"Alright, you! Seriously, stop with the lecturing. Cao Yufan is actually pretty good, just a bit wooden. Why not train him up properly and call it a day?"
Li Si didn't take her words seriously. After all, Bai Shasha had said similar things way too many tis before, and in the end, hadn't she always reconciled?
"Sis, you make it sound so easy. This isn't so job that gets done overnight. Honestly, Yuejing yesterday was pretty great—not as dashing as Cao Yufan, but he's got humor and charisma on his side. Hey, why don't you talk to your Brother Yin and see if he can set up? By the way, that Yin Xian guy—you'd better act fast; his hardware and software are top-notch!"
"What are you even saying?! When did I ever call him Brother Yin? Didn't I tell you already? No dating during college—you know that! If you're feeling hot, go cool off sowhere else! Honestly! So people just don't know when I'm joking. You, might as well just hang yourself on Cao Yufan's tree already." Li Si's cheeks reddened a little, her words turning rather sharp.
"Oh, oh, look who's getting worked up now. I didn't even say anything! Haha, soone's embarrassed and angry—done my research here, springti feelings blooming, huh?" Bai Shasha laughed so hard it sounded almost ridiculous.
"I'm not talking to you anymore! I've got to head out in a bit!"
"Got it, got it—eting soone, huh? Heard about it yesterday. Spruce yourself up, don't embarrass . Ciao!"
"Bye-bye."
Li Si took her now slightly overheated phone away from her ear, unsure of her own emotions. She definitely had so positive feelings for Yin Xian, but it hadn't reached the level of infatuation. Especially when it ca to love—her confidence had long dissipated, as had her courage to embrace it.
And besides, he was pri fresh at, young, vibrant, and brimming with allure, while she, on the surface, could pass as okay but was internally worn out and weary. They were probably not even on the sa frequency.
After pondering her thoughts for a while, Li Si noticed Xiao Guai quietly staring at her nearby. She couldn't help but smile, "Little guy, you're the best. Having you ans I'm not lonely."
"Ow..."
The little monkey gestured at her, motioning as if it wanted to follow her into the space. "Go inside." Recently, the space had diversified a lot—ever since the hotel started consuming supplies, her warehouse was no longer stuffed to the brim like before.
By the riverside, the little monkey energetically dove into the water and started swimming. Li Si thought to herself, maybe it had also realized the river's water was beneficial for it. Xiao Guai subrged itself and resurfaced holding a plate-sized rock, shrieking sharply, "Ooh ooh!"
Li Si received the rock. Huh? When did these things start showing up in the river? Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. Oh—must've been from the stone-gambling trip back in Beijing! There had been four smaller stones she'd left unopened—just stashed them in the space and forgotten about them—apparently, they'd ended up in the river here.
"Xiao Guai, are there more in the water?"
The little monkey turned around, dove back in, and soon ca out with three more rocks. Li Si stared at the four stones in front of her, dazed. Where could she take them to be opened? From what she rembered, there didn't seem to be any stone-cutting places in North City for now. Looks like she'd need to make a trip to Beijing whenever she found the ti.
Leaving the space, her phone rang with the sound of an incoming call. Li Si grabbed it from the bedside table—Yin Xian calling.
"Hello?"
"Awake yet, Li Si?" Yin Xian's magnetic voice ca through.
"I'm up, I'm up. Where are you? When can we et Aunt Han and the others?"
"I'm downstairs by your building. We can et them this afternoon. They arrived late last night and have so personal matters to handle this morning."
Li Si walked over to the balcony and looked down. Yin Xian was standing next to a black car, holding his phone in one hand and waving at her with the other.
"Uh..." Li Si found herself at a loss for words. It was only 10 a.m.—still a long way before the afternoon.
"Co downstairs. Be my tour guide, show this out-of-towner around North City, would you?"
Li Si's lips curled into a small smile. "Sure, hang on a sec. I'll be right down!"
Ending the call, Li Si hurriedly rummaged through her wardrobe for sothing to wear. This one's too flashy, that one's too plain. After much deliberation and working up a sweat, she finally settled on a white down jacket paired with a white sweater underneath, jeans, and snow boots. She didn't even have ti to properly style her hair—she let it hang loose as she sprinted downstairs, face slightly flushed as she arrived in front of Yin Xian.
Yin Xian looked even sharper today than yesterday—probably took so ti to dress up as well. He had on a black long coat over a dark gray pinstripe suit, and Li Si couldn't help but notice his shoes. This guy truly valued style over comfort—he was wearing flats in this cold weather.
Yin Xian caught her gaze and, gentlemanly as ever, opened the car door for her. Once she was seated, he quickly got in and joined her inside.
"Dressed so light—aren't you cold?" Li Si couldn't help but ask.
"A little. So, where to first? You're the North City local expert—I'll follow your lead!" Yin Xian started the car as he spoke.
"You really don't know much about North City? Honestly, there aren't that many fun places here. The ski resort sounds like an option, though," Li Si reasoned since he could drive on his own—surely he had so grasp of the area.
"Around this ti, it'll probably be crowded at the ski resort. Why don't we grab lunch first, and tomorrow we can bring Beibei along?" Yin Xian gave her a deep look—today, she had this adorable, slightly feminine charm that sparked a glimr of joy he couldn't seem to hide.
"Alright, then. So where will we eat?" Li Si decided to leave the choice to him, not fully aware of what he liked.
"Let's do seafood buffet. I went with Cao Yu once—it was pretty good!" Yesterday, he'd noticed her feasting on crabs, so he figured she probably liked seafood.
"Sounds perfect!" Li Si felt a surge of happiness—seafood was her absolute favorite.
When they arrived, Li Si was taken aback—it was super high-class. She had assud seafood buffet would be one of those pay-per-head type places, but Yin Xian brought her sowhere that felt more like a private club. As the seafood started coming out one by one—lobsters as long as her arm—Li Si's unprepared eyes nearly sparkled to blindness. Forgive her; she was truly out of her depth here.
Yin Xian couldn't help but chuckle, watching Li Si morph into a reserved little lamb as soon as she entered. "Li Si, go ahead and eat—you don't have to hold back. Let's dig in!"
"Uh, okay..." Li Si bit her lip nervously. She wracked her brain for the most graceful way to eat a lobster—was this going to be a complete disaster?
"Let help you." Yin Xian deftly handled the seafood and, before long, her plate was filled with lobster at and crab at.
"Thanks! That's a lot. Make sure you eat too—don't just help !" Li Si sighed inwardly. Honestly, comparing herself to him—a seemingly perfect man, she felt utterly ashad being a nearly-thirty "big sister" still trying to keep up.
The al left Li Si feeling uneasy, her stomach practically churning. She guessed she'd probably be spending so quality ti with her toilet when she got ho. Watching Yin Xian wipe his mouth, she breathed a small sigh of relief—finally, the ordeal was over.
After lunch, they headed to the hotel to et Aunt Han and Beibei. After so chatting, Li Si couldn't help but feel her eyes moisten—not just from the excitent of seeing Beibei again, but also from the emotional toll of the extravagant seafood al.
Beibei cozily hugged Li Si, bombarding her with all sorts of questions. Finally, she whispered softly into Li Si's ear, "Auntie, I didn't tell anyone about our little secret! Not even my mom, promise!"
"Good kid. Auntie has a reward for you!" Li Si stroked Beibei's shiny black hair. If he hadn't ntioned it, she would have almost forgotten about the whole thing.
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