Chapter 7: There Won't Be a Next Time

Although she knew he meant well, being told such ambiguous words by a handsome and extraordinary man still made Xia Wanwan's cheeks flush red.

She pursed her lips, momentarily at a loss for words.

All these changes didn't escape the man's eyes. Xi Muchen narrowed his eyes and said, "There are clean, new clothes in the bathroom."

"Thank you… Thank you." This was the second time she had said thank you. However, after saying it, Xia Wanwan's face showed an embarrassed expression.

Had someone changed her into clean pajamas? Was it him? Thinking of this, Xia Wanwan's face turned even redder. And furthermore…

No matter what, she was not comfortable appearing in front of a man wearing only pajamas.

"Sir, could you please step out for a moment?" Xia Wanwan spoke with some embarrassment. She remembered what happened last night, and making such a request now might seem a bit pretentious in anyone's eyes. But that was just the kind of person Xia Wanwan was; out of politeness, she felt it wasn't right to casually walk around in pajamas in front of a stranger.

"Girl, I saw you last night and thought you weren't shy at all," Xi Muchen's eyes shone with a clear amusement.

"You… Sir, isn't that a bit rude?" The man's obviously teasing tone made Xia Wanwan somewhat displeased, and besides, he had been calling her girl from the very start, making her sound like a child.

Her earnest attempt to correct herself looked exceptionally cute in the man's eyes, his voice filled with laughter already drifting from above her head: "Xi Muchen."

? Xia Wanwan was stunned, her big eyes looking at him, not understanding what he meant.

"I said my name is Xi Muchen, you can call me Acheng," Xi Muchen, seeing her surprised face yet without a response, added, "Or, you can call me Brother Muchen, I would be happier."

Is that the issue? Xia Wanwan thought. They didn't know each other and wouldn't have any relationship in the future; how could she possibly call him with such intimacy?

"Mr. Xi, thank you for yesterday," Xia Wanwan insisted on addressing him politely, expressing her gratitude again, and at the same time, it was also to maintain a distance between them.

"It seems you're still not quite used to it; calling me Acheng is fine. Get changed, and we'll meet in a bit." After saying that, he left.

Xia Wanwan dressed with a puzzled look on her face. She always felt that Xi Muchen's attitude was a bit strange; what exactly was strange about it she couldn't quite pinpoint. Perhaps a bit… overly intimate?

Yes, that must be it, overly intimate, right? Could this man be overly familiar? But remembering how he had just turned on his imposing aura against those reporters, Xia Wanwan dismissed the thought.

Xi Muchen had prepared a very simple white dress for her, the style was youthful and lively. But at 24, Xia Wanwan felt somewhat ashamed.

Although it was normal for a 24-year-old girl to wear such a dress, as the daughter of the Xia Family, she had long lost such girlishness. She hadn't tried this style since graduating from university two years ago.

And… The reflection of herself in the white dress in the mirror always made her think of a certain time, a certain person.

Xia Wanwan's eyes darkened involuntarily, and she let her casually tied ponytail down again.

Xia Wanwan had thought that when Xi Muchen said they would meet in a bit, he probably meant in the living room or somewhere like that. She never would have expected to open the door and see the man leaning against the wall in the hallway waiting for her.

"You…" Xia Wanwan was surprised: "Why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious? Of course, I'm waiting for Wanwan," Xi Muchen smiled as he approached her: "You must be hungry after all the trouble last night. Let's go, have a meal, and I'll take you home."

What did he mean by 'after all the trouble last night'? His words were too suggestive. Xia Wanwan frowned in dissatisfaction and declined his invitation.

"No need, I'm leaving now."

"Girl, be good," Xi Muchen reached out to stop her: "It's already eleven o'clock, and you haven't even had breakfast. Don't be stubborn."

Despite his firm stance, his tone was very gentle, and Xia Wanwan didn't continue to insist. But was she crazy? Why did she think his tone was somewhat doting? How could a stranger speak to her in a doting tone?

In the dining room, looking at the food in front of her, Xia Wanwan felt unsettled. Why… was everything on the table her favorite foods? This couldn't be a coincidence, could it?

She was certain she didn't know the man in front of her, so… was he investigating her? Xia Wanwan couldn't help but glance at the man sitting across from her again. He exuded an aristocratic air from head to toe, obviously not an ordinary man; it would be normal for him to investigate her.

Still, the thought of being investigated made her feel vaguely uncomfortable.

Thus, after the brunch, Xia Wanwan politely and courteously refused Xi Muchen's offer to take her home.

Xi Muchen didn't insist either, smiling as he bid her farewell: "All right then, we shall meet again next time."

"Goodbye."

In the taxi, Xia Wanwan thought that she and this handsome man were just strangers; there wouldn't be a next time.

At the hotel entrance, Cecile had already driven the car out of the garage.

"BOSS, we're just letting Miss Xia go like that?"

"What do you think?" Xi Muchen looked at him with disdain, casting a 'are you talking nonsense' kind of glance at him.

The handsome man opened the car door and got in: "Follow her."