Chapter 44: A Blinding Secret Crush

After getting up, Lin Yuran first called Aunt Chen to ask about Yao A-ping’s condition. Aunt Chen said Yao A-ping’s illness was stable and told her not to worry, so Lin Yuran finally felt relieved.

These past few years, unless absolutely necessary, Lin Yuran always cooked her own meals. Buying ingredients and cooking at home was far cheaper than eating out, and every bit she could save counted.

She went to the kitchen to make herself a simple breakfast.

Though she cooked often, she didn’t really know many dishes, just boiling eggs, blending soy milk, or at most frying an egg.

Out of habit, she dropped two eggs into the pot, then after a moment’s thought, added two more. When blending soy milk, she also tossed in an extra spoonful of soybeans and some purified water.

After breakfast, she spent half an hour at her vanity carefully putting on makeup, then some more time fixing her hair. Once done, she went to her wardrobe and rummaged through it.

There were only a few old clothes, none of them particularly well-fitting, but Lin Yuran did her best to match a decent outfit.

When she was dressed and ready, she checked the time, went to the kitchen, packed up the extra serving of eggs and soy milk, slipped them into her bag, and hurried out the door.

Last night, she remembered that Chi Ye always bought steamed buns from that shop every morning. He must really like them.

Lin Yuran didn’t know how early he came to wait for her, so Lin Yuran wanted to be early this time to buy the buns before he did.

She left early enough that Chi Ye’s car wasn’t yet parked outside the neighborhood gate.

Stepping lightly over the snow, she trotted across the street to Fatty Baozi Shop.

The shop was run by an elderly couple and only sold one kind of filling, which was great. She wouldn’t have to guess what flavor Chi Ye liked.

The buns were big. She didn’t know how many he usually ate, but since she’d seen him buy one box before, she asked how many came in a box. “Three,” the owner said. So she bought a box to go.

To make sure Chi Ye wouldn’t buy his own breakfast again, Lin Yuran waited outside the shop, using the time to learn a few French phrases on her phone.

Half the morning passed, but still no sign of his car. She glanced at the time. It was already past the usual hour he came to pick her up.

The city, now blanketed in white, felt freezing and bleak. The cold wind carried dampness that pierced straight into her bones.

Standing there for so long, Lin Yuran was nearly frozen. She looked down the road, and by chance spotted a sleek, imposing black SUV parked by the opposite gate.

“…”

Could it be that Chi Ye had changed cars again?

The car exuded an intimidating presence. In this neighborhood, there weren’t many people who could pull off driving something so fierce-looking.

Lin Yuran pulled out her phone, took a photo of the car from across the street, and sent it to Chi Ye on WeChat.

【Is this your car?】

A few seconds later, from the front of that very car, a tall, cool figure came into view.

The man, dressed entirely in black, stood out starkly against the snow-blanketed world. His coat tails danced in the cold wind, making him look both noble and commanding.

Lin Yuran smiled, waved, and started to cross the street.

Chi Ye stopped her. “Stay there. Don’t move. Wait.” Then he got back into the car, turned it around, and drove toward her.

When he pulled up beside her and got out, she could finally see him clearly. Up close, he looked tired, drained, almost.

Remembering his words from last night, ‘Stop tormenting me,’ and seeing him like this, Lin Yuran scolded herself silently. So I really am a little demon who tortures people.

Chi Ye’s voice was low and hoarse. “Lin Nuotao, what are you doing here?”

Lin Yuran smiled and answered honestly, “You like the buns from this shop, don’t you? I came to buy some for you. I was worried you’d come buy them yourself, so I waited here.”

Lin Yuran blinked, watching for his reaction.

Chi Ye froze. The fatigue in his eyes melted in an instant, replaced by something close to disbelief, and maybe a hint of being pleasantly caught off guard.

Lin Yuran couldn’t help but smile.

Chi Ye stepped closer, reached out, and playfully brushed the tip of her red, frozen nose with his finger. “How long have you been waiting? Didn’t you see me drive up?”

Lin Yuran shook her head, still smiling. “Not long.”

“Let’s talk in the car.” He took her by the wrist and led her to the passenger side.

He must’ve known she never opened the car door herself. He always did it for her.

This SUV was tall; he gently lifted her up so she could get in. Once inside, Chi Ye turned up the heat, then sat quietly for a while, fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel.

Lin Yuran handed him the warm box from her bag. “Here. Breakfast for you.”

Chi Ye glanced at the box, then at her. His lips parted, closed, then parted again. After a few false starts, he finally asked, “You went all the way to the school cafeteria to buy breakfast?”

Lin Yuran shook her head automatically, then, realizing, said with mock annoyance, “You never told me which cafeteria food you like! If I just guessed and bought something you didn’t like, it’d be a waste.”

“You went to buy it for me?” Chi Ye asked, voice still tinged with surprise.

“Mm.” Lin Yuran bit her lip, hesitated a few seconds, then added softly, “Only for you.”

Watching his mouth twitch upward a few times before he managed to hide his grin, Lin Yuran couldn’t help but giggle.

Chi Ye asked again, “Why the sudden breakfast delivery?”

Caught off guard, Lin Yuran’s mind went blank. She didn’t want to say she felt guilty for always hitching a ride, but she also couldn’t bring herself to confess she liked him.

“J-just…” She stammered for a while, heart pounding, then blurted, “I just wanted to.”

Chi Ye smiled faintly. “Alright.”

“Oh right, why didn’t you come buy buns today? Did you already have breakfast?”

“No.”

“Then why not come?”

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Left late. Didn’t have time.”

“It’s not that late,” she murmured.

“The roads are icy. It took longer than usual.”

“That’s true,” she admitted softly.

Her hands stayed in her bag, touching the other breakfast items she’d packed. She hesitated, wondering about his preferences. The simplest way to find out was to ask.

“Chi Ye,” Lin Yuran said, glancing up through her lashes, “do you like eggs?”

He looked at her hand in the bag. “I do.”

Lin Yuran pulled out two boiled eggs in a plastic bag. “Here. I made them this morning.”

He smiled faintly, taking them.

She cleared her throat softly. “Do you like soy milk?”

“Yes.”

She brought out a thermos and handed it over. “I made this too. Oh, and it’s a brand-new one, never used.”

Chi Ye chuckled, accepting it.

“Do you like fried eggs?”

“I do.” He quirked a brow. “Is there more?”

“That’s all for today,” she said, zipping her bag.

He looked straight into her eyes. “Why did you suddenly make me breakfast?”

Lin Yuran recalled her friend Yan Xi’s words: Giving someone breakfast is like saying you’ve been thinking about them since you woke up.

Biting her lip, she murmured, “When I woke up, I thought of you. So when I made breakfast, I made yours too.”

Chi Ye leaned an elbow against the steering wheel, two fingers touching his temple, and laughed quietly.

Flustered, Lin Yuran sank into the wide seat, pressing her hot cheeks with both hands, watching him laugh.

He didn’t smile often, usually he was cool and aloof. But when he did, the hard lines of his face softened, his dark eyes gleamed like moonlight, and his lips curved upward. If you looked closely, you could even see a faint dimple on one cheek, elegant and gentle, almost devastatingly handsome.

Her heart fluttered, light as a feather.

Then he stopped laughing and looked at her seriously. “Lin Nuotao, will you let me be selfish for once?”

Lin Yuran smiled. “Didn’t your winter letter say, ‘Be as reckless as you wish’?”

His Adam’s apple moved slightly. “Then don’t make me wait too long.”

Lin Yuran didn’t really understand what he meant, but nodded anyway.

Chi Ye smiled in satisfaction, ruffled her hair, and started the car.

The roads were still snowy, so he dropped her right at the entrance of the base before parking.

Coincidentally, Qin Lang arrived around the same time. Seeing Chi Ye climb out of a hulking Knight XV, he raised an eyebrow. “Bro, it’s just snow. Did you really need to drive a tank to work?”

Chi Ye gave him a sideways glance, carrying all the breakfast Lin Yuran made. “Lock the car for me.”

Qin Lang took the keys, locked the car, then noticed the breakfast. “Wow, fancy breakfast! Hey, you’re not gonna eat that, right? I skipped breakfast; share those buns with me.”

“Who said I’m not eating?” Chi Ye dodged his hand and sped up.

Qin Lang blinked, then caught up. “Wait, aren’t those the same buns you always buy? You actually eat fennel filling now?”

“Yeah.”

Qin Lang stared, then noticed the two boiled eggs. “You eat eggs too?”

“Yeah.”

He said nothing, walking beside him for a bit, glancing over a few times.

Inside the base hall, Qin Lang finally couldn’t hold back. “Man, you’re in a good mood today.”

Chi Ye’s lips curved. “You could say that.”

“Something good happen?”

“Maybe,” Chi Ye said with a quiet grin. “Not sure yet. I’ll have to wait and see.”

“…Huh?”

From across the hall came the sound of excited voices.

“Sister Yuran, you did your makeup today? You look gorgeous!”

“Chasing someone,” Lin Yuran said lightly, “of course I’ve gotta give it my all.”

“What? You’re really chasing him?”

“Really,” Lin Yuran said firmly. “If I said it, I’ll do it.”

Yan Xi called out, “And the breakfast thing I told you about yesterday, did you do it?”

“I did!” Lin Yuran grinned. “I even went the extra mile, made breakfast myself.”

“Damn!”

“Damn!”

“Damn!”

“Who is this guy? Lucky bastard! Saving the galaxy wouldn’t even earn this kind of devotion!”

“Sister Yuran, come on, you’re way out of his league. You don’t have to do all this!”

“I am sober,” Lin Yuran laughed. “And he’s worth it.”

Qin Lang stopped mid-step, realization dawning. “So that’s why you brought the tank. You came to pick her up.”

Then he noticed the pink thermos in Chi Ye’s hand and froze. His eyes widened. “Holy crap!”

“What are they talking about?” Qin Lang grabbed Chi Ye’s arm. “Who’s Lin Yuran chasing?”

“Anyway…” Chi Ye shrugged him off, smirking. “It’s not you.”

“…” Qin Lang stared. “Damn you, look at you, smug as hell! So it’s finally happening, huh?”

Chi Ye just laughed, striding into the training hall. “Lin Yuran!”

Lin Yuran turned around.

He tilted his chin toward the stairs. “Let’s go.”

Lin Yuran waved goodbye to the others and ran after him.

Watching them walk upstairs side by side, Yan Xi frowned. “Uh… what’s going on between those two?”

Ji Mo’s eyes followed Chi Ye. “Hey, doesn’t he usually eat breakfast at home?”

They all kept staring until the two disappeared into the office.

Ji Mo said, “Do you think… it’s what I think it is?”

Yan Xi replied, “Not sure. Let’s wait and see.”

— — — 

Upstairs in the office, Lin Yuran sat by the window in a beanbag chair, sketching. Every so often, she’d sneak a glance at Chi Ye.

He’d eaten all the breakfast she brought, every bite, and even smiled contentedly afterward. She smiled quietly to herself.

At first, she hadn’t wanted to come to his company to work, but once she started, she realized how convenient it was. Communication was instant, no endless email chains or delays.

With him nearby, she could ask for feedback anytime. When she hit creative blocks, they’d play a few games together to spark ideas. The collaboration flowed perfectly.

By noon, after a productive morning, they had lunch, and it was just in time for her afternoon class.

Chi Ye offered to drive her to school, and she didn’t refuse.

On the way, she received a WeChat from Xu Jianwei: 【So what’s the deal between you and Chi Ye?】

Lin Yuran glanced sideways at him, then typed back: 【I’m chasing him.】

She added another message: 【I’m free after class at 3:30. Wanna go shopping with me? I need some new clothes.】

Xu Jianwei replied instantly: 【Girl! You finally decided to buy yourself clothes?】 Then another: 【You haven’t bought a single new outfit in years! Why the sudden urge?】

【Chasing someone. Gotta look my best,】 Lin Yuran admitted.

【Good! You’re learning, finally!】

【I’ll pick you up after class.】

Lin Yuran sent her an ‘OK’ sticker.

When they arrived at the school building, Lin Yuran spoke up before he could. “Chi Ye, I’m meeting Xu Jianwei after class to go shopping.”

“Mm, okay.”

Then, after a brief pause, Chi Ye turned his head slightly, voice deliberately teasing: “Why tell me that? You want me to come along?”

Lin Yuran quickly shook her head, but didn’t say anything more, leaving the subtle tension hanging in the air.

Chi Ye smiled faintly. “Alright. Got it.”