Let Me Take a Look

Fortunately, Bai Yuyou quickly hung up the phone. As the screen switched back to the movie, Chen Qin’s messages began flooding in within seconds.

Chen Qin: You hung up on me?!

Chen Qin: Are you hiding something sketchy from me?

Chen Qin: Let me see!

Chen Qin: [Image: Jie Ge taking off glasses.jpg]

Ye Shuang took the phone back from Bai Yuyou and replied, explaining that he was watching a movie with her and had accidentally ended the call. Chen Qin didn’t seem bothered and exchanged a few more messages before returning to her busy work schedule—this business trip was packed with tasks.

The rest of the evening passed quietly as Ye Shuang stayed with Bai Yuyou until the movie ended, and soon, it was time to turn off the lights and sleep.

Except…

“Yuyou,” Ye Shuang suddenly spoke up, opening his eyes as he lay in bed.

“Hm?”

“Is there a chance that… having all these dolls here isn’t the best idea?”

Surrounding Ye Shuang’s side of the bed was a semi-circle of plush dolls, each positioned as if staring directly at him. With so many pairs of eyes fixed on him, it felt unnerving—like a setup for a nightmare.

Bai Yuyou didn’t see the problem. If anything, she assumed Ye Shuang wanted more dolls, so she grabbed a few from her side and added them to his collection.

“Here.”

“Thanks… but I’m already at capacity.”

In the end, Ye Shuang resigned himself to the doll invasion.

---

Morning arrived.

When Ye Shuang opened his eyes, he realized Bai Yuyou was already up—the bed had lost its usual warmth. A glance at the clock showed it was only 5 AM, far too early for someone who loved sleeping in as much as she did.

Then, the faint scent of something burning hit his nose. Instantly alert, he rushed to the kitchen.

There, under the dim light of dawn, Bai Yuyou stood, poking at a charred lump in the pan with a spatula.

At first, Ye Shuang thought something had caught fire, but no—she was cooking.

“Practicing, huh?” Leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, he watched quietly. It didn’t take long to realize she was preparing for his birthday—he had once mentioned wanting her to cook a dish for him.

He hadn’t expected her to wake up this early to practice, let alone keep it a secret.

“Go on back,” he murmured to himself, not wanting to interrupt. After observing for a moment longer, he slipped back into the bedroom.

Soon after, Bai Yuyou returned, sliding under the covers and pressing against Ye Shuang’s arm. Within seconds, she was fast asleep again.

In the dim room, Ye Shuang slowly opened his eyes.

The quiet ticking of the alarm clock blended with the soft morning light filtering through the window, casting a gentle glow on Bai Yuyou’s peaceful face. He reached out, hesitating for a few seconds before withdrawing his hand.

Instead, he shifted slightly, resting his chin atop her head. The chirping of birds outside and the faint scent of her hair lulled him back into a light doze.

By 7 AM, Ye Shuang was up again, this time to make breakfast.

The kitchen bore traces of Bai Yuyou’s earlier efforts—cleaned, but not perfectly. A few water droplets lingered in the sink.

Ye Shuang chuckled. “Trying to hide it from me, huh?”

Well, he’d play along.

With that thought, he prepared a hearty breakfast for her.

Not long after, Tang Keke arrived, shamelessly inviting herself to join the meal.

“Brother, this is from my mom,” Tang Keke said after eating, handing over a gift bag. “She felt bad about me freeloading all the time.”

Inside was a bottle of Moutai.

“This is too expensive. I can’t accept it,” Ye Shuang said. He rarely drank hard liquor, only occasionally during social events.

“You can always regift it! Otherwise, I’ll feel too guilty to come over for meals,” Tang Keke insisted.

“…Alright. Thank your mother for me.” Her reasoning was smooth—Ye Shuang smiled and accepted it.

After breakfast, Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke left for school, though not before the former replenished her “Ye Shuang energy” with a hug.

He didn’t mind. In fact, he found comfort in it too—there was something revitalizing about holding her, as if her warmth could brighten his entire day.

“Brother, we’re off!”

“Mm.”

Once their footsteps faded, Ye Shuang closed the door, washed the dishes, and stepped onto the balcony.

Taking a deep breath, he soaked in the crisp morning air. Everything felt fresh, like a reset. His gaze drifted downward, catching sight of Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke walking side by side.

The sight made him smile.

“Alright, time to write before heading to work.” Stretching, he settled at his desk to type out today’s chapter.

Lately, his novel had gained traction—enough that an editor had reached out with a contract offer. After submitting the required details, his story was officially on track.

Readers had even started leaving positive comments and sending small donations. Ye Shuang silently noted their usernames before closing the author dashboard.

“You’ve got it easy,” he muttered, glancing at Yi Wan, who was sprawled across the desk, fast asleep. Poking the cat’s head only earned him a half-lidded stare before Yi Wan dozed off again.

Maybe being a house cat wasn’t so bad.

Ye Shuang changed clothes and headed for the door.

Whether speaking to the cat or the empty air, he murmured, “I’m off to work.”

Click. The door shut behind him.

---

At Yinshan Academy, Ye Shuang changed into his white coat in the third infirmary.

Strictly speaking, the coat wasn’t mandatory, but since it was only his second day, he figured he should at least look the part.

The job was as leisurely as expected—likely due to exams. By noon, only one student had shown up.

A tall girl limped in, her knee visibly scraped and bleeding.

“So the third infirmary really is open,” she muttered, eyeing Ye Shuang skeptically.

“You’re the school doctor?”

“That’s right.”

“You look way too young for this.” The moment the words left her mouth, she noticed Ye Shuang’s expression shift—his smile turned dangerously gentle.

“Come here, child. Let me take a look.”