Chapter 70 — Words Meant Only for You

When Cheng Yishu had taken the work of persuasion to its utmost, Da Lingzi finally proved her own words: “An assistant can solve fundamental problems at critical moments…”

Thus, Da Lingzi’s role, beyond assistant and cover, now gained another: she had become Ranran’s playmate!

Lin Xiaowen was cooking in the kitchen. Cheng Yishu and Da Lingzi both changed back into their own clothes, so they no longer looked so odd. Remembering Cheng Yishu’s flamboyant demeanor, Lin Xiaowen couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“What are you laughing at? Stop it!”

Cheng Yishu squeezed into the cramped kitchen after Lin Xiaowen, reached out to pull her possessively by the waist, and lowered his gaze as he spoke. “I only messed myself up like that to see you. Instead of being moved, you dare to laugh at me… hmm?”

Lin Xiaowen bit her lip, smiling as she looked at him, her cool fingertips rubbing the stubble that had just appeared on Cheng Yishu’s chin. She spoke with feigned annoyance, “How could I dare laugh at you? You look so worn out, I barely have time to feel sorry for you…”

Cheng Yishu truly smiled at that, holding her tighter.

“If you really feel sorry for me, then next time you come to see me, alright?”

Lin Xiaowen’s eyes darkened at his words, and she continued, “Would it cause trouble for you if I came? And that assistant…”

Seeing Lin Xiaowen’s worried expression, Cheng Yishu felt a pang of tenderness, and spoke softly, “I brought Da Lingzi because I don’t want to hide you anymore, and I don’t want you to let your imagination run wild…”

He had seen those news and photos! He didn’t want Lin Xiaowen to misunderstand him because of such things, nor was it worth letting her feel hurt over them.

“You mean that actress?”

Lin Xiaowen struggled a bit, looking at Cheng Yishu with a serious expression as she continued, “I won’t believe it. I’m not some teenage girl who believes every rumor. So much online is untrue—I understand. I even read some of your fans’ analyses, and I think they make a lot of sense…”

“What fans? What analysis?” Cheng Yishu asked in surprise, unaware he had such detective-like fans.

“In the super-topic thread, the comments under your new drama’s promotions,” Lin Xiaowen recalled, explaining, “They said it’s just hype for the new drama, not to be taken seriously… and also…”

“And also what?”

Lin Xiaowen pursed her lips, smiling, “They said their Yishu brother would never be interested in that bland An’an!”

Cheng Yishu let out a laugh, pinching Lin Xiaowen’s chin as he continued, “So? Hearing them say that, do you feel accomplished? Such a top-notch actress fails to catch my eye, but you’ve managed to tie me down… Well then, Miss Lin, please share your thoughts!”

He picked up a spatula as a makeshift microphone, holding it before Lin Xiaowen, turning himself into a reporter.

Lin Xiaowen looked at Cheng Yishu, who was both playful and dead serious, and decided to play along, adopting a solemn face as she said, “First of all, I’d like to thank myself for being so beautiful, and so gentle, able to tolerate the temper of a big star…”

“Hey, Lin Xiaowen!” Cheng Yishu couldn’t help interrupting this ‘interview,’ displeased as he said, “Do you even realize what you’re saying? Being chosen by me is your luck, and you dare to boast—and you even say I have a bad temper? Huh? Do you still want that pretty face of yours?”

He deliberately gritted his teeth and tried to pinch Lin Xiaowen’s cheeks, but she dodged him and tried to lift his chin in return.

Cheng Yishu quickly dodged again, so Lin Xiaowen’s hand inevitably slid across his sensual Adam’s apple.

Cheng Yishu’s expression froze for a moment, and then he heard Lin Xiaowen, oblivious to the trouble she’d caused, laugh softly and murmur, “Who needs a face? Having you is enough!”

Such a teasing remark would have meant little at any other time.

But here, in this cramped space fit only for two—

And Lin Xiaowen, with a casual touch, had brushed the most sensitive spot of him as a man!

And just after learning that all his years of love had ended in vain—

For a moment, Cheng Yishu was overwhelmed by a jumble of emotions.

Lin Xiaowen stood before him in the simplest clothes, making the simplest meal, yet in her sparkling eyes, there was only Cheng Yishu himself.

“Xiaowen, will you always stay by my side, never leave me?”

Faced with Cheng Yishu’s sudden, solemn expression, Lin Xiaowen was stunned.

Then she smiled softly, looking seriously and intently into those eyes that held both resignation and loneliness.

“No, I won’t leave you…”

Her waist tightened suddenly, and before Lin Xiaowen could react, she was already enveloped in the familiar embrace she’d known for years.

The subtle sandalwood of his cologne surrounded her more intensely than ever, and Cheng Yishu’s kiss was more lingering and passionate than ever before.

“You missed Children’s Day with us—were you upset?”

“No…”

Lin Xiaowen lay against Cheng Yishu’s chest, tracing circles with her fingertip, her cheeks still flushed, her voice lazy and kitten-like.

“Ranran was ecstatic about the gift you sent, especially the SpongeBob cake. She said it was her happiest Children’s Day ever—if Yishu brother had been there, it would have been perfect…”

Cheng Yishu smiled, holding her restless little hand, his voice slightly hoarse.

“I really feel sorry. It was the first important holiday for Ranran since we met, and I had it all planned out…”

“Don’t worry, Ranran won’t be mad at you, and neither will I.”

Lin Xiaowen looked up, her eyes shining as she said, “Just take care of yourself, leave the rest to me!”

“Hey…”

Cheng Yishu gave Lin Xiaowen a gentle smack, his face stern as he said, “Stealing my lines again! I almost forgot to settle accounts with you… That ‘having you is enough’—where did you learn that? How dare you say something like that!”

“What?”

Lin Xiaowen stood up, dissatisfied, wrinkling her nose as she said, “That’s how it is in the dramas. You actors can say it, why can’t I?”

“That’s acting—it’s fake!” Cheng Yishu scolded her sternly, “I don’t care, you must never say it again, never imitate it!”

Heaven knows what he might do next time Lin Xiaowen teases him with words so full of temptation…

“Fine, I won’t say it! I won’t imitate!” Lin Xiaowen pouted, then mischievously pursed her lips, tiptoed up to whisper in Cheng Yishu’s ear, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s.

“I’ll just secretly say it to you—is that alright…”