"This is a question I should be asking you," Sheng Chenjin smirked, a glint of slyness in his wicked eyes. "We're friends, do you think you should be responsible for me?"
Shi Xinxin: "..."
Her cheeks instantly flushed red. "You... what nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly be responsible for you!"
Sheng Chenjin's thin lips curved upwards, as if he were smiling.
Shi Xinxin felt increasingly uncomfortable under Sheng Chenjin's gaze and couldn't help but shift to the side.
"Whether you admit it or not, this is a fact, so I want you to take responsibility," Sheng Chenjin said, leaning in and kissing her lips.
Shi Xinxin's eyes widened in alarm, and she instinctively pushed against Sheng Chenjin.
"You, let go... mmm..."
Sheng Chenjin clasped her struggling hands, lowered his head, and sealed her lips, preventing her from speaking further.
He parted her teeth, his tongue sliding in, conquering her mouth.
Shi Xinxin felt like she was suffocating.
Sheng Chenjin kissed her for about a minute before releasing her.
"Are you breathing better now?"
Sheng Chenjin's voice was low, hoarse, and sexy.
Shi Xinxin gasped and shook her head.
Sheng Chenjin chuckled softly, "So cute."
"You're despicable!" Shi Xinxin exclaimed angrily, then raised her foot to kick Sheng Chenjin.
Sheng Chenjin quickly dodged. "Shi Xinxin, I warn you, if you dare to lay a hand on me again, I won't mind using force!"
Shi Xinxin: "..."
She quickly shut her mouth.
Sheng Chenjin's lips curved upwards in satisfaction, then he took Shi Xinxin's hand and led her outside.
Shi Xinxin's hand was held tightly by Sheng Chenjin. As they walked to the yard, she looked at him. "I can take the bus home."
"The company isn't far from here, I'll give you a ride," Sheng Chenjin said, then pulled Shi Xinxin into the car.
Only after the car started did Shi Xinxin manage to take a breath.
"Aren't you living at your parents' house? How did you end up at my place?" Shi Xinxin couldn't help but ask Sheng Chenjin.
"Oh..." Sheng Chenjin's gaze drifted out the window.
He didn't answer Shi Xinxin's question, merely saying, "Your parents' house is too small, so I bought a new one."
Shi Xinxin felt a pang of discomfort hearing Sheng Chenjin's words.
Sheng Chenjin bought a house?
Why had she never known?
Shi Xinxin's heart ached.
Seeing Shi Xinxin's displeased expression, Sheng Chenjin asked, "Don't you like me buying a house?"
Shi Xinxin shook her head, "No, I don't."
"Then why are you frowning?"
"It's nothing," Shi Xinxin pursed her lips and said nothing.
Sheng Chenjin sighed softly. "Xinxin, I'm sorry. It's all because of me that you've been wronged. I didn't know your place was so run-down. If I had known, I would never have bought it."
"It's okay, my parents live in such a remote area, it must be hard on them."
"And you? Living here, don't you find it boring?"
"Of course not. I'm used to living here. We're both orphans, I don't think anyone in this world is more pitiful than us." Shi Xinxin's eyes welled up as she spoke. "Besides, with a super rich and handsome boyfriend like you here to keep me company, what more could I complain about?"
Sheng Chenjin's heart was filled with sweetness upon hearing Shi Xinxin's words. He lowered his head and kissed her lips. "Xinxin... are you inviting me to move in with you?"
Shi Xinxin blinked, then quickly shook her head, "No!"
Sheng Chenjin pouted in disappointment but didn't press her. "In that case, I'll sleep on the sofa tonight, and you can have the bed. I'll wake you up tomorrow morning."
"You... you're not going home?"
"No."
"Not back to your villa?"
"No."
Shi Xinxin: "..."
"I'm not going home, so don't worry about me having any ulterior motives towards you. You sleep in the bed," Sheng Chenjin said, then opened the back door and lay down.
Shi Xinxin felt a pang of sadness but maintained a neutral expression.
...
Shi Xinxin slept through the night.
The next morning, when she woke up, Sheng Chenjin was nowhere to be seen. A set of clothes and a scarf lay on her bedside table, along with a note.
[I'm going out to handle some matters. Remember to wake up early, and have breakfast after you wash up.]
The handwriting was bold and powerful.
Shi Xinxin placed the note back, then left the bedroom in her bathrobe.
Sheng Chenjin's place was small, with only a living room and a bathroom. The living room floor was made of sturdy wood, and the sofa and coffee table were old.
There was a potted plant on the sofa, which looked like it had been recently transplanted, still dewy, clearly indicating it had only been moved in not long ago.
The kitchen had a small refrigerator containing some ingredients.
The kitchen was spotless, clearly cleaned regularly and well-maintained.
A faint smile touched Shi Xinxin's lips as she picked up a knife and fork to eat her breakfast.
"Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~"
The doorbell rang.
Shi Xinxin's heart skipped a beat.
She put down her cutlery and went to open the door.
When she opened it, a stranger stood outside, wearing a black trench coat and sunglasses, his face stern, looking like a bodyguard.
The man glanced at Shi Xinxin, said nothing, and turned to walk inside.
Shi Xinxin followed the man inside.
After closing the door, Shi Xinxin looked at the man. "Sir, who are you looking for?"
The man stopped and turned to face Shi Xinxin. "This is from President Sheng. Please accept it."
Sheng Chenjin?
Shi Xinxin narrowed her eyes, then took the bag the man handed her.
The bag contained three items: a white shirt, a pair of jeans, and a fluffy down jacket.
"Thank you, sir," Shi Xinxin said, put away the bag, and turned back into the house.
As soon as Shi Xinxin placed the items on the coffee table, the man left.
Shi Xinxin opened the bag and took out the white scarf with a fluffy collar. Then she picked up the jeans, tied the pant legs around her waist, and put on the pink scarf.
She checked herself in the mirror and, satisfied, turned to leave the living room and went into the kitchen to get the bowl of porridge.
She poured the porridge into a thermos and placed it on the coffee table.
"Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~"
The doorbell rang again.
Shi Xinxin walked to the door, opened it, and saw the same man from yesterday standing outside.
Shi Xinxin's brow furrowed. "You found me so quickly?"
"I am sent by President Sheng to deliver your breakfast. President Sheng ordered me to bring it to you. If you don't eat it, President Sheng will surely blame me."
Shi Xinxin thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright, thank you. I'll eat it now. Could you please carry this upstairs for me?"
The man nodded.
He carried the breakfast, following Shi Xinxin to the side of the stairs.
He reached out, intending to place the breakfast on the dining table upstairs, but the moment he touched Shi Xinxin, he abruptly withdrew his hand and tilted the breakfast backward.
The breakfast spilled all over the floor.