“Xiao Chen, you young people only have fun on your minds. You never think about the future at all. My An Xin is the same—every day she says she feels uncomfortable here, uncomfortable there. How can there be so much discomfort? When I was young…”
Hearing this nagging, lecturing tone, Ling Cheng’s brows furrowed more and more. Treating a college student like a middle schooler.
But out of politeness, Ling Cheng still listened to An Xin’s father finish speaking.
Even an outsider like him—if they didn’t match his way of thinking, he could lecture for ages. Ling Cheng dared not imagine how much pressure An Xin, as his daughter, had to endure on a daily basis.
“So what you’re saying is… An Xin isn’t working hard enough? In your opinion, she can’t support herself with her hobbies in the future?”
Hearing that last part, Ling Cheng couldn’t take it anymore and interrupted An Xin’s father early. He couldn’t tolerate anyone slandering his game’s artist—even if it was the artist’s father.
“Right, what use is painting? I gave her such a comfortable life, never shorted her on food or drink. And now? She just stays home painting all day and refuses to go to school.”
Hearing this, An Xin could no longer hold back her tears. She covered her mouth, trying not to make a sound.
Ling Cheng gently hugged her from behind, moved the phone away, and leaned close to her ear: “It’s okay, I’m here.”
“But the truth is you’re wrong, Uncle An. Even though I’m a junior and shouldn’t say this,” Ling Cheng said firmly, “in my opinion, An Xin’s painting skills can not only support herself—they can support a brilliant future.”
“Besides, in terms of finances, An Xin earned twenty thousand in royalties from her manga in three months, and this month her popularity has soared. Plus, as my game’s artist, her compensation has reached one hundred thousand. Tell me, how many jobs in the world can do that?”
Ling Cheng’s continuous speech silenced An Xin’s father. However, he didn’t believe his daughter could have such ability. “You young people, just to have fun, you make up all kinds of excuses. Really think money is that easy to earn, huh?”
“Uncle An, since you don’t believe me, I’ll send you my bank statement later. And you’re welcome to visit my company.” Ling Cheng didn’t want to waste words with him anymore. If he weren’t An Xin’s father, Ling Cheng wouldn’t have been so polite.
“But the visit will have to wait a week. After all, I’m in the process of signing the artist I consider most valuable—An Xin. I won’t keep you any longer. Goodbye.” With that, Ling Cheng hung up the phone directly, planning to turn around and comfort An Xin.
The moment he turned, An Xin kissed him.
After a brief moment, An Xin stepped back, a smile appearing on her tear-streaked face. “Thank you, A Chen.”
Before Ling Cheng could react, she softly asked, “To you, am I really the most valuable artist?”
“Of course. Only your art style matches the character designs I envision,” Ling Cheng answered without hesitation. “So to me, you are the most valuable artist. My game needs you.”
“Really? Really… I’m so happy.” Seeing the light in Ling Cheng’s eyes, An Xin knew he wasn’t lying.
Just as the atmosphere was both touching and ambiguous, Ling Cheng scratched his head. “Um… can I take a shower first?”
Though An Xin had calmed down and seemed to have temporarily left her Yandere state because of her father’s call, both of them were still naked.
Ling Cheng felt embarrassed too. His freshly unsheathed weapon had re-equipped itself.
“Then I’ll wait for you on the bed. Make sure you wash cleanly.” Having confirmed the spark in Ling Cheng’s eyes, An Xin obediently wrapped herself in a bathrobe and stepped out.
“Don’t say such weird things!” Ling Cheng started his shower. As the hot water ran through his hair, he began thinking about what to do next.
He vaguely sensed that An Xin’s twisted, insecure demeanor might be caused by family pressure.
For now, he’d just hung up on An Xin’s father. With controlling parents like that, they would definitely keep bothering her.
Next step was either to let An Xin completely ignore her parents—after all, her manga already supported herself—or to make her parents witness her current achievements and abilities firsthand.
…
Ling Cheng wrapped himself in a bathrobe and walked out while drying his hair. He immediately saw An Xin half-sitting on the bed, hugging a pillow.
The hotel pillow even had “YES or NO” written on it. An Xin had the “YES” side facing Ling Cheng.
Ling Cheng couldn’t help twitching his mouth. He even started considering sleeping on the floor tonight.
“Um… I want to hear your thoughts.” Though Ling Cheng had thought a lot in the shower, the final decision still required An Xin’s input.
An Xin pondered a moment, then looked at Ling Cheng seriously. “You can finish inside me—I’m in my safe period today.”
“Dammit, that’s not what I meant!” Ling Cheng almost transformed into a Tsukkomi role. “I meant about your father’s side. What are your thoughts?”
“In my opinion, you can either completely ignore him—since your manga already supports you—or choose to prove your earning ability to him. I will officially hire you as my artist going forward.”
Despite his joking, Ling Cheng was serious about An Xin’s matter and earnestly asked for her opinion.
“Then the first option. In the past, I might have been lost, but now I feel I have the confidence to face them.” An Xin’s tone was relaxed. In the twenty years of her life, she had never had such an easy day.
“True, since your income now…” Ling Cheng nodded in agreement.
An Xin just smiled and said nothing. Her confidence wasn’t from her income—it was from you, A Chen.
Though this wasn’t true self-confidence or strength, for An Xin, it might be the best way to survive.
She had only just broken free from her reins. Even if allowed to run, she would be timid.
But with Ling Cheng by her side, it was different. Ling Cheng had given color to her pale world. Ling Cheng had given her the courage to live.
She could relax now only because she heard him say, ‘I need you.’
“In that case, I’ll sleep on the floor.” Since the hotel had heating, even the floor wouldn’t be cold. Ling Cheng started looking for something to sleep on.
“Sleep with me. I promise I won’t get handsy.” An Xin said this while still hugging the “YES” pillow tightly.
Ling Cheng felt this sounded like something a scumbag would say, but thinking that An Xin’s emotions had just stabilized, maybe she really needed him by her side.
“Alright then.” Ling Cheng changed into his pajamas. The moment he got into bed, An Xin hugged him tightly.