Chen Siqi sat on a public bench at the subway station, her hands gripping the handle of her suitcase tightly, her heart racing as she thought about meeting Chen Yuchen soon. On the one hand, she hoped he would be the mature, gentle uncle-type she imagined—someone in his early thirties, perhaps with a bit of stubble, looking steady and reliable. On the other hand, she couldn't shake the fear that he might turn out to be an overweight, sleazy middle-aged man, wearing flip-flops and reeking of cigarette smoke.
She glanced down at her long, white legs, feeling increasingly uneasy. The memory of her fellow book club members sending her messages came flooding back. They had all been curious about whether she'd met "Mr. Chen" yet, and if she had remembered to take a photo with him. She had typed nervously in the group chat, jokingly asking, What if Mr. Chen turns out to be a creepy old man?
The other readers quickly reassured her:
"Don't worry! Mr. Chen can't possibly be like that. At worst, he might just be a bit of a homebody!"
"Exactly, he's a well-known author making tens of thousands a month. No way he's a bad guy!"
"He might even be really handsome. Just wait and see!"
Chen Siqi chuckled to herself as she read the comforting words. She even let her mind wander—what if Chen Yuchen really was a suave and dashing older man? Like the kind of domineering CEO she read about in her favorite novels, driving luxury cars, wearing tailored suits, and flashing a charming, devilish smile as he wrapped his arms around her…
The more she thought about it, the more her cheeks burned. Her mind was full of romantic drama scenes. Ah, if only real life could be this dreamy. She shook her head in amusement, realizing that she was letting her imagination run wild from reading too many novels.
But just as she was lost in her daydreams, a shadow loomed over her.
"Hey there, young lady," a voice drawled, accompanied by a sly, leering smile.
Chen Siqi glanced up, her heart sinking. The man standing before her was in his thirties, with sallow skin and squinty eyes. When he grinned, his yellow teeth showed, and his whole demeanor screamed "sleazy."
"Do you... need something?" Chen Siqi asked cautiously.
"Well, I saw you sitting here all alone for a while. Got nowhere to go, huh?" The man took a step closer, his grin widening. "How about coming over to my place? I've got a spare room. Don't worry, I won't bite. Uncle will take good care of you."
Chen Siqi's heart began to pound in her chest, alarm bells ringing in her mind. Is this one of those sleazy guys from the crime novels? She instinctively shrank back, stammering, "N-no... I'm waiting for my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" The man raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "At this hour? Where is he then? Doesn't look like he's coming for you, huh? How about we grab a bite, then head to my place? You can even use my computer if you want."
"I said no!" Chen Siqi's voice grew sharper. She grabbed her suitcase and stood up, ready to leave. But the man casually followed her, sticking to her like a shadow.
"What, not waiting for your boyfriend anymore?" The man's tone turned more menacing, though his pace remained slow and deliberate as he trailed after her.
Chen Siqi quickened her steps, panic rising within her. She wasn't even paying attention to where she was going anymore. Then, with a sudden thud, she collided into something firm and solid. She immediately looked up to apologize, only to find herself face to face with a tall, imposing figure.
The man in front of her was broad-shouldered, with a buzz cut and an athletic build. Though his facial features weren't classically handsome, they were sharp and commanding, exuding an undeniable sense of presence. Standing at six feet tall, his stature alone was enough to make her feel small and safe.
It was Chen Yuchen.
Chen Yuchen glanced down at the flustered girl who had just bumped into him, furrowing his brows slightly but remaining silent. Then, he turned his gaze toward the sleazy man who had been following her. His voice was cold as he said, "Her boyfriend's here. Time for you to leave."
The sleazy man had been ready to argue, but one look at Chen Yuchen's towering frame made him think twice. His own small stature, barely reaching five foot three, was no match for the imposing figure before him. Deciding not to press his luck, he let out an awkward laugh and slunk away.
As the man disappeared into the distance, Chen Siqi finally exhaled a sigh of relief. Her heart was still pounding from the encounter, and she instinctively pressed a hand to her chest to steady her racing heartbeat. She looked up at Chen Yuchen, her eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you so much."
Chen Yuchen said nothing at first, merely scanning her from head to toe. Chen Siqi, with her long hair cascading down her shoulders, was dressed in a simple yet cute outfit—a purple T-shirt paired with denim shorts, showcasing her long, fair legs. A pair of white sneakers and purple mid-calf socks completed her look, giving her the appearance of a fresh-faced, innocent student.
However, as the silence stretched on and Chen Yuchen's gaze lingered, Chen Siqi began to feel a bit self-conscious. Wait… could it be? Even though he looks tall and handsome, could he also be a sleazy guy? Anxiety started to creep back into her thoughts, and she wondered if she should make a quick exit.
"Um… I'm still waiting for my boyfriend to come get me, so I should go," she muttered nervously, gripping the handle of her suitcase as she turned to leave.
But just as she was about to walk away, Chen Yuchen let out a low chuckle. His voice, deep and laced with amusement, reached her ears: "Chen Siqi, since when did I become your boyfriend?"
Chen Siqi's steps faltered. Her eyes widened as her heart skipped a beat.