Chapter 145: A Trio?

In retrospect, Yu Shujun thought his reaction was utterly foolish.

Why close his eyes? Why stiffen up like a lamb spotting a predator?

But in the moment, Yu Shujun had no chance to ponder such questions. Everything happened too suddenly. Having absolutely no experience in such matters, all of Yu Shujun’s actions were driven by instinct. Just as he had when he chose to switch to the Jun Wuming account and return to this map, whenever he faced anything involving this man, his behavior became strangely abnormal. This abnormality was etched into his very bones; it was not something Yu Shujun’s own will could control.

His long, curled eyelashes trembled slightly, resembling the fragile wings of two butterflies under the night sky. A single second stretched out infinitely, becoming agonizingly long. The anticipated touch never came. Instead, the fingers that had been restraining his chin let go.

In their place was a strange sensation on his cheekbone. Yu Shujun opened his eyes and looked blankly at the person before him. The man’s handsome face was magnified in his field of vision; at this distance, if Yu Shujun were to simply tilt his head up, his nose would brush against the man’s cheek. Yu Shujun held his breath, remaining motionless, allowing the other’s fingers to touch his face.

Wen Nan’s fingertips gently pressed against Yu Shujun’s cheekbone before pulling back. "There, looks good enough."

Yu Shujun frowned slightly, raising a hand to touch his cheekbone, only to discover a small adhesive bandage had been placed there.

"…What is this?"

"I bought it at a pharmacy on the way back. Fits quite well," Wen Nan said, looking at Yu Shujun’s face with a triumphant curve to his lips, then added nonchalantly, "Try not to get hurt again."

"You…" Yu Shujun felt a complex mix of emotions. "You just… did all that just to put this on?" Was it really necessary to build up such a strange atmosphere just to apply a bandage?

"Of course not," Wen Nan confessed readily. "That was a rehearsal."

"…A rehearsal?!"

"Mm-hmm, a dress rehearsal before my date."

Wen Nan hadn't originally intended to use Yu Shujun as a test subject, as there were inherent differences between men and women, and he feared the other's preferences might be far removed from Guan Ailin’s. But he had no choice; he only had the two of them around. Qiqi was too naive and straightforward, offering no reference value. Wen Nan had no choice but to grasp at straws and turn to Yu Shujun.

Actually, if one opened their mind and stepped back to look, if even this trap-like young man could be moved by his techniques, then surely the same routine would be twice as effective on a powerful CEO, right?

Thinking of this, Wen Nan leaned in closer to Yu Shujun, a smile on his face. "So, was there a moment just now where you felt moved here?" He reached out a finger and poked Yu Shujun in the chest. It was soft and substantial. The tactile sensation was so realistic that Wen Nan instinctively pulled his finger back.

Yu Shujun’s expression darkened instantly. "You…" His chest heaved violently as he suppressed the surging emotions within. His face turned grim, and his voice went cold. "No. Your acting was clumsy and pathetic."

Wen Nan narrowed his eyes. "Such a low rating? That shouldn't be…" He rubbed his chin, contemplating for a moment before recharging his spirit and leaning toward Yu Shujun again. "Shall we try again?"

Yu Shujun’s expression was now darker than the night outside. Seeing Wen Nan approach, he held his scabbard horizontally, blocking the man off. He sidestepped him and walked away from the balcony without looking back, leaving behind a single sentence: "I have no interest in playing along with your acting."

Given the strength in Yu Shujun’s arm, Wen Nan was pushed back half a step, leaning against the railing. He watched Yu Shujun’s departing figure, feeling rather bewildered. "What’s wrong with him? Why the sudden anger? Eating too much salt lately? Getting an internal fire?"

...

The next day, while Wen Nan was preparing his outfit for his date with Guan Ailin, Qiqi acted like a diligent little secretary, holding a small calendar up to him. "Brother, you have an appointment with Wang Jialing at three this afternoon at the fast-food restaurant downstairs. Don't forget."

Wen Nan was busy styling his bangs, which refused to look good no matter how he pushed them. He complained, "Chief Secretary Qiqi, isn't our schedule getting a bit too packed?"

"Empress Qiqi!" she corrected him with feigned annoyance before replying earnestly, "Don't worry, Brother. Everything is arranged. This time, all you have to do is show up. Success is guaranteed; no need to 'pay grain tax' this time."

Wen Nan: ... Was this really a matter of grain tax?

...

Twenty minutes later, Wen Nan walked into the fast-food restaurant downstairs and spotted Wang Jialing sitting by the wall. On that square table, barely an arm's width wide, sat not fast food, but… stacks upon stacks of test papers!

Was she inviting him to a fast-food restaurant on a weekend afternoon just to do homework?

Wen Nan walked over and sat beside her. Wang Jialing looked up from the pile of papers, which resembled a mille-feuille, and immediately flashed a bright smile. "Uncle Nine!"

Wen Nan glanced at the cola can at the edge of the table, now filled only with ice, and asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll go order."

Wang Jialing’s eyes crinkled into crescents. "Anything is fine. As long as Uncle Nine orders it, I’ll like it."

Wen Nan reached out to ruffle her hair and headed to the automated kiosk. Five minutes later, he returned with a burger and wings combo and a kid’s meal. He reached out and placed the small, fuzzy yellow chick toy that came with the meal in front of Wang Jialing.

Wang Jialing immediately dropped her pen, cupping the plush toy with both hands, her face full of pleasant surprise. "Thank you, Uncle Nine!"

9527: [Congratulations, the target 'the neighbor's little sister you watched grow up' has reached 99% affinity.]

9527: [Congratulations to the player. You have achieved a perfect capture of this character. In future missions, you may choose to skip plot interactions involving this character; it will not affect the affinity level or mission completion. Please be advised.]

...That fast? Just a small toy, and the fourth perfect capture was easily secured.

Wen Nan couldn't help but reach out and gently ruffle Wang Jialing’s soft hair again, sighing to himself that this child was truly low-maintenance.

Wang Jialing turned her head, fed a fry dipped thoroughly in ketchup into Wen Nan’s mouth, and said with a smile, "Sister Qiqi was right, Uncle Nine. I’ve realized something: liking someone doesn't mean you have to be together. Companionship is the longest-lasting confession. As long as you come to keep me company, that is enough."

Wen Nan was slightly taken aback.

Her words reminded him—perhaps he should bring Qiqi along on his date with Guan Ailin?