A modest gift carries deep affection.

“Where’s your formal apprenticeship ceremony?” Chu Fengyi snapped out of her surprise.

“I’m your brother-in-law. If an elder bows to you, wouldn’t that shorten your life?”

“So now you’re my brother-in-law again? You really… But you are the first person who wants to learn martial arts from me, so I’ll reluctantly accept.”

“All right, all right.”

“Then let’s start now.”

“Start what?”

“Apprenticeship. Isn’t that when you begin learning?”

Xu Lin was momentarily stunned. Something didn’t feel right. This was supposed to be a delaying tactic to keep her from picking fights with him, so why was she so eager to take on the role of teacher?

“Since I’m the master, I must be responsible.”

She smiled lightly, but Xu Lin felt even more uncomfortable than if she’d just punched him.

“Um, Fengyi, I’m not feeling well today. Your punches earlier left me with internal injuries. Let’s talk about this tomorrow.”

Xu Lin clutched his chest and hobbled over to Chu Qingchan.

“I’ll come find you tomorrow. If you have another excuse, don’t blame your master for dragging you over.”

“All right, all right!”

Watching Xu Lin walk farther away, she muttered to herself, “That footwork is interesting. I must get it out of him.”

Xu Lin and Chu Qingchan returned upstairs, while Chu Fengyi left, saying she’d find him first thing in the morning.

Xu Lin, however, thought to himself that he wasn’t unemployed—he had school. She could look for him wherever she liked.

“By the way, Chu Qingchan, was your sister born with superhuman strength? She’s unbelievable.”

“She wasn’t like this as a child—actually, she was even frailer than me. When she was six, she left home to study and train elsewhere for a few years. After that, she just kept getting stronger.”

“But more than that, I’m amazed you could dodge her moves. I couldn’t even see what she was doing, but you managed to avoid her attacks.”

“Did you never want to learn martial arts?”

“My father always said I wasn’t suited for it. Otherwise, who wouldn’t want to be a heroine?”

“I suppose you’re right. With that icy expression and martial arts skills, you’d look so cool. By the way, is your cold face natural, or did something cause it?”

Xu Lin finally asked the question that had always lingered in his mind. After all, many people with such expressions developed them as a psychological shield after experiencing hardships.

“It’s just how I am. My mother’s similar, though she’s better at keeping up a polite smile in public. As soon as I relax, my expression just turns cold on its own.”

“But you can still smile and cry, can’t you?”

“If I couldn’t even do that, I’d need to see a doctor. That would be an illness.”

“True enough. I’ll go do the dishes, tidy up, and get ready to head to Miss Guan’s place.”

“I’ve already been in touch. We just need to arrive around three in the afternoon.”

“You know, you’re making me a bit nervous.”

“What’s there to be nervous about? Miss Guan might be called the ‘Demon King Guan,’ but she’s actually quite kind. She just gets very serious when it comes to music.”

“Mm.”

He nodded and opened the system. With only seventeen thousand points left, he hoped his singing, now at level two, would earn the teacher’s approval.

After finishing the dishes, Xu Lin’s parents returned, but Ji Yun didn’t come back—she went straight home. Xu Lin also received her message that she wouldn’t be coming over to study today.

That girl, staying home alone and not letting me come over. It’s not like I’m a creep. Am I that kind of person?

After one o’clock, Xu Lin played two ranked games before Chu Qingchan interrupted him.

“Aren’t you going to get ready?”

“Didn’t you say there’s no need to be nervous?”

“I didn’t say you could play games, though.”

“This isn’t just playing games—it’s in-depth research into an investment project. See this game? In a few years, it’ll become an event as big as a sports competition.”

Chu Qingchan glanced at the little animated figures hopping around on the screen, feeling like Xu Lin was just talking nonsense.

“Believe it or not, when I have the funds, I’ll invest in a team. In a few years, I’ll definitely make money.”

“Where will you get the funds?”

“I’ll make money writing novels.”

“Writing novels? How many people read them?”

“It’s not about how many readers I have now. Once I get signed and get some recommendations, things will change.”

Seeing Chu Qingchan’s skeptical look, Xu Lin felt a bit indignant. Sure, his singing couldn’t compare to hers, and he wasn’t as good a student as Bai Xiaoxiao or Ji Yun, but when it came to writing, that was his own true skill—not something granted by the system. He believed the books that would become popular in the future could catch on now as well.

Ignoring his teammates’ friendly complaints, Xu Lin exited the game and opened his author dashboard. Looking at his thirty collections, he firmly believed that number would someday reach thirty thousand, or even three hundred thousand.

He refreshed the page before closing it, only to notice a new notification—a red dot had appeared!

“…No way.”

“What is it?”

“I think I made it.”

“Made what?”

“I got signed! Only fifteen thousand words, and I got a contract!” Xu Lin opened the message, feeling as if he’d floated right out of his chair.

The next second, he jumped up, grabbed Chu Qingchan, and lifted her up in joy. Yet, not being very strong, he only managed to raise her a dozen centimeters.

Feeling his arms wrapped around her waist, Chu Qingchan reflexively put her arms around him as well.

Xu Lin noticed her arms around him and gazed at her. Her face was different from usual now—radiant and alluring. He slowly leaned in.

Chu Qingchan grew nervous too, her eyelashes fluttering before she closed her eyes. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time.

But after a few seconds, she didn’t feel his kiss—only his head resting on her shoulder, warmth spreading from his breath along her neck.

“Xu Lin?” She opened her eyes to see his handsome face leaning on her shoulder.

“Last time, I let it go, but I can’t be impulsive. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be treating you responsibly. We’re not children anymore, are we?”

He looked at her seriously, let go, and felt he’d been too impulsive just now.

Honestly, did he really like Chu Qingchan? Or was it just her looks? If it was just that, what right did he have to touch her? That would only hurt her.

“Sorry…I got carried away. Last time, too. We’re not kids anymore. We shouldn’t be so impulsive.”

“Yes. If we truly fall for each other, let’s wait until we say it out loud before moving forward.”

“All right.”

Chu Qingchan smiled slightly. After so many years in the entertainment industry, she’d seen all kinds of men—successful businessmen, heirs, actors, directors, regular people. None of them were like him, so particular about these things. Yet…she found she rather liked this sincerity and sensitivity.

At two in the afternoon, Xu Lin and Chu Qingchan left home. Even if the host said not to bring gifts, you couldn’t really show up empty-handed.

A gift didn’t have to be expensive, but it had to be thoughtful. So Xu Lin headed to a pharmacy.

“Are you planning to buy some health supplements?”

“No, just some throat lozenges.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Sincerity matters more than the price.”