Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Song Chengyi, Are You Really a Man?

“Just give it a try,” Luo Yixia insisted with a mischievous grin, still unwilling to give up.

Song Chengyi pressed his lips together and shook his head.

Seeing his resolve and reluctance, Luo Yixia stopped pushing him. She continued snacking as they walked, while Song Chengyi merely bought a cup of milk tea to sip.

The afternoon slipped by swiftly.

By the time they returned, the sunset was climbing across the sky.

As they walked, Luo Yixia kept edging closer to Song Chengyi, her small hand secretly slipping into his large one.

Seeing that Song Chengyi neither reacted nor showed any sign of rejection, Luo Yixia grew bolder.

“I wonder where they ended up choosing for their trip. Do you think we could skip it?” Luo Yixia asked, lifting her head.

“I don’t know.” Song Chengyi truly had no idea; his mother’s plans were always unpredictable, driven by whim.

The sunset cast long shadows behind them.

Luo Yixia gazed at their intertwined silhouettes, hoping that many years from now, she and Song Chengyi would still walk hand in hand beneath the evening sun.

Once inside, Luo Yixia glanced at the empty living room.

“Where is everyone? Are they at my place?” she called out several times, running up and down.

She even went outside to check next door.

Song Chengyi walked to the table and noticed a piece of paper tucked under a glass.

Dear Yixia and Chengyi,

We’ve gone traveling. Since you both didn’t want to join us, just enjoy your time at home and rest well. We’ll be back in a week. Oh, and I told the housekeeper not to come these days, so you won’t be interrupted in your little world together.

On the back, a cryptic line was scrawled: Son, go for it! Mom’s rooting for you!

Song Chengyi frowned.

Luo Yixia returned, breathless. “Is anyone next door? My house is locked—where did they go?”

“They went on a trip,” Song Chengyi said, handing her the note.

“They left already?” Luo Yixia asked, scanning the brief message.

“Yeah. What should we have for dinner?” Song Chengyi moved to the fridge, rummaging for food.

“I’m fine with anything.”

He finally opted for a pack of handmade noodles.

Song Chengyi entered the kitchen, Luo Yixia following close behind.

“Boil the water, I’ll wash the vegetables,” he instructed.

“Okay.” Obediently, Luo Yixia grabbed the kettle.

She helped him wash the greens.

When the water was ready, Song Chengyi began cooking the noodles.

“Want a fried egg?”

“Mhm,” Luo Yixia nodded eagerly.

Song Chengyi heated a pan, added oil, and cracked an egg.

Luo Yixia stretched her neck to watch.

“I want to try,” she said, eyes bright.

“Alright.” Song Chengyi handed her another egg.

Luo Yixia tried to mimic his actions, but cracked it too hard and the yolk spilled.

She quickly dumped the egg into the pan, and a few drops of oil splattered, making her jump back.

“Turn the heat down,” Song Chengyi said calmly.

Unfamiliar with the gas stove, Luo Yixia meant to reduce the flame but ended up turning it higher.

Soon, the smell of burnt egg filled the kitchen.

Song Chengyi quickly reached over and lowered the heat.

“Flip it,” he said, eyeing the egg, already ruined.

Luo Yixia nervously flipped it; it was only a little burnt.

“I’ll make you another one,” Song Chengyi offered, preparing to toss the charred egg.

“No, no, it’s just a bit burnt. It’s my first fried egg—I can’t waste it!” Luo Yixia shielded it protectively.

Song Chengyi finished the noodles, adding oil, salt, and a few washed greens.

He served two bowls, placing an egg atop each.

Luo Yixia happily carried her bowl, marveling at its aroma and color.

If only she could ignore the burnt egg—Song Chengyi’s bowl looked much more appetizing.

He thought she was eyeing his egg and switched the bowls.

Luo Yixia looked at him, puzzled.

“You eat mine,” Song Chengyi said, picking up his chopsticks and starting to eat.

“My egg is burnt—it’s bitter,” Luo Yixia protested, worried. She’d intended to eat it herself, but couldn’t let Song Chengyi have it.

But Song Chengyi had already taken a bite.

“Is it awful?” Luo Yixia asked anxiously.

Song Chengyi swallowed without a change in expression and took another bite.

“It’s fine,” he replied coolly.

Relieved, Luo Yixia dug into her noodles.

They were delicious—anything Song Chengyi made was.

Afterward, Luo Yixia volunteered to wash the dishes. Song Chengyi let her, but stayed by her side.

When they finished tidying up, night had fully fallen.

Luo Yixia was too tired for another walk, and Song Chengyi didn’t insist.

After bathing, with the house empty, Luo Yixia curled up on the sofa to watch TV.

When Song Chengyi came out, she dragged him to sit beside her.

“This drama is really good—it even won an award recently,” Luo Yixia said, munching on chips.

“Didn’t we just eat?” Song Chengyi asked.

“A girl’s stomach is never full,” Luo Yixia replied, eyes on the screen.

He knew better than to argue, so he let it go.

“Just eat less,” he said in the end. Luo Yixia agreed, but ate until the bag was empty.

Song Chengyi couldn’t recall when he’d lost his boundaries.

He used to hate people lounging around, eating snacks in front of the TV, or overeating—especially anyone who caused him trouble.

But Luo Yixia did these things daily, and he never felt annoyed.

He couldn’t even bring himself to scold her—he simply indulged her.

Feeling uncomfortable lying down, Luo Yixia grabbed a cushion and placed it on Song Chengyi’s lap, then lay across it.

Song Chengyi stared at her in surprise.

Luo Yixia smiled up at him. “Don’t mind me. Pretend I’m not here. Go on.”

She resumed eating chips and watching TV.

Had he spoiled her too much?

Song Chengyi didn’t know how he managed to read three pages of an academic report amid the blaring TV and the constant crunching on his lap.

Inside, he felt utterly hopeless.

He glanced at the clock: it was past ten.

“Luo Yixia, it’s ten thirty. Time for bed,” he said, looking down.

“It’s only ten thirty, still early,” she said, popping another chip.

Song Chengyi reached out, took the chips from her hand, removed the cushion from his lap, and stood up.

“Hey!” Luo Yixia’s head bumped the sofa.

Fortunately, it was soft, so she barely felt it.

She sat up, disgruntled. “It’s still early!”

Song Chengyi reached down and picked her up.

Instinctively, Luo Yixia wrapped her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”

“Going to bed,” Song Chengyi replied, glancing at her.

He carried her upstairs.

He thought it would be easy, but climbing the last few steps, his legs started trembling.

“Luo Yixia, you need to lose weight,” he gritted his teeth, carrying her into the room.

“Ha ha, don’t mind it,” Luo Yixia laughed.

As he was about to set her on the bed, he stumbled, and both of them fell onto the mattress.

Luo Yixia was still clinging to his neck.

Song Chengyi raised his head, gazing down at her.

They locked eyes, and even thick-skinned Luo Yixia blushed.

She awkwardly reached up to cover her face.

“Hmm? You’re blushing,” Song Chengyi chuckled.

“I’m just hot,” Luo Yixia retorted, refusing to look at him.

“I never said it was from embarrassment,” Song Chengyi thought she looked adorable at that moment.

Luo Yixia ignored him, keeping her hands over her face.

Song Chengyi gently pulled her hands away.

Luo Yixia met his gaze again.

Her cheeks were flushed, as red as an apple—tempting to bite.

Naturally, Song Chengyi did just that.

“Hey, Song Chengyi, are you part dog? Why do you bite people?” Luo Yixia protested, covering her left cheek.

“Hmm? Shall I try somewhere else?” Song Chengyi mused aloud.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips.

When the kiss ended, Luo Yixia looked even more adorable.

Her eyes were misty, her cheeks pink, lips bright red.

Song Chengyi’s gaze darkened as he pressed her head gently and kissed her again.

He seemed dissatisfied, and his kisses trailed to her forehead, her brows, her eyes, her cheeks—softly, slowly.

Luo Yixia felt dizzy, uncomfortable, a little scared, yet expectant.

Song Chengyi’s large hand wandered to her waist, slipping beneath her loose pajamas.

When his hand touched her bare skin, both of them shivered.

Wherever his hand touched, Luo Yixia felt discomfort, as if flames were licking her.

Gradually, fear overcame her; she tensed, unable to move.

Song Chengyi sensed it and stopped, withdrawing his hand and burying his head in the crook of her neck.

Luo Yixia slowly came back to herself...

Why did he stop? No, don’t stop... Did he know how long she’d waited for this moment?

“Song Chengyi, are you even a man? Why did you stop so easily?” Luo Yixia blurted out her thoughts.

A second passed, then another; neither spoke or moved.

Luo Yixia wondered why she’d been so reckless, why she’d said it out loud.

Song Chengyi laughed quietly in her ear. “Luo Yixia, don’t you know whether I’m a man or not?”