"Could you make another request? I… I'm not really good at singing," Chen Xin said anxiously, chasing after Xiao Wan in the tunnel.
"No way! Weren't you the one who just swore you'd do anything as long as you could manage it? Now you're stuck just because I asked you to sing a song?" Xiao Wan snorted coldly. "Men like you are all the same. You talk a good game, but the moment you're asked to prove it, you chicken out."
"But I—"
"Forget it! Get lost! And don't ever show up in front of me again, or I'll beat you to death!"
Before Chen Xin could finish his sentence, Xiao Wan kicked him and sulked in her makeshift nest of old clothes.
Seeing her puffed-up cheeks and adorable pout, Chen Xin couldn't help but chuckle softly. He walked over to Pine and asked, "Can I borrow your guitar for a moment?"
Pine immediately handed it over reverently. "Be my guest."
Chen Xin took the guitar, exchanged a glance with Margie, and she instantly caught on, preparing to accompany him on the keyboard. Clearing his throat, Chen Xin turned to Xiao Wan and said, "I'm really not familiar with Like a Virgin, but how about I sing a song I do know for you instead?"
Xiao Wan responded with a dismissive snort through her nose.
Smiling, Chen Xin plucked a string, the crisp sound immediately drawing her attention. Like a curious cat catching a whiff of something enticing, she raised her head slightly.
As Chen Xin started to play, Margie seamlessly joined in, quickly following the rhythm. It became apparent to everyone that he was about to sing James Blunt's You're Beautiful.
"My life is brilliant. My love is pure. I saw an angel. Of that I'm sure."
The moment Chen Xin began singing, the noisy atmosphere in the tunnel quieted down. His deep, raspy voice captivated everyone, bringing a seductive quality to the song, unlike the pure melancholy of the original.
Xiao Wan stood up slowly, drawn to the sound. In his tailored suit, Chen Xin stood in the grimy tunnel under dim lighting, singing tenderly to her. His eyes were full of affection.
"She smiled at me on the subway. She was with another man. But I won't lose no sleep on that, 'cause I've got a plan."
The surrounding crowd gradually gathered closer. Two Black rappers in the group added depth with beatboxing, while even the gang of thugs who had confronted Chen Xin earlier joined in, sitting cross-legged to listen intently.
As the song reached its chorus, everyone chimed in softly:
"You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful. It's true."
Each time Chen Xin sang the word "beautiful," Xiao Wan's heart raced uncontrollably. She looked at the deep warmth in his eyes and, unable to resist any longer, rushed forward, pushing him against the wall and kissing him passionately.
Unlike her playful tease of a kiss before, this time, Xiao Wan kissed him fiercely, as if trying to devour him. Chen Xin's guitar fell to the ground, and he instinctively bent to pick it up, but Xiao Wan grabbed his hair and wouldn't let go.
Finally, the man surrendered, tentatively responding to her kiss with shy awkwardness.
Xiao Wan's excitement grew. Immature fruit might be a bit tart, but somehow it tasted better.
Under the teasing cheers of the crowd, they kissed for a long time before Chen Xin gently pushed her away. His handsome face was now a deep shade of red, and he couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze. Instead, he bashfully looked to the side.
Xiao Wan chuckled, pinched his cheek, and licked her lips. "Your kissing skills suck! But your singing voice isn't bad, so fine, I'll reluctantly forgive you."
Chen Xin's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
"Mm." Xiao Wan nodded, extending a hand toward him like a queen granting an audience to her subject. "I'll allow you to take me home. Oh, and I want pizza!"
Chen Xin held her soft hand. "Alright."
After bidding farewell to the rest of the band, Xiao Wan linked her arm with Chen Xin's, bouncing cheerfully as they walked toward the tunnel's exit. After a few steps, she suddenly said, "Oh, almost forgot. Little Chen, there's one more thing I need your help with."
"What is it?"
"I… accidentally set fire to a Lamborghini. The owner's probably going to cause trouble for me. Can you deal with it?"
"…You accidentally did what?"
—
"…So, that's how it happened. I didn't mean to! Besides, that guy Andrew is total scum. Honestly, setting his car on fire is letting him off easy," Xiao Wan explained twenty minutes later.
Back in Chen Xin's villa, she curled up on the couch, pitifully looking up at the man sitting beside her. "That guy constantly abuses Margie. Do you know how many times she's had broken bones or how many scars she has because of him? And that's his own sister! Scum like that deserves punishment, right?"
"I'm not saying you're wrong. I just think you could've handled it in a… more civilized way." Chen Xin sighed. "Sure, it might've been satisfying, but you're still a girl. What if he had chosen to attack you instead of saving his car? What would you have done then?"
"I was so angry at the time, I didn't think about it." Xiao Wan lay on his lap, playing with his slender fingers. "I'm sorry. I'll be more careful in the future. Please help me out this time, okay?"
Chen Xin thought for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Alright. But you have to promise me not to act so recklessly again. If you keep this up, something bad will happen."
"Got it, got it." Xiao Wan propped herself up on his thigh, her breath brushing against his cheek. In a soft voice, she teased, "You care about me so much. Could it be that you've fallen head over heels for me?"
Chen Xin turned his head away. "No."
Half an hour later, Xiao Wan chased after him, tugging on his shirt. "Please, just say yes!"
"No."
"Come on, I'm really good at it. I promise it'll be unforgettable!"
"No!"
"Chen Xiao-Guai, why are you so stingy?!"
Chen Xin was practically fuming, his face flushed with frustration. He turned to face her and said, "This has nothing to do with being stingy! I'm trying to be responsible, don't you understand?"
Xiao Wan threw up her hands. "Who asked you to be responsible? I'm the one who wants to sleep with you! If I don't expect you to take responsibility afterward, then what's the problem?"
Rubbing his temples, Chen Xin felt utterly defeated. "Let me explain it this way: I only want to do that with someone I'm in love with."
"Oh, but I like you!" Xiao Wan declared without hesitation. "Why else would I come live with you?"
Chen Xin sighed deeply. "The way you like me is probably the same way you like my dogs."
"Exactly! You're all so adorable!"
"…" Chen Xin couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed her face, both annoyed and amused. "I'm talking about romantic love! Lin Xiao Wan, until you're truly in love with me, don't even think about it. Goodnight!"
With that, he turned and walked into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
Xiao Wan puffed out her cheeks angrily and kicked the door. "You stingy jerk!"
Inside the room, Chen Xin sighed. He decided to take a shower to cool off. But as soon as he washed his hair, the hot water ran out, and ice-cold water sprayed down on him.
Trying to adjust the controls, he realized the buttons weren't working—probably due to a power outage. Sighing again, he stepped out of the bathroom, still dripping wet, intending to check the circuit box downstairs.
Just as he was about to grab a towel, Xiao Wan, who had been hiding by the bed, suddenly whipped out her phone.
Click!
The flash lit up the room, capturing Chen Xin's naked figure in all its glory.
Chen Xin froze, realizing too late what had just happened. Snatching up a nearby robe to cover himself, he roared, "Lin Xiao Wan! What are you doing?!"
Giggling, Xiao Wan darted out of the room, phone in hand. "You won't let me sleep with you? Fine, then I'll post your nudes on Instagram and make you a viral sensation! Hahaha!"
"Get back here!" Chen Xin shouted, chasing after her.