C13 Friend

The man raised an eyebrow, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

To Yang Wanwan, that expression screamed smugness, as if to say, "I did it on purpose, so what? What can you do about it?"

Stay calm, Yang Wanwan, stay calm. This is just how he is; you can't let him get to you.

Yang Wanwan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to steady some emotion within her.

"Mr. Yeobei, this stops here." Yang Wanwan's expression was serious, almost stern, though if you looked closely, you could see her chest rising and falling slightly.

"Is this how you treat someone who helped you?" The man dropped his smile, his voice carrying a subtle hint of threat.

"Huh?" Yang Wanwan was momentarily confused, unable to grasp his meaning.

"Don't forget, I was the one who helped you get your job. Is this how you repay me?" His deep voice was like the clink of fine china, rich and magnetic. Especially the way he ended it—come on, Mr. Yeobei, that's just not fair.

"Even if you got me the job, don't think I'll agree to any of your terms." Yang Wanwan's defiant stance amused the man in front of her.

“Ha ha, so that's what you're really thinking,” Beijin's smirk revealed his mischievous intentions.

“I warn you, don't twist the truth,” Wanwan said, trying to appear more intimidating as she pointed a finger at him.

Her finger was smooth and pale, like fine porcelain, with droplets of water from her recent shower making her skin look even softer. It was almost tempting enough to taste.

Beijin chuckled, a look in his eyes that Wanwan couldn't quite decipher.

"Wanwan, the ginger tea is ready. Come and drink it," called Mother Yang, snapping Wanwan back to reality. Realizing how close she was to Beijin, she could smell the mix of tobacco and an indescribably pleasant scent from him, making her heart race.

Pushing him away, Wanwan shouted angrily, “Keep your distance. We should respect boundaries.”

“We've already crossed those lines, haven't we? Or are you trying to deny it, Miss Yang?” Beijin's low voice whispered in her ear, the scene resembling an intimate moment between lovers.

"You... you're such a jerk." Wanwan had never heard anyone speak to her so rudely before, and her face turned as red as an apple.

"Wanwan, why aren't you coming out yet? Invite your friend to join us for some ginger tea," her mother's voice called out again.

Ignoring the second part of her mother's invitation, Wanwan stomped on the man's foot in a fit of pique before leaving. What she didn't see was the gentle and lingering look he gave her as she walked away.

A few minutes later, in the living room, a small wooden dining table, aged with time, stood as a testament to years gone by. The three of them sat around it, with two bowls of ginger tea already served by Mother Yang, wisps of steam rising in the warm light.

Wanwan was surprised to see the man sit down without hesitation. She hadn't expected someone so accustomed to luxury to tolerate such a humble setting. She thought he would politely decline, but instead, he sat down calmly.

"After getting caught in the rain, some ginger tea will help prevent a cold," Mother Yang said kindly.

"Thanks, Mom."

"Thank you, Mrs. Yang."

Wanwan and Beijin spoke in unison.

"Oh, it's such a small thing, no need to thank me," Mother Yang said with a gentle smile, exuding a timeless grace.

After finishing the ginger tea, it was unclear when the heavy rain had stopped, leaving the air fresh with the scent of earth and blooming flowers.

"Ma'am, since the rain has stopped, I should get going. Thank you for having me tonight," the man said politely, immediately earning Mother Yang's approval. What a courteous young man.

If Wanwan knew what her mother was thinking, she might have said, "Mom, don't be fooled by his manners. This guy is all about appearances. Deep down, he's not as nice as he seems..."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all. Come by again sometime," Mother Yang replied politely.

Yeh Beijin nodded politely in response.

"Wanwan, aren't you going to see your friend out?" Mother Yang urged.

Despite her reluctance, Wanwan had no choice but to walk the man out, though she had already cursed him countless times in her mind.

"What, you really don't want to walk me out?" the man suddenly asked, breaking the silence as his voice reached her ears.

The next moment, she quickly replied, "No, I'm happy to walk you out."

Hearing the ambiguous tone of her words, Yeh Beijin couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Wanwan seemed unfazed as she walked alongside him.

A few minutes later.

"We're here. I'll head back now," Wanwan said, bidding the man farewell.

The man didn't get into his car right away. Instead, he watched her silhouette merge into the dark night until she disappeared from sight.

After seeing him off, Wanwan returned home, where her mother immediately began questioning her.

"Wanwan, be honest with me. What's your relationship with him?" Mother Yang asked, scrutinizing her daughter.

"Mom, he's just a friend."

"A boyfriend?"

"Oh, Mom, it's not like that. I quit my job at the grocery store and found a new one. He came to let me know about starting work."

"Is that really the case?"

"Mom, don't you trust your daughter?"

"Wanwan, I just want you to be happy. He seems like a good man, well-dressed and well-spoken, but I'm worried his family might not accept you..." Mother Yang said with a hint of regret, her eyes welling up. Wanwan had been through a lot with her over the years.

"Mom, don't worry so much. We're just friends." It was as if Wanwan was reassuring both her mother and herself.