The Long Road Ahead - Chapter 32

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

When he first received the message, Xiao Ning had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention was. At lunchtime, the people in the office either ordered take-out, warmed up their lunches, or went out to eat. If not for this message, Xiao Ning would be going out with his team to eat.

When it was finally quiet, Shan Haiming turned over.

Fan Ying was a very lively person who wasn’t one to conceal her her true feelings, so at that moment, her eyes were practically beaming. But she still maintained a reserved expression as she then asked, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? This is the first time I’ve seen him at the company. Do you know what he came here for? How old is he? Is he single?”

Shan Haiming’s expressionless stare focused on him made Xiao Ning have a sudden realisation. “Did you just have that one key?!”

Does this mean he’s coming here?

“You can sleep in my room.” Xiao Ning slept in the master bedroom, which was obviously much better than the bed in the second bedroom which still had a white linen covering it to protect from dust, and its bedding and covers was also just washed. Anyhow, the weather was warm, and Xiao Ning was planning to make do covering up with a thin blanket.

“Did you behave yourself at home today?” Xiao Ning looked at the sofa cushions scattered about on the floor and knew that lil gut had actually been up to all sorts of trouble for the day. Walking out to the balcony, Xiao Ning picked up the blanket and bedding that had been drying in the sun. Xiaohei always followed behind him, clinging to him like a cat.

Shan Haiming: “…”

Confounded, Xiao Ning sent a message in reply with the location of his office. Then, with regard of what he wanted to eat, if it was someone else, he would’ve probably said that anything would be fine. But if he replied like that to Shan Haiming, he was pretty certain that guy would be unhappy with such and answer and send his own reply saying “quit it with that nonsense” or the like.

“Just a few slices of bread.” Closing the door after him, Xiao Ning then took out a pair of slippers. “How could you still not have eaten anything when it’s already so late?”

Fan Ying was a very lively person who wasn’t one to conceal her her true feelings, so at that moment, her eyes were practically beaming. But she still maintained a reserved expression as she then asked, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? This is the first time I’ve seen him at the company. Do you know what he came here for? How old is he? Is he single?”

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

Yawning, Shan Haiming turned his body sideways and squeezed his way in. “You have anything to eat?”

To this, Shan Haiming replied coldly, “You got that right, congrats.”

An unmistakable look of “Omg, there’s really a chance?” was written on the young woman’s apple-shaped face as she politely replied, “Haha, you’re just teasing, aren’t you? That would be way too sudden.”

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

So, for a good while, he thought about what he would like seriously, then carefully replied: A vegetable dish, something light; and if it’s convenient, an extra bowl of soup.

There weren’t many things inside Shan Haiming’s apartment, it was a simplistic. Plus, as a young bachelor, keeping it clean was and act practically deserving of praise. It was Xiao Ning’s first time in this apartment when it’s owner was away, which made him unable to help feeling a bit awkward as he was there. Walking in, he saw there was a five kilogram bag of cat food on the table, and upon picking it up, he saw the words: Salmon and Blueberry.

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

“Mr. Xiao,” with a smiling expression in his eyes, Shan Haiming then continued sarcastically, “can’t you see what it is?”

Xiao Ning: “…okay?”

His blankets had no unnecessary scents either, and most likely had never been scented. When it was washed, the most basic and unscented detergent must’ve also been used. But the scent infused in those blankets was one that was nice and warm, it made lying in them feel no different than sleeping under the sun.

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

Resting the clothes on the sofa, Xiao Ning picked up both the cat food and the thermos, then following a moment of hesitance, he placed the key on the coffee table. He had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention’s were, but something like taking someone’s key just felt too intimate, and for some reason that kind of thing made Xiao Ning anxious—it made him want to avoid it.

Shan Haiming didn’t send him a message in reply, but he also didn’t make him wait long either, because after twenty minutes he showed up. Xiao Ning had been standing for a while with his back to the doorway located not too far from his seat. He was was staring at the humidifier on someone else’s desk when he suddenly got a feeling. Upon turning, he saw a plastic bag carrying Shan Haiming striding towards him.

Shan Haiming’s expression was blank, looking as though he didn’t want to talk about it. But after changing into the slippers and lying on the sofa he still went on to explain, “I couldn’t eat.”

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

There weren’t many things inside Shan Haiming’s apartment, it was a simplistic. Plus, as a young bachelor, keeping it clean was and act practically deserving of praise. It was Xiao Ning’s first time in this apartment when it’s owner was away, which made him unable to help feeling a bit awkward as he was there. Walking in, he saw there was a five kilogram bag of cat food on the table, and upon picking it up, he saw the words: Salmon and Blueberry.

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

Yawning, Shan Haiming turned his body sideways and squeezed his way in. “You have anything to eat?”

Shan Haiming didn’t refuse his offer. Following a quick washing up, he made his way into Xiao Ning’s room and went straight to bed. Sound asleep in the position it skilfully occupied since earlier, by his uninvited arrival to that bed, Shan Haiming had offended that little sleeping ancestor of his, which let out some ‘roars’ in protest. But Shan Haiming had always been someone unfazed, so from the start to the end, he regarded the little outcries as nothing.

“Did you behave yourself at home today?” Xiao Ning looked at the sofa cushions scattered about on the floor and knew that lil gut had actually been up to all sorts of trouble for the day. Walking out to the balcony, Xiao Ning picked up the blanket and bedding that had been drying in the sun. Xiaohei always followed behind him, clinging to him like a cat.

Xiao Ning was obviously not a person with a flare for decor, the neat and tidy style of his room almost bordered on bland. This made the peach beauty sitting at is bedside stick out like a sore thumb.

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

“I came to see your General Manager Shan.” With his outstanding looks and disposition, once Shan Haiming entered he naturally attracted quite a number of stares. But none of it seemed to affect him in any way as he simply moved to place the bags directly on the desk.

Confounded, Xiao Ning sent a message in reply with the location of his office. Then, with regard of what he wanted to eat, if it was someone else, he would’ve probably said that anything would be fine. But if he replied like that to Shan Haiming, he was pretty certain that guy would be unhappy with such and answer and send his own reply saying “quit it with that nonsense” or the like.

She wanted to say more, but Xiao Ning had already begin eating his lunch, and it was rare for their Team-leader Xiao to not give someone his full attention like this. Fan Ying still gave a hinting look in her eyes, but it wasn’t easy for her to ask any more questions in the end. So, with her lunch box in hand, she made her way over to other women in the office to share the information she dd gather.

An unmistakable look of “Omg, there’s really a chance?” was written on the young woman’s apple-shaped face as she politely replied, “Haha, you’re just teasing, aren’t you? That would be way too sudden.”

Having only being able to make that much, he still worried about it not being enough for Shan Haiming, so while sitting beside him he asked, “Do you want to order take-out?”

“No, this is good enough.” Shan Haiming, after washing his hands, dug right in, which even got the glass containing the milk oily, resulting in Xiao Ning handing him a few napkins. “Besides, eating too much at night can cause indigestion. A late night snack is much better.”

The first thing he pulled out wasn’t a box of food, though, it was actually a cactus. The pot it was set in was big enough to fit into a palm, and the spikes also looked soft to the touch.

◈◇◈

Fan Ying was a very lively person who wasn’t one to conceal her her true feelings, so at that moment, her eyes were practically beaming. But she still maintained a reserved expression as she then asked, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? This is the first time I’ve seen him at the company. Do you know what he came here for? How old is he? Is he single?”

What are you going to do now, though? It’s eleven at night. Are there any locksmiths that stay open all night?

Surprised, Xiao Ning asked with a chuckle, “What is this?”

What are you going to do now, though? It’s eleven at night. Are there any locksmiths that stay open all night?

“Mr. Xiao,” with a smiling expression in his eyes, Shan Haiming then continued sarcastically, “can’t you see what it is?”

N/A

Xiao Ning took the cactus in its blue ceramic pot and placed it in an empty space to the right of his computer. “Is it for me?”

The density of the information he just received hit Xiao Ning with such an impact that he could only unconsciously choose the simplest one to respond to. “But Xiaohei still has a lot of food at my place…”

“Do you think I brought it here to stab you with?” Shan Haiming asked absent-mindedly. “By the way, what’s the one in the pot you left in front my door earlier?”

After Xiao Ning returned his senses, to stare at the key on the table in front of him, dumbfounded. Not too long ago, he had returned a set of keys to Lu Yan’s, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was given another set of keys to another person’s house. It gave him mixed feelings. When he finally remembered what he wanted to say, Shan Haiming was already long gone.

Shan Haiming’s expression was blank, looking as though he didn’t want to talk about it. But after changing into the slippers and lying on the sofa he still went on to explain, “I couldn’t eat.”

Resting the clothes on the sofa, Xiao Ning picked up both the cat food and the thermos, then following a moment of hesitance, he placed the key on the coffee table. He had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention’s were, but something like taking someone’s key just felt too intimate, and for some reason that kind of thing made Xiao Ning anxious—it made him want to avoid it.

Xiao Ning’s body had almost fallen onto to floor with how far his body had tilted, causing Xiaohei to let out a meow with its fur on end before lightly hopping away. Xiao Ning then looked at the time in a daze. It’s almost eleven, does Shan Haiming need something?

Xiaohei straightened itself in Xiao Ning’s arms, resting its paws on his chest to sniff him, putting Xiao Ning in such a good mood he laughed out. “Alright, alright. There’s some new food for you today, so lets give it a try.”

N/A

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

“Oh that, I think it’s called a Peach BeautyT/n: It’s known as Blue Haze in English..” Xiao Ning sat at his desk and began pulling out the containers from the bag one by one, and it was unexpectedly a lot. The main dish was obviously the steamed fish taking up the largest container, while in the others were rice, sautéed broccoli in garlic sauce, steamed eggs topped with minced pork, and even a five-fingered peach rootT/n: Also known as Cantonese ginseng and it has a coconut-like taste. chicken soup.

Xiao Ning took the cactus in its blue ceramic pot and placed it in an empty space to the right of his computer. “Is it for me?”

After Xiao Ning returned his senses, to stare at the key on the table in front of him, dumbfounded. Not too long ago, he had returned a set of keys to Lu Yan’s, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was given another set of keys to another person’s house. It gave him mixed feelings. When he finally remembered what he wanted to say, Shan Haiming was already long gone.

When he first received the message, Xiao Ning had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention was. At lunchtime, the people in the office either ordered take-out, warmed up their lunches, or went out to eat. If not for this message, Xiao Ning would be going out with his team to eat.

“Just a few slices of bread.” Closing the door after him, Xiao Ning then took out a pair of slippers. “How could you still not have eaten anything when it’s already so late?”

N/A

There weren’t many things inside Shan Haiming’s apartment, it was a simplistic. Plus, as a young bachelor, keeping it clean was and act practically deserving of praise. It was Xiao Ning’s first time in this apartment when it’s owner was away, which made him unable to help feeling a bit awkward as he was there. Walking in, he saw there was a five kilogram bag of cat food on the table, and upon picking it up, he saw the words: Salmon and Blueberry.

There weren’t many things inside Shan Haiming’s apartment, it was a simplistic. Plus, as a young bachelor, keeping it clean was and act practically deserving of praise. It was Xiao Ning’s first time in this apartment when it’s owner was away, which made him unable to help feeling a bit awkward as he was there. Walking in, he saw there was a five kilogram bag of cat food on the table, and upon picking it up, he saw the words: Salmon and Blueberry.

Xiao Ning lifted his head, and sprawled on his face was a rarely seen unmistakable beaming grin. “Thank you.”

She wanted to say more, but Xiao Ning had already begin eating his lunch, and it was rare for their Team-leader Xiao to not give someone his full attention like this. Fan Ying still gave a hinting look in her eyes, but it wasn’t easy for her to ask any more questions in the end. So, with her lunch box in hand, she made her way over to other women in the office to share the information she dd gather.

“You should eat more meat.” Shan Haiming’s hand moved, reaching outwards but he stopped before do anything further. Taking advantage of the motion to look at his watch, he then tossed Xiao Ning a key. “So… don’t forget to drop the clothes you bought me off at my place, and there’s cat food for Xiaohei on the table, the thermos is there too, so you can take those yourself.”

So, for a good while, he thought about what he would like seriously, then carefully replied: A vegetable dish, something light; and if it’s convenient, an extra bowl of soup.

Shan Haiming’s expressionless stare focused on him made Xiao Ning have a sudden realisation. “Did you just have that one key?!”

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

The density of the information he just received hit Xiao Ning with such an impact that he could only unconsciously choose the simplest one to respond to. “But Xiaohei still has a lot of food at my place…”

Xiao Ning was mad. Why didn’t this guy say anything when he tossed the key? Second Young Master Shan, I think you have really overestimated the degree of the tacit understanding between us. But, out of habit, Xiao Ning was the one to offer an apology first. “I’m so sorry, I really didn’t know…”

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

“Use it to switch up the food. I’m off.” Saying this, Shan Haiming made a speedy exit.

Xiao Ning lifted his head, and sprawled on his face was a rarely seen unmistakable beaming grin. “Thank you.”

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

After wiping his mouth, he took the dishes to the sink to wash them, then asked upon returning, “Where can I sleep?”

After Xiao Ning returned his senses, to stare at the key on the table in front of him, dumbfounded. Not too long ago, he had returned a set of keys to Lu Yan’s, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was given another set of keys to another person’s house. It gave him mixed feelings. When he finally remembered what he wanted to say, Shan Haiming was already long gone.

Fan Ying was a very lively person who wasn’t one to conceal her her true feelings, so at that moment, her eyes were practically beaming. But she still maintained a reserved expression as she then asked, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? This is the first time I’ve seen him at the company. Do you know what he came here for? How old is he? Is he single?”

After wiping his mouth, he took the dishes to the sink to wash them, then asked upon returning, “Where can I sleep?”

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

A member of his team called Fan Ying then made her way over to him with a pink lunch container in her hand. “Boss, was that guy who just came a friend of yours?”

Xiao Ning wasn’t much of a cook, but he couldn’t just let Shan Haiming eat plain toast, and luckily, there were a few eggs in the fridge he was planning to boil for breakfast the next morning. Using a frying pan, he fried the eggs until they were nearly cooked on one side, then placed a slice of bread onto it before flipping it over to continue toasting them. He made two of these one after the other, toasting both sides of the bread in addition to warming up a cup of milk.

Xiaohei straightened itself in Xiao Ning’s arms, resting its paws on his chest to sniff him, putting Xiao Ning in such a good mood he laughed out. “Alright, alright. There’s some new food for you today, so lets give it a try.”

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

“Huh? Oh. Yes, he is.” Xiao Ning replied after again coming back to his senses, while somewhat guiltily covering the key in the table with his hand before stuffing it into his pocket.

Does this mean he’s coming here?

Xiao Ning was obviously not a person with a flare for decor, the neat and tidy style of his room almost bordered on bland. This made the peach beauty sitting at is bedside stick out like a sore thumb.

There weren’t many things inside Shan Haiming’s apartment, it was a simplistic. Plus, as a young bachelor, keeping it clean was and act practically deserving of praise. It was Xiao Ning’s first time in this apartment when it’s owner was away, which made him unable to help feeling a bit awkward as he was there. Walking in, he saw there was a five kilogram bag of cat food on the table, and upon picking it up, he saw the words: Salmon and Blueberry.

“Do you think I brought it here to stab you with?” Shan Haiming asked absent-mindedly. “By the way, what’s the one in the pot you left in front my door earlier?”

Xiao Ning’s body had almost fallen onto to floor with how far his body had tilted, causing Xiaohei to let out a meow with its fur on end before lightly hopping away. Xiao Ning then looked at the time in a daze. It’s almost eleven, does Shan Haiming need something?

Fan Ying was a very lively person who wasn’t one to conceal her her true feelings, so at that moment, her eyes were practically beaming. But she still maintained a reserved expression as she then asked, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? This is the first time I’ve seen him at the company. Do you know what he came here for? How old is he? Is he single?”

The strange salmon-blueberry flavour had surprisingly actually won Xiaohei’s favour, the little guy ate his all his dinner faster than usual, and was even making noise for more. Afraid it wouldn’t give up on it’s pleas, Xiao Ning picked up Xiaohei and it to the living room to brush its fur. On the sofa in his living room, one human and one cat sat staring at the television with drowsy eyes. At least, they were, until a sudden knock sounded at their door.

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

The density of the information he just received hit Xiao Ning with such an impact that he could only unconsciously choose the simplest one to respond to. “But Xiaohei still has a lot of food at my place…”

The first thing he pulled out wasn’t a box of food, though, it was actually a cactus. The pot it was set in was big enough to fit into a palm, and the spikes also looked soft to the touch.

“You should eat more meat.” Shan Haiming’s hand moved, reaching outwards but he stopped before do anything further. Taking advantage of the motion to look at his watch, he then tossed Xiao Ning a key. “So… don’t forget to drop the clothes you bought me off at my place, and there’s cat food for Xiaohei on the table, the thermos is there too, so you can take those yourself.”

What are you going to do now, though? It’s eleven at night. Are there any locksmiths that stay open all night?

From the moment she opened her mouth she started with the barrage of questions. With a purse of lips, Xiao Ning then teased, “You want to give him a call?”

“Do you think I brought it here to stab you with?” Shan Haiming asked absent-mindedly. “By the way, what’s the one in the pot you left in front my door earlier?”

His blankets had no unnecessary scents either, and most likely had never been scented. When it was washed, the most basic and unscented detergent must’ve also been used. But the scent infused in those blankets was one that was nice and warm, it made lying in them feel no different than sleeping under the sun.

“Mr. Xiao,” with a smiling expression in his eyes, Shan Haiming then continued sarcastically, “can’t you see what it is?”

“Huh? Oh. Yes, he is.” Xiao Ning replied after again coming back to his senses, while somewhat guiltily covering the key in the table with his hand before stuffing it into his pocket.

Xiao Ning: “…”

An unmistakable look of “Omg, there’s really a chance?” was written on the young woman’s apple-shaped face as she politely replied, “Haha, you’re just teasing, aren’t you? That would be way too sudden.”

Xiao Ning’s body had almost fallen onto to floor with how far his body had tilted, causing Xiaohei to let out a meow with its fur on end before lightly hopping away. Xiao Ning then looked at the time in a daze. It’s almost eleven, does Shan Haiming need something?

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

Xiaohei straightened itself in Xiao Ning’s arms, resting its paws on his chest to sniff him, putting Xiao Ning in such a good mood he laughed out. “Alright, alright. There’s some new food for you today, so lets give it a try.”

After Xiao Ning returned his senses, to stare at the key on the table in front of him, dumbfounded. Not too long ago, he had returned a set of keys to Lu Yan’s, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was given another set of keys to another person’s house. It gave him mixed feelings. When he finally remembered what he wanted to say, Shan Haiming was already long gone.

Xiao Ning took the cactus in its blue ceramic pot and placed it in an empty space to the right of his computer. “Is it for me?”

“Mr. Xiao,” with a smiling expression in his eyes, Shan Haiming then continued sarcastically, “can’t you see what it is?”

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

She wanted to say more, but Xiao Ning had already begin eating his lunch, and it was rare for their Team-leader Xiao to not give someone his full attention like this. Fan Ying still gave a hinting look in her eyes, but it wasn’t easy for her to ask any more questions in the end. So, with her lunch box in hand, she made her way over to other women in the office to share the information she dd gather.

Just as Xiao Ning thought, the one knocking at his door was indeed that neighbour living across from him, and right as he opened the door Shan Haiming stated, “Key.”

Xiao Ning’s body had almost fallen onto to floor with how far his body had tilted, causing Xiaohei to let out a meow with its fur on end before lightly hopping away. Xiao Ning then looked at the time in a daze. It’s almost eleven, does Shan Haiming need something?

To this, Shan Haiming replied coldly, “You got that right, congrats.”

“Oh that, I think it’s called a Peach BeautyT/n: It’s known as Blue Haze in English..” Xiao Ning sat at his desk and began pulling out the containers from the bag one by one, and it was unexpectedly a lot. The main dish was obviously the steamed fish taking up the largest container, while in the others were rice, sautéed broccoli in garlic sauce, steamed eggs topped with minced pork, and even a five-fingered peach rootT/n: Also known as Cantonese ginseng and it has a coconut-like taste. chicken soup.

Xiao Ning: “…okay?”

From the moment she opened her mouth she started with the barrage of questions. With a purse of lips, Xiao Ning then teased, “You want to give him a call?”

Shan Haiming’s expressionless stare focused on him made Xiao Ning have a sudden realisation. “Did you just have that one key?!”

There weren’t many things inside Shan Haiming’s apartment, it was a simplistic. Plus, as a young bachelor, keeping it clean was and act practically deserving of praise. It was Xiao Ning’s first time in this apartment when it’s owner was away, which made him unable to help feeling a bit awkward as he was there. Walking in, he saw there was a five kilogram bag of cat food on the table, and upon picking it up, he saw the words: Salmon and Blueberry.

Xiao Ning: “?”

Xiaohei straightened itself in Xiao Ning’s arms, resting its paws on his chest to sniff him, putting Xiao Ning in such a good mood he laughed out. “Alright, alright. There’s some new food for you today, so lets give it a try.”

Xiao Ning was obviously not a person with a flare for decor, the neat and tidy style of his room almost bordered on bland. This made the peach beauty sitting at is bedside stick out like a sore thumb.

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

Xiao Ning: “…”

Xiao Ning: “…”

Confused, Xiao Ning asked, “Was it not on your coffee table?”

Key

“Did you behave yourself at home today?” Xiao Ning looked at the sofa cushions scattered about on the floor and knew that lil gut had actually been up to all sorts of trouble for the day. Walking out to the balcony, Xiao Ning picked up the blanket and bedding that had been drying in the sun. Xiaohei always followed behind him, clinging to him like a cat.

What about this sounds appetising?

When he first received the message, Xiao Ning had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention was. At lunchtime, the people in the office either ordered take-out, warmed up their lunches, or went out to eat. If not for this message, Xiao Ning would be going out with his team to eat.

Resting the clothes on the sofa, Xiao Ning picked up both the cat food and the thermos, then following a moment of hesitance, he placed the key on the coffee table. He had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention’s were, but something like taking someone’s key just felt too intimate, and for some reason that kind of thing made Xiao Ning anxious—it made him want to avoid it.

From the moment she opened her mouth she started with the barrage of questions. With a purse of lips, Xiao Ning then teased, “You want to give him a call?”

When he got back to his place, Xiaohei came to rub itself against him affectionately. Since that kitten had grown older, it’s fur was longer and softer and its figure had grown more elegant. So now when it sat on the floor in that graceful posture unique to cats, it had completely encompassed the quiet beauty of a cat. But it was still too young to have shed the penchant for getting into trouble and curiosity of its species. Meaning, that when there was no eyes on it, it spent the day rolling about like a mad ball of fur, then after its master returned in the evening, it would sit of his lap to wait having its fur stroked.

When he got back to his place, Xiaohei came to rub itself against him affectionately. Since that kitten had grown older, it’s fur was longer and softer and its figure had grown more elegant. So now when it sat on the floor in that graceful posture unique to cats, it had completely encompassed the quiet beauty of a cat. But it was still too young to have shed the penchant for getting into trouble and curiosity of its species. Meaning, that when there was no eyes on it, it spent the day rolling about like a mad ball of fur, then after its master returned in the evening, it would sit of his lap to wait having its fur stroked.

“Use it to switch up the food. I’m off.” Saying this, Shan Haiming made a speedy exit.

“Do you think I brought it here to stab you with?” Shan Haiming asked absent-mindedly. “By the way, what’s the one in the pot you left in front my door earlier?”

Xiao Ning wasn’t much of a cook, but he couldn’t just let Shan Haiming eat plain toast, and luckily, there were a few eggs in the fridge he was planning to boil for breakfast the next morning. Using a frying pan, he fried the eggs until they were nearly cooked on one side, then placed a slice of bread onto it before flipping it over to continue toasting them. He made two of these one after the other, toasting both sides of the bread in addition to warming up a cup of milk.

Xiao Ning: “…okay?”

Yawning, Shan Haiming turned his body sideways and squeezed his way in. “You have anything to eat?”

Xiao Ning wasn’t much of a cook, but he couldn’t just let Shan Haiming eat plain toast, and luckily, there were a few eggs in the fridge he was planning to boil for breakfast the next morning. Using a frying pan, he fried the eggs until they were nearly cooked on one side, then placed a slice of bread onto it before flipping it over to continue toasting them. He made two of these one after the other, toasting both sides of the bread in addition to warming up a cup of milk.

“Did you behave yourself at home today?” Xiao Ning looked at the sofa cushions scattered about on the floor and knew that lil gut had actually been up to all sorts of trouble for the day. Walking out to the balcony, Xiao Ning picked up the blanket and bedding that had been drying in the sun. Xiaohei always followed behind him, clinging to him like a cat.

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

Shan Haiming didn’t refuse his offer. Following a quick washing up, he made his way into Xiao Ning’s room and went straight to bed. Sound asleep in the position it skilfully occupied since earlier, by his uninvited arrival to that bed, Shan Haiming had offended that little sleeping ancestor of his, which let out some ‘roars’ in protest. But Shan Haiming had always been someone unfazed, so from the start to the end, he regarded the little outcries as nothing.

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

Bending down, Xiao Ning lifted Xiaohei into his arms. “Are you hungry?”

Shan Haiming didn’t refuse his offer. Following a quick washing up, he made his way into Xiao Ning’s room and went straight to bed. Sound asleep in the position it skilfully occupied since earlier, by his uninvited arrival to that bed, Shan Haiming had offended that little sleeping ancestor of his, which let out some ‘roars’ in protest. But Shan Haiming had always been someone unfazed, so from the start to the end, he regarded the little outcries as nothing.

“Huh? Oh. Yes, he is.” Xiao Ning replied after again coming back to his senses, while somewhat guiltily covering the key in the table with his hand before stuffing it into his pocket.

Confounded, Xiao Ning sent a message in reply with the location of his office. Then, with regard of what he wanted to eat, if it was someone else, he would’ve probably said that anything would be fine. But if he replied like that to Shan Haiming, he was pretty certain that guy would be unhappy with such and answer and send his own reply saying “quit it with that nonsense” or the like.

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

What are you going to do now, though? It’s eleven at night. Are there any locksmiths that stay open all night?

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

“Okay.” Shan Haiming’s voice when he spoke dragged on a bit, sounding especially sluggish and unguarded. He then turned his head to look for Xiaohei, but that little guy had long moseyed its way back to Xiao Ning’s bedroom, leaving nothing but a cloud of cat fur behind it.

Xiaohei straightened itself in Xiao Ning’s arms, resting its paws on his chest to sniff him, putting Xiao Ning in such a good mood he laughed out. “Alright, alright. There’s some new food for you today, so lets give it a try.”

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

When it was finally quiet, Shan Haiming turned over.

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

Shan Haiming’s expression was blank, looking as though he didn’t want to talk about it. But after changing into the slippers and lying on the sofa he still went on to explain, “I couldn’t eat.”

The strange salmon-blueberry flavour had surprisingly actually won Xiaohei’s favour, the little guy ate his all his dinner faster than usual, and was even making noise for more. Afraid it wouldn’t give up on it’s pleas, Xiao Ning picked up Xiaohei and it to the living room to brush its fur. On the sofa in his living room, one human and one cat sat staring at the television with drowsy eyes. At least, they were, until a sudden knock sounded at their door.

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

What about this sounds appetising?

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

“Mr. Xiao,” with a smiling expression in his eyes, Shan Haiming then continued sarcastically, “can’t you see what it is?”

Xiao Ning’s body had almost fallen onto to floor with how far his body had tilted, causing Xiaohei to let out a meow with its fur on end before lightly hopping away. Xiao Ning then looked at the time in a daze. It’s almost eleven, does Shan Haiming need something?

Shan Haiming’s expressionless stare focused on him made Xiao Ning have a sudden realisation. “Did you just have that one key?!”

Just as Xiao Ning thought, the one knocking at his door was indeed that neighbour living across from him, and right as he opened the door Shan Haiming stated, “Key.”

Recalling Shan Haiming had went to meet with Shan Haihong earlier that day, Xiao Ning felt Shan Haiming’s bad mood and that ‘thinking himself the protagonist in a wealthy family drama’ older brother of his were connected, and his unfavourable feelings towards Shan Haihong went up by a few percent. “Just hold on for a bit, then. I’ll go make you some toast.”

Confused, Xiao Ning asked, “Was it not on your coffee table?”

N/A

“Forget it.” Shan Haiming didn’t seem to have even the slightest bit of qualms over accepting his apology, nor any intention to reflect on his own actions. Afterwards, with a frown he added, “Be careful next time, don’t just leave anything I give you lying around.”

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

Shan Haiming’s expression was blank, looking as though he didn’t want to talk about it. But after changing into the slippers and lying on the sofa he still went on to explain, “I couldn’t eat.”

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

Shan Haiming: “…”

“Huh? Oh. Yes, he is.” Xiao Ning replied after again coming back to his senses, while somewhat guiltily covering the key in the table with his hand before stuffing it into his pocket.

To this, Shan Haiming replied coldly, “You got that right, congrats.”

“Use it to switch up the food. I’m off.” Saying this, Shan Haiming made a speedy exit.

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

Xiao Ning lifted his head, and sprawled on his face was a rarely seen unmistakable beaming grin. “Thank you.”

Everything in that place was simple, warm, and tidy like their owner.

What are you going to do now, though? It’s eleven at night. Are there any locksmiths that stay open all night?

Xiao Ning: “?”

What about this sounds appetising?

N/A

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

N/A

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

“Huh? Oh. Yes, he is.” Xiao Ning replied after again coming back to his senses, while somewhat guiltily covering the key in the table with his hand before stuffing it into his pocket.

Shan Haiming: “…”

Shan Haiming’s expressionless stare focused on him made Xiao Ning have a sudden realisation. “Did you just have that one key?!”

To this, Shan Haiming replied coldly, “You got that right, congrats.”

Xiao Ning lifted his head, and sprawled on his face was a rarely seen unmistakable beaming grin. “Thank you.”

Xiao Ning was obviously not a person with a flare for decor, the neat and tidy style of his room almost bordered on bland. This made the peach beauty sitting at is bedside stick out like a sore thumb.

To this, Shan Haiming replied coldly, “You got that right, congrats.”

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

◈◇◈

Xiao Ning’s body had almost fallen onto to floor with how far his body had tilted, causing Xiaohei to let out a meow with its fur on end before lightly hopping away. Xiao Ning then looked at the time in a daze. It’s almost eleven, does Shan Haiming need something?

“Okay.” Shan Haiming’s voice when he spoke dragged on a bit, sounding especially sluggish and unguarded. He then turned his head to look for Xiaohei, but that little guy had long moseyed its way back to Xiao Ning’s bedroom, leaving nothing but a cloud of cat fur behind it.

“Forget it.” Shan Haiming didn’t seem to have even the slightest bit of qualms over accepting his apology, nor any intention to reflect on his own actions. Afterwards, with a frown he added, “Be careful next time, don’t just leave anything I give you lying around.”

Xiao Ning: “…”

Xiaohei straightened itself in Xiao Ning’s arms, resting its paws on his chest to sniff him, putting Xiao Ning in such a good mood he laughed out. “Alright, alright. There’s some new food for you today, so lets give it a try.”

Xiao Ning was mad. Why didn’t this guy say anything when he tossed the key? Second Young Master Shan, I think you have really overestimated the degree of the tacit understanding between us. But, out of habit, Xiao Ning was the one to offer an apology first. “I’m so sorry, I really didn’t know…”

The first thing he pulled out wasn’t a box of food, though, it was actually a cactus. The pot it was set in was big enough to fit into a palm, and the spikes also looked soft to the touch.

“No, this is good enough.” Shan Haiming, after washing his hands, dug right in, which even got the glass containing the milk oily, resulting in Xiao Ning handing him a few napkins. “Besides, eating too much at night can cause indigestion. A late night snack is much better.”

Xiao Ning lifted his head, and sprawled on his face was a rarely seen unmistakable beaming grin. “Thank you.”

“Forget it.” Shan Haiming didn’t seem to have even the slightest bit of qualms over accepting his apology, nor any intention to reflect on his own actions. Afterwards, with a frown he added, “Be careful next time, don’t just leave anything I give you lying around.”

“You should eat more meat.” Shan Haiming’s hand moved, reaching outwards but he stopped before do anything further. Taking advantage of the motion to look at his watch, he then tossed Xiao Ning a key. “So… don’t forget to drop the clothes you bought me off at my place, and there’s cat food for Xiaohei on the table, the thermos is there too, so you can take those yourself.”

Key

Shan Haiming: “…”

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

Does this mean he’s coming here?

Xiao Ning: “…okay?”

Xiao Ning was obviously not a person with a flare for decor, the neat and tidy style of his room almost bordered on bland. This made the peach beauty sitting at is bedside stick out like a sore thumb.

Xiao Ning: “…”

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

Recalling Shan Haiming had went to meet with Shan Haihong earlier that day, Xiao Ning felt Shan Haiming’s bad mood and that ‘thinking himself the protagonist in a wealthy family drama’ older brother of his were connected, and his unfavourable feelings towards Shan Haihong went up by a few percent. “Just hold on for a bit, then. I’ll go make you some toast.”

N/A

What are you going to do now, though? It’s eleven at night. Are there any locksmiths that stay open all night?

Xiao Ning: “…okay?”

When he first received the message, Xiao Ning had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention was. At lunchtime, the people in the office either ordered take-out, warmed up their lunches, or went out to eat. If not for this message, Xiao Ning would be going out with his team to eat.

A member of his team called Fan Ying then made her way over to him with a pink lunch container in her hand. “Boss, was that guy who just came a friend of yours?”

N/A

“Huh? Oh. Yes, he is.” Xiao Ning replied after again coming back to his senses, while somewhat guiltily covering the key in the table with his hand before stuffing it into his pocket.

Yawning, Shan Haiming turned his body sideways and squeezed his way in. “You have anything to eat?”

A member of his team called Fan Ying then made her way over to him with a pink lunch container in her hand. “Boss, was that guy who just came a friend of yours?”

Xiao Ning took the cactus in its blue ceramic pot and placed it in an empty space to the right of his computer. “Is it for me?”

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

Recalling Shan Haiming had went to meet with Shan Haihong earlier that day, Xiao Ning felt Shan Haiming’s bad mood and that ‘thinking himself the protagonist in a wealthy family drama’ older brother of his were connected, and his unfavourable feelings towards Shan Haihong went up by a few percent. “Just hold on for a bit, then. I’ll go make you some toast.”

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

An unmistakable look of “Omg, there’s really a chance?” was written on the young woman’s apple-shaped face as she politely replied, “Haha, you’re just teasing, aren’t you? That would be way too sudden.”

It felt quite strange for some reason, it was as if the fluorescent lights on the ceiling above all got brighter. Xiao Ning looked at Shan Haiming who raised a brow when their gazes met, and before he knew it, Xiao Ning found himself spreading his face in a smile. After waiting for Shan Haiming to get closer, he asked with a laugh, “Why did you come all the way here?”

“Just a few slices of bread.” Closing the door after him, Xiao Ning then took out a pair of slippers. “How could you still not have eaten anything when it’s already so late?”

“I came to see your General Manager Shan.” With his outstanding looks and disposition, once Shan Haiming entered he naturally attracted quite a number of stares. But none of it seemed to affect him in any way as he simply moved to place the bags directly on the desk.

Shan Haiming’s expression was blank, looking as though he didn’t want to talk about it. But after changing into the slippers and lying on the sofa he still went on to explain, “I couldn’t eat.”

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

Recalling Shan Haiming had went to meet with Shan Haihong earlier that day, Xiao Ning felt Shan Haiming’s bad mood and that ‘thinking himself the protagonist in a wealthy family drama’ older brother of his were connected, and his unfavourable feelings towards Shan Haihong went up by a few percent. “Just hold on for a bit, then. I’ll go make you some toast.”

Having only being able to make that much, he still worried about it not being enough for Shan Haiming, so while sitting beside him he asked, “Do you want to order take-out?”

“Okay.” Shan Haiming’s voice when he spoke dragged on a bit, sounding especially sluggish and unguarded. He then turned his head to look for Xiaohei, but that little guy had long moseyed its way back to Xiao Ning’s bedroom, leaving nothing but a cloud of cat fur behind it.

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

Shan Haiming didn’t send him a message in reply, but he also didn’t make him wait long either, because after twenty minutes he showed up. Xiao Ning had been standing for a while with his back to the doorway located not too far from his seat. He was was staring at the humidifier on someone else’s desk when he suddenly got a feeling. Upon turning, he saw a plastic bag carrying Shan Haiming striding towards him.

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

Xiao Ning wasn’t much of a cook, but he couldn’t just let Shan Haiming eat plain toast, and luckily, there were a few eggs in the fridge he was planning to boil for breakfast the next morning. Using a frying pan, he fried the eggs until they were nearly cooked on one side, then placed a slice of bread onto it before flipping it over to continue toasting them. He made two of these one after the other, toasting both sides of the bread in addition to warming up a cup of milk.

“Did you behave yourself at home today?” Xiao Ning looked at the sofa cushions scattered about on the floor and knew that lil gut had actually been up to all sorts of trouble for the day. Walking out to the balcony, Xiao Ning picked up the blanket and bedding that had been drying in the sun. Xiaohei always followed behind him, clinging to him like a cat.

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

Xiao Ning was mad. Why didn’t this guy say anything when he tossed the key? Second Young Master Shan, I think you have really overestimated the degree of the tacit understanding between us. But, out of habit, Xiao Ning was the one to offer an apology first. “I’m so sorry, I really didn’t know…”

Having only being able to make that much, he still worried about it not being enough for Shan Haiming, so while sitting beside him he asked, “Do you want to order take-out?”

“Oh that, I think it’s called a Peach BeautyT/n: It’s known as Blue Haze in English..” Xiao Ning sat at his desk and began pulling out the containers from the bag one by one, and it was unexpectedly a lot. The main dish was obviously the steamed fish taking up the largest container, while in the others were rice, sautéed broccoli in garlic sauce, steamed eggs topped with minced pork, and even a five-fingered peach rootT/n: Also known as Cantonese ginseng and it has a coconut-like taste. chicken soup.

Confounded, Xiao Ning sent a message in reply with the location of his office. Then, with regard of what he wanted to eat, if it was someone else, he would’ve probably said that anything would be fine. But if he replied like that to Shan Haiming, he was pretty certain that guy would be unhappy with such and answer and send his own reply saying “quit it with that nonsense” or the like.

Xiao Ning: “…”

“Forget it.” Shan Haiming didn’t seem to have even the slightest bit of qualms over accepting his apology, nor any intention to reflect on his own actions. Afterwards, with a frown he added, “Be careful next time, don’t just leave anything I give you lying around.”

Having only being able to make that much, he still worried about it not being enough for Shan Haiming, so while sitting beside him he asked, “Do you want to order take-out?”

“No, this is good enough.” Shan Haiming, after washing his hands, dug right in, which even got the glass containing the milk oily, resulting in Xiao Ning handing him a few napkins. “Besides, eating too much at night can cause indigestion. A late night snack is much better.”

“Okay.” Shan Haiming’s voice when he spoke dragged on a bit, sounding especially sluggish and unguarded. He then turned his head to look for Xiaohei, but that little guy had long moseyed its way back to Xiao Ning’s bedroom, leaving nothing but a cloud of cat fur behind it.

Just as Xiao Ning thought, the one knocking at his door was indeed that neighbour living across from him, and right as he opened the door Shan Haiming stated, “Key.”

Key

“I came to see your General Manager Shan.” With his outstanding looks and disposition, once Shan Haiming entered he naturally attracted quite a number of stares. But none of it seemed to affect him in any way as he simply moved to place the bags directly on the desk.

Having only being able to make that much, he still worried about it not being enough for Shan Haiming, so while sitting beside him he asked, “Do you want to order take-out?”

After wiping his mouth, he took the dishes to the sink to wash them, then asked upon returning, “Where can I sleep?”

Shan Haiming: “…”

“You can sleep in my room.” Xiao Ning slept in the master bedroom, which was obviously much better than the bed in the second bedroom which still had a white linen covering it to protect from dust, and its bedding and covers was also just washed. Anyhow, the weather was warm, and Xiao Ning was planning to make do covering up with a thin blanket.

“Use it to switch up the food. I’m off.” Saying this, Shan Haiming made a speedy exit.

Shan Haiming didn’t refuse his offer. Following a quick washing up, he made his way into Xiao Ning’s room and went straight to bed. Sound asleep in the position it skilfully occupied since earlier, by his uninvited arrival to that bed, Shan Haiming had offended that little sleeping ancestor of his, which let out some ‘roars’ in protest. But Shan Haiming had always been someone unfazed, so from the start to the end, he regarded the little outcries as nothing.

From the moment she opened her mouth she started with the barrage of questions. With a purse of lips, Xiao Ning then teased, “You want to give him a call?”

Confused, Xiao Ning asked, “Was it not on your coffee table?”

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

Shan Haiming didn’t refuse his offer. Following a quick washing up, he made his way into Xiao Ning’s room and went straight to bed. Sound asleep in the position it skilfully occupied since earlier, by his uninvited arrival to that bed, Shan Haiming had offended that little sleeping ancestor of his, which let out some ‘roars’ in protest. But Shan Haiming had always been someone unfazed, so from the start to the end, he regarded the little outcries as nothing.

Xiao Ning: “…”

The first thing he pulled out wasn’t a box of food, though, it was actually a cactus. The pot it was set in was big enough to fit into a palm, and the spikes also looked soft to the touch.

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

Does this mean he’s coming here?

After wiping his mouth, he took the dishes to the sink to wash them, then asked upon returning, “Where can I sleep?”

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

After wiping his mouth, he took the dishes to the sink to wash them, then asked upon returning, “Where can I sleep?”

From the moment she opened her mouth she started with the barrage of questions. With a purse of lips, Xiao Ning then teased, “You want to give him a call?”

It was clearly nothing but a reply with an order, but Xiao Ning found himself feeling particularly embarrassed by the situation. His embarrassment was not because he would be troubling another person, however, instead it was more of a touch of nervous excitement. Speaking of embarrassment, being treated to unexpected favours like this really made him feel overwhelmed.

Key

Fan Ying was a very lively person who wasn’t one to conceal her her true feelings, so at that moment, her eyes were practically beaming. But she still maintained a reserved expression as she then asked, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? This is the first time I’ve seen him at the company. Do you know what he came here for? How old is he? Is he single?”

Shan Haiming’s expressionless stare focused on him made Xiao Ning have a sudden realisation. “Did you just have that one key?!”

After Xiao Ning returned his senses, to stare at the key on the table in front of him, dumbfounded. Not too long ago, he had returned a set of keys to Lu Yan’s, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was given another set of keys to another person’s house. It gave him mixed feelings. When he finally remembered what he wanted to say, Shan Haiming was already long gone.

When it was finally quiet, Shan Haiming turned over.

Surprised, Xiao Ning asked with a chuckle, “What is this?”

Xiao Ning was obviously not a person with a flare for decor, the neat and tidy style of his room almost bordered on bland. This made the peach beauty sitting at is bedside stick out like a sore thumb.

Key

“Okay.” Shan Haiming’s voice when he spoke dragged on a bit, sounding especially sluggish and unguarded. He then turned his head to look for Xiaohei, but that little guy had long moseyed its way back to Xiao Ning’s bedroom, leaving nothing but a cloud of cat fur behind it.

—Which floor is your office on? What do you want to eat?

His blankets had no unnecessary scents either, and most likely had never been scented. When it was washed, the most basic and unscented detergent must’ve also been used. But the scent infused in those blankets was one that was nice and warm, it made lying in them feel no different than sleeping under the sun.

Xiao Ning: “…”

Shan Haiming didn’t refuse his offer. Following a quick washing up, he made his way into Xiao Ning’s room and went straight to bed. Sound asleep in the position it skilfully occupied since earlier, by his uninvited arrival to that bed, Shan Haiming had offended that little sleeping ancestor of his, which let out some ‘roars’ in protest. But Shan Haiming had always been someone unfazed, so from the start to the end, he regarded the little outcries as nothing.

Xiao Ning: “?”

“Forget it.” Shan Haiming didn’t seem to have even the slightest bit of qualms over accepting his apology, nor any intention to reflect on his own actions. Afterwards, with a frown he added, “Be careful next time, don’t just leave anything I give you lying around.”

N/A

Everything in that place was simple, warm, and tidy like their owner.

“Mr. Xiao,” with a smiling expression in his eyes, Shan Haiming then continued sarcastically, “can’t you see what it is?”

Everything in that place was simple, warm, and tidy like their owner.

Having meowed in complaint for a long time without getting any reaction, it then went to scratch at the door to no avail, since its little paws couldn’t open it. In the end, realising the situation, it again became an elegant cat. Turning around and leaving Shan Haiming at a distance, once more, it became a little ball of fluff.

An unmistakable look of “Omg, there’s really a chance?” was written on the young woman’s apple-shaped face as she politely replied, “Haha, you’re just teasing, aren’t you? That would be way too sudden.”

Xiao Ning: “?”

As Shan Haiming lay on the bed, he felt when Xiaohei hopped back up again, making a compromise as it rolled into a ball.

Shan Haiming didn’t send him a message in reply, but he also didn’t make him wait long either, because after twenty minutes he showed up. Xiao Ning had been standing for a while with his back to the doorway located not too far from his seat. He was was staring at the humidifier on someone else’s desk when he suddenly got a feeling. Upon turning, he saw a plastic bag carrying Shan Haiming striding towards him.

From the moment she opened her mouth she started with the barrage of questions. With a purse of lips, Xiao Ning then teased, “You want to give him a call?”

His blankets had no unnecessary scents either, and most likely had never been scented. When it was washed, the most basic and unscented detergent must’ve also been used. But the scent infused in those blankets was one that was nice and warm, it made lying in them feel no different than sleeping under the sun.

“Forget it.” Shan Haiming didn’t seem to have even the slightest bit of qualms over accepting his apology, nor any intention to reflect on his own actions. Afterwards, with a frown he added, “Be careful next time, don’t just leave anything I give you lying around.”

Resting the clothes on the sofa, Xiao Ning picked up both the cat food and the thermos, then following a moment of hesitance, he placed the key on the coffee table. He had no idea what Shan Haiming’s intention’s were, but something like taking someone’s key just felt too intimate, and for some reason that kind of thing made Xiao Ning anxious—it made him want to avoid it.

“You like it too, don’t you?” He asked, obviously gaining no reply in return from Xiaohei.

His blankets had no unnecessary scents either, and most likely had never been scented. When it was washed, the most basic and unscented detergent must’ve also been used. But the scent infused in those blankets was one that was nice and warm, it made lying in them feel no different than sleeping under the sun.

“You can sleep in my room.” Xiao Ning slept in the master bedroom, which was obviously much better than the bed in the second bedroom which still had a white linen covering it to protect from dust, and its bedding and covers was also just washed. Anyhow, the weather was warm, and Xiao Ning was planning to make do covering up with a thin blanket.

She wanted to say more, but Xiao Ning had already begin eating his lunch, and it was rare for their Team-leader Xiao to not give someone his full attention like this. Fan Ying still gave a hinting look in her eyes, but it wasn’t easy for her to ask any more questions in the end. So, with her lunch box in hand, she made her way over to other women in the office to share the information she dd gather.

Chuckling quietly in the darkness, after pulling the blanket to bury himself even deeper within it, Shan Haiming closed his eyes.

An unmistakable look of “Omg, there’s really a chance?” was written on the young woman’s apple-shaped face as she politely replied, “Haha, you’re just teasing, aren’t you? That would be way too sudden.”