Gan Yanyu wasn't sure how long she'd slept. All she rembered was a dream—a long, fragnted one. Voices echoed in her mind, calling her na.
"Yanyu, pursuing this path will lead you nowhere… Have you forgotten what happened to your grandfather in the end?" "Yanyu, I see you've spent too much ti with that stubborn old man. You're just as obstinate as him now." "We regret to inform you, Miss Gan Yanyu, but our contract is terminated. Please don't contact us again." "Rain, your condition can't be delayed any longer. Go to England, and Grandpa will wait for you when you return."
With a jolt, Gan Yanyu snapped awake, sitting upright on the couch. She blinked, taking in her surroundings. The room was unfamiliar. Morning sunlight stread through the glass doors of the balcony, casting warm patterns across the floor. From the kitchen ca the sound of running water. Glancing at the tidy table, mories of last night flooded back.
She had fallen asleep here, at Lin Tian's place.
Gan Yanyu pressed her hand to her forehead. How much trouble had she caused him? Drinking truly ssed things up. Acting almost instinctively, she pulled back the blanket covering her and gave herself a quick once-over. Her dress, underwear, hair—all intact, no signs of tampering. Just a throbbing headache and sore thighs. Probably from all the running around and drinking last night.
Slipping on her shoes, she followed the sound into the kitchen. Peeking around the corner, she saw Lin Tian in an apron, skillfully wielding a spatula over the stove.
"You're awake?" he asked without turning around.
"Yeah," Gan Yanyu replied, stepping closer. "What are you making?"
"Egg noodles."
Lin Tian held out his hand. "Soy sauce."
Gan Yanyu grabbed the bottle of Haitian soy sauce from the counter, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to him. He poured it deftly, then said, "Eggs."
"How many?"
"Two."
"Got it."
She passed them over.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
He cracked the eggs into the pot, then handed her the spatula. Moving to the cutting board, he chopped a row of green onions and tossed them into the pot. Gan Yanyu stirred quickly, their movents fluid and synchronized. It was as if they'd been working together for years—clean, efficient, and full of unspoken understanding.
Soon, the noodles were ready. They sat across from each other, beginning their breakfast. Gan Yanyu poked the egg with her chopsticks, letting the runny yolk seep out. She scooped up a bite, savoring the rich, savory flavor as it burst in her mouth.
Her eyes widened dramatically.
"Good?" Lin Tian asked.
"Mm-hmm!" Gan Yanyu nodded vigorously, devouring another mouthful of hot noodles. Resting her chin in her hands, she bead with pure delight.
"It's delicious…"
It took real skill to make sothing as simple as egg noodles taste this good.
"Lin Tian, I didn't expect you to be such a great cook," Gan Yanyu praised sincerely.
Never in a million years would she have guessed that her biggest emotional swing of the day would co from a bowl of egg noodles.
Lin Tian chuckled. "Living alone, I cook this dish the most. Over ti, I've picked up a few tricks."
"When do you head to school?"
"In a bit."
"And you won't be coming ho for lunch?"
"Usually not."
Though Lin Tian commuted daily, the subway ride was too much of a hassle. During lunch breaks, he typically went to the library near the school or napped at a nearby milk tea shop.
But…
Looking at the girl before him, Lin Tian couldn't shake his concern. Even though the system had successfully bound her as his partner, he worried that the mont he left, Gan Yanyu might attempt sothing reckless again.
"You won't be back for lunch, huh?" Gan Yanyu murmured, biting her lip thoughtfully.
"What's on your mind?"
"Before leaving, I want to repay you sohow. Food, milk tea, or maybe going sowhere fun—it's up to you," Gan Yanyu said earnestly. "From yesterday until now, I've been nothing but trouble. I can't just leave like this."
When she said "leave," did she an leaving to et God? As far as Lin Tian was concerned, simply not attempting suicide would be repaynt enough.
"Lunch isn't possible today. What about dinner?"
"Dinner… Hmm…" Gan Yanyu chewed on her index finger, lost in thought. After a mont, she spoke hesitantly.
"I'll just give you money instead. You can use it to buy whatever food or drinks you want. I still have so savings."
Using the word "savings" for sothing as minor as food and drinks? Clearly, she was broke, just like him. Lin Tian, of course, couldn't accept money—it would undermine his plan to keep her close.
Just then, he noticed sothing odd about her posture while eating.
"What's wrong with your arm?"
"Huh?" Gan Yanyu looked puzzled.
Without warning, Lin Tian reached out and gently squeezed her shoulder.
"Ow…" she whimpered softly.
"Did you strain yourself yesterday?"
"My legs are still sore too," she admitted.
"How about a foot massage?"
"Foot massage? Why?" As she spoke, Gan Yanyu lifted her foot, wiggling her toes innocently.
Lin Tian clarified. "I an a spa—do you know what that is? A massage place where they can help relax your body."
"That must be expensive."
At this, Lin Tian grinned mischievously. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a coupon like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
—Golden Impression Foot Spa: 399 Yuan Discount Coupon.
"When I get back tonight, you treat to dinner, and I'll take you for a foot massage. Deal?"
Gan Yanyu stared blankly at the coupon in Lin Tian's hand, then glanced down at her own toes.
"Well… I guess it's not impossible…" she mumbled reluctantly.
"It's settled, then." Lin Tian stood up decisively. "Don't go wandering off today. Wait for tonight, and I'll take you to get a foot massage."
With that, he grabbed his backpack from the couch. Before Gan Yanyu could fully process what had happened, Lin Tian pulled out his phone, opened WeChat, and held it up to her.
"Add ."
"If anything cos up at school, you can ssage here."
"Okay."
Gan Yanyu opened her QR code, and Lin Tian scanned it. Her userna was Sunshine After Rain, with a sunflower as her profile picture.
Was this seriously the kind of WeChat account a high school girl in 2024 would use?! Lin Tian felt as though he'd stepped into a different era. Even the 24-year-old cosplayer he'd t yesterday who dressed as a high schooler had a userna like Sexiest Flower on the Prairie.
No wonder people said classical musicians were old-fashioned. Looking at Gan Yanyu, Lin Tian realized she fit the stereotype perfectly.
"I'm heading out."
Lin Tian slung his bag over his shoulder and opened the door. Before stepping out, he turned back to look at Gan Yanyu one last ti.
"If anything happens, make sure to ssage ."
Click.
The door shut behind him.
Walking toward the subway station, Lin Tian took a deep breath and pulled out his phone. Recalling Gan Yanyu's murmurs in her sleep last night, he switched to his browser and revisited his recent search history.
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