♡ Chapter 12 ♡

Lu Yanzhou promised to take Yu Xia for a walk downstairs, but the weather didn’t cooperate, and it rained for three days in a row. He had social events these past couple of days, and by the time he came back, it was always late. Yu Xia’s previously restless heart gradually calmed down. She focused on resting and drawing, patiently waiting for their date.

The editor noticed she had changed her name to “Living in Spring” and teased her, saying: “Looks like you’ve been working hard on your manuscripts lately, transitioning from winter to spring. Keep it up, and you’ll be back to summer soon enough.”

Yu Xia felt embarrassed but didn’t tell her the real reason for the name change—it was because spring had arrived, and with it, the season of romance. She was preparing to fall in love!

The comic convention was this Sunday, and the editor would go with her. They had planned to attend the convention and then take a two-day trip afterward.

The editor messaged her: “How’s your foot? Will you be able to walk at the convention?”

Yu Xia replied: “It’s getting better, I can walk slowly now. By then, as long as I don’t have to run or jump, I should be able to walk normally.”

“That’s good. Make sure to pack everything in advance,” the editor reminded.

“And don’t slack off! Make sure you have enough manuscripts ready, or else you’ll be bald by the time next month’s issue comes out! You might even have to move back to the Arctic Circle!”

Yu Xia: “…”

She raised her hand to smooth her hair.

Sorry, I was born with a lot of hair—going bald would be a challenge.

Just then, a message popped up on the screen.

L: Want to grab some late-night snacks?

Yu Xia didn’t have a habit of eating late-night snacks, but she wanted to see him. Without hesitation, she replied with a “Yes.”

Lu Yanzhou was lazily lounging on the sofa in the private room, sending her a message while waiting for Zhuo Sheng and his assistant to finish sending off a client. When Zhuo Sheng returned, he glanced at Lu Yanzhou’s phone and was shocked. “Who are you bringing late-night snacks for?”

Lu Yanzhou pushed him aside and continued typing: How about seafood porridge?

Living in Spring: Sounds good!

“Are you in a relationship?” Zhuo Sheng suddenly remembered something as he sat next to him, slapping his hand in realization. “Is it your new neighbor? Is the wheelchair for her?”

Lu Yanzhou scanned the QR code on the table, ordered a seafood porridge and two snacks, then looked up and gave him a side-eye. “Not yet.”

“What’s going on, then?”

Lu Yanzhou answered calmly, “I’m pursuing her.”

Zhuo Sheng was stunned for a while before narrowing his eyes. “I’ve known you for years, but it’s the first time I’ve seen you pursue a girl. I’m really curious—what kind of girl is she?”

Lu Yanzhou wasn’t keen on sharing and replied flatly, “You’ll meet her someday.”

By the time he returned home from the club, it was almost midnight.

Lu Yanzhou hung his suit jacket over his arm and carried the late-night snacks from the elevator. Just as he reached the door, he heard a click.

Yu Xia was standing behind the door, peeking at him.

He paused for a moment, then walked over to her. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Not really…” Yu Xia smiled, though she had been thinking about him for a while, which had affected her work efficiency.

Instead of handing her the snacks directly, Lu Yanzhou casually asked, “Do you want me to come in? I can eat with you before I head back.”

Yu Xia hesitated, then opened the door a little wider. “I don’t have any men’s slippers at home. Can you… go home and get some slippers?”

“Sure.”

Lu Yanzhou raised an eyebrow and turned to open the door. He grabbed a pair of new slippers from the shoe rack and didn’t even bother hanging up his suit jacket. Less than half a minute later, he returned.

Yu Xia had just been thinking that, if they were to be alone during the late-night snack, she should tidy up a bit. She invited him inside, and as they stood in the entryway, she noticed the faint smell of alcohol on him.

“Did you drink?” she asked nervously.

Lu Yanzhou noticed her unease. Sensing what she was thinking, he lowered his gaze to her and spoke clearly, “I’m not drunk. I’m fully sober.”

Yu Xia realized his intention and whispered, “I wasn’t worried about you being drunk.” She paused, then looked up at him and admitted, “Okay, maybe I was a bit worried. I don’t know what you might do if you were drunk.”

“I’ve never been completely drunk.”

He probably had never been fully drunk, but still maintained some level of clarity.

Lu Yanzhou entered the house and glanced around. There were many figurines and dolls in her room, which fit her identity and preferences as a manga fan.

He placed the snacks on the coffee table and noticed that her sofa blanket was white. He paused and looked up at her. “I’ll go change into some other clothes.” He had been eager to see her and had forgotten to freshen up. Now, he felt it was inappropriate to visit her smelling of smoke and alcohol.

Yu Xia was taken aback but quickly understood and quickly said, “No need.”

She walked over, pulled the blanket off the sofa, and smiled at him. “This is fine.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Lu Yanzhou asked, staring at her seriously.

“Someone else might mind, but you wouldn’t,” Yu Xia said, walking up to him. They stood between the sofa and the coffee table. Her head leaned near his chest, and as she inhaled lightly, she noticed the scent wasn’t strong. The woodsy fragrance was more prominent than the smoke or alcohol. She whispered, “Actually, the scent isn’t strong. I can still smell the woodsy fragrance.”

She was so close that Lu Yanzhou didn’t even have to lower his head to smell her faint fragrance. He swallowed, leaning down to her ear and quietly whispered the name of a perfume.

It was in English.

His British accent made Yu Xia’s ears tingle. She felt a shiver run through her, and she looked up at him in confusion, “What?”

“The name of the perfume,” he said, gazing at her meaningfully. “You mentioned you wanted to give it to your next boyfriend. I’ve told you now.”