Yu Wan buried her face against Li Yi’s chest, only daring to sneak glances in that direction.
“Wanwan…”
“Don’t move!”
Li Yi immediately froze.
Yu Wan watched nervously.
Su Nanzhi and the friend who had come to the café with her were chatting as they slowly walked closer.
Fortunately, the two of them seemed to be having a lively conversation and hadn’t noticed this side yet.
Su Nanzhi and Xiao Xia had just finished interviewing the executives and were heading to the lounge to grab something to eat.
“I’m exhausted, seriously exhausted!” Xiao Xia complained as she rubbed her shoulders. “This hot spring resort is such a fun place, so why are we the ones who have to work?”
Su Nanzhi didn’t say anything, only smiled.
“Well, at least we finished everything smoothly.”
“Finished what? We still have to work overtime this weekend to finish the report.”
The two of them chatted as they walked farther and farther away. Only after they had completely disappeared from sight did Yu Wan finally let out a sigh of relief and release her hands.
When she turned back to look at Li Yi, his face was already bright red.
“What’s wrong with you?” Yu Wan asked in confusion.
Why wasn’t there a single thought running through his mind?
“I… I… I…” Li Yi stammered for a long time, unable to get a complete sentence out.
Not talking?
Fine then.
Checking the time, Yu Wan hurried downstairs in just a few quick steps and waved goodbye to him.
“No need to see me off! My ride is here, I’ll head down by myself. Hurry and go eat!”
She left so quickly that Li Yi didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye.
Li Yi remained where he was, watching her figure disappear around the corner.
His hand was still held in the same position from when he had supported her, her lingering warmth still resting in his palm.
There even seemed to be a faint trace of her fragrance.
【Has the heroine’s affection level gone up?】
Li Yi asked in his mind.
【No!! Host! I’m shocked too! This was such a classic idol drama scene, and the heroine’s affection level didn’t increase at all! Wuwuwu!】
The System beat its chest in despair.
But Li Yi wasn’t in the mood to listen to the System’s sobbing.
He simply stared blankly at his own palm.
If her affection level didn’t increase, then so be it.
Anyway, the hot spring resort was a wonderful place.
He’d definitely come here more often in the future!
Downstairs, after changing back into her clothes, Yu Wan quickly walked out of the hot spring resort.
Outside, night had already fallen.
The silver gray Bentley was parked just outside the entrance, its body reflecting a subdued sheen beneath the streetlights.
Gu Chiyuan leaned casually against the car door, dressed in a dark gray overcoat. His tall figure and cold, handsome features naturally drew the attention of everyone passing by.
Only when he saw Yu Wan emerge did he straighten up.
Steeling herself, Yu Wan walked over.
“Brother.”
Gu Chiyuan looked at her face without saying a word.
His gaze seemed to be examining something.
Feeling guilty under his scrutiny, Yu Wan took the initiative to speak.
“Why did you come pick me up today?”
“I was passing by,” Gu Chiyuan replied indifferently.
Passing by again. Yu Wan was speechless.
Were CEOs really this free these days?
“Not working today?” Gu Chiyuan asked again.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Yu Wan answered, “No. The café’s being renovated, so there hasn’t been much to do these past two months. Today I came to this team building event with coworkers from another company owned by my boss.”
Gu Chiyuan looked at her without speaking.
That gaze seemed as though he was confirming something.
Yu Wan grew increasingly uncomfortable under his stare and instinctively avoided his eyes.
“Get in.”
Only then did Gu Chiyuan speak again.
Feeling as though she had been granted a pardon, Yu Wan hurriedly opened the car door and climbed inside.
The car slowly pulled away and disappeared into the night.
The cabin was quiet.
Leaning against the seat, Yu Wan watched the streetlights glide past outside the window.
Her phone vibrated.
She lowered her head and looked at it.
【Li Yi: Have you gotten in the car?】
The corners of Yu Wan’s lips curved upward.
【Yu Wan: Not yet. I’m still on the way.】
After sending it, she thought for a moment before adding another message.
【Yu Wan: Was the buffet good?】
The reply came quickly.
【Li Yi: It was alright.】
【Li Yi: But it’s not as good as what I cook.】
Yu Wan blinked in surprise.
The male lead could cook too?
He was really good at everything!
“What are you smiling about?”
Gu Chiyuan’s voice suddenly came from beside her.
Yu Wan’s heart skipped a beat.
She instinctively flipped her phone face down onto her lap, the movement so quick it was almost a conditioned reflex.
“It’s nothing,” Yu Wan replied, her voice a little stiff.
Gu Chiyuan glanced at her.
His gaze lingered on the face down phone for a second before shifting away.
“Chatting with a friend?” he asked, his tone unreadable.
Yu Wan gave a vague hum in response.
The car fell silent once more.
She kept looking out the window, but her heartbeat still hadn’t completely settled.
She could still feel Gu Chiyuan’s presence. Even though he was now looking ahead, that faint sense of pressure remained.
Her phone vibrated again.
Yu Wan didn’t take it out.
She endured the entire ride.
Only after they arrived at the Gu residence, washed their hands, and sat down at the dinner table did Yu Wan finally read Li Yi’s latest message.
【Li Yi: If I get the chance, I’ll cook for you.】
“Xiao Wan, no phones at the dinner table,” Mother Yu said as she placed a piece of braised pork rib into her bowl. “Here, try something your Uncle Gu made himself.”
A man who could cook was always a high quality man.
Yu Wan put away her phone and lowered her head to enjoy the ribs, their rich flavor filling her mouth.
Ever since Gu Chiyuan had gradually taken over Hongtai Group over the past few years, Uncle Gu had slowly become less busy.
Like many middle aged men, he had developed a passion for cooking, and his culinary skills had only grown better with time.
Yu Wan’s biological father had never been a good man.
Compared to that man, Yu Wan was much closer to her stepfather, Uncle Gu, and she was genuinely happy that Mother Yu had found happiness in her second marriage.
“By the way,” Uncle Gu suddenly said, looking toward Gu Chiyuan, “how’s that batch of interns at your company doing?”
Gu Chiyuan set down his chopsticks.
“They’re alright.”
“Just alright?” Uncle Gu chuckled. “Your standards are too high. I heard this group of interns is quite capable. A few of them are even top students from A University.”
Gu Chiyuan said nothing.
Uncle Gu continued, “I suggest choosing another assistant from this batch of interns. Fresh graduates recruited directly from campus usually have a strong sense of loyalty to the company, and they’re easier to train.”