Pursuit
Zhou Shou could clearly tell how nervous I was. After handing me the glass of water, he didn’t sit beside me but left a seat between us. His voice was gentle and friendly. “Don’t be so tense.”
My fingers were gripping the glass so tightly they’d turned pale. He said don’t be nervous, but seriously—being alone in a room with a man who’d just said he wanted to sleep with me a few hours ago?
How could I not be nervous?!
I took a shaky sip of water, switched into my “convenience store employee” mode, and said politely, “Mr. Zhou, I think you might really be misunderstanding something.”
Then I got stuck.
I didn’t know how to tactfully tell him that I wasn’t interested—and that he needed to stop bothering me.
Sure, I could’ve said it harshly, even screamed like a lunatic about how he was causing me trouble. But I hate hurting people, or bluntly smashing someone’s dignity—especially if they’re innocent.
Zhou Shou was still waiting for me to speak. His gaze had a curious glint, like he was watching me make my final struggle, amused.
Forget it. I couldn’t explain it properly anyway. For the first time, I really hated how bad I was with words.
Might as well turn the tables.
“Why does Mr. Zhou like me?” I asked.
His brows lifted, clearly not expecting that.
It took him a moment to answer. “Does liking someone need a reason?”
Of course. The sly old fox, battle-hardened from years in the corporate world—his words flawless, every one a hidden trap.
“…It doesn’t.”
And just like that, I fell right into the pit, like a rabbit caught in a snare. Next second, he’d probably pounce and tear me apart, bones and all.
“Then it makes sense that I like you, Ji Chi,” Zhou Shou said calmly. “After all, you’re the white moonlight I’ve been longing for.”
White moonlight? Who, me? Ji Chi?
Why me of all people?
And wow, could he sound any more like a cheesy romance novel line?
Zhou Shou stood up and walked toward me. Instinctively, I threw up my guard, hugging my arms tight to my chest. My gaze rose to meet his with what I hoped was terrifying authority.
To him, though, I probably looked like a little pup puffing up its fur to bluff against a big bad wolf.
He merely reached past me, picked up my empty glass, refilled it with water, then sat back down. “I won’t force you. But starting now, I’m going to pursue you—until you agree to be with me.”
“…”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. He didn’t do anything else either.
Then he stood and went into the kitchen. Somehow, he seemed to know exactly what I liked to eat—the ingredients he pulled out were all my favorites.
“Need help?”
It felt wrong to just freeload like this, so I shuffled into the kitchen, keeping a safe distance between us.
Without looking up, Zhou Shou pointed to the tomatoes. “Wash these first, then help me cut them.” He paused for a moment. “Can you even cut?”
“Of course I can.”
Not only could I cut—I could cook.
After all, I’d realized early on that I was just one of millions of ordinary people. Not even average, really. Just another face in the crowd, destined to work hard all my life and hope for a peaceful, uneventful existence.
My parents were just regular office workers. My plan for myself wasn’t much different—get a decent job, earn enough to take care of them, and that’d be enough.
Zhou Shou suddenly barging into my life was… definitely not part of the plan.
I’ll just finish this meal, then run for it. Yeah, that’s the plan.
If he wants to “pursue” me, fine—he can think whatever he wants. As long as I keep rejecting him each time… right?