Chapter 41

Yan Xiao was the only child of the Yan family, and the only girl in the Chen family’s younger generation. Since birth, she’d been the jewel in both families’ palms, their little princess.
But all that pampering had always come from family.
This, this was different.
Being cherished like this by someone with no blood relation, having someone create a dreamlike princess moment just for her, it was a first.
The feeling was strange, not bad, just new. It was a warmth that was different from the affection of parents and relatives, and it left her stunned.
She couldn’t even tell whether the rush in her chest was more shock or more emotion.
Under the soft, magical lights, she looked at Qiu Li’s faint, gentle smile, and for a moment, her heart simply stopped.
He stepped forward and carefully placed the crown on her head. Then he took a step back, bent slightly at the waist, one hand behind him and the other extended toward her.
Such simple movements, yet they struck her dumb.
She stood there like a statue, completely still.
Looking at the tall, elegant boy in front of her, something slammed hard against her chest.
She didn’t even realize she’d moved until her hand slipped into his.
Qiu Li’s smile deepened as he led her forward.
Her entire body felt light, floating, like she was walking on clouds. Everything felt unreal, except for the dry, steady warmth of his palm grounding her to the moment.
Seeing her dazed expression, Qiu Li lowered his eyes and laughed softly, voice full of quiet affection. “Do you like it?”
Yan Xiao was just about to nod,
[Ding! 970 points!]
Yan Xiao: “……”
It was like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head.
All the swirling emotions, shock, warmth, awe, froze solid in an instant, shattered into pieces, and evaporated into nothing.
Fake.
She bit her lip, whispering to herself: It’s all fake.
Even though she knew it rationally, her chest still ached, tight and breathless.
She glanced at Qiu Li again, her eyes complicated.
Could it be that the “villain” had gotten so fed up with her that he’d come up with this elaborate scheme to torment her?
Be nice to her, make her fall for you, and then drop her cold, humiliate her just to watch her squirm?
Looking at his impossibly handsome, smiling face, Yan Xiao’s suspicion only grew stronger.
What a schemer!
He was already dangerously good-looking, and now he was pulling moves like this? If it were any other girl, who could possibly resist?
Seeing she still hadn’t spoken, Qiu Li arched a brow. “Hmm?”
The spring night breeze was soft and cool, and that one little sound, low and lazy, was enough to make her ears go weak. Yan Xiao nearly shivered, forcing herself to smile instead. “I like it!”
Fine then, she thought. Let’s see who’s really the better player in this game.
Trying to trick me?
Hmph!
She touched the crown on her head. As manipulative as it was, she had to admit, Qiu Li was an excellent villain boss. He played his part to perfection, sparing no expense, blurring the line between real and fake so flawlessly that even she couldn’t tell which it was anymore.
And this diamond…well, it definitely wasn’t cheap.
Not to mention, it was gorgeous. All tricks aside, the crown itself, she really did like.
“When did you buy it?” she asked, curiosity winning out.
Qiu Li only smiled. “As long as you like it.”
Yan Xiao: “…”
Okay, that was smooth. Too smooth.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely after a pause.
Whatever else was going on, the crown on her head and the lights around her truly were beautiful.
Qiu Li led her to a swing surrounded by soft pink baby’s breath.
The swing was small and delicate, dreamy, almost. For once, Yan Xiao’s girlish heart completely overflowed. She told herself she’d just pretend it was real for tonight. She’d be rational again tomorrow.
Then Qiu Li took out a harmonica from his pocket and began to play.
The gentle notes of Happy Birthday floated through the quiet night air.
Suddenly, Yan Xiao felt her own birthday gift to him had been way too simple.
Even her watch, her gaze drifted to his wrist, seemed a little silly compared to all this. The red strap gleamed under the lights, and for some reason, her face grew warm.
Still, she was secretly relieved that Qiu Li was so effortlessly handsome, he could pull off even a bright red watch without looking tacky.
When the song ended and she was just about to clap, Qiu Li produced another small box.
Yan Xiao: “!!!”
“There’s more?” She was stunned. Even if this was some elaborate prank, wasn’t this too much effort? Did he really think that highly of her?
He opened the box with a smile. Inside was a simple but elegant geometric necklace.
“The crown isn’t something you can wear often,” he said softly. “But this one, you can. Both are your birthday gifts.”
If she didn’t know the truth, she probably would’ve melted right then and there.
Still, a gift was a gift.
Before he could ask if she liked it, she smiled and said, “Thank you. I love it.” And she meant it.
Qiu Li took out the necklace and fastened it around her neck himself.
When she glanced down, the pendant looked vaguely familiar, like she’d seen it somewhere before, but after thinking for a bit, she let it go.
“Anything else?” she asked, looking up at him expectantly, eyes bright.
After all this, if there was another surprise, she’d accept her defeat gracefully.
Qiu Li’s eyes flickered. Then he smiled. “What else do you want?”
Yan Xiao grinned. “Just kidding.”
The night air was perfect, the mood even better. They joked around in the courtyard for a while, until around ten-thirty. Yan Xiao still didn’t want to leave, but Qiu Li slung an arm around her shoulders and guided her firmly toward home.
“Go to bed early,” he said when they reached her door. He patted her head lightly. “Once the college entrance exams are over, I’ll keep you company as long as you want.”
Yan Xiao clutched a huge bundle of pink baby’s breath in her arms and sighed. “Fine.”
“Goodnight,” he said.
“Goodnight,” she replied.
Qiu Li stayed by the door, waiting until she went inside before turning to leave.
Yan Xiao took a few steps, then turned back, smiling at him. “Qiu Li”
He raised a brow.
“Thank you. For today.”
Maybe it was the quiet night, maybe it was the gentle breeze, but Qiu Li could hear his own heartbeat thudding fast and hard in his chest.
He watched her disappear inside, then finally turned to go.
The streetlight stretched his shadow long across the pavement. Stepping on it, he walked home with a rare, unguarded smile.
The big house was empty as always, but tonight, it felt full. His heart felt full.
He brought back armfuls of the pink baby’s breath from the yard, filling every vase in the living room and bedroom. Only after that did he shower.
When he came out in his pajamas, he didn’t go straight to bed. Instead, he sat at his desk and pulled open a drawer.
It was full, overflowing, actually, most of the things inside were from Yan Xiao.
He took out a box from the very back, identical to the one he’d given her.
Inside was a necklace.
The matching pair to hers.
He stared at it for a long time, tempted to try it on, then resisted.
Not yet. If he put it on now, he might never take it off.
He carefully returned the necklace to its place, tucking it deep in the drawer.
As he turned off the light and glanced back one last time, the soft glow from the window brushed over his pale skin and long lashes. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
He thought: I hope I can wear it soon. Best if it’s her who puts it on me.
Meanwhile, in the Yan household, Yan Xiao had just finished her shower. Before going to bed, she picked up a mirror and admired the necklace again.
So pretty!
She was still smiling when,
[Ding! 972 points!]
Yan Xiao: “……”
For the first time ever, she hated that stupid system and its out-of-nowhere notifications.

Author’s Note:
System: Don’t blame me for this! ╭(╯^╰)╮

Flower meaning of pink baby’s breath:
“I only wish to stay by your side, you are my indispensable one.”