A Smile That Rarely Falls
For the first time in a long while, that sincere smile appeared on Wei Yu Chen's face. A smile unforced, without cameras, without spotlights, without the demands of public image. A smile born simply because a drunk girl had accidentally torn the collar of his jacket.
The cold figure the public always dubbed "the untouchable star" suddenly felt so… fluid. There was something different that night.
In his arms, Wang Xiaoxi had fallen completely asleep. Her small body felt heavy from lost control, while her breathing was steady though the faint scent of alcohol still lingered. Yu Chen stared at that innocent face for a moment, then let out a long breath.
This extinguisher girl… really is trouble.
Yet, instead of leaving, he reached for a cap and mask to better disguise himself. With careful movements, he lifted Xiaoxi into his arms. Every step through the dark park he measured warily.
The shadow of paparazzi constantly flashed in his mind.
One single snap—one world-class superstar seen carrying a drunk stranger—and the entertainment world would explode the next morning.
However, for some reason, tonight Yu Chen did not want to leave Xiaoxi on that cold park bench.
He glanced briefly toward the road to ensure the situation was safe, then hurried toward his black sports car parked a little distance away. The door opened with a soft click, and he awkwardly settled Xiaoxi into the passenger seat, adjusting the seatbelt so it wouldn't hurt her.
Behind the car's dark glass, he looked at her once more. Then he pressed the gas pedal and drove toward his luxurious penthouse.
That night, for the first time in his life, Wei Yu Chen brought a woman home—not a model, not an actress, not an invited guest—just an ordinary girl… the "extinguisher girl" who had made him smile.
Shadows in the Basement
The soft purr of the engine was heard as the black sports car stopped in the exclusive basement area. Pale white neon lights shone on the body of the Lamborghini Urus Mansory edition—an opulent SUV coated in glossy matte black paint. Its license plate was private, nearly impossible for the public to trace. The Alcantara leather interior smelled of a journey just completed.
Wei Yu Chen turned off the engine, then took a deep breath. Carefully, he exited from the driver's side. The sound of his shoes echoed lightly on the concrete floor. After walking around to the passenger side, he opened the door, bent over, and gently lifted Wang Xiaoxi into his arms.
Xiaoxi was still asleep, her face resting against Yu Chen's chest. Her hand dangled, hair in disarray. A sight that contrasted sharply with the grandeur of the superstar.
As he walked toward the private elevator, his instincts suddenly sharpened. His gaze swept around quickly. The basement was indeed quiet, only the hum of central AC and the vibration of fluorescent lights could be heard. Yet… there was a strange sensation as if a pair of eyes were watching him from afar. Yu Chen tightened his hold on Xiaoxi. His heart beat faster—not from the weight in his arms, but from an uneasy feeling hard to explain. He looked once, finding only the shadow of concrete pillars and other luxury cars parked in neat rows.
Don't let anyone see.
With quicker steps, he headed to the private elevator that connected directly to the penthouse. As the shiny metal door opened with a ding, Yu Chen entered. While the security sensor automatically detected his face, the door closed slowly.
But before it fully shut, the corner of his eye caught something—a faint silhouette at the end of the basement corridor. Perhaps just a shadow, or someone actually standing there.
The elevator doors closed tightly, leaving a silence that felt pressing.
A Face That Stunned
As soon as the penthouse door opened, the distinctive scent of expensive interiors greeted him. Polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers reflecting soft light, and the city night panorama spread wide beyond the giant glass wall.
Wei Yu Chen stepped in carefully, still carrying the sleeping Wang Xiaoxi. He made his way to the master bedroom—a spacious room dominated by white and gray, a king-size bed perfectly made, ivory satin sheets spread neatly.
With slow movements, he laid Xiaoxi on the bed. The girl shifted slightly, her body settling into the cushiony pillows.
For a moment, Yu Chen stood at the bedside, watching the face that slept soundly. Xiaoxi's messy hair covered part of her face, making her look even more disordered. Yet, there was something oddly charming about it.
Yu Chen bent, brushing a strand of hair aside with his fingers. The tired face flushed from alcohol now became clear under the dim lamp light. Her round cheeks were rosy, like boiled crab. Her lips slightly parted, breathing steady.
Unconsciously, the corner of Yu Chen's mouth curved faintly. It turned out her face… was also sweet.
His gaze froze for a moment, as if seeing something he'd never realized before. A tenderness that contrasted with his reputation, which had recently been full of turmoil.
But awareness returned quickly. He blinked, shook his head softly, then took a few steps back. "What am I thinking?" he murmured lowly, trying to dispel the strange feelings that had surged.
He turned, walked to the large window, and stared at the city lights twinkling below. Yet in his mind, Wang Xiaoxi's flushed face refused to fade.
The Girl Covered in Chaos
Wei Yu Chen returned to the bed. Wang Xiaoxi still slept, her small body sunk into the cool satin sheets. Strands of tangled hair clung to her forehead, her cheeks still flushed.
With a calm motion, Yu Chen reached for a thin pale-gray blanket at the foot of the bed and gently covered her. He made sure her shoulders were snugly wrapped, as if wanting to shield her from the night's chill slipping through the giant glass.
His gaze fell again on Xiaoxi's face. Though her appearance was messy—disheveled hair, wrinkled clothes, drunken expression—there was something that could not be hidden. An honest natural beauty that didn't rely on makeup, designer gowns, or camera lights.
If only Xiaoxi didn't always act strangely, if only she cared about people's gazes… his lips curved faintly. Maybe everyone would realize, Xiaoxi was actually very beautiful. Only Yu Chen had realized it now.
However, it was precisely because of that odd side that obscured her true charm; Wang Xiaoxi appeared different. She wasn't busy crafting an image, didn't care about a judging world—everything was pure, as-is—and that made it hard for Yu Chen to look away.
For a moment, silence enveloped the spacious room. Only Xiaoxi's steady breathing could be heard, making the atmosphere strangely peaceful.
Yu Chen slowly withdrew, then sat in a chair near the bed, staring for a while before finally leaning back, trying to calm his tumultuous thoughts.
A Surprising Morning
Morning light slowly seeped through a gap in the thick curtains. In the master bedroom, Wang Xiaoxi still slept on the wide bed, breathing steadily. Elsewhere in the room, on the black leather sofa, Wei Yu Chen awoke from his sleep. The wall clock showed 7:00 AM—time for him to prepare for a packed filming schedule.
He rose, stretched his shoulders, and headed to the clean bathroom.
Then he walked to the dining area. With measured steps, he took a slice of whole wheat bread neatly placed on a plate. Chewing slowly, he glanced at the middle-aged woman standing by the table—Aunt Li, the long-time housekeeper faithful to him.
"Aunt Li," Yu Chen said evenly yet firmly, "if… that young lady wakes up, prepare breakfast for her. Tell her I have a morning shoot; ask her to wait for me."
The piece of bread remained in his left hand while his right fingers held a cup of hot coffee. His instruction sounded ordinary, but to Aunt Li it was like a sudden bomb.
"A young lady… th-that young lady?" Aunt Li's voice trembled. Her eyes widened, her expression full of shock. She nearly dropped the napkin she was folding. "Young master, I mean… which young lady…?"
Yu Chen only gave a brief look, his cold expression returning. "Aunt will know later. Just make sure she's comfortable."
After that, he finished the last of his bread, drank his coffee down, and strode confidently toward the private elevator. His casual outfit would soon be replaced by his filming costume, but his face remained calm, as if carrying a new secret burden.
The elevator doors closed slowly, leaving Aunt Li still frozen in the dining room. She stood rigidly, lips moving in disbelief.
"In all my years taking care of this penthouse… never have I seen the young master bring a… young lady."
Her gaze directed down the hallway toward the master bedroom; curiosity mixed with disbelief still enveloped her.