Ji Nian was startled when she woke up early in the morning to find herself in an unfamiliar room. After a few moments, she remembered that Shen Shuyao and the male lead had suddenly moved back into the villa yesterday, so she had moved into the guest room.
Ji Nian got out of bed to go downstairs and wash up. When she went downstairs, she saw the already dressed and groomed Shen Shuyao, as well as the male lead Ye Jingzhan, who was eating breakfast.
"Good morning," Ji Nian said. Although Ye Jingzhan had a cold look on his face, there was a sense of satisfaction in his eyebrows and eyes. Could it be that something had happened between the two last night?
When Shen Shuyao saw Ji Nian come over, she seemed a little shy and kept her head lowered with a bashful smile. "Good morning, little Nian."
Ji Nian gave the female lead a meaningful look, leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "You're glowing this morning. It looks like something happened last night."
Shen Shuyao was embarrassed by the teasing and quickly pushed Ji Nian away. "Go get washed up!"
Ji Nian blinked innocently as if she could see right through Shen Shuyao before walking away to the bathroom.
Although Ye Jingzhan was eating breakfast, he kept glancing at Ji Nian's back out of the corner of his eye. Strangely, the addition of another woman to the house didn't make him feel awkward at all. On the contrary, he felt quite calm about it.
Shen Shuyao was currently dating Ye Jingzhan. Although the man was usually cold, for some reason, the more time she spent with him, the more attracted she felt.
"I'm done," Ye Jingzhan said flatly as he stood up.
Shen Shuyao quickly got to her feet. Somewhat flustered, she asked, "Do you want me to see you off?"
Ye Jingzhan could sense her nervousness. Recalling what happened last night, he could still clearly remember what the woman felt like. His throat tightened as he reluctantly berated himself. He didn't used to be like this.
"No need," he said decisively before walking out without hesitation.
As Shen Shuyao watched the man leave, she suddenly felt a sense of loss. She didn't know why, but she always felt that he didn't seem to like her that much.
Ji Nian had just finished washing up and came out to see Shen Shuyao staring blankly at the doorway. Puzzled, she walked over and asked, "What's wrong? What are you looking at?"
Shen Shuyao came back to her senses. Her emotions were complicated, and she hesitated before speaking up. "Little Nian..."
"Hmm?" Ji Nian looked confused.
"I always feel that Chairman Ye doesn't seem to..." Shen Shuyao faltered and said, "like me very much."
Ji Nian was shocked. They had already slept together, yet she was saying this kind of thing?
Her mind raced as she thought about the emotional plotline between the male and female leads. It seemed like the previous bickering was gone. Could this be why their emotions hadn't warmed up?
"Feelings need to be nurtured slowly," Ji Nian said seriously. "You haven't been with Chairman Ye for long, plus he's the unemotional type without any dating experience. It's unavoidable that there will be many inadequacies when it comes to romance."
Shen Shuyao thought about it and felt that she had a point. This was also her first time dating. But as a woman, she could sense whether a man liked her or not.
"So don't be impatient. Since you two are dating, go with the flow and don't stress about this kind of thing," Ji Nian continued persuading her.
Shen Shuyao nodded. She felt that something was off about Ji Nian's words, but she didn't know what exactly, leaving her confused.
At this moment, Ye Jingzhan, who had just gone out and come back, overheard the women's entire conversation clearly. A trace of darkness flashed through his eyes when he heard that he was "unemotional" and "inexperienced in relationships."
When Shen Shuyao saw that the man had returned, there was a hint of delight in her eyes. "Chairman Ye!"
Ji Nian froze. She didn't say anything strange just now, did she? Did the male lead hear?
"Pfft." A laugh came from behind her.
Ji Nian was stunned to hear this familiar voice. A chill went down her back when she realized the villain had shown up too! What was he doing here so early in the morning?
It was truly an embarrassing situation. She awkwardly turned around to look.
"What a coincidence, Dr. Pei."
Ye Jingzhan's eyebrows twitched slightly. Dr. Pei? He was even on a first-name basis with the people around him. This woman was not simple.
"It's not a coincidence. I came here specifically," Pei Yuchen said with a faint smile. Seeing the unfamiliar woman standing next to them, he looked her up and down with interest and asked amusingly, "Oh? Is this Chairman Ye's girlfriend?"
Shen Shuyao hadn't seen this person before. Seeing his gentle demeanor and grey athletic attire, she got the impression that he was gentle and refined.
Hearing the man's question, she shyly lowered her head and answered, "Hello."
In contrast, Pei Yuchen was very curious about the woman in front of him and stared right at her. She was quite good-looking with an innocent face that resembled a young girl ignorant of the ways of the world.
But beauties like her were a dime a dozen in their social circle. So why was this particular woman able to make Chairman Ye not have an averse reaction?
Seeing that the villain kept staring at the female lead, Ji Nian's whole body shuddered. She quickly stood in front of Shen Shuyao, her mind in turmoil. Could it be? Was the villain about to fall in love at first sight with the female lead?
Shen Shuyao was startled. Her head poked out from behind Ji Nian as she asked in bewilderment, "Little Nian, what's wrong?"
Ji Nian froze. She blinked her innocent big eyes and let out an awkward laugh. "Ahaha, Dr. Pei, did you come here for something?"
Pei Yuchen raised an eyebrow at the woman's actions, as if she was an animal protecting its young. His eyes flashed with amusement.
"I accidentally cut my palm while exercising this morning. I just got back to the country, and things aren't ready at home yet, so I came to use your first aid kit."
"Hurry up," Ye Jingzhan said coldly.
"I'll go get it for you," Shen Shuyao said when she heard, immediately heading upstairs.
At this time, it was just the three of them downstairs. Ji Nian felt intimidated having to face these two men alone and smiled awkwardly. "Ahaha, I'll go help."
"Didn't Miss Ji say she was going to lose weight? How come she didn't go running this morning?" Pei Yuchen asked with a smile, stopping Ji Nian just as she turned to leave. His words seemed to be testing the woman.
Ji Nian was taken aback but had no choice but to stop. She cursed the villain inwardly for being so nosy.
"Hmm?" Ye Jingzhan had no idea that the two were so familiar with each other and glanced at the woman next to him.
"I've interacted with Miss Ji a few times," Pei Yuchen explained.
Ye Jingzhan still had an aloof expression. "Doesn't seem like it," he said flatly.
"Ahaha," Ji Nian laughed awkwardly but politely.
"But Miss Ji seems to understand Chairman Ye very well, even knowing that he has never dated before and saying that he's unemotional," Pei Yuchen said with a smile as he turned to face the other man, though his words seemed to be testing the woman.
Ye Jingzhan gave Ji Nian an icy look. Had she gotten close to him on purpose? The fact that he had never dated before could be easily discovered by someone with ulterior motives.
"Miss Ji also seems to know quite a bit about you, even knowing that you're a doctor."
At this moment, Ji Nian felt like a bolt from the blue. She was done for! How was she going to explain this?
"......"
Having heard this, Pei Yuchen glanced over. Could it be that Chairman Ye hadn't told her he was a doctor?
Ji Nian wanted to make a run for it. The two protagonists of this novel both had top-notch intelligence. Her unintentional slip-up would be hard to explain.
"Sorry it took me so long to find the first aid kit." Shen Shuyao walked over apologetically, successfully breaking the awkward atmosphere.
Ji Nian heaved a sigh of relief. Thank goodness the female lead came back! She was so moved she could cry...
Pei Yuchen took the first aid kit with a smile. "It's fine, thanks."
"You're welcome," Shen Shuyao said bashfully.
"Let's go," Ye Jingzhan said, glancing at the woman who was silently minimizing her presence. He couldn't help but think that he needed to investigate her background.
With the first aid kit in hand, Pei Yuchen didn't linger either. But as he left, he gave the woman one last meaningful look.
Ji Nian avoided the villain's gaze somewhat guiltily. She now felt that it would be best for her to not stay here for too long.
