Qingzhou, Qingzhou, come look! Chao Ci and Chi Chi are hugging! They're so close! Ooh, ooh, ooh..."

Hearing the voice, Lin Chao Ci and Qin Chi Chi looked up at the window in confusion.

They immediately spotted Lin Weiyi with her face pressed up to the window, staring intently into the car. She bounced around like a little monkey, excitedly calling to Lin Qingzhou beside her.

Lin Chao Ci glanced around in confusion, then realized with some embarrassment that the car had long since arrived at No. 1 in the municipal Party committee compound.

Lin Weiyi and the others had just arrived behind them. After looking inside the house and finding no sign of Lin Chao Ci or Qin Chi Chi, they noticed that the car was still idling.

Lin Weiyi had come over to take a peek.

And immediately caught sight of Lin Chao Ci and Qin Chi Chi in each other's arms.

"Ahem... Let's get inside. Mom and Dad have been waiting!"

The two awkwardly separated. Lin Chao Ci straightened his clothes and ignored Lin Weiyi's amused gaze as he calmly reminded everyone.

As he spoke, he walked toward the house, brushing straight past the incident as though nothing had happened.

Lin Chao Ci did not mind, but he had to spare Qin Chi Chi any embarrassment. When Lin Weiyi caught up, he leaned toward her ear and whispered, "Little princess, some things aren't for you to blurt out. Be good and listen!"

"Hehehe, don't worry, big brother. My lips are sealed!"

Seeing her brother's serious expression, Lin Weiyi knew this was no joke and nodded in agreement.

Qin Chi Chi took several deep breaths to calm herself, then straightened her clothes before slowly getting out of the car and hurrying after Lin Chao Ci.

They entered the house together.

Inside, their father sat on the sofa, leisurely reading that day's newspaper.

Their mother had gone into the kitchen and was preparing lunch with the housekeeper.

The whole house felt warm and welcoming.

Lin Chao Ci led his younger brother and sister over to their father.

"Dad! Did you miss me?"

The moment Lin Weiyi saw her father, she trotted over and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, grinning as she spoke.

"Well, if it isn't our little princess!"

Their father's face broke into a broad smile at the sight of his darling daughter.

His normally stern features were now filled with tenderness.

Lin Qingzhou, the second son, was usually a little afraid of his father. He simply stood politely to one side and greeted him. "Father, I'm home!"

"Mm-hmm!"

Their father nodded casually, giving his second son a thoroughly perfunctory response before turning back to fuss over his precious youngest daughter. "It's already seven or eight degrees below zero in the capital. Do you have enough clothes? Should I get you a few thick padded coats..."

Both resigned and amused, Lin Chao Ci drew Lin Qingzhou and Qin Chi Chi over to sit on the other sofa.

His father was utterly obsessed with spoiling his daughter.