Chapter 13
The layout of the living room was similar to her side, but the decor had a somewhat colder vibe.
The coffee table in front was quite bare, holding only a few clean, transparent glasses and a kettle full of water. The floor was a light-colored wooden plank, and there was a gray blanket under the coffee table.
A cloth covered the TV, and it looked like it hadn't been used in a while.
The cake box that Chen Baifan had placed on the dining table had become the only item in the room.
Why does it feel like no one has been living here even though two people are?
Anuo pondered silently.
She had originally just planned to bring the cake and hadn't taken anything else with her, only carrying a set of keys.
Now, she wasn't sure what to do, so she lowered her head, lost in thought.
So, what does Chen Baifan want to talk to her about today?
She couldn't recall saying anything inappropriate.
Oh, maybe he heard about the fact that he's never been in a relationship.
Before Anuo could fully process her thoughts, Chen Baifan emerged from the room, sat down beside her, and smiled at her. He reached for a glass of water and, with a slightly apologetic tone, said, "Sorry for the wait."
Anuo took a sip from the glass and quietly asked, "It hasn't been long. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Chen Baifan placed the kettle back in its place.
Since it was getting late, he didn't beat around the bush. He got straight to the point, "Today, I heard that you're an illustrator. My cousin is about to publish a novel and needs an illustration for the cover. I thought about asking you for help."
Anuo was momentarily taken aback when she heard the reason.
Noticing her expression, Chen Baifan added, "There will be compensation, and the price is reasonable."
Anuo fell into silence, pondering her options.
If she helped out, would that mean Chen Baifan owed her a favor?
Perhaps he'd even offer to take her out to dinner to express his gratitude.
After all, it was just a drawing, and she wouldn't be at a loss no matter how she calculated it.
Besides, she didn't necessarily need compensation for this kind of thing.
The mere thought of possibly getting closer to him thrilled her.
With this in mind, Anuo nodded eagerly, "Sure."
Chen Baifan indeed had a self-serving motive behind this request, though he wasn't sure where this self-interest had sprung from.
Suddenly recalling Hexin Jia's high requirements for the cover, Chen Baifan, who had initially intended to let Anuo take the shortcut, raised an additional request, "Can you show me some of your illustrations?"
Anuo hadn't brought her phone, so she had no way to show him her work directly. She explained, "I didn't bring my phone with me, but I have many works on my Weibo. You can check them out there. My Weibo username is '糯紙'—it's '糯' from my name and '紙' like paper towels."
糯紙—Nuò Zhǐ.
Chen Baifan's calm demeanor instantly transformed.
That name... seemed somewhat familiar...
His reaction left Anuo feeling a bit puzzled. Her confidence in her artistic abilities, which was usually sky-high, suddenly wavered. She cautiously asked, "Have you seen my drawings before?"
Chen Baifan remained silent for a few seconds, then stood up and said, "Wait for me."
Anuo, nervously fidgeting with her fingertips, nodded in response.
Chen Baifan scratched his head with his palm and made his way to Hexin Jia's room.
He opened the door, lowered his voice, and asked, "What's the name of the illustrator you used before?"
Hexin Jia didn't even lift his eyelids, lounging in his chair, completely ignoring him.
Chen Baifan simply walked into the room, closed the door, and repeated, "What's the name of the illustrator you had paint the previous book cover?"
The owner of the long-neglected room finally lifted his eyes to respond, "Don't come in."
Chen Baifan sighed, "I suddenly remembered that it's been a while since I've seen Auntie."
Hexin Jia gave in, "Fine... It's Nuò Zhǐ."
Chen Baifan's eyebrows furrowed, "So, is this 'Anuo' really the illustrator that you provoked to draw manga, as you said?"
According to Hexin Jia's story, Anuo should dislike Hexin Shu. However, her reason for disliking him was that she didn't realize the true culprit behind all the nitpicking was not Hexin Shu himself.
It was his cousin, Hexin Jia.
If Anuo knew that she had been tormented by him...
Chen Baifan lowered his gaze and felt a sudden sense of unease.
Hexin Jia sat in his chair, his legs folded and propped up on the table, swinging them casually as he asked, "You mean you don't want me to come out... and things progressed that quickly? What did you guys do in my living room?"
Chen Baifan looked at him and explained, "She's a bit timid."
Perhaps he might scare her away, being the untidy and unwashed, reclusive gamer he was for the past few days.
He then continued to question, "Is the illustrator you rejected earlier also called 'Nuò Zhǐ'?"
Hexin Jia nodded, saying, "The editor reached out to her, and she declined."
Chen Baifan fell silent for a few moments and then said, "I also contacted her just now, and she agreed."
Hexin Jia looked at him and asked, "Weren't you out flirting with girls earlier?"
Chen Baifan hesitated for a moment and then admitted, "Well..."
Hexin Jia warned him, "Don't tell me the girl you met outside is her."
"Uh... Yeah."
Hexin Jia gazed at him for a few seconds, and then suddenly stood up, saying, "I'm starving since I haven't had dinner. You brought the cake, right? Good, I'm going to eat."
Chen Baifan promptly pushed him back into his seat, gritted his teeth, and asked, "What do you think you're doing?"
Hexin Jia sat down obediently and said, "I haven't had dinner, so I'll go eat some cake."
The emphasis he put on "haven't had dinner" made Chen Baifan's temper rise.
Then suddenly, Chen Baifan decided not to stop him and calmly said, "I'll ask Auntie to make you some food tomorrow."
Hexin Jia's expression brightened suddenly, and the cloud over his face dispersed. He commented, "Let her do it. I was thinking about it. Let her draw. I'm pretty satisfied with the last book cover she did for me. I'll tell the editor to reach out to her again."
"Wait."
"What now?"
"I haven't told her your pen name yet, so I don't know if she'll agree."
"Alright, let me know once you ask her."
Chen Baifan turned to leave, not wanting Anuo to wait outside for too long. After taking a few steps, he turned back and spoke once more.
"By the way, if you get to know her in the future..." Chen Baifan's voice trailed off, lowering it to a whisper, "absolutely do not tell her that I helped you check the book cover."
Hexin Jia instantly understood Chen Baifan's intention: he wanted him to shoulder the responsibility.
He waved his hand in acknowledgement.
With his point made, Chen Baifan returned to the living room.
Anuo was still sitting there, her gaze fixed on nothing, resembling a child who had done something wrong.
Chen Baifan suddenly felt a surge of guilt in the pit of his stomach. He returned to his previous position, initiated the conversation, and said, "Let me tell you my cousin's pen name. See if you recognize it and if you're interested in taking the job."
Anuo snapped back to attention, nervously licking her lower lip, and replied, "Okay."
Sweating internally, Chen Baifan said, "His pen name is Xīn Shù."
Anuo blinked in response.
Is this person some kind of persistent spirit?
And how did this person become Chen Baifan's cousin?
Anuo fell into a momentary silence, her eyes cast downward, recalling the feedback from the editor, which seemed like a death sentence: Xīn Shù had said the color tones didn't quite fit the childhood sweethearts theme, the male lead was drawn too short, and that the female lead's hair color should be lighter...
Did she just agree without asking about the pen name?
Anuo suddenly felt a surge of regret that she couldn't contain.
Chen Baifan thought of Xīn Shù as his cousin, so the guy is male?
This guy is awfully particular with all these demands...
Thinking this way, Chen Baifan might be tormented by this Xīn Shù.
Chen Baifan cleared his throat, "If you don't want to take it, that's okay..."
Anuo suddenly interrupted, "The person who lives with you is your cousin?"
Chen Baifan hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"What's your relationship with him?"
"It's pretty good."
Anuo stared at him, and finally agreed, "I should be able to do it."
She didn't want to reject him. She didn't want to make him feel awkward, and she didn't want to see disappointment in his eyes. She hadn't thought she'd agree, but she did.
Chen Baifan's breath hitched, and his heartbeat momentarily slowed, as he composed himself and said earnestly, "Thank you for agreeing. I'll treat you to dinner another day."
Upon hearing this, Anuo's mood immediately improved, and she asked, "When? Let me check if I have the time."
Noticing Chen Baifan's sudden silence, Anuo wanted to burst out in frustration.
Was she being a little too insincere? She's a full-time illustrator; how busy could she possibly be?
The next moment, Chen Baifan suddenly reacted, "Are you going back to Sichuan Mansion?"
Anuo was momentarily taken aback and remembered that Chinese New Year was coming next Wednesday. No wonder he asked. She did have to go back.
Anuo confirmed with a simple "yes" and mentally noted that she needed to book her flight soon after returning home.
"When are you going back?"
Anuo took her time to reply, "I haven't booked a ticket yet. I'll book it once I get back."
Chen Baifan suggested, "How about going back on the day you plan to leave, and I'll give you a ride to the airport."
This time Anuo didn't hesitate and immediately nodded.
With the matter settled, Anuo had no further reason to stay. She stood up, saying, "I'll be heading back then."
Chen Baifan also rose and walked to the door to open it for her.
As Anuo stepped outside, she suddenly turned back.
Xīn Shù was Chen Baifan's cousin, and their relationship seemed fine. Would it be inappropriate to vent in front of him?
But she couldn't help it! She just couldn't help it!
She hoped he could stay away from Xīn Shù and, by all means, not be influenced by him. They shouldn't get mixed up together! It would be best if they didn't live together.
That's how strongly Anuo felt about Xīn Shù.
She tugged at her sleeves, her expression filled with inner turmoil.
Maybe she should phrase it more tactfully? A little more diplomatically...
Noticing her expression, Chen Baifan raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong?"
His question seemed to give Anuo the courage she needed, and she immediately blurted out, "It seems like your cousin's personality isn't that great."
The smile on Chen Baifan's lips froze, and he remained silent.
Anuo instantly regretted her words and took a step back, saying, "I was just joking..."
But before she could finish her sentence, Chen Baifan interrupted her, saying, "I also think so."
"..."
"..."
Chen Baifan had absolutely no belief that if He Xinjia ever met Anuo, he wouldn't tell her about the cover illustration.
He suppressed the stiffness on his face and said seriously, "So, in the future, don't talk to him."
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