“Here, let me help you out.”
“Brother Huai, it’s alright, continue resting in the living room. You
have always made food for me so you are not allowed to cook today. Let me handle this.”
Usually Li Liner would be at work so Lin Huai would be the one to make dinner. Breakfast on the other hand was usually made by Li Liner who would wake up earlier to do so.
Lin Huai continued to relax in the living room and switched between the television channels. Then, he saw one of the channels broadcasting Wang Jiarui’s concert so he chucked the remote control to one side and enjoyed her performance.
Wang Jiarui had a slender figure and sharp jawline. Her hair was dyed blonde and she had a sweet smile. The song she was performing on stage was a rather catchy one. Throughout her performance, she exuded an endless charisma which tempted Lin Huai to swing along to the beat of the song.
Shortly after, Wang Jiarui sang the song ‘Happiness for the rest of your life’ which was a romantic song. As Lin Huai listened on, he was overwhelmed with emotions.
This young girl is able to command both catchy and romantic songs. She is able to handle songs of all genres. In addition, she is so beautiful and has such an amiable smile. No wonder everyone fell heads over heels for her.
Li Liner was washing the vegetables in the kitchen and overheard the sounds coming from the television so she shouted, “Are you watching Wang Jiarui’s concert?”
Lin Huai replied in a loud voice, “Yes. You’ve heard of Wang Jiarui before too?”
“Yes, I really like her. Over the past few years, I would listen to her songs whenever I felt down and it would cheer me up. I am her die-hard fan.”
Lin Huai heard what Li Liner said so he immediately opened up an application on his phone and secretly bought another ticket.
Soon, Li Liner would be heading to Tongcheng City for her live concert. Now that it was getting closer to the date of the concert, Lin Huai planned to bring Li Liner along so she could see Wang Jiarui in person.
Of course like any other concert, you would not be able to have a clear view of the singer. Everyone would practically be looking at the small silhouette of the singer moving about on stage. They could only get a closer look at the singer through the huge screen above the stage. Despite that, most people enjoyed such live performances and the atmosphere surrounding them.
Li Liner finished washing the vegetables and she walked out of the kitchen. She walked to the back of the couch Lin Huai was seated on and stared at the television screen for a short while.
Lin Huai stood up and said, “Why don’t you enjoy the show and let me make dinner instead?”
Li Liner quickly waved her arm and declined, “No, no. I will go and make dinner. You are not allowed to interfere.”
Li Liner ran back toward the kitchen and Lin Huai could not help but shake his head with a smile. Then, he continued to enjoy Wang Jiarui’s performance.
Wang Jiarui had a sweet but clear voice and exquisite charms of someone from the Northern Region. Currently, it was already more than halfway through the concert. By the time the concert ended, dinner was ready.
Li Liner walked out of the kitchen and with a smile on her face, looked at Lin Huai and said, “Since the concert is over, go wash your hands then come for dinner.”
Lin Huai replied, “Alright. I am feeling so content now. You were right, Wang Jiarui’s concert does affect one’s mood easily. However, it’s a positive effect.”
Li Liner excitedly proclaimed, “Yes. Compared to her, I am a total failure. I am extremely curious about her personality in real life.”
Lin Huai smiled and said, “She would be just like any other ordinary human being. Of course she looks prettier but don’t you know all the idols in the entertainment industry are made up to look outstanding? Their appearance and personality on stage may not be their true self.”
Li Liner stuck her tongue out and said, “I just have a feeling Wang Jiarui would be a kind person.”
Lin Huai smiled and said, “Alright then, she must be a great person. I choose not to argue with a fangirl.”
Li Liner rolled her eyes at Lin Huai and groaned, “How dare you say I am a fangirl?”
Lin Huai laughed loudly as he walked into the restroom. It had been a while since Li Liner felt happy. It might have been due to Wang Jiarui’s song or even due to her salary. Nonetheless, Lin Huai was affected by her and he was in a joyous mood as well.
Once Lin Huai walked into the kitchen, his eyes lit up and he was astonished. “The dishes look amazing. Such a sumptuous meal!”
There were six dishes and one soup placed on the dining table along with a bottle of red wine. Li Liner smiled embarrassingly and said, “You have been cooking all this while and the most I did was breakfast. Thus, I have to whip up a luxurious meal since I ended work early.”
Lin Huai smiled and said, “Don’t have to be courteous with me as I understand you are at work. Anyway, I am feeling hungry now after looking at the food. I am going to enjoy this meal.”
Li Liner sat down and said, “The salary I received this month is two thousand and three hundred. I spent a hundred on groceries today and I am left with around two thousand. Brother Huai, here is one thousand to split the rental fee with you. You have already given me so much help, I can’t possibly sit and do nothing. This is all I have. You won’t find fault with me, will you?
Will you dislike me because of this?”
Lin Huai shoved the money back to her and solemnly said, “Liner, we aren’t strangers, there is no need to talk about sharing the rental expenses or whatsoever. Aren’t we friends?”
Li Liner said, “But I can’t possibly let you do all the sacrifices. In my entire lifetime, I can’t even repay your gratitude for saving me.”
Lin Huai smiled and said, “Then don’t think about it. Keep the cash and keep it for the future. If you don’t want to spend it, save it up because I don’t need it. You have to remember even a hero needs money to survive. What if you need money in the future and you don’t have it? If you insist on doing so, I am going to be unhappy!”
Upon seeing how serious and adamant Lin Huai was, Li Liner had no choice but to say, “Alright then. Let me purchase the groceries instead. That’s fine right?”
Lin Huai smiled and said, “If you end work early then you will be in charge of purchasing the groceries. However, if you end work late, let me do it. Don’t get so fixated over this.”
Li Liner pouted her lips and stared at Lin Huai. Upon seeing that, Lin Huai gave a bitter smile and said, “Fine. You shall be in charge of the important mission of grocery shopping. I will not interfere with that. How’s that?”
Li Liner chuckled. “Alright then. Here, let’s dig in. I feel so happy.”
Lin Huai helplessly smiled and said, “I have never met someone like you, who insists on spending money on others and finding joy out of it.”
Li Liner stuck her tongue out and chuckled happily.
Both of them enjoyed their dinner as Li Liner’s cooking skills were great. Furthermore, they chugged an entire bottle of red wine. By the time they were done with dinner, Li Liner’s little face was flushed. She looked a little tipsy so Lin Huai quickly helped Li Liner to the living room so she could rest and watch television. Lin Huai on the other hand, stayed behind to clean up the dishes.
By the time he was done with the dishes, Lin Huai felt a little light-headed. Red wine had a strong after effect. Thus it would not strike you at the start but you would get drunk as time went by.
Lin Huai returned to the living room and saw Li Liner had already fallen asleep on the couch. Lin Huai glanced at the clock and bitterly smiled. Why did this lady drink so much when her alcohol tolerance is so low? Oh wells, she deserves to let loose.
Lin Huai walked over and gently lifted her up. I can’t possibly let her sleep on the couch overnight. What if she gets a cold?
Li Liner was thin which was why Lin Huai lifted her up easily. Her body was soft and even had a fragrant scent on her.
Lin Huai carried her into the bedroom and placed her down gently on the bed. Just as Lin Huai planned to tuck her in and leave the room, Li Liner opened her eyes and hugged Lin Huai’s neck. As Lin Huai had planned on standing up, the sudden movement by Li Liner dragged him down and he accidentally fell on top of her.
“Don’t leave. Stay here and accompany me.” Li Liner was a little drunk and Lin Huai did not know if she meant what she said or if she was just talking in her sleep.
Lin Huai sighed and gently said, “I won’t leave, I will stay here and accompany you. How’s that?”
Li Liner seemed to have heard Lin Huai’s response. She let go of Lin Huai and murmured, “You’re not lying to me, right?”
Lin Huai finally figured out that Li Liner was not talking in her sleep but was just drunk.
Lin Huai gently said, “Don’t worry, I will make sure to stay behind and accompany you tonight. I will not leave.”
Li Liner held Lin Huai’s hand and said, “Sleep with me.”
Lin Huai bitterly smiled. He took off his slippers and climbed in bed. He lied down next to Li Liner and immediately turned around to get close to Lin Huai. She hugged onto Lin Huai as if she was an octopus. Her slender and beautiful legs tangled Lin Huai’s legs whereas her arms held Lin Huai’s waist.
Lin Huai took a deep breath and could feel his breathing turn heavy. Then, he heard a vague voice coming from Li Liner. “Brother Huai, hug me.”
Lin Huai remained motionless and Li Liner suddenly burst out into tears. Lin Huai panicked and quickly said, “Alright, alright, don’t cry. I will hug you.”
Lin Huai immediately turned his body around to face Li Liner and hugged her tightly. He gently said, “You foolish girl. I don’t mind hugging you to sleep every day. All I want is you to be happy every single day. I will continue to hug you so go ahead and have a good night’s rest.”
“Okay.” However, Li Liner was still sobbing and she asked, “Brother Huai, do I look ugly?”
Lin Huai gently kissed Li Liner on her lips and said, “You foolish girl. How are you ugly? If you consider yourself as ugly then nobody in this world would be considered as pretty.”
Li Liner choked with emotions and said, “Then why aren’t you touching me? You haven’t touched me since that night.”
Lin Huai bitterly smiled and said, “Actually I didn’t touch you on that night as well. It’s not I don’t want to but rather I respect you. Do you understand? In my eyes, you are a cute and innocent young lady. You are also a kind person so I want you to retain your virginity so you can find a boyfriend who respects you in the future. Do you get it?”
“I-I don’t mind! Why must I look for a boyfriend who respects me? The person I love is you!”
Lin Huai felt a tug at his heartstrings. He was shocked when he saw the tears flowing out of Li Liner’s eyes.