“Who do you want to kiss?”
“Kiss…”
The moment Shen Nuan heard the familiar voice behind her, she was so embarrassed she wanted to run, but she had no choice but to face him.
She turned around timidly, and all the hairs on her body stood on end.
If it wasn’t him, who else could it be?
Having her indecent thoughts overheard, how could Shen Nuan not panic?
Biting her rosy lips, she felt so guilty that she stiffly called out, “P-President…”
【Oh my god, when did the male lead get here? Wasn’t he in the bedroom?】999 rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
【Probably while I was chatting with you.】
Shen Nuan felt terribly unlucky. Admitting she wanted to pursue him was one thing, but she had even blurted out that she wanted to kiss him. She should have gone farther away before saying that.
Fu Shijing strode over and bent slightly, his deep black eyes fixed on the woman pretending to be an ostrich.
“Who do you want to kiss?”
He questioned her word by word, and his magnetic voice made it impossible for her to stand still.
“N-No one,” Shen Nuan replied weakly.
His tone turned cold.
“You came here to work with ulterior motives.”
Shen Nuan nodded, then shook her head, nodded again, then shook it once more.
In truth, there was no way he didn’t know what she was thinking. Even if she denied it, she couldn’t explain herself.
“I want to earn money, and I also want to stay close to you.”
After thinking it over, Shen Nuan decided to tell the truth.
Fu Shijing had no intention of pursuing the matter, and he knew the reason very clearly.
He knew this wasn’t a good sign. He had always believed he had no need for love, yet she was affecting his mood.
“Is this yours?”
Seeing the four leaf clover bracelet in his hand, Shen Nuan instinctively touched her wrist and found it really was gone.
Before she came here to work, the original owner’s mother had given her this bracelet, which symbolized good luck.
All the jewelry in the house had been sold, but this lucky bracelet remained.
Shen Nuan didn’t believe in such things, but she didn’t want to disappoint the original owner’s mother, so she accepted it.
“It is mine. Thank you for finding it, sir.”
After putting it back on her wrist, she lowered her voice and pleaded.
“Sir, I promise I’ll work hard and won’t disappoint you. Please don’t fire me, okay? I really want to repay your money.”
Seeing the bracelet, Fu Shijing thought of the red braided cord she had given him. To his own surprise, he hadn’t thrown it away.
“Does your promise only concern work?” he exposed directly.
“…”
Shen Nuan looked awkward.
She could promise to work hard, but she couldn’t promise not to bother him.
Fu Shijing poked her forehead.
“Go to sleep.”
Shen Nuan looked at him in surprise. He wasn’t going to pursue the matter?
“Do you still have questions?”
“No.”
She didn’t dare ask more. For her, ending the topic without incident was the best outcome.
“Then good night, sir.”
Shen Nuan ran back to her room as if escaping a disaster, feeling extremely annoyed.
【Little Nine, he heard my shameful thoughts. He’ll probably avoid me even more from now on.】
999 had a different opinion.
【Boss, the male lead didn’t pursue it, which means he doesn’t care much. Maybe he’s even looking forward to it.】
【I know you’re trying to comfort me.】
How could she believe something so impossible?
【If you don’t believe me, you can find a chance to kiss the male lead.】999 was very optimistic.
Shen Nuan sucked in a sharp breath.
【I really want to, but if I get kicked out, the loss outweighs the gain.】
Her life was at stake. One wrong step, and there would be no second chance.
【Then do it without anyone knowing. When the male lead is asleep, that’s the perfect opportunity. Otherwise, it’ll be hard to complete the mission in such a short time without those multiplied rewards.】
Shen Nuan understood that if she kept hesitating, she would only doom herself and Little Nine.
【I’ll find a chance and try.】
Only after her figure disappeared from view did Fu Shijing return to his room.
With nothing to do, he opened the drawer and took out the red cord.
It was an ordinary handmade red cord, yet he inexplicably put it on his wrist.
Strangely enough, it suited him quite well.
…
The next morning, when Shen Nuan arrived at the master bedroom, she discovered that the door was open.
Had he already gone to work? She glanced at the time. It was only eight o’clock. Was he leaving that early?
She had even made breakfast for him. Hopefully, it wouldn’t all be for nothing.
“Sir, are you there? I’m coming in.”
“Come in.”
Shen Nuan’s heart leapt with joy. Fortunately, he hadn’t left yet.
Opening the door, she saw him fully dressed, holding a tie.
“Good morning, sir.”
Her smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, making people instinctively want to approach her.
When the man walked closer, Shen Nuan assumed he wanted her to tie his tie and quickly said, “Sir, let me do your tie.”
Fu Shijing naturally handed it over.
【Ding! Five hundred thousand yuan has been credited to the system.】
Standing on tiptoe, Shen Nuan carefully tied his tie.
Fu Shijing lowered his eyes to the top of her head, feeling something he couldn’t describe.
“Sir, I made breakfast.”
Breakfast?
His brows furrowed, and his eyes immediately fell on her hand, which was indeed red again.
Grasping her slender wrist, Fu Shijing asked while Shen Nuan stared at him blankly.
“Did I tie it wrong?”
“Come to the dining room first.”
【Ding! Five hundred thousand yuan has been credited to the system.】
As he led her outside, Shen Nuan originally wanted to remind him, but the sound of the reward entering the system instantly made her give up.
Arriving in the dining room, Fu Shijing saw two dishes on the table, stir fried shredded potatoes and scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
Afraid he would think there was too little, Shen Nuan hurriedly explained, “Sir, these are the only dishes I know how to make. I’ll learn more from Chef Hu in the future.”
She still wanted to cook?
“Did I ask you to cook?”
Even cooking for him wasn’t acceptable? He really was difficult to fawn over.
【The male lead is too much. The boss got up so early to cook for him.】999 complained indignantly.
【If the male lead weren’t difficult, he wouldn’t be the male lead. Who told me I’m a bootlicker? Luckily I get rewards. Otherwise, whoever wants this job can have it.】
Pretending to be wronged, she apologized.
“No, you didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Fu Shijing didn’t know why he was angry, but seeing her reddened fingers irritated him.
“Do your own work. If it’s not your responsibility, you don’t need to do it. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
【Ding! Two million yuan has been credited to the system.】
【Little Nine, what’s going on?】
999 excitedly explained, 【I misunderstood earlier. The male lead is probably feeling sorry for you. Maybe you can act pitiful a little more.】
Shen Nuan secretly pinched her thigh.
“I just wanted you to eat my cooking. If you mind, I won’t do it again.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
Fu Shijing suddenly had the urge to wipe them away. Suppressing the agitation in his heart, he stiffly said, “You don’t need to do these things.”
【Ding! Two million yuan has been credited to the system.】
Hearing the reward notification, Shen Nuan was overjoyed, but she dared not let him see it, so she lowered her head.
To Fu Shijing, however, she seemed even more aggrieved.
“Go treat your hand.”
“Huh?” Shen Nuan looked confused.
His eyes were sharp.
“Treat the burn on your hand first.”
Only then did Shen Nuan understand and quickly hid her hand behind her back.
“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt.”
Her attempt to hide it only made her more pitiful.
Fu Shijing called for Butler Zhou.
“Bring some burn ointment.”
“Right away, sir.”
Butler Zhou quickly brought over the ointment, glanced at Shen Nuan, then tactfully withdrew.
Fu Shijing handed her the ointment.
“Treat it first.”
“Thank you, sir.”
As Shen Nuan took it, the familiar pleasant voice sounded again.
【Ding! One million yuan has been credited to the system.】
Her lips curved upward uncontrollably, and her eyes became crescent shaped.
Seeing this, Fu Shijing thought to himself that she was so easy to satisfy. Just giving her a tube of ointment made her this happy. She would probably be sold off by someone without even realizing it.
“From now on, you’re forbidden from entering the kitchen.”
That would reduce her opportunities to flatter him, so Shen Nuan tried to fight for more chances to earn money.
“Sir, I still want to cook for you. I’m sincere.”
Her words pleased Fu Shijing, though his expression remained stern.
“If you cook again, I’ll fire you.”
The truth was that she simply wasn’t suited for cooking.
“Alright.”
She had hoped to make more money through cooking, but that hope was immediately crushed.
【Ding! Two million yuan has been credited to the system.】
Shen Nuan blinked in surprise.
【Little Nine, what’s happening?】
【Maybe the male lead just doesn’t want you hurting your hands.】999 explained.
【Really?】
【Try it and you’ll know. Maybe he’ll feel even more sorry for you.】
There was nothing to lose, so after applying the ointment, Shen Nuan deliberately hissed.
Fu Shijing glanced over and said nothing.
She hissed again.
Setting down his chopsticks, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
The woman pursed her lips as though enduring pain.
“It hurts a little.”
He snorted. “You deserve it. You never learn.”
Shen Nuan: “…”
999: “…”
【How come I can’t see any sympathy at all?】Shen Nuan asked pitifully.
999 scratched his head.
【Honestly, neither can I.】
Then he smiled awkwardly.
【Boss, don’t be upset. I believe before long the male lead will definitely fall at your feet. Then he’ll cook for you, wash your feet, and even warm your bed.】
【The male lead belongs to the heroine. I don’t expect anything else. Staying alive is more important. I can’t become love brained.】
She only wanted to earn enough money to survive. Fu Shijing’s affection meant nothing to her.
As Shen Nuan opened the ointment, she admitted that although she had been trying to gain sympathy, it genuinely hurt.
【You’re right, Boss. Love-brained people dig wild vegetables and live on plain porridge. They might even lose their hearts and livers. It’s just not worth it.】999 wholeheartedly agreed.
【How do you know that?】
【I watch TV.】999 proudly replied. 【I watch television when I’m free. Learning helps systems improve.】
【Speaking of TV, I should watch more idol dramas. Searching online and reading novels aren’t enough.】
“Don’t even know how to apply burn ointment?”
Just as Shen Nuan and 999 were chatting enthusiastically, the man’s voice brought her back to reality.
“Huh?”
Following his gaze, she realized she hadn’t even applied the ointment to the burned finger.
Fu Shijing took her hand, and the warmth of his fingertips brushing her palm sent a current through her body.
He dipped a cotton swab into the ointment and gently applied it.
【Ding! Two million yuan has been credited to the system.】
Noticing that she was staring at him without blinking, Fu Shijing suddenly realized his actions had crossed a line and let go of her hand.
Then he stood up.
“I should head to work.”
“Mm, I’ll see you off, sir,” Shen Nuan said happily.
After a few steps, he stopped.
“What I just did was unintentional.”
At first Shen Nuan didn’t understand, but then she realized what he meant.
“I know. I won’t misunderstand, sir.”
Why had he bothered explaining? Did her delighted expression really look like someone who wouldn’t misunderstand?
Pinching her cheek, Fu Shijing warned, “Your hand isn’t allowed to touch water.”
Shen Nuan hadn’t expected him to pinch her face. It didn’t hurt, but did this count as intimacy?
“But I still need to clean.”
How could she avoid water?
“Butler Zhou will arrange it.”
With that, he left.
【Ding! Two million yuan has been credited to the system.】
Not long after Fu Shijing left, Butler Zhou came to inform Shen Nuan that she was to stop working for the day. As for the reason, there was none.
Shen Nuan knew it was Fu Shijing’s arrangement, and she happily accepted the free time.
The most important thing for her now was waiting for him to come home, but waiting endlessly wasn’t a solution. His return times were unpredictable, and sometimes he didn’t come home at all.
From the moment he left in the morning until after ten at night, Shen Nuan’s patience was nearly exhausted.
【He isn’t skipping tonight too, is he?】
Wagging his tail, 999 suggested, 【Boss, do you want me to take a look?】
【You can do that? Why didn’t you say so sooner?】Shen Nuan realized she really didn’t know Little Nine very well.
999 twisted awkwardly.
【I didn’t mention it because each viewing costs fifty thousand yuan.】
Clutching her chest, Shen Nuan said painfully, 【You charge me money too?】
【I don’t want to, but it’s not my decision. If I could, I’d help you for free.】
He couldn’t help it either.
【Then forget it. I won’t make things difficult for you.】
【Boss, let’s take a look. Know your enemy and you’ll win every battle.】
Gritting her teeth, Shen Nuan nodded.
【Fine. I want to know what he’s doing and why he’s still not home.】
【Ding! Fifty thousand yuan deducted from the system.】
999 spun around, and a scene appeared before Shen Nuan.
Inside a luxurious private room, Fu Shijing was drinking with several middle aged men in suits.
【So he’s still socializing.】
【That’s right.】
【Looks like he’s had quite a lot to drink.】
Shen Nuan immediately came up with a plan.
【I’ll make some hangover soup.】
【Boss, you’re so thoughtful. The male lead is going to be moved again.】999 gave her a thumbs up.
【If I don’t earn back those fifty thousand yuan, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.】
She walked to the kitchen and suddenly remembered his words from the morning.
【I’m not cooking. Making hangover soup should be okay, right?】
999 shook his head.
【I don’t know.】
【I’ll prepare it first.】
At this hour, the kitchen was empty. After finishing the soup, Shen Nuan returned to her room.
Some time later, she heard a car outside and hurriedly put on her coat.
The moment she came out, she saw the returning man and immediately ran over.
“Sir, you’re back.”
“Mm.”
It was so late, yet she still wasn’t asleep. Had she been waiting for him?
Shen Nuan followed behind him cheerfully.
“Did you drink tonight, sir?”
The irritation that had bothered him all day inexplicably disappeared the moment he saw her.
She continued, “I made hangover soup. I’ll go bring it over.”
Fu Shijing stopped.
“Didn’t I forbid you from entering the kitchen?”
“I thought since you hadn’t come back so late, you might have had a dinner engagement, and if there was an engagement, you might drink, so…”
She trailed off and only looked at him with bright eyes, apologizing sincerely and obediently.
“Sir, don’t be angry. I know I was wrong.”
Fu Shijing’s heart tightened.
What had she done wrong?
She had merely waited for him and made him hangover soup.
Her sincere affection stirred ripples in the calm heart that had once been without waves, spreading slowly and filling his entire being with warmth.