Although Shen Zhinan had settled in at Fu Yanshi’s place, he had no intention of freeloading. Early the next morning, he asked Fu Yanshi how much it would cost to rent an apartment in that area.
Fu Yanshi quoted a number.
Shen Zhinan: “…”
Shen Zhinan laughed awkwardly. “We’re so close, shouldn’t you give me a discount? Like, 0.1% off or something?”
That way, he could barely afford it.
Fu Yanshi was in the kitchen cooking, wearing only a pair of gray sweatpants and an apron, his upper body bare.
The apron was loose, and from the side, Shen Zhinan could vaguely make out Fu Yanshi’s abs. The muscles in his arms bulged with each movement.
Early in the morning, the sight was too much for Shen Zhinan to handle.
“What kind of look is this?” Shen Zhinan asked.
Fu Yanshi brought out a plate of breakfast, set it on the island counter, and leaned against the sideboard with his hands in his pockets, looking at Shen Zhinan. “I call this look ‘Stylish Man Cooks.’”
Shen Zhinan glanced at the plate a bagel slathered with blueberry jam, two slices of orange, and crabstick scrambled eggs. It looked delicious. Shen Zhinan swallowed. “You stylish men really know how to eat.”
Fu Yanshi pushed the plate toward him. “This is for you.”
Shen Zhinan was taken aback. “Aren’t you eating?”
“I’ve already eaten,” Fu Yanshi said. “I like to eat something before working out.”
Shen Zhinan glanced at Fu Yanshi’s lean physique and thought, No wonder he’s in such good shape.
He works out every day.
Shen Zhinan pulled up a stool and sat at the island counter, ready to dig in. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” But before he could touch the plate, Fu Yanshi grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the bathroom. “Wash your hands before eating.”
So fussy.
Shen Zhinan grumbled inwardly but smiled brightly. “Sure thing!”
He who accepts food is bound by its taste.
He could endure it.
While Shen Zhinan was washing his hands, Fu Yanshi leaned against the doorframe and answered Shen Zhinan’s earlier question. “You don’t need to pay rent. You can cover it by doing the dishes.” Fu Yanshi pursed his lips. “I hate washing dishes the most.”
“Fine.”
By the time Shen Zhinan finished breakfast, Fu Yanshi had already dressed and emerged from the bedroom.
The well-tailored black suit accentuated the alpha’s broad shoulders and narrow waist, making him look dignified and handsome.
Whether from the perspective of the same or opposite sex, one had to admit he was a feast for the eyes.
Shen Zhinan privately named this outfit Classic Skin.
Fu Yanshi had too many black suits, and Shen Zhinan couldn’t tell them apart. Given Fu Yanshi’s fussy personality, each one was surely unique.
“I’m heading to work,” Fu Yanshi said as he put on his watch. “Call the driver if you need to go to school later. Come back early after class, and don’t wander around outside.”
This script,
Shen Zhinan said helplessly, “I’m twenty years old, not two.”
As Fu Yanshi walked to the island counter, he pointed to his cheek and raised an eyebrow. “How about a goodbye kiss?”
Shen Zhinan’s temples throbbed. He smiled brightly and said, “Sorry, this service isn’t available.” Shen Zhinan waved his fist. “All we have here is a goodbye punch.”
Fu Yanshi burst into laughter, ruffling Shen Zhinan’s already messy hair into even greater disarray. “You little rascal.”
Shen Zhinan cried out in frustration, “Fu Yanshi!”
After causing mischief, Fu Yanshi hummed “Today Is a Good Day” as he headed off to work.
Lately, Shen Zhinan had been wanting to create a small game but was struggling with a lack of inspiration. The five failed attempts he had forced out left him deeply unsatisfied.
He had been pulling all-nighters frequently, and Lin Xunchuan, noticing the heavy dark circles under his eyes, asked with concern, “Zhinan, what have you been so busy with lately? You look utterly worn out.”
After getting to know each other better, Lin Xunchuan’s motherly tendencies had become impossible to hide. Back when Shen Zhinan was drunk and jokingly called him “big brother,” the words might have been casual, but Lin Xunchuan took them to heart.
Since then, whenever Grandpa Lin sent over anything, there was always a share for Shen Zhinan.
Mostly vegetables and fruits that the old man grew himself.
The items weren’t particularly valuable, but the thought behind them was precious. Being remembered like this warmed Shen Zhinan’s heart.
“My grandpa sent me a bag of oranges. Come by my place later and take some home to eat,” Lin Xunchuan said. “I notice you don’t usually eat much fruit and you’re always staying up late. You need to get more vitamins.”
“Besides eating more fruit, you should also eat more vegetables, exercise regularly, and ”
Shen Zhinan knew Lin Xunchuan’s motherly side was acting up again. His head was starting to spin from the lecture, so he quickly cut in, “Brother Chuan, stop!”
“I’ll go home and drink a whole pineapple cup of orange juice!” Shen Zhinan was genuinely afraid. “Please, spare me your wisdom!”
Lin Xunchuan smiled contentedly, then remembered something and cautiously added, “By the way, the New Year is coming up soon. My grandpa said he’d like you to spend it with us Zhinan, you’ll come, right?”
Everyone knew Shen Zhinan was an orphan. During the New Year, when families gathered for reunions, Shen Zhinan would be left alone. The old man couldn’t bear the thought, and neither could Lin Xunchuan.
But Lin Xunchuan also knew that Shen Zhinan disliked being pitied. After all, they weren’t his real family.
If Shen Zhinan didn’t want to come, it was understandable.
Shen Zhinan was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, “Of course, I’ll come. I really love Grandpa Lin’s cooking. I’ve been missing it, actually.”
Shen Zhinan could tell the difference between warm kindness and condescending charity.
To the latter, he would bare his sharp fangs, but to the former, he would hold it close and cherish it dearly.
When Shen Zhinan returned home carrying a large bag of oranges, Fu Yanshi hadn’t come back yet.
His eyes fell on the juicer sitting on the kitchen counter, and he felt a surge of excitement.
Fu Yanshi loved freshly squeezed juice, and Shen Zhinan had seen him use the machine before.
Since Fu Yanshi had made him breakfast, Shen Zhinan decided to make him some orange juice in return.
Shen Zhinan thought operating the juicer couldn’t be too difficult. After all, he’d seen Fu Yanshi use it with ease.
It was like putting an elephant in a refrigerator just three simple steps.
First, open the lid of the juicer and put in the fruit. Then, close the lid.
Finally, press the button.
When Fu Yanshi pushed open the door to the apartment, he was met with a terrifying “thump-thump-thump” noise coming from the kitchen.
His temple started throbbing in sync.
“Shen Zhinan, what are you doing?!” Fu Yanshi rushed into the kitchen and found Shen Zhinan in a full-on battle with the juicer.
The juicer kept bouncing and shaking uncontrollably. Shen Zhinan held it down firmly, then glanced at Fu Yanshi upon hearing his voice. “Fu Yanshi, your juicer’s gone crazy! It’s trying to jump onto the stove!”
Fu Yanshi felt a chill run down his spine at Shen Zhinan’s actions. “For heaven’s sake! Let go of it right now! You might get hurt!”
Shen Zhinan grimaced. “I’m afraid if I let go, the lid will fly off. I’m looking for the power cord.”
Fu Yanshi opened the cabinet door. He disliked clutter on the countertops, so he had hidden the sockets for these appliances underneath.
Fu Yanshi quickly unplugged it. “Alright, I’ve unplugged it. Now let go.”
Only then did Shen Zhinan release his grip.
“Ah!”
A sharp cry echoed through the room.
The moment Shen Zhinan let go, the lid sprang up and hit him squarely on the head.
Shen Zhinan clutched his head, his eyes reddening from the pain.
Fu Yanshi:
Fu Yanshi fetched the first aid kit and began applying medicine to Shen Zhinan’s forehead, which had swollen into a bump from the impact.
As Fu Yanshi tended to the wound, Shen Zhinan winced and hissed in pain several times.
“Be a little gentler…” Shen Zhinan muttered under his breath.
Fu Yanshi deliberately pressed harder, intending to teach him a lesson. “You’re a college student, for crying out loud. How did you manage to make such a mess out of juicing some fruit?”
“Ouch! That hurts! It really hurts!” Tears welled up in Shen Zhinan’s eyes from the pain. “Today was just an accident.”
Fu Yanshi continued applying the medicine, this time with a lighter touch, and remarked, “You dummy.”
Shen Zhinan didn’t dare argue back.
He had been incredibly foolish today.
His face, all the way to the back of his ears, flushed bright red with embarrassment.
“Look how flustered you are after just a few words,” Fu Yanshi teased, lightly pinching Shen Zhinan’s earlobe. He suddenly chuckled. “You’re overheating.”
Shen Zhinan covered his face. “My reputation is completely ruined.”
After finishing the treatment and bandaging the wound, Fu Yanshi flicked Shen Zhinan’s forehead. “Next time, wait for me to handle it. Don’t mess around on your own.”
“If you’re clumsy, don’t be so eager to help.”
Shen Zhinan held his head, looking pitiful. “Okay.”
Shen Zhinan went to the bathroom and, upon returning, noticed a glass of orange juice on the small table in front of where he had been sitting.
He took a sip it was sweet and tangy, with a distinctly natural flavor.
He glanced over and saw Fu Yanshi, who had taken off his suit jacket and was busy in the kitchen wearing a black shirt.
The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his sturdy forearms.
Shen Zhinan scurried over eagerly, holding the glass up to Fu Yanshi’s lips. “Try this! These oranges were a gift from my friend’s grandfather. They’re homegrown you can’t buy them anywhere!”
Fu Yanshi, who was in the middle of chopping vegetables, glanced sideways at Shen Zhinan.
Oh? So he’s come to his senses and wants to make up now?
Fu Yanshi took a sip from the glass Shen Zhinan held and savored the taste. “It’s pretty good.”
“If you like it, help spread the word. You have a lot of friends, right?” Shen Zhinan’s eyes sparkled as he grinned. “Recommend it to them. It’s rare to find such wholesome and healthy fruit these days. Rich folks like you care the most about food safety, don’t you?”
Business had been tough in recent years, with inferior products driving out quality ones. The more conscientious you were about food, the harder it was to make a profit.
Shen Zhinan felt sorry for Grandpa Lin.
No wonder he was suddenly being so attentive.
So this was what he had been waiting for.
Fu Yanshi snorted coldly, thinking to himself, “I thought this guy had suddenly stopped fearing being punished.”
After chopping the scallions, Fu Yanshi began smashing garlic. “Why trouble others? I can buy them. It’s almost the New Year anyway consider it employee benefits.”
Shen Zhinan beamed with joy. “That’s fantastic!” He cleared his throat and launched into a stream of flattery. “With a leader like President Fu, the employees are sure to be deeply moved.”
What a bootlicker.
Fu Yanshi shot Shen Zhinan a sidelong glance, noticing his moist lips that looked incredibly soft. Suddenly, he said, “Actually, I know quite a few executives from other companies. They have plenty of employees too. I could recommend they buy some as well.”
Shen Zhinan’s eyes lit up.
So much money!
Grandpa Lin would be over the moon!
“But I’m not helping for free,” Fu Yanshi said, pointing to his cheek. “You have to give me a kiss here.”