When Ling Chen responded to Ling Siyuan’s joking remark, the guests had assumed he was just poking fun at himself, and were about to laugh along with the mood.

But once his next sentence came out, the atmosphere filling the room quietly shifted, and pairs of eyes turned toward Zhu Wenshu one after another, darting back and forth between her and Ling Chen.

Why did something feel off between these two?

Wasn’t she Ling Siyuan’s homeroom teacher?

Under the scrutiny of a room full of celebrities, Zhu Wenshu felt like a suckling pig being repeatedly roasted over a fire.

“No, no, I’m the one who’s not good enough for him.” She tried hard to appear composed, sneaking a glance at Ling Chen’s expression as she reached for her water glass, seeing his mouth still holding that not-quite-a-smile, and after a moment’s thought, added, “I just taught them a new phrase the other day, kids misuse it, it’s my fault for not teaching it well.”

The guests around them laughed, but the curve at the corner of Ling Chen’s mouth faded completely.

He leaned over sideways, one hand in his pocket, the other reaching in front of Zhu Wenshu to take away the cup someone had used.

As his body drew close, Zhu Wenshu heard him say flatly, “How could that be.”

Amid the laughter and chatter all around, Zhu Wenshu’s fingers tightened around her cup, and she said nothing.

Perhaps because she was in such an unfamiliar setting, Zhu Wenshu couldn’t find a way to join others’ conversations, and sat quietly by herself, only able to wonder silently.

Which of her sentences had those three words been denying, exactly.

Fortunately it wasn’t long before mealtime arrived.

With so many people today, everyone moved to the large dining table in the dining room. Seeing so many celebrities gathered, Zhu Wenshu didn’t feel comfortable being too forward, and only found an empty seat once most people had already sat down.

The actress from before was still on her right; the seat to her left was empty. After sitting down, Zhu Wenshu looked around—there were still four empty seats at the table. Ling Siyuan was on the balcony taking a call, Ye Shaoxing was washing his hands, she turned to look at the kitchen where the housekeeper was still busy, and Ling Chen stood to the side helping set the table.

Just then, as if sensing something, Ling Chen suddenly turned his head. His gaze briefly met Zhu Wenshu’s in the air, then dropped to the empty seat beside her, and he raised his eyebrows slightly.

Zhu Wenshu blinked, and followed his gaze to look at the seat beside her too.

A moment later, she saw Ling Chen, who’d been busy halfway through, put down what he was holding, go to the living room, and pick up his own used water cup, placing it in the seat beside Zhu Wenshu.

He didn’t look at her, saying to the assembled guests, “Go ahead and eat.”

“Let’s wait a bit,” someone said. “Xingyan-ge is still on the balcony taking his call.”

“No telling how long that call of his will take, no need to wait.”

As he spoke, Ling Chen also took his phone from his pants pocket and set it down beside the chopsticks.

Once he’d turned and gone back to the kitchen, Zhu Wenshu buried her head low, catching a glimpse from the corner of her eye of the water cup and phone he’d used to claim the seat, her mind churning with a thousand thoughts.

She’d just looked at him a moment ago purely out of nervousness, wanting to see what a familiar face was up to.

Not to hint that he should come sit there!

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her, and Zhu Wenshu looked up to see Ye Shaoxing plop himself down right next to her.

Before he could say anything, Ling Siyuan across from them suddenly said, “You can’t sit next to Teacher!”

“Oh?”

Ye Shaoxing raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Zhu Wenshu, asking, “Why’s that?”

Nearly everyone’s attention at the table turned to the little birthday boy, waiting for him to say something amusing.

Only Zhu Wenshu’s breathing tightened a few notches, not daring to look at Ling Siyuan, feeling certain he was about to say something else earth-shattering.

“Because!”

Ling Siyuan said, puffing his cheeks in frustration, “You just said you’d be my subordinate today, and you’d peel shrimp for me!”

“…”

Zhu Wenshu let out a breath, keeping her head down and saying nothing.

“That won’t do,” Ye Shaoxing said, propping his chin on his hand. “Subordinates are supposed to go slay demons and monsters, how could I peel shrimp for you? That’s called using a great talent for petty tasks.”

“You can’t go back on your word! I don’t care! Today I’m the most important one! You have to come over and peel shrimp for me!”

“No way, I want to sit next to the pretty teacher.”

As the two of them bickered, Ling Siyuan stood up and ran toward Ye Shaoxing to drag him away.

Ye Shaoxing was also intent on teasing the child, and amid the two of them pulling at each other, Ling Chen walked over carrying a plate of curry beef.

He’d already prepared to dodge out of the way, but Ye Shaoxing’s movement was bigger than he’d expected, his elbow suddenly bracing backward, striking Ling Chen’s arm squarely.

The plate tilted, and two or three pieces of beef along with the curry sauce spilled directly, precisely, onto the front of Zhu Wenshu’s clothes.

“Oh!”

The actress beside her cried out, hurriedly passing over some napkins.

Zhu Wenshu herself didn’t think much of it—having taught elementary students for so long, she’d long since developed an emotional immunity to this kind of accident.

Just as she took the napkins, ready to simply wipe it off, she sensed the atmosphere around her had turned off.

Looking up, she saw Ling Chen frowning at Ye Shaoxing and Ling Siyuan, a wave of anger radiating around him.

Even guests who weren’t very familiar with Ling Chen knew a bit about him, having circulated in the same industry circle.

He usually seemed indifferent, but his temper really wasn’t good.

Whether big names or small fry, as long as they didn’t provoke him, he could treat everyone the same, courteous to all.

But if you really lit his temper, no matter who you were, he wouldn’t spare your feelings.

Some media, for the sake of sensationalism, asked questions with no restraint. Others would have avoided the topic, but Ling Chen could walk off on the spot, dropping his expression entirely.

There was also that time on the red carpet livestream at an awards ceremony, when the host made a lewd joke about him and a female singer—facing the cameras, Ling Chen hadn’t given an inch, dressing down the host until his face turned ashen.

To this day, that video clip was still often dug up and savored by people.

But as bad-tempered as he was, the situations that set him off were never really trivial matters.

So no one had expected that at this birthday dinner, over just a bit of spilled curry, his expression could change like the weather turning.

“Ling Siyuan.”

He said in a deep voice, “Can’t behave properly at the table, is that it?”

Ling Siyuan was terrified by Ling Chen’s expression, not knowing where to put his hands, hurriedly saying, “Sorry, sorry.”

Ye Shaoxing’s face beside him also wasn’t looking too good. Being an adult, he understood that though Ling Chen was addressing Ling Siyuan, he was really expressing displeasure at him.

This was really not giving him any face at all.

Just as everyone sat frozen in the awkward moment, a gentle voice spoke up.

“Don’t be so harsh on him.”

Seeing Ling Chen’s face still stiff, Zhu Wenshu instinctively reached out and tugged at his sleeve hanging by his pant leg. “He didn’t do it on purpose, it’ll be fine once it’s wiped off.”

Perhaps from being so used to being an elementary teacher, Zhu Wenshu unconsciously slipped into the tone of coaxing a young child at moments like this.

And so, everyone watched Ling Chen’s fierce demeanor suddenly melt away.

He pressed his lips together, lowering his head to look at Zhu Wenshu.

“Didn’t get burned, did you?”

Zhu Wenshu shook her head. “Not burned, my sweater’s thick, didn’t feel a thing.”

Just then, Ling Xingyan, having finished his call, walked over and, seeing the atmosphere at the table was off, asked, “What happened?”

“Nothing,” Zhu Wenshu said. “Just spilled some sauce.”

“Huh?”

Ling Xingyan looked confused, and was about to ask more when Ling Chen said, “Come with me to change clothes.”

The two of them stood and headed toward the bedroom.

Seeing everyone’s gaze glued to their retreating backs, Ling Xingyan suddenly remembered something and hurriedly spoke up. “Sister Ya just said she’s coming by later, she’s parking right now.”

Everyone, hearing her name, had their attention drawn away accordingly.

Ye Shaoxing asked, “Should we wait for her to eat then?”

“No need.”

Ling Xingyan said, “She’s already eaten, she’s just coming to see Yuanyuan for a bit before heading to the airport.”—

Inside the room.

Zhu Wenshu stared at a guitar in the corner, only belatedly realizing this was Ling Chen’s bedroom.

She’d just stood up right away to ease the awkward atmosphere the moment Ling Chen said she should change.

Only now did she think to ask, “Wait, does your place… have women’s clothes?”

Standing in front of the closet, Ling Chen turned to glance at her. “What do you think?”

There was a hint of a smile in his voice, which made the meaning of that sentence ambiguous.

Was it—of course not.

Or was it—is it not normal for me to have women’s things at home?

Since he wouldn’t give a clear answer, Zhu Wenshu could only give an equally ambiguous one in return.

“Then if I wear this, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

“It really wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Ling Chen’s voice was flat, as if stating some self-evident fact.

Zhu Wenshu’s heart sank heavily at this answer.

“Then I’ll just…”

Before she finished, she heard Ling Chen continue, “My clothes would be too big on you.”

Zhu Wenshu: “…”

I’m begging you, finish your thought in one breath!

“Forget it.”

Thinking of the aftermath of borrowing his tailored suit last time, Zhu Wenshu felt she couldn’t afford to borrow anything from him again, and hurriedly said, “I can’t fit into it anyway, let’s just leave it like this.”

“That’s not good.”

Ling Chen didn’t look at her, his hand sliding along the clothes in the closet. “How are you going to go on your date dressed like this?”

Zhu Wenshu: “…”

Was this topic still not over?

She said sullenly, “I can’t very well go on a date wearing a boy’s clothes, can I.”

The atmosphere around them suddenly grew heavy again.

The room lights weren’t on. In front of the dim closet, Ling Chen’s fingers paused for a moment, his tongue pressed against his cheek, then he nodded and said, “Wait a moment.”

He closed the closet door and walked out.

After a while, Ling Chen pushed the door open again, holding a white women’s sweater in his hands.

“This size should fit you.”

Zhu Wenshu glanced at him, not taking it.

The two of them stared at each other in silence for a long while. Seeing she showed no sign of wanting to wear it, Ling Chen frowned, looking somewhat awkward, and said, “It’s new, wear it without worry.”

Zhu Wenshu wasn’t concerned about that either.

She opened her mouth, saying very quietly, “Your girlfriend’s?”

“…Don’t spread rumors.”

Ling Chen turned his head aside, chuckling softly. “I’m single.”

“Oh.”

Zhu Wenshu felt her shoulders relax, reaching out slowly to take it. “Then this is…?”

“Ling Siyuan’s mother’s,” Ling Chen said. “Didn’t take it with her when they divorced.”

Sounded rather sad, hearing that.

Zhu Wenshu nodded. After taking the clothes, Ling Chen turned and walked toward the door.

Just as he opened the door, something seemed to occur to him, and he turned back to ask.

“Do you want me to have someone drive you to your date later?”

“…”

Zhu Wenshu truly regretted taking Shi Xue’er’s call today.

“No need to trouble you with that.”

Ling Chen leaned against the doorframe, backlit against the light outside, his eye color rendered especially dim by contrast.

“It’s actually a get-together arranged by colleagues.”

Zhu Wenshu blurted out, “So… it wouldn’t be good for you to be seen, would it.”

In the dim, shifting light, she couldn’t see Ling Chen’s expression clearly, but felt the enclosed feeling of the air around them ease slightly compared to before.

“Oh.”

He straightened up lazily, saying loosely, “Alright then.”

Zhu Wenshu always felt there was a heavy note of regret in those words.

Just as he turned to leave the room, he suddenly spoke. “You—”

Ling Chen looked up. “Mm?”

Did you actually have plans for tonight?

Zhu Wenshu nearly blurted out that question, but fortunately she looked up and saw the corridor spotlight above Ling Chen’s head, like a stage’s follow-spot, pulling her reason back.

Sigh.

She said quietly, “Nothing, go back and eat quickly. And remember, don’t be harsh on Yuanyuan.”

Ling Chen didn’t leave, just stood in the hallway staring at her for a while, then asked, “What time is the gathering?”

Zhu Wenshu made up a time on the spot.

“Nine.”

“Quite late.”

Turning away, Ling Chen tossed out one more sentence, “I’ll have the driver take you to your date later.”

It sounded a bit like reluctant generosity forced upon himself.

After the door closed, Zhu Wenshu grabbed the hem of the sweater, preparing to take it off.

Turning around, she saw the bed was a bit messy, as if he’d just gotten up from a nap in the afternoon without tidying it, seemingly still holding a trace of his warmth.

Facing a bed like this while undressing, Zhu Wenshu felt something wasn’t quite right, so she turned her back and walked to the closet instead—

When Zhu Wenshu came out having changed clothes, Ling Xingyan was talking with a woman in the hallway.

She had sharp, striking features, exquisite and radiant makeup, and wore a velvet slip dress; though clearly older, she still carried the presence of a female star.

She probably hadn’t expected a young woman to come out of Ling Xingyan’s room, and seeing how good-looking Zhu Wenshu was, instinctively raised her eyebrows teasingly at Ling Xingyan.

“Who’s this?”

“Teacher.”

Ling Xingyan hurriedly explained, “She’s Ling Siyuan’s homeroom teacher.”

“Oh, I see.”

The unfamiliar woman lost interest, nodding politely at Zhu Wenshu. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

Zhu Wenshu didn’t linger, continuing on toward the dining room.

The guests at the table had grown lively again. Zhu Wenshu still felt a bit reserved, so she walked slowly too.

“You two brothers really are still both single, what, not satisfied with the girls I introduced you to?”

The hallway wasn’t short, and Zhu Wenshu hadn’t gotten far, so the woman’s voice behind her carried clearly.

“Don’t you worry about me, do you see me having any time to date?”

“You don’t, but what about Ling Chen?”

The woman asked. “Haven’t asked in a while—how’s it going with his white moonlight goddess?”

Hearing this, Zhu Wenshu’s footsteps abruptly halted.

Realizing she was eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation, she quickened her pace guiltily, as if caught in the act.

But she still caught Ling Xingyan’s answer.

“Hey, hey, don’t—let’s not bring that up tonight.”—

Back at the dining table, the guests had returned to their harmonious mood, with Ling Chen also seated in the chair next to Zhu Wenshu, while Ye Shaoxing had squeezed in next to Ling Siyuan, wearing gloves to peel shrimp for him.

Just as Zhu Wenshu sat back down, Ling Chen turned to glance at her, his brow furrowing slightly.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Huh?”

Zhu Wenshu looked a bit dazed. “Nothing’s wrong with me.”

Ling Chen was about to say more when Xing Ya walked over, picking up her coat, and said to the whole table, “I’ll head out first then, you all enjoy.”

Most of the guests at the table stood to see her off, Ling Chen included as well.

As the host, he and Ling Xingyan together saw her to the elevator.

When he came back, he stared at Zhu Wenshu, wanting to finish the question from before, but seeing her chatting away cheerfully with Ling Siyuan, he didn’t interrupt.

About an hour passed, and once the guests had eaten and drunk their fill, they cut the cake for Ling Siyuan.

Zhu Wenshu ate a couple of bites and lost her appetite, setting down her spoon.

Ling Chen, not being fond of sweets, didn’t touch it at all, standing up to go take a call in his room.

Not long after he left, the actress on Zhu Wenshu’s other side also stood, taking her child’s hand, saying she had riding lessons early tomorrow morning, and headed home first.

Once Ling Xingyan had seen her to the door, Zhu Wenshu thought it over and also said, “I have some things to take care of too, I’ll head out first.”

Ling Xingyan glanced at Ling Chen’s bedroom door, about to say something more, but Zhu Wenshu had already stood up to put on her coat.

“No need, no need, you go on ahead, you’re busy.”

Zhu Wenshu’s tone was quite firm, clearly indicating she really didn’t want him to see her off.

“Alright, thank you for coming today, Teacher Zhu.”

Ling Xingyan said, “I’ll be counting on you going forward too, Ling Siyuan can be quite a handful.”

“Of course.”

Picking up her bag and her own clothes, Zhu Wenshu glanced at the empty seat beside her, then walked out the door without a word.

Since the actress had just left, the elevator was still on its way down. Zhu Wenshu lowered her head, staring at the numbers ticking on the display.

After a while, the sound of a door lock behind her opened, followed by a series of footsteps.

Zhu Wenshu was certain it was Ling Chen coming out, her body suddenly tensing up.

But she didn’t turn around either, pretending she hadn’t noticed anything.

The footsteps grew closer, and faster.

Just a few steps away, the elevator doors suddenly opened.

Zhu Wenshu’s heart raced as fast as his footsteps, and she practically fled into the elevator.

Just as she stepped one leg inside, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

“What are you running for?”

Zhu Wenshu froze for a long moment, then slowly turned back around.

“Huh?”

“Wasn’t the gathering at nine?”

Ling Chen asked, “Heading over this early?”

He hadn’t closed the door behind him when he came out, and the sound of everyone’s laughter and chatter could faintly be heard from the hallway.

Zhu Wenshu’s mind echoed again with those five words—”white moonlight goddess.”

She’d originally meant to say she had something come up suddenly, but the words that reached her mouth came out as—

“None of your business.”