Day Six of Vacation.
Sang Lu spent the entire day cramming for the written driving test.
By lunchtime, she was so immersed that even the round serving platter on the dining table started looking like various road signs to her.
That night, she kept her phone in hand even while soaking in the bath.
Multitasking—bathing and quizzing herself.
The clock slowly ticked toward 10:35 PM.
Fresh out of the shower, Sang Lu was about to start her skincare routine with some music when her phone rang with a video call.
She didn’t even need to think to know who it was.
Her fingers still slick with eye cream, she tapped the "answer" button with her ring finger.
Then, cradling the phone between both palms, she propped it upright against the desk.
The screen flickered to life, revealing a face with striking bone structure.
Feng Yan’s deep, magnetic voice traveled through the speakers.
"Just finished showering?"
His gaze was steady, his eyes sharp and cool—the kind that could make anyone feel an unspoken pressure under their scrutiny.
But Sang Lu was long used to it.
She met his gaze with a bright smile.
"Yep, perfect timing as always."
Dabbing eye cream around her lids, she chatted away with a hint of pride:
"I’ve been acing my practice tests all day, scoring above ninety every time. Impressive, huh?"
As she spoke, Sang Lu used her phone screen as a mirror, pulling her hair back with a headband.
Bare-faced and utterly unfiltered.
Feng Yan had been calling her every night since he left for his business trip.
Sang Lu wasn’t sure when she’d become so comfortable around him—so unguarded.
She’d answer his calls even with a mud mask slathered on her face.
Paint her toenails mid-conversation without a second thought.
Or even wiggle her freshly polished toes at the camera to show off the color.
Feng Yan watched the screen intently, as if observing her skincare routine was the most fascinating thing.
The lavish hotel suite felt less cavernous with the sound of her lively voice filling the space, lightening the air around him.
His stern brows relaxed, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he humored her:
"Very impressive."
"What about you? What did you do today?"
Sang Lu wasn’t one to hog the conversation—she was genuinely curious about his day too.
"Still working on the merger case," he replied.
"Sounds like a tough one?"
"Not really."
Finished with her eye cream, she moved on to moisturizer, quirking a brow teasingly:
"Really? I don’t buy it. Come on, man, no need to tough it out."
Feng Yan paused for a beat.
On screen, the soft lighting sculpted his features even more sharply, the bridge of his nose casting a delicate shadow. His lashes lowered, softening his usual intensity as he let out a quiet chuckle.
Seeing him laugh made Sang Lu grin triumphantly.
Getting this stoic, reserved man to crack a smile had become her latest obsession.
Watching her radiant expression, Feng Yan’s cool eyes warmed with a fleeting mix of exasperation and fondness.
The subtle shift didn’t escape Sang Lu’s notice.
Her smile widened.
So satisfying.
Nothing beats a stern face breaking into a rare smile.
Having grown up obsessed with aloof anime male leads, she knew exactly how to appreciate this type of charm.
Just as she was reveling in her little victory, a notification popped up on her screen.
Feng Yan’s voice followed:
"Check your messages. Pick a license plate."
"That was fast!" Sang Lu marveled at his efficiency.
She minimized the video call and opened the image he’d sent—a list of over a dozen license plate numbers.
All of them were sleek, repeating digits, tailored to her preferences.
SL33399
SL99999
SL33333
SL99333
…
Her gaze trailed down, then stalled.
SF33999
SF99999
…
"SL" was obvious—her initials.
But "SF"?
"Shunfeng Express?" she wondered inwardly, referencing the delivery service.
Before she could voice the thought, Feng Yan spoke up, tone casual:
"I added some with my initials too. Feel free to pick any you like."
His words were straightforward, almost businesslike, but Sang Lu detected a hint of something else beneath them.
She blinked, studying his impassive face through the screen, then suddenly asked:
"Wait… are you still hung up on that thing?"
Feng Yan’s voice was even. "No."
Sang Lu paused. "…"
Ha.
He didn’t even ask what she meant before denying it.
Terrible liar.
Staring at his carefully neutral expression, she couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing.
"Those 'LS' initials on my old class schedule were written by a classmate, remember? I already told you that!"
She recalled how Feng Yan had crumpled that schedule into a tiny ball.
And his deadpan confession: "Tried being mature about it. Failed."
Now Sang Lu was shaking with laughter.
Had he really tried?
Doubtful.
He wasn’t even pretending anymore.
His possessiveness was practically on display.
Seizing the chance to brand her car, he’d slipped his own initials into the options.
Still giggling, she added:
"I never had feelings for Lu Sheng. Back then, everyone had a crush on him, so I thought I did too. Turned out it was just a misunderstanding—"
"Mm. I know."
Feng Yan cut her off before she could finish.
His dark eyes lifted to the screen, voice calm but firm:
"Let’s not talk about him."
He didn’t want to hear it.
Even if it was a misunderstanding.
Sang Lu watched the subtle crease form between his brows—that stoic face betraying just a flicker of irritation.
Her inner voice squealed:
So. Freaking. Cute.
She must’ve been sick in the head.
In the brief silence, she could practically picture Feng Yan ordering Fang Assistant to compile these license plates, all while maintaining that icy CEO demeanor.
Strangely enough, though, his brand of jealousy didn’t bother her.
If anything… it secretly pleased her.
Fine, let him be petty.
She’d be the bigger person.
Opening the image editor, Sang Lu circled one option in red and sent it back.
Generously declaring:
"All right, I’ve chosen. This one."
On the other end, Feng Yan’s gaze dropped to his screen.
His expression froze for a fraction of a second.
There, highlighted in red, was her pick:
[SF99999]
Suppressing the tremor in his voice, he replied, "Okay."
Skincare complete, Sang Lu flopped onto her bed.
Phone in hand, she continued chatting:
"I’ll speed up my lessons. Gotta get my license soon—I promised I’d take you for a drive, remember?"
Feng Yan hesitated.
"More practice tests tomorrow?"
"Not tomorrow," Sang Lu said.
She had other plans—ones she wasn’t ready to share yet.
"Good." His shoulders relaxed slightly.
Slow was better.
He wanted her car to bear his initials, but he wasn’t in a hurry for her to get behind the wheel.
He liked driving her to work.
Every day.
After a few more exchanges, they ended the call.
With the room suddenly silent again, Feng Yan sat back in his chair, momentarily dazed.
Business trips. Quiet nights apart.
Once, he had spent countless nights like this.
Alone, needing no company.
Disdaining even the thought of conversation.
Silence was the sole theme of his existence.
Yet now, he found himself unable to bear this very silence.
The hotel room carried the faint, elusive scent of luxury perfumes drifting to his senses.
He breathed shallowly.
Lost in thought—what fragrance might those countless bottles and jars she'd just used carry?
Suddenly, a self-mocking laugh escaped his chest.
Laughing at his former arrogance.
Laughing too at the self-control he'd once prided himself on.
All of it—every last shred—crumbled to dust the moment her vivid, radiant face flashed through his mind.
