Chapter 27: There must be a reason for being so nice out of the blue.

Three people sat around the dining table. In front of them was a large flat pan of Spanish seafood paella, steam rising. The grains of rice were translucent and crystal clear, each one evenly coated in the warm orange luster of saffron. On the surface were layers of plump red prawns, juicy mussels and squid rings, as well as huge crab claws. The table was also filled with various other delicate side dishes, such as garlic-baked scallops, oysters soaked in lemon juice, pan-fried squid tentacles, and a colorful seafood salad and fruit platter.

Faced with the sumptuous feast piled high before them, full of color and aroma, the three naturally had their appetites whetted. Amidst laughter and conversation, the atmosphere at the table was harmonious—

Bullshit.

“Lin Xi, have this.”

Xiang Bei sat next to Lin Xi, constantly putting food onto her plate. He used a fork to lift a shrimp and placed it on her plate, while with the other hand he gently scraped the shrimp off the fork with a knife, his movements caring and attentive.

“Xiang Bei, are you crazy? What are you being so nice for no reason?” Lin Xi grumpily picked up the food he gave her and ate it.

“Ah, Lin Xi, your glass is empty. Let me pour you some wine?”

As he spoke, Xiang Bei started to get up to grab the wine. His tall frame leaned forward slightly, and Gao Qinghe could almost see his collarbones vaguely visible under his open collar.

“…I already told you I have a presentation tomorrow, I’m not drinking.”

Lin Xi grumpily blocked her glass, pressing her palm over the rim, looking baffled.

“Sister Lin Xi, I’ll get you some water.”

Gao Qinghe quickly stood up and took her cup, but was stopped by Xiang Bei.

“Let me.”

He took the cup with a smile, but his fingers deliberately lingered on Gao Qinghe’s hand. His fingertips were warm, and he lightly brushed them like static electricity, as if a current slid across the back of Gao Qinghe’s hand, making her flinch slightly and let go.

She looked up at Xiang Bei, but he acted as if nothing happened, didn’t even make eye contact with her, and took the cup to the kitchen to fill water, his steps lazy and steady.

‘…What is he doing? Just finished flirting and then runs away?’

Gao Qinghe bit her lower lip and sat back down. She poked at the paella in her bowl with her fork a couple of times, picked up a shrimp, stabbed it in the bowl, but didn’t put it in her mouth.

Xiang Bei came back with water, walked around behind Lin Xi, gently placed the water on the table, and with his other hand gently wrapped around Lin Xi’s shoulder, naturally kissing her cheek. That kiss was light and quick, his lips lightly touching Lin Xi’s cheek, but carrying a hint of familiar intimacy.

‘Showing off their love in front of me?’

‘Is he crazy? What’s he picking a fight for?’

Gao Qinghe felt a tightness in her chest.

‘Ha, it must be because he’s too close to Lin Xi. That dog of a man doesn’t deserve Lin Xi at all, not only doesn’t deserve her, but also…’

“Lin Xi, your plate is empty, let me get you another bowl?”

Xiang Bei reached out and took her bowl, then picked up the ladle from the pan to scoop more.

“Don’t scoop anymore, I’m full… Xiang Bei, can you stop being so weird? You’re making me uncomfortable.”

Lin Xi stood up, took the bowl from Xiang Bei’s hand and placed it on her own plate, then picked up the plate and bowl together. “I’m going to clean up and then head back to the study to study. You two take your time eating.”

“Sister Lin Xi, I’ll help you clean up.”

Gao Qinghe finally found an opportunity. She stacked her own plate and bowl the same way Lin Xi did, and reached for Lin Xi’s cup. “Look, Sister Lin Xi, this Xiang Bei only knows how to do useless things, but when it comes to actually helping, he does nothing.”

She spoke indignantly, complaining about him while cleaning up.

“Thank you. Sigh, I don’t know what he’s trying to do today.”

Lin Xi gave Xiang Bei a grumpy look, but Gao Qinghe knew that expression wasn’t genuine anger. She could see the hint of helpless indulgence in Lin Xi’s eyes, even though her words were harsh. “Sometimes men just do whatever they want. What did the teacher used to say? Laissez-faire and undisciplined.”

“Exactly, Sister Lin Xi.”

Gao Qinghe put the plate by the sink and reached for the box of garbage bags on the cabinet. “Why are you with a man like this…”

As she spoke, she turned back, but unexpectedly, when she pulled out the box of garbage bags, the sundries on the cabinet also became loose.

“Ah, watch out!”

Lin Xi exclaimed, but couldn’t free her hands to help.

Gao Qinghe was startled by the shout. Her shoulders instinctively hunched, and she couldn’t help shrinking, but no clutter fell on her head.

She opened her eyes and realized that she was completely enveloped by Xiang Bei’s figure.

His tall figure was solid and warm, blocking most of the light above. His broad shoulders and firm chest were right in front of her, his arms stretched out powerfully, steadily holding the clutter, his forearm muscles tense, the lines clearly visible under his shirt. His movements were full of pressure, yet carried a hint of casual elegance.

The scent of woody cologne sharply invaded her nose.

Gao Qinghe’s heart leaped.

She looked up and met Xiang Bei’s deep, smiling eyes. Heat surged from her chest, making Gao Qinghe’s cheeks burn slightly.

“…Thank you.”

She reluctantly thanked him in a low voice, her tone unexpectedly timid.

But Xiang Bei averted his gaze without expression. He pushed the clutter back in, waved his hand dismissively, and didn’t even say a word.

‘…?’

‘What?’

Gao Qinghe had thought he would at least take the chance to retort, but she was baffled by his somewhat cold attitude.

*

After cleaning up, Lin Xi was eager to go back to the study to study.

“It’s still early, you two can rest in the living room.”

She held her laptop, her toes already pointing toward the study. “Xiang Bei, call me when you leave.”

‘Oh no—’

With Lin Xi gone, Gao Qinghe felt that she was probably going to be teased by Xiang Bei again.

For a moment, she didn’t know whether to come up with an excuse to leave or stay. Her heart tightened, and her hand unconsciously covered the pendant hidden under her clothes.

But at that moment, Xiang Bei stood up and walked toward the door.

“No, I should be going too.”

He walked past Gao Qinghe, his shirt lightly brushing her shoulder, but he didn’t even glance at her. “I just wanted to bring you food today anyway, knowing you have things to do tomorrow, didn’t want to disturb you too much.”

‘…What is he up to now?’

“Oh, right, see, I almost forgot in the rush.”

Xiang Bei put on his coat, felt into his pocket with one hand, and pulled out a brand new iPhone. “Lin Xi, this is for you.”

“…Xiang Bei, didn’t I just change my phone a couple of days ago? Did you forget?”

Lin Xi looked at him in confusion. “Do you have so much money you don’t know what to do with it?”

“Ah? Then what…”

Xiang Bei looked troubled. “How about giving it to Gao Qinghe? Didn’t you say before that her luggage was stolen and she doesn’t have a phone? It’s convenient, and I don’t feel like finding someone to return it.”

‘What the hell??’

‘What is Xiang Bei up to today? It’s like he’s opposing me at every turn, and now he plans to give me something Lin Xi doesn’t want?’

“Oh, right, Qinghe, you can use it for now, that way we can contact each other conveniently later.”

Just as Gao Qinghe was about to refuse, Lin Xi spoke up instead. She took the phone from Xiang Bei and handed it to her. “Take it for now.”

Gao Qinghe pouted and took it grudgingly.

“Yeah, I’m off. Good luck with your presentation tomorrow,” he waved to Lin Xi. “See you next time.”

Even as he left, Xiang Bei didn’t even glance at Gao Qinghe.

‘Unbelievable.’

‘This guy is really fucking crazy.’

Gao Qinghe was puzzled by his attitude and felt a tightness in her chest.

‘Damn it, and he’s giving me this unwanted thing. What for? Trying to get rid of me?’

Gao Qinghe opened the box and turned on the phone, but found the screen was no longer the initial “Hello!” screen; it seemed someone had already used it.

She opened the contacts and found that a number was already saved, with the contact labeled:

Xiang Bei ♥