Damn it! The girl he likes insists on dragging him to a blind date.

As Sheng Zongche spoke, his gaze lingered on Xia You's rosy cheeks, his eyes curving into a lazy arc, carrying a touch of nonchalant allure, the heat in his eyes making her almost unable to look him in the eye.

Okay, this man is seducing people again.

What time is it?

Xia You glared at him secretly, then immediately handed him the menu and changed the subject, "Do you want to order? Sister Wan Yu is hungry."

Sheng Zongche chuckled and beckoned to the waiter.

While the man was ordering, Xia You kept a close eye on Sheng Wanyu, who had her head down, and carefully pushed the juice next to her over: "Sister Wanyu, this guava juice is so sweet, and it's not high in calories, you can drink more of it."

Sheng Wanyu turned her head, her eyes red at the corners.

After a moment of stunned silence, she grabbed the glass and took a big gulp. "Tch, what a jerk! Let him go, I'll just find another one, the next one will be even better!"

Xia You smiled, and said playfully, "I don't think the next one will necessarily be better."

Sheng Wanyu raised her eyebrows and looked at her, "You think Gu Chi is good? Better than my brother?"

"Whether Senior Gu is good or not, Sister Wanyu should know best in her heart," Xia You said, resting her chin on her hand and smiling sweetly. "I just don't want Sister Wanyu to have too much trouble."

Sheng Wanyu laughed, "Little Youyou, there's a hidden meaning in your words."

Xia You said, "I remember seeing a photo of a female celebrity being photographed holding hands with a man by paparazzi, and the comments section went crazy. People were saying things like 'Sister-and-boy romance literature has come to life,' and 'This guy's eyes are full of doting.' So, as long as a relationship isn't made public, we have no idea what the public opinion will be like. Maybe it will be unexpectedly good?"

Sheng Wanyu stroked the patterns on the glass and began to speak: "I've thought about this too. It's not like I can't handle the consequences. At worst, I can just retire from the industry and go back to work at my dad's company. But what angers me is that Gu Chi has a grudge and doesn't express it properly. He gives me attitude, so why should I give him attitude?"

"That's true, but dating isn't a one-person show. How can it be just Senior Gu fawning over you? If you're hiding things and afraid of this and that, how can he not feel wronged? Relationships are always a two-way street. You give a little sincerity, and he gives a little more in return. That's how you warm things up. You can't expect him to have all his passion and then give you the cold shoulder forever, can you?"

After saying that, Xia You suddenly realized she might have overstepped her bounds, so she weakly added, "I'm sorry, Sister Wan Yu, I was just a little worried for you guys, and I couldn't control myself and blurted out what was on my mind..."

Sheng Wanyu stared at Xia You for a long time, and suddenly a surge of indescribable joy welled up in her heart.

She reached out and pinched Xia You's cheek. "Little Youyou! Now I know why my little brother loves you so much!"

Xia You was pinched painfully, but she covered her face and still smiled.

Actually, this was said to Sheng Wanyu, but also to himself.

Xia You struggled with the decision for a long time after learning that Sheng Zongche liked her.

But liking someone doesn't mean having him revolve around you; it means wanting to stand on tiptoe and try to walk towards him.

Sheng Zongche handed the menu back to the waiter and gave Sheng Wanyu a look, "Are you asking for trouble? Trying to touch my wife?"

Sheng Wanyu ignored him, put her arm around Xia You's shoulder, and said, "How about I sleep at your place tonight? I want to share a bed with you so we can have a good talk!"

"OK."

Sheng Zongche got up and went to the other side of the table, pulling Xia You back to his side. "What's so good about it? Youyou and I still have things to settle today. We're going to meet at the top tonight. Are you going to be a spectator? You have such heavy tastes?"

Sheng Wanyu: "..."

……

On the way back to Seaview No. 1 after dinner, Sheng Zongche didn't say much.

Xia You thought he probably still cared about her doing a broadcasting program with Qin Chiyu, and wondered how to coax him.

After taking a shower, Xia You went into the kitchen to make a cup of hot cocoa, and then opened the door to the master bedroom.

"Sheng Nini, would you like some hot cocoa? Drinking something sweet before bed will help you sleep better."

Sheng Zongche leaned against the headboard and looked at her, saying calmly, "I won't drink it. I've already brushed my teeth."

Xia You puffed out her cheeks and placed the cup on the bedside table. "You've already kissed me and coaxed me, why are you still angry?"

"Are you kidding me? What are you kidding me about? Do I have an eye problem? How come I can't see anything?"

"You're so stingy! That was for work. Qin Chiyu and I didn't have anything to do with each other. Can't we even work together once?"

"no."

"If all else fails, you and Wen Mian can go and broadcast the show together. I definitely won't be angry."

Sheng Zongche: ?

The man raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips. He glanced sideways at us, the smile not reaching his eyes, but rather carrying an unsettling, mocking tone that sent chills down our spines.

"Every time that woman gets close to me, I feel unclean. Xia You, are you here to comfort me or to annoy me?"

"I really just came to coax you," Xia You said, amused, and handed over the mug. "Open the lid and take a look."

Sheng Zongche took the cup and asked, "What is it? Did you poison her? Murder her husband so she could elope with that Qin guy? Xia Xiaoyou, how could you be so ruthless? You could have waited until I transferred all my assets to you before you poisoned her, right?"

Xia You went crazy and yelled, "Can't you sew your mouth shut? You can say ten things for every one thing someone says, are you even reading this or not?!"

Sheng Zongche obediently opened the cup lid.

Milk foam slowly spreads across the warm cocoa surface, the fine, milky white coating the rich brown, and gently sculpted into the letters—

I ♡ U

The man, who had been keeping a straight face, couldn't suppress the smile when he saw the latte art.

They're about to be fished into the sky.

Xia You tilted her head and said, "Okay, Sheng Nini smiled, so she's not angry anymore, right?"

Sheng Zongche pressed his fingertips against the warm cup, lowered his head to the "I ♡ U" outlined by the milk foam, took a small sip, and the rich, sweet aroma spread across his tongue.

He put down the mug, pulled Xia You to sit on his lap, and wrapped her tightly in the blanket.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally gave in, "Youyou, you promised me that it would only be one show next week, no more."

"Okay, I promise you, I'll talk to Teacher Huang next Monday."

Sheng Zongche pressed his lips to hers, the sweet aroma of hot cocoa spreading between their teeth, "Youyou."

"Um?"

"When two people are together, they should be honest with each other, right?"

"yes."

"So you have to tell me whatever happens to you."

Xia You stepped back slightly, looking at Sheng Zongche with a sense of uncertainty.

Right now, there are only two things she's hiding from him: one is about Wen Mian and Cheng Yuyao making sarcastic remarks about her parents' fire in front of her.

Also, she had a crush on him for four years.

She will definitely tell me about her four-year crush, as for the fire...

Wenmian and the others are actually just trying to sow discord.

Xia You extended her slender, white fingertips and gently traced the man's Adam's apple. "Yes, I know. From now on, I will give you everything I have."

The girl looked up and kissed him. The moment their lips touched, Sheng Zongche tightened his arms and held her even closer. His kiss was filled with indulgent tenderness, lingering and tender.

The passionate kiss lasted a long time, and Xia You could clearly feel that Sheng Zongche was restraining himself.

He restrained himself to the point that his pupils became unfocused, the veins in his arms bulged, and his shoulders trembled.

Xia You stopped kissing him: "Sheng Zongche, if you want... me..."

"No," Sheng Zongche interrupted her, "I'm satisfied with just a kiss. We can talk about other things later."

"Okay, sure."