Pay for meals.

Seventeen.
A sudden downpour left the old streets muddy.
The young girl stood under the lush branches of a large pagoda tree.
It was unclear what the person beside her had said.
The girl looked at him quietly for a moment, then turned and walked away, filled with fear.
In that instant, even though he was standing under the eaves, he felt as if he had been drenched by the wind and rain.
On such a lingering, overcast day, the world felt so cold.
...
Five in the morning.
The winter moonlight was veiled in a soft mist, gently shrouding the sky.
Jiang Chen opened his eyes. Beneath them were faint, smoky shadows from a restless night, yet these tiny imperfections did not detract from his appearance; if anything, they amplified a sense of cool, hazy decadence.
In the darkness, he sat up slowly in his dark pajamas, frowning.
The dream had been too vivid.
The emotions were exceptionally profound, lingering even into reality.
He stared at the moonlight outside the window, wordless.
It felt as if, ever since that pot of lucky bamboo, the girl had been inching closer to him step by step.
So much so that he had almost forgotten: before that rainy night, the girl had been terrified when she first saw him.
Perhaps because the December chill was too biting, a sense of bitterness crept into his heart, and the air suddenly felt thin.
The man reached out and cracked the window open.
The cold, biting wind snuck in, brushing against his face.
His phone lit up in the darkness.
He looked down and saw a message, sent around one o'clock.
He tapped on it.
The girl's profile picture immediately filled his vision.
[Sleep well: Telling you a secret—when I wake up, I’ll still like you tomorrow.]
The message carried the girl’s signature playful tone.
It had come at just the right time, as if in response to his unease.
Jiang Chen lowered his gaze, his lips curving slightly as his fingertips tapped on the screen.

[Jiang Chen: Received.]

By late December, the daytime temperature outside was bone-chilling; no matter how many layers one wore, it was impossible to keep out the biting wind.
The weekend had arrived.
Ye Mian was curled up in her warm quilt, enjoying the rare luxury of not having to rush to school.
Only after waking up naturally did she lazily reach out for her phone.
Opening it with half-closed eyes, she saw the "Received" message from Jiang Chen.
Her heart skipped a beat, a strange feeling blooming within her.
Those three cold, detached words were so characteristic of Jiang Chen.
She quickly scrambled out of bed; if she remembered correctly, today was Christmas Eve.
Every year, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Wencheng were celebrated with great bustle, but Jiang Chen was injured and couldn't go out.
She planned to go shopping and pick out the most beautiful apple to give to him.
After brushing her teeth and washing up, she put on an extra-thick long coat. Since she wasn't in a rush, she even did her makeup.
When she opened her door, Jiang Chen wasn't in the living room.
The door to the guest bedroom was ajar, and a casual glance revealed Jiang Chen sitting inside, on a phone call.
Ye Mian blinked, standing by the door to peek for a while.
Jiang Chen was wearing black pajamas, the satin fabric clinging to his pale, cool skin, giving him a refined texture. His expression was indifferent as he spoke, his eyes a smoky gray against the snowy light, his profile incredibly handsome.
Ye Mian’s first instinct was to kiss him.
Perhaps her gaze was too intense; the man holding the phone tilted his head slightly, looking in her direction.
Ye Mian froze, subconsciously mouthing, "Good morning!"
Jiang Chen gave a dignified nod, his eyes resting on her. In the winter morning, the girl was wearing a long white down jacket, looking every bit the student.
Not wanting to interrupt his call, Ye Mian pointed outside and mouthed, "I’m going out to buy some things. Is there anything you want me to bring back?"
Afraid he wouldn't understand, she pointed at herself and mimicked a walking gesture.
Jiang Chen’s gaze lingered on her exaggerated expressions for two seconds before he let out a chuckle, leaned toward the phone’s microphone, and said, "Hold on a moment."
Only then did he gently ask Ye Mian, "What was that?"
Seeing she could finally speak, she hurried over and whispered, "I'm going out to buy things. Is there anything you want me to bring back?"
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Thinking she was still too quiet and not wanting the person on the other end to hear, she leaned in two steps closer, pressing her face toward his. "I said... I’m going shopping. Is there anything you need me to bring back?"
After saying it three times, she felt she had the patience of a saint.
They locked eyes for a few seconds.
Jiang Chen’s alluring, lingering gaze curved, his finger brushing against the tip of her nose. "Nothing to buy."
Ye Mian felt it was truly lethal—to be bewitched so early in the morning. She felt a bit dazed.
Then, Jiang Chen spoke into the phone again, "I'll call you back later."
He hung up, then reached out and held his hand toward her. "Can I borrow your phone?"

Ye Mian blankly handed it over, sighing to herself.
Of course, why wouldn't she?
For that face, she would do anything!
As for why he wanted her phone, she didn't even ask.
"Thanks." Jiang Chen took her phone, tapped his own, and a notification popped up on hers.
Ye Mian’s sharp eyes caught him using her phone to accept a transfer.
She blinked. "Didn't you say you didn't want anything? Why the transfer?"
Jiang Chen lifted his eyes, tucked her phone back into her pocket, and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Paying for living expenses."
Ye Mian’s cheek tickled, and she said earnestly, "I have money."
Jiang Chen replied, "I know."
Looking at the man’s calm, unruffled eyes, Ye Mian felt she understood.
Perhaps Jiang Chen felt embarrassed about being "kept" by his girlfriend.
Anyone would have that kind of pride.
So, for the sake of letting him recover in peace, Ye Mian didn't say anything more.
Before she left, Jiang Chen reminded her to bring an umbrella.
Hand on the doorknob, she couldn't help but turn back to argue: "Big Boss Jiang, I'm not a kid anymore."
Jiang Chen glanced downward, showing no intention of stopping, his voice slow and amused. "Fine, you're not. But you haven't changed out of your slippers."
Ye Mian: "..."
"Stay safe and come back early. I'm quite worried."
Ye Mian looked up. "Worried about what?"
"Worried that you might get stolen while you're out."
...
Leaving the apartment complex and walking left, she reached a small supermarket in five minutes. It was well-stocked, even with imported goods.
Ye Mian stuffed her cart with snacks, enough for a month.
As for ingredients, there was no need; the housekeeper Jiang Chen hired came daily to handle that, and she was very professional.
Ye Mian felt that keeping Jiang Chen didn't cost her anything; in fact, she was the one getting three meals a day. All she really contributed was the rent and utilities, which wasn't much.
Jiang Chen really didn't need to give her money.