After Transmigrating into a Professional Bootlicker, I Messed Up - Chapter 81.2

Extra Story 4 Part 3 (Continued)

Lin Luo opened the bottles of shampoo and body wash, giving them a sniff. They smelled plain, nothing special. So, his cedar scent was natural—no doubt about it.

Ha, this man even has a natural fragrance. Talk about intense.

Lin Luo turned on the hot water, taking a shower and washing her hair with Ji Chi’an’s bulk-sized, budget shampoo and body wash, which she found surprisingly pleasant.

She dried off with her own clothes and took her time, choosing a loose shirt-dress that gave off that “boyfriend shirt” vibe, showing her delicate collarbone and long, slender legs. Her hair was still damp, giving her a subtle, steamy allure.

When she emerged, Ji Chi’an had already made himself a cup of instant noodles. The mouth-watering aroma of pickled vegetable flavor filled the small room, and Lin Luo’s stomach growled audibly.

He peeled back the lid, stirring the noodles with a fork, making the scent even more intense. Lin Luo swallowed hard, and her stomach growled louder.

Her stomach’s loud protests could practically be heard over the thunder outside.

Ji Chi’an finally glanced up at her, then quickly looked down again, pushing the cup noodles towards her. “You eat it.”

Lin Luo noticed a slight blush on his ears and couldn’t help but smile, but she didn’t tease him. “I’ll make another cup for myself.”

“This is the last one.”

Ji Chi’an casually turned back to his book.

So, this CEO is actually out of food reserves…

Lin Luo had never been this broke before and was a little at a loss. Looking around, she saw that he was truly diligent—there was nothing much in the apartment, just a lot of books, mostly in English and French, covering topics like finance and law. Definitely not light reading for a college student.

He was clearly an exceptional person, someone who shined even in difficult circumstances, determined and growing upwards.

But he was so thin. Ji Chi’an had always been lean and fit, but now he seemed almost too skinny.

Feeling a bit sorry, Lin Luo said, “I’m not hungry. I’m on a diet. You eat it.”

But just as she finished, her stomach let out a loud “grumble,” making things a bit awkward.

“How about I order takeout?” Lin Luo rubbed her nose, embarrassed.

“The news just said there’s a severe storm tonight. The drainage system here is old, and the whole area is flooded, with water levels reaching 70 cm. Do you think any delivery would come?”

Ji Chi’an leaned back on his chair, balancing it on two legs, one arm lazily draped over the backrest, the other spinning a pen. He looked over at her. “So, have you figured something out?”

Lin Luo blinked, confused. “What?”

Ji Chi’an tugged at his collar, smirking. “It means you’re not leaving tonight. You scammed yourself right into the wolf’s den.”

That gesture hit Lin Luo right in the feels. Whenever Ji Chi’an in her previous life was up to no good, he’d always tug at his collar, smirking just like this. This guy didn’t need any “CEO charm” tricks to look powerful—he simply was.

Lin Luo knew this was her Ji Chi’an in every way, but he hadn’t yet fallen for her. She missed the Ji Chi’an who adored her, who cherished her.

Lowering her head, she muttered, “I wasn’t scamming…”

Her small voice sounded incredibly pitiful.

The young man, who had only meant to tease her, suddenly felt a pang in his chest. He tapped the cup noodles. “Hurry up and eat it, or it’ll get soggy.”

Lin Luo wrapped herself in a blanket, sitting on the sofa. “I don’t want it. You eat. You’re too skinny.”

She curled into a small bundle, her face peeking out from the blanket, her eyes shiny and her nose red.

She looked beautiful. Ji Chi’an, who rarely paid attention to women, had to admit she was exceptionally pretty.

And, for some reason, despite her strange behavior, he felt there was something meaningful about it, as if it might have something to do with him. Maybe some people are just destined to be attracted to each other. Though she didn’t seem particularly bright, he found it impossible to dislike her. In fact, he even felt a strange urge to protect her.

Like now, seeing her look so vulnerable, he couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

But, being naturally composed, he didn’t show any of this. He just took the cup noodles, poured half into a small bowl, and pushed it towards her. “Make do with this. I’ll figure something out tomorrow.”

Lin Luo looked at him and obediently nodded. “Okay.”

Cradling the bowl, she began eating in small bites.

The noodles were a bit soggy, reminding her of the time when Ji Chi’an once tried to cook for her, hoping she’d gain some weight. Back then, she thought it was barely edible. Now, she found it delicious.

Outside, the storm raged, but inside, the warmth of the small room wrapped around them as their heads leaned close, sharing a cup of instant noodles that cost less than five yuan. This would forever be one of Lin Luo’s fondest memories.

In the future, she could proudly tell their kids, “Your mom was with your dad through the years when he had nothing. He ate the noodles, and I drank the soup. I didn’t marry him for his money, only his looks.”

📜 Scroll Down for Kliraz’s Scoop! 🌧️💖

Instant noodles have an iconic status as a “college staple” in China, symbolizing both financial struggle and resilience. Sharing noodles in a cramped apartment during a storm is romance in its purest, most relatable form! ⌒°(❛ᴗ❛)°⌒

Did you know that in East Asia, some people are said to have a “natural scent”? Cedar is known for calming effects, giving Ji Chi’an a mysterious “comfort vibe.” It’s a popular scent associated with stability and strength!

Lin Luo’s attachment to simple, shared moments shows “associative nostalgia,” where small, everyday actions hold immense meaning because of emotional bonds. Sharing a meal during hard times deepens their connection in subtle but powerful ways.

Fun fact! A stormy night is often used in novels to create intimacy. With all external distractions blocked by rain and thunder, it’s just two people in their own little world. The storm here is like their own bubble! (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ

Ever shared a meal or cozy moment that became unforgettable? Tell me about it! (˘︶˘).｡*♡