Lin An really wanted to tell Su Yuejin, “I just came to check on you.”

True, it was because of the bet with Xu Qinghuan. And yes—Su Yuejin’s feelings for him seemed genuine. But he’d still treated her like a tool. Just a tool to prove his love for Xu Qinghuan.

He couldn’t say it. No courage. No words.

“Su Yuejin, can you calm down? I just saw you were alone today… thought I’d stop by. I happened to be free. I’m usually busy, you know.”

As he spoke, he gently pulled her hand from under his shirt. Her fingers were slightly cold. He held them, rubbing softly until warmth returned.

“Really?”

“Really.”

Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around him—tight. Her soft, warm body pressed close. Eyelashes trembled as she whispered by his ear:

“That’s why I like you, Lin An.”

“…It’d be better if you didn’t. Didn’t you seem a little off earlier?”

“Because I have no other way to keep you here… Lin An.” She stepped back, voice tinged with quiet dejection.

Seeing her bite her lip, eyes glistening, Lin An’s heart softened.

“Come on—you’re Miss Su Yuejin. Beautiful. Sweet. A little rich girl. If not for *her*, I’d probably really like you too. Want to be with you.”

“But you won’t tell me who *she* is, will you?”

“There are reasons I can’t… But I’m not with her either.”

“Does she not love you?”

A faint, self-mocking laugh. “Is this how it is now? Loving those who don’t love you back… and not loving those who do?”

“Well… she probably does love me. But we both have flaws. We wouldn’t last. No solution yet.”

“Enough about that. Did you finish the food you made?”

“Ate a little. Threw the rest. It was awful.”

“Still hungry?”

“A tiny bit.”

“Want egg fried rice? I’ll make some.”

“Yes! Yes!”

She hopped close, skipping cheerfully behind him into the kitchen.

Simple dish. Lin An spotted leftover tomatoes and made his go-to: tomato egg fried rice. He’d already eaten, so he sat on the sofa watching her profile—small spoon, tiny bites from a little bowl.

TV hummed in the background, filling the quiet neither acknowledged.

“Wanna game? I’ve got two rigs.”

“Why two?”

“Laptop hooks to monitor, keyboard, mouse. Desktop’s for gaming. Laptop’s for shows.”

“Mm, okay. Let’s play.”

Lin An nodded. After dinner, Su Yuejin washed the bowl, rinsed her mouth, then planted a smacking kiss on his cheek.

In her room, she helped set up monitor, mouse, keyboard—all old gear she’d kept after upgrading. “Too lazy to resell,” she’d said.

Still, best setup Lin An had ever used.

“You got a Telecom 2 account?”

“Yeah.” He logged into a random one—Diamond rank.

They duo-queued. Su Yuejin on ADC. Lin An smiled inwardly: Diamond IV wasn’t carried. Climbing ADC in this meta took real skill.

He picked Thresh support.

At first, she called shots. Then she noticed—following Lin An’s lead *always* worked. Fight? Retreat? Positioning? Timing? She obeyed without question. Victory felt effortless.

“You’re *not* Silver IV, are you?” Her gaze turned sharp.

“Huh? Play normals mostly. Barely touched ranked this year. Grinded hard before.”

(He’d duo-queued bot lane with Xu Qinghuan for companion certification—hit Master.)

Two hours. Four wins straight. She climbed to Diamond III. Tired. ADC was draining.

“You *avoided* playing with me! How could you be Silver IV?!” Her slender legs in black thigh-highs playfully tapped his thigh—light, almost a massage.

Lin An stretched, eyes tracing her legs. Su Yuejin flushed. *She was wearing panties… but they came with that seductive camisole. So embarrassing… Did he see?*

“Help me take these off?”

“What’s this?”

“A perk! Since you won’t… *do that*… a little treat’s fair, right?”

Her smile turned unexpectedly gentle, almost shy.

He walked over. Thigh-highs, not pantyhose—easy to peel. Slowly, he rolled them down. Her skin emerged tender, white as freshly peeled lychee.

He set them aside. She stood, then lay on the left side of the bed.

“You’re… staying tonight?”

“Staying.”

“Go wash up. Use my toothbrush. My slippers. I’ll wait.”

“You won’t be naked when I get back, right?”

“No!”

“Change into a nightgown? *Please*, Su Yuejin.”

Full exposure wasn’t half as tempting as suggestion. Even bare, a collar would feel more alluring than nothing.

“Okay…” She nodded.

When he returned, she wore a white strapless nightgown. Black hair spilled over shoulders. Eyes deep, clear. Smooth shoulders begged to be touched.

He climbed in.

She curled against him—warmth, the faint scent of her hair strangely soothing. Her legs tangled his, clinging like she feared he’d vanish.

“How’m I supposed to sleep like this?” He met her dark, earnest eyes.

“Okay…” She loosened her grip, just holding him lightly. Her breath tickled his neck. *Mistake*, he thought.

Lights stayed on.

He saw the snow-white curve of her chest—soft as ice cream. He forced his gaze away.

*Xu Qinghuan’s been oddly sweet since I mentioned Su Yuejin. Before, we’d go days without talking. Hot one day, cold the next… Now? Steady. Because she feels threatened?*

He knew her game. Send him here to “realize” he loved *her*. She knew he didn’t love Su Yuejin—so he’d “choose” Xu Qinghuan. Reinforcing his own attachment.

So tedious.

But Su Yuejin… From the moment he entered, her eyes shone like fireworks. Watching him cook. Eating. Gaming. Just *being* near him made her glow. Gentle. Happy.

So much better than Xu Qinghuan.

*11 PM.* He wasn’t tired—but he *should* be. Couldn’t cross that line. Not right.

Not because of Xu Qinghuan.

(He could lie. She’d believe him. Never check.)

It was *for Su Yuejin*.

She was being foolish—thinking her body was the only thing that could keep him. That youthful allure was her only anchor.

He wouldn’t use that. He owed her care—not romance, but protection *after* he left.

“Still awake?” he murmured.

“Can’t sleep… Used to sleeping alone. But with you… I don’t *want* to.” Her voice turned sweet, coaxing. She tilted up, lips seeking his.

This time, *he* moved first. She closed her eyes obediently.

When she opened them—dizzy, breathless—he showed no further intent. Her legs shifted restlessly, pressing closer.

“Really… not going to?” Her whisper was warm, charged.

“Because I’m someone who doesn’t love you, silly Su Yuejin.”

“Then why be so kind… why be so kind…” Her finger traced light circles on his chest.

“I owe you. Maybe… you’re just cute. Lately I’ve thought—I *should* be kinder. For the next few months, if you want. But remember: I *will* leave.”

Her heart clenched—a needle’s prick. She stared at his calm, distant face.

“I don’t want… you to leave.”

“Call it a dream. Waking up won’t hurt so much.” He stroked her back softly.

“Tell me your story, Su Yuejin.”

“You want to hear it?”

“I want to. Anything. As long as it’s about you.”