"You'd never bear to." Xiao Wan teased, jumping out of his arms. She patted the blue Ferrari beside her and asked, "What do you think of this car? Pretty, huh?"
Chen Xin nodded. "Pretty."
"Great! Let's go grab some pizza!" Xiao Wan pushed Chen Xin into the driver's seat, then hopped into the passenger side, stretching her long legs onto his lap. She directed him, "Drive, Chen Little Darling."
Chen Xin glanced at her legs peeking out from beneath her leopard-print dress and frowned. "Your legs are turning red from the cold. Didn't I tell you to buy a warmer dress? Why don't you ever listen?"
Xiao Wan raised her eyebrows at him. "Since when do cats listen to their owners?"
Chen Xin sighed and turned on the car's heater before starting the engine and driving toward a nearby pizza place.
He intended to grab the pizza and head back home to eat, but Xiao Wan had other plans. "Let's eat by the riverside where we went last time. It's so pretty there."
"Pretty and freezing," Chen Xin muttered under his breath.
Xiao Wan shot him a glare. "I don't care! I want to eat there. If you don't take me, I'll jump out of the car right now!"
"Fine, fine, you win."
Chen Xin ended up at the riverside, carrying pizza and drinks. As they sat in the chilly breeze, he draped his coat over her legs. Just as he contemplated moving closer to keep her warm, Xiao Wan beat him to it, snuggling into his arms.
She grabbed a slice of pizza and marveled at the long, stretchy cheese strands. "Look, look! Isn't this just amazing?"
"Mm-hmm," Chen Xin replied. Food never excited him much—so long as it was edible, he was fine. But watching Xiao Wan light up over something as simple as melted cheese lifted his spirits.
Thinking about the harsh words Harold and Ye Chen had said about Xiao Wan, his brows furrowed slightly. Pulling her closer, he spoke softly. "Xiao Wan…"
"Mm? What's up?" Xiao Wan mumbled through a mouthful of pizza.
"I know we haven't known each other for very long, and it might seem abrupt to say this. But no matter what others think of you, I never will. I believe in you. Like Maggie said, you're the best girl in the world."
Xiao Wan froze mid-chew, staring at Chen Xin. Just as he thought he had touched her heart and was bracing for some heartfelt response, she opened her mouth.
"Chen Little Darling."
"Yeah?" He leaned forward, hopeful.
"I really want to do it with you right here."
"…!" Chen Xin felt his blood pressure spike. "Lin Xiao Wan! I'm being serious!"
"So am I! You gazed at me with so much affection. Weren't you seducing me?" Xiao Wan said innocently.
Chen Xin took a deep breath, grabbed a slice of pizza, and shoved it into her mouth. "Eat. Don't talk."
Xiao Wan laughed gleefully before leaning up to kiss his cheek. Then, in a softer voice, she whispered into his ear, "Thank you."
Chen Xin paused, momentarily stunned, before a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He tightened his arms around her, holding her closer.
After dinner, the two returned to the villa, where the household staff had begun to return for their evening duties.
Introducing her to everyone, Chen Xin said, "This is my friend, Lin Xiao Wan. She'll be staying here for a while. Please treat her as you would treat my family."
The middle-aged housekeeper gave her a polite nod. "Welcome, Miss Lin. I'm Ellie."
Xiao Wan, surprisingly, set aside her usual playful demeanor and greeted everyone courteously. "Hello, everyone. I'll be counting on you."
Ellie smiled warmly. "It's our duty to take care of you. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know."
Xiao Wan's eyes lit up. "Did you make all those delicious treats in the fridge?"
"Yes, I did," Ellie replied.
"Your cooking skills are amazing! They could rival a top chef's! Chen Little Darling, you should give her a raise!" Xiao Wan grabbed the housekeeper Ellie's hand and declared enthusiastically.
Ellie smiled and said, "No need. Mr. Chen is very generous, and I'm satisfied with my current salary. If you'd like anything special, just let me know during my working hours, and I'll make it for you."
"Yay! Ellie, you're the best!" Xiao Wan cheered.
Chen Xin chuckled at the sight of Xiao Wan animatedly chatting with Ellie. "I'll head upstairs to work. Xiao Wan, call me if you need anything."
"Go, go," Xiao Wan waved him off, already deep in discussion with Ellie about tomorrow's breakfast.
An hour later, Chen Xin came downstairs to find Ellie had already gone home. Xiao Wan was lounging on the carpet watching TV, a feast spread across the coffee table in front of her: freshly baked strawberry and chocolate pies, creamy bacon pasta, and sizzling steak.
Amused, Chen Xin asked, "Why did you have Ellie make so much food? Can you even finish it all?"
Xiao Wan immediately shielded the table protectively. "Even if I can't finish, you're not getting any. It's all mine!"
"All yours, all yours. I'm not fighting you for it," Chen Xin said, sitting beside her. "I'm just worried you'll overeat and upset your stomach."
Noticing Xiao Wan's enthusiasm for food, he couldn't help but ask, "Did you not eat well when you were working as a street performer?"
Xiao Wan took a bite of strawberry pie and casually replied, "I've never eaten well since I was born."
"What?" Chen Xin froze.
"Nothing," Xiao Wan waved it off and pointed to the TV. "Look, look! They're playing Saw! I love this movie!"
Chen Xin could tell she was changing the subject, but he didn't press further. Despite her cheerful and carefree demeanor, his intuition told him there was deep sorrow behind her laughter. If she wasn't ready to share, he wouldn't force her.
Instead, he switched topics. "Xiao Wan, I know you told me not to meddle in your life, but I do have a suggestion. Just hear me out, and if you don't like it, feel free to stop me. Okay?"
"Mhm," Xiao Wan responded absently, her eyes glued to the screen.
"Here's the thing: I think you should consider getting a job. It doesn't have to pay much, but it'll help you learn and keep you from feeling aimless over time. If you're interested, I can fund your band, find you a manager, and help you pursue music professionally. Maybe even release an album. What do you think?"
Xiao Wan turned to him, her expression unreadable.
Chen Xin quickly added, "I'm not trying to profit off you or anything. I just want to enrich your life. Don't worry about the costs—if it all fails, it doesn't matter."
"Pfft," Xiao Wan burst out laughing. "Silly Little Darling, do you really think I'm unemployed?"
Chen Xin blinked. "Then you…?"
"I'm still in university," Xiao Wan said, popping a piece of steak into her mouth.
"University?" Chen Xin asked, surprised. "Which one?"
"N City Academy of Arts and Media."
Chen Xin's eyes widened. Even as someone uninvolved in the arts, he knew it was one of the top art schools in the world. Xiao Wan was a student there?
"That's a prestigious school! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he asked.
"You never asked. Besides, I didn't think it was a big deal. I only applied on a whim and got in. I thought it was just an average school," Xiao Wan replied casually.
Chen Xin chuckled, shaking his head. "Why don't you attend classes, then?"
"Classes are boring!" Xiao Wan pouted. "The content is so dull! That's why Maggie and I started the band for fun."
"Wait, all four of you are from the same school?" Chen Xin asked, even more astonished.
"Yeah." Xiao Wan glanced at him and burst out laughing again. "You look so shocked! I bet I could fit two eggs in your mouth right now."
Chen Xin quickly composed himself and asked, "What's your major? Music? Directing?"
"Not telling," Xiao Wan teased. "You're so nosy! Just watch the movie. Look, the guy's about to get gutted by the girl!"
Chen Xin sighed and let the topic drop for now, but he couldn't help saying, "I still think you should go back to school. Skipping classes isn't good."
"Nope, school's boring," Xiao Wan said stubbornly. Then, with a mischievous look, she added, "Unless you go with me."
"Me?" Chen Xin thought for a moment. "But my company's really busy lately…"
"Then I'll keep skipping!" Xiao Wan huffed. "If you don't come with me, I'm not going!"
Chen Xin sighed, feeling like a caretaker yet again. "Fine. I'll have my assistant rearrange my schedule and take a day to go with you. Happy?"
"Yay! You're the best, Chen Little Darling!" Xiao Wan threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "Now, promise me one more thing?"
"If it's about sharing a bed, forget it," Chen Xin replied flatly.
"… Stingy!" Xiao Wan grumbled, slapping half-eaten strawberry pie onto his face before storming off to watch TV.
To free up time to accompany Xiao Wan, Chen Xin condensed several days' work into one, leaving him swamped. That evening, his close friend Ye Chen dropped by the office, demanding dinner.
When Chen Xin explained he was too busy, Ye Chen was furious. "You're ditching me again? Are we even friends anymore?!"
Chen Xin, overwhelmed, suggested, "How about this: go to my place and wait. I'll have the housekeeper make dinner, and we'll eat there."
Initially ready to curse him for being stingy, Ye Chen's expression shifted as an idea struck. "Fine. See you at your place!" He rushed out before Chen Xin could change his mind.
Half an hour later, Chen Xin realized his mistake—he'd just sent Ye Chen to his house, where Xiao Wan was. Given Ye Chen's crude personality, who knew what trouble he might cause?
But it was too late. Ye Chen was already at the villa's doorstep.
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Wan ran downstairs, shouting happily, "You're back, Chen Litt—"
Instead of Chen Xin, she saw a roguish young man radiating mischief.
They locked eyes for one second, and both instantly came to the same conclusion: This person is really annoying.
If there was ever a living definition of "like repels like," Xiao Wan felt it perfectly applied to her and this guy. One look was enough to recognize he was as much of a troublemaker as she was.