Qian Meng was incredibly relieved when she reached the restaurant and found Mo Yize waiting patiently. She was on the patio and from the way Mo Yize looked at her, Qian Meng could tell she looked like a mess.

"Hi?" She greeted as Qian Meng approached, looking aghast by her appearance.

"Sorry I am late," Qian Meng sighed.

"I wasn't waiting for long." She stood up and ushered Qian Meng to her seat at the table. "I already offered you a cold drink. They don't have that abomination you like, so you have to settle for this."

But Qian Meng was all over it the minute it was placed in front of her.

They ordered their food and made some meaningless conversation for a while. They talked about university and who was doing what. It was awkward but it was much better than them screaming at one another every time they saw each other.

By the time their breakfast came, Qian Meng was happy that something could put a stop to the conversation.

"Thank you for coming, Qian Meng," Yize commented randomly as she shoved a piece of food in her mouth.

"Why wouldn't I come?" she asked, looking up in confusion.

"Well, I know you. I can tell you didn't have much sleep last night and that your company is not doing that well right now. And I know you just fell asleep when I called you. But you came out of respect and I am grateful for that. It means a lot."

Qian Meng smiled sheepishly. "Is it that obvious?"

Mo Yize raised a brow. "What do you think?" She stopped. "You should have just canceled. I wouldn't have minded."

Qian Meng shrugged. "Now you are indebted to me. Make sure to put in a good word to your therapist about me. Maybe I will need them someday to save myself from my destructive tendencies."

Mo Yize snorted. "What problems are you facing? You look tense. Maybe I can help you out a little."

Qian Meng shook her head. "I can work it out myself. It's nothing too much for me," she said.

"Oh come on. You're too nice to your opponent. Shouldn't you be more ruthless? Do something underhanded, or tell me. I'll do it for you for free. I like the fun."

Qian Meng rolled her eyes. "As if."

"Hey, I spread malicious rumors about the steel company and made its stock prices plummet because of a bet with my father, remember? He wouldn't buy me that pony." She shrugged.

Qian Meng looked around in horror. "The statute of limitation might be over but you shouldn't say it out loud. Moreover, I don't really believe you when you said it."

"Just ask your husband. He knows all about it." Mo Yize's tone was calm and unaffected.

There was a long silence as they both continued to eat.

"You know… I don't want us to be afraid to talk about our family around each other," Qian Meng said. "I know that Mo Qingchen is your brother and he is my husband and that bothers you. It's confusing, but we can talk trash about him if you want. I'll take permission from him…" Qian Meng teased.

"I don't need his permission," Yize grunted.

"I'm glad you are taking your therapist's advice. We had a pretty good friendship back in university before scummy men came between us. And there shouldn't be a reason why we can't have some semblance of a friendship like before."

Mo Yize shrugged.

"I am not sure we can go back to… that. But now that we are family, I don't think it is healthy for us to ignore the elephant in the room."

Mo Yize gaped at her. "Do you mean that? You are really willing to let that thing go and move past it?"

Qian Meng thought about her answer carefully. "Why not? I am willing to try."

"Does that mean we are going to party together?" Mo Yize asked.

Qian Meng chuckled. "Baby steps. No one is partying. Let's not get diverted from what is important."

Breakfast ended and Qian Meng quickly said goodbye and hastened back to the office. She thought about catching some sleep in the car but her phone rang again.

She was on the verge of tears. "Hello?" she said without looking at the name. Her phone was on silent so she didn't even have a ringtone to go by.

"I miss you," Mo Qingchen said from the other side, disrupting the silence after a few long moments of the call beginning.

She felt mildly annoyed by the call but knowing who it was, a small smile touched her lips.

"I thought you would be enjoying a break from me."

Mo Qingchen chuckled. "It's funny. I used to think sleeping alone and in silence was the greatest boon."

"And now?" she prompted.

"Now, it's far too quiet without the sound of you breathing next to me. I don't like it." She could hear the longing in his voice.

"For someone who doesn't sleep much, I take it as a huge compliment," she said. A strange sensation evaded her chest. She wasn't familiar with it yet. And she had to change the subject.

"Did you see the news? I feel like a truck has run me over from all the work," she groaned.

"I saw the articles. Do you need any help in that regard? I could shut down all their electricity and wifi so that you get a few moments of peace," Mo Qingchen joked.

"I don't trust you. You might just do it," she responded. "Don't even think about it. I can handle this problem on my own."

"I know you can. You're one heck of a woman, aren't you?" he complimented. "Never clueless. You always… just know…" There was wonder in his voice.

"Oh, it seems you really do miss me," she replied cheekily. "Also, I have never met a woman who is faced with a hard situation and doesn't know what to do. We always have a way. It might not be the best, but we always have a way to solve the problem," she commented.