Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Even after Song Nian left, Li Yanchuan stayed frozen in the same position, head down, sitting motionless in his wheelchair.

He looked at the USB drive in his hand, then turned his head to glance at the stack of documents on the table.

His gaze was deep, like thick ink, his thoughts as thick and stuck as ink.

Finally, he clenched his fist and, without a word, tossed the USB drive into the desk drawer.

At the very bottom of the drawer lay a file folder.

Inside it was the material on Song Nian that the secretary had previously collected.

Back when he first had the car accident and learned of the marriage alliance with the Song family, Li Yanchuan had already sent someone to investigate all of Song Nian's information.

Nothing was omitted; it was just as complete as the pile of materials on the table.

In fact, it was even more comprehensive.

He didn't bother comparing the two piles, since they were almost identical—no point.

Looking at the two piles of paperwork, Li Yanchuan rubbed his forehead and sank into thought.

His hair fell into his eyes, covering his smooth forehead, much like the complex emotions shrouding his heart.

According to the earlier background check, Song Nian was an aloof person, like a lotus rising out of the mud, with a fierce sense of pride—someone who'd never suck up or kiss anyone's ass.

But after actually meeting Song Nian, Li Yanchuan found that not only did the guy not act aloof, he was downright cheerful and crazy enthusiastic.

Not only did he not act all high and mighty, he'd even bend over backward to explain things and clear the air.

Why the huge difference in personality?

Was the background check wrong, or was there something else going on?

Or maybe the guy in front of him wasn't the same one in the file?

Caught off guard by his own wild guess, Li Yanchuan froze for a second, then let out a helpless laugh and shook his head, shaking off that unlikely thought.

They looked exactly the same—how could they not be the same person?

But either way, the real Song Nian he'd met was way more likable than the one in the file.

If everything Song Nian said was true...

He lowered his eyes, his expression darkening, a theory forming in his head.

————

While Li Yanchuan was tangled up in his own thoughts, Song Nian was completely relaxed.

—He'd finally gotten everything off his chest and handed over the USB drive!

Sure, he hadn't fully won the guy over, but that was fine—there was plenty of time.

Long as he'd made that first move, there'd be chances later.

Fired up, Song Nian made up his mind to spend the coming days building a good relationship with the guy and close the distance, so he wouldn't end up like the original owner.

So the next morning, he got up super early and made breakfast himself.

Besides the housekeeper who came once a week to clean and the assistant who dropped off his meals, there was usually no one else in the house, let alone anyone to look after Li Yanchuan.

Since he had nothing better to do, Song Nian figured he might as well whip up something, hoping it'd score him some points.

Right as he set the steaming breakfast on the table, Li Yanchuan came out of the elevator.

"Babe, you're up? Come eat breakfast."

Song Nian grinned and called him over.

"You made this?"

Pushing his wheelchair to the table, Li Yanchuan raised an eyebrow and glanced at the huge spread on the table, then noticed the apron Song Nian was wearing.

The apron strings were tied around his waist, highlighting the slim curve of his waist—smooth and graceful, like one hand could wrap around most of it.

"Yeah, see if you like it."

Totally clueless about the guy checking him out, Song Nian bent down to untie his apron.

When he turned, his nice round ass came into view, made even fuller by his narrow waist.

Li Yanchuan froze, eyes going wide, then looked away like he'd been scalded.

"I didn't know what you like to eat, so I just threw together a bit of everything. If you don't like it, just say so."

If he hadn't seen the signs that the kitchen had been used, he'd have thought the guy bought breakfast and pretended to cook it.

For all the info he'd dug up on Song Nian, he didn't know the guy could cook.

And it looked and smelled delicious, clearly showing whoever cooked knew what they were doing.

In fact, because his parents were always busy with work and rarely home, Song Nian had cooked for himself since childhood, and later had to take care of his younger brother too, slowly becoming a great cook.

He'd purposely shown off his skills, but the guy in the wheelchair was totally ungrateful and started to leave.

"Hey, why aren't you eating? Trust me, it's not bad."

Figuring the guy thought it'd taste bad, Song Nian quickly chased after him to explain.

"I'm not hungry."

"You've gotta eat even if you're not hungry. Skipping breakfast is bad for your health."

Bad for health?

His messed-up body was already beyond saving anyway—who even cared about such trivial things?

Li Yanchuan smiled bitterly to himself, said nothing more, and went around the man to enter the elevator.

He really wasn't going to eat? And I went to all the trouble of making enough for two.

Watching the elevator doors slowly close, Song Nian muttered to himself.

Oh well, given Li Yanchuan's suspicious nature, it was only natural that he wouldn't want to eat food cooked by him.

No point forcing it—he'd just take it step by step.

The slight disappointment faded quickly, and he let it go. He grabbed his bowl and sat down at the table to eat.

Crunch, crunch, crunch—so good.

Just as he was happily eating, the villa door suddenly swung open. He looked up and locked eyes with the assistant who had just entered.

The two stared at each other, both caught off guard.

"M-Mr. Song, hi!"

The assistant looked surprised to see him at the table but quickly composed himself and greeted him.

And when he realized Song Nian was having breakfast, a flash of guilt crossed his face, and he discreetly hid what he was holding behind his back.

"Oh, hello. You looking for Yan Chuan? He's upstairs."

Figuring out why he was there, Song Nian politely pointed him in the right direction.

He happened to have an extra serving, so he offered, "You had breakfast? If not, wanna join me?"

"Thank you, but I've already eaten..."

Mid-sentence, the tempting smell of the food hit his nose. The assistant paused and instantly changed his answer.

"But I could eat a little more."

No one can resist that temptation, especially when it's handed to them.

"Then I'll get you a bowl and chopsticks!"

Song Nian's eyes lit up, and he warmly gestured for the assistant to sit.

One bite was all it took for the assistant to be won over.

He never expected Mr. Song's cooking to be this amazing.

With a master chef at home, why would CEO Li make him bring food every day? What a waste!

—That's right, what the assistant had hidden earlier was that very breakfast.

Although the assistant was seduced by the fragrant food, his professionalism still made sure he completed the delivery without Song Nian noticing.

Glancing at the cold breakfast and then at the assistant's greasy lips, Li Yanchuan asked knowingly, "Good?"

"Delicious—uh, I mean, I didn't eat anything."

He answered automatically, but instantly realized his slip. The assistant quickly shut his mouth and looked down guiltily.

Luckily, Li Yanchuan didn't push it. He just handed him a USB drive.

"Look into this USB drive. ASAP."

"Yes."

"And..."

Just as he was about to get to work, he heard his boss speak up again.

"What is it?"

"And wipe your mouth before you go."

"O-okay..."

Feeling the grease on his lips, the assistant answered awkwardly.

"Also, since you ate, go downstairs and help with the kitchen."

"...Understood."

————

Song Nian was totally confused as he watched the assistant dash into the kitchen and insist on helping clean up without a word.

"Um, I got this."

Standing to the side, he watched the assistant frantically wipe the table and put away dishes, not knowing what to say.

Why was this assistant just like his boss—both so persistent you couldn't stop them?

If it weren't for the dishwasher, he'd probably wash the bowls by hand too.

"It's fine, let me. I ate your cooking, so it's the least I can do."

"Besides, the boss told me to. As his assistant, it's my job to help out."

"Huh? How much do you make?"

Hearing this, Song Nian became interested and asked curiously.

"CEO Li pays me 100k a month."

Song Nian, who used to earn 3,000 a month in his past life: ...

Well, that explains it. Salary and dedication go hand in hand; 100k a month is worth that effort.

Wait, did he just say Li Yanchuan told him to?

He didn't expect that—even though he refused to eat his cooking, he still thought to have someone help.

With that, Song Nian quietly pulled back his hand, feeling a little joy bubble up as he silently appreciated the gesture.

Song Nian made lunch himself too. Hoping Li Yanchuan would finally eat his cooking, he went all out and made a fancy heart-shaped bento.

It was a balanced mix of meat and veggies, rich flavor, and tempting aroma. He even added a cute design—a playful emoji drawn on the rice with ketchup:

ovo.

Trying to win him over with cuteness and break his defenses.

Perfect!

Admiring his masterpiece, Song Nian put his hands on his hips, satisfied.

Honey?

He carried the lunch upstairs and knocked on the study door.

"What is it?"

Soon, the door opened.

"Here's your lunch."

Remembering the previous rule about not entering the study, Song Nian was particularly self-aware. Without stepping a single foot inside, he stood at the door and stuffed the lunchbox into Li Yanchuan's hands.

"Remember to eat lunch on time, or it'll really be bad for your health."

He emphasized with a serious expression.

And fearing that the other might refuse, he turned and ran off quickly right after stuffing the box into his hands, leaving him no chance to change his mind.

Watching him hurry away, Li Yanchuan looked down at the lunchbox in his hand.

He was silent for a few seconds, then carried it back to the study without a word.

The lunch made by Song Nian himself was placed on the coffee table. One glance was enough to tell that it tasted good, making one's mouth water.

But Li Yanchuan remained unmoved. The more he stared at it, the deeper his frown became.

Especially when he saw the emoticon on the surface of the rice, his expression darkened.

This cute symbol made him automatically think of Song Nian's delicate and animated face.

Equally lively, spirited, and full of energy.

It could be called adorable.

Li Yanchuan suddenly felt that he couldn't quite understand Song Nian.

Going to such great lengths seemed as if he were deliberately trying to please Li Yanchuan.

He didn't believe that anyone would be nice to him for no reason, but he also couldn't figure out what Song Nian's goal really was.

This conflict made him unsure of what Song Nian really meant by his words and actions.

Compared to pure malice, this uncertainty made him even more annoyed.

Just then, his assistant called.

"Mr. Li, should I send your lunch as usual today?"

His assistant asked dutifully.

"Yes—"

The words came out instinctively, but his eyes fell on the lunchbox in front of him again. Li Yanchuan suddenly paused and changed his answer.

"Starting tonight, you don't have to send it anymore."