Consider It Rent

Nan Pei spent the whole way back thinking about how to deal with Song Jingchen. When he returned to the Huo family villa, inspiration struck, and he decided to crop Song Jingchen’s head out of the photo.

Not long after changing the background, Song Jingchen messaged him: “What do you mean by this?”

Just reading the message, Nan Pei could imagine Song Jingchen’s face, barely holding back his anger.

Thinking for a moment, he replied: “Jingchen Gege, the photo is too handsome. I don’t want others to see your perfect face.”

Saying this, Nan Pei set their chat background as his wallpaper and sent a screenshot: “I’ve set it as my phone wallpaper, so I can see you every day. [Heart]”

If it were someone else, they might doubt Nan Pei’s sincerity.

But Nan Pei knew Song Jingchen wouldn’t.

Sure enough, shortly after, Song Jingchen replied: “Oh. Forget it, change the background.”

It seemed he wasn’t satisfied with the headless photo.

Pretending to be reluctant, Nan Pei replied a few more times, then switched to a system default image of a pond with lotus flowers and three fish swimming beneath.

Not paying much attention to the picture, he went to take a shower.

Afterward, he checked the time, put his phone in his pajama pocket, and headed downstairs for some milk.

Halfway there, he noticed the light in Huo Yao’s study was still on.

It was late, but Huo Yao working late seemed to be the norm for this president.

Feeling a bit moved, Nan Pei poured an extra glass of milk for Huo Yao, placed it on a tray, and went to the study door, knocking gently.

“Come in.”

Huo Yao’s voice was calm and magnetic, lacking emotion but carrying a unique steady charm.

Pushing the door open, Nan Pei entered with the tray, looking at the man behind the desk.

Huo Yao wore a beige casual outfit, a laptop on the desk. He focused intently on the screen, his long fingers typing away, exuding a cold, unapproachable aura typical of a CEO.

Hearing the door, Huo Yao looked up and was momentarily surprised to see Nan Pei.

He had expected the butler.

Nan Pei wore simple-toned pajamas, the neckline and sleeves slightly loose. Fresh from a shower, his hair was half-dry, and he seemed to carry a misty aura.

Holding the tray, the two glasses of warm milk emitted a gentle steam, the milky aroma wafting into Huo Yao’s nose.

Huo Yao paused his work, a slight smile softening his stern features.

He asked, “What brings you here?”

“Just came down for some milk,” Nan Pei placed one glass on the desk, smiling slightly, “thought you might need some too since you’re still up.”

Huo Yao glanced at the milk and said, “In the future, just let the butler or maid handle these small things.”

Despite his words, his mood visibly improved.

He picked up the milk, took a small sip, then looked at Nan Pei standing by the desk: “The temperature is just right.”

Moments ago, he was the ice-cold CEO, but now, with a faint milk mustache, he seemed a bit more innocent.

Nan Pei almost burst out laughing.

The last time he felt like laughing this much was when he saw Huo Yao hide burnt eggs in the trash.

Seeing the amusement in Nan Pei’s eyes, clearly directed at him, Huo Yao frowned and asked, “What’s so funny?”

“I’m honored that Brother Landlord is willing to drink the milk I brought,” Nan Pei grinned, “seems delivering milk is a delightful charitable act.”

Seeing Nan Pei still laughing, Huo Yao raised an eyebrow and slowly asked:

“Oh, really? So, has the philanthropist delivered milk to other men too?” His tone carried a teasing hint.

Nan Pei looked at Huo Yao and seriously asked, “If I had, would you mind?”

Huo Yao: “…”

He abruptly placed the milk on the desk, looking at Nan Pei, his expression serious. After a few seconds of silence, he lightly pressed his lips together:

“…So you really have?”

He had been joking, but now his tone carried a hint of gloom and jealousy.

Huo Yao seemed displeased, but the milk mustache on his lips made his expression less intimidating.

Nan Pei couldn’t hold back and laughed, then explained:

“Just kidding, I haven’t delivered milk to anyone else.”

Hearing this, Huo Yao’s expression improved slightly.

He picked up the milk again, looking at Nan Pei, trying to mask his earlier lapse, and slowly said:

“Then I’m honored to have the first glass of milk from the philanthropist.”

His lips curved slightly.

Soon, Huo Yao finished the entire glass of milk.

Watching him, Nan Pei couldn’t resist saying, “President Huo, you have milk on your lips.”

Huo Yao paused, finally realizing what Nan Pei had been laughing about.

Nan Pei handed him a tissue.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Huo Yao’s face, but he quickly masked it, taking the tissue and swiftly wiping away the milk.

Nan Pei felt the distance between them suddenly shrink.

After wiping his lips, Huo Yao’s long fingers crumpled the tissue. He looked at Nan Pei, cleared his throat, and said, “Thanks for the milk.”

His tone was a bit stiff, as if trying to cover up the earlier awkwardness.

Nan Pei chuckled: “It’s just a glass of milk.”

Huo Yao stood up, casually pulling a chair to the desk, and said to Nan Pei, “I’m not done working yet. You can sit here for a while or see if there’s a book you like on the shelf.”

Nan Pei nodded, looking around, finding the study quite cozy.

He felt like he had seen this study somewhere before, similar to his first visit to the Northern Center of Lujin City.

However, the feeling was fleeting and quickly vanished.

Looking at the bookshelf, he saw many books he liked.

On one of the higher shelves, there was a small box that seemed a bit out of place.

Nan Pei stared at the box for a while, guessing it contained something important, but he didn’t dwell on it.

At that moment, he noticed the central wall of the study was bare, making the room feel a bit empty.

Curious, he asked Huo Yao, “Why is that part of the wall empty?”

Huo Yao looked at the spot Nan Pei mentioned, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and after a moment said, “When decorating, I didn’t know what to hang there, so I left it empty.”

Understanding, Nan Pei slowly said, “I just think… it could use some decoration.”

Huo Yao was slightly taken aback.

His father had given him many paintings, suggesting he hang them in the study, especially on that empty wall.

However, for some reason, Huo Yao felt that space should be left open.

He even had a dream one night—

In the dream, another young man living in the villa gave him a painting he had made himself.

He couldn’t remember what the boy in the dream looked like, but he inexplicably wanted to get closer.

While Huo Yao was lost in thought, Nan Pei’s voice brought him back:

“President Huo, I can paint. How about I make a painting for you as decoration?” His tone was playful.

Huo Yao looked at Nan Pei, his heart inexplicably racing.

Could his dream predict the future?

The strange thought made Huo Yao’s heart skip a beat.

Seeing Huo Yao silent, Nan Pei teased, “What, President Huo doesn’t like my paintings?”

Huo Yao remained in a daze, lips tightly pressed.

“…I’m just joking,” Nan Pei pouted, a bit annoyed, “Look how scared you are.”

“I want it,” Huo Yao suddenly said.

Now it was Nan Pei’s turn to be stunned. He looked at Huo Yao incredulously: “Huh? You really want a painting from me?”

“Yes.” Huo Yao composed himself, returning to a calm state, “I’m curious about what you’d paint.”

Nan Pei hesitated, “I can only do simple sketches.”

“Sketches are fine,” Huo Yao smiled, “What will you draw?”

Nan Pei had only spoken casually, not expecting Huo Yao to agree.

“My skills are average, maybe…” Nan Pei hesitated, looking at Huo Yao, cautiously answering, “I can only draw a portrait of you.”

He thought, with such a simple drawing, Huo Yao probably wouldn’t hang it in the study, right?

“That’s fine,” Huo Yao said decisively, “I accept.”

Nan Pei’s eyes widened: “You’d accept that?”

“Consider it rent,” Huo Yao raised an eyebrow at Nan Pei, “What, not willing?”

“Of course, I am,” Nan Pei quickly said, “I’m just… worried you won’t like it.”

Huo Yao smiled: “How will you know if you don’t try?”

Huo Yao had helped Nan Pei a lot recently, and he was looking for a chance to repay him. Since Huo Yao made such a request, he couldn’t refuse.

So Nan Pei looked at Huo Yao and earnestly said, “Alright, I’ll find time to draw it for you.”

“Don’t stand me up,” Huo Yao said calmly, “Philanthropist.” The last word carried a teasing tone.

“I won’t!”

After promising, Nan Pei sat down on a chair next to Huo Yao.

He studied Huo Yao’s chiseled features, whispering, “But… I haven’t really looked at your face closely. I might draw you ugly…”

Huo Yao looked at Nan Pei, seeing him staring intently, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he said, “You can take a closer look now.”

Hearing this, Nan Pei didn’t think much and moved closer to Huo Yao.

The next second, he leaned in, stretching his neck, eyes wide open, carefully examining Huo Yao’s features under the soft light.

Huo Yao’s fingers tightened involuntarily.

Nan Pei looked for a while, finding Huo Yao’s features very appealing.

From his eyebrows to his eyes, then his nose, and finally his lips…

Every detail seemed favored by the creator.

In his mind, Nan Pei thought about how to capture Huo Yao’s likeness, unknowingly moving even closer.

Until their breaths mingled.

Huo Yao’s heart raced, his breathing quickened.

Nan Pei was simply observing him.

But his mind was in chaos, unable to think.

Huo Yao’s nose was filled with the pleasant scent of Nan Pei’s body wash and a faint milky aroma.

It all felt like a dreamy reverie.

After a while, when Nan Pei came to his senses, he realized how close he was to Huo Yao and quickly tried to pull away.

However, the next second.

Huo Yao suddenly grabbed Nan Pei’s wrist.

He looked directly at Nan Pei, his eyes darkening, lips parting slightly, and said word by word:

“Was that enough time to see clearly?”

*

Author’s Note:

Today’s focus is on President Huo, haha.

Thank you all for your support!

Keep the love coming!