Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
The two of them were standing very close.
Chi Suisui could almost feel his breath, let alone the warmth emanating from his hand—fine and dense.
That one sentence made He Xingwang’s eyebrows twitch slightly.
Though it seemed innocuous at first glance, upon closer inspection, every word carried a deeper meaning.
He released her wrist. “It’s nothing.”
Chi Suisui placed the paper bag on the entryway console, rotating her wrist slightly. Though He Xingwang had appeared intimidating earlier, he hadn’t applied much force.
She removed her cello case and placed it next to the bag.
Her outfit today wasn’t suited for excessive movement; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so composed.
“You left a red mark on my wrist,” Chi Suisui said as she extended her hand toward him.
He Xingwang glanced down. Her wrist was clean, without even the slightest hint of redness. After a few seconds, he spoke—
“Would you like me to pinch it back for you?”
Chi Suisui thought for a moment. “I’ll save that opportunity.”
In case he upset her in the future, she could pinch him back then.
Chi Suisui recalled her earlier question: “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back tonight? Why did you suddenly return?”
He Xingwang shot her a glance. “To pick something up.”
After a brief pause, he reasoned that retrieving a thank-you gift also counted as picking something up.
Chi Suisui hummed in acknowledgment, not particularly suspicious.
When they reached the living room, He Xingwang noticed she seemed completely unfazed. Clearing his throat softly, he added, “I’ll leave early tomorrow morning.”
He didn’t elaborate further.
Chi Suisui turned around, smiling faintly. “The thank-you gift I mentioned earlier might be something you’ve heard of.”
Her expression was earnest.
“I heard Sotheby’s is auctioning off a private island recently.” Chi Suisui waved her hand casually. “It’s not expensive.”
“No need,” He Xingwang frowned.
“It can be named after you,” Chi Suisui added.
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed the large question mark written all over his face.
He must have been genuinely puzzled.
“I already have one,” He Xingwang’s temple twitched slightly as he looked at her. “If you’re interested in these kinds of things, I can give you one next time.”
Chi Suisui couldn’t help but let her lips curve upward. “I was joking.”
Without another word, she headed upstairs. When she reached the landing, she glanced down to see He Xingwang still standing in the living room.
He was probably still pondering the likelihood of her last statement being true.
Chi Suisui tilted her head and pursed her lips with a smile.
Though she hadn’t personally overseen the villa’s interior design, it reflected her preferences for her own room. The style was very much aligned with what she liked.
It was clear their parents had arranged this long ago.
Chi Suisui realized for the first time that if someone wanted to hide something, it was actually quite simple. But if one paid close attention, clues could always be found.
Although they lived in the same villa, they didn’t share a room.
Chi Suisui casually tossed the paper bag into her room and made a phone call.
A few seconds later, the line connected: “Hello, Miss Suisui?”
Chi Suisui hummed in acknowledgment. “Aunt Zhang, do we still have any fish at home? I’d like one. Please send it to Bai’an Manor.”
“Should I prepare it and send it over?”
“No, just send it live.”
“Alright.”
Aunt Zhang hung up and turned around, only to come face-to-face with a pair of pitch-black eyes. She clutched her chest. “You scared me!”
Qi Churui stared at the phone. “Was that my sister calling?”
“Yes.” Aunt Zhang nodded while preparing to fetch the fish. The fish were fresh, but the pond was some distance from the main house.
“I’ll go,” Qi Churui offered.
Aunt Zhang wanted to object but caught sight of his icy gaze and swallowed her words. After all, they were siblings—it didn’t matter.
Just delivering a fish.
Chi Suisui sat in her room, organizing her belongings.
She only knew how to cook a few simple dishes, and the flavors were nothing extraordinary. However, there was one type of fish she prepared exceptionally well.
As a national athlete, He Xingwang’s diet was strictly controlled. He couldn’t eat pork or certain seasonings.
Even the chefs at the He family were certified nutritionists.
He was highly disciplined and self-restrained.
For years, Chi Suisui had never seen him eat hot pot or barbecue, let alone drinks that athletes were advised against consuming.
After descending the stairs, she sat a short distance away from He Xingwang.
Thinking about the upcoming meal, Chi Suisui tapped her lips lightly.
If she couldn’t add certain seasonings, the fish would appear rather plain.
It had been a year since she last cooked, so she wasn’t sure if her skills had deteriorated. If her dish turned out poorly, it might look even worse.
When He Xingwang glanced over, he saw a rare flicker of worry cross her face. It was unexpected yet fitting.
He spoke: “What’s wrong?”
Chi Suisui looked up. “I’m thinking about your thank-you gift.”
He Xingwang remained silent for a few seconds before asking, “Still haven’t thought of anything?”
Then why had he returned tonight?
He Xingwang pressed his temple, feeling a bit impulsive. He shouldn’t have changed his plans based on her casual remark.
Chi Suisui smirked. “I don’t do things unless I’m confident.”
Their eyes met, and He Xingwang saw fragments of starlight in her gaze, akin to the lights of a city deep in the night.
Everlasting.
The doorbell rang half an hour later.
Chi Suisui opened the door to find Qi Churui standing there. His youthful face already bore traces of masculinity.
However, her younger brother was perpetually cold and aloof, with a sharp tongue. Any girl who fancied him would be scared off by his words.
Recently, it seemed he was going through a rebellious phase.
Every time Chi Suisui called home, she heard her father complain about arguments with Qi Churui, or teachers calling because some girl had cried again.
Qi Churui would always respond icily: “I just said I didn’t like her. Her crying has nothing to do with me.”
This often prompted their father to lament about the misfortune of their household.
“Sister,” Qi Churui greeted, his expression softening slightly.
He handed over a small bucket, inside which two lively fish splashed noisily against the walls.
“Why are you here?” Chi Suisui took the bucket and handed him a pair of slippers. “Come in.”
Qi Churui hesitated, shaking his head. “I won’t stay.”
Despite his words, his eyes had already wandered into the house. On the surface, he appeared calm.
Chi Suisui crossed her arms, catching his subtle glances. Raising an eyebrow, she teased: “Did you come specifically to deliver the fish, or did you have something else in mind?”
Qi Churui kept his face straight. “To deliver the fish.”
Just as he spoke, footsteps sounded behind them.
He Xingwang stood behind Chi Suisui, taller by half a head. His gaze fell on Qi Churui. “Churui’s here.”
Qi Churui nodded, his lips moving slightly. Finally, he couldn’t resist speaking: “Sister, I’m leaving. I need to go back and do my homework.”
“You still have homework?”
“…Extracurricular assignments.”
Chi Suisui tapped his forehead, watching him frown like a little adult. “What kind of excuse is that? Never mind, go back.”
Qi Churui quickly retreated. Just before he reached the gate, he turned back for one last glance and disappeared into the night.
“He definitely came to see you,” Chi Suisui remarked.
“He could’ve gotten an autograph just now.” He Xingwang glanced at her, implying that she was to blame for not arranging it.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“You already let him leave.”
“…?”
Could he really call him back after he’d gone?
Chi Suisui felt he was good at shifting blame. As she looked up, she caught a fleeting smile lingering on his lips.
With the fish delivered, preparations for the meal began.
Though they rarely ate at home, the kitchen was fully equipped.
Chi Suisui circled the kitchen once and turned to stare at He Xingwang.
He Xingwang frowned. “Why are you looking at me?”
“If you want to tie this for me, you can.” Chi Suisui dangled an apron from her fingertips, tilting her head to look at him.
The man stood opposite her, saying nothing, and simply took the apron.
Before Chi Suisui could react, He Xingwang had already moved behind her, slipping the apron over her and tying it securely at the back.
Through the reflection in the refrigerator, she could see He Xingwang’s posture.
Bent over, leaning forward.
His expression was hidden, leaving Chi Suisui’s heart fluttering.
Just as He Xingwang began to straighten and step back, Chi Suisui suddenly grabbed his arm. His muscles, honed from years of training, were hard and firm, offering a strange sensation under her touch.
Even through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel the warmth.
Her fingertips rested on his arm. “Is it tied?”
“Mm.”
He Xingwang withdrew his hand, contemplating whether her actions were intentional or accidental. But when he looked over, Chi Suisui had already moved to the prep counter.
An indescribable feeling swirled in his mind.
Unwilling to have anyone watch her cook, Chi Suisui shooed He Xingwang to the dining area. However, the kitchen was semi-open, so he could still see from there.
He Xingwang’s phone vibrated.
It was a message from his coach: [Not returning tonight?]
He Xingwang turned his head toward the kitchen.
Chi Suisui had already changed out of her formal suit into light-colored loungewear. Her long hair was loosely tied back, cascading down her back.
He Xingwang replied: [Eating at home.]
After some time, when the fish was served, there was a brief silence in the dining room.
Chi Suisui asked: “Does it look good?”
He Xingwang glanced at the dish, where the fish was barely recognizable, and then at Chi Suisui, who seemed quite expectant. After a few seconds of contemplation—
“It looks good.”
Thankfully, no one else was around to see.
Chi Suisui wasn’t the least bit embarrassed or worried about what he might say. She met his gaze boldly, even encouraging him.
“Try it?”
He Xingwang took a bite. It didn’t look impressive, but the taste was excellent.
He was somewhat surprised. In his impression, this young lady had never stepped into the kitchen. Her parents doted on her, so he hadn’t expected her cooking to be so delicious.
While He Xingwang was eating, Chi Suisui snapped a photo with her phone. She didn’t include him in the frame, capturing only the dish.
The photo made the dish appear even more peculiar.
This was Chi Suisui’s first mishap, but it was still a finished product. Casually, she posted it to her private Weibo account.
[Adding an extra dish for dinner tonight.]
Her private Weibo had few followers, mostly inactive accounts. Chi Suisui rarely shared her social media handles with others.
Afterward, she sent a separate post to a specific group.
It was meant for her family.
True enough, within a minute, both sets of parents had liked the post and left a thumbs-up emoji in the comments.
“…”
Chi Suisui knew they were keeping tabs on her and He Xingwang.
At this moment, their parents were likely on the phone, imagining an entire TV drama scenario based on a single dish.
Just as she was about to close WeChat, a new notification popped up—
He Xingwang had liked her post.
________________________________________
Early the next morning, Chi Suisui descended the stairs to find the house empty.
On the table was a simple yet flavorful breakfast. There was no doubt it was left by He Xingwang before he left.
Resting her chin on her hand, Chi Suisui reflected that last night’s thank-you gesture had indeed been worthwhile.
With that, it seemed her debt of gratitude had been settled.
After finishing breakfast, Chi Suisui drove straight to the TV station.
A group of people happened to be walking down together nearby. They watched her upright figure and the crisp sound of her high heels clicking against the ground.
“She works such leisurely hours.”
“I finally understand what people mean when they say having a colleague who drives a luxury car to work a regular job feels surreal.”
“No, you’re wrong. That’s us working. Chi Suisui’s lifestyle is more like a rich girl experiencing life.”
“Truly real life.”
As soon as Chi Suisui stepped into the office, it fell silent.
Because the TV station was busy, many reporters had been dispatched for interviews, leaving only seven or eight people in the office.
Since the water-splashing incident, everyone had formed a rough idea of Chi Suisui’s temperament. Even the seniors who initially wanted to test her limits eventually held back.
They were afraid.
What if Chi Suisui had something other than a glass of water in her hand? What if it was a camera? Their heads might end up in pieces.
Ten minutes before work started, Su Mian was scrolling through Weibo and happened to see Chi Suisui’s post from last night.
Her eyes lit up. “Sui-senpai, the dish you made last night looked amazing.”
Chi Suisui was about to thank her when Su Mian followed up with another comment—
“Oh, by the way, what dish was that?”
“…”
It was possible but unnecessary.
Chi Suisui chuckled. “Fish.”
Su Mian, after receiving her answer, praised her a few more times before checking the trending topics. As soon as she opened the list, she froze.
“Holy crap!” she exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” Chi Suisui raised an eyebrow.
“How coincidental! Last night, while we were eating Pincheng Ji, someone else was eating there too at the same time.”
Chi Suisui caught a glimpse of Su Mian’s raised phone screen.
Top trending topic: [He Xingwang, Pincheng Ji]
Connecting those two words, Chi Suisui didn’t even need to click to guess that He Xingwang had been photographed buying dessert from Pincheng Ji last night.
Thankfully, it wasn’t taken outside the dormitory.
Chi Suisui opened the topic on her phone.
As she suspected, someone visiting Pincheng Ji recognized He Xingwang despite his mask.
The comments section was exploding.
[What luck??]
[Even with a mask, I can tell he’s handsome. His features are flawless.]
[I remember they’re not supposed to eat random food from outside, right?]
[Looking at this, it’s definitely not for himself! I suspect it’s for a girl!]
[Stop guessing—it’s me, it’s me, it’s me!!!]
[One dream after another flying out of the skylight.]
[Manually @ the woman who ate He Shen’s dessert.]
“Why are the women eating Pincheng Ji not He Shen’s woman?” Su Mian voiced her heartfelt question.
Chi Suisui responded: “Yeah.”
Su Mian thought she was agreeing with her. “Sui-senpai, you think I’m absolutely right, don’t you? Why isn’t it us?”
No, especially not you.
Chi Suisui silently answered in her heart.
Google Sites
Report abuse