Chapter 4: I Already Have a Boyfriend!

Lin Shanshan bit her lower lip with her pearly white teeth, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Lose? So what if I lose? At worst, I’ll just agree to do something for you. Tell me, do you want money or something else?"

"Can I have you?" Lin Yuan asked with a hint of mischief. He quite liked her—who could resist a beautiful, vibrant young girl?

"No way! I’m warning you, don’t even think about it. I already have a boyfriend!" Lin Shanshan gritted her teeth, her tone fierce.

"Forget it, then. I’m not really interested in an airport anyway," Lin Yuan replied, casting a glance at her figure before shaking his head with a sigh.

"You—!" Lin Shanshan was furious. That was her sore spot—how dared he say it out loud? Wasn’t he afraid of offending her?

"Second Miss, the chairman instructed me to take Young Master Lin to the mall tonight to buy some daily necessities. He’ll officially start work tomorrow," the butler announced.

"Got it!" Lin Shanshan replied impatiently.

The butler shook his head, hoping the two youngsters could get along.

"I have things to do, I’ll take my leave," the butler said, departing.

Once they were alone, Lin Shanshan issued a cold warning: "Hey, bumpkin, real life isn’t some novel. As the second young lady of the Lin family, there’s no way anything will happen between me and a country boy like you. Don’t even dream about it!"

Lin Shanshan was a modern girl, and she’d watched those web series adapted from novels—those feel-good dramas about dragon kings returning or invincible youths descending from the mountains. She never thought such a thing would happen to her; it left her speechless.

"Relax. I’m not interested in AA," Lin Yuan replied.

"Not interested in—wait, what did you just say?!" Lin Shanshan’s voice shot up several octaves, glaring at him in outrage.

Lin Yuan couldn’t be bothered with her and went inside.

"Bastard!" Lin Shanshan raised her dainty fists and gritted her teeth. "Just wait—I’ll get you back for this!"

…

Lin Yuan was assigned a room on the first floor. Lin Shanshan tossed him a few hundred yuan and said coolly, "Here’s some money. Go buy yourself some daily supplies at the supermarket. But before you leave, make me dinner—I’m hungry!"

"I’m a bodyguard, not a cook." Lin Yuan was cleaning the room, a little exasperated. Rich girls were really hard to please.

She couldn’t even cook—thank goodness he wasn’t marrying her, or he’d be in for a world of trouble.

"You have to eat too, don’t you? Just make an extra portion for me. I’ll pay you for it if you must," Lin Shanshan said with a look of disdain, as if he were terribly dense.

"Fine, I’m hungry too," Lin Yuan nodded. He didn’t see the problem, and besides, he’d earn a little money.

"There are ingredients in the kitchen. Cook whatever you like—as long as it’s edible, I can accept it," Lin Shanshan said before heading upstairs.

She had just arranged to play games with her boyfriend—tonight, they’d team up as a couple and show off.

Lin Yuan finished tidying up and headed to the kitchen.

The kitchen was spotless and well-equipped. Fortunately, he’d spent some time in a small town at the foot of the mountain and quickly figured out how everything worked.

There was a free-range chicken, a fish, and some Chinese broccoli in the fridge.

"This chicken looks good. Too bad there’s nothing for soup," he muttered.

After thinking for a moment, he returned to his room, rummaged through his burlap sack, and took out some five-finger root, which he used to make chicken soup.

An hour later.

The chicken soup, braised fish, and poached greens were ready, steaming hot.

Just as Lin Shanshan finished her game and came downstairs, she clutched her little stomach, looking listless from hunger.

"Hey, bumpkin, is the food ready yet?"

…

As she reached the first floor, she sniffed the air, her adorable nose twitching.

"It smells so good, so creamy and rich!"

Surprised and expectant, she walked toward the kitchen.

"I was just about to call you," Lin Yuan said, having just finished washing the pots. "Come and eat."

The dishes looked and smelled wonderful, accompanied by a pot of rice.

"Not bad," Lin Shanshan said as she scooped some rice into her bowl. Just as she sat down, her phone buzzed nonstop—it was her boyfriend messaging.

She replied briefly, then started eating.

The first sip of the sweet, fragrant chicken soup made her eyes widen in disbelief.

"What did you use to cook this? You didn’t put coconut milk in, did you? That stuff’s all chemicals and artificial flavoring. Don’t use it next time."

It wasn’t that she hated such things, but she was allergic to some chemicals. She’d only ever eaten natural foods growing up.

"I used herbs," Lin Yuan replied.

Lin Shanshan relaxed—herbs were natural.

She hadn’t expected this guy to know how to use wild herbs to make soup.

It was delicious!

"Not bad, I suppose—barely edible," Lin Shanshan commented.

"Then why are you eating so fast?" Lin Yuan teased.

"I am not eating fast!" Lin Shanshan quickly slowed down, eating in a more refined manner.

"If you don’t like it, I’ll just eat more. No point letting it go to waste," Lin Yuan said, picking up the pace.

"You jerk, leave some for me!" Lin Shanshan cursed inwardly. He’d already eaten half the chicken!

Suddenly, an idea struck her. "Why are you eating so much? Save some for my sister—she won’t have time to cook after work!"

She got up to fetch a lunchbox.

Her phone started buzzing again.

While she was away, Lin Yuan took a quick peek at the screen.

The messages read:

Brother Shang: How about you wear this next time?

Brother Shang: I still like twin ponytails best.

Before he could make sense of it, Lin Shanshan returned, and he quickly looked away, focusing on his food.

Lin Shanshan packed away some dishes for her sister, ignoring her buzzing phone.

"Your phone’s ringing," Lin Yuan reminded her.

Lin Shanshan switched it to silent mode.

"Someone’s texting you. Aren’t you going to reply?" Lin Yuan asked deliberately.

"What’s it to you?" Lin Shanshan retorted, sitting down to continue eating.

As if she’d bother replying—if she did, he’d eat up all the food, and it was rare to have such a delicious meal.

When it comes to good food, what’s a boyfriend worth? Can you eat him?

Well, you could, but he doesn’t taste as good.

After the meal, Lin Shanshan tossed Lin Yuan a thousand yuan. "Here—this month’s cooking fee. If you do well, there’ll be a raise next month."

She put her hands on her hips, looking proud. "Be grateful for my generosity!"

"That’s not much. It’s hardly enough," Lin Yuan grumbled. He could earn several hundred yuan a day digging herbs in the mountains.

"You should be glad you’re getting anything! I’m only asking you to make an extra portion. If you don’t like it, go eat out!" Lin Shanshan huffed. He wasn’t even grateful, and she was already a generous employer—at least she wasn’t stringing him along.

"Forget it, the stuff outside isn’t that healthy anyway," Lin Yuan conceded.

"Then just cook obediently. When my sister comes back, explain things to her—maybe she’ll give you a hardship allowance too," Lin Shanshan suggested, uncharacteristically helpful.

"Alright," Lin Yuan replied with a nod.

"And did you tear up that marriage contract?" Lin Shanshan asked.

"I burned it," Lin Yuan answered nonchalantly.

Though the engagement was off, he didn’t care—there wasn’t just one beautiful woman in the world.

"That’s better. At least you know your place," Lin Shanshan remarked with satisfaction before heading upstairs.

…

The next morning.

Lin Yuan made himself a bowl of noodles for breakfast.

He’d just started eating when a stunning woman walked in.

Lin Yuan looked up and was momentarily stunned.

What a beautiful woman!

Her features were flawless, her skin like snow—perfect and unblemished. Yet her expression was icy, devoid of warmth.

She had a fantastic figure—long legs, a slender waist, and flowing black hair.

Dressed in a fitted business suit that exuded professional competence, her mesmerizing black silk-clad legs captivated Lin Yuan’s gaze.

Lin Weiwei stood at the door, her cold eyes fixed on him.

Lin Yuan felt awkward under her stare. "Um…"

"Why didn’t you make another bowl?" Lin Weiwei asked coolly, her voice emotionless.

"You didn’t say anything last night," Lin Yuan replied matter-of-factly. So what if she was beautiful? She was cold as ice, as if he owed her money.

"I forgot," Lin Weiwei said calmly. "I’ve heard about your situation. We’re sorry about the broken engagement. I’ll try to make it up to you."

"No need. I’ll stay with the Lin family for six months, then leave. I’ll repay what my master owed," Lin Yuan refused her kindness. He was capable; he didn’t need compensation from the Lin family.

"Alright," Lin Weiwei responded coolly. "Make me a bowl of noodles."

"I’m a bodyguard, not a cook," Lin Yuan repeated.

"One hundred yuan for your trouble," Lin Weiwei offered.

With a slap, Lin Yuan put down his chopsticks, grabbed some noodles, and began cooking—a swift, fluid motion.

Seeing that she hadn’t moved and was still watching him, he quipped, "Do you like watching me cook noodles?"

Lin Weiwei remained silent, her gaze unwavering.

"If you want to watch a handsome guy, that’ll cost extra," Lin Yuan added.

"Where’s the handsome guy?" Lin Weiwei replied.

"Uh…" Lin Yuan touched his face. That couldn’t be right—he was at least a little handsome.

How could he not be?