Shen Yue’s hands were still wet. "I'm making breakfast. Mr. Bai, are there any foods you dislike?"
Bai Yanzhe hadn't intended to eat there, but for some reason, he didn't refuse. He replied in a low voice, "I'm fine with anything."
He didn't have many bad habits, wasn't a picky eater, and had no dietary restrictions.
"Alright, breakfast will be ready soon. Mr. Bai, please have a seat for a while."
Shen Yue went back into the kitchen.
Bai Yanzhe straightened a crease on his white shirt. His eyelids flickered as he glanced towards the kitchen, which was semi-open, allowing him to see blurry figures.
There were fresh ingredients in the refrigerator. Shen Yue was washing vegetables; she was making sandwiches.
She didn't know how to cook, but the original host did a little, so the system gave her a cheat.
Bai Yanzhe stood for a moment, feeling that as the host, it was improper to have a guest busy in the kitchen. He rolled up his sleeves and walked over with long strides.
"Let me help you."
Shen Yue glanced at him, her eyes curved into crescents, and didn't refuse.
She handed the vegetables to Bai Yanzhe to wash while she cracked eggs.
She needed to crack the eggs into a bowl and then whisk them.
She reached out for the whisk, and their distance suddenly narrowed. She lowered her neck slightly, extending it towards him. A small section of her fair and delicate neck was exposed to Bai Yanzhe.
It happened without any warning.
Suddenly, a small section of white appeared before him, so close he could smell Shen Yue's faint, sweet fragrance emanating from her skin.
An imperceptible, heated atmosphere began to rise. The confined space amplified the senses, stimulating the nerves.
The sound of whisking eggs echoed. Bai Yanzhe came back to his senses, pushing away the strange emotions in his heart, and lowered his head to diligently wash the vegetables.
By the time breakfast was ready, Bai Qingzhen still hadn't woken up.
Shen Yue washed her hands and dried them with a paper towel. Her slender, white fingers were like works of art.
Bai Yanzhe's gaze lingered on them for a moment. He noticed a wound on her index finger, unsure when she had injured it. The wound wasn't bleeding, but the edges were bleached white from being soaked in water.
She must have accidentally cut herself with a knife earlier.
Bai Yanzhe walked over. Without touching the girl's hand, he looked at her wound and said, "There's a first-aid kit in the cabinet in the living room."
Bai Yanzhe and Shen Yue were very close. So close that he noticed Shen Yue's frame was even smaller than that of an ordinary woman. She was slender, with soft hair and plump, vibrant red lips, dressed in a blue and white school uniform, looking very well-behaved.
Shen Yue hadn't expected such a small wound to be noticed. She tossed the paper towel into the trash can and looked up. "It's okay, Mr. Bai. I'll go wake up Qingzhen, or she'll be late."
With that, she went upstairs.
Bai Qingzhen had a bad temper when woken up, so it would take some time to rouse her.
Bai Yanzhe sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette. He didn't smoke it but stared blankly at a spot until the burning cigarette seared his finger. Only then did he snap back to attention, extinguish the cigarette, and go to find the first-aid kit.
Not being very familiar with the layout of the villa, Bai Yanzhe searched for a while before finding it.
Just then, Shen Yue came down from upstairs, alone. Bai Qingzhen was still washing up upstairs.
Bai Yanzhe sat on the sofa and said, "Come here."
Shen Yue obediently walked over. Her dark, long hair was unbound, cascading down. Her eyes were as clear and clean as spring water.
Bai Yanzhe handed her a band-aid.
The girl took it dazedly.
He added a reminder, "Don't let it get wet."
Bai Qingzhen came down, didn't even glance at Bai Yanzhe, and headed straight for the door.
This impolite behavior displeased Bai Yanzhe. His gaze was cold, like a thin blade. "Bai Qingzhen."
Bai Qingzhen didn't turn her head and slammed the door shut, showing her attitude.
Utterly rude.
His expression remained unchanged, but a hint of indifferent coldness emanated from him.
The girl stood there feeling a little helpless, fiddling with the hem of her clothes. "Mr. Bai, I, I'm leaving too."
When Bai Yanzhe looked up at the girl, he had resumed his usual composed and elegant demeanor. He glanced at the lavish breakfast on the table and said in a somewhat gentler tone.
"You've made so much, I can't possibly eat it all alone. Stay and eat with me."
The girl seemed a bit overwhelmed. "No, thank you. I'm not hungry."
The second she said she wasn't hungry, her stomach growled, contradicting her words. The living room was quiet, and the sound was quite loud.
The tips of the girl's pale ears turned red.
It was rather cute.
The gloom in his heart dispersed, and Bai Yanzhe, uncharacteristically, revealed a comparatively gentle smile. "Just keep me company."
She pursed her lips and smiled, like a tender magnolia flower holding dew. The beauty mark on her nose was striking.
"Thank you, Mr. Bai."
The girl was very polite.
He sat down at the dining chair and, seeing Shen Yue still standing, said, "Come and sit."
Shen Yue obediently walked over and sat down.
Neither of them was talkative, so the dining table was very quiet, with only the gentle clinking of bowls and chopsticks.
After breakfast, Shen Yue stood up, intending to clear the table, but Bai Yanzhe stopped her. He was wearing a pristine white shirt without a single crease, exuding a rigorous and mature, masculine charm.
"No need to clear up. I'll drive you to school; you'll be late soon."
Shen Yue softly refused, "No, thank you. I can take a taxi to school myself."
Bai Yanzhe reached for Shen Yue's schoolbag on the sofa first, tilting his head slightly. His profile was handsome and sharp. "It's not easy to get a taxi from here."
Shen Yue had no choice but to accept.
Bai Yanzhe was a gentleman in every aspect. He didn't park the car at the school entrance but by its side.
The car window lowered halfway, letting out a wave of cool air.
The man's profile was perfect and flawless.
Shen Yue lowered her head, her eyes shy and flustered. Her pure, dark eyes looked at him quietly and intently, and she softly said, "Thank you, Mr. Bai. Sorry to trouble you."
Bai Yanzhe nodded, and the car window rolled up, obscuring his face. He drove away.
Shen Yue carried her schoolbag to the classroom.
There weren't many people in the classroom; class was five minutes away.
Bai Qingzhen sat behind Shen Yue. As soon as she entered, she saw the man sitting in her seat.
He was quite handsome, with short hair, a high-bridged nose, and long eyelashes, possessing a wild yet roguish charm.
His body already had the contours of an adult, though his face still looked somewhat youthful.
His slender fingers flipped through a book, looking nonchalant.
Feeling somewhat bored, his long legs under the desk had nowhere to go.
Upon seeing Shen Yue, he put down his book.
Bai Qingzhen sat at the back eating breakfast and greeted Shen Yue when she arrived.
Shen Yue's seat was occupied, so she could only stand, her eyelashes trembling helplessly, her red lips bitten gently.
The man seemed to be smiling, but his dark eyes seemed to brew a storm of impending chaos.
"Do you know why I'm here to see you?"