So the rumors were true, then?
The Wen family—especially Yue Yin's father—had never treated his eldest daughter kindly. He favored the younger one, the bright, beloved darling of high society.
Li Jian studied Yue Yin's appearance with quiet scrutiny.
Heh… what was I expecting? he thought. She's wearing a work uniform. Obviously.
Yue Yin, however, had a very different thought.
This man is insane.
How else could she explain his unpredictable behavior and the sharp, assessing gaze that slid from her head to her shoes? His eyes felt like an X-ray—making her spine stiffen instinctively, reminding her to stay cautious.
Li Jian stepped closer again, slow and deliberate. Yue Yin took a careful step back.
He didn't stop.
"I only have one shirt," he murmured, voice almost teasing. "So if I take this one off for you… does that mean you want me to stand here shirtless?"
Yue Yin froze, realizing too late what her earlier words had sounded like. Her face burned.
And Li Jian—seeing her fluster—smirked.
"Oh? So that was your plan all along? You've been enchanted by my looks since the moment you saw me?"
Yue Yin gaped, speechless. Her eyebrows twitched, her lips trembled, and she finally managed to say through gritted teeth:
"Do you have some kind of mental disorder?"
Li Jian didn't look offended in the slightest.
"Well, I have been told that," he said lightly, "but I don't think it's as bad as you imagine."
Then, in a calm tone:
"So, how do you plan to compensate me?"
Yue Yin sighed deeply. This ridiculous situation was turning into a nightmare. Her manager was glaring from across the café, silently screaming at her to fix the mess.
"Fine," she said sweetly, forcing a professional smile. "I'll find you a temporary shirt to wear. But I doubt we have anything that matches the price of your wardrobe."
Li Jian squinted his eyes slightly.
"You seem to know a lot about men's clothing. Does that mean you buy shirts for other men often?"
Yue Yin ignored him. "Wait here. I'll get one."
After rummaging through the staff's spare locker, she returned with a plain white shirt that looked roughly the right size. But as she eyed Li Jian's broad shoulders, a sinking feeling told her it was still too small.
And she was right.
Li Jian went to the staff changing room, encouraged by Yue Yin's nervous insistence—and her manager's threatening glare—to at least try it on.
When he emerged, Yue Yin nearly dropped the coffee tray in her hands.
"Are you sure you wanted me to wear this?" Li Jian asked flatly, tugging at the shirt that strained against his chest and arms.
Yue Yin rolled her eyes and covered her face with both hands.
"Oh my God! I swear I thought your build wasn't that different from Tao Ran's! You must've struggled just to button it!"
She peeked through her fingers, only to blush harder. The shirt wasn't see-through, but the way it clung to his form made it look indecently sculpted.
Li Jian tilted his head. "Tao Ran?"
Yue Yin pretended not to hear and mumbled frantically to herself.
"We don't have any larger sizes… all the male staff here are so tiny…"
Then she groaned. "Ugh! What am I even saying?"
Her eyes darted to Li Jian's stained shirt on the counter. She couldn't just let him wear it again.
"Wait here! I'll run to the boutique across the street and buy you a new one!"
As she turned, Li Jian caught her wrist gently.
Their eyes met—far too close. Yue Yin's breath hitched.
"You seem very responsible," he murmured. "But do you even know what size I wear?"
She pushed his hand away, flustered.
"Just tell me your size! I'll get it right."
Li Jian pretended to consider.
"Unfortunately, my size only fits one particular brand. My tailor knows the measurements exactly. If I try anything else—especially a brand I've never worn—"
"Hey!" Yue Yin snapped, glaring. "Are you trying to brag about your wealth right now?"
Li Jian didn't respond, just smiled faintly.
"Because if you are, it's pointless! Just tell me the size. I'll buy the closest match—or one size bigger if I have to!"
"Large," he said simply.
Yue Yin blinked. "You're wearing a Large right now! Are you trying to trick me?"
"I'm not lying," he replied calmly. "I told you—it only fits when it's that brand. Others don't fit the same."
Yue Yin inhaled sharply, fighting the urge to scream.
"Fine! I'll just get you an XL. Or XXL! Or even 3XL if I have to!"
This time, Li Jian softened his tone. "You shouldn't go alone. I'll come with you."
Before Yue Yin could protest, he tugged lightly at the edge of her uniform.
"I can't wear just anything. My skin reacts to certain fabrics. If you insist on buying it yourself, you'll also have to deal with my allergy."
Yue Yin's mouth dropped open.
"Oh my God—how rich are you? You even have designer allergies?!"
She muttered the words under her breath, sure he couldn't hear.
But Li Jian's lips curved faintly.
"I can hear you," he whispered. "My hearing's twice as sharp as normal people's."
Yue Yin froze again, eyes widening in disbelief.
And just like that, the two of them—an exasperated, broke college girl and an eccentric, arrogant heir—left the café together, crossing the street toward the boutique.
Li Jian still wore his stained shirt. Yue Yin, meanwhile, prayed she could survive this strange, chaotic encounter without losing her job—or her sanity.
***