Bai Ying slept until she woke up naturally, and was relieved to see that her cold had only mildly attacked her before quickly disappearing. She thought it would be a loss to get sick just for the sake of chasing a man. 

Remembering that today was the first day of the month, she had breakfast and then went to the small Buddhist temple to sincerely copy a few pages of scriptures for the elderly lady.

Her ability to stay by Shen Jin’s side was also inadvertently facilitated by the elderly lady. The lady had a hard life, with both her children passing away, leaving only this grandson whom she raised with great difficulty, only to pass away from illness before enjoying a few years of happiness.

Initially, Bai Ying thought that since she was paid, she should have professional ethics and play the role of a girlfriend well, caring for the elderly lady. Over time, she felt the lady’s affection for her, and willingly accompanied the old woman through the last moments of her life.

Before the elderly lady passed away, she was breathing more out than in, yet still managed to peacefully bring Shen Jin and Bai Ying’s hands together. Without saying anything, she said everything.

Bai Ying, now twenty-two, aside from her infancy which she couldn’t remember, had only shed genuine tears at her foster mother’s and the elderly lady’s funerals.

After leaving the small temple and returning to her bedroom, Jiang Lan, who was responsible for her daily life, hemmed and hawed in front of her for a while before finally saying with a red face, “Miss Bai, may I take a day off on Friday?”

“Is something the matter?”

Bai Ying looked at her with a smile, “Seeing your face so red, you wouldn’t be going out on a date, would you?”

Jiang Lan’s face turned even redder: “……not really.”

“Is it or isn’t it?”

Bai Ying took her hand, extremely curious, and pressed, “Tell me, I won’t tell anyone else!”

Jiang Lan then whispered, “He has asked me out a few times, saying that a new Western restaurant has opened and the taste is very good, he wants to take me there to try it, and it seems not too good to always refuse.”

“He? Who is he?”

Jiang Lan mentioned a name, and Bai Ying felt it sounded familiar but couldn’t remember who it was, until Jiang Lan gently reminded her, “It’s that tall and thin bodyguard, he was the one who accompanied us to the department store last month.”

Bai Ying didn’t have much of an impression anymore, but still affirmed, “That’s good, the bodyguards here are all talented and skilled, not bad!”

Jiang Lan smiled shyly.

Bai Ying readily approved the leave, then took her to her own dressing room, put a beautiful little hat on her head, stepped back a few steps, and looked at her with satisfaction, “You look very beautiful like this.”

Bai Ying looked at Jiang Lan, bathed in love, her face rosy and her eyebrows carrying joy. The more she looked, the more beautiful she became. More effective than any skincare product, her eyes were tinged in the hue of budding romance.

Before Shen Jin, she had also had ambiguous moments with male classmates at school, but it was that damned rich young master who disrupted her life.

Of course, it was also because of him that she met Shen Jin and lived a life she had never thought of before, and now she didn’t know if all this was a blessing or a curse.

A few months ago, she encountered that male classmate again by chance and found that the initial excitement was gone.

What did this mean? Love changes in an instant, and a heartbeat is calculated by the second. Once missed, it’s as difficult as climbing to heaven to find it again, so one must grasp every heartbeat, who knows when the next one will be.

…

Jiang Mocheng was puzzled by the chocolate ball, he had put the coat on her purely out of the compassion a normal person should have.

Although she was indeed very beautiful, he was not the kind of person who is swayed by looks. Especially since he came here for serious business, he had no intention of thinking about anything else.

Did she misunderstand his intentions?

Jiang Mocheng walked heavily to the study. Before he got close, the door opened, and she poked her head out, instantly smiling happily, “I can recognize your footsteps now!”

He met her lustrous eyes, his gaze shifted down, landing on the curve of her lips. Suddenly, his feelings became more complex.

He had refused others’ affections before without any burden, not liking is not liking, no interest is no interest, but the words he had said to others in the past were hard to say in front of her.

“Thank you so much, I’ve been thinking about whether you would come tonight.”

Bai Ying wrinkled her nose, “It’s scary to be here alone. The sound of the wind blowing and hitting the branches is also terrifying, it scared me to death!”

She was telling the truth. Alone in this study, it was inevitable to think of some scary things in the dead of night.

If not for the secret meeting with him, she would have been a sleeping beauty by now!

But it was good that he came, being with such a fresh and tender man whom she liked in every way, nestled in this small study at night, indeed had a different flavor. It made her excited and happy.

Jiang Mocheng glanced at her, entered the study silently, and after taking the hot tea she handed him, he finally asked her in a low voice, “How much do you earn here in a month?”

He wanted to show her a clear path, other than that, he couldn’t give her anything else.

Bai Ying was taken aback, she couldn’t answer this question, her relationship with Jiang Lan was clear. They weren’t even friends, where was it appropriate to inquire about such things. She could only recall her own part-time jobs, and hesitantly reported a number.

Jiang Mocheng frowned, he didn’t expect Shen Jin to be so stingy, not willing to pay a higher salary to such a hardworking and willing person, he suppressed the inexplicable anger, and asked her, “Then what responsibilities do you have?”

“It’s hard to say, it all depends on Miss Bai’s needs.”

Bai Ying pondered for a moment, “But I am at her beck and call 24 hours a day.”

Jiang Mocheng took a deep breath, gripping the cup in his hand until his knuckles turned slightly white, “With the amount of work you do, you would earn far more than this if you sought a job outside. Haven’t you thought about resigning?”

“Ah…”

Bai Ying was shocked, quickly using her non-existent irresponsible parents as a shield, “My parents won’t let me resign. They say it’s good for me to work here. My younger brother will need money to go to university and I should support him.”

Jiang Mocheng looked up at her, his gaze so sharp that Bai Ying couldn’t help but take a step back, his intent clear.

Bai Ying was momentarily dazed— Wait, weren’t they here to talk about love? How did they start talking about this?

“Listen to me,”

Jiang Mocheng considered his words carefully before saying, “Supporting your brother is not your responsibility or obligation. From now on, you should keep your salary for yourself, and of course, I suggest you find a new job.”

“……”

Seeing her look bewildered, Jiang Mocheng guessed that his suggestion had scared her.

“Finding a job is not as difficult as you think. If you’re scared, I can help you find one, it will definitely be much better than now. You can do whatever job you want, in short, this place is not suitable for a long stay.”

She listened until she saw stars, and finally said weakly, “But I have a reason that I must stay here.”

Jiang Mocheng frowned, “What reason?”

What reason could she possibly have to stay here? Does she owe Shen Jin money? He would pay it off for her, it’s not a big deal.

Bai Ying looked at him with a pause, everything unspoken, a mix of shyness and sadness. She was very good at controlling this balance, and had already used it skillfully, Shen Jin was very susceptible to this.

What’s going on!

This man is too unromantic, indeed, just look at the way he dismisses others, so confident as if all she has to do is nod, and all the good jobs outside are hers for the choosing. One would think he was some big shot with that kind of attitude.

It’s only because of his face and physique that she hasn’t disappeared yet. She can’t stand men who brag.

She couldn’t help but remind herself, Bai Ying, Bai Ying, you’re not picking a husband, this isn’t your future husband, the father of your children, why be so picky?

“……”

Jiang Mocheng’s gaze shifted. He had a passing uncomfortable feeling, like someone was badmouthing him. 

Even though he had faced bold women who had shown their love to him before, he had never felt this way. He just didn’t expect that her reason for not wanting to leave was him.

Bai Ying almost laughed to death inside when she saw him actually blush. So there are still men who blush these days, she thought to herself.

She stood up and walked step by step towards him, softly saying, “I know you mean well for me. You speak so eloquently that everything you say makes sense. You’re more knowledgeable and talented than anyone I’ve met. You must have a lot of people who like you, right? But it isn’t the same for me. No one else is willing to care about my future like you do.”

Jiang Mocheng fell silent.

Bai Ying found this man quite interesting, he seemed so bright and his presence was strong, but his brain seemed to be too simple.

He believed every word she said—didn’t he think, if he could give in to her step by step, wouldn’t others do the same?

“The people who like you must be very brave and cute, you must like such people too. You definitely want to be friends with them, right?”

Bai Ying subtly changed the subject, she really didn’t want to hear him boast anymore. It was annoying. He was so handsome, his lips looked good. If he couldn’t speak, he could be mute, better than bragging every few sentences.

Jiang Mocheng helplessly explained, “No.”

“No what?”

Bai Ying looked up at him, “No friends? You’re lying, how can someone like you not have friends.”

Jiang Mocheng said, “I don’t make friends with the opposite sex.”

He has female business partners, but not friends. Given his family situation, if he called female with the title of ‘friend’, the elders at home would probably arrange the wedding date.

Bai Ying felt even more dejected, “So I’m not even your friend…”

…

Bai Ying sneaked back to her room, finally unable to hold back. She burst into hearty laughter, rolling on the bed, her laughter unceasing. Some people look handsome and cool, but are actually fools. He really believed whatever she said!

How could such a person not be deceived to the bone?

Jiang Mocheng also returned to his room, annoyed. He ruffled his hair, went into the bathroom and washed his face with cold water. Leaning on the sink looking disheveled in the mirror, his right eyelid twitched uncontrollably.