Binhai, Central Avenue, Block B, Gangwan Residential Complex.
“Come in.”
Chu You bent down to untie her shoelaces, her tone unmistakably reluctant.
Two hours ago, she had been forced to accept the job of Lin Mo’s personal assistant, and now, everything about this bastard grated on her nerves.
Chu You hopped on one foot to slip off her shoes, leaning against the wall, pinching the cuff of her white cotton socks with her right hand and slowly pulling them down.
When the socks slipped to her ankles, someone’s gaze flicked downward and caught sight of her slender ankles and the slight arch of her instep.
Once the socks were completely off, Chu You’s bare feet were fully exposed to Lin Mo’s view—her toes were long and clean, with a faint flush along the edges of her soles.
Chu You gently rolled up the socks and stuffed them into her shoes.
Lin Mo’s gaze lingered unabashedly on Chu You’s elegant ankles and smooth insteps, his tone admiring: “Assistant Chu, nice foot shape.”
Chu You snapped her head up and shot him a fierce glare, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment and irritation.
She slipped on her slippers and marched inside, throwing out a sharp retort, “Cut the crap, change your shoes!”
Lin Mo leisurely slipped on his slippers and strolled into the living room, his eyes sweeping over the minimalist décor as he nodded in approval.
“Hm, decent taste. Living here should be comfortable.”
“Who says I’m staying here later?” Chu You flopped onto the sofa, unable to help but retort bitterly. “A Golden Crow-class Swordsman like you gets reassigned without even having a place to live? Headquarters can’t be that stingy.”
“They arranged it,” Lin Mo said smoothly, leaning on the armrest of the sofa and leaning toward Chu You with a playful smile. “But there’s no place like home, right?”
The way he said “home” was loaded with ambiguous meaning.
Chu You was so angry she grabbed a cushion intending to throw it at him but, thinking about her current predicament, forced herself to hold back and turned her head away, grinding her teeth.
“Listen,” Chu You pointed down the corridor, “there are four rooms. I’m taking the master bedroom, the one opposite is now the esports room—also mine. The other two are yours to pick from. There aren’t extra sheets or blankets, so buy your own!”
Lin Mo didn’t budge at her words; instead, he smiled even more delightfully.
“Senior, it seems you’ve forgotten your current status… As my personal assistant, do I really need to handle these trivial daily chores myself?”
He straightened up and said with an air of entitlement, “Please buy a set of sheets and blankets for me and make sure to clean the room thoroughly. I’ll inspect it later, Assistant Chu.”
The final “Assistant Chu” was said with both amusement and teasing, instantly igniting Chu You’s anger.
“Lin Mo! Don’t push your luck!” Chu You suddenly stood up.
“Oh?” Lin Mo pulled out his phone, hovering his finger over the screen, feigning surprise.
“Could it be that you’ve never followed the official Swordsman’s account? Headquarters announced that a certain Golden Crow-class Swordsman was found to be a demon spy and has been executed… but I don’t think that news is entirely reliable.”
Hearing that, Chu You instantly deflated like a burst balloon, frozen on the spot.
That bastard only knows how to use that to threaten her!
Chu You clenched her fists so tightly her nails bit into her palms, eyes blazing with fury as she barely squeezed out, “…Fine, I’ll go.”
Saying that, she got up and headed for the door.
Watching Chu You’s angry yet helpless back, Lin Mo leisurely added, “Remember to pick softer fabric, Senior. Hurry up; I’ve got important work to assign tonight~”.
Chu You’s steps faltered, her shoulders tensing noticeably, but she didn’t turn back and slammed the door behind her.
Night was falling.
Wrapped in her coat, Chu You walked through the residential complex, her expression cold and distant, her mind filled with curses for that shameless bastard upstairs.
Her peaceful retirement life had been shattered.
All because of that dog Lin Mo!
Chu You still couldn’t understand—her fake death plan had been executed so perfectly.
Her new identity and assets had been transferred through highly secretive channels and left untouched for half a year before being used.
How could that guy Lin Mo have found out she wasn’t dead, tracked her all the way to Binhai so quickly, and still have time to plot revenge?
This situation was already frustrating enough, and thinking about Lin Mo’s ill intentions made her heart sink even further.
Reawakening the Oracle had to be put back on the agenda… the longer she delayed, the more dangerous her situation would become.
Thinking of this, Chu You’s steps slowed.
She had long known—and mentally prepared—that using the Oracle to awaken [Resonance of Rebirth] would cause the Oracle to fall silent.
But the fake death plan had been urgent, and all she had found out was that reawakening the Oracle required finding the [Predestined Anchor].
So… what exactly was the Predestined Anchor?
The dusk deepened as Chu You pondered, rounding a corner.
“Bang!”
She collided headlong with a small figure who hadn’t been prepared.
The black plastic bag the other person was clutching dropped with a dull thud.
Chu You took a half step back, immediately apologizing, “Sorry, I didn’t see you coming…”
The girl kept her head down, her tangled hair covering her face, trembling like a startled sparrow.
She crouched quickly—not to pick up the bag but to shield the bulging black plastic with her whole body, her arms wrapped around it tightly.
“Are you okay?” Chu You saw the unusual reaction and softened her voice to ask again.
But the girl suddenly stood, clutching the bag to her chest, staggering along the wall as she hurried away.
Her thin figure vanished quickly into the dark corridor.
Chu You was stunned in place, her fingertips still tingling from the cold, slightly elastic texture she had unintentionally touched on the bag.
A nameless chill spread through her bones.
She looked up toward the upper floors—whatever was inside that plastic bag was clearly no ordinary item.
She stood there a while longer, then, when the window on the left side of the fifth floor lit up, she finally left with a thoughtful expression.
Right across the complex was a marketplace.
It was just after eight, the busiest time of day.
Chu You headed straight to the living supplies section with a clear purpose.
She bought the cheapest complete set of sheets and blankets, and, in her “consideration,” also picked out the latest spicy hotpot-flavored toothpaste and toothbrush for Lin Mo, along with a fluffy pink rabbit towel and a dinosaur-themed set of pajamas.
After checking out, she carried her heavy bags home.
“Hm?”
As soon as she opened the door, a strong aroma awakened her hungry stomach.
Used to takeout meals, she hadn’t experienced this kind of homely, comforting smell for a long time.
Chu You hurriedly changed into slippers and headed to the kitchen but stopped in front of the dining table—through the frosted glass door, she could see a vague but upright figure busy at the stove.
Compelled by some impulse, she walked to the kitchen doorway and leaned against the frame, peering inside.
Lin Mo had his back to her, wearing a noticeably small light-colored apron, tied in a loose knot in the middle of his broad back, outlining a triangular shape.
His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing well-proportioned forearm muscles that tensed slightly as he chopped.
His wrists protruded, and his long, strong fingers pressed on the ingredients.
His side profile, illuminated by the stove’s firelight, was sharp and deep; his jaw clenched tightly, his focused gaze calm as he watched the pot.
The hot oil in the pan bubbled cheerfully, while a clay pot simmered beside it, releasing a rich meaty aroma mixed with a fresh herbal scent—the very source that stirred her hunger.
For some reason, seeing this scene made Chu You’s nose tingle, and her resentment toward Lin Mo softened a little.
“Wash your hands, dinner’s ready.”
Lin Mo naturally sensed Chu You’s approach and said without turning around.
“Oh.”
Chu You didn’t argue and turned toward the bathroom, her expression somewhat awkward.
When she returned to the table after washing her hands, it was already laden with steaming dishes—stir-fried green peppers and pork, braised fish, tomato-braised beef brisket, and a dish of sautéed mushrooms.
“Looks good,” Chu You nodded with satisfaction, unable to wait to sit down and pick up her chopsticks. “Where did you get all these ingredients?”
Lin Mo shrugged off his apron and tossed it onto a nearby chair as he sat down, casually replying, “The logistics staff at the branch delivered them. Just made a call.”
Hearing that, Chu You froze mid-air with her chopsticks, a slight look of surprise crossing her face.
Across the table, Lin Mo looked up slightly, locking eyes with Chu You and tilting his head with a smile.
“Lin Mo!” Chu You slammed her chopsticks on the table, teeth gritting.
“You can have things delivered, but you still send me out to buy sheets and blankets? Are you seriously trying to mess with me?”
Lin Mo nonchalantly picked a slice of ginger from a plate, completely unfazed by Chu You’s accusations. He took his time to speak—.
“I hadn’t gotten a chance to say it before you rushed out.”
“Since Senior is so eager to welcome me home, I wouldn’t want to dampen that enthusiasm, right?”
(O_o)??
Chu You’s mouth dropped open, staring at Lin Mo in disbelief.
That bastard is leisurely eating like this.
That bastard… used to be so serious, how did he get so shameless now?
Where’s his face?
No, scratch that—he doesn’t even have one anymore?!
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