Chapter 40 — The Little Lion Has Lost Its Temper

Cheng Yishu strode ahead, fuming with anger, while Lin Xiaowen, utterly confused, hurried after him. It was working hours, so the vast underground parking garage was so silent that the only sounds were Cheng Yishu’s brisk, echoing footsteps and his heavy, labored breathing.

“Hey, I’m talking to you… Can you slow down a bit? Are you catching a flight or something?” Lin Xiaowen, her short legs no match for his pace, was practically jogging as she called out to him.

Cheng Yishu paid her no heed, striding on even faster.

“If you don’t stop, I’ll start calling your name!” she threatened.

To her surprise, this worked: he actually stopped, though his shoulders still heaved with every ragged breath.

“What is wrong with you?” Lin Xiaowen huffed, catching up to him and glaring with her round, bright eyes. “You’re the one insisting on taking me home—I never asked you to! Why do you look as if I owe you a fortune? It’s not like I’m trying to save on cab fare this time, or take advantage of you in any way!”

Cheng Yishu stood rooted, silent. Lin Xiaowen had to circle around to face him, her eyes accusing.

“I’m talking to you. You’ve walked all this way without a word—who are you angry at? I haven’t even blamed you for what you said in front of everyone... Hey, what are you—?”

Before she could finish, the tall figure before her unexpectedly surged forward, grabbing her hand. Startled, Lin Xiaowen stumbled back two steps until her back pressed against the cold cement wall, her hand still tightly imprisoned in his grip behind her.

Their faces were suddenly so close she could make out every dark eyelash framing Cheng Yishu’s eyes, and the barely restrained displeasure within them. His breath was quick, and her own heart began to race as she involuntarily swallowed. Faced with a man as mesmerizing as Cheng Yishu, who wouldn’t be moved?

His breath, cool and fragrant as sandalwood, brushed her cheek and made her blush. At last, unable to contain his frustration, Cheng Yishu burst out, his voice echoing off the empty walls:

“Can’t you behave for once? Who told you to go on a blind date? Did anyone give you permission? Didn’t I say I’d go see—see Ranran when I had time? Are you really that eager to marry yourself off?”

The emptiness of the garage magnified his roar. Lin Xiaowen was left dumbstruck, unable to speak, her hand aching in his grip and her back pressed painfully against the unyielding wall.

‘He’s angry because I went on a blind date? He doesn't want me to go on blind dates?’ The thought made her heart pound even harder.

She bit her lip and quietly asked, “Why are you so mad that I went on a blind date?”

The question seemed to catch Cheng Yishu off guard; his lips parted and closed, but then his eyes flashed as though he’d just remembered something, and he shouted with righteous indignation:

“I... I’m asking on Ranran’s behalf! Tell me, you want to find her a father—did you get her consent? Do you really think the man you picked out would be someone Ranran would like? And that Lin Zhi or whoever—just look at him, his IQ is clearly lacking. Only you would think he’s any good. Ranran would never like him!”

He spoke so forcefully and with such certainty that even he was convinced by his own words.

‘Yes, that’s it! That man looked all proper on the outside, but you could tell he wasn’t a good person, and he’d never truly care for Ranran...’

Lin Xiaowen rolled her eyes at him, shoving him backward in exasperation.

“Ranran is far more polite than you are! At least she wouldn’t say such childish things to my face. And as for the blind date—Ranran doesn’t know anything about it because I didn’t take it seriously. I was just trying to give Aunt Xu an answer!”

“An answer?” Cheng Yishu repeated, half-skeptical.

“Yes!” Lin Xiaowen snapped, glaring at him. “Aunt Xu means well. She thinks it’s hard for me to raise Ranran alone, so she’s always trying to set me up. I couldn’t get out of it this time, so I agreed to meet the guy, that’s all…”

Her voice grew softer as she spoke, but Cheng Yishu only seemed to grow more pleased, though he kept his face stern.

“I see! I knew it—though you aren’t exactly pretty, and you’re neither smart nor cute, it’s not like you’d have to resort to blind dates just to get rid of yourself!”

“Oh!” Lin Xiaowen’s lips curled in a forced smile. “Thank you so much for your high opinion!”

“No need to thank me. Even if not for you, I have to keep a close eye on your choices for Ranran’s sake!”

Though inwardly delighted, Cheng Yishu maintained an air of disdain, making Lin Xiaowen grind her teeth in frustration.

“I can’t be bothered with you. I don’t need you to take me home—I’ll get a cab myself!”

She spun around to leave, but Cheng Yishu stepped forward, caught her hand, and with a gentle tug, pulled her straight into his arms.

Surrounded once more by his familiar scent, Lin Xiaowen met his gaze as he tilted his head and smiled.

“That won’t do. I said I’d take you home, and I will. Besides, I want to see Ranran too!”

“Ranran isn’t home. I have to pick her up from Aunt Xu’s place!” Lin Xiaowen glared at him.

“Perfect, then! I’ll go visit that old lady as well.”

He paused, then added with uncharacteristic seriousness, “Maybe then she’ll stop trying to set you up on blind dates.”

Lin Xiaowen couldn’t help but laugh at his rare earnestness. Looking down, Cheng Yishu saw her mischievous eyes sparkling up at him, her smile barely concealed.

“What are you laughing at?” A flush crept over his face, and in retaliation, he began to tickle her.

“Stop laughing… You’re still laughing…”

“I’m not—I’m not! Hahaha—stop it! I’ll stop, I promise—”

Lin Xiaowen ducked, giggling uncontrollably as she squirmed out of his embrace and darted to the side, her lips still curled in a smile she couldn’t suppress.

“Had enough of looking?” Cheng Yishu raised an eyebrow, striking a pose and squinting at her smugly. “Admit it, the man before you is getting more handsome by the day. None of those ‘IQ’ blind dates or those guys who dropped out of school to open bars can compare…”

“What ‘IQ’? What ‘dropping out’?” Lin Xiaowen asked in confusion.

“Ask yourself, you unruly woman!” Cheng Yishu took a long stride, caught her hand again, and led her along as he said, “Go home and reflect on yourself. Write a self-criticism if necessary!”

“A self-criticism for what?” she demanded, bewildered.

“The topic: ‘Why is my taste in men so poor?’ And at the end, add a promise: ‘I will never make the same mistake again.’”

“Cheng Yishu, are you crazy?” Lin Xiaowen shrieked.

“Will you write it?”

“No!”

“Really not going to write it?”

“Really not!”

“Fine. When we get home, I’ll tell Ranran about your blind date… that you’re trying to find her a new dad!”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Just watch me!”

“Oh, Cheng Yishu!” Lin Xiaowen whined, preparing to use her softest tactics.

“Call me whatever you want, it won’t work this time,” Cheng Yishu replied, unmoved.

“…”