"How is that possible..." Shen Nian felt a wave of guilt. Was he really acting that unnaturally?
"Then why are you..." Xia Yanchun pursed her lips. Her eyes held the same pinkish hue as her cheeks, as if the corners of her eyes had been dusted with blush.
"It's all your fault, anyway."
Shen Nian couldn't hide it at all. With a soft and fragrant little girl sitting right next to him, he couldn't just calmly pretend that nothing had happened. To make matters worse, Xia Yanchun was highly sensitive to his moods; the moment something was off, she could tell immediately.
Especially since they were watching a horror movie—a proper horror movie with clowns, monsters, and gore...
He could calmly accept being teased by Xia Yanchun, but he couldn't stand her misunderstanding that he was reacting this way because of the movie...
How the hell could he clear his name now? Skip it.
"When you die, just write 'Xia Yanchun takes full responsibility' on your tombstone. Blame everything on me," Xia Yanchun blinked, her voice soft.
"This time it really is your problem. Can't your hands just behave? What the hell were you doing moving them up and down?" Shen Nian grimaced, pinching the girl's soft fingers and mimicking what she had just done.
"I did not..."
"You totally did."
One of her hands was still holding Shen Nian's fingers. She looked down and realized that maybe she actually did...
She let go of his hand and fell silent for a long time, feeling even more embarrassed than he was, while looking a bit innocent.
It was truly just a subconscious action... She hadn't had a single impure thought just now!
People never remember their subconscious actions clearly. In fact, she didn't even know if she had actually made such a motion, but since Shen Nian was already in this state...
It couldn't possibly be that watching a horror movie got him all worked up like this. That would be genuinely terrifying.
Realizing her unintentional actions had made Shen Nian blush, Xia Yanchun quickly patted his head to comfort him.
"I didn't mean to. Do... do you want to go to the bathroom?"
"..."
Do you think I dare to stand up right now?
You're just using all your dirty tricks on me, aren't you?
Shen Nian felt a chill, turning his back to her and watching the movie by himself. "Just don't laugh at me, seriously."
"Hey..." Xia Yanchun shook him gently.
Shen Nian ignored her, afraid of the awkwardness.
Xia Yanchun was afraid of the awkwardness too. She sat up straight, gave him a light peck on the cheek, and said, "We didn't eat lunch, so I'm going to fry some fish. Let's have an early dinner today!"
"Alright, go ahead."
"Mhm."
Xia Yanchun dashed out, closing the bedroom door behind her to let Shen Nian stay in his room alone.
She had originally wanted to tease him but failed. Was this a case of a happy accident?
Shen Nian looked so goofy when he blushed. He looked silly, like the kind of guy who would get scammed out of an iPhone by a bad woman out there. Of course, he only looked that way. In reality, Shen Nian was quite smart, and ordinary people couldn't easily deceive him.
Xia Yanchun really didn't do it on purpose. She had no idea she even had this little habit. Just like how some people blink frantically when they lie, the person doing it is completely unaware.
No matter how you look at it, she couldn't be blamed!
It was clearly Shen Nian who was too sensitive... She was only holding his fingers, why did his mind have to go there!
Shen Nian was a huge dummy.
Patting her pink cheeks, Xia Yanchun washed her hands and earnestly began cooking in the kitchen.
Frying fish was quite simple. Chop some garlic and ginger, fry them to bring out the aroma, then scoop them out to prevent them from burning. Next, put the fish in, fry it until both sides are golden brown, and finally pour the garlic and ginger back in along with a drizzle of soy sauce, and it's ready to serve.
Since there was a lot of leftover fish, Xia Yanchun also cooked a braised one, using a seasoning packet she had bought a long time ago but never used.
The steps were similar to frying; she just had to pour in water and the seasoning once the fish was golden on both sides.
The rice wasn't ready yet, so Xia Yanchun washed her hands and opened her bedroom door again.
Sniff sniff. The room still smelled as nice as ever. Shen Nian was lying there just like before, looking as if he was completely fine now.
"Dinner will be ready soon," Xia Yanchun said, standing by the head of the bed with her hands behind her back. "Later, you should pack some in a bowl to take to your sister. I cooked enough rice for everyone."
"No rush, no rush."
"Shen Nian... have you started abstaining again?"
Shen Nian replied gloomily, "...What the hell are you mumbling about? If you keep asking random questions, I'm going to pick my nose and flick my boogers onto your bed."
"Don't you dare, or I'll tear you apart!"
If such a thing actually happened, Xia Yanchun felt she really would tear him to pieces.
Anyone who could resist beating up a jerk like Shen Nian truly deserved a thumbs up.
"Then ask fewer questions, you dirty-minded girl. You want to know everything, don't you, you little eager learner?"
"Tch, I don't even want to know. I was just guessing because you're always acting like that."
"The fish is done, right? I'll eat a little first, and then have some more when the rice is ready." Shen Nian threw off the covers and got up.
Xia Yanchun nodded and walked out of the room with him.
The rice was about to be ready anyway. Shen Nian picked up a piece of fish, and before he could take more than a couple of bites, Xia Yanchun proactively served him a bowl of rice.
Wisps of white steam rose from the bowl of hot rice.
"Why are you being so nice, even serving me rice?" Shen Nian smiled.
"This won't happen tomorrow."
"Damn, so this is a perk of being the 'number one best' today?"
"Just be content."
Tonight's dinner consisted of just the two fish dishes. It was casual yet slightly formal; if there had been a side of greens and a soup, it would have been perfect.
Xia Yanchun's culinary skills were genuinely good, and the food tasted surprisingly delicious. Shen Nian's cooking wasn't bad either nowadays. Thanks to his Glimmer Experience system, his cooking level should be about the same as hers.
The only flaw was his limited repertoire of recipes; he only knew how to cook a few dishes.
The silver lining, however, was that while his dishes might not always taste the best, they were definitely effective.
If he said his cola chicken wings could heal bruises, they would. If he said his plain rice porridge could keep you awake like coffee, it would.
Xia Yanchun sat across from him, her bare feet playfully stepping on his, and tilted her head. "Is it good?"
"Wow, this is incredibly delicious! Your cooking is so amazing, it's like a heavenly melody~" he said in an exaggerated anime girl voice.
"Cringe."
"Damn it, you're insulting me now."
"Now you're only half-cringe."
...
It was late evening, and the sky featured rare mackerel clouds. Illuminated by the setting sun, they shimmered brightly, painting the sky in patches of brilliant light and pale orange. It was exceptionally beautiful.
After the meal, Shen Nian let out a satisfied burp.
"Good thing I cooked extra rice, it was almost not enough." Xia Yanchun scooped out the remaining rice and placed some fish on top. "Take this to your sister when you head back. Don't forget."
"I know, I know. Hey, aren't you going to give me a cut of the money we made from selling the fish today? I wouldn't blame you for taking a cut, but keeping all of it would just be bad manners, you know."
"So what? I was the one shouting to sell them and collecting the money. What's the problem? You were just my fishing tool."
Shen Nian rested his chin on his hand and chuckled lightly. "Are you the lady boss or something? Collecting the money with such righteous confidence?"
"I... I think I can be for today!" Xia Yanchun babbled back. "Lady boss it is, then."
As long as she didn't feel embarrassed, Shen Nian would be the one at a disadvantage.
Anyway, she was the "number one best" today. Tomorrow, she wouldn't be the lady boss anymore, hehe.
"Are you seriously willing to become my lady boss just to pocket this money? Haji-Chun, you cheeky girl..."
"Hmph, I kept you company while you fished and hawked the goods for you. This little bit is my hard-earned money."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Madam Boss."
As a big boss with a six-figure net worth, Shen Nian had no intention of haggling with Madam Boss Haji-Chun over a hundred-odd bucks. Back when Haji-Chun lent him two thousand, she kept insisting she would charge him daily exorbitant interest rates, but in the end, she didn't take a single extra penny.
Since Chunbao was already acting as his Madam Boss, what else was there to say? The hundred-odd bucks were hers to keep.
The blushing Madam Boss was also very cute.
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
ng to die together with you." Lin Xuan is dead, his body thrown into the river by his scumbag lover and her accomplice. She, the president of the Su Group, is decisive, ruthless, and ice-cold. For three days and three nights, she had his body fished out of the river, and without hesitation, she kissed the bloated corpse of Lin Xuan. She laid down beside him in a cold coffin, their fingers intertwined, a smile lingering on her lips as she closed her eyes. The noble and cold-hearted woman, only bending for one man—Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan, with his golden finger, is reborn and returns to the day of his wedding to the treacherous woman. Su Qiang comes to steal the bride. Lin Xuan's eyes light up, eager to pledge his loyalty on the spot, but instead, her kiss transfers a glass of drugged wine into his mouth, causing him to pass out... 【Male Protagonist with Single Female Lead】【Yandere Tycoon】【Action-Packed】【True vs. Fake Heir】
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
