The interview went well, and the salary was double what she had expected—this was an incredible stroke of luck for An Ruo.
She bounced back to the villa, and the man looked at her with a meaningful gaze. "In such a good mood today?"
An Ruo couldn't wait to share her joy with someone. "I applied for an early internship, and I got hired by a big company in just two days!"
"You got up this early to go to the interview?" Seeing her smile so brightly, Shen Xiaoxing inexplicably felt in a good mood too.
"Yeah."
"Tell me about any interesting things that happened during the interview."
An Ruo thought he stayed home all day, unable to see or hear what was happening outside, and must feel lonely and bored.
So she chattered on endlessly about everything she had seen and experienced along the way.
The man listened attentively, not interrupting her, and without his usual sarcastic remarks, quietly acting as her audience.
"I'm telling you, I was amazing."
"Oh?"
"I stood out among thirty candidates. Their company only picked five, and I happened to be one of them."
The man praised her for once, "That is impressive."
This was the first time he had complimented her. An Ruo froze, leaning by the wheelchair, and smiled with curved lips. "Young Master Shen, you seem to be in a good mood today too."
"Is that so?"
"The corners of your mouth are lifting." An Ruo, probably too excited and her brain a bit out of control, actually reached out to poke the corner of his mouth and said seriously, "You look really nice when you smile."
Shen Xiaoxing was taken aback. Was he that obvious?
Then he straightened his expression and said sternly, "An Ruo!"
The girl blinked.
"You're getting bold now, not afraid of me anymore?"
An Ruo stared at him for a moment, then pursed her lips into a smile. "Actually... you're not that scary."
"Is that so?"
Shen Xiaoxing's face instantly darkened, and a chilling aura emanated from him like the depths of hell.
An Ruo hadn't expected him to change moods so quickly; she hadn't even reacted yet...
The man pulled her into his arms, his large hand landing on her bottom. It didn't hurt, but it was a bit... embarrassing.
Flustered, An Ruo tried to scramble out of his embrace, but he held her slender waist with one hand and tilted her chin up with the other.
The girl stared blankly at the handsome face gradually approaching hers...
What was he... about to do?
Just as the two were about to be lost in this ambiguous, hormone-charged moment, Butler Xu interrupted.
"Young Master, Young Madam..." He walked in and immediately saw the two about to kiss. He wanted to quickly retreat and close the door to let them continue, but it was too late.
An Ruo sprang out of the man's arms, turning her back to Butler Xu, her cheeks burning as she couldn't help patting them.
How terrifying!
What had she just been doing?
Had she been so captivated by the man's looks that she wanted to kiss him!?
No way, An Ruo, get a grip!
The atmosphere, the setting, the mood, the tension—all perfectly aligned, only to be interrupted by an untimely intruder.
Shen Xiaoxing's voice carried a hint of anger. "What is it?"
"Madam sent word that there will be an art exhibition at sea on the fourth of next month, with many wealthy and influential guests attending. She hopes you and the Young Madam can also be present."
"What's today's date?"
"The fifteenth."
Shen Xiaoxing frowned in displeasure. "There's still half a month, why the rush?"
Butler Xu paused and answered honestly, "In previous years, Madam couldn't hold it due to your health. This is the first time the Young Madam will attend as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen family, so she naturally wants it to be grand. Informing you early is to give you time to prepare."
The reasoning made sense, but... couldn't it have been announced later?
The perfect mood was completely ruined!
Early in the morning, An Ruo was woken by a sharp ringing sound. Behind her, she heard the man's irritable grunt, and she instinctively turned off her phone.
The arm around her waist tightened...
An Ruo's heart raced wildly. She slowly turned to look at the man's chiseled face, with its heroic brows, high nose bridge, and pale pink lips pressed into a thin line.
So exquisitely handsome—he truly was God's favorite.
"What time is it?" The man's voice carried the unique hoarseness of early morning.
"Half past five."
"Too early, let's sleep a bit more."
An Ruo bit her lip. "But I have to go to work..."
"What time do you start?"
"Eight o'clock."
"There's still over two hours."
"I have an hour-long commute."
Getting up, washing up, eating breakfast, putting on makeup, and changing clothes—that would take at least an hour and a half. An Ruo struggled to get up, but the man held her tight, refusing to let go.
When had their relationship become so clingy?
"You... let go of me first."
"Stay with me a little longer. After breakfast, I'll have Han Chong drive you."
An Ruo didn't want him to get too involved in her personal life. The closer he got, the easier it would be for her secrets to be exposed.
"No need to trouble them." Taking advantage of his distraction, An Ruo slipped out of his arms. "You go back to sleep. I'll try not to disturb you."
With that, without waiting for his agreement, she dashed into the bathroom.
Shen Xiaoxing propped his head on one hand, watching her frantic escape as if afraid he'd pull her back, and a cold smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.