Chapter 10: In Short

She’d always known he was no saint, with zero sense of decency, but she never imagined he could be this shameless!

 

As Jian Yanzhi returned home with the food, He Yuan’s irritatingly handsome face lingered in her mind.

 

*How annoying!* she thought. *Even that annoying look of his is kind of… cute?*

 

Standing in the kitchen, Jian Yanzhi grumbled as she unwrapped the steak, then suddenly froze.

 

Jian Boyi showed no signs of coming downstairs anytime soon. At this rate, he’d sleep until the sun set. Jian Yanzhi pursed her lips as a thought popped into her head.

 

Without Jian Boyi, who would cook the steak? Her? *Ugh*, she still shuddered at the memory of almost setting the kitchen on fire last time.

 

While waiting for the water to boil, He Yuan answered a call from his mother—a woman known only for her love of food, drink, and leisure. Currently vacationing abroad, she announced she wouldn’t return until after the Lunar New Year and reminded him to have a proper New Year’s Eve dinner with the other two men in the family.

 

He Yuan hung up and tossed his phone aside. *New Year’s Eve dinner?* Who knew where those two had disappeared to. Besides, eating with them would be less fun than playing a game.

 

“Shen Yuan…”

 

The water bubbled vigorously in the pot as a soft voice suddenly called out from behind him.

 

He Yuan abruptly turned around, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. But when he saw it was Jian Yanzhi, he quickly suppressed the shock in his eyes.

 

He cleared his throat, acting as if he hadn’t been startled at all. “What do you want this time?”

 

Jian Yanzhi glanced behind him at the steak sizzling fragrantly in his frying pan, already browned and delicious.

 

“Oh, nothing,” she said with a forced smile, sidling up to him awkwardly. “I just wanted to see if you were eating well. Wow, that steak looks amazing.”

 

He Yuan flipped the steak with his spatula and shot her a sideways glance. She had changed out of her bulky pajamas and seemed to have put on makeup.

 

“Have you seen enough?”

 

“…Yes, I’ve seen plenty.”

 

“Then you can leave now.” He Yuan grabbed a plate and transferred the steak to it. As he plated the steak, he noticed Jian Yanzhi showed no sign of leaving. Instead, her eyes were glued to his plate.

 

He Yuan shielded the plate protectively. “What are you staring at? Go home already!”

 

Jian Yanzhi looked up at him earnestly. “Shen Yuan, how are you so amazing?”

 

“……”

 

“Not only are you amazing at games, but you’re also an incredible cook?” Jian Yanzhi clicked her tongue and shook her head in mock exasperation. “You’re practically making life impossible for the rest of us.”

 

The flattery was obvious, but since she had a point, He Yuan didn’t bother shooing her away. “I know.”

 

“Right, right, no need to tell you. But I believe that with great power comes great responsibility. Someone with your cooking skills wouldn’t mind helping out a hopeless cook like me, would you?”

 

“???”

 

Jian Yanzhi giggled, waving the steak she had brought back. “I only realized I have no idea how to cook steak after I got home. Could you… maybe make one for me too?”

 

He Yuan paused for two seconds. “Not really.”

 

Dizzy with hunger, Jian Yanzhi watched helplessly as He Yuan turned to leave with his plate. Desperate, she blurted out, “Shen Yuan…”

 

He Yuan froze, his shirt hem suddenly clutched in her hand. Unable to move, he reluctantly turned back to her.

 

“I’m starving. I’m so hungry I’m getting dizzy.”

 

The woman gripping his shirt tilted her head back, her wet, vulnerable eyes inexplicably reminding him of a fawn fleeing through the woods in a CCTV nature documentary.

 

“My parents aren’t home for Lunar New Year. While everyone else’s houses are bustling with warmth and laughter, ours is as cold and empty as a tomb. Can you believe they left me, someone who can’t even cook, alone at home? And Jian Boyi doesn’t care about me at all either.” Jian Yanzhi’s eyes welled up with tears as she spoke. “Shen Yuan, I’ve never told you this before, but you’re my idol. I admire you so much… Seeing you cook today has been incredible. I was just thinking… maybe I could get to taste a meal made by my idol…”

 

No response.

 

Jian Yanzhi pressed on, “On this bitterly cold New Year’s Eve, could I ask for just a little warmth? You’re such a good person, I believe…”

 

“Shut up,” He Yuan said, his lip twitching. He thrust the plate of steak into her hands. “Take it. Eat over there.”

 

Jian Yanzhi had been preparing an even more dramatic appeal, so He Yuan’s abrupt offer of the steak caught her completely off guard. “Shen Yuan, you’re truly kind.”

 

As she spoke, two large tears, like golden beads, rolled down her cheeks and splashed onto the back of He Yuan’s outstretched hand. He froze for a moment, then yanked his hand back. “Eating is fine, but if you dare to cry, get out.”

 

Jian Yanzhi blinked, hastily wiped her face, and switched her expression as quickly as flipping a page in a book. “Okay, no more tears… Thanks.”

 

One moment she was weeping like a drenched pear blossom, the next she was grinning like a sly fox.

 

He Yuan glanced back at Jian Yanzhi at the dining table and let out a cold snort. *At least she has some taste,* he thought. *Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given her my steak.*

 

As Jian Yanzhi gripped her knife and fork, she couldn’t contain her excitement. She was starving, and finally, a steaming piece of meat was within reach! She thanked her parents for their tireless guidance and her seniors in the entertainment industry for their years of support. Today’s performance had even moved her!

 

Jian Yanzhi cut off a large chunk of steak and forked it into her mouth.

 

“Mmm! Sizzle… huff huff huff.”

 

*So hot! Spit it out—no, no, no, it’s too delicious!*

 

A commotion erupted at the table. He Yuan turned to see Jian Yanzhi hopping around excitedly.

 

He Yuan scoffed. “I know my steak is good, but do you have to bounce around like a firecracker?”

 

Before he could finish, Jian Yanzhi rushed over, tugging at his arm and staring at him anxiously.

 

“Mmm hmm haha sizz…” Jian Yanzhi stamped her feet.

 

He Yuan froze, noticing her panting breath and reddened eyes. Amused and mocking, he flicked her forehead. “You act like you’ve been reincarnated as a starving ghost. Spit it out!”

 

“Ugh…” At first, Jian Yanzhi had been determined to keep it down, but after hearing He Yuan’s words, she realized she might lose her sense of taste if she didn’t. She quickly looked down, searching for a trash can.

 

*Where’s the trash can?!*

 

Jian Yanzhi desperately wanted to vomit on the floor, but the last shred of her conscience stopped her. He Yuan, utterly disgusted by the mess, watched her struggle. For some reason, he impulsively held out his hand.

 

Seeing this “human trash can,” Jian Yanzhi, completely bewildered, instinctively threw up into his palm.

 

“……”

 

“…………”

 

His palm felt slightly damp and strangely warm.

 

He Yuan stood frozen, staring at Jian Yanzhi in disbelief. His eyes flashed wildly, as if he couldn’t comprehend such an act of defiance—vomiting into his hand.

 

Jian Yanzhi was no better off. Overwhelmed by shock, her voice trembled as she stammered, “Y-you… you’re the one who offered your hand…”

 

Seeing He Yuan’s eyebrow twitch, Jian Yanzhi’s heart skipped a beat. She hastily grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the sink. She turned on the faucet, shook the contents off his hand, and frantically began scrubbing his palm.

 

She knew—she’d seen it on his livestream before—that he was a bit of a germaphobe. She must have been completely out of her mind to vomit into his hand!

 

“It’s really not my fault! You just reached out, and I reflexively threw up. It’s a natural reaction…” she mumbled in panicked repetition as she vigorously scrubbed his palm.

 

He Yuan took a deep breath. He’d been about to unleash a withering remark that would make Jian Yanzhi question her entire existence, but as he opened his mouth, his gaze was drawn to the delicate pinkness behind her ear.

 

She wore a beige crewneck sweater, her long hair piled atop her head in a round, slightly comical bun. With her hair pulled back, her slender, pale neck was fully exposed. But what truly captivated his attention was the delicate pink behind her ear—a dainty, rose-tinted lobe that struck him as inexplicably novel and charming.

 

He couldn’t help but wonder if this was the difference between men and women. Those bastards would never blush like this.

 

“All clean! See? Sparkling!” After a moment, Jian Yanzhi grabbed his hand and lifted it up.

 

He Yuan glanced down. Both their hands were dripping wet. She was still holding his, so he could clearly feel the soft, delicate texture of her palm.

 

“Hey, it’s really clean now…” Jian Yanzhi said awkwardly when he didn’t respond.

 

He Yuan shot her a sideways glance, pulled his hand away, and said coolly, “You almost rubbed the skin off.”

 

“…”

 

“Couldn’t you have eaten a little slower? You were ravenous. I seriously doubt you’re a real celebrity.”

 

“Oh…”

 

Jian Yanzhi finished eating first. Watching He Yuan meticulously cut his steak, she said, “Shen Yuan, it was my fault earlier. Is there anything I can do to apologize?”

 

He Yuan paused for two seconds, then looked up at her. “Fine. You can wash the dishes later.”

 

“…Is there anything more meaningful I could do?”

 

“Meaningful?”

 

Jian Yanzhi smiled, pressing her lips together. “Like… playing duos with you?”

 

He Yuan paused. “This is supposed to be you apologizing, not me.”

 

“Not necessarily,” Jian Yanzhi said, propping her head on her hand. “Gaming alone is so lonely. Playing with someone you know makes pushing towers way more fun. I’m practically risking my life to keep you company.”

 

“You’re too kind,” He Yuan said, resuming his meal. “Better save that life for washing dishes.”

 

“……”

 

—

 

“Enemy forces will reach the battlefield in 30 seconds. Crush them!”

 

As the game began, He Yuan glanced sideways at Jian Yanzhi, her face flushed with excitement. He tried to recall how he’d agreed to play duos with her. Oh, right—she’d showered him with gushing praise after he won a match.

 

Figures. He really couldn’t resist someone with such a knack for flattery.

 

___

 

Author’s Note:

 

Author: I get carried away with praise so easily. I agree to cook, I agree to play games…

 

Jian Yanzhi: Well, isn’t it just because I’m so adorable?

 

Author: No, it’s because Captain has no self-control.