Chapter 40 – Can You Be a Bit More Intimate With Me
Nan Xiao thought for a moment, then answered truthfully:
“Just now I was eating with a friend from the crew. He had to leave suddenly, so I just kept eating by myself.
Because he’s an actor, his social life has to stay private, and I didn’t want others knowing we’re connected. That’s why I lied without thinking.”
Her tone was earnest, and the explanation reasonable. But Xie Chengyu still sensed something off.
He narrowed his eyes. “Your friend… is a man?”
Her first impulse was to say a woman. Less trouble, less questioning. But then she remembered—how had he so accurately tracked her down here? Did he already know something?
With that thought, she didn’t dare lie. She nodded. “Yes.”
Then, switching quickly, she asked with a touch of defiance: “How did you know I live here?”
“I asked Zhou Wen to check.” His tone was utterly matter-of-fact, as if there were nothing inappropriate in it.
“I need to guarantee your safety.”
Nan Xiao pressed her lips together. He wasn’t worried for her safety—only about having to explain to the Xie patriarch if something happened.
“Are you still eating?”
Though his justification was weak, Xie Chengyu felt a flicker of guilt and changed the subject. His gaze landed on the steaming hotpot.
She nodded. He said, “I’ll eat with you. I’m still hungry.”
She blinked in surprise. “You want to eat with me?”
“Yes.” His dark eyes held hers. “Is that not allowed?”
“…It’s fine. I’ll get you fresh chopsticks. Wait a minute.”
She went to the kitchen, baffled. Why did he suddenly want to join her meal? Still—if he wanted to eat, then eat.
His eyes shadowed as he watched her back. For some reason, her cooking had a peculiar pull on him. Her food was far from five-star fare, yet unlike meals from top chefs, hers lingered in his mind. Why hers, of all things?
Soon she returned, handed him chopsticks, opened the pot, and told him the cook times for each ingredient.
He ate slowly, deliberately, until his bowl was half full.
Then his gaze drifted to the mask covering her face. “You’re not eating?”
“I’m already full,” she said, shaking her head. “Besides, it’s better to eat light at night.”
An excuse, transparent.
“Do you take your mask off when you’re with that friend?”
Her silence was answer enough. Finally she nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why not with me?”
She froze.
After a long pause, she murmured, “Because I’m afraid I’ll scare you.”
Before her treatment, she’d carried two horrible scars across her face—children had cried at the sight of her.
“I’m not afraid,” Xie Chengyu said, setting his chopsticks down and meeting her eyes.
To her, it was just polite reassurance. She lowered her gaze and said nothing.
Sensing the topic was too raw, he didn’t press it further.
Within ten minutes, the meal was over. He left soon after, thinking if he stayed longer, she might go hungry.
Driving later, his mind returned to her “male actor friend.” He went over every male he’d seen around the set, none of them a match.
At a red light, he pulled up the photo Zhou Wen had sent. Staring at the man’s build, he wondered if he’d seen him before. Then he laughed at himself.
Why investigate? Why should it matter?
He shut the phone with a wry smile.
…
That night, just before bed, Nan Xiao’s phone rang. The screen lit up with the note: Dad.
She stared at the word. When had “Dad” last felt natural on her lips?
She picked up. “It’s late. What is it?”
“Xiao Xiao.” Nan Fengguo’s voice was stern, commanding. “Next Monday is my birthday. Remember to bring Chengyu home for dinner.”
Her brows furrowed. She wanted to say she’d come alone, but arguing on the phone was pointless. After all, what could he do if she showed up without Chengyu—drag him back? So she gave a cool acknowledgment.
Usually, he’d hang up right away. This time, strangely, he added a few more words before ending the call.
Nan Xiao sat in bed, his words echoing in her mind, unsettling her. She hadn’t expected him to act so soon… which meant she had to bring Xie Chengyu.
She lay down, but sleep wouldn’t come.
By seven the next morning, guessing he’d already finished his workout, she called him.
“Hello, Mr. Xie. Are you free this morning? I’d like to talk to you.”
Fresh from his home gym, towel over his shoulders, he answered while walking into the shower: “Come at nine-thirty.”
At nine, she arrived at Xie Corporation, carrying a box of pastries she’d made. She placed it on his desk. “Mr. Xie, I made some treats. If you don’t mind, try them.”
He glanced at her. Always “Mr. Xie.” Was she always this distant?
“Mm. They’re good.” He ate one cookie slowly, wiped his hands, then said, “What’s the matter?”
“My father’s birthday is next Monday. Could you come with me?”
He hadn’t expected that. But he nodded. “Alright.”
Last time, she’d stood beside him at his family’s gathering. Fairness demanded he return the courtesy.
But her expression twisted slightly. “I have one more request… Could you act… closer to me? More intimate?”
Xie Chengyu lifted his head, his deep black eyes fixed on her, unreadable.
“I don’t mean anything else,” she rushed to explain. “It’s just for my father. I need to show him a good image.”
