Chapter 12: Su Yanyan: Wait While I Change

On the drive home, Shen Zhihan didn’t mention her question again. Lin Mo grew more curious, but he was her employee and didn’t feel he could ask. The one difference between him and an ordinary employee was that he and his boss had shared certain pleasant experiences, more than once.

He stopped outside her building and opened the door. “We’re here, Ms. Shen.”

This time she didn’t go straight upstairs. “Did you buy the clothes I told you to?”

“Yes! They’re in the trunk. Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you.”

“Go on, then. Wait for my message. You have the afternoon off, but you must still be available when I call.”

“Understood!” He had a luxury car to drive and a salary coming in; that was a small request.

Unlike the previous night, she glanced back at him as she went upstairs. He noticed despite how brief it was. Something seemed different about her today, but he couldn’t work out what. He drove away.

“I can use the afternoon to find a place.” He would move as soon as he found one and compensate his landlord for the paint. It wasn’t Lin Mo who had poured it, but the apartment was his rental, the landlord was innocent, and he’d treated him well over the years. Lin Mo couldn’t quietly disappear.

After he left, Zhihan came back out and watched her car drive away. “He might be a suitable choice.” She frowned thoughtfully, apparently reaching an important decision.

The afternoon passed without Lin Mo finding an apartment. He wanted to live near Zhihan’s complex for the daily commute, but the neighborhood was expensive: an ordinary one-bedroom cost five or six thousand yuan a month, and even a large studio cost over four thousand. Though he had tens of thousands now, he didn’t think he could afford it.

At 6:28 he decided to keep looking another time. He checked the location Yanyan had sent: Rose Garden Apartments, unit 2602. Even with traffic, he could reach it in twenty minutes. He stopped at a supermarket for fruit; he couldn’t arrive empty-handed.

He rang her doorbell. Yanyan opened the door, surprised to see him so soon.

“Why do you look surprised? You invited me, didn’t you? Unless you’ve invited someone else too. I can leave if I’m interrupting.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re the only one.” She rolled her eyes. “Wait here. I need to change.”

She wore white shorts and a loose apricot night top, both rather thin. Lin Mo assumed she was afraid he might get the wrong idea. Inviting him over and then worrying about that seemed contradictory, though he wouldn’t take advantage of her. He did worry that she might invite another man over in the same way and put herself in danger.

A minute later, she called, “I’m changed. The door’s unlocked.”

He went in and stopped. She had changed into a short white dress, more revealing than what she’d worn before. He looked away, catching himself before he stared.

“You call that changing?”

“Didn’t I change?” she asked innocently.

She had, he thought, though she’d put on even less. “What are you standing there for? Wash your hands and come eat,” Yanyan said. She was entirely satisfied with the result; his reaction told her she’d caught his interest. She smiled to herself as she turned away and poured half a glass of red wine for each of them.

On his way to wash his hands, Lin Mo caught a fragrance that seemed to come from her. Since awakening the Divine Emperor bloodline and receiving its inheritance, his sense of smell had sharpened. This scent seemed to have a mildly stimulating effect. Why would she prepare something like that?

He glanced at her outfit again. Had she done it deliberately? Curious about her intentions, he sat down.

“I drove here. I can’t drink.”

“I’ll call you a designated driver.” Smiling, she leaned across the table. “Or are you afraid I’ll get you drunk and eat you up?”

…