Chapter 028　 He decided to look out for her more from now on.

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng, however, smiled and said, "Li Chengshi, I underestimated you. You might not know this, but Su Xian is a very pragmatic person. In my opinion, you don't have a single point of attraction for her."

  "Zhao Nanfeng, stop talking nonsense!" Su Xian wanted to stop him, but didn't dare use force again.

  Zhao Nanfeng, never one to care about others' feelings, continued, "Your family background is ordinary, you have a mediocre college degree, and your work ability, to me, is not outstanding. You only have good looks, but you're not even her type. I truly don't understand what quality in you made her so infatuated that she fought for this opportunity for you, only telling me after you two signed the contract. If she hadn't formally informed me of your breakup, I wouldn't have even believed you two had dated."

  Li Chengshi hadn't known this point. He thought Zhao Nanfeng renting separate apartments was merely out of an ex-boyfriend's jealousy. Zhao Nanfeng's words stung him, and he retorted without hesitation, "I don't have much to show for myself, that's true. Team Leader might like me simply because," he paused, "I'm better in bed." He felt that since Su Xian was so "advanced" in her dating approach, she could probably handle this kind of joke.

  Su Xian saw Zhao Nanfeng's brow furrow immediately. She knew Zhao Nanfeng was always proud of his masculine charm, and no matter how successful a man's career was, that was still a point of comparison. She couldn't help but snicker and quickly turned to pretend to look out the window.

  "You're just bragging," Zhao Nanfeng didn't believe him at all.

  "If you don't believe me, you can ask the Team Leader." He figured Su Xian had no reason to side with Zhao Nanfeng.

  Su Xian felt Li Chengshi was going a little crazy and quickly reminded them, "Hey! If you say one more word, it'll be obscene!"

  Zhao Nanfeng said coolly, "Okay, I don't need to ask. The newcomer always wins over the old, so you'll definitely take his side."

  *

  All the way, Li Chengshi looked out the car window with great interest. Although the streets were ordinary and the scenery wasn't spectacular, the sense of novelty surpassed everything. He had already started imagining his new life.

  Zhao Nanfeng checked the navigation. "Are you hungry? There's a very good restaurant ahead. My treat."

  They were indeed hungry, but Su Xian felt that eating with him would only lead to unnecessary trouble, so she quickly said, "We just had airplane food around four o'clock. I'm not hungry at all right now. Plus, traveling by plane and then car on such a hot day is making me a bit uncomfortable. Why don't you just take us straight to the accommodation?"

  "Okay."

  **

  The office was in the Nihonbashi area, and the apartments were near a station called Yahiro. The distance was not far, and there was no need to change trains for the commute, which was very convenient.

  As soon as they got out of the car, they looked up and saw the famous landmark, the Skytree Tower, close at hand. Both of them grew excited.

  They went to 103 first. Zhao Nanfeng handed Li Chengshi the card with the default password and reset instructions, then helped Su Xian carry one of her suitcases upstairs.

  *

  This apartment building was newly constructed two years ago, so it was very clean, but the space was small, making it feel a little cramped. Su Xian immediately opened the curtains to increase the sense of spaciousness.

  Directly opposite was a three-story Ikkodate (house) with a terrace—the kind she liked. In the soft light of the evening, the female owner was collecting laundry.

  *

  Considering that young people tend to move more often due to unstable work, single-person apartments are usually equipped with basic furniture and appliances. Zhao Nanfeng had also arranged for the company's administrative staff to prepare bedding and other essentials in advance, allowing them to move in immediately.

  He gave them some information about local life, and seeing Su Xian's tired expression, he said, "There's a general supermarket nearby that opens until 12 AM. If you need anything, look there. You should rest. I'm leaving now."

  Su Xian stood at the door, watching him leave. She suddenly noticed a scar on the back of his left arm that she was sure hadn't been there last summer when he visited Anliang. However, she decided not to ask, fearing he might make up another shocking story.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  After Zhao Nanfeng drove away, Su Xian locked her door and went downstairs to find Li Chengshi for dinner.

  *

  Li Chengshi had unpacked his things, spreading them out on the floor and sorting them for storage.

  "You brought so much food!"

  "My mom insisted on packing it. Do you want any? Feel free to take some." She doesn't have parents, he decided to look out for her more from now on.

  "I don't even know what this is?" Su Xian picked up a clear, thin package.

  "That's dried Liangpi (cold skin noodles). You soak it in water and then mix it with sesame sauce and chili oil. It's ready to eat."

  "Then you should make it for me sometime. I can pay you."

  "Why would you pay to eat Liangpi? After all, you are my ex-girlfriend; there's still some old flame lingering."

  Seeing him mimic Zhao Nanfeng seriously, Su Xian couldn't stop laughing, but her stomach was rumbling, so she didn't have time to bicker with him.

  *

  There weren't many restaurants nearby. They walked around and finally found a ramen shop on the corner.

  There were only two or three other customers in the shop.

  They both ordered cold noodles (Hiyashi Chuka or similar), and Su Xian ordered a bottle of beer.

  "Li Chengshi, here's to smooth sailing for our work! Cheers!"

  "Cheers!"

  After dinner, they strolled slowly to the Arakawa River bank. There was a waterside park there, and many people were jogging on the nearby embankment. Su Xian was very pleased with the environment. They sat down on a bench, and the evening breeze blew away most of the heat, making it very pleasant.

  *

  Li Chengshi took out his phone to show her a picture.

  "Hey, why are you taking secret photos?!" Su Xian became agitated. It was a picture of her asleep on the plane, head tilted back with her eye mask on, her nostrils clearly visible.

  "I'm showing you Mount Fuji, don't focus on other details."

  Su Xian looked closely. There was indeed Mount Fuji in the bottom right corner, but it only occupied a tenth of the entire photo. She put on a stern face and ordered, "Delete it."

  Li Chengshi obediently deleted the photo and opened another one. "Okay, look at this."

  That was the real Mount Fuji, standing out uniquely among the mountains, with the timing, angle, and light all perfect—it was stunningly beautiful.

  She chastised him, "Such a beautiful Mount Fuji, and you didn't wake me up to see it? What is wrong with you, Li Chengshi?"

  "You wouldn't even eat the plane meal. How would I dare wake you up just to see a mountain?"

  "I am a person with spiritual pursuits too."

  "Oh, so you don't just pursue career, wealth, and an attractive physique then? Got it, I know now."

  He's mocking me again. Okay, you're not wrong.

  But this was nice. She felt like she was back in the old days, when he would often challenge her.

  Su Xian smiled. "Let's go. We're going to the supermarket."

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng gave them each a work phone, but neither was accustomed to the Japanese operating system yet, so reading maps was a bit challenging. However, they felt this greatly encouraged learning. It was the same at the supermarket. They carefully checked product labels, discovering knowledge that wasn't in textbooks. Before they knew it, they had been wandering for over an hour, and it was past 11 PM when they paid. But that was fine; it helped dissipate the overexcitement of the first day, ensuring a good night's sleep.

  **

  The next day, Su Xian woke up close to 12 PM. Checking her phone, she found a WeChat message from Li Chengshi two hours earlier: "When you wake up, come down for lunch."

  Su Xian felt a warmth in her heart. His underlying nature was gentle and kind, so even though he might look down on her, he still cared for and looked after her. She quickly washed up, found a large T-shirt and comfortable "grandma pants" from her suitcase, grabbed two cans of sparkling sake she'd bought the night before from the fridge, and clattered downstairs in her slippers.

  *