Boss, the fried egg is too small—I’m still hungry.
Yichen ground his teeth behind her. “Speak properly.”
Little Seven, her mouth full of grilled skewers, mumbled, “But I’m not wrong! You really are my boss, and it feels so good to say it—because when the boss pays for the staff’s meal, it’s really a special kind of satisfaction. Ah, but you’re the boss, so you wouldn’t understand.”
“...”
“Just don’t get so happy you regret it.”
Little Seven giggled. “I’m enjoying this delicious food—how could I possibly regret it?”
“Mm, because I’m planning to deduct what you’re eating from your salary.”
“...”
How could he do this to her?
“You were the one who suggested we eat out,” Yichen nodded calmly. “I never said I’d treat you.”
“...”
Little Seven’s big eyes blinked as she looked at him with aggrieved innocence. “Boss, I was wrong. Please be merciful.”
Yichen’s tone was lazy. “That depends on your behavior.”
“...”
She stopped eating and didn’t want to leave either.
She stood there, looking like someone aloof from the world, independent and alone.
Yichen glanced back at her, speaking unhurriedly. “You’re not eating, and you’re not leaving?”
Little Seven gazed at him with her wide, glistening eyes.
Yichen let out a soft laugh. “Do you know what that look reminds me of?”
Little Seven was startled. She touched her eyes. “What?”
“Boss, can I have a hug?”
“...”
“I’m clearly pleading with you not to dock my pay, okay?”
But Mr. Lin gave her a look full of certainty.
Little Seven began to doubt herself—maybe she’d sent the wrong signal just now... Though she hadn’t thought that way, perhaps her eyes spoke for themselves. Isn’t there a song lyric that goes, ‘My eyes betrayed my heart’?
Ah, Boss Lin, your ability to decode looks is truly formidable.
So formidable that she even started to believe her expression meant what he said.
Yichen ruffled her hair, his charming smile teasing, “If you eat a bit more elegantly, I might consider treating you.”
“Boss, you have to keep your word.”
“Of course.”
Her previously fierce appetite vanished instantly. Little Seven tried her best to eat with poise and grace, exuding elegance.
Not just that—she kept smiling the whole time. She smiled at people, smiled at the food, and smiled even more at the boss, which ultimately left...
Her face frozen.
She returned home with a stiff face and a bulging stomach.
Suddenly, in the car, Little Seven grabbed Yichen’s arm and blinked at him with her big eyes. “Boss Lin, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll just stay here from now on. There’s food, drink, and a big house, so I’m content to stay.”
The car braked sharply. Yichen narrowed his eyes, and a familiar oppressive aura bore down on Little Seven. “Are you planning to leave me again without a word?”
“...”
Heavens, what goes on in his mind?
Still, he’d just tricked her.
She had to get her own back.
Feigning a tremble, Little Seven said, “We’re just pretending to be a couple, after all.”
“Say another word, and see what happens.”
“...”
He nearly growled those words from deep in his throat.
Did he have to be so fierce?
Little Seven didn’t dare play around anymore and answered honestly, “All right, I’ll tell you. I’m feeling really hopeless right now, so if I go back, Auntie will worry. That’s why I want to stay at your place.”
Yichen’s lips quirked up. He started the car again, face expressionless. “Well, considering you’re feeling hopeless, I’ll reluctantly agree.”
Hmph, such a stubborn man.
In truth, Little Seven had only thought of staying with him on a whim.
With her signal device gone, she could never go back.
So she’d have to stay on Earth for life.
Which meant... living as Ye Xiyang with this man...
But what if the real Ye Xiyang came back one day?
This was a question she had never truly considered, subconsciously rejecting the thought.
Well, since she was here, she’d make herself at home.
Oh, her signal device...
“Why are you suddenly in a bad mood? Bad enough to faint?”
He asked out of the blue, and Little Seven wondered how to answer.
A flash of inspiration struck, and she declared solemnly, “Girls have a few days each month when they feel hopeless. That’s why I fainted. Haha, you know what I mean.”
“...”
Did he?
But Lin, being clever, quickly made the connection—girls have those days...
Was she talking about her period?
Do girls really get so hopeless during their period?
As a man, he was only half convinced, but didn’t pursue it.
So the hopelessness and fainting were blamed on her period, and in the midst of this, they arrived at the villa.
Full and satisfied, Little Seven threw herself onto the soft, fluffy bed and soon fell asleep.
Yichen entered to find her sprawled out, limbs spread, with the covers kicked to the foot of the bed.
That sleeping position was something else.
He shook his head, gently covered her up.
Just as he turned away, the covers were kicked off again.
He tucked her in once more, but she kicked them off again.
This time, President Lin lost his patience.
“If you kick the covers again, I’ll punish you.”
Little Seven, deep in sweet dreams, smacked her lips.
She looked as if she was dreaming of something delicious.
Once more, he tucked her in and smoothed the covers. This time, she settled down, and the quilt stayed put for a while.
Looking at the girl’s delicate, fair face, Yichen’s smile softened.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before heading to the study.
He called Fang Li. “How’s the sapphire case coming along?”
Fang Li replied, “The research department is investigating. We should have results soon.”
“Good. Keep the investigation internal—no police.”
Fang Li was puzzled. “Why?”
“This sapphire is special. Reporting it would be bad for us. Only you, me, Li Cheng, and a few core members know about it, so it’s likely an inside job.”
Fang Li instantly understood.
“If anyone returns the sapphire, drop the matter immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
“And about Second Young Master’s art exhibition fire...”
“Leave it. Yiyang will handle it. Also, keep an eye on Yiyang these days. Report to me if anything happens.”
Fang Li sensed there was more to his boss’s words, but the boss’s mind was not to be guessed at.
“Yes, sir!”
The next morning, Yichen woke right on schedule, came downstairs to prepare breakfast, then went to wake Little Seven.
Yesterday, her appetite had been unstoppable, but now she was back to her gloomy self, lazing in bed.
Yichen nudged her. “Get up, eat breakfast, and go to work.”
Little Seven lifted her head. “Boss, I’m still feeling hopeless, so I’d like to lie here quietly for a few days. Can I skip work?”
It did seem that a woman’s period lasted a few days.
“Fine, but get up for breakfast.”
At the mention of food, Little Seven sat up immediately. “Yes, boss.”
Yichen went downstairs and called Fang Li.
He said he wouldn’t be at the office and to have any documents that needed signing sent over.
Fang Li was shocked—this was unprecedented.
He asked, “Boss Lin, why?”
Yichen replied quietly, “Because Xiyang isn’t feeling well. I need to take care of her.”
“...”
So the act of being a considerate husband had begun?
After hanging up, Yichen turned around—and was startled.
Little Seven stood there holding an empty plate, looking half-starved. “Boss, the fried egg was too small. I’m still hungry.”
“...”
“Shall I give you my portion too?”
“Your portion is already in my stomach.”
“...”
Yichen was at a loss. “I’ll make more.”
Little Seven immediately flashed her little tiger teeth in a grin. “Thank you, boss.”
Though born into a prestigious family, Yichen’s breakfast-making was practiced, elegant, and effortless.
Little Seven sat nearby, chin in hand, watching this suave, handsome man. Every movement as he cooked breakfast was like art.
Her heart fluttered, and she hurriedly suppressed it.
As perfect as he seemed, sometimes he was scary, sometimes downright mean. So, dear heart, don’t go thumping out of turn, or you’ll regret it.
Breakfast was soon ready—fragrant golden fried eggs and juicy steak.
Little Seven licked her lips. “Boss, your cooking is amazing. Just looking at it makes my appetite soar.”
“I’m tired of hearing the same compliments,” Yichen said, eyes lowered as he looked at her. “Say something new.”
“...”
Fine, one must praise the hand that feeds.
Little Seven pondered as she ate, but suddenly a slender hand pressed her own. “Compliment first, then eat.”
“...”
Tears welled in Little Seven’s eyes. Her boss was too cunning—no, too shameless—using food to make her praise him.
She really didn’t know what to say.
Staring at the food, all she could think was: I want to eat you up.
Suddenly, the delicious food was moved away. Yichen placed it next to himself. “No praise, no food.”
“...”
And then...
Yichen elegantly cut his steak—and elegantly ate it.
Watching his thin lips part and close, Little Seven swallowed hard. She wanted to pounce—not on him, but on the food.
Inwardly, she railed: You profiteer, you capitalist, you tasteless president...
“Are you cursing me?”
“How did you know?”
“...”
Well, so much for keeping it secret.
Little Seven wanted to cover her face with a napkin.
She said weakly, “Boss, ambushing me like this is really unethical. Eating alone is even more unethical.”
Using food to bait her into complimenting him—that was the worst.
Yichen could only sigh. Asking her to say something nice was truly difficult.
But perhaps he could coax it out of her.
So...
“Xiyang.”
“What?” She’d been staring at the steak, but now looked up instinctively, meeting Lin’s gaze. The fire in his eyes was unhidden, and Little Seven saw it clearly.
What kind of look was that? As if she were a piece of steak...
“Um, why did you call me?”
“Nothing,” Yichen said coolly, but his gaze remained intense. “Just letting you know: from now on, you can only eat breakfast I make. No one else’s. If you disobey, you’ll regret it. Understand?”
“...”
Honestly, Little Seven wasn’t angry at his words—but his tone...
Too domineering, too arrogant.
She really wanted to retort, “What if I do eat someone else’s breakfast? You can’t stop me.”
But if she said that, she’d definitely be punished.
A wise person knows when to yield. No need to take unnecessary losses.