Chapter 23 — The Scent of Sandalwood

Xu Ningning could truly be described as “overjoyed,” driving off with two large bags of roast duck, leaving Lin Xiaowen standing stunned and disheveled by the roadside, alone in the wind…

After closing the trunk, Cheng Yishu walked over to Lin Xiaowen and waved his hand in front of her eyes.

“Are you there?”

Lin Xiaowen slapped his hand away without hesitation, her tone sharp.
“You sent my driver away. Tell me, superstar Cheng, do you plan to be my chauffeur and drive me home yourself?”

What a joke—she would never take a taxi herself; why waste over thirty yuan?

“What else?” Cheng Yishu’s tone was lazy as he looked at her. “It seems you really lack the awareness of being a woman, but fortunately, I have the grace to be a gentleman… Get in the car!”

Lin Xiaowen stood in a daze for half a minute, only moving slowly to the passenger side once Cheng Yishu opened the door for her.

The leather seat was very comfortable. The car was filled with a faint scent reminiscent of ancient sandalwood perfume, evoking a quiet, faraway peace deep within.

Yet, as Lin Xiaowen sat there gripping the seatbelt, she felt a trace of unease.

She couldn’t understand why this man—so busy he was always flying somewhere—kept appearing before her.

Perhaps, as Xu Ningning had suggested?

But… how could that be possible?

Then why?

She glanced sideways. Cheng Yishu was driving with deep concentration.

His eyebrows were thick and beautifully shaped, the arches subtly accentuated, clearly carefully groomed. His lashes were long, and his eyes the elegant shape of a phoenix’s—if he were a woman, he would surely be beautiful. His nose was high and straight, his lips thin and soft. As Lin Xiaowen’s gaze fell to the faint stubble on his chin, she happened to see his Adam’s apple move as if he wanted to say something.

She quickly averted her eyes to the window, her cheeks burning uncontrollably.

Cheng Yishu turned his head, the corners of his lips lifting almost imperceptibly.

“What’s the matter? Peeking at me?”

“Who… who’s peeking at you?” Lin Xiaowen hurried to defend herself. “I was looking openly and aboveboard!”

“Then… was it a good view?” Cheng Yishu’s mouth still curved with a smile, but his eyes remained on the road, weaving through the traffic.

The red jacket flattered his complexion, making his skin seem even fairer and healthier—it could be described as flawless, enviable even to her as a woman.

Well, he did have professionals to care for him…

“Not bad!” Lin Xiaowen straightened her expression, refusing to look at him, and lied through her teeth.

“Hypocrite,” Cheng Yishu’s smile widened.

Lin Xiaowen said nothing more. Outside the window, neon lights and streetlamps flashed by. She could almost imagine the cool night breeze brushing her hair and cheeks, how pleasant that must feel…

“I haven’t had dinner yet. Is there anything to eat at your place?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Planning to freeload another meal at my house?”

“Freeload? I didn’t even have time to eat because I was bringing you roast duck… Besides, with so much roast duck at your place, what’s wrong with eating one meal?”

“You always manage to twist things and make it sound like I’m the one in the wrong, don’t you?” Lin Xiaowen shot him a sidelong glance, then, still fuming, added, “It’s late, the market’s closed now. There’s a 24-hour supermarket ahead. I’ll just buy something there.”

“Alright!” Cheng Yishu agreed cheerfully, but Lin Xiaowen’s next words immediately soured his mood.

“You stay in the car and don’t move, got it?” Lin Xiaowen, seeing his triumphant look, suddenly felt a little bitter inside.

Could a simple home-cooked meal really make him this happy?

“Why?” Cheng Yishu asked, puzzled.

“Why?” Lin Xiaowen cried, then continued, “Do you want to be mobbed by onlookers? Because I definitely don’t!”

“I have a mask with me, and a hat. I even have sunglasses, if necessary…” Cheng Yishu protested.

“Oh, give it a rest!”

Lin Xiaowen glared at him. “It would look even more suspicious, wearing a mask and sunglasses this late at night!”

Cheng Yishu opened his mouth but couldn’t find anything to say. He could only quietly park the car in the outdoor lot.

“Promise me, don’t follow me in—did you hear me?” Lin Xiaowen still worried he might change his mind and come looking for her.

“Alright, I’ll wait in the car,” Cheng Yishu obediently stayed put, pulling out his phone to scroll through social media.

Only then did Lin Xiaowen relax and head toward the supermarket entrance.

There were quite a few people inside, especially in the produce section where items were being discounted at this hour. The local elderly, having finished dinner and eager for some activity, were rolling up their sleeves and diving into the fray.

Lin Xiaowen was slender and no match for the older shoppers. She couldn’t reach the pile of broccoli through the jostling crowd, and after several attempts, gave up.

She sighed, deciding to wait until the crowd thinned before moving forward.

Suddenly, a familiar scent of ancient sandalwood drifted over from behind her.

Before Lin Xiaowen could react, a cool presence pressed close to her back, and she froze, surrounded by that warm, soothing fragrance.

“What’s taking so long?” Cheng Yishu’s voice sounded softly above her head, and for a moment, Lin Xiaowen felt as though even his words carried the scent of sandalwood.

“What are you…” Lin Xiaowen turned, ready to scold him for coming in, but as she spun around, her face bumped squarely into Cheng Yishu’s chest.

Time seemed to stand still. The surrounding noise faded away until all she could hear was her own racing heartbeat and the steady, powerful thrum in Cheng Yishu’s chest.

They both stood frozen for more than half a minute, until an older woman shouted, “Excuse me, coming through!” and pushed Lin Xiaowen off balance.

Cheng Yishu quickly pulled her into his arms, shielding her from colliding with someone else and holding her protectively.

When their eyes met again, a complex, unreadable emotion had surfaced in Cheng Yishu’s clear, bright gaze.

Lin Xiaowen stared at him, her eyes wide, her breath unsteady. As Cheng Yishu parted his lips to say something, she straightened up and stepped back, mumbling awkwardly,

“Maybe… we should just have instant noodles.”