Chapter 36

It was impossible not to overthink.

That night, Wen Tang couldn’t sleep.

Despite being in the midst of a public opinion storm, she had never lost sleep over it, but that night, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. Her hair seemed to still carry the warmth from Zhou Jingyu’s hand.

Although it was a fleeting touch.

Her heartbeat had clearly skipped a beat.

She and Zhou Jingyu?

Before this, there was no chance of it happening.

Unable to sleep, Wen Tang got out of bed and checked her chat history with him on WeChat.

From her persistent messages, his direct indifference, to his occasional cold responses, and finally to their lively conversations.

To be honest, she had never invested so much energy in any man before.

Although she had many ex-boyfriends, they would come to her with just a beckoning finger, and some were even proactive.

Only this one, she had acted on a whim and ended up adding the wrong person. Everything had been wrong from the start.

Wen Tang went to bed very late that night and woke up late the next day. Checking her phone, it was already past ten in the morning.

Ke Xin and Yang Yang had switched to a different car and arrived at her place before eight in the morning, bringing a lot of fresh vegetables. Ke Xin had originally planned to cook for Wen Tang that noon, but with reporters stationed outside, ordering takeout was extremely difficult.

However, when Wen Tang woke up, she saw them only to be told that the online public opinion had been effectively controlled by the company. They were quickly sent away by Wen Tang after just a few sentences.

And they were given two days off, told not to come back the next day.

Ke Xin: …

Yang Yang: …

They hadn’t expected to be dismissed by Wen Tang.

Until they left the house, Ke Xin was still worried about the bag of vegetables she had bought, knowing that Wen Tang didn’t cook!

After they left, Wen Tang went to the fridge and looked at it, which was packed full. She had a contemplative expression.

Ten seconds later, she took a photo and sent it to Zhou Jingyu.

Zhou Jingyu replied quickly.

【Y: ?】

【Candy: It’s Saturday today.】

There was no immediate reply from Zhou Jingyu, but half a minute later, Wen Tang’s doorbell rang.

Opening the door, Zhou Jingyu stood at the entrance.

“Hungry?” he asked, slightly bowing his head.

Wen Tang nodded and, with a tone sweeter than ever when facing Zhou Jingyu, said, “I just woke up.”

She then made way for him to enter.

Having already visited Wen Tang’s home twice, Zhou Jingyu was familiar with the place, especially her kitchen.

He opened the fridge, asked Wen Tang what she wanted to eat, and then took out everything from the fridge to cook alone in the kitchen.

Wen Tang waited in the living room.

But now Zhou Jingyu was in the kitchen, and Wen Tang, holding the remote control, flipped through the TV channels without finding anything worth watching. She leaned her head out, peeking into the kitchen.

Her mind was restless.

After a few minutes of patience, Wen Tang got up.

She walked in slippers to the kitchen door. The vegetables Kexin bought were not the kind Zhou Jingyu had brought last time that could be cooked directly. Zhou Jingyu was standing at the sink, preparing the vegetables.

He turned and saw Wen Tang, asking, “What are you doing here?”

Wen Tang replied, “There’s nothing to see. I’m here to help you.”

Although she didn’t know how to cook, she could still wash vegetables.

Zhou Jingyu made space for her, letting her wash the vegetables while he cut them.

“I thought you wouldn’t be home today,” Wen Tang said softly while washing the cabbage, not looking at Zhou Jingyu.

Hearing her words, Zhou Jingyu turned to look at her, catching a glimpse of her profile.

He explained, “Today is Saturday. Normally, we have a day off.”

Although he was busy and often worked overtime, today was special, and he had canceled all his other commitments. However, he didn’t need to explain that to Wen Tang.

Wen Tang simply responded with an “Oh.”

They each continued their tasks.

After a long period of silence, Wen Tang suddenly turned her head.

“Zhou Jingyu.”

She called him softly.

Her voice was so quiet that Zhou Jingyu seemed not to hear.

“Zhou Jingyu.” She called him again, this time with a slightly louder voice.

Zhou Jingyu, who was cutting radishes, turned his head and responded, “Hmm?”

But when he looked at Wen Tang, she was just staring at him, blinking with a smile in her eyes, without saying anything.

He thought she was just playing with him, as she often did when they chatted. She would call him many times a day on WeChat, never tiring of it.

Her personality during their conversations was a bit different from her public persona. She was sometimes playful, liked to act spoiled, and would complain about work being tough, more like an ordinary person than a big star.

After they had revealed their true identities, their interactions had become more intimate than before.

Zhou Jingyu looked at her helplessly and sighed, “Stop messing around.”

Wen Tang replied, “I’m not messing around.”

When Zhou Jingyu started cutting radishes again, Wen Tang called out, “Zhou Jingyu.”

This time, Zhou Jingyu responded but didn’t turn around. If she wanted to make trouble, let her be.

Wen Tang, smiling, said, “Zhou Jingyu.”

Zhou Jingyu replied, “Hmm.”

Wen Tang continued, “Zhou Jingyu.”

Zhou Jingyu answered, “Hmm.”

Wen Tang asked, “Zhou Jingyu, do you want to be my boyfriend?”

He initially intended to answer casually but then his brain caught up with the question.

His hand holding the knife froze.

Zhou Jingyu turned around.

He saw Wen Tang smiling at him, her eyes sparkling as if filled with stars.

“Is this a joke?” he asked seriously, his voice soft.

Wen Tang didn’t respond, just looked up at him, “Will you agree, Zhou Jingyu?”

Zhou Jingyu fell silent.

He stared at her, not speaking for a long time, as if deep in thought.

During this period, the silence seemed to stretch.

Wen Tang, full of expectation, slowly let her smile fade.

What was he silent about?

What was he considering?

Was he thinking about how to refuse gracefully?

In truth, it was just a spontaneous impulse for her. Over the years, she had been used to quick romances in various film crews. If she liked someone or wanted to date someone, it was often just a matter of a thought. Usually, within a week, she would get her wish.

She had forgotten that Zhou Jingyu was different from them.

She had been full of anticipation, but Zhou Jingyu’s silence made her enthusiasm seem to be doused with cold water.

Of course, someone like him, with power, influence, and good looks, would likely have a partner from a prestigious family, how could he easily agree to her?

So what if she was a big star?

She was just a product of capital.

How many artists’ ultimate goal was to marry into a wealthy family?

Seeing it this way, she had overestimated herself.

Wen Tang’s enthusiasm quickly vanished.

“Zhou Jingyu, I was just joking,” Wen Tang said, throwing the vegetables aside. It was the first time in her life she had washed vegetables. Why was she humiliating herself?

“Don’t take it seriously.”

With that, she turned to leave.

Just as she turned around, someone grabbed her hand.

Then came a sigh.

“Shouldn’t it be the man who makes the first move to ask about dating?” Zhou Jingyu said.

After this sentence, before Wen Tang could react, Zhou Jingyu reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

“If I didn’t want to be with you, why would I be here doing this?” Zhou Jingyu said softly, “I’m not that idle.”

Until now, he had only cooked for her.

Wen Tang was enveloped in Zhou Jingyu’s arms, surrounded by his pleasant scent.

Hearing his words, she couldn’t help but smile in a place where he couldn’t see. However, she wasn’t someone who could be easily pleased.

Would he just placate her with a sweet word after making her angry?

Hiding her face in his chest, Wen Tang grumbled, “I don’t care about that. I asked you a question, and you didn’t answer. That’s your fault. Now I’m angry, and the consequences of my anger are severe!”

Although she said she was angry, it was more like a spoiled complaint.

Zhou Jingyu couldn’t help but smile and asked, “Oh? Then may I ask, Miss Wen, what can I do to make you less angry?”

His smile conveyed through his chest to Wen Tang.

Looking up at him from this angle, he was still incredibly handsome.

… She was indeed a shallow person.

Over the years, she had always judged boyfriends by their looks.

And Zhou Jingyu was the most handsome of all.

Seeing his face, her anger had already dissipated significantly.

“Hmph, you cook for yourself!”

She no longer wanted to help him.

Turning her head, Wen Tang said with the last bit of stubbornness she had left.

Zhou Jingyu smiled and gently said, “Alright, you can wait outside for now.”

In fact, he had never really expected her to help. A pampered star who never touched a drop of kitchen water was out of place in the kitchen.

So, Wen Tang left the kitchen shortly after.

But everything was different now.

She had a new boyfriend!

With a grin she couldn’t hide, Wen Tang happily settled on her sofa.

Of course, she didn’t just sit around waiting for Zhou Jingyu to finish the meal.

Since he had agreed to be her boyfriend, as his girlfriend, she had to buy him something.

For all her previous boyfriends, she would always send a gift the day after they officially started dating. It was a tradition.

Wen Tang skillfully picked up her phone and opened the luxury goods store she frequented.

What should she get for him as a first gift?

After browsing several stores, clothes, shoes, and bags all seemed too mundane. Zhou Jingyu was not lacking in these things; his taste was high, and his clothes were all custom-made.

In the end, Wen Tang focused on watches.

Just like cars, men never minded having another watch.

She chose a watch and placed the order just as Zhou Jingyu finished preparing the meal.

He set the dishes on the table and then called Wen Tang to eat.

Previously, Wen Tang had tasted Zhou Jingyu’s cooking once and knew that his skills were top-notch.

Today, Zhou Jingyu had prepared four dishes and a soup. To suit Wen Tang’s taste, he had added chili to three of the dishes.

Wen Tang loved spicy food, but because of her profession, she couldn’t eat many things.

Although there weren’t many dishes, they were all Wen Tang’s favorites.

She had to support her boyfriend’s cooking.

Unlike last time, when she had only taken a few bites due to maintaining the image of a star, this time Wen Tang ate almost half a bowl of rice and a lot of the dishes.

Zhou Jingyu sat down to eat with her. Since he couldn’t handle much spice, he ate rice and vegetables. Occasionally, he would serve Wen Tang with some of the dishes.

He noticed that Wen Tang was quite picky. While she had touched all three other dishes, she hadn’t touched the vegetables at all.

“Eat more vegetables. They’re good for your health,” Zhou Jingyu said, placing some greens in Wen Tang’s bowl.

Wen Tang didn’t like vegetables because when she was dieting, her meals usually consisted of only these green veggies, which made her lose her appetite.

But since it was Zhou Jingyu who served it, she obediently ate it.

After finishing, Wen Tang also served Zhou Jingyu a portion of stir-fried green peppers and pork.

“Don’t just eat vegetables, have some meat too.”

Zhou Jingyu silently ate the meat and peppers Wen Tang served him.

After the meal, Zhou Jingyu took on the task of cleaning the dishes.

Wen Tang stood by the door and watched.

“Boyfriend.”

As he was placing the dishes in the dishwasher, she suddenly called out to him.

Zhou Jingyu paused, surprised by this unfamiliar term.

He turned to look at Wen Tang and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to call you,” Wen Tang said with a smile.

In just one night, Zhou Jingyu had gone from being a troublesome neighbor to being her boyfriend. Even Wen Tang found it unbelievable.

Anyway, she was used to calling him frequently, and Zhou Jingyu had gotten used to it.

Assured there was nothing else, Zhou Jingyu continued with his task, placing the dishes in the dishwasher.

Their lunch was a bit early.

After finishing everything, the time was just past twelve forty.

“What are your plans for today?” Wen Tang asked as Zhou Jingyu came out of the kitchen.

Zhou Jingyu stopped a meter away from the sofa and asked, “What do you want to do?”

This meant that everything was up to her.

Wen Tang had been thinking while Zhou Jingyu worked in the kitchen.

She didn’t want to spend their first day of dating stuck at home.

“Why don’t you come with me to watch a movie?” Wen Tang asked eagerly.

Zhou Jingyu raised an eyebrow and looked at her, “Can you go out?”

With Wen Tang being the center of attention, it was clear that if she appeared in public, it would cause a sensation.

Wen Tang wasn’t sure if she would be recognized. Even if she disguised herself, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t be spotted by sharp-eyed fans.

Wen Tang’s shoulders drooped, looking at Zhou Jingyu, and said dejectedly, “But I want to go on a date with my boyfriend.”

She quickly adapted to her role as a girlfriend, with no sense of awkwardness.

Zhou Jingyu was not used to her speed. In his view, they had just established their relationship, and the best scenario would be to spend some more time together before officially dating. He wanted to take things step by step, but Wen Tang had disrupted that.

Not only did Wen Tang find their current relationship quite unbelievable, but Zhou Jingyu himself also hadn’t fully grasped it.

He was no longer single. He had a girlfriend, and his girlfriend was the highly acclaimed star Wen Tang.

However, since Wen Tang was now his girlfriend, he should do his best to meet any requests she had.

“Although we can’t go to an outside theater, there is a private cinema. Would you like to go?” Zhou Jingyu said after some thought.

Wen Tang’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Where is it?” she asked curiously.

Zhou Jingyu replied, “You’ll know when you get there.”