Meanwhile, in Li Chanying's house, Xu Ming was sleeping soundly with his clothes scattered on the floor. The pink ceiling was in contrast to the man with a backside that will make Brad Pitt as Achilles weep in vain.
The blanket has only covered the lower part of his body, revealing a toned buttocks. Li Chanying covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from screaming.
She tip toed inside, afraid that she might wake him up. She was supposed to call him for breakfast but look what she have seen. If Li Nuxie or Hong Chi would go inside, they might think that she and Xu Ming did something dirty.
She shook her head, bending down to pick up the clothes on the floor. She let out a yelp when she accidentally touched a small white cloth.
Xu Ming sat upright. "What is it?"
Li Chanying's eyes went round as she took those abs. She blinked and pressed her lips. "I allowed you to sleep in my room but at least, show some courtesy by not throwing your underwear on the floor," she took a step towards the door.
"Well, I am your guest so even though this is your room, I am entitled to my privacy," Xu Ming retorted.
Li Chanying stopped and turned her head. "FYI, I knocked several times. You're just too engrossed with your dreams," she shrugged.
"Anyway, breakfast is ready. Come over when you're done," she continued before going out of the room.
Xu Ming groaned as he left himself fall back on the bed. He curled his lips as he noticed the pink ceiling. Glancing around, everything inside the room has a touch of pink. So girly, he thought.
He went down from the bed and headed to the bathroom. On the bathroom sink was a neatly folded white bathrobe. Xu Ming put it on before going to the kitchen.
Li Chanying has already set up the table. She glanced at the wall clock. It has been ten minutes since she left her bedroom. Don't tell her Xu Ming took a bath first. She clutched her stomach as it growled.
Damn it. She knew Xu Ming came from the Xu Family but he doesn't have the right to make her wait in front of the food.
"Second Young Master Xu! I'm starving!" she shouted on top of her lungs. Her house was sound proof so it will not risk her to the point of being attacked by angry neighbors.
"I'll count from one to five! If you're still not here, I'm going to eat first!" she continued.
"One!"
Goodness, she was really hungry. She didn't eat a lot last night due to a lot of stress.
"Two!" she tapped her fingers against the edge of the table. Li Jiayie has already disowned her in front of the elite society last night. From that moment, the Li Family has nothing to do with her.
"Three!" Li Chanying doesn't give a damn about it though. The money Ying Design Limited earned was enough to last her a lifetime. She just felt sad because her adopted father has long wanted Li Jiayie to accept her. But now, even the hope has vanished.
"Four!" she can feel the corners of her eyes burning. Just like the burning sensation she felt when the guests at the gathering looked at her with scorn.
"Five!" and Li Chanying burst into tears. Above anything, she was worried about Li Nuxie. Her cousin has always been protective of her even when she's younger. Although Li Nuxie seemed to be cold, in fact, she was the most caring.
Xu Ming widened his eyes when he realized that Li Chanying was crying. Truth was, he was already leaning on the door frame when Li Chanying shouted his title.
Li Chanying wore a black shirt and white shorts. She looked so simple compared to the Li Chanying who graced fashion events in the city. Gone was the high-maintenance Li Chanying. Her face was devoid of makeup.
"Hey, hey. Why are you crying?" he touched her shoulder.
Li Chanying looked up. Compared to her crying face, Xu Ming looked like a god in a bathrobe. "I'm already hungry! Can't you see?" she wiped the tears from her face using her hands.
Xu Ming occupied the opposite dining chair, raising his two hands. "Okay, I'm sorry," he said apologetically. In the future, he must make sure this lady in front of her stay well-feed. If not, the house might drown.
Li Chanying didn't respond. She would not tell Xu Ming of the real reason why she cried though. Let the guy be guilty about it. She put fried rice on her plate before giving the platter to Xu Ming.
Putting an omelette on her plate, she brought the spoon towards her mouth, savoring the taste. Xu Ming did the same.
"Who cook this?" Xu Ming asked in between bites.
"Yours truly," she said. "Is it not to your liking? I'm sorry, I didn't even ask if you eat commoners food," she apologized as she realized her mistake. The person in front of her was not an ordinary person. It's the Second Young Master Xu!
"I grew up overseas. I eat whatever is served to me as long as it is not poisoned," Xu Ming said, taking another spoonful.
Li Chanying giggled. "I'll take you the hospital when your mouth starts foaming."
"What?!" Xu Ming's spoon and fork fell down on his plate, creating a clink sound.
Li Chanying burst out laughing. "I'm just kidding. You're so serious. I will not get anything if I try to kill you."
Xu Ming pressed his lips. It was the first time someone joked around him. He might be always smiling but a few people knew that he doesn't like it when someone plays a joke on him.
Li Chanying felt the air got cold. Why did it get so cold? Was her air-con not functioning? She glanced at the split-type air conditioner at the far side of the dining room.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Xu Ming asked her. It seemed that the woman in front of him was dense, just like her cousin.
Li Chanying stared back before shrugging her shoulders. "Unless you looked like the blue boy from the Grudge, I am not going to be afraid of you."
She knew Xu Ming was a devil based on the rumors she heard among the people who witnessed his ruthlessness. But she knew he will not hurt her. At least, not physically.
Xu Ming curled his lips. So brave, huh. "Lady, you should be afraid of me. People said I am ruthless. Didn't you hear it?"
Li Chanying raised an eyebrow as she gulped water from her glass. "What? Are you venturing in the fashion industry now?"
Xu Ming was indeed ruthless in the business world. While he was the second son, the truth was he managed the Xu Corp. De facto speaking, he was the one calling the shots inside the company.
His elder brother was focused on the Empire Systems that he just went to the company to say 'hi'. Literally.
Curling his lips, Xu Ming leaned back on the chair. "I might."
The door bell rang. Both of them glanced at the main door.
"Are you expecting a guest?"
Li Chanying shook her head. "No." Only Li Nuxie and Hong Chi knew her residence. Most importantly, they don't visit her unannounced. Li Nuxie doesn't like to do complicated things while Hong Chi was too lazy to go out unless something important was involved.
When it comes to gossip, the two women prefer to talk over the phone before rushing over.
She stood up. "Stay here, I'll just see who it is."
Taking a peek at the peephole, Li Chanying's breath was caught in her mouth. What was she doing here? The door bell rang again. The woman outside pressed her lips, forming a straight line.
Li Chanying inhaled and exhaled before pulling the door open. With a smile plastered on her lips, she greeted the woman in front of her.
"Good morning, Old Madam Xu. What can I do for you?"
Xu Hina raised her chin. "Good morning, Miss Li. I want to talk to you. Are you available?"
Li Chanying swallowed the imaginary lump on her throat. Was it about the engagement with Xu Ming? She opened the door wide.
"Come in, then. Let's talk at the study room," she said.
Before Xu Hina can take a step inside, Xu Ming's voice cut her. "Grandma, what business do you have with my fiancee?"
Xu Hina dropped her jaw as her eyes darted from Xu Ming to Li Chanying. "Ming? What are you doing here?" she asked after she gained focus again.
"This is my fiancee's house. Am I not allowed to visit her?"
Looking at Xu Ming, the Old Madam Xu could not decide whether to believe her grandson or not. Whoever visit their fiancee at 8 in the morning wearing only a bathrobe?
"Should I gave you a raise? It seems that you can't buy decent clothes," Xu Hina told him, examining him from head to toe.
Li Chanying took a deep breath. "Second Young Master Xu. I'm just going to talk to Old Madam Xu. I hope you give us the privacy we needed."
Xu Hina inclined her head upon hearing it. She was right. The engagement was a sham.
Xu Ming stared at the woman in front of him, eyes that seemed to be determined. "Fine."