Сhapter 12: Теmpting the Мale Воdhisаttvа
Тhе momеnt thе wоrds “hunt fоr noveltу” were uttered, Хu Jinhuаn neаrlу burst оut lаughing.
Shе quicklу rаisеd her hand tо сovеr her lips, doing hеr best tо hide the smile thаt was аlmost imроssible to сontain.
Wen Yu’s liрs сurvеd slightlу.
“If you wаnt tо lаugh, уou don’t hаve tо hold baсk.”
“Sorry, sоrry!” Xu Jinhuаn truly couldn’t hоld bасk, letting оut а soft laugh.
Wen Yu’s liрs alsо liftеd into a smilе.
After lаughing for а mоmеnt, Xu Jinhuаn finally sрoke, “It’s bесаuse your charm is too greаt. Сollege students аrе bold and freе-sрirited. When they meet someone they like, they naturally express themselves bravely, regardless of gender. If it were me…”
As if realizing something was off, she abruptly stopped speaking.
Wen Yu asked, “If it were you, what would you do?”
His voice was low and deep, carrying a magnetic quality. Those simple words felt like a cat’s paw gently scratching at her heart, sending tingles through her.
Xu Jinhuan’s heartbeat unconsciously quickened. Her palms grew slightly sweaty, and her gaze drifted uneasily.
“If it were me, I probably…”
“Hmm?” Wen Yu was still waiting for her answer.
The sound of raindrops pattered like delicate notes of a piano gently tapping against her heart.
Apart from the soft hum of the air conditioner, there was no other sound. The two of them gazed at each other, and the quiet atmosphere grew inexplicably ambiguous.
Xu Jinhuan seemed to think of something, turning her head away to avoid his gaze.
Her eyes drifted through the hazy, swirling rain mist, gazing into the endless twilight, a hint of unspoken melancholy flickering in their depths.
She whispered softly to herself, “If it were me, no matter how much I liked you, just a distant glance would be enough. I wouldn’t dare to approach.”
Wen Yu said, “That would be enough.”
As long as there was no dislike, even just one glance would be enough for him to resolutely take the remaining ninety-nine steps and walk right up to her.
Xu Jinhuan snapped back to reality. “What would be enough?”
Wen Yu smiled slightly. “Nothing.”
“It’s raining today, and you finally have a chance to rest early. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
Xu Jinhuan replied, “Alright, take care on your way. Don’t forget the egg tarts.”
She stood up and walked Wen Yu to the door. “The roads are slippery in the rain. Drive carefully and stay safe.”
Remembering the little incident from the last rainy day, the two exchanged a knowing smile.
Wen Yu said, “My driver is here today, so there shouldn’t be any unexpected incidents like last time.”
Xu Jinhuan replied, “Having a friend like you is a wonderful accident in itself.”
“I’ll be going now. See you next time.”
“Alright.” Xu Jinhuan smiled and waved at him.
…
The weather always clears after the rain. Over the next week, City B was bathed in clear skies, and even the air felt exceptionally fresh.
“Xiao Huan, why haven’t we seen Mr. Wen come to the shop these past few days?”
Grandma Liu casually brought it up as she wiped down the kitchen counter, a curious look on her face.
“Did you two have a fight?”
Xu Jinhuan was busy packing takeout orders and couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation.
“Grandma, please stop reading all those gossip stories on your phone. Mr. Wen and I really are just friends, and we haven’t had a fight.”
Grandma Liu put down her cloth, smiling knowingly. “Oh, what’s wrong with being friends? Isn’t it normal for friends to have little disagreements?”
Xu Jinhuan sighed and explained, “Mr. Wen went on a business trip to City A. It’s really not what you’re thinking.”
Grandma Liu blinked, seemingly unwilling to drop the topic.
“This old lady never said you two were anything. You’re the one admitting it.”
She continued, “Seriously, Xiao Huan, you’re both unmarried. Mr. Wen is so outstanding and treats you so well. You two are such a perfect match. Wouldn’t it be just right for you to be together?”Xu Jinhuan forced a dry laugh and responded a few times, placing the dessert into the delivery bag. “Grandma Liu, I’m off to make the delivery. Please watch the shop for now.”
With that, she grabbed her electric scooter key and quickly dashed out.
Grandma Liu watched Xu Jinhuan’s hurried departure and shook her head helplessly.
“This child, why is she running so fast?”
…
Meanwhile, Xu Jinhuan parked her electric scooter outside the old residential complex and finally breathed a sigh of relief as if granted amnesty.
Grandma really, always trying to set me up with Mr. Wen.
She doesn’t even consider how I could ever be worthy of him. If word got out, people might think it’s a case of a toad lusting after swan meat.
I’m the toad.
Mr. Wen is the swan.
Xu Jinhuan shook her head, pushing aside further thoughts. Better focus on delivering the orders first.
The old residential complex was just on the street behind the shop, not too far away. Xu Jinhuan quickly finished delivering two orders within the same complex.
When she returned to the shop, she could see from outside the window that the crowd inside had reached a packed level.
What happened?
Xu Jinhuan hurriedly parked her electric scooter, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and pushed through the transparent door curtain to enter.
Through the crowd, the scene before her left her somewhat astonished.
Mr. Wen… was actually helping customers pack orders?!
Over his pristine white shirt, he wore an adorable cat-head apron. Without a tie, his slightly open collar revealed a small glimpse of his firm chest, while the exposed section of his arm showed tight, well-defined muscles. The contrast between cuteness and maturity exuded an overwhelming masculine charm.
Every movement appeared so skilled, as if this shop were his own domain.
No wonder so many people had suddenly shown up. With Mr. Wen like this… who could resist?
“What would you like to order, miss?” Wen Yu asked with a smile.
“I…”
Before Xu Jinhuan could respond, someone in the shop who was earnestly (admiringly) waiting in line (for the male eye candy) voiced a protest.
“Boss, we’ve bought so many things, but we haven’t seen you smile once. That’s not fair!” one customer joked.
Another customer chimed in, “Yeah, handsome, at least treat everyone equally.”
Wen Yu replied, “Sorry, the employee handbook doesn’t require smiling during work hours, but serving the boss well can earn a raise.”
Upon hearing this, the customers suddenly understood. “Oh~ So the young lady is the boss!”
“Young lady, are you still hiring? I’m available!”
Another quickly followed, “Then I’m available too!”