Yan Wenshu nodded in agreement. “You’re absolutely right. Chairman Zang is very outstanding, and her future partner should be just as exceptional.”

Is this kid playing dumb? His answer had nothing to do with the question.

Zang Xiuming felt frustrated and cut straight to the point. “Let me ask you this—what’s your opinion on marrying into a family?”

“I don’t think it’s shameful. If one chooses it, it must be out of love.”

Yan Wenshu gave a shy smile. “That’s just my humble opinion. I hope it helps.”

Zang Xiuming didn’t know what to say anymore.

He was at a loss for words.

After all, these two weren’t even together yet. If he kept pressing, his intentions would become too obvious.

Honestly, the guy had a great answer. If he weren’t a potential future son-in-law, Zang Xiuming might have even applauded him.

Wait.

Where was this applause coming from?

Zang Xiuming snapped back to reality, only to see his wife and daughter enthusiastically clapping for the outsider.

Great. He had lost again.

Yan Wenshu noticed Zang Xiuming’s dark expression and subtly smiled. Zang Ling’s family was quite amusing.

Seizing the moment, he unmuted the system.

[Oh my god, I can finally see the light of day again!] The system whined, teary-eyed. Being able to see but not speak had been suffocating.

[Will it rain later?]

The system didn’t expect him to ask it that right after being freed.

But it wisely refrained from asking why. Even if it did, the host wouldn’t answer.

[No, but I can make it rain artificially.]

Yan Wenshu pondered for a moment, forming a plan in his mind.

After dinner, Yan Wenshu offered to wash the dishes but was immediately turned down. Zang Ling lovingly told him that they had a dishwasher, so there was no need.

Hearing this, Zang Xiuming fumed. “How come when I offered to do the dishes, no one felt bad for me?!”

Damn brat!

The more he interacted with Yan Wenshu, the more he disliked him.

Zang Ling, oblivious to her father’s thoughts, was currently in the study discussing work with Yan Wenshu. A few hours earlier, he had mentioned struggling with some issues and had come to seek her guidance.

As someone always willing to help, Zang Ling was more than happy to assist him. And since it was Yan Wenshu, she was even more eager.

“Lingling, I brought you some snacks.” Jiang Qiongyin knocked gently on the door.

Without looking up, Zang Ling replied, “Come in, Mom.” Once she got into work mode, she automatically tuned out everything around her.

Jiang Qiongyin entered with a plate of desserts. But when she saw Zang Ling and Yan Wenshu’s current posture, she was so startled she nearly dropped the plate.

How bold! They weren’t even officially together yet, and they were already…

She cleared her throat lightly. Yan Wenshu seemed to sense her presence, stood up, and put some distance between himself and Zang Ling. He turned and greeted her politely, “Aunt Jiang.”

Jiang Qiongyin nodded at him before walking over to her daughter, placing the plate down. “Lingling, take a break and have some food. Your dad made these himself.”

Zang Ling rubbed her temples. Those questions were indeed a bit tricky. “Got it, Mom. Thank Dad for me.”

Jiang Qiongyin glanced at Yan Wenshu, then leaned in and whispered to her daughter, “Lingling, I know you’re at home, but you two should still be mindful. If you need anything, just tell me. I’ll go buy it for you.”

Zang Ling was utterly confused. “Huh? What are you talking about, Mom?”

Yet Jiang Qiongyin, shot her a ‘I understand’ look, glanced at Yan Wenshu again and said, “Alright, I won’t disturb you two. Carry on.”

Even as the door closed behind her, Zang Ling was still puzzled.

What did they need that required her mother to buy it?

Oh well. If she couldn’t figure it out, she wouldn’t bother.

“Yan Wenshu, my dad’s desserts are amazing! Try some.”

Yan Wenshu looked at the plate Zang Ling held out to him. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, making them particularly eye-catching.

Just as he was about to say something, she suddenly shoved a cream puff into his mouth.

“Success! Surprise attack!”

Watching his dumbfounded expression, Zang Ling couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry, but why aren’t you biting it?”

Yan Wenshu slowly took a bite. The delicate, silky cream melted instantly, its gentle sweetness spreading across his taste buds.

Then, he saw Zang Ling beam at him. “Well? It’s good, right?”

“…Mhm.”

“Wait, don’t move.” Zang Ling suddenly turned serious. “Lower your head a bit.”

Yan Wenshu’s brow twitched. The scene from last time flashed through his mind, making him hesitate.

Sensing his thoughts, Zang Ling chuckled dryly. “I swear I won’t take the chance to ruffle your hair again. I promise!”

After a moment of contemplation, Yan Wenshu finally lowered his head.

He felt Zang Ling gently wipe the corner of his lips. Then, she raised her cream-covered fingertip proudly.

“See? I wasn’t lying. You had some cream on your mouth. I’ve wiped it off for you.”

“…Thanks.”

Yan Wenshu’s gaze shifted slightly. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wiped Zang Ling’s fingers with lowered eyes and a gentle touch.

Zang Ling looked at the man in front of her, so serious in his actions, and suddenly, her heart skipped a beat. Their hands touched, and she could feel the temperature of his fingers.

So cold.

The fleeting romantic thoughts in her heart dissipated instantly. She frowned slightly, grabbed his hand, and asked, “Why are your hands so cold? Are you feeling unwell?”

Yan Wenshu’s fingers paused slightly. He raised his eyes, and their gazes met. “…No, I was born this way.”

Zang Ling let out a relieved sigh and released his hand. “That’s good. I thought you were sick. So, does that mean your hands stay cold even in the summer? That’s amazing!”

Yan Wenshu was speechless.

The system, watching this, was exasperated. [What an oblivious girl! Shouldn’t she be holding your hand right now and saying, ‘Baby, I’m here for you’? What’s with this admiring tone?]

[Host, looks like you’ll have to wait for a long time for her to understand how to be romantic.].

Waiting? Yan Wenshu was an expert at waiting.

His gaze fell on the clock behind them—just about time.

“Chairman Zang…”

Zang Ling looked up at the sky, pretending not to hear.

Yan Wenshu changed his approach. “Zang Ling, let’s discuss the remaining work tomorrow. I’ll be heading back now.”

Zang Ling glanced out the window. It was already dark outside, and the wind was howling, making the windows creak.

“Wait, don’t leave. It’s going to rain soon. Just stay at my place for the night.”

“It’s fine. It hasn’t started yet. If I leave now, I should be able to avoid it.”

Seeing his determination, Zang Ling was a little frustrated. “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Is it because of me? Are you afraid I’ll eat you up?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she saw his face turning bright red.

“It’s not that…”

At that moment, a loud clap of thunder roared, followed by a flash of lightning, and then, as if on cue, a torrential downpour began.

The heavens were really on my side!

Suppressing the joy in her heart, Zang Ling feigned helplessness and shrugged. “Now it’s not me forcing you to stay. Even the heavens are pleading for you to stay.”

“This rain probably won’t stop anytime soon. Just stay for the night. That’s final!”

She spoke quickly, leaving Yan Wenshu no time to respond before she bolted from the room.

Yan Wenshu stood still, turning toward the door, replaying the moment when Zang Ling winked at him before leaving. His lips curved into a smile.

The system cautiously asked, [Host, what’s going on?]

From its perspective, Yan Wenshu’s smile seemed… gentle. Completely unlike his usual self. He must be plotting something.

The system was convinced.

[Nothing.]

Yan Wenshu quickly wiped the smile off his face and stepped out of the study.

As he opened the door, the system noticed a small red dot flashing in the upper right corner.

Suddenly, the system understood—it was all an act for someone else to see.

Of course. There was no way its host had changed his personality.

Downstairs, Zang Ling announced the good news to her parents: Yan Wenshu would be staying over. Their reactions were quite different.

Jiang Qiongyin excitedly hugged Zang Ling. “That’s wonderful, Lingling!”

“Of course! Do you even know who I am?”

Only Zang Xiuming didn’t look happy. “Lingling, you’re not going to share a room with him, are you? I won’t allow it! Did anything happen between you two back in the study? Has he done anything bad to you?”

“Dad, Yan Wenshu and I were just discussing work. It’s not what you think. We’re not dating yet, so of course he’s staying in the guest room.”

Zang Xiuming caught the key word and looked as if the sky had fallen. “So if you two start dating, you’ll share a room?”

Zang Ling nodded matter-of-factly. “Yeah, what about it? Dad, why do you seem so unhappy ever since I brought Yan Wenshu home? Maybe I’ll finally stop being single soon! Why aren’t you happy?”

Jiang Qiongyin glanced at Zang Xiuming and said, “Lingling, ignore him. Your dad’s just not used to it yet. He’ll get over it.”

Zang Xiuming opened his mouth as if to argue, but under Jiang Qiongyin’s sharp glare, he swallowed his words and gave up. In the end, he muttered, “Fine. Just… don’t get pregnant before marriage.”

Zang Ling’s face instantly turned red. She mumbled in a voice barely above a whisper, “…Got it.”

——

On her way back to her room, Zang Ling passed by the room Yan Wenshu’s staying at and noticed that his door was open. Without thinking, she stepped inside.

What was he doing right now?

But as soon as she entered, she didn’t see Yan Wenshu anywhere. Just as she was feeling puzzled, she heard sounds coming from the bathroom. That’s when she realized, he was taking a shower.

S-Shower…?

Zang Ling was taken aback, “!”

She immediately took a few steps back.

Her brain couldn’t help but conjure up censored images, and before she knew it, an embarrassing sound escaped her lips.

“Who’s there?”

Zang Ling snapped back to reality. Worried he might be frightened, she was about to reply when the bathroom door opened.

A cloud of white steam billowed out, and a tall figure stepped through it. Yan Wenshu was wearing only a towel around his waist, his upper body completely bare.

Zang Ling’s eyes locked onto his pale, well-defined muscles. His freshly showered skin was still wet, with droplets of water sliding from his neck down over his abs.

She couldn’t help but swallow.

So sexy.

Noticing her, Yan Wenshu immediately turned his back in panic. “You… why are you here?”

“Ah, um… sorry! Your door was open, and I was worried something happened, so I…”

“It’s okay. I forgot to close it. Actually… you came at just the right time.” Yan Wenshu hesitated. “I know I shouldn’t ask you this, but I really don’t know what to do right now…”

Hearing this, Zang Ling set aside her wild thoughts and said seriously, “Tell me. I’ll help you solve it.”

“I don’t have a change of under— I mean, I don’t have any clean clothes to wear underneath. Can you help me borrow something from your dad?”

Zang Ling froze, her eyes instinctively drifting downward. Did this mean… he wasn’t wearing anything underneath right now?!

Yan Wenshu, not hearing a response, frowned slightly. Was she not taking the bait?

He turned back around in confusion only to be completely stunned.

“…Zang Ling, are you okay?”

The system panicked. [Host, help her! She’s not going to die from blood loss, is she?!]

Zang Ling’s nose was bleeding like a fountain. She dazedly said, “I’m fine.”

Yan Wenshu didn’t hesitate. He grabbed some tissues and gently tilted her head up, using several packs to finally stop the bleeding.

A few minutes later, Zang Ling, finally recovering, realized she was lying on his lap. Turning her head, she was met with the perfect view of his sculpted torso. It felt like she had ascended to heaven—pure bliss!

Another rush of blood spurted from her nose. Dizzy from excitement, her head spun.

Yan Wenshu was worried, “Zang Ling, don’t move! I’ll wipe it off for you. You’ll be fine.”

“No! Before I die, promise me one thing.”

Yan Wenshu didn’t know how to react.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes. Let’s go watch a movie this Saturday. Over.” After finishing her words, she placed her hand on her stomach and acted like she had passed away.

The system was speechless. [Why would she think she’s dying?]

Yan Wenshu silently wiped the blood from her face, and thought, [Who knows.]

Maybe Zang Ling was just that innocent. Next time, he’d better cover up more.

Yan Wenshu carefully moved Zang Ling to the bed. The system, seeing this, said excitedly, [Host, are you going to do—]

[Shut up.]

[oh…okay.] It’s just asking!