"Damn it, it's raining," Ye Feng muttered as he crouched by the roadside alongside Lin Shiyun, waiting for a taxi. He had barely waited a moment before feeling raindrops fall on his arm.
"This weather is so unreliable," Lin Shiyun grumbled softly as the rain dampened her clothes.
"What now?" she asked, casting a helpless glance at Ye Feng.
"What else can we do? Run!" Ye Feng grabbed her hand and sprinted toward a nearby convenience store, intent on finding shelter from the downpour.
"This weather is so strange," Lin Shiyun murmured after reaching the store. She sat on a stool inside, watching the rain intensify outside.
"Not much we can do. Let's have a snack," Ye Feng said, buying some biscuits and water from the shopkeeper and handing them to Lin Shiyun. It had been hours since they'd eaten, and hunger was starting to take its toll.
"Mm," Lin Shiyun nodded, tearing open the biscuit packet and nibbling delicately. Her stomach had been growling in protest for some time.
Perhaps the heavens took pity on them. About 20 minutes later, Ye Feng, armed with an umbrella purchased from the store, finally managed to hail a taxi.
"Hold still. Let me wipe that off," Lin Shiyun said gently, noticing Ye Feng's drenched clothes and the water droplets trickling down his face. She took a packet of tissues from her bag and dabbed his face dry.
"You should dry yourself too," Ye Feng said, gazing at her with warmth.
The rain outside was torrential. Despite Ye Feng's efforts to shield Lin Shiyun with the umbrella, it barely offered enough cover for both of them. Although he had done his best to protect her, she was still soaked.
When they arrived at the villa complex, the rain showed no sign of stopping. Ye Feng braved the downpour once more, escorting Lin Shiyun to her doorstep. After all, their homes were only a short distance apart.
"Oh no," Lin Shiyun gasped as she fumbled through her bag. She suddenly remembered she had left her house key at home that morning.
"What's wrong?" Ye Feng asked, concerned by her exclamation.
"I forgot my key," Lin Shiyun admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"What about Uncle Lin? Can't he let you in?" Ye Feng asked.
"Uncle Lin doesn't live here. He only drives me to and from school and brings me meals," Lin Shiyun explained with a trace of bitterness. Stuck outside in such relentless rain without a key—what could they do?
"Come to my place then. It's close by. You're already wet—take a shower to warm up so you don't catch a cold. I'll cook something for you," Ye Feng offered, noticing her furrowed brows.
"Is that really okay?" Lin Shiyun hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"What's not okay? I'm just taking my girlfriend home. Who's going to say anything?" Ye Feng chuckled.
"Alright then," Lin Shiyun agreed after a brief pause. What he said made sense, and the thought of staying in wet clothes without a proper meal was unbearable.
"Let's go," Ye Feng said, taking her hand and leading her toward his villa at a brisk pace.
"I'll take a shower first," Lin Shiyun announced as they arrived at his home. Though initially a bit reserved, she quickly settled in, drying her hair with a towel as she flashed him a playful smile.
"A shower, huh? The thought is…" Ye Feng teased, pulling some noodles from the fridge.
"Pervert," Lin Shiyun huffed, rolling her eyes at him.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing. Go shower. Wear my clothes afterward—I'll make you some noodles," Ye Feng said, handing her one of his shirts before heading to the kitchen.
Fortunately, Ye Feng had stocked the fridge with plenty of ingredients after moving in. Otherwise, they'd have been left starving in this miserable weather.
With his masterful cooking skills, preparing a bowl of noodles was a breeze. Soon, the kitchen was filled with an enticing aroma.
"What smells so good?" Lin Shiyun called from the bathroom, the fragrance overpowering even the scent of her body wash.
"Noodles. Finish up and come eat," Ye Feng replied, tidying up the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Lin Shiyun emerged from the bathroom, wearing Ye Feng's oversized shirt. Her damp hair framed her delicate features, making her look both casual and charming.
"Come here. Let me dry your hair. Once it's dry, you can eat," Ye Feng said, placing the steaming bowl of noodles on the table and gesturing for her to sit.
"I didn't expect you to know how to cook," Lin Shiyun remarked as she sat beside him, watching him skillfully handle the hairdryer.
"Of course. Men like me are rare these days. You've got great taste," Ye Feng joked, deftly drying her hair.
"Yeah, yeah," Lin Shiyun replied with a laugh, her face lighting up with a smile. A man who could cook and help dry a girl's hair? Such men were indeed rare.
With his past experience as a hairdresser's apprentice, Ye Feng finished drying her hair in just over ten minutes. Handing her a pair of chopsticks, he said, "Go ahead and eat. I'll shower and join you shortly."
"Alright," Lin Shiyun replied, taking a bite of the noodles. The taste was so delicious that she was momentarily lost for words.
"Congratulations, Host. Lin Shiyun's affection level has increased by 5 points. The current affection level stands at 95."
As Ye Feng stepped into the bathroom, an electronic synthesized voice echoed in his mind.
"What? How did her affection level suddenly increase?" Ye Feng thought to himself in confusion. While he certainly hoped to eventually reach 100, the abrupt rise left him puzzled. Without delay, he summoned Light Brain.
"Light Brain, what's going on with this affection level? I didn't do anything significant, and yet it went up by 5 points," Ye Feng questioned, sounding slightly clueless.
"Are you really this dense?" Light Brain materialized before him, its tone filled with exasperation. "Your exceptional performance today—unparalleled gambling skills, gentle attentiveness, and culinary mastery—of course, it would elevate her affection for you. Winning over a girl with such finesse? That's practically effortless."
"Fine, fine. Enough of your chatter. I'm going to take a shower now. Goodbye." Used to Light Brain's sardonic remarks, Ye Feng waved it off indifferently. By now, he had developed an immunity to its sharp tongue.
However, Light Brain's earlier comment about "winning over a girl" lingered in his thoughts, and a faint, knowing smile curled at the corners of his lips.
"Oh, by the way, Host," Light Brain reappeared suddenly, its tone dripping with playful mischief, "Tonight is a rare and auspicious opportunity. Don't let it slip through your fingers."
"Uh…" A bead of sweat rolled down Ye Feng's forehead as he listened to Light Brain's suggestive remarks. "This is really none of your business," he muttered internally, though he couldn't entirely dismiss the idea.