Her side

Jiang Ai Yue continued cutting the vegetables in complete silence whilst trying to avoid eye contact with Chen SyaoRan. She felt awkward and she wasn't used to feeling this nervous whenever she's with her childhood friend. Her thoughts are in jumble but she continued to cut and cut and cut when her phone she left in the living room rang to life.

"I'll be answering the call."

In less than a second, she dropped the knife and bolted away from the kitchen. She even grabbed the phone and went to her room just to answer it to find some alone space where she could calm herself down.

It was just a quick call from her manager reminding her for tomorrow's schedule but she still spent a good 10 minutes inside before coming out of the room.

Ai Yue convinced herself that it was because she was getting too conscious of SyaoRan's sudden presence right now. Yes, that's why. Ai Yue, don't think about that question anymore and just forget it. She's your brother, isn't it? So you have to calm down.

Slowly opening the door and trying to peek what's happening to the kitchen, she saw his back diligently cooking and tasting.

Instead of going back to the kitchen, she left him alone in that space and sat back to the living room to watch TV. She really tried her best to focus her attention onto the drama she's watching but she was so distracted by the other person's presence.

She was getting a bit paranoid. This even wasn't the first she had SyaoRan over the house but definitely not this late. But she wasn't this sensitive whenever she gets close with him at that distance. She was plainly confused why she's suddenly reacting like this right now.

Chen SyaoRan chuckled when Ai Yue ran away from the kitchen the moment she was given the opportunity. She was like a rabbit running away from his grasp and he was having fun trying to figure out how he's going to catch the little rabbit again.

He didn't tease her any further and focused on cooking their meal for almost an hour. He brought out the food one by one and noticed her looking at him--no, drooling over at the foods that he cooked.

SyaoRan merely chuckled and called her to have dinner. They sat across each other and Ai Yue's mind was now completely off SyaoRan's but on the food on the table.

Picking up a piece of meat, SyaoRan dropped in onto the bowl of Ai Yue as he smiled.

"Don't rush to eat. No one's going to steal your food." He kindly reminded.

Jiang Ai Yue lifted her head and nodded energetically at him as she started eating the meat he gave her.

How is it always this good!!! The meat is so soft that it's like an ice cream melting in her mouth. Why is his crafts always on a different level? Is this the power of being a genius?

Stuffing herself with food, she completely ignored the presence of the person in front of her. SyaoRan was actually having fun watching her lively self eat his cooking as he barely lifted his chopsticks. He observed her skinny arms and thought that she really was too thin. Even though he understood why she had to control her eating habits, he still wants her to be a bit fatter.

He remembered that Ai Yue was a bit chubbier before he left to go to the military. Her body was softer and brighter when compared to her current body at the moment.

Actually, he never knew why Ai Yue chose to enter the acting industry instead of continuing her studies. Ai Yue is a very bright student and was always at the top of her classes. If she continued her studies, she could've gotten into a top university with a double degree.

That's why he was very surprised after he got back from the army. She was already working as a model at that time and had just started to act for films. Seeing her enjoying being in front of the camera, he supported her from behind and watched her career slowly flourish to where she is right now.

Even though the media knew that she came from a wealthy family and had a strong relationship with powerful people like him, Ai Yue never asked for their help. With her own sweat and blood, she worked her way up from being an unknown actress to an A-list actress at such a young age.

Without her knowledge, he saw her emotionally breakdown for a couple of times and watched her go to work without even eating a meal or getting any sleep.

She saw her desperately practicing during her day offs and studied her acting by watching her films and observing what other points she needs to improve. He saw her still

This was the side of Jiang Ai Yue that most people don't know of. Her determination, resolve and desperation.

His heart ached for her during those times. SyaoRan knew how pampered Ai Yue was when she was younger. Everything would be given to her if she wanted it, she was petted and loved by everyone and she didn't have to do anything to get anyone's attention.

That's why he never understood why she took this path and chose herself to suffer. He knew how dirty the entertainment industry is and Ai Yue's innocence were muddied by this industry at such a young age.

She should've been protected and pulled away from this chaos but she insisted on staying. The smooth path that other would've chosen, she chose to give it up.

He was already attracted to her even before she became like this, but he fell even deeper when he saw this side of her.

No matter what everyone says, Jiang Ai Yue is and will always be the most captivating person for him. She enchanted him with her innocence, kindness and firmness. He didn't choose the wrong person to fall in love with.

Jiang Ai Yue is still and his only princess.