Chapter 9: “I Thought You’d Already Set Your Sights on Me.”

The car started, and the driver pulled out into the night.

Yu Chi leaned back against the seat, unmoving. His left hand pressed lightly against his stomach, and he turned his head slightly. His eyelids were thin, and his gaze remained light, exuding a clean, cold youthful aura. He gave off an impression of both innocence and depth, yet his voice was low and teasing. “Oh? I thought you’d already set your sights on me.”

After saying this, he turned his head to look out the window.

Sheng Li felt as though her ear had been gently brushed by a feather, leaving a faint itch. The neon lights outside streaked past, illuminating the sharp contours of his profile. Even the line of his Adam’s apple seemed to beckon her.

For a moment, Sheng Li couldn’t tell who was seducing whom.

She slowly leaned back into her seat, smiling lazily. “It’s not too late now.”

Yu Chi’s breathing deepened slightly, his voice growing hoarser. “So everything before this… was just you playing with me?”

Sheng Li, sharp as ever, noticed something off in his tone. She turned to look at him and saw his hand pressing against his stomach. Immediately, she frowned. “Is your stomach hurting?”

“Just a little,” Yu Chi said, loosening his grip.

It was almost eleven o’clock, and he hadn’t eaten since noon. Given his usual appetite, it was no wonder his stomach was acting up. Sheng Li glanced out the window—rows of storefronts were already closed. Finding food at this hour wouldn’t be easy. Yuan Yuan, the snack-loving assistant, usually kept the van stocked with treats.

“I’ll find something for you to eat.” Sheng Li turned around and rummaged through the back, but came up empty-handed. She instructed the driver, “Uncle Liu, pull over up ahead.”

Yu Chi turned to look at her. “Don’t bother. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“When someone like you says it doesn’t hurt, it’s obviously fake,” Sheng Li said, glancing at him. She opened the door and walked to the trunk.

Inside was a small box filled with snacks—salty, spicy, sweet—all sorts of colorful packages that didn’t look particularly healthy or appetizing. None of them seemed like something Yu Chi would enjoy. Thankfully, she found a few packets of millet porridge that Yuan Yuan occasionally brewed for her.

Sheng Li returned to the car, turning on the overhead light. She leaned forward, grabbed the thermos, and ripped open a packet of millet porridge, pouring it into the thermos lid, which doubled as a cup. As she poured hot water to mix the porridge, she explained, “Thanks to chubby Yuan Yuan always bringing me a thermos, I happened to grab it before getting in the car.”

“There. Drink this first,” Sheng Li said, handing him the cup.

Yu Chi didn’t move. His gaze was complicated, his eyes dropping to her hands.

Sheng Li thought for a moment and added, “This is my cup. Yuan Yuan hasn’t used it.”

Yu Chi: “….”

Was that really the issue?

“Do you have OCD?” Sheng Li narrowed her eyes. “Or are you worried I’ll mind? If I’ve already set my sights on you, why would I care?”

She suddenly asked, “Have you kissed anyone before?”

Yu Chi’s long, pale hand reached out, grabbing the cup. He tilted his head back and gulped it down in large swallows. The soft “gulping” sounds echoed clearly in the quiet car.

He handed the cup back, his dark eyes meeting hers. “Yes.”

Recently, he’d been putting on quite the performance in front of her, and Sheng Li couldn’t tell if he was lying or not. She took the cup, studying him curiously. “How many girlfriends have you had?”

“Three.”

Yu Chi closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat, turning his face toward the window. Drinking the warm porridge had indeed made him feel better. He let out a soft scoff. “Why don’t you ask whether I have a girlfriend now? Jumping straight to keeping me?”

Sheng Li raised her hand to turn off the light and signaled the driver to continue driving.

She spoke leisurely. “I don’t know about your past relationships, but I’m certain you don’t have one now. No one in a relationship ignores messages and calls completely.”

Yu Chi remained silent, seemingly conceding the point.

Sheng Li turned to look at him, about to say more when his phone rang.

Yu Chi pulled out his phone—it was Xu Yang calling. He glanced at Sheng Li and said coolly, “You’re always so unrestrained. Aren’t you afraid the driver might talk?”

The driver, focused on the road, glanced at the rearview mirror and smoothly lied, “I’m blind and deaf. Don’t worry about me.”

Were all the people around Sheng Li like this? Lying came as naturally to them as breathing.

Yu Chi’s lips twitched slightly, and he answered the call.

Sheng Li hugged a pillow, smiling faintly. The driver was someone Rong Hua had hired, and after years of working for Sheng Li, he had mastered the art of being “blind and deaf.” He never pried into celebrities’ affairs.

“You haven’t checked the group chat?” Xu Yang’s voice was loud amidst the background noise. “Don’t disappear the moment school ends! Just because a message isn’t important doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Are we still friends or not?”

Yu Chi: “I didn’t notice. What’s going on?”

Xu Yang: “We’ve been waiting anxiously for the college entrance exam results these past few days. No one’s in the mood to travel. Isn’t Sheng Li filming at the studio? Hu Yiyan created a small group chat. He wants to visit the studio—maybe get lucky and see Sheng Li. A few of us agreed to go. Since you’re there, I’m letting you know.”

Hu Yiyan—the guy who sat in front of Yu Chi and was obsessed with Sheng Li, the one who wanted to beat up the person who caused her allergic reaction.

Yu Chi glanced at Sheng Li. She didn’t seem interested in his call, hugging a fox-shaped pillow and closing her eyes. In the dim car, her features were indistinct. He thought, What’s so fascinating about her?

The next second, Sheng Li’s head lolled to the side.

And landed on his shoulder.

Yu Chi stiffened. Xu Yang said something, but Yu Chi didn’t catch it. Instead, he heard Sheng Li’s soft murmur, “I’m so tired. Let me lean on you for a bit.”

Years of being busy had trained Sheng Li to nap anywhere, anytime. Spending long hours in cars had developed a habit: she couldn’t stay awake for long once inside. Last night’s late-night shoot and waking up early this morning had truly exhausted her.

Being so close, Yu Chi could smell the faint, pleasant scent of her perfume. He stayed frozen in place, his tongue flicking briefly against his teeth. Turning to look out the window, he quietly asked Xu Yang, “What did you just say?”

“I said Zhao Shutong is coming, along with her desk mate. There’ll be five of us in total,” Xu Yang hurriedly added, fearing rejection. “We’ve already decided. We’re heading over tomorrow and might even stay overnight. You’ll show us around, right?”

Yu Chi’s expression remained impassive. “You act like none of you have been there before.”

Songshan Film Studio was also a local attraction. While fewer visitors came this year, claiming ignorance of it among locals was likely false. Back in their second year of high school, this group had visited once.

Xu Yang chuckled. “It’s settled then. I’ll hang up.”

Yu Chi glanced at the woman resting on his shoulder. Though five years older, without makeup, she didn’t look much older than the girls in his class. Still, she was a superstar admired by millions. Her presence and looks commanded attention—even without makeup, she stood out in any crowd.

Frowning, he considered for a few seconds whether to push her off.

A few seconds later, he lowered his head and unlocked his phone, opening WeChat.

Ten minutes later.

The car stopped at the hotel entrance. Sheng Li opened her eyes groggily and turned to look at Yu Chi.

Yu Chi emotionlessly tapped off his screen. Sheng Li brushed her hair back and smiled. “There’s late-night food at the hotel. Want to come up and eat something?” She asked again, “Or, do you want to move in?”

“No way.”

Yu Chi flatly refused.

Sheng Li raised an eyebrow, reminding him of his responsibilities as an assistant. “Before, when Yuan Yuan was here, I let it slide. Now that Yuan Yuan’s in the hospital, all her work will fall to you, Assistant Yu.”

Yu Chi leaned back against the seat, looking straight ahead. “Work won’t be a problem, but I’m not moving in. Tell me what needs to be done.”

Hmph. What kind of younger brother was this difficult?

Stubborn and unyielding!

Sheng Li thought for a moment, then turned with a smile. “Yuan Yuan wakes me up every morning at 6:30 by opening my door.”

Yu Chi: “….”

He was silent for a moment, then turned to look at her, sneering softly. “At 6:30 in the morning, I’ll call you.”

“Alright, then I won’t set an alarm. Remember to call me,” Sheng Li reluctantly accepted. She opened the car door and turned to look at him one last time. “Remember to eat something.”

Yu Chi watched her walk into the hotel, the car disappearing into the underground parking lot. His rented room was nearby—he’d signed a two-month lease due to the poor soundproofing of his previous hostel.

________________________________________

The next morning at exactly 6:30 AM, Sheng Li was still dreaming when her phone rang.

The first time, she dismissed it.

The second time, she dismissed it again.

The third time, her mind snapped awake, and she fumbled for her phone, squinting at the screen. Seeing the name “Yu Xiaochi,” she woke up halfway.

She answered the call.

Yu Chi’s cold voice came through. “Are you awake, Sister?”

Rarely addressing her as “Sister,” Sheng Li woke up a little more. Her voice still carried the softness and huskiness of sleep. Lazily, she teased, “Not yet. Why don’t you call me ‘Sister’ again?”

There was silence on the other end, followed by a low chuckle. “Alright. Then get up and open the door for me.”

“…!?”