Wang Linxue shivered , goosebumps littering her leg. Tossing in the bed, she tried pulling the cover over herself but was met with resistance. With her eyes shut, she groped the bed for the bed cover but felt a solid body over the blanket she tries to pull.
Beside her , Xi Jinwei slept soundly, oblivious to the cold. His dark sweater and dark pants seem to provide the warmth she couldn't get.
' If mom was here what would she do.' Wang Linxue pondered while getting up. 'Would she scold us or just ignore us? Mom likes Jinwei even more than me sometimes and would side with him when they were younger even though he was clearly at fault. This guy always has people like him for no reason. Perhaps the male lead halo was real.'
In the midst of her thoughts and stretching, her stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence of the room. The realization hit her that they had gone to bed without eating the yesterday.
It wasn't that late when he came in but they managed to sleep the whole night after cuddling. The sun hadn't risen yet and it was still a bit dark outside.
The alarm read 5: 19 on the desk near the bed .
As he slept, Xi Jinwei's dark hair cascaded over his pale skin, creating a striking contrast. The strands of hair seemed to dance delicately against his forehead.
His pink lips, slightly parted in slumber, added a touch of vulnerability to his peaceful countenance. The soft breaths that escaped through his parted lips were a testament to the serenity of his sleep.
How could someone look so good in their sleep? Definitely Mr Male Lead.
"Jinwei." She whispered softly as she leaned against him.
" Baby?" She tested shyly. Gosh! She would never be able to say that if he was awake.
She got into the bathroom to wash up, then the kitchen and looked at the ingredients that was available.
"Milk porridge will do." She murmured to herself as she scanned the ingredients available in the cabinets.
Soon ,the kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of the simmering liquid. She blended the fruits she found in the fridge to make a into a smoothie adding water to make it a bit lighter.
Wang Linxue had never cooked for anyone , scratch that...a boy before. She wasn't sure how he would like it. He had a very rigid diet all the time and was a very picky eater. She tensed pausing at what she was doing.
'Since when was she anxious about impressing anyone.' Wang Linxue scoffed .They should be glad she even cooked for them.
Hmph!
Wang Linxue returned back to her room and found Jinwei still sleeping soundly.
Was he that tired? Has the training to be the next Xi Successor been doing taking a toll on him? He had not told her about it but she had read the novel and so she knew about this.
When would he tell her though?
His breaths were slow and deep, dark lashes resting peacefully on cheeks softened by slumber. She almost couldn't bear to wake him.
Wang Linxue poked one finger into his ribs gently. Jinwei grunted softly but didn't wake. Emboldened, she began poking him repeatedly in the same spot to annoy him so he would wake.
Xi Jinwei jerked awake his eyes flying open in confusion. Before he could fully grasp his surroundings, Linxue continued her playful attack. Her fingers danced ruthlessly over his ribs, eliciting squawks and breathless laughter.
' Had she found out his tickle spot?'
Still partly foggy with sleep, Xi Jinwei lacked the coordination to catch her hands. He slapped ineffectually at her wrists between bouts of helpless giggles.
"Xue'er, b-baby stop!" he gasped through chuckles, cheeks flushed.
Wang Linxue grinned unrepentantly down at her victim, taking mercy only once his sides ached.
" Finally awake. Get ready. I made breakfast."
" Ah." He muttered, eliciting a chuckle from his girlfriend.
About twenty minutes later, he came down wearing the same clothes but his hair was a wet messy slop on his head and his face looked less groggy.
He sat down with a funny expression on his face, " If you don't mind asking but who is the man in the picture on the wall."
Was he looking around in her room again? Sigh.
" Oh, that is Renji Liang. My favourite singer. Has world wide recognition?"
Shaking his head with a furrowed brow, Wang Linxue laughed, "Gosh Jinwei, sometimes , I wonder how old you are. " Wang Linxue laughed as she headed into the kitchen
" Here ,eat up." Wang Linxue pushed the milk porridge and fruit smoothie infront of him with her face turned away.
" Did you make this?"
" Yes. Why, you think I can't cook?" She rolled her eyes .
" I didn't say anything." He smirked as he lifted his spoon to take a sip.
Wang Linxue watched him closely trying to gauge his reaction. Was he going to like it, hate it, be surprised? She was more nervous than ever. She just had to impress him and it was driving her crazy.
'Look how the mighty have fallen. Ping would be so disappointed.'
When the tip of the spoon reached his lips, he paused and raised his eyebrow at Wang Linxue. She quickly scrambled and turned away to focus on her own food.
Damn it!
When she raised her head once more, he had no expression on his face and continued to eat. He ate gently and unhurriedly like he always did.
That's it?
" So how is it?" Wang Linxue tried to hide her eagerness.
"It's ok." He simply said and continued to eat. He almost couldn't hide his smirk.
'Your girlfriend cooked for you for the first time and probably the last with the way you're acting ,and you don't comment on it!!'
She was about to give him ' How to be a boyfriend lesson 101.'
The phone on the table rang loudly breaking off the playful atmosphere. Wang Linxue picked up the phone and held it to her ear.
"Hello? ....Yes that is me please....What ? ....Yes, I did...Ok? ....Ok! No, it's been a while since I heard any news though, I haven't been following."
Xi Jinwei placed the spoon down and stared at her.
" Really?....YES! ....Wow, thanks so much. Ok, I look forward to it....Ok....Bye."
After she cut the call, she jumped in excitement while Xi Jinwei shook her head with a chuckle.
A message popped up on the phone. After scanning the message on the phone, her expression dimmed and she paled .
Xi Jinwei squeezed her shoulders." What is it Xue'er?" His voice low and worried.
A shaky breath left her lips as she sat down on the dinner table. She grabbed her hair and pulled it frustratedly as she groaned. This can't be happening.
" I've been accepted to SR company with a paid internship program to do assisting and other jobs on the ground for the new training talents there. It would make my non existent resumé pop since I haven't even been to the university, but...." She breathed heavily in anger.
" But?" He caressed his thumbs on her hands soothingly.
Wang Linxue scoffed as she nodded at her phone. "The talent I'll be working for is Ling Zhirou. ."
" And that's a problem because? Zhirou is close to you right? " He paused his rubbing.
Zhirou?
God! She couldn't stand that he called her like that. She in turn called him "Little Cloud''.
Eye roll.
Her insecurities were being brought out of her again.
" We are not that close." She snapped.
"Do you hate her that much?" He asked surprised with a hint of reluctance.
Yes. I hate her . I hate her so much after all she did. She is crazy and obsessed and will do anything she can to get what she wants because of the notion that she is the female lead.
F*ck her!
"Whose side are you on?" she spat out, her words dripping with frustration.
Xi Jinwei, his face etched with a mixture of determination and sadness, refused to let her slip away. In a swift motion, he reached out and firmly grasped her hand, preventing her from walking away.
"Yours," he declared, his voice filled with an unwavering sincerity. "Your side always."
He reluctantly added," Zhirou...she helped me when I younger, when life was .... taking its toll on me and my mother " He sighed.
"She was my first friend ever. I know she can be a bit much, but please give her a chance at least. You'll see that she actually not that bad."
" Fine." Wang Linxue finally said in disappointment.
Not that bad? Yeah right.
Wang Linxue sat down and picked up her spoon to eat. Xi Jinwei sat down as well. She could not muster a word to say anymore. The porridge tasted bland now and she shuddered in disgust. Ling Zhirou was not even here but she managed to always to bring her a bad day and a bad taste in the mouth.
"Xue'er?"
She sighed in annoyance and bitterness, " Yes?"
" Are you mad at me?"
" No" she lied uncommittedly.
" I love you." He murmured with a hand squeezed.
Wang Linxue stared at his hands that was entwined her for a moment. His palm was cold but it managed to warm up her heart somehow. Distracted, she followed the green trail of veins that skidded up his arm and disappeared in the sweater that he wore.
" Ok." She finally responded picking up a piece of bread expressionless. If this goes on Zhirou might actually....
The ringing of the doorbell echoed through the apartment, shattering the tense silence that had settled between her and Xi Jinwei. Startled, Wang Linxue glanced at Xi Jinwei, confusion etched across her face.
Xi Jinwei sighed and rose from the couch, his gaze meeting Wang Linxue's briefly before he moved towards the door. Wang Linxue watched apprehensively as he opened it, revealing a tall, imposing figure dressed in a sharp black suit-the unmistakable presence of Xi Jinwei's bodyguard.
The bodyguard's stern expression softened momentarily as his eyes met Xi Jinwei's. He spoke in a deep, authoritative voice that resonated with an air of professionalism.
"Young Master, your grandparents have something they want to discuss with you before they leave this morning. They asked to me to bring you there immediately." The bodyguard tone left no room for argument.
Xi Jinwei nodded, his gaze flickering back to Wang Linxue. She sensed the tension in his movements, the conflict that played out in his eyes.
"I understand. Just give me a moment, please."
The bodyguard nodded in acknowledgment, stepping back slightly to give Xi Jinwei space. As Xi Jinwei turned to face Wang Linxue, a mix of emotions swirled within him.
"Linxue, I'm sorry. I didn't anticipate this interruption, but I...."
"I understand, Jinwei. Take care of yourself. I'll see you next week." Her voice wavered slightly, a faint tremor betraying the depth of her emotions.
To soothe the discomfort that was starting to rise with her response, he leaned in and sneaked a kiss on her cheek making it flush immediately.
With a final lingering glance, Xi Jinwei reluctantly pulled his gaze away and turned towards the waiting bodyguard who looked like he would rather be anywhere than here listening or watching the two teens. The bodyguard and Xi Jinwei exited the apartment, leaving Wang Linxue standing alone in the apartment to her thoughts.