chapter 8

I bought an apartment near Xu Sixian’s school.

I registered his fingerprints, but he usually only comes over when I call him. Occasionally, when the library is full and he needs a place to study, he’ll ask for my permission in advance.

I found it odd: “Registering your fingerprints means you can come anytime. Why do you always ask for my permission?”

Xu Sixian replied that it was my apartment, and if I was inside, it would be impolite for him to come over without saying anything.

I don’t like people who talk in grand terms.

But he’s my Xiaoshu, his voice is pleasant, and his tone is always gentle.

So I let him be.

I have someone come regularly to clean the apartment, and since no one stays overnight, it’s usually spotless.

The kitchen, however, shows plenty of signs of use.

Ever since I first said Xu Sixian’s cooking was delicious, he’s often come over to cook for me.

The stove lights up, and the sound of chopping vegetables fills the air.

Before dinner, Xu Sixian handed me a fruit platter.

The honeydew had just been sliced, releasing a sweet fragrance. The grapes were peeled, revealing translucent flesh, and even the white threads on the orange segments had been meticulously removed.

My good mood, previously disrupted by Cheng Song, returned. I speared a piece of melon: “Come here.”

“What is it?” He wiped the water from his hands. “Are you hungry? I’ll try to be quick.”

I held the honeydew to his lips.

Xu Sixian instinctively bit down, then froze.

A faint smile rippled from the depths of his eyes.

He said, “Thank you, Miss He.”

He didn’t think there was anything odd about this at all.

I certainly didn’t, either. I accepted his thanks as a matter of course and speared a grape for him.

When he returned to the kitchen, I focused on enjoying my pre-dinner fruit.

Sweet.

Tonight’s dinner was lavish. Though the ingredients weren’t as extravagant as those used by the chefs at home, I wasn’t picky.

“Miss He, could you give me your bank account?” Xu Sixian suddenly asked at the table.

Before I could ask why, he explained, “There’s payment for the promotional photos. I want to transfer it to you.”

I looked at him: “Do you think I’m poorer than you?”

“That’s not what I mean.” Xu Sixian ladled chicken soup for me, carefully skimming off the oil, his voice gentle. “I eat your food, live in your place, use your things, and have nowhere to spend money. So I should give all the money I earn to you, and let you spend it for me.”

He’s good with words.

The irritation that had just surfaced in my heart was instantly soothed.

I thought for a moment: “Then just leave it with me.”

I asked my dad’s most trusted investment manager to handle the money for him, planning to return it after it had multiplied a few times.

Xu Sixian smiled at me, as refreshing as a clear breeze and bright moon: “Thank you, Miss He.”

I’m not short of money and have always been generous.

Whenever I’m with Xu Sixian, I’m always in a good mood. In the past, if Cheng Song made me happy, I’d generously give him whatever resources he needed-always things he’d hint at indirectly.

But Xu Sixian never asks me for anything. Only when I offer does he accept.

I thought, he doesn’t even know how to ask for money.

I have to think for him, how not to be so poor.

I said, “Will you get a scholarship this year?”

“Yes,” Xu Sixian replied. “When it’s deposited, I’ll put it with you, Miss He. Is that okay?”

His dark eyes were as clear as a spring.

I swallowed my beef, replying slowly, “Alright.”

With his scholarship, I’d add some money to make the principal a lucky number, then hand it over to the financial manager.

After dinner, I gave Xu Sixian a card.

I’d given him a savings card with a million yuan before, but he’d never used it-probably didn’t even know how much was in it.

This time, it was a He Group black card.

“My family owns many businesses where you can use this card. For example, the shopping mall across from your school-everything inside, swipe this card and it’s free,” I said. “If anyone doesn’t recognize it, call me.”

He was stunned for a few seconds.

“Miss He.”

At some point, he’d stopped calling me Miss He and just called me Miss.

Xu Sixian sighed: “You’re so good to me, it’s easy for someone to…”

He seemed to be searching for the right word.

After a long pause, he came up with “become spoiled by your favor.”

I thought, I have too many people around me who throw their weight around. Someone as gentle as Xu Sixian could never become arrogant.

He half-knelt to put on the slippers I’d kicked under the table: “And take advantage.”

I looked at him curiously: “You’re allowed to be spoiled by my favor, and you can take advantage.”

I have the ability to let my Xiaoshu bask in the world’s brightest sunshine and most nourishing rain.

-“Because you’re mine.”