The door slammed open with a bang.
"Jinhai—oh!" a staff member froze mid-step, a tray of three ice creams wobbling in her hands.
Lily jerked back instinctively, hair still caught. Jinhai held his palms up as if surrendering. "It's not what it looks like," he said quickly.
The staffer's eyes flicked from Lily's face, half-hidden behind her mask, to Jinhai's hand suspiciously near his waistband. "Uh… I… brought the ice creams you ordered Bao to get." She gave them both an awkward little smile, set the tray on the coffee table, and made a record-fast retreat. The door clicked shut again.
Lily turned on him immediately. "Are you serious right now?"
"Hey, you think I enjoy your hair attached to my pants?" Jinhai said, fighting a grin as he finally unhooked the strands from his button. "There. You're free, princess."
She smoothed her hair down, glaring. "Don't call me that."
"You don't like being a princess?" His lips quirked. "Could've fooled me. You even squealed like one."
"I did not squeal!"
"Mm. My memory says otherwise."
"I—ugh... go get your brain checked!" She folded her arms, trying not to laugh and failing.
"Ice cream?"
"Ice cream," Lily repeated flatly. "The hundred you made Bao drag from across the street?"
"Yah," he said, leaning forward to pick up a cup, "that lady got us three of the ice creams."
Lily bit back a laugh and shook her head, plopping down on the opposite side of the sofa. "You're unbelievable." She dug into a cup of chocolate swirl with a little hum of approval.
Jinhai watched her with an unreadable expression. "Take your mask off."
Her spoon froze midair. "What?"
"It's just us," he said casually. "No one's gonna see. Besides, ice cream tastes terrible if you try eating through a mask."
"I can manage," she muttered, taking a bite under the edge.
"Lily." His tone was soft but firm, the kind that made her stomach flip. "Lose the mask. You're safe here."
She hesitated, then slowly peeled it off. Cool air brushed her cheeks. Jinhai's eyes softened as if he'd been waiting for that moment.
Lily rolled her eyes, savoring another spoonful. "Your treat's actually really thoughtful. I mean, everyone loves ice cream."
"Not everyone." He nudged his cup toward her. "Take mine."
She frowned. "What about you? Don't you want one?"
He shook his head. "Can't."
"Can't? What do you mean can't?"
"Allergic to milk."
Lily blinked. "Wait. What? You ordered ice cream for everyone when you can't even eat it?"
"Yep."
"That's insane."
"Nope," he said, locking eyes with her. "That's because I overheard someone saying she was craving ice cream."
Her spoon slipped, clattering against the cup. "You—" Her voice went small. "You did that… for me?"
He gave a careless shrug, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him. "Don't overthink it."
Lily's face burned crimson. She ducked her head, mumbling, "Thank you…" It came out quieter than she intended.
He leaned closer. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" she squeaked, shoving another spoonful into her mouth. But she couldn't stop the smile that curved her lips. Nobody besides her grandparents had ever noticed the little things she wanted.
But Jinhai had noticed everything.
"Careful," he teased, "you're gonna melt faster than the ice cream."
"Shut up," she muttered, but there was no bite to it.
They lapsed into playful silence, Lily demolishing two cups like she hadn't eaten in days. When she licked her spoon clean, Jinhai chuckled.
"Wow," he said. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you like it."
"It's amazing," she said around a mouthful. "Best ice cream ever. Even better because it's free."
"So easy to please." He picked up an empty cup, pretending to inspect it. "You've got a little something right… there." He tapped his own nose.
She swiped at hers. "Gone?"
"Nope. Still there." His grin turned wicked. "Here—let me." He dabbed his fingertip into the last of her ice cream and smeared it right across her nose.
"Jinhai!" she squealed, grabbing another cup to retaliate. She streaked him across the cheek, and he laughed—a deep, boyish sound that made her heart trip.
"War's on," he warned, swiping her nose again.
"You started it!" she shrieked through laughter, dodging his reach. Somehow, in the flurry of attacks, she ended up half-kneeling on the sofa, giggling breathlessly while he towered dangerously close.
The door opened again.
"Jinhai—" The director stopped dead, taking in the scene: China's rising star with ice cream on his face, and beside him a very recognizable young woman. His eyes widened. "Lily Liang? The gala girl?"
Lily froze, mid-swipe. "Oh… um. Hello?"
The director blinked, then broke into a broad smile. "I knew I recognized you! I saw that news feature on your gala performance from last night! You have an incredible voice."
Lily flushed scarlet. "Thank you, sir."
Jinhai, still wiping his cheek with the back of his hand, cut smoothly in, "Actually, director, didn't you say you're still searching for a female lead singer for the OST of my next drama with you?"
The man nodded distractedly. "Yes, but—"
"Problem solved," Jinhai said, tipping his head toward Lily. "She's perfect. You should sign her before someone else does."
The director looked at Lily like she was a gift-wrapped solution falling into his lap. "oh my god! Jinhai you're a genius! Why did'nt my old brain think of that? Would you be interested Lily?"
Lily's eyes went round. "Wait—me? Lead singer? With Jinhai?"
Jinhai grinned like he'd planned this from the start. "Yeah, Lily. With me."
"I—" She stammered, completely wrong-footed. "YES!?"
"Excellent!" The director clapped his hands together. "I'll have the papers drafted immediately. This is going to be huge."
Lily gawked. "Wait, just like that? You're… you're not even going to audition me?"
"I've seen the videos," the director said warmly. "You don't need an audition."
"But—"
"No buts," Jinhai interrupted smoothly, shooting her a look that dared her to argue. "You're in. Congratulations, partner."
The director gave them both a satisfied nod. "I'll leave you two to… whatever this is." He gestured vaguely at the ice cream mess with a laugh and slipped back out the door.
The silence that followed was thick with disbelief. Lily blinked at Jinhai. "Did you just—did that really just happen?"
"Yep," Jinhai said, wiping the last of the ice cream from his finger with a tissue."You're officially my co-star. Well… co-singer."
"I didn't agree—"
"Too late. You mumbled 'I guess.' That's legally binding in my book. Youve always wanted to sing right? This is your big chance!"
She narrowed her eyes. "You are insufferable."
"Yet charming," he countered easily.
Lily groaned, flopping back against the cushions. "This is insane. First you trap me in here, then you pull my hair, then you—"
"Fullfilled your pretty little dream?"
"Ruined my quiet life," she shot back.
"Same thing," he said with a wink.
She tried to glare but her lips twitched into a smile despite herself. "I seriously don't get you."
"Good," he said simply. "Mystery's part of my appeal."
"Admit it," Jinhai said, leaning in just a fraction. "You're glad I pulled you in here."
She sniffed. "I'm glad for the ice cream."
"And?" His voice was low now, teasing.
"And… that's it," she lied, staring at her cup.
Jinhai chuckled, lounging back again like he hadn't just turned her heart into a pinball machine. "Better finish before it melts, Princess."
"Stop calling me that," she grumbled, but she was smiling again as she dug into her third cup.