Shu Yu hesitated before hitting “Accept.”
Since they were already roommates, she should try—just try—to get along peacefully.
LittleFishSwimming: Thank you.
Outside, Si Yiheng had switched to yet another factory, this time doing robot repairs, and this time he’d done his research.
Base salary was three thousand, with commissions based on the difficulty of the repair—the hardest jobs paid three hundred per robot.
Si Yiheng had repair knowledge stored in his head, and this identity of his also came with two years of repair experience. It was the fastest, lowest-cost job he could find.
He’d just finished his onboarding paperwork when he got the notification that Shu Yu had accepted his friend request.
The cold, heavy look in Si Yiheng’s eyes finally softened—just a little.
ATM: No need to thank me. I’ve just done it a lot.
Only then did Shu Yu pick up her bowl and eat. After finishing, she washed the dishes and went to the living room to draw.
Today seemed to be a lucky day—she got two more commissions.
After the platform took its cut, she would earn 332.5.
Shu Yu curved her lips, humming a tune as she hugged her tablet and kept sketching.
Once she made more money, she could eat better and move somewhere nicer.
Shu Yu felt like her standards were so low.
But then again, she figured, maybe living an ordinary life was just about wanting better food, a better place to stay, and better fun.
Right now, she was just an ordinary, free, and broke person.
Meanwhile—
Si Yiheng lifted a robotic arm into place, grease staining his clothes, sweat pouring down.
By the end of the day, his commission totaled five hundred.
Si Yiheng showered and changed before heading home.
When he reached the building, he looked up at the dim yellow glow on the sixth floor.
Suddenly it felt like a dream to him.
He had come to her world. He could see her. He could even be this close to her.
He had to work harder—he wanted to give his little princess a better life.
She deserved to be held in someone’s hands and cherished forever.
At the sound of the door opening, Shu Yu instinctively retreated to her room, leaving the freshly cooked instant noodles untouched on the table.
Si Yiheng glanced at her noodles, then at her closed door.
He took the groceries into the kitchen and made three dishes and a soup.
After cooking, Si Yiheng texted Shu Yu.
ATM: Are you still going to eat your noodles?
Shu Yu: !!!
Shu Yu bit her lip. If she said yes, it would make it obvious she was wary of this “ATM.” He came home, and she wouldn’t even eat dinner.
Shu Yu felt like that wasn’t right.
Biting her lip, she replied.
LittleFishSwimming: No, I’m not eating them anymore.
ATM: I made too much food again, I can’t finish it. Could you come out and help me eat some?
Iron Egg: [You should add a Bugles emoji; it makes you seem more approachable.]
Si Yiheng was confused. “What’s a Bugle?”
Iron Egg: [It’s this ^^]
Si Yiheng: “This makes Baby Yu think I’m easy to talk to?”
Iron Egg: [Guaranteed.]
Shu Yu was just reading ATM’s message when a “^^” suddenly popped up in the chat.
Shu Yu: “?”
That’s, uh… kind of an unexpected contrast?
Shu Yu thought it over—sooner or later they’d have to meet face to face anyway. This morning she’d even eaten his food. She should say thank you, and also talk about splitting the electricity, water, and internet bills.
Shu Yu gave herself a little encouragement and opened the door.
Si Yiheng was sitting at the table. The man had sharp, well-defined features, deep-set brows, and a pair of cool, calm eyes. His demeanor was cold and refined, completely out of place in the rundown rental.
Shu Yu: “?”
Si Yiheng’s gaze also settled on Shu Yu. He had imagined the girl would be pretty—after all, her parents and brother were all attractive.
Her eyes were dark and glistening, her lashes long and fine, her lips naturally rosy without any makeup. Her skin was as fair as snow, innocent yet striking.
Like a camellia blooming in full, just past its peak.
Si Yiheng: “Come eat?”
Shu Yu nodded, still dazed. “Mm, okay.”
Shu Yu sat down and saw the three dishes and a soup on the table: cola chicken wings, stir-fried double crisp, and sautéed baby bok choy.
The soup was tomato and egg drop.
Shu Yu felt like she could faint from the smell alone.
A fairy-tale roommate?
Si Yiheng picked up a bowl and served rice for Shu Yu, his movements elegant and unhurried.
Shu Yu couldn’t help but glance at his hands—long-fingered, with clear veins running beneath the skin. She wanted to clutch at her chest. She had a thing for hands, and his were way too perfect.
But there was a small wound on one finger.
Shu Yu’s lashes fluttered. “You… cut yourself?”
Si Yiheng set the bowl in front of her and smiled gently. “No—I got scratched while fixing a robot today.”
Shu Yu: “!!!”
Shu Yu bit her chopsticks. “You…”
“Do you think a job like mine is beneath you?”
Si Yiheng looked a little hurt, his long lashes drooping low and casting a shadow beneath his eyes.
The elegant, refined man suddenly looked almost pitiful.
Shu Yu quickly spoke up. “No, that’s not it. I just feel bad about your hand. If I had money…”
If she had money, she’d give him a ton of it to be her hand model. Maybe even insure his hands.
Shu Yu was lost in thought when Si Yiheng said, “Sorry, I don’t sell my body.”
Shu Yu snapped back. “Huh?”
Si Yiheng: “Weren’t you about to say—if you had money, you’d keep me?”
Shu Yu: (ⓛωⓛ)
The tips of Shu Yu’s pale ears turned crimson. “I—I’m not that kind of person.”
How did she end up looking like someone who lusted after a man’s looks?
Shu Yu accidentally met Si Yiheng’s eyes and felt like she’d been scalded.
Si Yiheng looked at her. “Mm, I believe you.”
Shu Yu’s head nearly buried itself in her rice. Si Yiheng picked up some food and put it on her plate. “Is it not tasty?”
Shu Yu: “It’s tasty.”
Si Yiheng kept adding to her plate. “Then eat more.”
Shu Yu: “Okay.”
Si Yiheng watched the girl quietly as she stuffed her cheeks full. He found it adorable—and also painful.
He had no idea how Shu Yu had been living all these years.
Back then, her eyes had been so bright, her smile so radiant.
After the meal, Shu Yu moved to wash the dishes, but Si Yiheng beat her to it. “Let me. If you don’t mind, could you just sit there and keep me company?”
“I was abandoned by my family when I was young. I’ve always been alone. I’ve always wanted someone to be with me.”
Something in Shu Yu’s chest gave a soft thud.
She understood—she’d been lonely too.
Shu Yu obediently sat nearby while Si Yiheng washed the dishes.
“You… what’s your name?” Shu Yu kept her head lowered, fiddling with her fingers.
Si Yiheng paused mid-motion and looked at her. “My name is Si Yiheng.”
Shu Yu murmured, “Mm… I’m Shu Yu.”
“From now on…”
Shu Yu stopped mid-sentence. She felt a little dizzy, unsure how she’d stepped out of her room.
How she’d ended up eating a meal with Si Yiheng.
And how she’d almost agreed to something that would tie them even closer together.
Shu Yu was lost in thought when Si Yiheng finished her unfinished words.
“Xiaoyu—from now on, let’s take care of each other.”
