Huai Yin clutched her phone, reading the last message Shen Xiaozhou had sent. A faint flush gradually crept over her ears.
A pang of guilt stirred in her chest, but she had no choice—it was all part of the tasks assigned by the system.
As a properly executed villainess, Huai Yin was expected not only to sow discord between the male lead and female lead, but also to constantly pick on the secondary male lead out of resentment for him staying at her home.
Yet to her surprise, Shen Xiaozhou had been almost entirely submissive to her today. In the past, he would have ignored her altogether.
The more she thought about it, the weirder it felt. The shift in attitude from both the male lead and the secondary male lead had been far too sudden lately.
She had been in this world for less than two weeks. Huai Yin still clearly remembered her first encounter with the main cast—not a single one of them had offered her a pleasant expression. Back then, they avoided her like the plague whenever she was around.
As time went on, however, the way they looked at her seemed to soften considerably. The obvious disgust had faded, replaced by an inexplicable layer of tenderness and possessiveness.
It was akin to seeing an adorable kitten—an overwhelming urge to reach out, pet it, scoop it up, and keep it locked away at home.
Except Huai Yin wasn’t an actual cat, nor was she some little pet. They couldn’t just lock her up, so all they could do was keep their eyes glued to her, terrified that she might suddenly slip away.
No, no, no.
Huai Yin shook her head vigorously.
It must be an illusion. After all, she was the vicious female side character. What normal person would ever like someone like her?
Unless there was something seriously wrong with their head.
Yeah, exactly.
Feeling a bit aggrieved, Huai Yin sat in the bathtub with her knees pulled up to her chest, leaving only her head exposed above the water.
If she hadn’t been bound to this system, she would have genuinely liked to make friends with the main cast rather than standing on opposite sides of the field.
Huai Yin let out a soft sigh, lowering her head in disappointment as she paddled her hands against the water like a duck.
A knock sounded on the bathroom door, followed by a maid’s voice from outside.
“Miss Huai Yin, are you alright? I haven’t heard any movement from you in a while.”
She was likely worried that Huai Yin might pass out from soaking for too long.
Huai Yin raised her voice. “I’m fine! Don’t worry about me.”
“Understood, Miss. I’ll be right outside the door if you need anything.”
The maid stayed put, standing by outside.
Being an heiress certainly had its perks. As an only child, her father, Huai Yanli, doted on her endlessly. She lacked for nothing, and he brought back gifts for her every time he returned from a business trip.
The only drawback was the lack of freedom.
Since her mother passed away, the two of them had relied on each other. Driven by deep paternal devotion, Huai Yanli kept an exceptionally tight watch over her.
Whenever Huai Yin stepped outside, bodyguards followed her almost step for step. Even at home, countless eyes watched her every move.
School was practically the only place where she could catch a breath of air.
Initially, Huai Yanli had instructed Shen Xiaozhou to look after her, but Huai Yin didn’t want others discovering their connection, so she rarely spoke to him. Shen Xiaozhou had been more than happy to oblige and had left her alone.
Today, however, had been an exception.
She hadn’t expected him to step forward and help her on his own initiative—especially when he could have easily pretended not to notice.
Was he worried that I might take my anger out on him later?
Huai Yin didn’t know the answer.
After soaking a bit longer, her head began to feel slightly dizzy, so she stood up from the tub.
Water cascaded off her body like smooth silk. Wrapping herself in a bathrobe, Huai Yin stepped sluggishly out of the bathroom.
The maid thoughtfully helped her dry her hair. As Huai Yin headed downstairs, she caught a glimpse of the dimming sky through the corridor window. Heavy, dark storm clouds gathered overhead, pressing low against the ground, while faint rumbles of thunder sounded in the distance.
It was about to rain.
Huai Yin bit her lip, feeling a small pang of worry. Had she known earlier, she would have asked for something else—like asking him to help with her homework instead.
He should be fine, right? Shen Xiaozhou is an adult, after all.
A gentle drizzle began to fall, droplets splashing onto Shen Xiaozhou. The damp scent of moisture hung thick in the air.
Taking advantage of the gap before the rain picked up, Shen Xiaozhou rushed back to the Huai residence as soon as he bought the cake. Stepping inside, he saw Huai Yin lounging on the living room sofa.
Fresh out of her bath, her fair, dewy cheeks carried a soft flush. She wore a light pink camisole nightdress that left her slender, porcelain arms exposed.
Her long, wavy dark hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall. She looked warm and cozy, resembling a little lamb that had spent the entire day soaking up the sun on a meadow. Shen Xiaozhou could even catch the faint, fluffy, and sweet fragrance drifting off her.
Huai Yin was reading a book with an earnest expression. Warm lighting spilled over her profile, bathing her in a soft, golden glow.
At times her brow knitted slightly in thought; at other times her face broke into a gentle smile. Every expression was vivid and full of life.
Shen Xiaozhou’s heart thumped heavily against his ribs.
He stared at her without blinking, his eyes entirely filled with her figure, oblivious to everything else around him.
Lifting his feet, he walked toward her almost on instinct.
“Miss, Young Master Shen is back,” the maid, who had noticed him earlier, leaned down to whisper gently in Huai Yin’s ear as she saw her engrossed in her book.
Huai Yin raised her head immediately.
Her almond-shaped eyes were bright and dewy, sparkling with anticipation.
Setting her book aside, Huai Yin slipped into her plush Strawberry Bear slippers and bounced over to him like a little rabbit.
She tilted her head up to look at him with expectant eyes.
Just like a young wife welcoming her husband home.
Huai Yin was about to speak, but the words paused on her tongue. Not wanting to appear overly happy, she put on a petulant front, knitting her lovely brows with a small hmph. “What took you so long? You’re so slow just buying a single cake.”
Even though the cake was bought, the young heiress was still displeased—truly unreasonable.
“I checked several bakeries. I wasn’t sure what you liked.”
Huai Yin dismissed the surrounding servants and walked over to the dining table with her arms crossed. “Didn’t I say strawberry cake?”
“There are many kinds of strawberry cake.” Shen Xiaozhou followed closely behind her, his eyes lowered, his gaze falling upon the slender line of her neck. A faint crimson mole rested there, tempting anyone who saw it to reach out and trace it with their tongue.
Huai Yin stood by the table, and Shen Xiaozhou stepped forward to pull out the chair for her. He placed the cake box onto the table. Fearing the rain outside might ruin it, he had laid his shirt over the top of the box to protect it.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d like it.”
When Huai Yin noticed the shirt, her expression shifted subtly.
“What is this?”
Shen Xiaozhou raised an eyebrow, veins standing out faintly on the back of his hand. His tone remained neutral. “I ran into Xu Shiyan on the way back.”
Huai Yin’s pupils widened instinctively like a startled cat, her eyelashes quivering lightly.
“Did, did you reveal that you’re staying at my house?” She stammered out.
A barely noticeable crease appeared between Shen Xiaozhou’s brows, a hint of displeasure breaking through his quiet demeanor as his lips pressed into a tight line.
Huai Yin watched him lower his eyes, uncertain of what he was thinking, as his long, slender fingers unraveled the ribbon tied around the box.
“No,” Shen Xiaozhou said softly, his voice somewhat muffled.
He raised his gaze, sweeping over her delicate collarbone. His pale skin looked almost translucent, his face devoid of emotion. His expression appeared cold and distant, his voice airy and faint.
“He returned the shirt to me, called me a stalker, and told me to stay away from you. That was all.”
Huai Yin instinctively drew her neck back a little.
That’s a huge misunderstanding.
Clearing her throat awkwardly, Huai Yin sat down and rested her hands neatly on the table, looking every bit like an obedient elementary student.
“You don’t believe me?” Shen Xiaozhou asked out of nowhere.
Huai Yin looked at him blankly.
“Oh, right.” A subtle curve touched Shen Xiaozhou’s lips, a faint trace of amusement threading through his clear, refined voice. “He also called me a home-wrecker, claiming I shameless tried to seduce you.”
Now that was the real point.
Huai Yin’s face turned crimson in an instant. Her gaze drifted, not daring to meet Shen Xiaozhou’s eyes.
The youth leaned down, slowly closing the distance between them, his warm, ambiguous breath brushing lightly against the crown of her head.
Lowering his voice, a hint of raspiness entered his tone. “Tell me, did I seduce you?”
Huai Yin bit her lip, shaking her head silently in her heart.
No, definitely not.
“Did I?” Shen Xiaozhou pressed on, determined to pull an answer straight from her lips.
Taking a deep breath, Huai Yin braced herself and replied, “No.”
Shen Xiaozhou’s breathing suddenly grew heavy and rapid, making Huai Yin feel as though the surrounding air was heating up. Yet within seconds, he reverted to his usual calm demeanor, as if everything that had just transpired was nothing more than an illusion.
Grumble.
Huai Yin’s stomach betrayed her with a soft rumble. Inhaling the sweet aroma of the cake, she realized she was genuinely hungry.
Shen Xiaozhou’s expression stiffened for a brief second before he let out a helpless sigh. Discerning the situation quickly, he sliced a piece of cake for the young heiress.
Placing the largest, reddest strawberry from the cake onto her plate, he watched her eyes light up instantly.
Huai Yin reached out with both hands, receiving it almost reverently.
“Eat slowly.”
Shen Xiaozhou turned to leave, but Huai Yin snapped back to her senses and quickly called out to stop him.
“Where are you going?” Huai Yin hesitated. “Aren’t you going to have some with me?”
Shen Xiaozhou’s footsteps faltered. His expression remained aloof, but a fleeting trace of amusement glinted unbidden in his eyes.
“I bought it for you, My Lady. I’m not going to steal it from you.”
Huai Yin pouted.
What’s that supposed to mean? Making it sound as if she were stingy with food—she was actually quite fond of sharing! Asking Shen Xiaozhou to buy the cake was just her indirect way of thanking him for helping her out today.
She just couldn’t make it too obvious, that’s all.
“It’s such a huge cake. How am I supposed to finish it all by myself?”
Huai Yin subtly dropped a hint for him to join her.
His handsome light-brown eyes rested on her. His Adam’s apple rolled once, and he replied offhandedly, “I don’t really like sweet things. If you can’t finish it, just save it for tomorrow, the day after, or the day after that.”
“It won’t be fresh by then!”
Huai Yin, a true foodie, voiced her strong disapproval.
“So you just don’t want to eat with me, is that it?”
Huai Yin’s cheeks puffed out slightly, making her look thoroughly annoyed.
Like a furious, foolish little squirrel, Shen Xiaozhou thought—looking so wronged, so pitiful, yet insisting on being so stubborn.
Shen Xiaozhou decided to stop teasing her before he took it too far. Pulling a genuine truth out of this young heiress was clearly going to be a tough endeavor.
Sometimes, he truly wished she could be a bit more honest with her feelings.
Sitting down opposite her, he cut a slice of cake for himself as well.
Only after watching Shen Xiaozhou take a bite with eager anticipation did Huai Yin nod in satisfaction.
Noticing the girl’s gaze fixed on him, Shen Xiaozhou couldn’t help but look up. Huai Yin foolishly yanked her eyes away, lowering her head to eat in a panic—acting as if she hadn’t been sneaking glances at him just a second ago.
She was so flustered that she didn’t even realize a bit of cream had smudged on the corner of her mouth.
Almost on instinct, Shen Xiaozhou reached out and gently wiped the cream away. His fingertips lingered on her soft cheek for a few seconds as he fought the urge to toy with her lips.
Huai Yin raised her head blankly. “What’s wrong?”
Shen Xiaozhou’s breath hitched. He forced himself to pull his hand back.
“Nothing. You just had some cream on your mouth.”
“Really?”
Huai Yin flicked her tongue out to lick the corner of her lips. “Is there still some left?”
Her lips became glossy and glistening, coated in a faint sheen of moisture. Shen Xiaozhou found himself desperately wanting to lick them clean for her.
Steadying his breathing, his fingers twitched slightly as he uttered a gentle lie to the silly young heiress.
“Yeah, there’s still some. Come closer, I’ll wipe it for you.”