232. The Gift【40/170】
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“What?! The tire was punctured by a thug?!”
Lin Nan woke up to some terribly unfriendly news.
“Now the bus is down, the electric bike is broken, how am I supposed to get home?!” Her voice pitched several octaves higher, practically fuming.
Chen Yao, clearly lacking a good response, dared not meet Lin Nan’s eyes. “What about your uncle?”
“He said his car was borrowed… My cousin does have an electric bike, but he hasn’t replied to my messages. He probably spent the night with my younger cousin…”
Lin Nan was in a state of despair. “I can’t just move in here, can I?”
“Why not? Auntie has everything ready for you,” Auntie came over, arms full of stuff and shoved a brand new towel, toothpaste, and toothbrush into Lin Nan’s arms. “See, towels, toothpaste, three washcloths, and I even bought you cotton socks to keep your feet warm at night…”
She was forced to clutch onto these toiletries, convinced Auntie was being a bit too generous, but couldn’t dare voice her doubts. Instead, she pouted with great grievance. “But where am I supposed to sleep… And I don’t even have a blanket…”
“Let Chen Yao sleep on the sofa. He’s fit and can handle the cold. A blanket’s no issue, I’ll grab one for you.”
Can anyone even understand this logic? Chen Yao was rolling his eyes on the side.
“But staying here will be such a disturbance…”
“Nonsense, not at all! Just having you over makes Auntie happy!”
With no choice left, Lin Nan reluctantly nodded.
At that moment, the door swung open, and Chen Yao’s father came home.
As soon as Uncle walked in and spotted Lin Nan, he froze for a second and asked, “Why haven’t you gone home yet? I heard they’re closing off the roads starting tomorrow, no wandering about.”
“Closing the roads?!”
Lin Nan shot up from the sofa. “I need to hurry, or I won’t be able to get back!”
Auntie, with a gentle touch, pressed her down again.
“But how am I supposed to get home?”
Chen Yao, reclining on the sofa with his legs crossed, asked, “We don’t have a car.”
She plopped back onto the sofa, dejected, staring at her hands as she mumbled, “Do you know anyone with a car who could give me a ride?”
Even if she did know someone, what good would it do?
Sure, plenty of high school classmates had electric bikes, but Lin Nan was worried. She looked so different now, she couldn’t face any of those old pals. And the other option… was just her dad.
She’d rather stay at Chen Yao’s than go beg her father to drive her back to the countryside—definitely not happening!
After all, at least here Auntie and Uncle spoiled her rotten, with all the good food and drinks.
With Auntie and Uncle in the kitchen prepping dinner, Lin Nan furrowed her brows, returning to Chen Yao’s bedroom.
Something felt off.
Could it really be this coincidental?
Lin Nan had a nagging feeling she stumbled into a cult hideout.
Chen Yao trailed in after her, yawning. Noticing her worried expression, he shrugged. “It’s true they’re closing the roads. You should check the news; three cases were reported today.”
“Just three cases and they’re shutting everything down?!”
“One came from an epidemic area, and two caught it from him. It’s highly contagious and has a long incubation period,” Chen Yao said, sitting beside her, barely containing a laugh in his eyes.
“Am I going to have to celebrate the New Year here?!”
“Don’t worry, my mom won’t mind you staying.”
“…”
But how could she explain that when she got back?
With a sigh, she heard Chen Yao say, “During this time, they recommend not going out much. They’re responding fast, but it’s the holiday season, so who knows if you’ll encounter somebody coming from an outbreak zone while riding the bus.”
Lin Nan regretted not keeping up with the news, especially with bad internet at her grandfather’s. Plus, being at the end of the month, her data was all used up.
“Speaking of which, your mom’s earrings…” Lin Nan suddenly perked up, looking at him with bright eyes, “How much are they worth?”
“Probably bought for a few hundred thousand, but they’re practically worthless.”
“A few hundred thousand?!” Lin Nan neglected the latter part of his statement.
Chen Yao went on to explain how diamonds are overrated, while Lin Nan was mesmerized by the shiny allure, unable to filter any of his words through her diamond-dazed head.
“My mom fell for the marketing trap. She pressured my dad into buying them; if he didn’t, it meant he didn’t love her,” Chen Yao summarized, “In reality, they’re just worthless bits and pieces; the real value is in the certificate.”
He noticed Lin Nan wasn’t listening at all, and sighed in resignation.
“You’re the first I’ve seen who likes this stuff.”
Lin Nan nodded. Even when she was still a guy, she had a thing for shiny jewelry. Back then, it was about price; once she got a piece, she’d flip it the next day. But now, her aesthetic had shifted—jewelry looked beautiful, and she longed to wear it.
“If you like it…” Chen Yao opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out a silver necklace. “How about this platinum one?”
“Eh?” Lin Nan’s eyes widened as she stared at the necklace, suddenly puzzled. “Is it for your ex-girlfriend?”
“Where would I get an ex-girlfriend?” Chen Yao chuckled in disbelief. “I bought it for my mom’s birthday last year, but she didn’t like it. If you want it, it’s yours.”
Without missing a beat, Lin Nan vigorously nodded.
Chen Yao held the necklace, ready to put it on her.
“Wait, how much is it?”
“Got it online for one hundred and fifty.”
That’s not bad at all! The design was lovely. Sure, platinum wouldn’t shine like a diamond, but free stuff is stupid to turn down.
She turned her back to Chen Yao, exposing her slim and graceful figure, excitement written all over her face.
Chen Yao smiled tenderly and gently draped the necklace around her swan-like neck, fastening the clasp.
“All set?”
With a bit more weight and coolness around her neck, Lin Nan felt a strange sensation.
“Okay!”
Immediately, Lin Nan whipped out her phone and switched to selfie mode, checking out the necklace resting against her neck. Delighted smiles kept bubbling up as she turned and twisted to capture the best angles, radiating pure happiness.
Her eyes turned crescent-shaped, and her dimples formed as her chocolate-sweet smile made her look utterly charming.
Chen Yao couldn’t help but think this girl was becoming more and more feminine.
“Thanks, big spender!”
“Call me Daddy,” Chen Yao blurted out instinctively.
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open with a bang, and his mom stormed in, glaring at Chen Yao with fury. “How are you talking?!”
Both of them were completely caught off guard.
Was it coincidence or had she been eavesdropping?
They exchanged awkward glances, and Auntie froze for a second before sheepishly backing out.
The two stared blankly at each other, and Lin Nan, striving to ease the tension, scratched her head and joked, “You can’t just have the daddy-daughter f*tish, can you? I’m starting to think you’re a perv…”
“…”
Does that mean you still can’t get over that hurdle with Ai Li?
