The night was hazy, the late autumn breeze tangling in her soft hair.
Qi Yan glanced slightly to the side, catching a faint fragrance carried by the wind to his nose.
Wanqing noticed his gaze and turned to speak, only to find a watermelon inexplicably in her hands.
She paused, looking at him in surprise.
“Second Master, this watermelon?”
Its appearance was both absurdly comical and oddly fitting, leaving her torn between laughter and disbelief.
“Do you… also like eating watermelon?”
Qi Yan rested his fingers on the steering wheel, his tone casual.
“I bought it on the way. The vendor swore it was sweet—if it’s not, I’ll go back and flip his stall.”
Wanqing’s heart skipped a beat.
Damn.
What was he implying?!
But.
She couldn’t quite picture the image of Second Master Qi, dressed in a tailored suit, scanning a QR code at a roadside fruit stall to buy a watermelon. It was just too bizarre.
She had assumed he would mind the rumors about her and Fu Si Yu, as people in positions of power often had strong possessive and controlling tendencies.
Yet he hadn’t mentioned it at all, which was downright terrifying!
She felt it was necessary to explain things clearly to him.
“Second Master, there’s something I want to say.”
“You’ve heard about me and Fu Si Yu, right? Actually, it’s not like what people say.”
Without turning his head, his voice remained cool and detached. “I haven’t heard. What are people saying?”
“You know, all that gossip. Anyway, I don’t like him, and he doesn’t like me. We’re not that kind of relationship. Please don’t misunderstand!”
After speaking, she tilted her chin up, her eyes full of expectation as she gazed at his handsome profile.
Surely, with such a concise explanation, he understood!
But the next moment.
She heard him speak in his usual calm and composed tone, his words clear and deliberate.
“Didn’t your performance last night already tell me that?”
“…”
Wanqing was momentarily speechless.
Right, she had already proven it with her actions. What more was there to explain?
She tucked the wind-tousled strands of hair behind her ear and silently scooped a spoonful of watermelon.
Qi Yan suddenly turned to look at her. “Is it sweet?”
She nodded vigorously, eager to flatter him.
“As expected of CEO Qi, whose reputation shakes the capital! Even a casually bought watermelon is sweeter than anyone else’s!”
At a red light, the Pagani came to a stop in the waiting zone.
Without a word, Qi Yan unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned in close, and rested one hand on the headrest of her seat.
“Teacher Wan, is it sweet?”
Her heart felt gripped, pounding wildly.
Meeting his dark eyes, she understood instantly.
After a brief pause, her face flushed as she placed both hands on his shoulders, leaned in abruptly, and kissed his cheek.
“Brother, I’m super sweet!”
Seemingly pleased with this answer, Qi Yan picked up the agreement and skimmed through it.
[Sugar Baby Agreement]
[Agreement Validity: One Year]
[Party A: Qi Yan, Party B: Wanqing]
[Special Clause: During the agreement period, Party B shall not engage in infidelity, maintain physical and emotional purity, and fulfill Party A’s needs at any time and place.]
The man curved his lips into a faint smile, giving her a deep look before swiftly signing his name.
_
Though the watermelon was sweet, its sugar content was excessive, and one shouldn’t indulge too much.
Otherwise, his luxury car might end up with a parking ticket from the traffic police.
The sound of brakes echoed softly.
Qi Yan pulled the car over to the side of the road, stepped out, and walked around to her side, tapping on the window.
Wanqing thought he wanted her to get out, but as soon as she opened the door, he pressed her back inside.
“Don’t get out.”
She rolled down the car window completely and stuck her head out, “…”
Utterly bewildered.
Qi Yan reached out and flicked her forehead, chuckling softly.
“Lost your mind? Hand me the watermelon.”
The wind by the lake was especially strong. Even with just the window open, Wanqing could feel its force.
With a face full of confusion, she passed the watermelon through the window. But as soon as he took it, he turned and tossed it into a roadside trash can.
Wanqing: “Why did you throw away my watermelon?!”
Qi Yan settled back into the driver’s seat. “What season is it now?”
Wanqing answered instinctively, “Autumn.”
“Exactly. It’s out of season.”
She was completely baffled. “Then why did you buy it in the first place?”
Qi Yan looked at her, slowly raising an eyebrow. Sensing his gaze, Wanqing leaned in to meet his eyes.
Just as she was determined to stare him down, he suddenly shifted his gaze away. “Wanted you to try it.”
Wanqing: “…”
She had to admit, her heart had been racing just moments ago, especially when she saw his face up close—it was almost suffocating.
Some long-buried memories suddenly came rushing back.
“Why did you want me to try it?”
Qi Yan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looked out through the car window.
On the lake, there was a Lovers’ Bridge, where a couple was kissing.
Resting his arm on the window frame, he maintained his usual nonchalant demeanor. “Out with the old, in with the new.”
Wanqing didn’t understand at all. “What does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
What on earth!
…
For the rest of the drive, Qi Yan didn’t speak again. With nothing else to do, she could only watch him.
The dim light inside the car outlined his silhouette, his flawless features like a masterpiece crafted by the goddess Nüwa. His clear, cool eyes were particularly captivating.
As Su Sili would put it: Damn, he’s ridiculously handsome!
When the red light countdown reached five seconds, Qi Yan turned his head toward her.
“Seen enough?”