The slate-colored clouds outside the transparent glass swirled, twinkling with starlight.
The moon hung in the sky, casting its silver glow.
Wen Tingxue's gaze was fixed on the floor-to-ceiling window directly opposite.
She seemed to be admiring the beautiful scenery from the high floor, but in reality...
Even her reflection, as she sat elegantly, exuded a sense of nobility.
Her fair fingertips tapped lightly on the screen, her speed clearly indicating she was chatting.
And she was chatting happily.
The young girl's eyes flickered as she dejectedly withdrew her gaze.
But mid-way, she couldn't help but glance towards the right.
Under the light, the exceptionally beautiful young man's sexy thin lips curved into a lazy arc, a slight smile lighting up the entire room.
He must be... quite happy.
Her bright mood suddenly felt like it was raining lightly.
It was stifling and uncomfortable.
The young girl cupped the hot tea just served by the waiter, taking small sips, her eyes a little vacant.
She seemed lost in thought.
Chi Zerui and Yu Wenli had similar tastes, both loving spicy food.
So Chi Zerui first ordered dishes catering to their preferences.
Then he handed the tablet to the young girl.
"I don't know what flavors you like, brother, so order for yourself? Hmm?"
His hand, resting on the edge of the tablet, had distinct joints, his fingertips a pale pinkish white, very pleasing to the eye.
The young girl's mind immediately went to Yu Wenli's hands, and her already limited appetite further dwindled.
Just as she was about to politely refuse, the young man, busy with his phone, suddenly looked up and expertly listed a few dishes.
"Sweet and sour pork with pineapple, shredded pork in garlic sauce, cola chicken wings."
Precisely what the young girl had just been craving.
As he spoke, the young man put down his phone and said slowly, "She likes sweet and sour flavors, go ahead and order."
Chi Zerui raised his eyebrows, looking a bit surprised.
He remembered all this.
"Alright."
Chi Zerui withdrew his hand, impressed, and began ordering on the tablet.
The young girl's eyes sparkled as she watched the ripples in the tea, she could even see her own smiling reflection.
Even her hands, which had felt sore earlier.
Now miraculously felt fine, and her appetite, which had vanished, had returned.
No matter who he was chatting with, as long as he remembered her, it was enough.
Her demands were truly not much.
"Screeech—"
The sound of a chair being dragged echoed in her ears. Before she could look up, her head felt a gentle pressure.
Then came a familiar rub, "What's wrong? You seem down, did brother upset you?"
His clear voice, carrying the youthful spirit of his age, was incredibly pleasant to hear.
The young girl's heart raced as she bit her lip, then softly shook her head, her voice a tender murmur:
"No, I'm not unhappy."
At most, she felt a little uncomfortable inside, but she wouldn't be angry with him.
Never.
"Oh~"
Yu Wenli drew out his words, chuckling, "Double negative equals affirmative."
"Huh?!"
Before the young girl could retort, the young man propped his chin in his hand, gazing at her with a smile.
"Let me reflect, was it because I was too busy playing on my phone and neglected you?"
The young girl's eyes widened in shock, a hint of surprise in her gaze.
Could he read minds?!
She hadn't said anything at all.
"Silly," Yu Wenli chuckled, pinching the young girl's soft cheek.
"What were you going to say to brother earlier? I'm listening."
Her thoughts suddenly exposed, the young girl's face flushed a shy crimson.
Her voice became as soft as water.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to ask what you like to eat?"
They had only eaten a few meals together, and he never ate much.
She could tell he didn't like sweet things, but she couldn't quite figure out what he specifically liked.
Only today did she realize he enjoyed spicy food.
Yu Wenli smiled, the tear mole beneath his left eye looking alluringly charming.
"I don't really have strong preferences, I tend to lean towards spicy food, but it depends on who I'm eating with."
He added at the end, pinching her small ear, "Next time, just ask me directly. I'll never brush you off for anyone else."
He had been busy discussing matters with Que You and Shang Ziqian, and had noticed out of the corner of his eye that she had something to say.
But she hadn't spoken, and he had wanted her to be bolder and speak up.
As expected, he hadn't waited.
But it was okay, he would spoil his little girl slowly, and she would gain confidence one day.
The warmth on her earlobe felt like a flame, coursing through her veins to her heart, making her cheeks even hotter.
The young girl playfully pushed him, her strength almost nonexistent, all playfulness.
"Brother Yu, it tickles... it tickles..."
His fingertips were slightly calloused and warm, and touching her earlobe felt like fire, both teasing and ticklish.
But undeniably, she liked it.
—
The seven-figure meal was indeed delicious.
The young girl ate until she was full, her face beaming with happiness.
During the meal, apart from Chi Zerui's girlfriend constantly calling and making him angry, everything else was fine.
Upon returning home that evening, she happened to catch Wen Zhongen returning to retrieve some documents, and he showered his daughter with hugs and kisses.
The smell of smoke made the young girl choke, but she said nothing.
She was happy to be so cared for by her father.
She felt like the entire day had been like a dream, and a wonderful one at that.
...
After showering and applying medicine, the young girl lay in bed listening to music and reading.
Around ten o'clock, drowsiness set in, and she put down her book, preparing to sleep.
Before turning off the light, she suddenly remembered the "list" Chi Zerui had mentioned and, on a whim, opened Yu Wenli's moments.
She didn't find the so-called list, but instead saw a post he had made that afternoon.
Among his forty-something moments, this was the only one related to his personal life, filled with a touch of reality.
It was a picture of her touching a giraffe.
Although only one hand was visible, it was enough to create a stir on his moments.
Even their class chat group was discussing it.
Wen Tingxue couldn't imagine how many comments that post had received, but there were already over a dozen visible to her.
Que You had the most to say, mostly expressing shock, and one comment she didn't quite understand—
[Que You: Regarding dogs, you're truly a dog!]
It wasn't until many days later that she understood the deeper meaning of that sentence.
But at that moment, this single post was enough to push her mood of the day to another peak.
Thanks to her cousin, she had known for a long time the significance of boys posting pictures of girls on their moments.
And, judging by the timing, the moment he posted was not long before dinner.
He was likely not chatting with anyone when he was ordering dishes, but replying to these comments.
The young girl lay on her bed, excitedly cupping her face, her eyes fixed on his moments.
The cold words suddenly gained warmth, heating her heart.
After a moment of silly happiness, the young girl's heart surged as she opened the chat box, wanting to say something to him.
But after much thought, she still sent nothing.
They would see each other tomorrow anyway.
With that thought, the young girl took a screenshot of the post, saved it in her album.
Then she placed her phone on the bedside table to charge.
Finally, she turned off the light, hugged her quilt, and drifted into sweet dreams.
Past midnight.
A young man, exuding a cool aura, rode his motorcycle back to the Yu family, the stars his only companions.
As soon as he parked his bike, he received a call from Que You.
"Ancestor, something's happened."
Yu Wenli leaned against the doorway, his eyes placid as he lit a cigarette.
The crimson glow pushed back a small patch of darkness.
"Speak."