Maybe he shouldn’t indulge her anymore.
But he always softened in the end.
This wasn’t how Su Xianyan usually was.
Outwardly, he might appear gentle and mild, even warm—but inside, he was the complete opposite. As Cha Yiguan often said, Don’t be fooled by Su Xianyan’s appearance. He’s just good at pretending. He’s really not a good person at all.
Cheng Simian would always nod in agreement when she heard that. She, too, sensed that Su Xianyan wasn’t someone kind by nature—but neither was she, so why should she be afraid of him? Besides, she genuinely wanted to rely on him, to trust him. As long as his kindness toward her wasn’t an act, that was enough.
“Ten days—okay?”
Su Xianyan didn’t respond for a long time. Cheng Simian began to feel hopeless. After all, she was being too willful.
She pressed her lips together and said softly, “Forget it… I was just asking casually.”
With that, she dragged her rabbit slippers—with their tall upright ears—toward the door.
“You’ll be back every night.” His calm voice suddenly sounded behind her just as she reached for the handle. “I might not be home during the day.”
“Really?” Cheng Simian spun around in delight and scampered back.
His gaze landed on her rabbit slippers, and a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.
“Really.”
“Then we can have dinner together every night!” She pulled over a swivel chair and plopped down. “When you’re not home, my uncle and Cha Yiguan never eat properly. Sometimes my uncle even cooks—ugh, it’s terrible.”
She rambled on in complaint, but her eyes were shining with happiness.
Her joy was infectious.
Su Xianyan found himself momentarily distracted. Sometimes he reflected on how she would feel sad or lonely without a family, yet the innocence and brightness on her face were utterly pure. He had once been like her—but he had never learned to smile with such sincerity.
Watching her smile now made him feel happy. Perhaps that was something he had long since lost.
“Su Xianyan, Cha Yiguan said your family is actually really wealthy,” Cheng Simian tilted her head. “A rich young master starting his own business—pretty inspiring.”
“So Cha Yiguan’s been gossiping to you,” Su Xianyan said casually, eyes still on the screen.
“It’s not really gossip.” She thought for a moment, then added, “If you’re going back because there’s something going on at home, then forget about my reward. We can make it up later…”
“So considerate?” Su Xianyan glanced at her, teasing.
She cleared her throat. “Of course I’m considerate. I’m also very understanding.”
“Oh?” His smile deepened.
She turned her head away. “What ‘oh’? I’m serious.”
“There’s really nothing going on,” Su Xianyan said. “It’s just that my younger cousin’s family is back, so I’m going home for a while.”
“Your younger cousin? You have siblings? A real one?”
“A cousin.”
“Wow, that’s nice. Having brothers or sisters must be great,” Cheng Simian sighed. “At least when things get tough, there’s someone to shoulder it with you.”
“Not necessarily.”
She looked at him in surprise. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but his expression seemed colder as he said flatly,
“Sometimes blood ties mean nothing at all.”
On the fifth day with her arm in a cast, Cheng Simian was on the verge of breaking down.
Because it was inconvenient, she had only been able to wipe herself down lightly these past few days. A proper shower was impossible—and for someone who bathed daily, this was pure torture.
Enough. No more enduring it!
She found a plastic bag at home, wrapped her casted arm tightly, grabbed some clothes, and charged into the bathroom.
After struggling out of her clothes, she stood under the showerhead. Even with the plastic bag, there was still a risk of getting wet, so she leaned half her body outside the stream and washed with one hand.
Amazing. So amazing. How could a shower feel this good?!
She got carried away and ended up soaking most of her hair too. In the end, she twisted herself into an extremely awkward position, tilted her head, and rinsed her hair as well.
Afterward, she slowly put her clothes back on. After all that effort, she finally felt refreshed—both body and soul. But when she went to the sink to look for the hair dryer…
Huh? Where was it?
Her face darkened. Damn Cha Yiguan. He must have taken the bathroom hair dryer again—always taking it out and never putting it back!
She opened the bathroom door, let her wet hair fall forward, and shouted toward the living room,
“Cha Yiguan! Cha Yiguan? Where are you?!”
Su Xianyan was walking out of the kitchen with a glass of water. Turning the corner, he saw a figure with hair hanging loose and nearly jumped.
“Cheng Simian?”
She brushed her hair aside. “Where’s Cha Yiguan? I’m looking for the hair dryer.”
“He and your uncle went out for a late-night snack.”
“Ah? Then… can you help me get the hair dryer?”
Seeing her arm wrapped so messily, Su Xianyan’s heart skipped. He set the glass down and walked over.
“How could you take a shower? Did your arm get wet?”
“No, no! Look—it’s wrapped in a plastic bag.”
Frowning, Su Xianyan went into the bathroom, took out a clean towel, and draped it over her shoulders. Looking at her drenched appearance, he scolded her,
“You’re really being reckless!”
She pouted. “It’s just… I hadn’t had a proper shower in days. I was going to lose it.”
With a dark expression, Su Xianyan lifted the towel and began drying her hair for her.
Seeing his darkened expression, Cheng Simian said cautiously, “It really didn’t get wet—look.”
She removed the outer plastic bag.
Su Xianyan glanced at her. “Stand still.”
“Oh…”
He went to fetch the hair dryer. Cheng Simian followed him into the bathroom and obediently stood in front of him.
He turned on the dryer and began drying her hair.
He probably hadn’t dried anyone else’s hair before—especially not long hair. His movements were a little awkward, but somehow… endearingly so.
“Ah—” Cheng Simian suddenly cried out.
Su Xianyan paused. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve been blowing in one spot too long. It’s too hot.”
He choked slightly, clearly embarrassed. “Sorry. I didn’t notice.”
Seeing how carefully he adjusted afterward, Cheng Simian couldn’t help laughing.
“…” Su Xianyan said. “What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing, nothing. I’m just really grateful to you.” The smile on her lips grew wider.
Su Xianyan looked at her helplessly. The bathroom was lit by warm lights, and the mist from her shower hadn’t yet dispersed. Her skin was fair as snow, and her smiling eyes sparkled like stars. Though she still carried a youthful innocence, there was an inexplicable hint of softness and allure hidden beneath it.
The bathroom was warm, tinting her cheeks a delicate pink. The sight stirred an impulsive urge to pinch them. His gaze tightened briefly before he forced himself to look away.
Lowering his eyes, however, he noticed that the front of her shirt was wet. With only one usable arm, she must have dried herself carelessly before pulling it on. Water had soaked through the white T-shirt, making the fabric nearly transparent.
He froze—then with a swift motion, yanked the towel from behind her and pulled it firmly around her front, covering the damp area completely.
She blinked. “What’s wrong?”
“Turn around,” Su Xianyan said evenly. “I can’t reach the back like this.”
“Oh.”
She obediently turned around, glancing down at the towel in confusion. Isn’t my hair all in the back? Won’t this just make my back wet?
Once her hair was dry, Su Xianyan set the dryer aside and said casually, “Change out of your wet clothes. Don’t catch a cold.”
“Got it.”
Only after he left did Cheng Simian belatedly mutter, I just changed my clothes. What wet clothes?
Not thinking much of it, she removed the towel and tossed it onto the sink. She fixed her hair and looked into the mirror—then froze.
When had her clothes become this revealing? Not only was the fabric clinging wetly to her skin, but even her underwear was faintly visible…
Suddenly, she remembered what Su Xianyan had said: Change out of your wet clothes.
Her face instantly flushed bright red. So he saw it—he saw it!! No wonder he suddenly pulled the towel around her front!
After blushing for a long moment, Cheng Simian straightened up and stared at her reflection.
She looked okay, right? And her figure… wasn’t bad either! He wouldn’t think she hadn’t filled out yet, would he?
She subconsciously thought of Cai Xinyuan. Compared to Cai Xinyuan’s mature curves, she seemed to lose out in that department—
No! She was young! She still had room to grow! If she worked at it, she’d definitely surpass her one day!
She stared at her reflection, silently psyching herself up.
Su Xianyan—just wait.
The next day.
Cha Yiguan brought a girl home with him. She was around 160 cm tall, with straight bangs and a fresh, innocent look.
Cheng Qin shot him a disgusted glance. Tsk. Ruining another woman.
Cheng Simian, meanwhile, openly sized the girl up from head to toe, then leaned back on the sofa with a roguish grin.
“Well now, Mr. Cha—your girlfriend’s quite pretty.”
“Her name is Ye Xiaoxiao.” Cha Yiguan spoke gently as he led the girl to the living room sofa and introduced everyone.
“Xiaoxiao, this is my roommate Cheng Qin, this is his niece Cheng Simian, and there’s one more who isn’t back yet—Su Xianyan.”
“Hello,” Ye Xiaoxiao said shyly, nodding.
Cheng Qin twitched his lips in what barely passed for a smile.
Cheng Simian raised her uninjured hand. “Hi.”
“Ah… you’re the one who got hurt, right?” Ye Xiaoxiao suddenly said.
Cheng Simian blinked. “Huh?”
“Yiguan told me everything.” Ye Xiaoxiao looked a little embarrassed.
“It’s really inconvenient for a girl to have an injured arm. I’ll take care of you during this time.”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
Cheng Simian and Cheng Qin exchanged looks, then turned in unison to stare at Cha Yiguan.
Completely unfazed, Cha Yiguan leaned close to Ye Xiaoxiao and whispered something to her, making her blush.
That evening, Cheng Simian dragged Cha Yiguan into a corner.
“Hey—what’s the deal with that girl?”
“What do you mean ‘that girl’? She’s five or six years older than you. Call her ‘sis.’”
“Is that the point?!” Cheng Simian rolled her eyes.
“I mean—are you really letting her take care of me?”
“Yeah. Xianyan told me yesterday that you’re not very mobile, so I should find a girl to help out.” He shrugged.
“So I brought her.”
“Su Xianyan said that?” Cheng Simian was surprised.
“What did I say?” A familiar male voice suddenly sounded behind them.
Cheng Simian turned around—Su Xianyan had just returned.
Cha Yiguan slung an arm around his shoulder.
“Yesterday you told me to find someone to look after Xiao Mianmian, right? So I brought my latest sweetheart back. Don’t worry—she’s adorable, totally proper, and doesn’t wear any of that heavy perfume you hate.”
Su Xianyan stared at him, stunned.
“I told you to find a housekeeper.”
Cha Yiguan: “……”