“Want to come in and shower together?”
Hearing that lazy, teasing male voice, Lin Yutang’s hand was still on the bathroom door.
Steam filled the air as the man stood naked under the showerhead. His pale, cool-toned skin was bathed in warm mist, water tracing down his broad shoulders, over firm, taut pectorals, and flowing along the sharply defined ridges of his eight-pack abs.
The visual impact of the scene hit her like a freight train. Lin Yutang froze in place, her mind going blank.
She had just barged into someone else’s bathroom?!
Lin Yutang’s pupils contracted sharply. She stood rooted to the spot, her cheeks burning crimson as her voice came out soft and trembling.
“S-sorry! I went into the wrong room!”
Lu Chaosheng narrowed his phoenix-like eyes, studying the flustered girl at the doorway.
Their gazes met. His eyes collided with her panicked stare, a faint layer of amusement veiling his dark pupils.
Lin Yutang hurriedly raised her hand to cover her eyes and turned to flee.
But from behind her came Lu Chaosheng’s low, unhurried voice—betraying not a hint of being caught stark naked: “No need to rush off.”
Water droplets slid from his jaw down to his delicate collarbone. His Adam’s apple gave a subtle bob as his gaze landed on her retreating figure. “You’ve already seen everything. Why not stay a little longer?”
Lin Yutang’s breath hitched. She paused for two seconds, then slammed the door shut and bolted.
Even after she returned to the dining room, her heart was still pounding wildly.
She had arrived at the Lu residence that afternoon, where she’d be staying for a while. Uncle Han had told her to come downstairs for lunch in half an hour.
Lin Yutang had just stepped out of her bedroom when she remembered she hadn’t washed her hands before eating—and accidentally barged into the bathroom of a man who was mid-shower.
And she’d seen him. Naked. Every inch of him.
The moment the image resurfaced, her entire face flushed like a ripe tomato.
She entered the dining room and picked a seat. Footsteps sounded from the doorway, and when she looked over, her gaze collided with a figure.
The man’s profile was handsome and cool, his deep brows and dark eyes framed by long lashes. He wore the simplest white T-shirt and black trousers, yet they accentuated his lean, upright frame.
The instant her eyes landed on him, her heart lurched.
Wasn’t this the man she’d just seen in the bathroom?!
What role did he play in the Lu family? Could he be—
“Young Master.”
Uncle Han’s greeting confirmed her suspicion.
Unaware of the earlier incident, Uncle Han smiled warmly at Lu Chaosheng. “This is Miss Lin Yutang. She’ll be staying with us for a while. The master should have mentioned it to you beforehand.”
“Mm.” Lu Chaosheng lowered his gaze, his voice cool and indifferent. “I know.”
“Miss Lin.” Uncle Han turned to the mortified Lin Yutang. “The master said the Young Master is a few months older than you, so just call him ‘brother’ and treat him like your own elder brother.”
A faint, veiled mockery flickered through Lu Chaosheng’s dark eyes, his smile never reaching them.
Elder brother?
After Uncle Han left, the two ate lunch in silence.
On the table were braised pork rice, torched caramelized salmon, and a glass of freshly squeezed soy milk.
Lin Yutang took a few bites of rice. It was a bit dry.
She instinctively glanced at the only drink on the table—the soy milk—her fingers hesitating over whether to pick it up.
But she was mildly allergic to soy products. Even a little would make her face flush and her throat itch, which was miserable.
Just as she was wavering, a pale, elegant hand with defined knuckles suddenly reached out and whisked the soy milk away.
Lin Yutang looked up in surprise, meeting Lu Chaosheng’s deep gaze.
He gave the pale yellow liquid a casual once-over, then addressed the servant nearby in a flat tone: “Take it away. Bring hot milk instead.”
The servant, full of confusion, removed the soy milk that had been freshly squeezed half an hour ago but didn’t dare ask questions.
A moment later, warm milk was set on the table.
Lu Chaosheng poured a glass and slid it in front of Lin Yutang.
Those exquisite hands came into view—pale-skinned, broad-palmed, with prominent knuckles and long, slender fingers.
“Thank you.” Lin Yutang curved her lips into a smile. Remembering Uncle Han’s words, her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her skirt as she called out, “…Brother Chaosheng.”
Lu Chaosheng lazily lifted his eyelids, a roguish, teasing smile curling at his lips.
“What did you say? Bro—ther Chao—sheng?”
Lin Yutang’s face flushed bright red, and she couldn’t get a word out.
Her Mandarin pronunciation was perfectly standard!
She’d heard he was mischievous by nature—sure enough, he was the infamous bad-seed young master of Jinghai.
Lu Chaosheng narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold, flirtatious laugh escaping his throat. “Call me ‘brother’ from now on. Otherwise, I might think you’re trying to get in my pants.”
He took a sip of milk, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
Those doe-like, glistening eyes held a look of stunned disbelief, as if she couldn’t fathom how he could say such a thing.
Lin Yutang lowered her head and wolfed down her food, then bolted from the dining room the moment she finished, unwilling to stay in his presence a second longer.
Watching her slender figure retreat, Lu Chaosheng’s gaze turned inscrutable. His crimson lips slowly curved upward.
On the first day of their reunion, she hadn’t recognized him.
Lin Yutang returned to the second floor, calming her restless heartbeat, just as Uncle Han came out of the room.
“Miss Lin, your room has been tidied up for you.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Han.”
Uncle Han nodded with a smile. Just as he was about to leave, his expression suddenly turned somewhat grave, and he lowered his voice to caution her.
“Miss Lin, just treat this place as your own home. However…”
He paused for a moment.