Chapter Fifteen: The Black Cat Basking in the Sun

“Shouxia, do you think this counts as you keeping your promise?”

Beneath the warm winter sun, the girl dressed in a black knitted sweater lounged lazily like a black cat basking by the window.

This black cat had locked onto her prey and had no intention of letting go easily.

“Hm?”

Lin Shouxia paused, his footsteps coming to an abrupt halt. He was clearly caught off guard, not quite understanding the meaning behind the girl’s words.

“Last time, didn’t you say you’d take me home for a meal? So, would you say this counts as fulfilling that promise now?”

Liu Zhimin smiled brightly at the man by her side, feeling unexpectedly cheerful.

She wasn’t one to hold grudges.

Because she believed in settling scores as soon as they arose.

Overall, Liu Zhimin’s impression of this newly acquainted friend’s younger brother wasn’t bad at all.

But it was no surprise—Lin Shouxia was just as meticulous an observer as she was.

Liu Zhimin disliked the feeling of having her façade seen through and was unaccustomed to showing her vulnerable side.

Since the massive online bullying before her debut, the youngest daughter of the Liu family had completely wrapped herself in Karina’s persona.

“I don’t think it counts…” The man’s face flushed with heat. He hadn’t expected Liu Zhimin to bring up that casual remark again and scratched his head awkwardly.

“It was actually Lin Yinglu who invited you. I was just running errands,” he tried to distance himself from the matter, insisting it was all the idea of that shorter sister, not him.

“Then… when will you invite me to your home?” she teased.

“Didn’t I already treat you to ramen?”

“Do you think that’s the same thing?”

“It’s the same, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not.”

Watching the man fumble helplessly, Liu Zhimin laughed—joyful and carefree. She thought to herself, Lin Yinglu really was a godsend friend; even her brother was this interesting.

“Nuna, you should smile more often.”

When not smiling, Liu Zhimin’s makeup crafted her into a serious, formidable woman.

But when she smiled, she was like the gentle warmth of spring sunlight, shining straight into one’s heart.

---

“Am I not always smiling?”

“Shouxia, that’s not very polite of you.”

This guy—she’d even used four accounts to boost his streaming numbers, and all he did was thank her verbally? Shouldn’t he at least treat her to a meal in return?

Lin Shouxia wondered who he thought he was, now policing whether she smiled or not. She was smiling; that signature grin was practically welded to her face.

“I just feel like you might have something on your mind.”

The Lin siblings were a curious pair—the older sister was bold and rough around the edges.

By contrast, the youngest son was more thoughtful and observant.

“No!” The girl stubbornly turned her head away; she didn’t want anyone prying into her thoughts.

“I’m the leader of aespa. How could I possibly be in a bad mood?”

Leader of aespa—an artist under SM Entertainment with a debut song hailed as a dreamlike opening.

To outsiders, these were enviable statuses.

Yet the very weight of these titles meant she couldn’t complain about being neglected by the company like her teammates, nor could she shed tears so easily like a child.

“The warrior of the wilderness never looks back?” Lin Shouxia anticipated Liu Zhimin’s next words, smiling as he pulled a can of hot milk from his pocket and pressed it gently against her flushed face.

Liu Zhimin blushed; he knew he had guessed correctly.

As someone with burdens of his own, he understood the reluctance to reveal them to others.

So, since they were kindred spirits, there was no need to torment each other.

The can of warm milk covered much of the redness on her face.

“…” The girl bit her lip. Though she stubbornly refused to admit being seen through, doubts began to stir in her heart.

Lin Shouxia had pierced her outward disguise and even anticipated her next move.

The usually strong and resilient aespa leader was showing a rare moment of vulnerability in front of others.

“I’m not trying to pry into your secrets,” the man said lazily, adopting a more unusual tone than usual.

Would his concern seem too obvious? Would it scare the woman before him?

With that thought, his voice quickened as he tried to explain himself.

“I just…”

---

“You want me to live more freely, without burdens, don’t you?”

The girl popped open the can, the sound cutting off his words. Liu Zhimin took a sip of the milk, pondering his meaning.

“Actually, with me, you can say whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about what I think.”

“You’re Yinglu’s brother, and like me, you have your own troubles. There’s no need for formality between us, Shouxia.”

As if making a solemn decision, Liu Zhimin paused, then spoke slowly.

With the group’s future uncertain, she needed an outlet for her emotions—whether that outlet was a person or even a doll.

The first time she met him, he stood amidst the crowd, radiant with a microphone in hand.

The second encounter was like meeting a different person—as he revealed a gentle and considerate side.

With more frequent interactions, she discovered more emotions the man kept hidden.

He could be shy, dazed, agonize over a single nickname, notice her worries, and even use a can of hot milk to cover for her.

Because Lin Shouxia was a living, breathing person.

People cannot be defined by a single facet of their character.

Because Lin Shouxia was flesh and blood, Liu Zhimin was particularly curious about what kind of person he truly was beneath the many faces he showed her.

Yet, as their conversation went on, Liu Zhimin felt the atmosphere between them subtly shift.

How did she end up chatting with her friend’s brother and feeling these rosy bubbles of emotion?

A sin, a sin…

Silently apologizing to Lin Yinglu in her heart, Liu Zhimin deliberately distanced herself slightly from the man.

The heart can draw near for a moment, but the body must keep a safe distance.

Unlike clever Liu Zhimin, Lin Shouxia was so absent-minded it almost bordered on carelessness.

He looked genuinely puzzled, as if wondering why, after such a pleasant chat, she suddenly pulled away.

He even leaned closer and walked alongside her again.

What she didn’t notice was the slow curve forming at the corner of her lips—a beautiful smile blossoming upon her face.