The next day arrived.
Lin Wei sat at the edge of his new bed, stretching slightly as soft morning light filtered in through the sheer curtains. He glanced at his digital agenda—today was packed. First, a visit to the campus library to tie up a few lingering academic tasks. Then, a trip into the city to purchase a gift for Xuelin's elder sister, whose birthday party was coming up fast.
Wang Hao had mentioned it offhand, but not without a jab laced in politeness: "You're coming, right? Bring something nice. It's kind of expected." The meaning was obvious—Don't come empty-handed. Don't embarrass yourself.
Lin Wei smirked to himself.
He wasn't offended. In fact, he welcomed the opportunity. But if he was going to make an impression, it would be on his own terms. Jewelry was off the table—too flashy, too suggestive. It risked coming off as an overreach or an attempt to curry favor. He didn't want to seem like he was trying too hard.
No, what he needed was something elegant and refined. A gift that spoke of good taste, not blind spending.
That's when he thought of L&A—Light & Accurate, the renowned watchmaker brand. Their pieces were well-known in the city, celebrated for a blend of precision craftsmanship and aesthetic restraint. Though their catalog ranged from premium to more accessible pieces, even the entry-level models were far beyond what an average salary could easily afford.
That's exactly why it felt like the right kind of gift—luxurious but not loud. Subtle enough to be tasteful, yet unmistakably valuable to anyone with a discerning eye.
Let Wang Hao think he's playing status games, Lin Wei thought. I'm just here making moves.
"Hello?" Lin Wei answered the call as he stepped out of the shower, towel draped over his shoulders, water still trailing down his neck. The line was quiet for a moment—too quiet—before a familiar voice finally broke the silence.
"It's been a while, Wei."
Lin Wei froze.
He recognized that voice instantly—the low, steady tone he hadn't heard in years. The voice he'd once associated with everything cold and distant.
"Father," he said flatly, a chill creeping into his tone. "Finally remembering you had a son?"
"I always did, kid," the man replied. "Don't worry—I'm not calling to talk about the past or make amends. I just realized… I never gave you what you were owed."
Lin Wei stayed silent, jaw tightening.
"There's a villa," his father continued, his voice calm and businesslike. "One your mother and I designed together. It was meant for you. Your stepmother and her vultures tried to claim it, but I put it in your name before they could get their claws on it. I heard you're living not far from there these days, so I had the ownership transferred to your account."
There was a pause, then a faint scoff from the other side. "Congrats, by the way. I heard you're doing well. Just remember—those people in the other half of the family? They'll drag you down if you let them. If they try... make sure they regret it a thousand times over."
Another pause. The voice softened slightly—barely.
"I'm leaving that family behind soon. I've had enough."
Click.
The call ended without another word.
Lin Wei stared at the screen, the silence now more deafening than before.
Despite everything—the abandonment, the betrayal—he let out a quiet, bitter chuckle. Classic him... even his guilt sounds like a corporate memo.
And yet, buried beneath the disdain was something else. Not warmth—never that—but a flicker of closure.
Whatever his father's reasons, Lin Wei had just gained something real: a foothold. A symbol of the life he'd been denied, finally handed to him. And in a way, a piece of the mother he still missed.
He ran a hand through his damp hair and looked out over the skyline.
"Well… at least he still remembers me."
Lin Wei let out a low chuckle, more irony than amusement. He walked over to the drawer, pulling out the clothes he'd set aside the night before. Just as he was about to head out, the doorbell rang, its sharp chime echoing through the apartment.
He opened the door to find a young woman standing there—dressed in a crisp, professional suit. Her posture was straight, her face cold and composed, yet undeniably beautiful. She had the air of someone trained for precision, not small talk.
"Hello," she said plainly.
Lin Wei narrowed his eyes slightly. "Let me guess… he sent you?"
"Yes," she replied with a slight nod. "Also, I've been assigned to work for Master Wei moving forward."
The way she said it—calm, almost mechanical—didn't surprise him. But something in her tone hinted at curiosity. Maybe even... expectation.
"I don't need an assistant," Lin Wei said coolly, folding his arms. "Especially not one sent by that family. I've had enough of their games."
"Then you are formally refusing my assignment?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"What does that have to do with me?" Lin Wei raised an eyebrow, already stepping back to close the door.
She didn't flinch. "I've been trained for this role for years. I have no affiliation with the main household—I was prepared strictly for your service. You are my sole contractor. If you reject me, my position is void... and I'll be dismissed."
Lin Wei blinked. "Wait… dismissed? As in fired?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "I was never a servant of the family. My file, pay, and role are all tied to your acknowledgment. If I'm not accepted, I lose everything."
"…Ehhh?"
Even Lin Wei, who had learned to be detached, was momentarily stunned.
She wasn't just a pawn sent to spy on him—this woman had been raised and trained specifically for him. And now, without any fault of her own, her future hinged on whether he chose to accept her or not.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"…Fine. You can stay for now. But I don't want any involvement with the main house. That's non-negotiable."
A subtle shift passed over her face—still composed, but almost relieved. "Understood, Master Wei."
He winced. "Don't call me that. Just 'Lin Wei' is fine."
"As you wish… Lin Wei."
"Now I have another mouth to feed… But is she in a relationship?" Lin Wei wondered silently.
"If not, she might become a target of my application. Living together like this might not be so bad." He mulled over the situation as he let the woman into his apartment. It was a risk, certainly. But since she was sent by his father, he trusted that her background had already been checked thoroughly and bore no troublesome connections.
"I only have this place for now," Lin Wei said, leading her inside. "Later, I'll try to get a better apartment for you. But for the time being, please settle into that room."
The woman in the suit nodded, her calm demeanor and striking beauty hard to ignore. She wasn't exactly his type—too quiet, too composed. The cool type. Yet, there was something about her. While Lin Wei had initially thought she couldn't compare to girls like Xueyin, her maturity and grace gave her a different kind of allure—perhaps even more captivating.
"Okay. Thank you, Master Lin," she replied with polite sincerity.
"…It's Lin Wei," he corrected, a little awkwardly, his tone calm but faintly exasperated.
"Sorry, Lin Wei," Shen Yiran said, covering her mouth, her gaze briefly meeting his before she turned toward the balcony. She took in the view, impressed by the apartment. It was a fine place to live, with such a peaceful atmosphere.
"Looks nice, right?" Lin Wei smiled as he noticed her staring out the window. He was curious about her thoughts.
"Yes, it's rather calming," Shen Yiran responded honestly, her eyes still on the scenery. After a moment, she turned back to him. "I just moved in yesterday, and I was thinking of getting something like sweets for the neighbors. What do you think would be best?"
"Well, it depends on the budget," Lin Wei replied thoughtfully, knowing she might have her own reservations about spending too much. He also realized that as a student, his own budget was likely limited, though he hadn't yet fully explained how he managed to afford this apartment.
Shen Yiran, sensing his hesitation, didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. She lowered her voice slightly, trying to be considerate. "I know you're still a student, so I was thinking we should keep it affordable... I didn't want to suggest anything too expensive."
"Don't worry about the price!" Lin Wei smiled, catching on to her concern. "It's not a big deal. I can handle it."
"Well... some of the nicer packs can be pretty expensive, like 500 credits each," she said, her tone uncertain. She waited for his reaction, unsure of how he would respond.
Lin Wei paused, then looked thoughtful. "That cheap? Isn't there something a bit more expensive? After all, people living here are quite well-off. I want to offer something nice so they'll take care of us later."
Shen Yiran froze for a moment, feeling a little flustered by his suggestion. But as she thought about it, his reasoning made sense. She nodded, now understanding his point.
"Then how about a thousand and one? it is quite nice, and I also have tasted it." After all, Lin Wei was gifting it to ladies of their household, so directly it is also calculated as NTR-type spending, and they will get three times the refund of it.
"Hmm! That'll do…" Lin Wei agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "Do they offer direct delivery?"
He paused for a moment, considering the situation. Even if he gave Shen Yiran his payment application, she wouldn't be able to make the purchase on her own. He didn't want to be the one running errands, either, so he was hoping for a more convenient solution. "I'm thinking... would it be possible to have the sweets delivered directly to your apartment after we pick up the watch? Or maybe we can swing by the shop while we're picking it up from L&A?"
He glanced at Shen Yiran, waiting for her thoughts.
"Both options work, but… why L&A? Is Master buying a watch for himself?" Shen Yiran asked, her tone slightly surprised as she turned to him.
Lin Wei chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Hmm, it's for a gift. My friend's older sister's birthday is coming up, and they're quite well-off, you know? Li Xueyin, from my class?" He gave her a knowing look. "I'm planning to get something nice for the occasion, especially since one of my classmates warned me not to show up empty-handed."
"Ah, I see. A watch is a great choice for a birthday gift, Master," she said with a nod, offering her approval.
"It's Lin Wei," he corrected with a small smile.
"Yes, Lin Wei..." Shen Yiran replied, her voice soft, almost as if she were mulling over the interaction.