Sweet Cool Boiled Water

‘Damn! Here comes the question!’

In that instant, a hundred pre-prepared answers flashed through Su Yang’s mind—though most of them were just lines he’d picked up online.

Su Yang wasn’t some smooth-talking Casanova who could effortlessly handle these kinds of questions. His dating experience was pitifully limited.

He’d assumed those so-called "player quotes" he found online would be enough to bluff his way through situations like this.

But when Pan Ning actually asked him the question, he fell silent.

He knew full well that those canned responses might work on someone like Lin Yiyi, but with Pan Ning, they’d be completely useless—maybe even backfire.

‘Whatever, confirming it doesn’t matter. I’ll just have to tone it down from now on.’ Su Yang quickly thought it over in his head.

Then he turned to Pan Ning, who was looking at him expectantly, and said, “I said yes.”

“You told my dad we’re together?”

“Mhm.”

Pan Ning was quiet for a moment before adding, “But my dad told me you said we hadn’t made it official yet?”

Su Yang froze. ‘What the hell? If you already knew, why ask me?’

“You even asked your dad about this?”

“Mhm.”

Su Yang thought for a second. “Well, I wasn’t sure about your dad’s personality back then. I was worried he might think I wasn’t good enough for you, so that’s why I said it.”

Pan Ning rolled her eyes, a faint smile appearing on her pale face. “But from the way he talked, he seemed pretty impressed with you.”

“Oh, really? What’d he say about me?”

“That you’re responsible, handsome, good in a fight, and impressive for someone so young to already be driving an Aston Martin. ‘Not bad,’ were his exact words.”

As she spoke, Pan Ning tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s what he said.”

Su Yang burst out laughing. “Oh? I didn’t expect to leave such a great first impression on your dad. Heh, but…”

“But what?”

“Isn’t he worried I might be faking it? There are tons of guys out there who pretend to be rich—renting cars, houses, wearing fake watches. In reality, they’re just broke losers.”

Pan Ning smirked. “My dad’s not that dumb. You told him Yue Shiguang is yours, right? You think he wouldn’t check who the owner is?”

“Heh, good point.”

“So… we’re together, right? I want to hear you say it.” Pan Ning stared straight into Su Yang’s eyes.

“I think we’re missing one step—I haven’t properly confessed to you yet.”

“I don’t need all that formal stuff. Just answer yes or no.”

“Yes.” Su Yang looked at her seriously.

At least in this moment, he meant it.

Hearing his answer, Pan Ning’s body trembled slightly. She quickly turned her head away. “That’s enough. Okay, I’m hungry. Go make me something.”

Su Yang smiled. “What do you want?”

“Whatever you make.”

“Fine. But let’s check your temperature first.” He picked up the thermometer from the table.

“Turn around, let me scan you.”

“Wait—” Pan Ning kept her face turned away.

Su Yang stood up and moved to the side she was facing, but before he could get a clear look, she jerked her head in the opposite direction.

“Are you crying?”

“Who’s crying? Why would I cry?”

“Then why are you hiding?”

Su Yang quickly stepped in front of her and grabbed her shoulders. Pan Ning tried to twist away, but he cupped her face in his hands.

Now face to face, he could see her eyes were red, tears pooling in them.

“Your eyes are all red. Still saying you’re not crying?”

“None of your business!”

The moment she spoke, two crystal-clear tears rolled down her cheeks.

Su Yang didn’t say anything else. He gently wiped the tears away with his thumb. “Don’t cry. You’re not as pretty when you cry.”

Hearing that, Pan Ning cried even harder—though not with loud sobs, just silent tears streaming down her face. She kept her reddened eyes locked on Su Yang the whole time.

Su Yang pulled her into a soft embrace.

Neither of them spoke. They just sat there in silence.

After who knows how long, Su Yang’s collar was soaked with tears.

“Okay, I’m fine now. Go make food.” Pan Ning’s voice was quiet.

“Alright, stop crying. What kind of ice queen cries like this?”

“Shut up—” Pan Ning weakly punched his arm.

......

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Pan Ning’s fever had long since subsided.

But the two of them hadn’t gone anywhere during that time. Like newlyweds, they spent every moment tangled up in bed—who knows what they were doing.

August 2nd, 9:00 AM.

Su Yang slowly opened his eyes and instinctively turned to the side—Pan Ning was already gone.

Last night, she’d told him she’d be leaving early in the morning to go home.

Today was the day Meng Qianyu was returning to Haicheng, arriving by noon. Her family was holding a welcome dinner for her.

Pan Ning had invited Su Yang, but since this was a family gathering, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to attend.

Tomorrow, Meng Wenzhou was throwing a separate party anyway. That’s when he’d finally get to see what this Meng Qianyu—whose name kept popping up lately—was all about.

Su Yang stretched hard in bed. “Nothing to do today… well, nothing worth doing.”

“What should I do? Lu Yun went back to work at the restaurant yesterday. Maybe I’ll hang out with Lin Yiyi?”

“Nah, better not. The last three days took a lot out of me. Not that it affects me much, but I should still take it easy. Can’t spend all day thinking about that stuff.”

He got dressed, sat up, and pressed the button on the bedside table. The automatic curtains slid open.

Bright sunlight instantly flooded the bedroom. Outside, the birds were chirping, the flowers blooming—another beautiful day.

[Ding! Detected host is in a relaxed, content mood. Reward: 800,000.]

After washing up, Su Yang headed to the kitchen and threw together a quick breakfast.

Buzz buzz—

His phone vibrated on the table. He picked it up and checked the screen.

Meng Wenzhou had sent a message in the [Modern Youth Escape Guide] group chat.

Lonely As Me: @everyone, tomorrow’s party venue: Haicheng Mandarin Oriental.

Su Yang didn’t reply immediately. He noticed the group had grown from six members to eleven.

Meng Wenzhou had added Lu Yun, Tang Ziyun, and the others to the chat.

“Eleven people? Besides Lu Yun, Tang Ziyun, Han Xiaoyu, and Xia Keke, who’s the extra one?” He tapped the three dots in the top-right corner to check.

Of the five new members, four were contacts he already had. The last one had a red cartoon girl avatar.

“Is this… Meng Qianyu? Yeah, probably. Doubt Meng Wenzhou would add anyone else.”

Back in the chat, Liu Bo had already replied.

Army Crusher: Got it!

Zhang Ziming and Shen Yixue, who’d been MIA for a while, also responded.

Night Bug: Roger.

Winter Snowflake: Got it.

Su Yang typed: You two are back?

Midnight Bug: Yeah, we got back yesterday. What’s up, Yang? Miss me? [grinning]

Su Yang: Piss off!

Midnight Bug: Heh, come on, man, I kinda did miss you. Been ages since we last met.

Su Yang: Don’t gross me out. What were you guys even doing in Shanghai?

Midnight Bug: Went to Yixue’s grandpa’s place.

Su Yang: Oh? So you’re stepping into the marriage grave—uh, I mean, palace?

Midnight Bug: Way too early for that. I’ve already met her family before. This was for something else.

Su Yang: Ah, got it.

Army Crusher: How did you two start chatting? Didn’t you notice there’s a stranger in the group?

Midnight Bug: Who?

Army Crusher: @LonelyAsMe, Brother Meng, introduce us!

LonelyAsMe: This new member is my sister, Meng Qianyu. Qianyu, say hi to everyone~ @SweetPlainWater.