Xia Wantang was so embarrassed that she didn't dare to look up, as if that cool touch of lips still lingered.
She whispered, "I, I'll go buy dinner."
Without daring to look at Ling Yuchen again, she quickly ran out.
She was so shy she fled?
Ling Yuchen felt as if it was not enough, but he dared not be too reckless, or he would truly scare her away.
He sighed, his face full of helplessness, and could only walk towards the bathroom.
Xia Wantang stood outside the door, her face still burning.
She touched her lips, the feeling from just now still vivid.
Although she knew it wasn't the first time, for her, this was the first time. It was her first kiss with a boy.
No, this could only be considered a kiss. Kissing involved tongues.
Wait, what was she thinking??
Xia Wantang patted her head, trying to clear her mind. She was really thinking too far.
But the more she tried not to think about it, the more her thoughts went in that direction, and finally, she couldn't bear to think about it anymore.
She left the complex and found a restaurant by the roadside, packed two boxes of food, and walked back upstairs.
As she opened the door, she saw Ling Yuchen already sitting at the dining table.
He had changed into a gray, plain t-shirt and shorts. His hair was damp and steamy, clearly he had just showered!
Hearing the sound of the door, he looked over. Seeing Xia Wantang return, his eyes instantly softened.
"Let's eat!" Xia Wantang appeared calm, but her unsteady breathing still betrayed her inner turmoil.
She sat down opposite Ling Yuchen and placed the food boxes and chopsticks in front of him.
Ling Yuchen picked up his chopsticks and first took some vegetables.
Xia Wantang watched him intently, a little nervous, afraid it wouldn't suit his taste, and afraid she hadn't cooked it well.
She had only tasted the fish soup; she hadn't tasted anything else.
Ling Yuchen noticed her gaze and said gently, "It tastes very good."
Xia Wantang smiled and finally felt at ease. She picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
She couldn't quite tell how her own cooking tasted, but it was edible.
As they ate, she noticed that Ling Yuchen ate a lot of vegetables and occasionally picked at the fish. He barely touched the stir-fried pork with chili.
Did he not like meat?
Xia Wantang looked at him, wanting to speak but hesitating, her appetite gone.
Was she not careful enough? She hadn't even asked him what he liked to eat or if he had any dietary restrictions.
Ling Yuchen sensed something was amiss and asked, "What's wrong?"
Xia Wantang said with great embarrassment, "Do these dishes not suit your taste?"
So that was the reason.
Ling Yuchen realized that she seemed to like spicy food; she even ate the chilies in the stir-fried pork.
And he, on the other hand, didn't eat spicy food and had a very light palate.
So he said, "I don't eat spicy food. These vegetables and the fish are good."
The vegetables were indeed excellent, crisp and refreshing, and the fish was fresh and flavorful, though slightly spicy.
As for the stir-fried pork with chili, it was bright red, and he didn't really want to pick at it.
Xia Wantang apologized, "I didn't know. I won't add chili next time."
"Okay."
For some reason, Ling Yuchen's mood suddenly improved.
Perhaps it was hearing Xia Wantang say that she would cook for him again next time, and without chili.
As they were finishing their meal, Xia Wantang was about to clear the dishes to wash them in the kitchen.
Ling Yuchen, however, said, "I'll do it. You go take a shower."
Before Xia Wantang could refuse, Ling Yuchen had already stacked the dishes and taken them away.
Watching his back as he walked into the kitchen, Xia Wantang's impression of him improved further.
A CEO actually washes dishes.
With that thought, she went to the bedroom to get her pajamas and then went into the bathroom to shower.
After Ling Yuchen finished washing the dishes, his phone rang. The caller ID showed Han Xiao.
Ling Yuchen answered, and Han Xiao's anxious voice immediately came through.
"President, something's wrong! Paparazzi have taken photos of you and Miss Xia going to the hospital and returning to the complex. The internet is in chaos right now."
Ling Yuchen's face turned cold, and he said in a low voice, "You have half an hour. I don't want to see a single photo of us online."
"Yes, President." Han Xiao trembled inwardly, knowing the President was angry.
Ling Yuchen, with a somber expression, walked to the coffee table, picked up a cigarette, and then went to the balcony to light it.
Holding his phone, he opened Weibo.
The top trending topic was about him, with a title that was particularly suggestive—Tengkong Group President Ling Yuchen Seen with an Unknown Woman at the Hospital, Suspected to be an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.
The accompanying picture was very clear. It showed him and Xia Wantang standing together, his face distinct, while Xia Wantang's face was only half visible.
However, anyone familiar with her would recognize her immediately.
Whether to go public or not was secondary; he was worried about hurting Xia Wantang.
After all, there were a thousand faces and a thousand mouths, and all sorts of things would be said.
He clicked on the comments and, as expected, they were all negative remarks.
Xiao Yan Daiguzi: Who is this woman? How is she worthy of CEO Ling?
Watermelon Rind: Hmph, CEO Ling is an ascetic god. He must have been seduced by this bitch.
Xiao Yang Mianmian: What kind of ugly monster ran in from nowhere? CEO Ling must have been tricked.
...
Ling Yuchen didn't read any further, but his expression had already turned extremely grim.
He didn't even need to think about how angry she would be if she saw these comments.
Just as he was extinguishing the cigarette, his phone rang again. It was Situ Jing.
After answering, he heard her worried voice.
"Hello, Brother Yuchen, what's going on with the news online? How could this happen?"
The rumors were getting more and more outrageous, claiming Ling Yuchen had an illegitimate child and possibly abused his girlfriend...
It was simply unbearable to read, and the photos even captured Xia Wantang's full face.
She had an injury on her forehead and a clear slap mark on her face. Zooming in on the photo, it was clearly the mark of a man's hand.
And Ling Yuchen, standing beside her with a cold expression, made Xia Wantang appear particularly small and pitiful.
Ling Yuchen said calmly, "It's fine. I'll have you file some lawsuits when necessary."
"Alright. Your girlfriend looks very inexperienced. You should comfort her more!" The news online was truly unbearable.
"Mmm, thank you."
Ling Yuchen's demeanor was perfectly balanced, maintaining distance without being too aloof.
Just as he hung up the phone, Xia Wantang, wearing pajamas, came out of the bathroom.
Seeing Ling Yuchen still standing on the balcony, she asked, "It's getting dark. Aren't you going home?"
Inside, she couldn't help but wonder: Was he staying over again?
Ling Yuchen shook his head and said, "I'm moving in tomorrow."
He felt uneasy about letting Xia Wantang live alone now that they were involved.
Upon hearing this, Xia Wantang became flustered and said urgently, "What? You... you're moving in? This... this isn't very appropriate!"
They had been together for less than three days, and now they were moving in together?
Ling Yuchen's expression was serious, and he said earnestly, "I'll stay in another room. I won't overstep."
Xia Wantang wanted to persuade him further, but at that moment, her phone rang, and she had to take the call.