The night was hazy, the starry river resplendent.
It was just the beginning of autumn, but Cloud City’s temperature still felt somewhat hot and restless.
Inside the apartment, Liu Yun had just finished her shower, walking into the living room in a bathrobe, towel in hand as she dried her hair.
But at that moment, she remembered what the young man had said to her earlier today when he used Hypnosis on her.
“Let my hair grow out…?”
Liu Yun muttered softly, subconsciously feeling that she should do just that. Was that guy’s Hypnosis really so terrifying?
But if she really did let her hair grow long, she’d surely be beautiful, wouldn’t she?
As soon as Liu Yun had this thought, she snapped out of it, quickly shaking her head.
Pah, pah, pah—how could she think like that? She was a man, after all; being beautiful had nothing to do with her!
While Liu Yun was busy reinforcing her masculine self-image, the phone she’d left on the table suddenly started ringing.
She picked it up and glanced at it, then put it right back down.
No need to even ask—of course it was that bastard Lin Xiu calling. She didn’t have the slightest desire to answer.
But obviously, the other party had no sense of self-awareness and kept calling persistently.
Watching the phone ring non-stop, Liu Yun finally sighed and picked up.
“Hello?”
“Secretary Yun, why did you take so long to answer?”
Once the call connected, the young man’s resentful voice drifted out from the other end.
Liu Yun had already set the phone aside, trimming her toenails as she replied.
“Oh, sorry, I was just in the shower.”
Hearing the perfunctory tone on the line, Lin Xiu was speechless. If you’re going to make up an excuse, at least sound a little more convincing, won’t you!
Thinking this, he spoke up.
“Secretary Yun, I’m hungry.”
Liu Yun paused, then responded indifferently with a simple “Oh.”
Lin Xiu glared at the phone.
“Huh? And?”
Liu Yun’s hand paused mid-trim, her tone a bit confused.
“And what? If you’re hungry, eat something.”
Lin Xiu’s face darkened, his voice full of melancholy.
“Secretary Yun, I do want to eat, but I’m out of money. Do you want me to starve to death?”
At these words, Liu Yun finally remembered what the young man had told her today. It seemed she was supposed to handle all his expenses, then get reimbursement from the Chairman later…
Thinking of this, Liu Yun was left speechless.
“You really don’t have a single cent on you?”
Surely he didn’t pay for everything with a card?
Lin Xiu replied in all seriousness.
“Mm, not a single cent.”
Liu Yun rubbed her forehead, sighing.
“I really can’t win with you. Fine, I’ll transfer you some money first.”
Just as she picked up her phone to make the transfer, the young man’s annoying voice sounded again.
“No need to transfer money. Secretary Yun, you just need to pay for me directly. Wait.”
Liu Yun was stunned, not understanding what he meant. She was about to ask, but the call was abruptly ended.
Seeing this, Liu Yun rolled her eyes, tossed the phone aside, and complained,
“What the—what a weirdo!”
She had barely finished speaking when a sudden knock came at the door.
Startled, Liu Yun immediately realized something and hurried barefoot to the door. Peeking through the peephole, sure enough, she saw the face of that infuriating young man…
At this, a hint of panic flashed in Liu Yun’s eyes. She was just about to open the door but, seeing her current state, her hand stopped mid-air.
Although he already knew she was actually a woman, neither of them had openly acknowledged it. She still had to put on an act.
With this in mind, Liu Yun hurried back to her room, picked up a white cloth and wrapped it around her chest, then changed into men’s clothes…
After quite a while, Liu Yun finally opened the door. The young man was leaning against the wall, chewing gum.
“Secretary Yun, you really took your time opening the door! I thought maybe you had a gas leak or something.”
Liu Yun shot him a glare. A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory—your home’s the one with a gas leak!
“Xiao Lin…Master, how did you know I live here?”
Lin Xiu put on a wounded look, sighing emotionally.
“Secretary Yun, we’re neighbors, aren’t we? I may have just moved in recently, but your surprise still hurts my feelings.”
Liu Yun was taken aback. She had guessed since the last Hypnosis session that the young man must live nearby, but she hadn’t expected he’d be right next door.
But what could she do? Ever since she’d become a woman, she rarely went out to avoid being discovered, much less maintained any neighborly relations.
“Ah, I see. What a coincidence…”
Left with no choice, Liu Yun gave an awkward smile, then tilted her head.
“So, what did you mean earlier on the phone?”
Lin Xiu turned to leave, glancing back.
“You’ll see if you follow me.”
Even though Liu Yun’s heart was full of reluctance, she had no choice but to change shoes and follow behind him.
Soon the two of them arrived at the supermarket downstairs. Only then did Lin Xiu explain.
“If you just transfer me money, all I can do is order takeout. But takeout isn’t healthy, right? So it’s better to buy ingredients and cook at home. Though I don’t know how to cook, of course.”
At first, Liu Yun nodded in agreement, but when she heard the last part, she froze.
“You don’t know how to cook. So you mean…”
Lin Xiu looked at her seriously and said solemnly,
“Yeah, so Secretary Yun, I’m counting on you.”
At this moment, Liu Yun was truly at a loss.
“Wait, why should I cook for you? I’m not your mom, and I’m not your servant either. I’m not doing it.”
Don’t wage slaves have any rights or boundaries at all?
But faced with her refusal, the young man immediately put on a pitiful face, speaking with heartfelt emotion.
“Sigh, alright, it’s only natural for Secretary Yun to refuse. Even though my grandfather asked you to teach me well, even though I’ve always respected you as an elder, you’re not obligated to cook for me…”
“So be it. Just let me starve to death at home…”
Anyone could see the young man was clearly faking it, but Liu Yun was helpless.
After a long while, Liu Yun sighed deeply.
“Alright, alright, I’ll cook for you, okay? Just stop showing off your lousy acting.”
Lin Xiu immediately dropped the melodramatic expression, reverting to his usual irreverent look with a faint smile.
“Secretary Yun, you really can’t bear to see me starve. I’ll ask my grandfather to give you a raise.”
Liu Yun ignored him, sulking as she picked out ingredients.
If this guy really respected her as an elder, he wouldn’t have used Hypnosis on her in the first place.
He was a bona fide scoundrel. She must never let her guard down just because he was at that rebellious age…
Soon, the two of them finished picking out ingredients. Lin Xiu used his fingerprint to open the door of his apartment, making a “please” gesture to Liu Yun.
“Secretary Yun, please come in.”
Standing at the doorway, Liu Yun looked into the pitch-black room, hesitating.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that this place was like a bottomless abyss—one step inside, and she might never come out again…