Chapter 13: Adorable Siqi

In the end, Chen Yuchen brought Chen Siqi back to the hotel. After all, how could he leave a young girl alone in a big city?

On the way, Chen Siqi acted like a curious child, constantly asking questions. "Are you really the author of Glorious Years? I thought you'd be some middle-aged man in your thirties. How are you so young?"

"Are you the author's son or something?"

"Hey, why aren't you answering me?"

Chen Yuchen walked ahead, a faint look of helplessness on his face, while Chen Siqi, wearing her little white shoes, followed closely behind, chattering away like a little sparrow. She even asked why he was in Jinling—wasn't he supposed to be here on a business trip? What kind of business could a college student have?

Just as she was about to ask something more sensitive, Chen Yuchen suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, "If you don't stop talking, I might really sell you off."

Chen Siqi immediately covered her mouth, her big eyes blinking up at him.

Seeing her so obedient, Chen Yuchen couldn't help but find it amusing. She's still such an easy kid to fool.

Unexpectedly, Chen Siqi burst into laughter, her face lighting up with a sweet smile, her dimples appearing faintly. She blinked playfully and said, "You didn't really think you scared me, did you?"

Chen Yuchen shook his head in disbelief. This girl's pretty sharp.

When they reached the hotel entrance, Chen Siqi hesitated, standing at the door without stepping inside. She was, after all, a girl, and the idea of going into a hotel with a boy she didn't know well made her uneasy. Her cheeks flushed at the thought.

"What's wrong? Getting scared?" Chen Yuchen turned back, noticing her hesitation, and teased.

"I'm not scared, I'm just worried your girlfriend might misunderstand…" Chen Siqi mumbled softly.

"I don't have a girlfriend," Chen Yuchen replied casually and walked into the hotel.

Chen Siqi was stunned for a moment, her heart skipping with a tiny thrill. She hurried to follow him, dragging her suitcase behind. "Hey, big bro, can you help me with my luggage?"

Chen Yuchen ignored her, continuing to walk ahead.

Inside the hotel room, Chen Siqi was astonished. It was her first time staying in such a high-end place. The suite was spacious and bright, with a full view of Jinling's nighttime skyline through the windows. She couldn't help but gasp in awe, then quickly pulled out her phone to snap some pictures for the group chat.

The chat had already erupted.

"Siqi, are you okay? Did the author give you any trouble?"

"Tell us, is Mr. Chen really handsome?"

"We're worried! Spill the details!"

Chen Siqi sent a few pictures of the hotel along with a message: "Big bro is super sweet! He's already set me up in the hotel!"

"Then quickly snap a picture of him! We want to see the handsome author!"

Chen Siqi glanced over at Chen Yuchen, who was sitting at the desk working on his laptop. She smiled to herself but typed back, "Not convenient, he's busy."

As the group chat continued to buzz with activity, Chen Yuchen smiled faintly and said to Siqi, "Do you want me to book another room for you?"

"No need!" Chen Siqi quickly shook her head, almost panicking at the thought that he might really do it. "I'm fine crashing on the couch for one night."

"Oh, okay." Chen Yuchen nodded without insisting.

"???"

Siqi had expected him to at least argue or offer again, but he agreed so quickly. She stared at him, wide-eyed and incredulous. He's really going to let me sleep on the couch?

Chen Yuchen got up, grabbed his laptop, and said nonchalantly, "Go ahead and take a shower. Once you're done, I'll take you out to eat. I'll wait for you in the lobby. Come down when you're ready."

Before she could respond, he left the room, leaving Chen Siqi standing there, confused.

He's really going to let me sleep on the couch? Chen Siqi felt a bit disappointed. She glanced down at herself. Am I really that unappealing?

In the bathroom, she pouted at her reflection in the mirror, inspecting herself more closely. My body's not bad, so why doesn't he have any interest? she thought, her face heating up at the absurd idea.

Still, the boy outside was nothing like the "older writer" she'd imagined. His writing was so mature, it was hard to believe someone so young was behind it. Siqi felt conflicted.

After her shower, Chen Siqi changed into a clean T-shirt and pleated skirt. She glanced at her pale, slender legs in the mirror and slipped on her white sneakers before mustering the courage to leave the room.

By then, Chen Yuchen had already settled into a quiet corner of the hotel lobby, typing away on his laptop. He looked completely absorbed in his work, his fingers flying across the keyboard.

Siqi stood at a distance, watching him for a moment. He didn't look like the author she had envisioned—more like a diligent young man working hard. After a brief hesitation, she finally walked over to him.

"I'm done," she said softly.

Chen Yuchen looked up, gave her a quick nod, and said, "Let's go, I'll take you to eat."

They stepped out into the night, where a gentle breeze blew across the neon-lit streets of Jinling. The city's lights twinkled, and the streets buzzed with life. As they walked, Siqi felt her mood lighten. She stole a glance at Chen Yuchen and realized that, although he lacked the domineering aura of a novel's male lead, being with him made her feel safe.

So this is what it feels like to have a sense of security, she thought.