A clear, melodious voice reached Xie Guanyan's ears through the air.
His body stiffened slightly.
Behind his glasses, his dark, glass-like eyes lifted in disbelief.
Standing at the top of the stairs was a young woman in a beautiful spaghetti-strap dress, her captivating peach-blossom eyes fixed on his hand.
His heart gave a violent throb.
His fingers clenched tightly into a fist, trying to stem the blood that was gushing out.
What should he do?
He must have scared Shanshan!
A trace of panic flickered in the eyes of the usually composed and aloof man, leaving him at a loss.
Adjusting his glasses with a single finger, he muttered, "It's... it's nothing."
But in the next second, the panic in his gaze was replaced by something sticky and exhilarated.
Shanshan was home!
Had Shanshan fought with Gu Jingchuan?
How delightful.
After learning a few dishes, Lin Mo returned to her room to read.
She would have to wait until her fourth brother was found before finalizing her school enrollment.
Otherwise, taking frequent leave would be troublesome.
When car headlights shone through the window, Lin Mo knew Xie Guanyan had returned.
She hurried downstairs.
Just as she reached the staircase, she saw blood dripping from his hand—a terrifying sight.
Quickening her steps, she approached Xie Guanyan and reached out to examine his left hand.
The man's skin was pale and cool, his fingers long and slender. When she lifted his hand, it was still clenched in a fist.
Blood seeped through his fingers—a stark contrast of red against white, striking to the eye.
"Open your hand, let me see!" Lin Mo's voice was laced with unmistakable concern.
The sensation of her soft, warm touch sent an electric current through Xie Guanyan's body. His heartbeat accelerated wildly, and a surge of pleasure rushed to the top of his head.
Shanshan was holding his hand again!
He didn’t want her to see the ugly wound, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull his hand away from hers.
"Really, it's nothing. Just a cut from glass," he said gently.
Lin Mo tilted her chin to look at him. The man, dressed impeccably in a white suit, still wore his silver-framed glasses, though the tips of his ears had turned an unexpected shade of red.
He was a picture of restrained desire and indulgence.
Just as she was about to say something else,
her peripheral vision caught several heads peeking from the doorway.
Leading the pack was the butler, his eyes sparkling, a knowing grin spreading across his face.
Turning slightly, she saw Chef Li standing at the kitchen entrance, also watching her and Xie Guanyan intently.
In an instant, Lin Mo released Xie Guanyan's hand.
Good heavens, she’d forgotten there were so many people in the villa now!
Even if it were just the two of them, she shouldn’t have grabbed his hand like that!
Last time, it was because she was responsible for his injury—but not this time.
Her heart raced inexplicably, her cheeks burning. Her long, thick lashes fluttered slightly.
Wasn’t it normal to show concern for a good landlord?
"It’s fine, it’s fine!" Lin Mo clasped her hands behind her back, blinking her peach-blossom eyes. "Let the butler help you bandage it."
The butler, who had been reveling in the sweetness of the moment, was suddenly addressed. He pointed at himself. "Huh? Me?"
Still feeling the lingering warmth of her touch, Xie Guanyan shook his head, his voice smooth. "No need. I’ll go upstairs and take care of it myself."
"Alright, I’ll wait for you," Lin Mo said.
Xie Guanyan strode upstairs with his long legs, quickly applying his usual hemostatic ointment to the wound.
He studied his reflection in the mirror.
His hair was slightly disheveled, his face weary from his foul mood earlier.
Why hadn’t the butler told him Shanshan was home?
He shouldn’t have appeared before her like this!
She said she’d wait for him—did she have something to say?
What could it be?
Was she planning to move out?
At the thought, a wave of darkness surged in Xie Guanyan’s heart.
No. Absolutely not.
She could date whoever she wanted—he wouldn’t interfere.
As long as she didn’t bring Gu Jingchuan into the villa!
Lost in speculation, Xie Guanyan stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower.
Normally, he would have already bathed and changed before Lin Mo returned, presenting himself in the best possible light.
But today, he didn’t want to keep her waiting, so he had to make it quick.
Cold water cascaded over his head, streaming down his sculpted abs before trickling past his lean waist—an image of raw sensuality.
Downstairs, the butler directed someone to clean the bloodstains from the floor.
He sighed inwardly.
It was hard to believe that the man who dominated the business world was such a novice in love!
He didn’t even know how to take advantage of such a perfect opportunity to make Lin Mo worry about him!
It was downright frustrating!
Still, based on Lin Mo’s reaction today, she definitely cared about the master of the house to some degree.
In the kitchen, Lin Mo tied an apron around her waist and asked Chef Li, "Do you think I’ll succeed tonight?"
Chef Li’s lips twitched. "Do you want the truth?"
Lin Mo rubbed her nose. "Is my cooking really that bad?"
Chef Li pondered for a few seconds. "That braised pork you made this afternoon… let’s just say the pig didn’t die in vain, but it certainly didn’t die for a good cause."
Lin Mo: "..."
She sighed. "I guess my only talent is eating!"
Her phone on the counter rang.
Lin Mo picked it up—it was a video call from Shen Yihan.
The screen displayed a strikingly handsome face.
"Hey sis, I’m back at the hotel. You said earlier that you couldn’t find Fourth Brother—he moved? What happened?"
Shen Yihan and Jiang Tang had been in back-to-back meetings all afternoon and hadn’t had time to ask for details.
Noticing Lin Mo was on a call, Chef Li tactfully stepped out.
Lin Mo opened her mouth to respond, but Shen Yihan frowned. "Sis, what’s that around your waist? Are you in the kitchen?"
Lin Mo raised the camera to show her apron. "I’m getting ready to cook."
Shen Yihan’s expression darkened. "Why are you cooking? The fumes are bad for your skin, and you could burn yourself. Just order from one of the restaurants I sent you. Didn’t Jiang Tang give you the numbers? Those places are run by my friends—they’ll deliver."
Lin Mo smiled. "It’s not for me. I’m making it for Xie Guanyan."
Shen Yihan blurted out, "Why does he deserve your cooking?"
Only then did he realize he was talking about Xie Guanyan, the man he’d recently admired. But he didn’t take it back.
No one was worthy of his sister’s cooking—not even himself.
Back home, Lin Mo had never lifted a finger—her brothers had taken care of everything.
She explained, "I need his help finding Fourth Brother. We don’t have connections in the slums, so I have to show some gratitude."
Guilt washed over Shen Yihan. He twisted the Buddhist beads around his right wrist. "Sis, I’m sorry. It’s my fault you have to sacrifice so much."
If he hadn’t lost Fourth Brother, none of this would have happened.
"Should I fly back tonight and cook for Xie Guanyan instead?" Shen Yihan made as if to stand up.
Lin Mo laughed. "Stop it. By the time you get to Jingbei, it’ll be breakfast. And don’t act like eating my cooking is some kind of privilege—I’m not exactly a master chef."
As a child, Lin Mo had dabbled in everything, including cooking—for a few days, at least.
After a few days of learning, the whole family ended up with stomachaches for days.
In the end, Shen Yihan's parents made him kneel and beg Lin Mo to stop cooking, just to escape this ordeal!
Shen Yihan's lips twitched. "I’m well aware of your cooking skills, so I’m a little worried about Xie Guanyan too."
Lin Mo: "…"
